Cramp Ease: Hello Cramp Bark-Learn to Harvest, Prep & Use This Gift Of a Shrub

[@EImpact-zt9rg]

I love how she admits it tastes funky.

[@DinaFalconi]

Ha, yes, it's funky!

[@melaniemaldonado6692]

We used to have a beautiful snow ball bush years ago at my grandmothers and until recently i never knew it was Cramp Bark... Amazing bush with the most beautiful colors during the summer months.

[@DinaFalconi]

Yes, such a lovely bush!

[@artisticagi]

So informative thank you to the stars and back

[@artisticagi]

Cramp bark preparation 7:30

[@DinaFalconi]

Most welcome! Please enjoy the rest of the videos on the channel!

[@SopranoJessi]

Wow I planted two of the American Cranberry Bush (Viburnum Trilobum)! They are young but I had no idea it was Medicinal!

[@DinaFalconi]

Hello Jessi, yes, you have food and medicine there!

[@isabelladavis1363]

Great information thank you for sharing this video…stay blessed

[@DinaFalconi]

Thanks for your comment!

[@Stylvestre]

I just came back from a walk with the youngest, already teaching him foraging cramp bark at 14 months old 😂 but in all seriousness, thank you for this informative video, it was quite useful in knowing how to strip the bark off, I wasn’t sure if the green part was to be used too. The tea… 8 hours! I used to drink tea for cramping the same way as most herbal teas, that’s some good informations to consider. But yes, I do like the funky taste and smell, reminds me of the wonderful pimbina jelly my mom makes every year!

[@DinaFalconi]

So glad your 14 month old is foraging! My pleasure to share this info! And what is pimbina jelly? Please enjoy the rest of the videos on the channel.Thanks!

[@Stylvestre]

@@DinaFalconi sorry, realized I never answered back, pimbina is the native name for viburnum trilobum (now named viburnum opulus var. trilobum), so the berries are used for making jelly, funky smell as you say while it cooks but oh the taste! Especially when spread over fine cheese. Furthermore, once the juice is extracted, she uses the leftover mash and squeezes the pulp through a sieve to make ketchup. Better than heinz. Way better. Suffice to say, that tree is Magic! That being said, I managed to process enough cramp bark to fill a quart jar after drying, and it went better than usual thanks to your video.

[@DinaFalconi]

@@Stylvestre Thanks!

[@beckitomlinson4856]

The berries make great wine...if you can get past the smell as they ferment. Thank you for your wonderful videos.

[@DinaFalconi]

Hello Becki, thanks for your comment: Viburnum opulus wine! And glad you are appreciating the videos.

[@AK-pq4zz]

I love highbush cranberries! They are very pungent but they make the best jelly and juice. I make the juice and freeze it for winter. I have not used the bark but after seeing your video I will be harvesting some next spring to make a tincture. I really enjoy your videos Dina. So Informative. Thank you!

[@DinaFalconi]

Thanks for your comment! Do you know if you are gathering fruit from Viburnum trilobum or V. opulus?

[@AK-pq4zz]

Viburnum edule. Alaska highbush cranberry. I had to look it up ;)

[@DinaFalconi]

@@AK-pq4zz Thanks, I'd like to try that species! The V opulus's berries are not so tasty.

[@AK-pq4zz]

@@DinaFalconi I think they are a acquired taste ha! But I love them, especially for juice and jelly. With the juice I sometimes just make a concentrate and add it to my favorite juices and tea. I hope you get a chance to try it ;)

[@pamflorus2884]

Thank you Dina. Your videos are so very informative.

[@DinaFalconi]

Hello Pam, thank you for appreciating!

[@dukenegju]

Supergreat, thank you! Also with the plants, seemingly the unremarked resp. uncheerished ones are coming to light :) Love

[@DinaFalconi]

Thanks!

[@StephanieMarie-e9u]

This is great, thank you Dina. You say to dry it before making medicine. Is there reason to not tincture or decoct the fresh bark?

