Cramp Bark (Viburnum opulus)
Relaxes smooth muscle tissue through scopoletin compounds, primarily used for menstrual cramps and muscle spasms.
Cramp Bark, as its name suggests, has been used traditionally to relieve muscle cramps and spasms, particularly menstrual cramps. It's a close relative of Black Haw and shares similar properties. The bark contains scopoletin and other compounds that appear to relax smooth muscle tissue.
Relaxes smooth muscle tissue
May specifically relax uterine muscle
How Cramp Bark works — from molecular targets to health outcomes. Click an edge to see supporting research.This visualization is in beta — pathways are being refined and expanded.
500-1000mg extract or 2-4g dried bark
Loading: Not required; use as needed
Take with food
| Form | Type |
|---|---|
| 💊Tincture or capsules | Recommended |
| 🍵Dried bark tea | Alternative |
| 💊Extract | Alternative |
Tincture works fastest. Tea requires longer steeping (15-20 min).
Minimum: 1 days
Optimal: 4 days
Cycling: Use as needed during menstruation; not for continuous daily use
Note: Most effective when taken at the first sign of cramps. Can be used preventively starting a day before expected menstruation.
Reduced menstrual cramp intensity
General smooth muscle relaxation
Consult healthcare provider; traditionally used for threatened miscarriage
Contains salicin; may have mild antiplatelet effects — may affect platelet aggregation or vitamin K-dependent clotting factors, altering anticoagulant efficacy
Tip: Take with food
Top studies from 10+ peer-reviewed papers
Stabnikova O et al. • Plant foods for human nutrition (Dordrecht, Netherlands) (2024)
“The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.”
Kolosova V et al. • Journal of ethnopharmacology (2022)
“Karelians and Russians are very disproportionally represented in the literature due to the lack of interest in the folk medicine of Russians in Karelia, in contrast to that of Karelians.”
Giritlioglu NI et al. • Medical oncology (Northwood, London, England) (2025)
“This observational examined the effects of Cramp Bark.”
Gülada BÖ et al. • Journal of ethnopharmacology (2024)
“Gilaburu shows both anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects against AA-induced colonic damage by suppressing neutrophil infiltration, regulating inflammatory mediators, inhibiting reactive species production, lipid peroxidation, and apoptosis, conserving endogenous antioxidant glutathione, and ameliorating oxidative DNA damage.”
Goławska S et al. • Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) (2023)
“The present study shows the potential of naturally grown and wild V. opulus for the human.”
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