What is wild cherry bark used for?

Wild cherry bark (Prunus serotina) is traditionally used as an antitussive to suppress irritative, non-productive coughs and as a mild respiratory sedative. Its WHO Monograph classification confirms historical use for these purposes, though no clinical trials have validated these effects in human subjects.

Is wild cherry bark safe to take?

Properly dried wild cherry bark in typical herbal preparation doses is generally considered low-risk for healthy adults, but the cyanogenic glycoside prunasin can release hydrocyanic acid if preparations are improperly made or consumed in excess. Wilted leaves, bark extracts that are over-concentrated, and the seeds are significantly more toxic and should be strictly avoided.

What is the active compound in wild cherry bark?

The primary bioactive compounds in Prunus serotina bark are the cyanogenic glycosides prunasin and amygdalin, along with condensed tannins and benzaldehyde precursors. Prunasin is hydrolyzed in the gut by beta-glucosidases into glucose, benzaldehyde, and trace hydrocyanic acid, which together produce the bark's characteristic antitussive and mild sedative effects.

Can wild cherry bark be used during pregnancy?

Wild cherry bark is contraindicated during pregnancy due to the fetotoxic potential of its cyanogenic glycoside content, which can release hydrocyanic acid upon metabolism. There are no human safety studies in pregnant or breastfeeding populations, and herbalists and regulatory bodies uniformly advise against its use during these periods.

Does wild cherry bark interact with any medications?

Wild cherry bark may produce additive CNS depression when combined with sedatives, benzodiazepines, opioid-based antitussives like codeine, or alcohol, due to its own sedative mechanism involving hydrocyanic acid and benzaldehyde. At high doses, the cyanide-releasing activity could theoretically impair mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase function, potentially interacting with medications dependent on cellular oxygen metabolism.

What forms of wild cherry are available as supplements?

Wild cherry is commonly available as dried bark, liquid extracts, tinctures, and in cough syrups or lozenges. The bark extract form is most traditional and aligns with historical monograph uses. Liquid extracts and tinctures allow for flexible dosing, while commercial cough formulations often combine wild cherry with complementary herbs.

How much clinical evidence supports wild cherry bark for cough relief?

Wild cherry bark is classified as traditional use only, with no published clinical trials demonstrating efficacy for cough suppression. Its traditional antitussive reputation is based on historical use and the presence of cyanogenic glycosides, but modern scientific validation is lacking. Any recommendations for use are based on traditional monograph classifications rather than contemporary research data.

Who should avoid wild cherry bark supplements?

People with cyanide sensitivity, severe kidney or liver disease, and those taking cough suppressant medications should consult a healthcare provider before use. Children under 2 years old and individuals with respiratory conditions requiring medical supervision should avoid self-treating with wild cherry. Additionally, those with a history of adverse reactions to prunus species should exercise caution.

Prunus serotina (Wild Cherry)

Wild cherry bark (Prunus serotina) contains cyanogenic glycosides, primarily prunasin and amygdalin, which are hydrolyzed to benzaldehyde and hydrocyanic acid in the gut, producing mild sedative and antitussive effects on the cough reflex. Its primary clinical application remains traditional use as a cough suppressant and mild respiratory sedative, with no modern randomized controlled trials confirming efficacy.

Category: Other Evidence: 2/10 Tier: Traditional

Prunus serotina (Wild Cherry) — Hermetica Encyclopedia

Origin & History

Prunus serotina, commonly known as wild cherry, is a tree species in the Rosaceae family native to North America, with the medicinal part being the inner bark harvested from young trees. The bark is typically dried and used to prepare infusions, tinctures (1:5 ratio), or extracts via water-based or alcohol extraction methods.

Historical & Cultural Context

In Western herbalism and naturopathic tradition, Prunus serotina bark has been used for centuries as an antitussive for irritative coughs with profuse muco-purulent expectoration. Traditional applications also included treating cardiac palpitation, dyspnea, pyrexia, loss of appetite, and cardiac pain from debility.

Health Benefits

• Traditional antitussive (cough suppressant) for irritative coughs - Traditional use only, no clinical trials available
• Sedative effects on cough reflex - Traditional use based on cyanogenic glycoside content
• Astringent properties - Traditional use, no clinical evidence
• Support for cardiac palpitations and dyspnea - Historical use only, no modern studies
• Relief of profuse muco-purulent expectoration - Traditional use without clinical validation

How It Works

Prunasin and amygdalin, the primary cyanogenic glycosides in Prunus serotina bark, are enzymatically hydrolyzed by gut beta-glucosidases into glucose, benzaldehyde, and trace amounts of hydrocyanic acid (HCN). The resulting HCN and benzaldehyde exert a mild central and peripheral sedative effect on the medullary cough center and sensory nerve endings in the bronchial mucosa, reducing cough reflex sensitivity. Tannins present in the bark also contribute astringent activity by precipitating mucosal surface proteins, reducing irritation-driven cough stimulation.

