Overview

Wild cherry is a tree. The bark and fruit are used to make medicine.

Some people take wild cherry by mouth for colds, whooping cough, bronchitis (lunginflammation), and other lung problems. It is also used for diarrhea, gout, digestive disorders, pain, and cancer. It is also used in cough syrups because of its sedative (sleepiness), expectorant (clearing mucus), drying, and cough-suppressing effects.

In foods and beverages, wild cherry is used as a flavoring agent. Some people eat the seeds as snacks. The fruit of wild cherry is eaten fresh, in jams, or used in liquors or syrups.

How does it work ?

Wild cherry contains chemicals that might help reduce swelling (inflammation).

Wild cherry contains chemicals that might help reduce swelling (inflammation).

Uses & Effectiveness ?

Insufficient Evidence for

  • Bronchitis.
  • Colds.
  • Cough.
  • Diarrhea.
  • Other conditions.
More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of wild cherry for these uses.

Side Effects

Wild cherry is LIKELY SAFE when consumed in amounts normally found in food. Wild cherry is POSSIBLY SAFE when taken by mouth in small amounts, short-term. But taking wild cherry long-term or in large amounts is POSSIBLY UNSAFE. Wild cherry contains chemicals that are poisonous in large amounts.

Special Precautions & Warnings:

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: It's LIKELY UNSAFE to use wild cherry if you are pregnant. Wild cherry contains a chemical, prunasin, which can cause birth defects. Not enough is known about the safety of using wild cherry during breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Special Precautions and Warnings

Wild cherry is LIKELY SAFE when consumed in amounts normally found in food. Wild cherry is POSSIBLY SAFE when taken by mouth in small amounts, short-term. But taking wild cherry long-term or in large amounts is POSSIBLY UNSAFE. Wild cherry contains chemicals that are poisonous in large amounts.

Special Precautions & Warnings:

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: It's LIKELY UNSAFE to use wild cherry if you are pregnant. Wild cherry contains a chemical, prunasin, which can cause birth defects. Not enough is known about the safety of using wild cherry during breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Interactions ?

    Moderate Interaction

    Be cautious with this combination

  • Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) substrates) interacts with WILD CHERRY

    Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Wild cherry might decrease how quickly the liver breaks down some medications. Taking wild cherry along with some medications that are broken down by the liver can increase the effects and side effects of some medications. Before taking wild cherry, talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking any medications that are changed by the liver.

    Some medications changed by the liver include lovastatin (Mevacor), ketoconazole (Nizoral), itraconazole (Sporanox), fexofenadine (Allegra), triazolam (Halcion), and others.

Dosing

The appropriate dose of wild cherry depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for wild cherry. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.

Next
View References

You Might Also Like

Preventing HIV: How PrEP Works
Explore Medicare Advantage & Prescription Drug Coverage
Navigating Life With Migraine
Alternative Treatments for Migraines
View More

CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

This copyrighted material is provided by Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Consumer Version. Information from this source is evidence-based and objective, and without commercial influence. For professional medical information on natural medicines, see Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Professional Version.
© Therapeutic Research Faculty 2020.