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Virburnum prunifolium
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Native to North America, a deciduous shrub that is frequently cultivated as a garden plant now. It produces a reddish bark that contains the coumarin scopoletin, a smooth muscle relaxant, and salicin, an analgesic related to aspirin. Valued by native North Americans and early settlers as a gynecological treatment and uterine tonic to increase fertility. A tincture made from the bark eases the symptoms of menopause and menstrual cramps. Not appropriate for use during pregnancy.
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