Guelder Rose anti-spasmodic and nerve tonic
Guelder rose, Viburnum opulus, is a large and attractive shrub/small tree, a native of the Netherlands, usually grown as an ornamental. The standard variety reaches a height and spread of 15 feet (5m), but there is a more compact form, var. ‘Compactum’, of around 6′ (2m) maximum. Other names by which it is known include Water Elder, European Cranberry, Cramp Bark and Snowball Bush (this last refers to the variety ‘Sterile’, which has white flowers in round clusters like lollipops – or snowballs). It is not related to the rose or the cranberry, and although in the same family as the elder, is not closely related, nor is it related to ground elder.
The common names for the Guelder rose give more information than is often the case: water elder refers to the fact that this plant requires wet, or at least moist soil; European cranberry indicates that the fruit is sometimes used as a substitute for cranberries in jellies and preserves; and cramp bark is an almost perfect description of its properties, and the part used.
It’s worth pointing out that eating large quantities of the berries – or unripe berries – can cause diarrhea and vomiting. They are fine in the sort of amount usually used as relish with a meal, though.
If you have a wet patch in sun or semi-shade in your garden, you would go far to find a plant to put in it as ornamental as the Guelder rose. The attractive flowers in June and July are followed by bunches of berries which range in color (depending on variety) from translucent red to darker red or rich yellow. They don’t smell too good, so birds avoid them, which means they generally remain throughout the winter. In autumn, the leaves turn a beautiful mixture of shades of red. All in all, if you have the necessary conditions, this is a plant worthy of a place in any garden.
There’s really only one fly in the ointment – the broad bean aphid (a nasty little beast), which uses this plant as an alternative host when beans are not available. This is fine if you don’t grow broad beans (fava beans) – but if your neighbors do, they might be less than pleased (if they’re aware of the fact – I won’t tell them if you don’t!).
Medicinally, the bark is the main part used. This is collected in the early fall, before the leaves turn color, or in spring before the leaves unfurl. Remember, the bark is a vital part of any shrub/tree. Don’t take the bark off all the way round the trunk or any branch you want to keep, as it will stop the plant’s circulation, and the branch will die (or the whole plant, if you did this to the main trunk). However, though you should not do this, Guelder rose will often survive being chopped right down to ground level, and come back the following year, so you may be lucky and still end up with a (smaller) Guelder rose bush next year.
Cut the collected bark into small pieces and lay out in a single layer somewhere warm and dry until it has dried completely, then store in a jar for later use. It will keep for up to 4 years.
Put 2 teaspoonfuls of crushed bark into a small pan with 250 ml (1 US cup, 8 fl oz) of cold water and bring to a boil. Turn down, simmer for 10-15 minutes and strain. Drink hot up to 3 times a day to treat any pain caused by cramps or muscle spasms, as well as uterine cramps (painful periods* or after childbirth), as a birthing aid, for sciatica and other “trapped nerve” injuries. It is also beneficial as a nerve tonic. Unlike anti-spasmodic drugs available from your doctor, there are no side effects – you should still be able to drive while you are using it.
*Guelder rose is often used with <a href=”../dill-health-benefits”>dill</a> to treat painful periods.
All plants used for medicinal purposes should be grown organically, as otherwise their properties may be reduced or entirely eliminated by the presence of foreign chemicals. To find out more about growing organic herbs visit the Gardenzone.
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March 21st, 2009 at 02:07
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