Wild Cherry
Wild Cherry
(Prunus serotina)
Plant family
Rosaceae
Other significant names
P. serotina: Black cherry;
P. avium: Bird cherry,
Parts used
Cortex (Bark)
Typical forms of prescription
Syrup
Tincture
Wild Cherry (Prunus serotina) - Clinical Snapshot.
Primary Actions
Antitussive (relieves coughing)
Antispasmodic (relaxes smooth muscle)
Astringent
Nervine (calms the nervous system)
Sedative
Primary Indications
Traditionally used to support:
Acute and chronic coughs
Whooping cough (pertussis)
Bronchitis and asthma
Nervous or spasmodic coughs
Allergic coughs
Nervous dyspepsia (indigestion linked to anxiety or stress)
Diarrhoea (particularly when related to tension or excess mucus)
⚠️Cautions / Safety⚠️
Not recommended during pregnancy.
For short-term use only due to the presence of cyanogenic compounds (safe in therapeutic doses, but caution advised with prolonged use).
Prunus serotina
Phytochemistry and Pharmacology
Cyanogenic Glycosides
Includes: Prunasin, amygdalin
Action: Antitussive, sedative, mild spasmolytic
Use: These glycosides release minute amounts of hydrocyanic acid (in safe, therapeutic levels), which calm the cough reflex and relax bronchial smooth muscle. This makes wild cherry bark especially helpful for dry, irritating, tickly coughs, particularly when they interfere with sleep.
Tannins
Action: Astringent, anti-inflammatory, tissue-toning
Use: Tannins support mucosal healing in the throat, bronchi, and upper digestive tract, helping soothe inflamed tissues. They're useful in chronic coughs, laryngitis, or gut inflammation alongside respiratory issues.
Volatile Oils (trace amounts)
Action: Mildly aromatic, carminative
Use: Contribute to the flavour and mild digestive support of wild cherry, making it easier to blend in syrups or lozenges for throat relief.
Flavonoids
Includes: Quercetin derivatives
Action: Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, vasoprotective
Use: Flavonoids enhance tissue resilience and calm inflammation, particularly useful in prolonged upper respiratory irritation or post-viral coughs.
Traditional Use
Wild cherry bark was widely used in traditional Indigenous American medicine, particularly by the Chippewa and Cherokee peoples, for treating gastrointestinal complaints and persistent coughs. Its soothing properties made it a valued remedy for calming irritation in the respiratory and digestive systems.
Clinical Discussion
Wild cherry bark contains cyanogenic glycosides—most notably prunasin and amygdalin—which exert a mild sedative effect on the cough reflex by soothing nerve endings in the respiratory tract. While it offers effective symptomatic relief for dry, irritating coughs, the underlying cause of the cough still needs to be addressed alongside treatment.
Caution is advised when using antitussives in productive coughs, where expectoration is necessary to clear mucus. However, in cases where persistent coughing prevents rest, particularly at night, wild cherry may be used short-term to support healing through uninterrupted sleep.
Different species have been used historically; in the UK, Prunus avium (wild cherry stalks) was more commonly employed. Due to its amygdalin content, Prunus serotina is currently prohibited from being registered in Australian herbal practice.
Cultivation & Harvesting
The bark is collected from young branches or twigs in spring or autumn. It must be dried thoroughly before use, as drying reduces the potential toxicity of the cyanogenic compounds and stabilises its medicinal properties.
Key Botanical Features of Wild Cherry (Prunus serotina)
Growth
Prunus serotina is a fast-growing, deciduous tree native to North America.
It typically reaches 15–24 metres (50–80 feet) in height and develops a narrow, oval crown with drooping branches.
Young trees have smooth, reddish-brown bark; mature trees develop dark, scaly bark that resembles burnt potato chips, an identifying feature.
Roots
Possesses a deep, spreading root system that supports stability and drought tolerance.
Not typically invasive, though it can self-seed prolifically in favourable conditions.
Leaves
Arrangement: Alternate along the stem.
Shape: Oblong to lanceolate, finely serrated along the edges.
Size: Usually 5–12 cm long.
Colour: Glossy green on the upper surface, paler underneath.
Surface: Smooth and slightly leathery; each leaf has a pair of small glands at the base near the petiole.
Flowers
Type: Small, fragrant, five-petalled flowers.
Inflorescence: Appears in late spring in elongated, drooping racemes (clusters) 10–15 cm long.
Colour: White, with numerous stamens that give the flowers a delicate, fuzzy appearance.
Pollination: Attracts bees and other pollinators with its light fragrance and abundant nectar.
Fruit & Seeds
Type: Drupe (stone fruit).
Shape: Small, round berries 6–10 mm in diameter.
Colour: Green when immature, ripening to dark red or almost black in late summer.
Taste: Astringent and bitter when raw; better suited for wildlife or cooked preparations like syrups and jellies.
Seed: Contains a hard stone with a bitter kernel that includes cyanogenic compounds.
Adaptations
Prefers full sun and well-drained soils but tolerates a wide range of conditions, including poor, dry, or rocky soils.
Commonly found in woodland edges, hedgerows, and open fields.
Self-seeds readily and is sometimes considered invasive outside its native range.
Its tough bark and deep root system help it withstand drought and moderate wind exposure.
Sustainability/Conservation
Not currently at risk in the wild and widely naturalised in parts of Europe.
Used in herbal medicine and for timber, as well as wildlife conservation plantings.
Ethical wild harvesting involves taking bark only from pruned or wind-fallen branches to preserve tree health.
Sources
Bartram, T. (1998). Bartram’s Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine. Constable.
Fisher, C. (2009). Materia Medica of Western Herbs, (2018 edition). Finchley Road, London. Aeon Books.
Hedley, C & Shaw, N. (2020). A herbal book of making and taking. Finchley Road, London. Aeon Books.
Hoffmann, D. (2003). Medical Herbalism: The Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine. Healing Arts Press.
McIntyre, A. (2019). The complete herbal tutor, revised and expanded edition. Finchley Road, London. Aeon Books.
Plants of the World Online | Kew Science. (n.d.). Plants of the World Online. https://powo.science.kew.org/
Disclaimer: This page is for educational purposes only. Consult a qualified medical herbalist before using herbs, especially during pregnancy, when trying to conceive, while breastfeeding, for medical conditions, or with children.
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