Guelder Rose, Cramp Bark, European cranberrybush, American cranberrybush

Leaves

Leaves are opposite, simple, 3-lobed and about 2 to 4 inches long. They are glossy dark green which turns to yellow-red or red-purple in the fall. Petiole is grooved and has round, raised glands near the base.

Flowers

The plant blooms flowers in June in clusters that are 2-3 inches across with an outer ring of larger and sterile flowers. Flowers are hermaphrodite and self-fertile which means individual plant flowers can pollinate one another. Flowers are pollinated by wind and insects.

Fruit

Fruits are nearly round drupe about 1/3 inch diameter with single large seed, juicy, bright red, and quite acid-like cranberry. Seeds ripen from August to September. It produces fruit when reached at five years of age.

Health Benefits of Guelder Rose

1. Menstrual Cramps

In vitro studies, Guelder Eose block spasms of smooth muscle.  It is used for menstrual cramps following PMS. It helps to soothe severe cramping associated with vomiting?, nausea? and sweaty chills. Boil 2 teaspoons of dried bark into a cup of water and then simmer for 10 to 15 minutes. Take this tea three times per day for cramps.

2. Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a condition in which the tissue that normally lines the inside of the uterus grows outside the uterus. Fruits are used for treating gynecological disorders such as painful periods as well as ovarian cysts.

3. Muscle Relaxant

Guelder Rose acts as a natural muscle relaxant. It provides relief from menstrual cramping due to its ability to halt smooth muscle spasms. It provides relief from muscle spasms and aches throughout body whether associated to physical exertion and PMS. Other side effects of NSAIDs are leg swelling?, stomach pain?, dizziness, headaches, kidney issues and high blood pressure.

4. Muscle Relaxant

Cramp? bark has anti-spasmodic compounds effective for all other types of cramp in the body. It includes gastrointestinal, bronchial, genitourinary and skeletal muscle spasms. As a skeletal muscle relaxant, it is effective for leg cramps.

5. Nervous health

It restores parasympathetic and sympathetic balance in voluntary and involuntary muscle spasms of autonomic nervous system. The sympathetic controls fight and parasympathetic controls rest and digest-balance between these two systems is crucial for overall vibrant health. It ensures that adequate resources in right place and at right time.

6. Circulation

Guelder Rose has relaxant activities which allows for increase circulation and blood flow. Relaxed muscles work efficiently and improvement in blood flow supports elimination of waste products from the body. It has vasodilatory properties which widens blood vessels and allows blood to flow more easily and exerts positive effect on blood pressure.

7. Sedative

Guelder Rose is rich in valerenic acid which is related with the sedative herb Valerian. It acts as an anti-spasmodic and sedative. The mild sedative effect could be enhanced by combining with other hormone regulating and sedative herbs.

Traditional Uses and benefits of Guelder Rose

• Guelder rose is a powerful antispasmodic and is much used in the treatment of asthma, cramps and other conditions such as colic or painful menstruation.
• It is also used as a sedative remedy for nervous conditions.
• The bark is antispasmodic, astringent and sedative.
• The bark contains ‘scopoletin’, a coumarin that has a sedative affect on the uterus.
• A tea is used internally to relieve all types of spasms, including menstrual cramps, spasms after childbirth and threatened miscarriage.
• It is also used in the treatment of nervous complaints and debility.
• The leaves and fruits are antiscorbutic, emetic and laxative.
• A homeopathic remedy is made from the fresh bark.
• It is used in the treatment of menstrual pain? and spasms after childbirth.
• An herbal supplement made from the shrub’s dried bark has traditionally been used to treat pain? from muscle cramps, especially period cramps, although other parts of the plant may also offer benefits.
• The supplement shows promising potential to relieve pain? and promote healthy kidney function, and emerging research suggests that it may offer many other benefits as well.
• Fermented fruit juice of European cranberry bush is useful for kidney disorders, menstrual and stomach cramps, hypertension?, asthma, digestion problems, and the common cold.
• In the 19th century, cramp? bark was adopted for treatment of stomach cramps and dysmenorrhea, and to prevent miscarriage.
• Cramp? bark has been used in folk medicine for the prevention of miscarriage.

Ayurvedic Health benefits of Guelder Rose

• Difficult Menses: Powder the dried Viburnum Opulus. Boil 2 tablespoons of dried powder in a cup of water for l0-l5 minutes. Drink 2 to 3 times a day. OR: Add a quarter teaspoon of Viburnum Opulus tincture in half a glass of water. Drink it 2 to 3 times a day. (Note: It is advised that do not take it during menses. Take this before and after a week of your menstrual period.)
• Gallstones: Grind dried Viburnum Opulus  Bark. Prepare tea with half a teaspoon of powder in a cup of water. Take it 4 times a day.
• Angina: Prepare a decoction of the bark of Viburnum Opulus. Have it two times a day.
• Brain Stroke?: Prepare an infusion of the bark of Viburnum Opulus. Have one cup once a day.
• Difficult Menses: Grind Viburnum Opulus, Wind Flower, and Partridge Berry together. Take one teaspoon every day for 7 days.
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Make a decoction of the Viburnum Opulus, St. John’s Wort, Wild yam. Take twice a day.
• Endometriosis: Grind dried root of Chaste berry, Echinacea, Wild yam, Viburnum Opulus in equal quantity. Take Raspberry leaves and Motherwort leaves in half quantity. Prepare a decoction. tendon?. সহজ বাংলা: মাংসপেশি/টেনডনে টান।" data-rx-term="strain" data-rx-definition="A strain is injury to a muscle or tendon. সহজ বাংলা: মাংসপেশি/টেনডনে টান।">Strain?. Drink one cup two times a day.

Culinary uses

• Fruits are used as a substitute for tea or coffee.
• Fruit can be consumed raw or cooked.
• It is used as a cranberry substitute in making, jellies, preserves etc.
• In Canada, the fruits are a popular substitute for cranberries.
• In Russia, Siberia, and the Ukraine, they are used in drinks, sauces, and cakes.
• In Turkey, the fermented fruit juice of European cranberry bush is known as “gilaburu”.