Prunus Virginiana

Scientific Summary

Prunus virginiana is a small deciduous shrub or tree native to North America, whose leaves, bark, and fruit have been used in folk medicine. The plant is traditionally used to aid digestion, relieve skin irritations such as eczema and burns, and as a mild diuretic and astringent for conditions like hemorrhoids. Because the fruit and seeds contain cyanogenic glycosides, they should be consumed only in small, prepared amounts, and the raw fruit ought to be avoided, especially by children and pregnant or nursing women.

Source: PMC: Mucuna Pruriens, PMC: Terminalia Chebula, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/yerba_mansa