Everything You Need to Know About

Cramp bark (Viburnum opulus)

Botanical family: Adoxaceae
Parts used: Bark, Stems
Cramp bark (Viburnum opulus)
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Overview and Health Benefits

Cramp bark (or guelder rose), derived from the Viburnum opulus plant, is a notable herbal remedy with a rich history of use in traditional medicine, particularly for its powerful antispasmodic properties. Often associated with soothing menstrual cramps and uterine tension, cramp bark’s efficacy in relaxing smooth muscle makes it a preferred choice for conditions involving muscular spasms, such as those associated with menstrual discomfort, gastrointestinal cramping, and certain respiratory conditions like bronchitis and asthma (Kajszczak et al., 2020). The bark’s unique combination of active constituents, including coumarins, tannins, and hydroquinones, contributes to its ability to alleviate tension and promote relaxation, particularly within the female reproductive system (Wood, 2009).

Key Benefits

Antispasmodic Effects: Cramp bark is primarily valued for its ability to relieve smooth muscle spasms. It is particularly effective in addressing menstrual cramps, uterine spasms, and the discomfort associated with endometriosis (Saltan et al., 2016). The active compounds, including scopoletin and aesculetin, contribute to its muscle-relaxing effects (Kajszczak et al., 2020). 

Menstrual and Uterine Support: As a uterine sedative and tonic, herb is frequently employed in herbal medicine to support women's reproductive health, particularly to relieve menstrual cramps (Jiao et al., 2022; McIntyre, 2019). It is often recommended to ease menstrual discomfort, regulate menstrual flow, and reduce the risk of miscarriage by calming uterine spasms (Saltan et al., 2016). It can be used for endometriosis (Saltan et al., 2016), ovarian pain, pelvic inflammatory disease, and to prepare for labour (McIntyre, 2019).

Musculo-skeletal Support: Cramp bark serves as a general neuromuscular relaxant, effective for both voluntary and involuntary muscle cramps. It can be utilised for leg cramps, back pain, intestinal cramps, and to alleviate pain associated with neuralgia (McIntyre, 2019).  

Respiratory Relief: Beyond its benefits for reproductive health, cramp bark is also used to alleviate respiratory spasms, making it useful in managing conditions like bronchitis, asthma, and whooping cough. Its ability to relax bronchial muscles helps ease breathing difficulties associated with these conditions (Altun et al., 2008).

Cardiovascular Support: Cramp bark may also benefit cardiovascular health by helping to manage conditions like hypertension and palpitations. Its relaxing and vasodilatory properties can assist in lowering blood pressure, relieving palpitations and stabilising irregular heartbeats (Rop et al., 2010; McIntyre, 2019).

Digestive Aid: This herb’s soothing properties extend to the digestive system, where it can be used to alleviate intestinal cramping, colitis, irritable bowel syndrome and other gastrointestinal disorders marked by spasms (McIntyre, 2019). The tannins present in cramp bark add an astringent quality that can help tone and protect the mucous membranes of the digestive tract (Polka et al., 2019).

Nervous System Support: Cramp bark acts as a sedative and nervine, making it an effective remedy for anxiety, stress, tension, stress-induced headaches, hypertension, and digestive issues (McIntyre, 2019). 

Safety

The bark is used medicinally, but the fresh berries can irritate the gut and cause diarrhoea (McIntyre, 2019). Cramp bark may also cause gastroenteritis and hypotension in sensitive individuals (Groves, 2016). Those with blood disorders or who are taking blood thinners should exercise caution, as the herb may exacerbate these conditions; and those with a history of kidney stones or an allergy to aspirin should avoid cramp bark due to its potential to aggravate these conditions (Groves, 2016). 

Pregnant women should only use cramp bark under the supervision of a qualified practitioner, as its use may influence uterine contractions (Groves, 2016). As with any herbal remedy, it is advisable to consult with a qualified medical herbalist before use, especially if you have a pre-existing medical condition or are taking any prescription medications.

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Key Body Systems Cramp bark (Viburnum opulus) relates to

Cramp bark (Viburnum opulus)
Musculoskeletal System
Cramp bark (Viburnum opulus)
Endocrine and or Reproductive System
Cramp bark (Viburnum opulus)
Nervous system

Energetics

Cramp bark (Viburnum opulus)
Warming
Cramp bark (Viburnum opulus)
Drying

Key actions

  • Antispasmodic
  • Relaxant
  • Astringent
  • Nervine
  • Sedative
Cramp bark (Viburnum opulus)

Key uses

It is primarily used for relieving muscle cramps and spasms, including menstrual cramps, and for nervous tension.

Where to Find Cramp bark (Viburnum opulus)

Cramp bark (Viburnum opulus)

Cramp bark, known botanically as Viburnum opulus, is a member of the Adoxaceae family, a group of plants that are often characterised by their small, white or cream-coloured flowers arranged in clusters. This deciduous shrub is a striking sight in the wild, easily identified by its elegant, lobed leaves that resemble those of a maple tree, turning a vivid red in autumn. The plant's branches are often adorned with clusters of red berries, which are glossy and persistent, hanging on through the winter months. Its flowers, which bloom in late spring to early summer, form large, flat-topped clusters, with sterile outer florets creating a decorative rim around the fertile central flowers.

Cramp bark typically thrives in damp woodlands, hedgerows, and along the edges of streams or rivers. It favours well-drained, fertile soil and is commonly found in temperate regions across Europe, North America, and Asia. In the UK, it is particularly prevalent in the southern and central parts of England, where it flourishes in the mild, moist climate.

References

Altun, M.L., Çitoğlu, G.S., Yilmaz, B.S., & Coban, T. (2008). Antioxidant properties of Viburnum opulus and Viburnum lantana growing in Turkey. International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition, 59(3), 175-180. https://doi.org/10.1080/09637480701381648

Groves, M. N. (2016). Body into balance: An herbal guide to holistic self-care. Storey Publishing.

Jiao, M., Liu, X., Ren, Y., Wang, Y., Cheng, L., Liang, Y., Li, Y., Zhang, T., Wang, W., & Mei, Z. (2022). Comparison of herbal medicines used for women’s menstruation diseases in different areas of the world. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 12, Article 751207. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2021.751207 

Kajszczak, D., Zakłos-Szyda, M., & Podsędek, A. (2020). Viburnum opulus L.—A Review of Phytochemistry and Biological Effects. Nutrients, 12(11), 3398. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12113398

McIntyre, A. (2019). The complete herbal tutor. Aeon. 

Polka, D., Podsędek, A., & Koziołkiewicz, M. (2019). Comparison of Chemical Composition and Antioxidant Capacity of Fruit, Flower, and Bark of Viburnum opulus. Plant Foods for Human Nutrition, 74(4), 436-442. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11130-019-00759-1

Rop, O., Reznicek, V., Valsikova, M., Jurikova, T., Mlcek, J., & Kramarova, D. (2010). Antioxidant Properties of European Cranberrybush Fruit (Viburnum opulus var. edule). Molecules, 15(6), 4467-4477. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules15064467

Saltan, G., Süntar, I., Ozbilgin, S., Ilhan, M., Demirel, M.A., Oz, B.E., & Akkol, E.K. (2016). Viburnum opulus L.: A remedy for the treatment of endometriosis demonstrated by rat model of surgically-induced endometriosis. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 193, 450-455. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2016.09.029

Wood, M. (2009). The Earthwise Herbal: A Complete Guide to New World Plants, Volume II. North Atlantic Books.