Wild Cherry Bark

Part Used: inner bark

Energetics: bitter, astringent/ cooling/ sweet PK- V+ (in excess)

Tissues: plasma, blood, muscle, marrow and nerve

Systems: respiratory, nervous, circulatory, digestive

Actions: expectorant, antispasmodic, alterative, astringent

Indications: cough, whooping cough, bronchial spasms, palpitations, skin problems, eye inflammation

Precautions: few high Vata

Preparation: decoction, powder (250 to 500 mg), cough syrup

Various forms of wild cherry, apricot seeds and bitter almonds are effective expectorants and anticough agents, largely owing to the presence of hydrocyanic acid, which in large amounts is toxic. They cleanse and decongest the lungs and lymphatics. Those which are Cooling, like wild cherry bark, extend this cleansing action to the blood. Apricot seeds and bitter almonds, however, owing to their oily properties as seeds, are heating in energy, as well as demulcent, emollient and laxative. They relieve a cough due to colds, but are only moderately effective on chronic coughs. It is this cleansing and expectorant action which causes apricot seeds to be used in anti-cancer therapy.