Cramp Bark Cut (aka Snowball Tree)

Botanical Name: Viburnum opulus

Common Name:

• English: Snowball Tree
• Also, known as: Guelder rose, Guelder-Rose, Common Guelder-Rose, Schling, Obier, High Cranberry, Guelder Rose, Squaw Bush, Rosa da qúeldres, Viburno loppo, European Cranberrybush, Bois à Quenouille, Boule de Neige, Cranberry Bush, High-bush Cranberry, Obier, Rose de Gueldre,

Origin:  Albania

Harvested: Wild or Cultivated

Parts Used: The trunk and root bark

General Information:

Viburnum opulus is a deciduous shrub with a rounded, spreading habit that typically grows to 10-15’ tall. Growing in low rich lands, woods, and borders of fields, presenting a showy appearance of flowers in June. It features lace cap-type white flowers in spring in flat-topped 3” wide cymes of tiny fertile florets surrounded by larger sterile florets, drooping clusters of cranberry-like red berries (drupes) in the fall and three-lobed, maple-like, dark green leaves.

The berries are technically edible and are red, very acidic berries, resembling cranberries, but are very bitter in taste and are not recommended for eating fresh off the shrub. The berries are a rich source of Vitamins C and K. Fruits tend to shrivel after frost. The foliage turns a sometimes-attractive purplish-red in fall. They remain on the bush after the leaves have fallen and throughout the winter. The bark has no smell but has a peculiar bitter and astringent taste, which leaves a clean feeling in the mouth. Viburnum is the active principle found in the dried bark of the stem.

The bark is stripped before the leaves change color in the fall, or before the buds open in the spring.

How to use:   

Decoctions are suitable for roots, barks, large seeds & berries, and other dense material. The simple way to make decoction is, in a saucepan, add 1 tablespoon of dried herbs to 1 cup of water. Bring the water to boil, reduce heat and simmer for 30-60 minutes. Strain and squeeze out as much as liquid as possible and enjoy!

Tips:

• You can sweeten your herbal decoctions with bit of honey, natural fruit juice, stevia leaves powder and or licorice root powder.

Precautions: 

You should consult with a qualified healthcare practitioner before using any herbal products, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, or on any medications.

All information on this website is for educational purpose ONLY

This information has not been evaluated by Health Canada.

This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.