[@DinaFalconi]

Thanks, if tincturing fresh should work. If decocting dry is better (drying ruptures the cell walls making the plant constituents more available), but give it go either way.

[@shimkonise357]

Thank you! 💐

[@DinaFalconi]

Hello Ericka, welcome!

[@karenpolzin8297]

Thank you Dina! I'll be looking for it this summer to ID.

[@DinaFalconi]

Hello Karen, sounds good!

[@marilynbirch6345]

Thank you Dina I use it with other herbs for spasm in my shoulder and it works

[@DinaFalconi]

Hello Marilyn, good to know.

[@EImpact-zt9rg]

Does it make a good balm combined with maybe clove for endometriosis? I'm trying to help a friend bc she's in pain despite the doctors pain meds. Not sure if I should do a tincture bc she's not suppose to have alcohol on her pain meds.

[@DinaFalconi]

Thanks, are you asking for topical balm info? If yes, I have only known of cramp bark being consumed. Maybe try a long steeped infusion for her (water based like how to make dandelion root infusion: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jIuXpmlrbLB-jKc) and also, hoping she can consult with a holistic health care professional in person to help better support her healing process.

[@t.c87]

Hi Dina how would you do this recipe with vegetable glycerine? Would one take the same dosage? How long would this be stable with a vegetable glycerine? Thanks a ton 😊 heart ❤️

[@DinaFalconi]

Thanks, I don't make glycerites with this herb; actually I don't use glycerin too often. Sorry not able to answer your question right now.

[@t.c87]

@DinaFalconi why do you choose not too? Very curious 🤔 self life is only a yr right? And thank you

[@DinaFalconi]

Just was never drawn to it.... glycerine is so sweet and created with what seems to be an intensive chemical process. Yes, shelf life is short, perhaps a year. And many plant constituents aren't extracted well in glycerine, although a few are. Still, I know other herbalists who are fond of it.

[@kem6474]

I was wondering if you would do a video on how to prepare Sarracenia purpurea root infusion. Native American Indians used Sarracenia purpurea to treat smallpox. Also wondering if you would know the dosage for treatment of smallpox I feel in this crazy time it might be very useful knowledge. Thank You!

[@DinaFalconi]

Hello Kem, thank you for your comment. I don't know about using Sarracenia purpurea. But if you learn, please keep me posted.

[@keridickson1011]

Just wondering about harvesting times of different parts of plants? cramp bark late winter early spring just before leaves come out... is this the same for all types of bark? ie alder, and elder. Flowers I assume can be harvested whenever the plant is in flower, harvest the flower while it is young, just opened up?? Roots? harvest while the top part of the plant is dormant? ie winter. Leaves? ideally harvest while they are young, early in the season, spring?

[@DinaFalconi]

Thanks good questions. Each herb, and herb part, needs to be considered individually, so it's hard to generalize. Still, I'll do that now. Harvest roots when plant is dormant; leaves before flowers appear; flowers just as they start to open; bark in early spring when the sap starts to rise. On this channel, and within each video of a plant, I give these details. So hoping you'll check them out.

[@keridickson1011]

Thank you I recently found your channel and am really enjoying your content... Thank you!@@DinaFalconi

[@DinaFalconi]

Glad! @@keridickson1011

[@nickmichell]

Hi Dina, I am just getting over covid and remembered one of your videos about Mullen, I have started to make and drink it as a tea as I'm having problems with breathing as an after effect, how long would you recommend taking this tea? I always enjoy your videos and wait to see what the next one will be about,. Kind Regards. N

[@DinaFalconi]

Hello Nick, thank you for your comment. As you know, I can not give specific medical / herbal advice, but generally speaking, the tea is often drunk for several days. Sending healing wishes!

[@nickmichell]

@@DinaFalconi thank you so much for your reply, I totally understand.

[@jeffg4686]

Any idea if this works well for arthritis muscle related issues (spasms/cramping). I looked it up, and looks to be the case which is awesome. Southern Prickly Ash is another one I'm trying for arthritis stuff.

