Wild Cherry
OTHER NAME(S): American Black Cherry, Bird Cherry, Black Cherry, Black Choke, Capulín, Cerezo Silvestre, Cerisier à Grappes, Cerisier d'Automne, Cerisier de Virginie, Cerisier Noir, Cerisier Sauvage, Cerisier Tardif, Choke Cherry, Prunier d'Automne, Rum Cherry Bark, Virginian Prune, Wild Black Cherry, Prunus serotine, Prunus virginiana, Black Cherries, Cerezo silvestre, Cerisier sauvage
Overview
Wild cherry is a tree. The bark and fruit are used to make medicine.
Some people take wild cherry by mouth for colds, whooping cough, bronchitis (lunginflammation), and other lung problems. It is also used for diarrhea, gout, digestive disorders, pain, and cancer. It is also used in cough syrups because of its sedative (sleepiness), expectorant (clearing mucus), drying, and cough-suppressing effects.
In foods and beverages, wild cherry is used as a flavoring agent. Some people eat the seeds as snacks. The fruit of wild cherry is eaten fresh, in jams, or used in liquors or syrups.
Wild cherry contains chemicals that might help reduce swelling (inflammation).
Wild cherry contains chemicals that might help reduce swelling (inflammation).
Uses
Insufficient Evidence for
- Bronchitis.
- Colds.
- Cough.
- Diarrhea.
- Other conditions.
More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of wild cherry for these uses.
Precautions
Wild cherry is LIKELY SAFE when consumed in amounts normally found in food. Wild cherry is POSSIBLY SAFE when taken by mouth in small amounts, short-term. But taking wild cherry long-term or in large amounts is POSSIBLY UNSAFE. Wild cherry contains chemicals that are poisonous in large amounts.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: It's LIKELY UNSAFE to use wild cherry if you are pregnant. Wild cherry contains a chemical, prunasin, which can cause birth defects. Not enough is known about the safety of using wild cherry during breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
Interactions
Moderate Interaction
Be cautious with this combination
- Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) substrates) interacts with Wild CherrySome medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Wild cherry might decrease how quickly the liver breaks down some medications. Taking wild cherry along with some medications that are broken down by the liver can increase the effects and side effects of some medications. Before taking wild cherry, talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking any medications that are changed by the liver. Some medications changed by the liver include lovastatin (Mevacor), ketoconazole (Nizoral), itraconazole (Sporanox), fexofenadine (Allegra), triazolam (Halcion), and others.
Dosing
The appropriate dose of wild cherry depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for wild cherry. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.
References
- Leung AY, Foster S. Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used in Food, Drugs and Cosmetics. 2nd ed. New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons, 1996.
- McGuffin M, Hobbs C, Upton R, Goldberg A, eds. American Herbal Products Association's Botanical Safety Handbook. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, LLC 1997.
- Robbers JE, Speedie MK, Tyler VE. Pharmacognosy and Pharmacobiotechnology. Baltimore, MD: Williams & Wilkins, 1996.
- Gruenwald J, Brendler T, Jaenicke C. PDR for Herbal Medicines. 1st ed. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company, Inc., 1998.
- Brinker F. Herb Contraindications and Drug Interactions. 2nd ed. Sandy, OR: Eclectic Medical Publications, 1998.
- Electronic Code of Federal Regulations. Title 21. Part 182 -- Substances Generally Recognized As Safe. Available at: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?CFRPart=182
- Manufacturer: Nature's Answer. Hanppange, NY.
- Budzinski JW, Foster BC, Vandenhoek S, Arnason JT. An in vitro evaluation of human cytochrome P450 3A4 inhibition by selected commercial herbal extracts and tinctures. Phytomedicine 2000;7:273-82.
- Connolly, D. A., McHugh, M. P., Padilla-Zakour, O. I., Carlson, L., and Sayers, S. P. Efficacy of a tart cherry juice blend in preventing the symptoms of muscle damage. Br.J Sports Med. 2006;40(8):679-683.
- Pentore, R., Venneri, A., and Nichelli, P. Accidental choke-cherry poisoning: early symptoms and neurological sequelae of an unusual case of cyanide intoxication. Ital.J Neurol.Sci. 1996;17(3):233-235.
- García-Aguilar L, Rojas-Molina A, Ibarra-Alvarado C, Rojas-Molina JI, Vázquez-Landaverde PA, Luna-Vázquez FJ, Zavala-Sánchez MA. Nutritional value and volatile compounds of black cherry (Prunus serotina) seeds. Molecules. 2015 Feb 17;20(2):3479-95. doi: 10.3390/molecules20023479.
- Luna-Vázquez FJ, Ibarra-Alvarado C, Rojas-Molina A, Rojas-Molina JI, Yahia EM, Rivera-Pastrana DM, Rojas-Molina A, Zavala-Sánchez MÁ. Nutraceutical value of black cherry Prunus serotina Ehrh. fruits: antioxidant and antihypertensive properties. Molecules. 2013 Nov 25;18(12):14597-612. doi: 10.3390/molecules181214597.