Wild Cherry Bark
RosaceaePrunus serotina
Also known as: Black Cherry, Virginian Prune, Rum Cherry
clinical_notes Clinical Summary
Wild Cherry Bark (Prunus serotina) is a classic North American antitussive — its cyanogenic glycoside prunasin yields small, therapeutic amounts of hydrocyanic acid that sedate the cough reflex while its tannins tone the mucosa.
It is specifically indicated for dry, irritating, spasmodic coughs that disrupt sleep, including nighttime cough in bronchitis and whooping cough, and has a secondary reputation as a cardiotonic for nervous palpitations.
Use short-term only and avoid in pregnancy, lactation, and with productive coughs where mucus clearance is essential.
Pregnancy Safety
Avoid due to cyanogenic glycoside content; theoretical teratogenic and metabolic risk.
Lactation Safety
Avoid during lactation due to cyanogenic glycosides and trace hydrocyanic acid excretion concerns.
warning Contraindications
- Pregnancy (avoid)Theoretical
- Prolonged / chronic use (caution)Theoretical
- Productive cough where expectoration is essential (caution)Theoretical
- Children under 2 years (avoid)Clinically Proven
vital_signs Clinical Profile
Primary Indications
- check_circle Dry irritating cough
- check_circle Spasmodic cough
- check_circle Whooping cough
- check_circle Bronchitis
- check_circle Laryngitis
- check_circle Nervous dyspepsia
- check_circle Tachycardia with irritability
Therapeutic Actions
System Affinities
- check_circle Respiratory system
- check_circle Heart
- check_circle Digestive tract
labs Active Constituents
Prunasin
Amygdalin
Benzaldehyde
Hydrocyanic acid
Scopoletin
P-coumaric acid
Eudesmic acid
Tannins
Volatile oil
Resin
history_edu Traditional Use
No TCM data available for this herb yet.
Traditional Uses Across Healing Systems
While many herbs lack controlled clinical trials, centuries of traditional practice across cultures provide valuable insight into their therapeutic applications.
Cherokee, Iroquois, Ojibwa and other Eastern Woodland tribes used wild cherry bark for coughs, colds, fevers, labor pain, dysentery, and digestive problems. Bark also used for skin wounds.
Cherokee women used it during labor.
Antitussive and mild sedative for irritated dry, spasmodic, and nervous coughs. Commonly used in cough syrups and pastilles. Also used for nervous palpitations, dyspepsia, and anxiety with cardiac symptoms.
Eclectics used it specifically for 'continual irritative cough with profuse muco-purulent expectoration' and 'cardiac palpitation from debility.'
spa Parts Used
bark
- Dry cough
- Bronchitis
- Whooping cough
- Laryngitis
Best harvested in autumn from young branches and stems. Dried in shade and stored airtight to preserve volatile prunasin. Best harvested midsummer when cyanogenic content is reportedly lower. Avoid boiling — enzymes inactivate prunase.
shield Safety
Contraindications — Evidence Basis
Pregnancy
Contraindicated due to cyanogenic glycoside (prunasin) content; theoretical teratogenic risk.
Prolonged / chronic use
Short-term use only. Chronic or high-dose use risks cyanide accumulation. Mills & Bone note prunasin is slowly hydrolyzed so normal therapeutic doses are safe, but long-term use discouraged.
Productive cough where expectoration is essential
As a true antitussive suppressing the cough reflex, not appropriate when phlegm clearance is needed (e.g. pneumonia).
Children under 2 years
Pediatric livestock poisonings and case reports of children poisoned by twigs/kernels. Use with caution in older children; not recommended under 2.
Toxicity
Therapeutic dose yields ~0.07-0.16% hydrocyanic acid on hydrolysis; 32 g bark ≈ 50 mg HCN. Livestock fatalities reported with fresh wilted leaves/twigs. Pediatric poisonings from seeds reported.
Headache, dizziness, bitter-almond breath, rapid breathing, seizures, coma, death (in severe poisoning). At therapeutic doses, safe.
Cyanide antidote kit (hydroxocobalamin or sodium thiosulfate) for severe poisoning; ABCs; activated charcoal if early.
Adverse Effects
CYP Metabolism
In vitro research suggests wild cherry may inhibit CYP3A4, theoretically increasing levels of CYP3A4 substrates (lovastatin, ketoconazole, itraconazole, fexofenadine, triazolam). Not reported in humans.
swap_horiz Interactions
Codeine
Class: Opioid antitussive
Wild cherry bark is a potent antitussive; prunasin (cyanogenic glycoside) releases small amounts of hydrocyanic acid, which sedates the cough reflex centrally. Combined with codeine or dextromethorphan, additive cough suppression occurs, potentially leading to over-suppression of productive coughs and retention of airway secretions.
Avoid concurrent use with prescription antitussives unless specifically indicated. Avoid in productive coughs where expectoration is therapeutic. Be aware of cumulative cyanogenic glycoside exposure if used chronically.
Diazepam
Class: Benzodiazepine (CNS depressant)
Wild cherry bark exhibits mild sedative effects documented as part of its nervine, antispasmodic action. Prunasin-derived compounds have sedating effects on the respiratory system. Combined with benzodiazepines or other CNS depressants, additive sedation, dizziness, and respiratory depression may occur.
