College of Ayurvedic Diet & Digestion

College of Ayurvedic Diet & Digestion

 

AYURVEDIC HERB SUPPLEMENTS

Cramp Bark (Viburnum opulus)

A quick and effective remedy for any type of cramping. Helpful for relieving painful menstrual cramps, muscle cramps, and colicky pain in your abdomen.

How Does This Ayurvedic Herb Supplement Improve Wellness?

CLINICAL AYURVEDIC REVIEW

Primarily a uterine relaxant whereas black haw is primary a uterine restorative (Holmes). It is also a skeletal muscle relaxant. A top herb for seizures during pregnancy, and to tone and prepare the uterus for birth. Also known as guelder rose.

Metabolic Nature of Cramp Bark

See a complete list of all biocharacteristics.

METABOLIC NATURE

Metabolic Nature

Ayurveda assesses metabolic imbalances through 20 main biocharacteristics (gunas). Aggravating them weakens your body and causes imbalance. By knowing which biocharacteristics are habitually imbalanced in your body, you will be able to identify and correct metabolic imbalances before you get sick. Every biocharacteristic has an opposite which balances it (i.e. hot balances cold). You restore balance by favoring diet and lifestyle choices that increase the opposite biocharacteristic.

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COLD

ABOUT COLD BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Cold refers to anything that reduces body temperature, metabolism, and blood flow.

LEARN MORE ABOUT COLD

DRY

ABOUT DRY BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Dry is identified by lack of moisture, lack of fat, or anything that causes diuresis.

LEARN MORE ABOUT DRY

TASTES

The 6 Tastes

Taste is used to sense the most basic properties and effects of food. Each taste has a specific medicinal effect on your body. Cravings for food with certain tastes indicate your body is craving specific medicinal results from food. Taste is experienced on the tongue and represents your body's reaction to foods. Sweet taste causes physical satisfaction and attraction whereas bitter taste causes discomfort and aversion. Kapha should use less sweet taste while Vata and Pitta would benefit from using more sweet taste. One of the first signs of illness is that your taste and appetite for food changes. The six tastes are sweet, sour, salty, pungent, bitter, and astringent. Do you crave foods with any of the tastes below?

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ASTRINGENT

ABOUT ASTRINGENT BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Astringency is characterized by constriction, drawing together, or drying.

LEARN MORE ABOUT ASTRINGENT

BITTER

ABOUT BITTER BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Bitter taste has cholagogue action - it is cold, clear, light, and stimulating. It increases digestive enzymes and is laxative, and drying.

LEARN MORE ABOUT BITTER

DOSHAS

The Three Doshas / Body Types

Ayurveda is a metabolic theory of medicine that explains individual health, tendencies, and disease patterns through the concept of doshas, which can be understood as your metabolic patterns and tendencies.

Each dosha reflects a distinct metabolic nature and describes strengths & weaknesses in bodily function, and how these affect energy levels, digestion, susceptibility to disease, and many other tendencies.

Your metabolic nature not only affects your physical characteristics, but also influences your mental thought patterns, confidence, and enthusiasm.

Ayurveda balances these metabolic strengths & weaknesses to support your body's vitality and prevent recurrent disease cycles. This support is a critical aid, especially in chronic or incurable disease conditions.

The 3 metabolic body types (doshas), are Catabolic (Vata), Metabolic (Pitta), and Anabolic (Kapha).

Through dosha, Ayurveda empowers people to identify metabolic imbalances early, break repetitive patterns of disease, and cultivate habits that support long-term vitality and well-being.

Ultimately, these metabolic patterns also provide a framework for understanding yourself, including body, mind, and spiritual tendencies.

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PACIFIES
Pitta pacifying Vata pacifying
AGGRAVATES
Kapha aggravating

GREEK MEDICINE / TEMPERAMENTS

The Four Temperaments / Humors

Ayurveda & Greek Medicine were the dominant form of medicine along the Silk Road from England to China and South Asia. They work by assessing your metabolic type, patterns, and nature. Greek medicine recognizes 4 metabolic temperaments, Melancholic, Choleric, Sanguine, and Phlegmatic.

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PACIFIES
CHOLERIC

ABOUT CHOLERIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Has a hot and dry metabolic nature. Enthusiastic, vibrant and bright. In excess burns up fluids and ojas, irritable. Corresponds to high bilirubin in the blood that irritates and heats up the body and liver.

LEARN MORE ABOUT CHOLERIC

MELANCHOLIC

ABOUT MELANCHOLIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Cold and dry with a slow, variable or erratic metabolism. Colicky, tense. Withdrawn, pensive, anxious, and hesitant. Analytical, intelligent, detail oriented and creative. Prone to ojas depletion, dehydration, an overactive nervous system, and depression.

LEARN MORE ABOUT MELANCHOLIC

SANGUINE

ABOUT SANGUINE BIOCHARACTERISTIC

A hot and oily nature with a moderate metabolism and a well nourished body makes Sanguine individuals vigorous, vivacious, outgoing and generous, and prone to impulsivity and self indulgence. Bullish and intense when out of balance.

