For ASTHMA, viburnum is a traditional botanical that helps to open air passages wider to make breathing easier, improving exercise capacity and reducing asthma symptoms. Viburnum relaxes smooth muscle which allows the tiny muscles around airway walls to relax. Research shows that the herb viburnum contains antispasmodic oils, including scopoletin. The species viburnum prunifolium effectively eases spasms, including the muscle fibers in the bronchial and respiratory tissues that cause difficulty in breathing so common in asthmatics. Viburnum is also astringent, meaning it has a drying effect and reduces fluid engorgement, which further helps to reduce mucus and ease breathing.

What is viburnum prunifolium?

Viburnum prunifolium or Black Haw is a deciduous shrub native to the woodlands of southern North America as well as Europe and Russia where its bark is held in high esteem in Russian and Ukrainian folklore. Historically used by Native Americans, midwives, and herbalists for muscle spasms, prolapsed uterus after childbirth, and for reducing swollen glands and fluid retention, viburnum remains a popular herb in the modern botanical medicine formulary.¹ The bark is stripped before the leaves change color in the fall, or before the buds open in the spring, and made into a capsule concentrate or infusion. Due to its antispasmodic action, practitioners know that viburnum prunifolium best lends its therapeutic actions for conditions with constrictive or spasmodic states. It appears to help balance sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system responses. Viburnum was listed in the U.S. Pharmacopeia in 1882 as a painkiller and antispasmodic.

The antispasmodic properties of viburnum are due to its inherent essential oils, including scopoletin. The active constituent scopoletin is a derivative of coumarin. Coumarins are known to ease muscle tension and have also been found to reduce pain, inflammation, and uric acid levels. The bark also contains methyl salicylate, a weak-acting precursor to the salicylic acid found in aspirin for pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory effects. Methyl salicylate is much less irritating to the gastric mucosa than aspirin, although milder in action. Other compounds that contribute to viburnum’s effectiveness are tannins and flavonoids. Studies have shown these compounds to have neuroprotective, immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects in both in vitro and in vivo experimental trials. ²

The science behind viburnum and asthma

An extensive review of scopoletin, viburnum’s antispasmodic oil, shows that it plays a vital role as a therapeutic agent in the treatment of asthma and a variety of diseases. Studies have demonstrated the rapid absorption and extensive metabolism of scopoletin, as well as the non-toxicity of scopoletin to most cell types tested to date.³ One important review cites a study confirming the bronchodilation action of scopoline in asthma. This in vitro study found that the significant reduction of bronchospasm was due to scopoletin, mediated through both calcium-channel blocking and phosphodiestrase inhibitory activities.⁴

Which viburnum formulation is best?    

While viburnum can be taken medicinally in many forms including tinctures, we have found that viburnum prunifolium in a standardized concentrate capsule provides excellent relief for asthma sufferers. The benefits of this potent muscle-relaxing herb can be magnified by synergistic vitamins, minerals, and botanicals; several of which have antispasmodic actions similar to viburnum.

Rutin, a bioflavonoid naturally found in citrus, enhances the antispasmodic actions of viburnum, helping to keep airways open. Rutin has antioxidant actions: it increases the amounts of vitamin C within cells and scavenges free radicals, to help reduce asthma episodes. Rutin helps the body utilize vitamin C and produce collagen, the main protein in connective tissue, to strengthen bronchi and air passages. Over 40 years of clinical trials have shown that rutin improves capillary strength and can improve venous tone and the elasticity of blood vessel walls so that veins become less flaccid. Rutin can reduce capillary leaking and edema, which indirectly lowers mucus production in the airways. In addition, rutin is anti-inflammatory, helping to ease allergic reactions in the lungs, and also inhibits the formation of blood clots.

Ginger root is an anti-inflammatory and it reduces prostaglandins that mediate inflammation. It is commonly effective for calming the asthmatic response and keeping air passages open.

Vitamin C has antioxidant properties that benefit people with asthma. Antioxidants are substances that neutralize oxygen-containing molecules called free radicals that cause long-term damage to cells. By reducing oxidative stress in the lungs, airway hypersensitivity – a central feature of asthma – can be reduced.⁵

Vitamin B3, niacin, has been found in studies to reduce inflammation in the airways, protecting them from oxidative damage, and improving their overall functionality.⁶ Magnesium is a classic smooth muscle relaxant that relaxes the bronchial muscles and expands the airways, allowing more air to flow in and out of the lungs. Vitamin E has exhibited a positive association in studies between dietary vitamin E intake and lung function.⁷ Valerian root is also an effective antispasmodic that relaxes smooth muscle. Vitamin B6 is necessary for the detoxification processes of the liver which assists in lowering inflammation levels and improving hormone function. Black cohosh root, cimicifuga racemosa, is a classic herb for cramping known for reducing pain and boosting mood by increasing dopamine. Dopamine can improve pulmonary circulation, bronchial diameter, and lung water clearance which may be beneficial in treating asthma.⁸

In our clinic, we have seen impressive drops in asthmatic events for our patients with consistent use of viburnum. Using it over 6 to 12 months or more, people report having fewer asthma episodes that are milder and of shorter duration, and they notice better breathing capacity while active, and improved energy probably due to better oxygen intake.

Recommendation: Viburnum prunifolium 300mg three times daily, preferably enhanced by ginger root, rutin, vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin B3, vitamin B6, magnesium citrate or chelate, valerian root, or black cohosh root. Best taken between meals; or as directed by your healthcare provider. A physician should be consulted if you are on blood pressure medication as viburnum could lower your blood pressure. Due to the salacin content, Viburnum prunifolium should not be used by people who are allergic or have a sensitivity to aspirin. It should be used with caution in people with kidney stones as it contains oxalic acid.

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