Cramp bark, a plant that is native to North America, has been used for so many years as a medicine for reducing swollen glands and as a treatment for fluid retention, mumps, as well as eye disorders. They can also be smoked as a substitute for tobacco.
These days, the bark and root bark of this plant are still used to make medicine. As the name suggests, cramp bark is used for relieving cramps, including muscle spasms, menstrual cramps, and cramps during pregnancy. Cramp bark is also used as a kidney stimulant for urinary conditions that involve pain or spasms.
Some people use cramp bark for cancer, hysteria, infection, nervous disorders, a vitamin-deficiency condition called scurvy, and pain and swelling (inflammation) of the uterus (uteritis). Cramp bark is also used to increase urine flow and to cause vomiting, emptying of the bowels, and sleepiness.
It is important to note that cramp bark is often confused with black haw (Viburnum prunifolium), which is sometimes called cramp bark.
Uses
Chemicals in cramp bark seem to decrease muscle spasms. These chemicals might also lower blood pressure and decrease heart rate. The herb is effective for treating cramps, muscle spasms, menstrual cramps, cancer, cramps during pregnancy, hysteria, nervous disorders, and used as a kidney stimulant in urinary issues which involve pain or spasms.
Cramp bark contains several compounds such as the ellagic acid, a number of antioxidants, vitamin C, and gallic and methyl salicylate. It is not only used for menstruation relief but also beneficial to treat gout and swollen glands, back pain, and arthritis.
While more research is needed to ascertain the effectiveness of cramp bark, it is believed to be a potent antispasmodic for regulating women’s health.
Now, let’s take a look at the cramp barks many benefits for maintaining health.
Menstruation Cramps
Dysmenorrhea is the painful menstruation that makes contraction very painful. It results in certain health problems such as sweaty chills, nausea, and vomiting. Cramp bark is effective for reducing uterine contractions and uterine muscle spasms. To consume the herb, add two teaspoons of the dried bark into some water, boil, and allow simmering for 10 to 15 minutes. Consume the tea three times a day to prevent the cramps.
Acts as a Mild Sedative
Cramp bark is a soothing agent with mild sedative function. The herb helps provides relieve for several nervous conditions such as epilepsy, lockjaw, convulsions, and fits. The Cramp bark possesses scopoletin which is a muscle relaxant. It also relieves nervous constipation, tension headache, muscle and bladder pains, as well as other nervous issues.
Soothing Agent
Cramp bark allowing the muscles to relax due to its uterotonic action. It has the ability to stop smooth muscle spasms to prevent the menstrual cramping. It also helps to reduce the pain throughout the body such as in the back or legs, whether related to PMS or physical exertion. Cramp bark is a uterine decongestant. It prevents the inflammation and uterine pain. They are relaxing the striated muscle and the muscles attached skeleton.
Contains Anticancer Properties
According to some studies, the fruit of the cramp bark may provide some health benefits. It is believed that the juice of this cramp bark fruit may be helpful in fight colon cancer. Cancer reproducing and forming widespread tumors. It is recommended to protect against the GIT damage. Which associated with ulcer development. Because of its properties, the cramp bark extract encourages the process of apoptosis which means self-destruction of cancer cells. It also stops the production of proteins. That allows cancer cells to infiltrate and grow.
Prevents Miscarriage
It has the anti-spasmodic action. So, it is used to prevent miscarriages and preterm labor in high-risk pregnancies in women. Cramp bark works to slow labor. Because of the antispasmodic chemicals that are called scopoletin and viopudial these are quickly absorbed into the bloodstream. And it acts directly to ease contractions in the uterus. The squeezing actions of the womb to preventing the dilation of the cervix.
Improves Poor Circulation
Cramp barks relax the muscle to increases the blood circulation in the uterus. It removes all the toxin or the waste from the body. And enhance the circulation. Cramp bark reduces the shortness of breath. That is important for people with asthma. Apart from this, it can reduce the risk of thrombosis, poor circulation, and other related problems.
Other Benefits
Nowadays, this plant used to make medicine. There are many other uses of this cramp bark to maintain our health such as relaxes the vessel walls to lower blood pressure and as a kidney stimulant, it is effective for urinary conditions that result in spasms and pain. And for a spasmodic cough, the herb prevents a cough which disturbs sleep and burns the throat. And since cramp bark is a rich source of vitamin C, it helps in eliminating scurvy.
Side Effects and Precautions
There isn’t enough research on the use of cramp bark during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Therefore, to stay on the safe side, pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers should avoid using the herb.
Dosing
The right dose of cramp bark is largely dependent on certain factors such as the user’s health, age, and many other health conditions. Currently, there is not adequate scientific information to ascertain the appropriate range of doses for cramp bark.
It is, therefore, important to keep in mind that alternative treatments are not always safe and dosages can be essential. It is advisable to always follow the directions on product labels and speak with your physician or other healthcare professionals before consuming the herb.
