Back to Top. The young bark of small branches is gray and slightly rough, while the old bark of the trunk or larger branches is grey and rough with flat-topped plates. In fall, black fruits contrast with the pinkish-red foliage. When I watched Aunt Bett delicately peel small pieces of bark from the trunk of black haw… Don't confuse cramp bark with black haw (Vibernum prunifolium), which is sometimes referred to as cramp bark. The herb was a favourite with the Eclectics of 19th century America. Dig up the root in the fall and strip off the bark. In spring new leaves emerge copper-colored followed by white, flat-topped flowers. Preparations: Fluid Extract of Viburnum Prunifolium Related entries: Viburnum Opulus (U. S. P.)—Viburnum Opulus "The bark of Viburnum prunifolium, Linné"—(U. S. P.). How does it work? The flower buds ovate, 1 cm long, much larger than the axillary buds. The Meskwaki people took the herb for cramps and pains throughout the body. Blackhaw Viburnum Viburnum prunifolium Honeysuckle family (Caprifoliaceae) Description: This is a branched woody shrub or small tree up to 15' tall. Black Haw was used extensively by the Native Americans, its berries as a food source and its root bark in many types of herbal remedies. Like cramp bark, it is known to relieve menstrual cramps, but they are definitely two totally different plants. Native American tribes in the Northeast used the bark and the leaves as a diuretic and to treat swollen glands and eye problems. Ord.—Caprifoliaceae. A great plant for naturalized areas. What is black haw used for? Blackhaw Viburnum Image Gallery Blackhaw fruit. Black Haw has gray to brown bark and green as well as grooved branches. Cramp bark (Viburnum opulis), usually is used alternately with black haw. They used a decoction of Black Haw to treat gynecological conditions, including menstrual cramps, aiding recovery after childbirth, and in treating venereal diseases. Blackhaw-bark. Formulas or Dosages. Contemporary research indicates that a bark decoction probably acts as a uterine sedative and alleviates cramps, but it is doubtful it can prevent abortion or miscarriage. People use the root bark and its extracts to make medicine. COMMON NAMES: Black haw, Sloe, Stag bush, Sloe-leaved viburnum. Blackhaw-immature-fruit. Black haw is a shrub that is native to the woodlands of central and southern North America. 5 Health Benefits of Cramp Bark. Leaves are opposite, petiolate, roughly dentate, 3 to 5 lobed, green on both surfaces and softly pubescent beneath. The branchlets are red at first, then green, finally dark brown tinged with red. Cramp bark is weaker, containing about a third of the resins of black haw. So now I know. What are the benefits of cramp bark? The winter buds are coated with rusty tomentum. Black-haw viburnum is a large shrub or a small, native tree. 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