Prunus serotina vs Crescentia Cujete

North American cherry used by Native Americans for cough, cold, and fever; bark syrup historically popular.

Tropical American tree producing large gourd-like fruits used medicinally across Latin America for respiratory conditions, wound healing, and as a traditional cough syrup.

prunasin, benzaldehyde, hydrocyanic acid, tannins, resin, scopoletin

crescentin, phenolics, saponins, flavonoids, sterols

cough, bronchitis, fever, diarrhea, anxiety

cough, bronchitis, wound healing, hypertension, constipation

antitussive, antispasmodic, sedative, astringent

expectorant, antimicrobial, wound healing, antihypertensive

1-2ml tincture or 1-2g bark daily

Fruit syrup 30ml 3x daily or decoction 200ml

children large doses - cyanogenic, liver disease, pregnancy large doses

pregnancy, excessive use, allergy

cyanide toxicity with overdose

nausea at high doses, mild laxative effect