Skip to content
Black Haw (Viburnum prunifolium) is a North American shrub or small tree historically valued in herbalism for its bark.
Identification
Black haw has oval finely toothed leaves, clusters of white spring flowers, and dark blue-black drupes that ripen later in the season. It belongs to the same genus as cramp bark but is a distinct species.
Traditional Use
The bark became particularly associated with traditional women’s herbal practice and with preparations for menstrual cramping and uterine discomfort. Historical obstetric uses are part of the literature but should not be interpreted as instructions for pregnancy self-treatment.
Preparation Tradition
Dried bark was commonly decocted or prepared as tincture, often in formulas with other astringent or antispasmodic herbs.
Research Context
Black haw contains phenolic compounds and coumarin-related constituents, but modern human clinical evidence remains limited compared with its historical reputation.
Safety
Pregnancy use should be supervised by an appropriately qualified clinician rather than self-directed. People using anticoagulants, antiplatelet drugs, or complex medication regimens should review concentrated herbal use with a professional.
History
Black haw was important in nineteenth-century American eclectic and domestic herbal practice and remains part of the historical materia medica.
Educational information only.