Cramp Bark Benefits, Uses, Side Effects According to Ayurveda

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.

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DRY

ABOUT DRY BIOCHARACTERISTIC

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

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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.

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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.

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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

AGGRAVATES

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.

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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.

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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.

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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

Subtaste:

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

Tissue (dhatu):

Muscle

MUSCLE

Muscle tissue (Mamsa Dhatu) includes muscles and ligaments.

SEE ALL 'MUSCLE' FOODS / HERBS

Family:

Caprifoliaceae

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)

Digestion:

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

Mind, Stress & Sleep:

Analgesic

ANALGESIC

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

SEE ALL 'ANALGESIC' FOODS / HERBS

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

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

Immune System:

Anti Inflammatory

ANTI-INFLAMMATORY

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

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Heart & Circulation:

Hypotensive

HYPOTENSIVE

An herb that lowers blood pressure.

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Reproductive Health:

Estrogenic

ESTROGENIC

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

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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.

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Relaxant Parturient

RELAXANT-PARTURIENT

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

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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

Strength, Muscle Health:

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
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Nigella (black cumin)

Nigella (black cumin) has these Actions in Common
Anti-inflammatory, Hypotensive, Antispasmodic, Nervine, Analgesic, Carminative
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Chamomile

Chamomile has these Actions in Common
Nervine, Analgesic, Anxiolytic, Anti-inflammatory, Carminative, Antispasmodic
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Nutmeg

Nutmeg has these Actions in Common
Anxiolytic, Nervine, Analgesic, Carminative, Antispasmodic, Muscle-relaxant
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Allspice

Allspice has these Actions in Common
Antispasmodic, Nervine, Analgesic, Carminative, Anti-inflammatory, Muscle-relaxant
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Ginger (Fresh)

Ginger (Fresh) has these Actions in Common
Antispasmodic, Nervine, Analgesic, Carminative, Anti-inflammatory, Hypotensive
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Poppy Seed

Poppy Seed has these Actions in Common
Anxiolytic, Analgesic, Muscle-relaxant, Antispasmodic, Relieves-tension
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Fennel Seeds

Fennel Seeds has these Actions in Common
Antispasmodic, Nervine, Carminative, Analgesic, Estrogenic
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Mint

Mint has these Actions in Common
Nervine, Anxiolytic, Analgesic, Carminative, Antispasmodic
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Cloves

Cloves has these Actions in Common
Antispasmodic, Nervine, Anxiolytic, Analgesic, Carminative
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Basil

Basil has these Actions in Common
Antispasmodic, Nervine, Anxiolytic, Anti-inflammatory, Carminative
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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
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Motherwort

Motherwort has these Actions in Common
Estrogenic, Hypotensive, Muscle-relaxant, Nervine, Analgesic, Relaxant-parturient, Anti-inflammatory, Relieves-tension, Antispasmodic, Anxiolytic
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Dong Quai

Dong Quai has these Actions in Common
Muscle-relaxant, Nervine, Analgesic, Relieves-tension, Anti-inflammatory, Uterine-tonic, Antispasmodic, Carminative, Estrogenic, Hypotensive
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Black Haw

Black Haw has these Actions in Common
Hypotensive, Muscle-relaxant, Relaxant-parturient, Uterine-tonic, Analgesic, Anti-inflammatory, Antispasmodic, Carminative
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Yogaraj Guggulu

Yogaraj Guggulu has these Actions in Common
Muscle-relaxant, Nervine, Relieves-tension, Analgesic, Anti-inflammatory, Antispasmodic, Anxiolytic, Carminative
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Eleuthero Ginseng

Eleuthero Ginseng has these Actions in Common
Relieves-tension, Analgesic, Anti-inflammatory, Antispasmodic, Anxiolytic, Hypotensive, Muscle-relaxant, Nervine
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Ashwagandha

Ashwagandha has these Actions in Common
Relieves-tension, Uterine-tonic, Analgesic, Anti-inflammatory, Antispasmodic, Anxiolytic, Muscle-relaxant, Nervine
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Chastetree Berry

Chastetree Berry has these Actions in Common
Analgesic, Antispasmodic, Estrogenic, Muscle-relaxant, Nervine, Relieves-tension, Uterine-tonic
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Blue Cohosh

Blue Cohosh has these Actions in Common
Muscle-relaxant, Nervine, Uterine-tonic, Analgesic, Antispasmodic, Anxiolytic, Estrogenic
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Kava Kava

Kava Kava has these Actions in Common
Analgesic, Anti-inflammatory, Antispasmodic, Anxiolytic, Muscle-relaxant, Nervine, Relieves-tension
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Joyful Belly is a recognized college of biocharacteristics medicine.

College of Ayurvedic Diet & Digestion

AYURVEDIC HERB SUPPLEMENTS

Cramp Bark (Viburnum opulus)

Table of Contents

How Does This Ayurvedic Herb Supplement Improve Wellness?

CLINICAL AYURVEDIC REVIEW

Metabolic Nature of Cramp Bark

Metabolic Nature

ABOUT COLD BIOCHARACTERISTIC

ABOUT DRY BIOCHARACTERISTIC

The 6 Tastes

ABOUT ASTRINGENT BIOCHARACTERISTIC

ABOUT BITTER BIOCHARACTERISTIC

The Three Doshas / Body Types

The Four Temperaments / Humors

ABOUT CHOLERIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

ABOUT MELANCHOLIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

ABOUT SANGUINE BIOCHARACTERISTIC

ABOUT PHLEGMATIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Other

AROMATIC

MUSCLE

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.

CARMINATIVE

ANALGESIC

ANXIOLYTIC

NERVINE

ANTI-INFLAMMATORY

HYPOTENSIVE

ESTROGENIC

PARTUS-PREPARATOR

RELAXANT-PARTURIENT

UTERINE-TONIC

STRONG MUSCLE-RELAXANT

RELIEVES-TENSION

STRONG ANTISPASMODIC

Foods with a Similar Nature to Cramp Bark

Lavender has these Actions in Common

Nigella (black cumin) has these Actions in Common

Chamomile has these Actions in Common

Nutmeg has these Actions in Common

Allspice has these Actions in Common

Ginger (Fresh) has these Actions in Common

Poppy Seed has these Actions in Common

Fennel Seeds has these Actions in Common

Mint has these Actions in Common

Cloves has these Actions in Common

Basil has these Actions in Common

Herbs & Supplements with a Similar Nature to Cramp Bark

Black Cohosh has these Actions in Common

Motherwort has these Actions in Common

Dong Quai has these Actions in Common

Black Haw has these Actions in Common

Yogaraj Guggulu has these Actions in Common

Eleuthero Ginseng has these Actions in Common

Ashwagandha has these Actions in Common

Chastetree Berry has these Actions in Common

Blue Cohosh has these Actions in Common

Kava Kava has these Actions in Common

Guidelines - Preparation & Dose

TRADITIONALLY INDICATED FOR THESE SYMPTOMS

Digestion

Reproductive-Health

Bones, Muscles & Tendons

Mind, Stress & Sleep

Bowel, Poop Elimination

Respiratory, Lung, Throat & Sinus

Kidney, Bladder & Urinary

Heart, Blood & Circulation

CONTRAINDICATED FOR THESE SYMPTOMS

Herb Drug Interaction Risk

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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.

TRADITIONALLY INDICATED FOR
THESE SYMPTOMS

CONTRAINDICATED FOR
THESE SYMPTOMS