How Wild Cherry Was Used By Traditional Native American Tribes

Other Common Names:: Black Cherry, Choke, Choke Cherry, Rum Cherry, Virginian Prune, Virginya Kirazi, Wild Black Cherry, Prunus serotina

Range: N. America - Nova Scotia to Minnesota, south to Florida and Texas. Also in Arizona and Mexico.

Habitat: Found in a variety of soils, preferring moist fertile conditions on north or east facing slopes or protected coves. Dry woods.

Rum cherry was widely employed medicinally by various native North American Indian tribes who used it to treat a variety of complaints. It is little, if at all, used in modern herbalism.

The bark of the root, trunk and branches is antitussive, astringent, pectoral, sedative, stomachic, tonic. The medicinal properties of this plant are destroyed by boiling, so the plant should only be allowed to steep in warm water.

The root bark and the aromatic inner bark have expectorant and mild sedative properties and a tea made from either of them has been used to ease pain in the early stages of labour. The tea is also used in the treatment of fevers, colds, sore throats, diarrhea etc. The bark is harvested in the autumn and should not be stored for longer than one year since it quickly loses its medicinal properties. Young thin bark is preferred.

A decoction of the inner bark has been used in the treatment of laryngitis.

The root bark has been used as a wash on old sores and ulcers.

The bark contains the glycoside prunasin, which is converted in the digestive tract to the highly toxic hydrocyanic acid. Prunasin is at its highest level in the bark in the autumn so the bark is harvested at this time and can be dried for later use. In small amounts this exceedingly poisonous compound stimulates respiration, improves digestion and gives a sense of well-being.

The fruit is astringent and has been used in the treatment of dysentery.

Fruit - raw or cooked in pies, jellies, stews etc. It must be fully ripe or else it will have a bitter flavor. The fruit can taste sweet or bitter. The better fruits have a thin skin and a juicy flesh with a pleasant vinous flavor. The fruit can also be used as a flavoring. The taste is best when the plant is grown in a sunny position. The fruit is about 9mm in diameter and contains one large seed.

Seed - raw or cooked. Do not eat the seed if it is too bitter - see the notes on toxicity.

An infusion of the twigs is used as a beverage. An extract from the bark is used commercially as a flavoring in soft drinks, candies, syrups and baked goods.

Known Hazards: The seeds and leaves of this species contain high quantities of hydrogen cyanide, a poison that gives almonds their characteristic flavor. This toxin is readily detected by its bitter taste. Usually present in too small a quantity to do any harm, any very bitter seed or fruit should not be eaten. In small quantities, hydrogen cyanide has been shown to stimulate respiration and improve digestion, it is also claimed to be of benefit in the treatment of cancer. In excess, however, it can cause respiratory failure and even death.

  • Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998 ISBN 0-88192-453-9

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