Wild Cherry Bark
Prunus avium
 American
colonists first learned of Wild Cherry bark from the
Indians who used it for treating diarrhea, and lung
ailments. Used as an antidote for fish food
poisoning. Add to a pint of boiling water 1 teaspoon
each of Cherry bark, grated ginger root, chopped Bermuda
onion, simmer for 7 minutes, let steep 20 more, drink
when lukewarm.
Coughing is the body's way to rid itself of secretions
and foreign materials in the lungs. Taking a medication
that suppresses this response leaves the body without a
way to clear out the material that builds up when your
immune system is battling a viral or bacterial
infection. Without removal of this material the body is
unable to completely heal itself.
Cough medications used to be made with herbs like Wild
Cherry Bark and Licorice Root. These herbs soothed the
inflammation, and promoted expectoration
simultaneously. In the marketplace this has degraded to
a point where you find cough suppressants are flavored
with artificial cherry and licorice flavors with the
real herb no longer being used. I remember taking Smith
Brother's Licorice Cough drops as a child whether or not
I had a cough because I liked the taste.
Home made cough medicine: In a stainless steel pot 3
cups water, ' cup blackstrap molasses, ' cup whiskey,
bring to a boil. Reduce heat and add 16 tablespoons
cut dried wild cherry bark. Stir well with wooden
spoon, cover let simmer 25 minutes until thick. Strain
through course strainer into a clean jar. Store in
clean dry place take when needed 2-3 tbsp.
Conditions Used For:
Asthma Blood Pressure (high) Bronchitis Catarrh
(loosens) Coughs (loosens) Diarrhea Dyspepsia
Eyesight Fever (erratic) Heart palpitations
Mucus (hardened) Phlegm (Loosened) Scrofula
Spasms Stomach (irritated GI tract)
Tuberculosis Worms intestinal
Sources:
Little Herb Encyclopedia, by Jack Ritchason; N.D., Woodland Publishing Incorporated, 1995
The Ultimate Healing System, Course Manual, Copyright 1985, Don Lepore
Planetary Herbology, Michael Tierra, C.A., N.D., Lotus Press, 1988
Handbook of Medicinal Herbs, by James A. Duke, Pub. CRP Second Edition 2007
The Complete Medicinal Herbal, by Penelope Ody, Published by Dorling Kindersley
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