Benefits of Cramp Bark for Horses

Cramp bark does exactly what its name promises - soothing spasms, calming cramps, and bringing gentle relief where it’s needed most.

Please note this is a nutritional, functional horse food supplement and not veterinary medicine. For more on this, see Dr Kellon's Horse Sense - Nutrition is not 'Alternative' Therapy .

📌 Pregnant or nursing mares - always seek veterinary advice before feeding.

Tincture

Our human-grade, certified organic tinctures give you a ready-to-absorb potent source of phytonutrients at the highest-strength available, for immediate absorption straight into the bloodstream and to the body’s cells.

100% certified organic pure tincture: Viburnum opulus (Cramp Bark), Decocted 1:3 25%, Wild Harvested

~ Feed Guide

• 6ml/100kg bodyweight, daily in feed.
• Always shake the bottle to disperse any sediment.
• 3-year shelf-life.

Dried Herb

Produced to ecological standards and free from agro-chemicals. See our Quality page for for Organic Certification Documents.

Dried herb: Viburnum opulus (Cramp Bark) , Wild Harvested (Not certified organic)

~ Feed Guide

• 5g/100kg bodyweight per day, thus for an average 500kg horse add 25g daily to feed.
• 1-year shelf-life.

Functional Nutritional Value

Constituents: Hydroquinones, courmarins, and tannins.

NB. Our range of botanicals are all grown, harvested and dried without the use of agri-chemicals, non-irradiated and GMO free - see our Quality page for Quality Management & Certification Documents. Laboratory tested for identification and compliance to the British and European Pharmacopoeia standards, and are human grade. Please be aware that if you're purchasing our dried botanicals for human use, our dried range is cut to appropriate sizes for feeding to horses.

Safety

Do not feed to the pregnant/nursing mare, or if there is a history of kidney issues.

More...

With a name like cramp bark, you already know what this amazing plant is famous for - easing spasms, softening tension, and soothing pain. A cousin of honeysuckle and elderberry, Viburnum opulus has earned its place as one of the most trusted herbal relaxants for smooth muscle, especially in the womb and pelvic area.

Also known as guelder rose (named after a Dutch province where it was first cultivated) you've probably already met this lovely plant in hedgerows - we have it brightening up our field boundary where it's as much at home as it is working quiety in tinctures and teas.

Tradition and history

• Herbalists as far back as King’s Dispensatory (1852) recommended cramp bark for easing cramps, spasms, asthma, and “female complaints.”
• Native American groups used related species for swollen glands, liver complaints, and even mumps, while also gathering the tart berries for food.
• In Russia and Siberia, the berries were fermented into drinks, while in Scandinavia they sweetened honey and flour pastes or were jellied as a cranberry substitute.

Despite occasional confusion in the pharmacopoeias (it was once mistakenly swapped with mountain maple!), cramp bark’s folk use has always been consistent: it relaxes, eases, and soothes.

Why herbalists love it

Cramp bark contains valerianic acid , a powerful relaxant that calms the parasympathetic nervous system. Its actions are:

• Antispasmodic – eases muscle spasms (bronchial, uterine, intestinal, urinary)
• Uterine tonic – supports menstruation, threatened miscarriage, and postpartum recovery
• Anti-inflammatory – calms irritation in muscles and mucous membranes
• Circulatory support – helps regulate pulse and ease high blood pressure

Herbalist Rosemary Gladstar calls it one of the best uterine tonics for menstrual cramps, excessive bleeding, and hormonal transitions. It's also been used for everything from bronchitis and whooping cough to cystitis, colitis, arthritis, and back pain.

Modern uses

Today, cramp bark is still used for:

• Menstrual pain and PMS
• Postpartum pains and uterine tension
• Lower back pain and joint stiffness
• Nervous tension, palpitations, and high blood pressure
• Topical lotions for sore, over-contracted muscles

Its unique combination of sour and acrid tastes is rare in the plant kingdom and contributes to its ability to “drive out heat” while calming spasm - a true relax-and-cool action.

A gentle alternative

Many herbalists see cramp bark as a natural alternative to ibuprofen for menstrual cramps, joint pain, or muscular tension - soothing the body without irritating the stomach.

We love Cramp Bark to ease muscle spasms - you'll find it in our JSTTonic, MellowMare, and PSSMFlex.