Scientific Research

No human clinical trials, RCTs, or meta-analyses on Prunus serotina bark were identified in the available research. Traditional use as an antitussive lacks modern clinical validation, and no PubMed PMIDs are available for human studies.

Clinical Summary

No modern randomized controlled trials or systematic reviews exist for Prunus serotina as an isolated therapeutic agent in human subjects. Evidence for its antitussive and sedative properties is derived entirely from historical ethnobotanical records, traditional Eclectic medicine texts from the 19th century, and limited in vitro phytochemical analyses confirming the presence of prunasin and amygdalin. The WHO Monograph on wild cherry bark acknowledges traditional use for irritative, non-productive coughs but explicitly states that clinical efficacy has not been established through controlled research. Given the absence of quantified human outcome data, its use is categorized as traditional rather than evidence-based, and any therapeutic claims must be framed accordingly.

Nutritional Profile

Prunus serotina bark and fruit contain distinct bioactive compound profiles. **Cyanogenic glycosides**: Prunasin (D-mandelonitrile-β-D-glucoside) is the primary cyanogenic glycoside, found predominantly in bark, leaves, and seeds at concentrations of approximately 1,000–3,000 mg/kg in fresh bark (variable by season, highest in autumn). Amygdalin is present in seeds at approximately 1,500–2,500 mg/kg. These glycosides hydrolyze via β-glucosidase to release hydrogen cyanide (HCN), benzaldehyde, and glucose — the HCN is responsible for the antitussive sedative action on the cough reflex at very low doses but is toxic at higher doses. **Phenolic compounds**: Bark contains flavonoids including naringenin, eriodictyol, taxifolin (dihydroquercetin), and their glycosides; total flavonoid content approximately 2–5% dry weight of bark. Condensed tannins (proanthocyanidins) present at approximately 3–8% in bark, contributing to astringent properties. Hydroxycinnamic acids (chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid) present in minor quantities (~0.1–0.5% dry weight). **Fruit composition** (ripe drupes): Water ~75–80%; sugars (glucose, fructose, sucrose) ~8–12% fresh weight; dietary fiber ~2–4 g per 100 g fresh fruit; protein ~1–2 g per 100 g; fat <1 g per 100 g. Vitamin C approximately 3–15 mg per 100 g fresh fruit (modest). Anthocyanins (cyanidin-3-glucoside, cyanidin-3-rutinoside) at approximately 50–200 mg per 100 g in fully ripe fruit, responsible for dark coloration. **Minerals** (fruit): Potassium ~150–250 mg/100 g; calcium ~10–30 mg/100 g; magnesium ~10–20 mg/100 g; iron ~0.3–1.0 mg/100 g; phosphorus ~15–30 mg/100 g. **Volatile compounds**: Benzaldehyde (released from prunasin hydrolysis) is the characteristic aromatic compound; also contains trace amounts of linalool, eugenol, and other terpenoids in bark. **Scopoletin** (a coumarin) has been identified in bark at trace levels. **Ursolic acid and oleanolic acid** (triterpenes) present in bark and leaves at approximately 0.1–0.5% dry weight. **Bioavailability notes**: Prunasin is readily hydrolyzed in the gut by endogenous and bacterial β-glucosidases, releasing HCN rapidly — this makes dosing critical and toxicity a genuine concern. Tannins reduce protein and mineral bioavailability when co-consumed. Anthocyanins in the fruit have relatively low bioavailability (estimated 1–5% absorption), though colonic metabolites may contribute additional biological activity. Medicinal preparations traditionally use dried inner bark (wild cherry bark), as drying partially reduces but does not eliminate HCN-generating potential; aqueous and syrup preparations (wild cherry syrup USP) are standardized historically but not by modern analytical methods. Seeds and leaves pose the greatest toxicity risk and are not used medicinally.

Preparation & Dosage

No clinically studied dosage ranges are available. Traditional pharmacy suggests 1 tsp dried bark per cup as an infusion (1 cup three times daily) or 2-4 ml of 1:5 tincture three times daily, without standardization specified. Consult a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement.

Synergy & Pairings

Marshmallow root, Licorice root, Mullein leaf, Slippery elm bark, Thyme

Safety & Interactions

The cyanogenic glycoside content of Prunus serotina poses a real toxicity risk if bark preparations are improperly prepared, over-concentrated, or consumed in large quantities, as HCN release can cause respiratory depression, headache, and in severe cases, cyanide poisoning. Wilted leaves and seeds are significantly more toxic than properly dried bark preparations and must not be consumed. Wild cherry bark should be avoided during pregnancy and breastfeeding due to potential fetotoxicity from cyanogenic compounds and the complete absence of safety data in these populations. Potential drug interactions include additive CNS depressant effects when combined with sedatives, benzodiazepines, or opioid-based cough suppressants, and its cyanide-releasing mechanism may theoretically interfere with cytochrome c oxidase in high doses.