[@DinaFalconi]

Thanks, Jeff, for your question. Generally speaking, since it is an antispasmodic, it may be helpful. Still, I always suggest work with a holistic healthcare provider in person to focus on food, lifestyle and other herbs that may be best for you in particular. Healing wishes, Dina

[@jeffg4686]

@@DinaFalconi - thanks

[@jrobertgadams7766]

Hello Dina ! thank you for another very informative video (they are all very interesting and filled with so much love and respect for Mother Nature. thanks for that). One question. When you say 70% alcohol and 30% water. In a regular bottle of alcohol, lets say of 50% alcohol. Is there 50% of water and 50% alcohol in it already and that's why they call it ' 100% proof " ? or in a 50% alcohol bottle there is just a concentration of 50% alcohol. I get confused by that. Many herbalists add water and many don't but still call it 100% proof. sooo.. do we need to add water in our alcohol or not as there is already water in the bottle ( 50% - 50% , same for 40% alcohol then 60% water would be in it ). thanks for enlighten me :)

[@DinaFalconi]

Hello J, tincture menstruums are made with different amounts of consumable alcohol and water. Yes, 100 proof vodka has 50% water and 50% alcohol. When 70% alcohol is called for, that means we use 70% straight alcohol (or 190 proof which is as close as I can get to straight) and 30% water; this is referred to as140 proof. And when using a low alcohol menstruum like 60 proof, one would use 30% alcohol and 70% water. The proof is double the alcohol percentage. Hope this helps.

[@joanclary3622]

How about sciatica pain?

[@DinaFalconi]

Worth a try, although I prefer St John's wort kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y56VqJhvjKiol9k

[@brandyjean7015]

So trilobum & opolus are both good for medicine, but trilobum has tastier berries?

[@DinaFalconi]

Yes, thanks for asking.

[@dinahf.1676]

Dina, would there be an herbal remedy for severe stool impaction? My daughter suffered with severe constipation during, and after, her 4 pregnancies. She was diagnosis with Hashimoto disease, chronic pain, hypothyroidism and a serious gluten allergy. In the last year she's gotten completely off of gluten, lost 50 pounds, eats fresh and organic foods, and then in the last four months was being treated for severe pain, and that's when the horrible constipation started. She doesn't drink, or smoke, rarely has any type of processed sugar, is practically vegan... and then this hits her. 🤯

[@DinaFalconi]

Hello Dinah, thank you for your comment. I suggest your daughter work with a local holistic healthcare practitioner. There is much support for her with food and herbs, but best to connect with someone who can guide her. Sending healing wishes.

[@theresetimm4065]

🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌿🌹🌹 Therese from Californy! As usual excellent fun & visually whoooo! Wonder if it grows in No. California? Could u use a carrot pealer? Might wear it out! If u hv older peelers, silicone dip handles, more comfortable! U ever wear a braid???? Z curious sister! On other coast 😉 🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🙏

[@DinaFalconi]

Thanks, Therese, for your comment. Not sure about using a peeler...and here is the link within the text for cramp bark's USDA range: USDA Range: found in many parts of the North America US plants.usda.gov/home/plantProfile?symbol=VIOP Let me know if find it!

[@ValeriaVincentSancisi]

you can find Viburnum opulus at the nurseries.. not sure if you have wait to make sure it is organic....

[@tracipowell66]

Is this bush have another name called autumn olive?

[@DinaFalconi]

Hello Traci, this in not autumn olive.

[@FIXTREME]

I think that's what killed Curley

[@DinaFalconi]

Ha! Funny....

[@jdm3111]

What is this silliness to thank a plant or a tree before harvesting it? the tree is not God! God created all things and to HIm we are to be thankful, not to the creation! That is blasphemy! I appreciate your videos and knowlwedge of plants/herbs, but please keep it at that. we do'nt talk to plants, and certainly don't pray to them!

[@DinaFalconi]

Good to hear your thoughts.