Highbush Cranberry
(Viburnum trilobum)
Other Names:
American cranberrybush, cranberry tree, crampbark tree, guelder-rose, wild gueldes-rose, gueldres-rose, cherry-wood, rose elder, red elder, marsh elder, water elder, white elder, gadrise, gaiter tree, gatten, love rose, May rose, pincushion tree, dog rowan tree, whitten tree, squaw bush, witch-hobble, witchhopple
Range:
Family:
Adoxaceae – Moschatel family
Growth Type:
A woody shrub
Height:
Grows up to 15' tall
Leaves:
Opposite leaves consisting of 3 strong, long, pointed lobes which are coarsely toothed, and 2" - 4" long. Leafstalks have tiny dome shaped glands at base of leaf blades.
Stem/Trunk:
Woody trunk
Root:
Not observed
Flower Season:
Flowers blossom from May-July. Fruits ripen in Sep - Oct
Flower Appearance:
Small flower clusters consisting of multiple 5 petaled white flowers
Seed/Fruit:
Fruits ripen in Sep - Oct, and, if the birds do not find them, they will often remain throughout the winter. Fruit is bright red, tart, and juicy
Miscellaneous characteristics:
Although not related to Cranberry (Vaccinium spp.), Highbush Cranberries can be used in the same manner
Habitat:
Cool woods, thickets, shores, rocky slopes
Parts Used:
Fruit
Culinary Uses:
Highbush Cranberry fruit can be eaten fresh, or cooked. Many people find the berries too tart to eat fresh. However, cooking them with some lemon peeland a bit of sugar yields a wonderful stewed fruit. The fruit can also be crushed and mixed with water for a refreshing drink. Excellent in jams and jellies. This fruit is high in vitamin C.
The following text is meant for informational purposes only. It is not meant to diagnose or treat any illness or injury. Always consult with a physician or other qualified medical care provider concerning the diagnosis and treatment of any illness or injury.
Traditional Medicinal Uses:
The bark of highbush cranberry has been used for relief of menstrual and stomach cramps and asthma.
Cautions According To WebMD
Contra-Indications
None Known
Possible Side Effects:
None Known
Possible Interactions:
None Known
Medicinal Actions:
Antiasthmatic,
Antiscorbutic,
Antispasmodic
Herbal Preparations For Viburnum trilobum
Strong Decoction
Part Used: Rootbark and bark
Plant State: Fresh or Dried
Place 2 ounces of fresh, or 1 ounce of dried rootbark and bark into a pan. Add 1 quart of water, and bring to a boil. Continue to boil over medium heat, stirring periodically, until reduced by half. Cool the mixture, and strain and drink.
Dosage: 3-4 oz up to four times daily as needed
Infusion
Part Used: Rootbark and bark
Plant State: Fresh
Place 2 ounces of the fresh chopped rootbark and bark into a quart mason jar, and fill the jar with almost boiling water. Cover the jar, place it in a sunny location, and let it sit for 8 to 10 hours. If refrigerated, the infusion will last a couple of days.
Dosage: 3-4 oz up to four times daily as needed
Tincture
Part Used: Rootbark and bark
Plant State: Fresh
Alcohol Percentage: 50%
Plant to Alcohol Ratio: 1:2
Label a quart mason jar with the plant name, the part of the plant used, the percentage of alcohol used, and the date the tincture was started.
Fill the jar to the neck with chopped fresh leaves, then pour in 750 ml of 100 proof vodka, or 500 ml of 150 proof Everclear and 250 ml of water. Next pour the contents of the jar into a blender and blend until all of the plant material is thoroughly chopped into fine pieces and incorporated into the menstrum. This will increase the surface area and provide better leaching of the plant constituents. As a matter of fact, this method works so well that, if necessary, the tincture can be used in as little as 7 days. Now pour the contents of the blender back into the jar, being careful to scrape every last bit of goodness from the blender. Place a lid on the mason jar, shake it well, and place the jar in a dark cupboard. Once a day for the first 7 days, take the jar out of the cupboard and shake it well. Place the jar back into the cupboard, and leave it soak for another 3 weeks. After the tincture has soaked for 30 days, remove it from the cupboard and strain out the spent plant material. Your tincture will remain viable for 2-3 years.
Dosage: 30-90 drops up to 4 times daily
Tincture
Part Used: Rootbark and bark
Plant State: Dried
Alcohol Percentage: 75%
Plant to Alcohol Ratio: 1:5
Label a quart mason jar with the plant name, the part of the plant used, the percentage of alcohol used, and the date the tincture was started.
Place 150 grams of dried plant material into a quart mason jar. Now pour in 750 ml of 150 proof Everclear. Next pour the contents of the jar into a blender and blend until all of the plant material is thoroughly chopped into fine pieces and incorporated into the menstrum. This will increase the surface area and provide better leaching of the plant constituents. As a matter of fact, this method works so well that, if necessary, the tincture can be used in as little as 7 days. Now pour the contents of the blender back into the jar, being careful to scrape every last bit of goodness from the blender. Place a lid on the mason jar, shake it well, and place the jar in a dark cupboard. Once a day for the first 7 days, take the jar out of the cupboard and shake it well. Place the jar back into the cupboard, and leave it soak for another 3 weeks. After the tincture has soaked for 30 days, remove it from the cupboard and strain out the spent plant material. Your tincture will remain viable for 2-3 years.
Dosage: 30-90 drops up to 4 times daily
