Black Haw

Scientific Names

Viburnum prunifolium L.
Caprifoliaceae
Honeysuckle family

Common Names

American sloe
Cramp bark (V. opulus)
Sheepberry
Stagbush
Back to Top

Description of Plant(s) and Culture

A shrub or small tree 6-30 feet high; the leaves are elliptic to ovate; finely toothed; mostly smooth, dull (not shiny), 1-3 inches long. Bark is irregular, transversely curved and grayish brown, or where the outer bark has scaled off, brownish-red; inner surface reddish brown. The root bark is cinnamon colored and tastes bitter. The small white flowers are in flat clusters; blooms March to May. The fruits are clusters of black berries, but bluish at first, on red stems. Sweet fruit is edible, but lacks flavor.
Back to Top

Where Found

Found in bogs, low woods; Eastern United States, but found in most North American states. More abundant in Connecticut to Florida; Texas to eastern Kansas.
Back to Top

Medicinal Properties

Antispasomodic, analgesic, astringent, sedative, cardiac tonic, uterine and muscle relaxant, nervine, diuretic, tonic
Back to Top

Biochemical Information

Amentoflavone, coumarins, scopoletine and aesculetine, arbutin, oleanolic, and ursolic acids, sterol.
Back to Top

Legends, Myths and Stories

Black Haw was a favorite with the Eclectics of 19th century America.
Back to Top

Uses

It treats all nervous complaints, including convulsions, hysteria, stress and spasms. It is one of the most reliable remedies for menstrual cramps, uterine tonic, spasms, high blood pressure, chills, fever, and pains. It is often combined with false unicorn root (Helonias) as a preferred treatment against miscarriage. It also is used to treat asthma, palpitations, heart disease and hysterical fits. It is good for painful affections, including arthritis and rheumatic complaints. It is a heart tonic, improves blood circulation.

An extract of the boiled bark aids in childbirth and as a preventative of miscarriage in early pregnancy. It acts like a sedative on uterine muscles, stops menstrual cramps and afterbirth pains. Research has confirmed uterine-sedative properties.

Cramp bark (Viburnum opulis), usually is used alternately with black haw. Cramp bark is weaker, containing about a third of the resins of black haw.

Black haw is sometimes called cramp bark (erroneously).
Back to Top

Formulas or Dosages

Dig up the root in the fall and strip off the bark. Standard infusion or 3-9 gms.
Back to Top

Warning

Berries may produce nausea and other uncomfortable symptoms.
Back to Top

Bibliography

American Folk Medicine, by Clarence Meyer, Meyerbooks, publisher, PO Box 427, Glenwood, Illinois 60425, 1973

Indian Herbalogy of North America, by Alma R. Hutchens, Shambala Publications, Inc., Horticultural Hall, 300 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, 1973

Old Ways Rediscovered, by Clarence Meyer, Meyerbooks, publisher, PO Box 427, Glenwood, Illinois 60425, published from 1954, print 1988

Eastern/Central Medicinal Plants, by Steven Foster and James A. Duke., Houghton Mifflin Company, 215 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10000

Webster's New World Dictionary, Third College Edition, Victoria Neufeldt, Editor in Chief, New World Dictionaries: A Division of Simon & Schuster, Inc., 15 Columbus Circle, New York, NY 10023, 1984

The Rodale Herb Book, edited by William H. Hylton, Rodale Press, Inc. Emmaus, PA, 18049., 1974