Use cautiously with CNS depressants. Avoid combining with large or prolonged doses. Counsel patients about additive drowsiness and avoid driving or operating machinery.
Simvastatin
Class: HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor (CYP3A4 substrate)
In vitro research suggests wild cherry bark may inhibit CYP3A4, potentially increasing plasma levels of CYP3A4 substrates (e.g., lovastatin, simvastatin, ketoconazole, itraconazole, fexofenadine, triazolam). This interaction has not been reported clinically in humans.
Theoretical risk only. No clinical evidence of meaningful CYP3A4 inhibition at normal dietary or therapeutic doses. Monitor for unexpected statin side effects (myalgia) if high-dose wild cherry bark preparations are used long-term.
Digoxin
Class: Cardiac glycoside
Wild cherry bark contains tannins and gallotannins which may bind cardiac glycosides in the GI tract, reducing their absorption and bioavailability. Also, any chronic low-level cyanide exposure may contribute to altered myocardial energy metabolism in susceptible patients.
Separate administration by at least 2 hours. Monitor digoxin levels and cardiac rhythm if combined therapy is unavoidable.
Acetaminophen (paracetamol)
Class: Analgesic/antipyretic
Cyanogenic glycosides in wild cherry bark (prunasin) are detoxified in the liver via rhodanese using sulfur donors. Acetaminophen overdose depletes hepatic glutathione, theoretically impairing cyanide detoxification. High-dose or prolonged use of wild cherry combined with therapeutic acetaminophen is not expected to cause problems, but chronic concurrent use with alcohol or high-dose acetaminophen may be unsafe.
Use wild cherry bark short-term and in recommended doses. Avoid in patients with hepatic impairment. Counsel against exceeding acetaminophen 3 g/day while using cyanogenic herbs.
hub Combinations
Synergistic pairings can enhance therapeutic outcomes, while knowing suitable substitutes helps when specific herbs are unavailable or contraindicated.
Synergistic Combinations
5Elecampane
Traditional UseElecampane's warming expectorant action combines with wild cherry's cough-sedating action for chronic or damp bronchitis.
Classical Eclectic pairing.
Licorice Root
Traditional UseLicorice soothes, moistens, and is anti-inflammatory; paired with wild cherry for dry cough with throat inflammation.
Common in cough formulas.
Marshmallow Root
Traditional UseMarshmallow demulcent action coats irritated mucosa while wild cherry suppresses cough; a mainstay cough-formula pair.
Widely used in traditional and modern cough syrups.
Mullein
Traditional UseMullein's demulcent/expectorant action complements wild cherry's antitussive effect — especially useful for dry coughs transitioning into productive phase.
Common traditional pairing in Western cough syrups.
Pleurisy Root
Traditional UsePleurisy root aids expectoration and supports diaphoresis in febrile chest illness while wild cherry calms the spasmodic cough.
Traditional Eclectic combination.
science Studies
Phytopharmacological Possibilities of Bird Cherry Prunus padus L. and Prunus serotina L. Species and Their Bioactive Phytochemicals
Systematic ReviewThis comprehensive review collated and analyzed phytochemical and pharmacological data on two bird cherry species, Prunus padus and Prunus serotina, examining their tocopherols, vitamins, polyphenols, terpenes, and cyanogenic glycosides. Available in vitro and in vivo studies were reviewed for antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antidiabetic activity across different anatomical plant parts including bark, leaves, and fruits. Traditional medicinal use of P. serotina bark as an antitussive and demulcent for dry cough, sore throat, bronchitis, and nervous complaints is documented, alongside emerging evidence for cardiovascular and metabolic health properties. The review identifies significant research gaps regarding clinical evidence for the traditionally recognized respiratory uses of wild cherry bark.
In vitro and in vivo cysticidal activity of extracts and isolated flavanone from the bark of Prunus serotina: A bio-guided study
In VivoThis bio-guided pharmacological study investigated cysticidal activity of P. serotina bark extracts against Taenia crassiceps cysts as a model for neurocysticercosis treatment. All bark extracts showed in vitro cysticidal activity (EC50 17.9-88.5 µg/mL), with the methanolic extract being most potent. In vivo, methanolic extract at 300 mg/kg produced efficacy comparable to albendazole. Bioactivity-guided fractionation identified naringenin (a flavanone) as the primary active constituent, exhibiting time- and concentration-dependent in vitro cysticidal activity at an EC50 of 89.3 µM. This represents the first report of cysticidal properties of P. serotina bark and establishes naringenin as a key bioactive compound.
medication Dosing
tincture
2-4 mL of 1:5 tincture (25% ethanol)
3-4 times daily
Cold infusion or low-heat preparation preserves prunasin. Often formulated into cough syrups with honey.
infusion
1 tsp (~2 g) dried bark in cold water, steep 30+ min
1 cup TID
COLD infusion preferred to preserve cyanogenic glycosides (heat destroys prunasin). Never boil.
syrup
5-10 mL syrup
Every 2-4 hours as needed
Traditional cough syrup formulation with honey. Use short-term only (2 weeks max).
Disclaimer: This information is largely AI-generated and reviewed by human experts at Evara Health. It is intended for educational and clinical reference purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice.
© 2026 Evara Health. All rights reserved.