Cramp Bark - Cut & Sifted (Organic), 1lb

Cramp Bark (Viburnum opulus), cut and sifted, is a cornerstone antispasmodic herb in the Western botanical tradition and a reliable staple in any practitioner dispensary. Sourced from Croatia and offered in certified organic and kosher-certified bulk form via StarWest Botanicals, this is a clean, well-prepared raw material ready for decoction, tincture production, or encapsulation.

Also known as High Cranberry, Rose Elder, and Squaw Bush, Viburnum opulus has been employed by herbalists for generations primarily for its smooth and skeletal muscle relaxant properties. It is most widely recognized in clinical Western herbalism for supporting relief from uterine cramping and dysmenorrhea, making it a foundational herb in women's reproductive wellness formulas. Traditional applications also include musculoskeletal tension, leg and back spasm, bladder cramping, and peripheral vascular tension.

Key constituents driving its spasmolytic activity include scopoletin (a coumarin with vasodilatory and antispasmodic properties), viopudial (a primary smooth muscle relaxant), valerianic acid (contributing a sedative/relaxant overlay), and tannins for added astringent activity.

For integrative practitioners working across traditions, cramp bark's actions align loosely with herbs that move Qi and Blood in the lower jiao and address presentations involving uterine contracture or Liver overacting on uterine function -- making it a useful adjunct in cross-modality formulation strategies.

Product Highlights

• Botanical name: Viburnum opulus
• Origin: Croatia
• Preparation: Cut and sifted
• Certified Organic
• Kosher Certified
• Common names: High Cranberry, Rose Elder, Squaw Bush
• Supplied by StarWest Botanicals

Suggested Preparations

Cramp bark cut and sifted works well as a decoction base, tincture starting material, or encapsulated powder. Its woody texture holds up well to longer extraction times, making it particularly suited to decoction and cold or hot maceration for tincture production.