Evidence supporting the use of: Black Haw
For the health condition: Dysmenorrhea

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Black Haw (Viburnum prunifolium) has a long history of use in North American herbal medicine, particularly among Native American and later European-American practitioners, for the management of dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation). Traditionally, the bark of the plant was prepared as a decoction or tincture and used as an "antispasmodic" to relieve menstrual cramps and uterine muscle spasms. Historical herbal texts from the 19th and early 20th centuries, such as King’s American Dispensatory, describe its use for "uterine irritation" and to prevent miscarriage, as well as for menstrual pain.

Despite its longstanding use, modern scientific studies validating the efficacy of Black Haw for dysmenorrhea are extremely limited. The plant contains compounds such as viburnin, salicin, and various tannins, which are theorized to have mild muscle relaxant and anti-inflammatory effects. However, well-controlled clinical trials have not been conducted to confirm these effects in the context of menstrual pain. Most of the available evidence remains anecdotal or based on traditional herbal literature. Thus, while Black Haw's use for dysmenorrhea is well-rooted in tradition, the strength of evidence supporting its effectiveness is weak by modern scientific standards.

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