WILD CHERRY BARK

Prunus serotina: Rosaceae

TASTE: bitter, astringent	VIPAKA: sweet
WARMTH: cooling	DOSHAS: V+ P- K-

MERIDIANS: lung, spleen

ACTIONS: powerful but gentle antitussive through an action on the cough reflex, mild sedative, antispasmodic, alterative which cleanses blood and lymph, astringent (dries mucus), bitter tonic, fruit and dried stalks are diuretic.

INDICATIONS: cough (particularly irritable and persistent cough), whooping cough, bronchial spasm, asthma, Tb, palpitations, skin problems, eye inflammation, AMYGDALIN has been claimed to have beneficial effects on some cancers, nervous dyspepsia, diarrhea, sluggish digestion, ulcers, gastritis, debility after illness, labour pains.

PRECAUTIONS: Large amounts of hydrocyanic acid are toxic. Leaves and pits are toxic. May increase Vatta.

CONSTITUENTS: cyanogenic glycosides(including PRUNASIN and ISOAMYGDALIN) which are bydrolysed to HYDROCYANIC ACID, benzaldehyde, volatile oil which improves digestion, coumarins, gallitannins, prussic acid, resin, salts of calcium, potassium, and iron.

PREPARATION AND USE:
-active ingredients can be damaged by heat, so don't boil: use cold infusion, sun infusion, or...
-1 c boiling water on 1 tsp and infuse 10-15 min. Take three times daily.
-frequent ingredient in herbal cough syrups and other preparations
-cold infusion used as eyewash
-1-2 ml tincture three times daily
-a cold maceration in rice wine with licorice, ginseng and other tonics for debilitated digestion

USE IN PERSONAL GROWTH:
-relaxes and opens breathing, allowing calm and clarity in articulating one's truths.

"From a grounded place of clarity, I can communicate my truth in word, action, and being."