Cramp Ease: Hello Cramp Bark—Learn to Harvest, Prep & Use This Gift Of a Shrub

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Cramp Ease: Hello Cramp Bark—Learn to Harvest, Prep & Use This Gift Of a Shrub

Now in early spring—as sap rises and before buds open—is a perfect time to gather bark for food and medicine. That makes today ideal for harvesting cramp bark. This gift of a shrub offers some of the best herbal cramp relief in town.

Cramp Bark Gifts
Use for muscular support as a relaxant; for reducing tension, cramps; especially for smooth muscles (uterine, digestive, bladder, etc). It’s an anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, astringent and hypotensive.

Names
Cramp bark, also called highbush cranberry, is scientifically called Viburnum opulus. The names get a bit complicated with the subspecies; see below.

Where To Find
Look for cramp bark in full sun to part shade, in USDA Hardiness zone 2-8. Also found in many parts of Europe, and a bit in the Middle East and Asia. It prefers moist rich soil, yet tolerates many. It is often planted in gardens, and hedgerows, so look there too. Or plant some if you don’t have any.

World Range: Many parts of Europe, and a bit in Asia and the Middle East https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/ur...

USDA Range: found in many parts of the North America US https://plants.usda.gov/home/plantPro...

Subspecies (what?!):
Viburnum opulus subspecies opulus is native to Europe / Eurasia. While Viburnum opulus subspecies trilobum is native to the USA. Both are used interchangeably in herbal medicine (so don’t worry). In this video, we feature the subspecies opulus.

Cramp Bark Berry
Cramp bark berries are also eaten as food. The subspecies trilobum is more doable / palatable (and relates to its highbush cranberry name); the subspecies opulus is not so tasty (to put it mildly).

Key Identifying Features:
Shrub size: up to 16’ tall
Opposite leaf arrangement
Leaves are simple and palmately lobed with three lobes
Flower is a white flat topped cluster (cyme)
Young bark: tan and pretty smooth
Older bark: tan to darker gray and pretty smooth
Fruit grows in umbel-like clusters
Fruit color when ripe is bright red
Fruit contains 1 flattened seed
Bud: 2 scales (not powdery or hairy)
Smell the bark, it’s a bit funky, footy, valeric acid is talking, like in valerian.

This information is not meant to replace medical advice. With any new food or herb, go slowly, research it, and discuss using it with your healthcare provider.

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