Viburnum Opulus

Cramp Bark

Cramp bark. The bark of Viburnum opulus Linne (Nat. Ord. Caprifoliaceae).

Viburnum Prunifolium

Black haw. The bark of V. prunifolium Linne (Nat. Ord. Caprifoliaceae).

Extractum Viburni Opuli Fluidum

Fluid extract of viburnum opulus. Dose, τη x — 3 ss — 3 j.

Extractum Viburni Prunifolii Fluidum,

Fluid extract of viburnum prunifolium. Dose, τη x— 3 ss — 3 j.

Composition

According to Hermann Allen, besides a bitter brown and yellow resin, viburnum contains viburnine (Kramer), an active principle. This principle has not been utilized in medical practice.

Actions and Uses

Recently, Dr. Theodore Sperman, of Edinburgh, has made the viburnums the subject of physiological investigation. He confirms the existence of an active principle, which, however, is present in small amount ( ½ per cent). That this alkaloid represents the powers of viburnum, he was successful in determining by experiment on animals, producing the same effects in them by its administration as he had caused by the crude drug. The active principle is a sedative, slows the heart-beat, and lowers the vascular tension, the cardiac movements being arrested in the diastole. It induces drowsiness, lessens reflex activity, and causes paresis of the muscular system and inco-ordination of movements. The experiments on animals were confirmed by observations on man. Some drowsiness, sluggishness of movement, lowering of the blood pressure, diminution of sensibility, and lessening of the reflexes result from its administration in full doses to the human subject. Toxic symptoms were not caused by large doses. The headache and disturbances of vision noted by some observers in the course of its medicinal administration did not happen in the cases studied by Dr. Sperman. There is, however, a general agreement that viburnum is not an active substance. No obvious effects were produced in guinea pigs by considerable doses (Monelar). Wilson, of Liverpool, reports dryness of the mouth, disorders of vision, and general numbness as a result of the action of strong doses. Jenks, of Detroit, maintains that it has a special action on the uterus through the sympathetic system of nerves; that it is a uterine sedative. This is a pure assumption, and rests entirely on the supposed power of viburnum to prevent abortion when threatened, and to prevent or arrest the pains of dysmenorrhoea. It is indicated in cases of habitual abortion in which it may be supposed an irritable state of the uterus exists, so that uterine action sets in at a certain stage of development of the foetus.When the foetus has died, or uteroplacental haemorrhage has taken place, this remedy has little influence over the result. In uterine colic and after-pains there are numerous reports of its good effects. It has also proved useful in the treatment of dysmenorrhoea. Experience has shown that it acts more efficiently when administered for some days—a week or more—in anticipation of the menstrual flow. According to Jenks, Monelar, and others, it is a valuable remedy for the menorrhagia of the menopause. In a variety of uterine maladies accompanied by excessive and too frequent menstrual flow this remedy is held to be an efficient agent for relief. So many pathological states are represented in the chief symptom that it may be doubted whether viburnum has any real power over them, and it can be claimed only that it affects favorably and restrains the haemorrhagic tendency. It is the author's judgment that the remedy has been greatly overrated by its advocates, but he admits it to a place in this work because it has been added to the list of the U. S. Pharmacopoeia.

It is in a high degree probable that the viburnum opulus is more effective than the V. prunifolium. The fluid extract is the official representative of both.