LEARN MORE ABOUT SANGUINE

AGGRAVATES
PHLEGMATIC

ABOUT PHLEGMATIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

A Phlegmatic has a cold and wet metabolic nature. The coldness implies a slow metabolism, the moisture that you are well-nourished. Phlegmatics tend towards sluggishness and thickened fluids, including mucus.

LEARN MORE ABOUT PHLEGMATIC

Other

Aromatic

AROMATIC

Herbs or spices with volatile essential oils that present strong aromas. Aromatic oils shock, refresh and numb tissue, with the end result of relaxing, opening and clearing stagnant fluids in tissues.

SEE ALL 'AROMATIC' FOODS / HERBS

Muscle

MUSCLE

Muscle tissue (Mamsa Dhatu) includes muscles and ligaments.

SEE ALL 'MUSCLE' FOODS / HERBS

Medicinal Benefits, Uses & Herbal Actions of Cramp Bark
Experiences are Personal
Experiences vary according to the person and constitution. Individual results may vary. The list of herbal-actions below has not be approved by the FDA and should not be used to treat a medical condition.

(see all)
Carminative

CARMINATIVE

Stimulates the release of gas. Helpful for bloating or cramping abdominal pain. Propels food downward. Carminatives typically expel gas by relaxing the muscles of the intestines.

SEE ALL 'CARMINATIVE' FOODS / HERBS

Analgesic

ANALGESIC

Pain reliever, reduces pain without eliminating sensation. Also known as anodyne.

SEE ALL 'ANALGESIC' FOODS / HERBS

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Anxiolytic

ANXIOLYTIC

Herbs that help people suffering from anxiety or panic. They promote a state of calm and often improve sleep. Most anxiolytic herbs are also nervines.

SEE ALL 'ANXIOLYTIC' FOODS / HERBS

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Nervine

NERVINE

Balances the nervous system. They can help with stress, memory, early alzheimer's, and even chronic pain. Often they are aromatic in nature.

SEE ALL 'NERVINE' FOODS / HERBS

Anti Inflammatory

ANTI-INFLAMMATORY

Reduces inflammation in the body. Different herbs and carriers target different body systems.

SEE ALL 'ANTI-INFLAMMATORY' FOODS / HERBS

Hypotensive

HYPOTENSIVE

An herb that lowers blood pressure.

SEE ALL 'HYPOTENSIVE' FOODS / HERBS

Estrogenic

ESTROGENIC

Increases estrogen, helpful in menopause. Estrogen is anabolic and increases muscle growth, bone density, and moisture.

SEE ALL 'ESTROGENIC' FOODS / HERBS

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Partus Preparator

PARTUS-PREPARATOR

Prepares the uterus for labor & delivery, making contractions more effective. May also relax the mother, reduce pain, improve breast milk, stimulate contractions (oxytocin), build yang, and nourish blood.

SEE ALL 'PARTUS-PREPARATOR' FOODS / HERBS

,
Relaxant Parturient

RELAXANT-PARTURIENT

Used when labor is stalled due to irregular, colicky or spasmodic contractions (hypertonic). Ensures full dilation of cervix.

SEE ALL 'RELAXANT-PARTURIENT' FOODS / HERBS

,
Uterine Tonic

UTERINE-TONIC

An herb that tonifies and strengthens the uterus. Helpful for menstrual difficulties and fertility. Often herbs that increase ojas, but also circulation to reproductive system.

SEE ALL 'UTERINE-TONIC' FOODS / HERBS

Muscle Relaxant

STRONG MUSCLE-RELAXANT

Herbs that relax muscles. Helpful for chronic pain or tension as well as healing from physical trauma.

SEE ALL 'MUSCLE-RELAXANT' FOODS / HERBS

,
Relieves Tension

RELIEVES-TENSION

An herb that releases tightness, constriction, and rigidity in a muscle.

SEE ALL 'RELIEVES-TENSION' FOODS / HERBS

,
Antispasmodic

STRONG ANTISPASMODIC

Herbs that reduce or inhibit muscle spasms or cramping, such as in asthma, menstruation, heart palpitations, migraine, or IBS.

SEE ALL 'ANTISPASMODIC' FOODS / HERBS

Foods with a Similar Nature to Cramp Bark

  • Lavender

    Lavender has these Actions in Common

    Antispasmodic, Nervine, Anxiolytic, Relaxant-parturient, Analgesic, Muscle-relaxant

    LEARN MORE

  • Nigella (black cumin)

    Nigella (black cumin) has these Actions in Common

    Anti-inflammatory, Hypotensive, Antispasmodic, Nervine, Analgesic, Carminative

    LEARN MORE

  • Chamomile

    Chamomile has these Actions in Common

    Nervine, Analgesic, Anxiolytic, Anti-inflammatory, Carminative, Antispasmodic

    LEARN MORE

  • Nutmeg

    Nutmeg has these Actions in Common

    Anxiolytic, Nervine, Analgesic, Carminative, Antispasmodic, Muscle-relaxant

    LEARN MORE

  • Allspice

    Allspice has these Actions in Common

    Antispasmodic, Nervine, Analgesic, Carminative, Anti-inflammatory, Muscle-relaxant

