“Black Haw”
Black Haw is known for its relaxing action on the uterus and was a favourite with Eclectics of 19th century America. It was referred to by Eclectics as ‘a treatment for painful menstrual cramps and threatened miscarriage’.
Botanical Name: Virburnum prunifolium
Common name: Black Haw
Family: Caprifoliaceae
Parts Used: Bark
Active Constituents:
- Flavanoids
- Iridoid glycosides
- Triterpenes
- Coumarins
- Salicin ans scopoletin – both of which relax and sedate uterine muscle
Actions:
- Uterine sedative
- Uterine antispasmodic
- Bronchospasmolytic
- Antiasthmatic
- Hypotensive
- Astringent
Indications:
- Dysmenorrhoea
- False labour pains, threatened miscarriage, postpartum haemorrhage
- Asthma,
- Leg cramps,
- Hiccup
Traditional prescribing:
- As a uterine tonic, uterine irritation and inflammation
- Dysmenorrhoea, severe lumbar and bearing-down pains
- Threatened miscarriage, nervous disorders, leg cramps (night)
- Sterility, spermatorrhoea, diarrhoea, palpitations
- Eclectics used small doses to prevent miscarriage and larger doses if there was a threatened event
- Post partum uterine pain and cramping
- ‘Loose cervix’ – threatened miscarriage due to
Contraindications: None known
Cautions:
- Individuals with a history of kidney stones are cautioned against using black haw because of the presence of oxalate or oxalic acid in the dried bark
- Black haw contains scopoletin (a coumarin) and it may potentiate the effects of anticoagulant medication
- Nausea and vomiting may occur with large doses
- Caution in those patients who suffer from low blood pressure
Dosage:
1.5 – 4.5 ml of 1:2 LE per day
10 – 30 ml of 1:2 LE per week
References & Links to Articles:
Materia Medica 