Contents:
Common Names | Parts Usually Used | Plant(s) & Culture | Where Found | Medicinal Properties | Biochemical Information
Uses | Formulas or Dosages | How Sold | Warning | Resource Links
Scientific Names
- Prunus pumila
- Prunus pumila var. besseyi
- Prunus besseyi
- Prunus x cistena (Purple-leaf Sand Cherry)
Common Names
- Sand Cherry
- Western Sand Cherry
- Rocky Mountain Cherry
- Sandcherry
- Bessey Cherry
- Hansen’s Bush Cherry
- Purple-leaf Sand Cherry
Parts Usually Used
The fruit and seeds are the primary parts used, though all parts of the plant contain active compounds. Seeds and young shoots contain the highest concentrations of medicinal compounds.
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Description of Plant(s) and Culture
Sand cherry is a deciduous shrub growing 2-6 feet tall and 3-6 feet wide, forming dense clonal colonies through root suckers. The plant has leathery, serrated leaves that are 1-2 inches long and silvery-green to gray-green in color with yellow fall coloration. Small white flowers appear in clusters of 2-4 in May, followed by dark purple to black cherry-like fruits that are 8-18mm in diameter.
This hardy shrub is extremely cold-tolerant, surviving temperatures down to -50°C when dormant. It thrives in sandy, well-drained soils and full sun conditions, making it well-adapted to harsh prairie environments.
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Where Found
Sand cherry is native to North America, ranging from Saskatchewan and Ontario south to Colorado, Kansas, and Ohio. It naturally occurs on sandy hills, open plains, rocky slopes, shores, dunes, and prairies at elevations from 200-1,700 meters. The plant is particularly abundant in the Northern Great Plains and around the Great Lakes region.
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Medicinal Properties
Sand cherry contains cyanogenic glycosides, particularly amygdalin and prunasin, which break down in water to form hydrocyanic acid (cyanide or prussic acid). In small, controlled amounts, these compounds have been shown to:
- Stimulate respiration
- Improve digestion
- Promote a sense of well-being
- Potentially provide benefits in cancer research (though claims are largely refuted)
Traditional uses by Native American tribes included treatments for coughs, colds, and as a general antibiotic. However, scientific documentation of specific medicinal applications for this species is limited.
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Biochemical Information
The primary active compounds in sand cherry are:
- Amygdalin – a cyanogenic glycoside
- Prunasin – another cyanogenic glycoside
- Anthocyanins – particularly in dark purple fruits, providing antioxidant properties
These compounds are concentrated primarily in the seeds and young shoots, with lower levels in mature fruits and flowers.
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Uses
Historically, Prunus species including sand cherry have been used in traditional medicine for:
- Respiratory ailments including coughs and colds
- Digestive support
- General tonic properties
- Cancer research applications (experimental)
Beyond medicinal uses, sand cherry serves multiple purposes:
- Edible fruit – consumed fresh, dried, or made into jellies and pies
- Natural dye production – green dye from leaves, gray-green dye from fruits
- Rootstock for fruit trees including plums, peaches, and apricots
- Soil stabilization and erosion control
- Wildlife habitat and food source
- Ornamental landscaping
Formulas or Dosages
No standardized medicinal dosages have been established for sand cherry. Traditional use typically involved consuming small amounts of the fruit or preparing mild teas. Any medicinal use should be approached with extreme caution due to the presence of cyanogenic compounds.
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How Sold
Sand cherry is not commonly sold as a commercial medicinal product. It is primarily available as:
- Fresh or dried fruit from specialty growers
- Nursery plants for cultivation
- Seeds for propagation
- Rootstock for fruit tree grafting
Warning
Sand cherry contains potentially dangerous cyanogenic compounds that can be toxic or fatal in larger quantities.
Symptoms of cyanide poisoning include gasping, weakness, excitement, pupil dilation, spasms, convulsions, coma, and respiratory failure leading to death.
Safety guidelines:
- Never consume seeds or plant parts that taste moderately to very bitter
- Only sweet or slightly bitter fruits are considered relatively safe
- Seeds and young shoots contain the highest concentrations of toxins
- Pregnant or nursing women should avoid consumption
- Children should not consume any part of the plant
- Those with respiratory conditions should exercise extreme caution
- Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before any medicinal use
This information is for educational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
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Resource Links
Forgotten Pioneer Plants: What Early Settlers Grew for Food and Medicine
Practical Plants – Prunus besseyi
Western Sand Cherry
Uncommon Fruit – Western Sand Cherry
Natural Medicinal Herbs – Western Sand Cherry
Natural Medicinal Herbs – Purple-Leaf Sand Cherry
North Dakota State University – Western Sandcherry
Plants for a Future – Prunus pumila besseyi
