Spring has sprung! It’s in the air and the trees are blooming. I love this time of year. As I was making my weekly attempt at a grocery list~ it never fails, I still go to the store no less than 3 times, R asked me if his cherries would be at the market. Cherry season in California typically begins in the middle of May, but this year picking started in mid-April. The peak for Bing cherries, California’s most popular variety should begin about now and continue until early June. The wonderful thing about cherry trees is that every part of the tree is medicinal. 
Wild cherry bark is an antiviral, antibacterial, and anticancer properties. It is rich in minerals such as zinc, iron, calcium, and magnesium and phytochemicals such as quercetin and kaempferol. Wild cherry bark also contains vasorelaxant, expectorant, and decongestant properties and can significantly help to remove mucus from the lungs and increase lymphatic system function.
This is why wild cherry bark is a common ingredient found in cough syrups and is an effective remedy for respiratory conditions such as bronchitis, laryngitis, asthma, pertussis, colds, flu, and chronic lung congestion. Wild cherry bark is also an excellent digestive remedy and is known to help soothe digestive ailments such as gastritis, diarrhea, colitis, flatulence, constipation, and irritable bowel syndrome. Wild cherry bark is also often used as a mild sedative to relax muscle spasms, reduce hypertension, ease cramping, and provide for a more restful night’s sleep. Wild cherry has been shown to help slow down cancer cell growth through its ability to help “switch off” cancer cells ability to duplicate and grow particularly in the colon area.
Topically, wild cherry bark is beneficial as an eyewash for inflamed, puffy eyes and or as a cream to help soothe skin problems such as eczema, psoriasis, acne, and rashes. Wild cherry bark tea can be made by simmering 2 teaspoons of dried bark in 2 cups of water for at least 30 minutes. Allow to cool, strain and sweeten with raw honey if desired. Wild cherry bark can be found in extract, syrup, tincture, tea, capsule, or cream form.
