Planetary Herbals Old Indian Wild Cherry Bark Syrup (PF0098)
Deep, dry chest tickles and stubborn congestion can wear you down fast. Planetary Herbals Old Indian Wild Cherry Bark Syrup combines time-tested North American wildcrafted bark with revered Chinese lung herbs to provide fast, coating comfort and long-lasting respiratory support.
✓ Calms Spasmodic Coughs: Eases the sudden urge to cough without sedating your brain.
✓ Thins Thick Mucus: Natural expectorants help clear sticky phlegm from your bronchial tubes.
✓ Coats Raw Membranes: Rich botanical mucilage forms a soothing shield over irritated throat tissue.
The Difference: Formulated by Michael Tierra, L.Ac., O.M.D.
Not all wild cherry syrups are built the same. Generic over-the-counter cherry syrups often use artificial flavorings and simple sugar bases that offer little more than momentary throat coating.
Planetary Herbals Old Indian Wild Cherry Bark Syrup was developed by world-renowned herbalist Michael Tierra, L.Ac., O.M.D., founder of the American Herbalists Guild. Dr. Tierra merged traditional Native American plant wisdom with East Asian physiological principles to produce a multi-tiered, clinically driven botanical formula.
Multi-Step Extraction Method: Essential plant compounds dissolve at different temperatures. Planetary Herbals captures the active volatile oils and sensitive glycosides using a dedicated triple-stage process: a cold infusion for delicate wild cherry bark, a long decoction for woody roots and seeds, and a hot infusion for leafy herbs and flowers.
How It Works: The 3-Way Action Plan for Free, Easy Breathing
When you come down with seasonal chest discomfort, three problems usually happen at once: dry irritation triggers an endless cough loop, sticky mucus blocks airway passages, and mucosal tissue becomes inflamed. This formula directly targets all three:
1. Calming the Cough Reflex (Antitussive Action)
Wild Black Cherry Bark (Prunus serotina) contains natural plant compounds called cyanogenic glycosides (mainly prunasin). When digested, they gently quiet irritable respiratory stretch receptors in the throat and upper bronchi. This stops that constant dry, hacking cough reflex so your chest muscles can finally rest.
2. Loosening and Expelling Phlegm (Expectorant Action)
Instead of just drying up your passages, classic expectorant herbs like Horehound, Elecampane, and Platycodon stimulate natural serous fluid production. This lubricates and breaks down thick, trapped mucus so your body can clear it out effortlessly through gentle productive coughing.
3. Protective Coating and Immune Defense (Demulcent & Modulating Action)
Marshmallow Root, Mullein Leaf, and natural raw honey are loaded with plant mucilage—slippery long-chain polysaccharides. These coat and cushion raw throat tissue from stomach acid, environmental dust, and dry air, while Echinacea purpurea supplies immune protection at the cellular level.
Key Botanical Profile: East Meets West in One Bottle
Botanical Name
Herbal Tradition
Primary Function in Formula
Wild Cherry Bark (Prunus serotina)
Native North American
Soothes the cough reflex; relaxes bronchial tension.
Marshmallow Root (Althaea officinalis)
European / Eclectic
Shields and softens raw, inflamed mucous membranes.
Horehound & Elecampane
Traditional Western
Warm expectorants that thin deep, stubborn bronchial phlegm.
Loquat Leaf (Eriobotrya japonica / Pi Pa Ye)
Traditional Chinese (TCM)
Clears heat in the respiratory tract and directs rebellious cough Qi downward.
Fritillary Bulb & Platycodon
Traditional Chinese (TCM)
Moistens lung dryness and guides the herbal blend straight to the chest.
Echinacea purpurea Root
North American
Stimulates white blood cell activity and natural defense systems.
Complete Supplement Facts & Ingredient Listing
Product Identification: Planetary Herbals Old Indian Wild Cherry Bark Syrup (SKU: PF0098) | Size: 8 Fluid Ounces (236 mL)
Supplement Facts
Serving Size: 2 Teaspoons (approx. 10 mL) Servings Per Container: About 24
Amount Per Serving% Daily ValueCalories: 35Total Carbohydrate: 6 g2%* Total Sugars: 5 g† Includes 5 g Added Sugars10%*Proprietary Extract Blend: 10 mL†Botanicals in Proprietary Blend: Yerba Santa Leaf, Lovage Root, Elecampane Flower, Elecampane Root, Grindelia Bud, Echinacea purpurea Root, Black Cherry Bark, Horehound Leaf, Hyssop Aerial Parts, Platycodon Root, Marshmallow Root, Apricot Seed, Mullein Leaf, Licorice Root, Stinging Nettle Leaf, White Pine Bark, Angelica Root, Loquat Leaf, and Zhejiang Fritillary Bulb.
* Percent Daily Values (%DV) are based on a 2,000-calorie diet.
† Daily Value not established.
Other Ingredients: Pure honey, grain alcohol (25–30% by volume), and purified/deionized water.
Free Of: Ephedra-free, pseudoephedrine-free, dairy-free, artificial dye-free, and free of synthetic cough-suppressant drugs (dextromethorphan).
