Wild Cherry Bark

Wild Cherry BarkBotanical Name: Prunus serotinaFamily: RosaceaeNative to eastern North America, the wild cherry bark tree grows to a height of 100 feet with a trunk that may be up to 4 feet in diameter The tree’s reddish-brown bark has traditionally been employed for its wellness-supporting properties. The finely serrated, green leaves are about 5 inches long with pointed tips. The white flowers, which bloom in May, come first followed by the dark purple, pea-sized fruits, which ripen in August and September, and are arranged in drupes.Wild cherry tree bark was first used by indigenous populations and was later adopted into traditional folk herbalism. The Cherokee used it for coughs, colds, fevers, indigestion, to ease labor pains, as a blood tonic, and as an astringent wash for sores and ulcers. Internally it can be used as a tea to soothe inflammatory and spastic conditions of the respiratory system and gastrointestinal tract. Wild cherry bark tea and syrup are often prepared as a co