    LEARN MORE

  • Ginger (Fresh)

    Ginger (Fresh) has these Actions in Common

    Antispasmodic, Nervine, Analgesic, Carminative, Anti-inflammatory, Hypotensive

    LEARN MORE

  • Poppy Seed

    Poppy Seed has these Actions in Common

    Anxiolytic, Analgesic, Muscle-relaxant, Antispasmodic, Relieves-tension

    LEARN MORE

  • Fennel Seeds

    Fennel Seeds has these Actions in Common

    Antispasmodic, Nervine, Carminative, Analgesic, Estrogenic

    LEARN MORE

  • Mint

    Mint has these Actions in Common

    Nervine, Anxiolytic, Analgesic, Carminative, Antispasmodic

    LEARN MORE

  • Cloves

    Cloves has these Actions in Common

    Antispasmodic, Nervine, Anxiolytic, Analgesic, Carminative

    LEARN MORE

  • Basil

    Basil has these Actions in Common

    Antispasmodic, Nervine, Anxiolytic, Anti-inflammatory, Carminative

    LEARN MORE

Herbs & Supplements with a Similar Nature to Cramp Bark

  • Black Cohosh

    Black Cohosh has these Actions in Common

    Nervine, Analgesic, Partus-preparator, Anti-inflammatory, Relaxant-parturient, Antispasmodic, Uterine-tonic, Anxiolytic, Estrogenic, Hypotensive, Muscle-relaxant

    LEARN MORE

  • Motherwort

    Motherwort has these Actions in Common

    Estrogenic, Hypotensive, Muscle-relaxant, Nervine, Analgesic, Relaxant-parturient, Anti-inflammatory, Relieves-tension, Antispasmodic, Anxiolytic

    LEARN MORE

  • Dong Quai

    Dong Quai has these Actions in Common

    Muscle-relaxant, Nervine, Analgesic, Relieves-tension, Anti-inflammatory, Uterine-tonic, Antispasmodic, Carminative, Estrogenic, Hypotensive

    LEARN MORE

  • Black Haw

    Black Haw has these Actions in Common

    Hypotensive, Muscle-relaxant, Relaxant-parturient, Uterine-tonic, Analgesic, Anti-inflammatory, Antispasmodic, Carminative

    LEARN MORE

  • Yogaraj Guggulu

    Yogaraj Guggulu has these Actions in Common

    Muscle-relaxant, Nervine, Relieves-tension, Analgesic, Anti-inflammatory, Antispasmodic, Anxiolytic, Carminative

    LEARN MORE

  • Eleuthero Ginseng

    Eleuthero Ginseng has these Actions in Common

    Relieves-tension, Analgesic, Anti-inflammatory, Antispasmodic, Anxiolytic, Hypotensive, Muscle-relaxant, Nervine

    LEARN MORE

  • Ashwagandha

    Ashwagandha has these Actions in Common

    Relieves-tension, Uterine-tonic, Analgesic, Anti-inflammatory, Antispasmodic, Anxiolytic, Muscle-relaxant, Nervine

    LEARN MORE

  • Chastetree Berry

    Chastetree Berry has these Actions in Common

    Analgesic, Antispasmodic, Estrogenic, Muscle-relaxant, Nervine, Relieves-tension, Uterine-tonic

    LEARN MORE

  • Blue Cohosh

    Blue Cohosh has these Actions in Common

    Muscle-relaxant, Nervine, Uterine-tonic, Analgesic, Antispasmodic, Anxiolytic, Estrogenic

    LEARN MORE

  • Kava Kava

    Kava Kava has these Actions in Common

    Analgesic, Anti-inflammatory, Antispasmodic, Anxiolytic, Muscle-relaxant, Nervine, Relieves-tension

    LEARN MORE


Joyful Belly is a recognized college of biocharacteristics medicine.

Guidelines - Preparation & Dose

1 dropper full in water as needed. No more than 4x a day. or as directed by your practitioner.
See guidelines for tinctures?

TRADITIONALLY INDICATED FOR
THESE SYMPTOMS

Cramp Bark may be beneficial for these symptoms. The suitability of any herb supplement for a condition is highly dependent on the individual. Please see your doctor before using this herb supplement to treat a medical condition.

CONTRAINDICATED FOR
THESE SYMPTOMS

Cramp Bark may be harmful or contraindicated for these symptoms. Note this is not a complete list of all possible contraindications. Please see your doctor before using this herb supplement to treat a medical condition.

Herb Drug Interaction Risk

Here are some potential herb drug interactions with Cramp Bark. Please see your health care provider for more information.

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What is Ayurveda?

Founder of Joyful Belly Ayurveda, John Immel, answers the question ‘What is Ayurveda?’

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* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The information and products on this website are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.