Wild cherry (black cherry)

Prunus serotina

Edible plant

Native American

Safety information

Toxicity: Bark, leaves, seeds, and wilted foliage are cyanogenic (prunasin/amygdalin -> hydrocyanic acid). Risk rises with dose/duration; wilted leaves notoriously poison livestock. Ripe pulp is safe; seeds/pits are not.

Contraindications: Pregnancy, children, prolonged use; never consume seeds/pits or wilted leaves.

Interactions: Additive sedation; caution with CNS depressants.

Pregnancy & breastfeeding: Avoid in pregnancy.

Evidence level

Preclinical

Supported by laboratory or animal studies; not yet confirmed in humans.

Preparations

fruit eaten/cooked · ripe fruit

Part used: ripe fruit

Evidence:Folk

cold infusion/syrup (bark) · inner bark

Part used: inner bark

Traditional use: expectorant/antitussive for coughs, bronchitis, sedative tonic

Proposed mechanism: cyanogenic glycoside prunasin — mild cough-reflex-suppressing/antispasmodic

Dosage note (descriptive only): short-term bark use only; NO dosing how-to

Evidence:Preclinical

General preparation guide →

Associated conditions

Bronchitis Cough

Edibility

Edible parts: Ripe fruit only (raw or cooked into jelly/syrup).

Toxic lookalike warning

Discard pits/seeds (cyanogenic); do not eat leaves/twigs/bark casually; wilted leaves are dangerous. Distinguish from toxic ornamental cherries.

Nutritional notes

Fruit: vitamin C, anthocyanins, polyphenols.

Healing traditions

Native American

Sources (3)

Wikipedia
PMC7399899 (Prunus phytochemistry)
Wildflower.org (PRSE2)

All sources →