Suggested Use, Directions & Important Safety Precautions
Recommended Dosage
Adults: Take 2 teaspoons (approx. 10 mL) up to 3 times daily, or 1 tablespoon (15 mL) every 2 to 3 hours as needed. Do not exceed 6 doses in any 24-hour period.
Children (under professional herbalist or physician guidance only): 1 teaspoon (5 mL).
Best Practice: Slowly swallow the syrup undiluted to coat the back of the throat. For sensitive stomachs, you may stir it into 2 ounces of warm herbal tea or water.
Safety Warnings & Contraindications
Pregnancy & Nursing: Do NOT use if you are pregnant, may become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. Wild cherry bark, angelica root, and osha root are contraindicated during pregnancy.
Honey Caution (Infant Warning): Contains natural honey. Do NOT administer to infants under 1 year of age due to the risk of infant botulism.
Bee Product Allergies: Avoid if you have known allergies to honey or bee-derived products.
Alcohol Sensitive Individuals: Contains 25–30% grain alcohol by volume, which acts as a traditional preservative and herbal solvent.
Persistent Coughs: If a cough lasts more than 7 days, recurs frequently, or is accompanied by high fever, rash, or persistent headache, consult a qualified healthcare provider immediately.
Scientific Citations & Botanical Monographs
We back our nutritional and botanical claims with peer-reviewed literature and established botanical pharmacopeias:
Antitussive and Spasmolytic Bark Actions: European Medicines Agency (EMA) Committee on Herbal Medicinal Products (HMPC). Assessment report on Prunus serotina Ehrh., cortex. Documents traditional use for easing dry, spasmodic bronchial coughs via prunasin degradation metabolites.
Mucosal Protection & Cough Reduction: Bonaterra, G. A., et al. (2022). Root extract of Althaea officinalis L. exerts anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative properties and improves mucosal cell viability. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 13:9773075. Demonstrates the bio-adhesive barrier and irritation reduction created by marshmallow rhamnogalacturonan mucilage.
Expectorant Mechanisms of Marrubiin: European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy (ESCOP). Marrubii herba (White Horehound) Monograph. Highlights marrubiin and its acid derivatives in fluidifying tracheobronchial secretions and promoting ciliary clearance.
Systemic Immune Defense Modulation: Bächler, B., et al. (2024). Echinacea Reduces Antibiotics by Preventing Respiratory Infections: A Meta-Analysis (ERA-PRIMA). Antibiotics, 13(4):364. Confirms that clinically prepared Echinacea purpurea extract reduces the severity and recurrence of seasonal upper respiratory episodes.
TCM Botanical Synergy: Tierra, M., L.Ac., O.M.D. Planetary Herbology. Lotus Press. Outlines the dual action of Eriobotrya japonica (Pi Pa Ye) and Platycodon grandiflorus (Jie Geng) in soothing inflammatory lung heat and guiding botanical compounds upwards into respiratory tissues.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What does Old Indian Wild Cherry Bark Syrup taste like?
It has a rich, earthy, and sweet herbal flavor. You will taste natural honey, warm spices, and the aromatic, slightly woodsy flavor of natural wild black cherry bark, finished with an authentic herbal bite from the alcohol extract base. There are no synthetic, medicine-like cherry aftertastes.
Is this syrup non-drowsy? Will it make me sleepy?
Yes, this herbal syrup is completely non-drowsy. Unlike commercial cough syrups that rely on central nervous system depressants or antihistamines (such as dextromethorphan or diphenhydramine), this formula calms cough reflexes through local throat tissue soothing and gentle botanical relaxation without impairing mental focus.
Why does the bottle say "Dr. Tierra's Wild Cherry Bark Syrup" on newer labels?
Planetary Herbals updated the front display name from “Old Indian Wild Cherry Bark Syrup” to “Dr. Tierra’s Wild Cherry Bark Syrup” to honor the formula’s creator, Dr. Michael Tierra, L.Ac., O.M.D. The SKU (PF0098), exact 18-botanical ingredient blend, potency, and herbal extraction process remain identical.
Does Old Indian Wild Cherry Bark Syrup contain alcohol?
Yes, the syrup contains 25–30% pure grain alcohol by volume. Grain alcohol is an essential traditional solvent used to extract oil-based and resinous botanical compounds (like osha, elecampane, and propolis-like tree barks) that cannot be pulled out with plain water. It also keeps the syrup shelf-stable without synthetic chemical preservatives.
Can I give this syrup to my toddler or child?
Because this formula contains natural honey, it must never be given to babies or infants under 1 year of age due to the risk of infant botulism. For children over 1 year, Planetary Herbals produces a dedicated alcohol-free, kid-friendly formula (“Wild Cherry Bark Syrup For Kids”), which is generally preferable over the full-strength adult formula.
How long does a bottle last once opened, and does it require refrigeration?
Due to the natural preservative properties of honey and grain alcohol, Old Indian Wild Cherry Bark Syrup does not strictly require refrigeration after opening if kept tightly capped in a cool, dark cupboard. However, storing it in the refrigerator helps preserve peak botanical aroma and provides a refreshing cooling sensation when swallowed.
