Amelanchier canadensis

Amelanchier canadensis

Amelanchier canadensis, commonly known as serviceberry or shadbush, is a deciduous shrub native to North America. While it has cultural significance and is often appreciated for its ornamental value and edible fruits, there are no recorded traditional medicinal uses associated with this plant across various cultures. Scientific evidence suggests that the fruits of Amelanchier canadensis contain significant levels of polyphenols, catechins, anthocyanins, and tannins. These compounds may indicate potential health benefits, though current research is limited and further studies are needed to confirm these possibilities. Safety-wise, there are no major issues recorded for the use of Amelanchier canadensis. However, as with any plant, individual reactions could vary. No drug interactions have been reported, but given the lack of extensive clinical trials, it would be prudent to monitor for potential interactions if using this plant in combination with other medications. In summary, while Amelanchier canadensis shows promise due to its polyphenolic content, more research is needed to fully understand its health benefits. Safety and drug interaction data are currently limited but do not indicate major concerns.

At a glance
Best evidence
D
Cautions

Informational only. Traditional use does not mean proven effectiveness. Evidence and safety vary — check the cited sources.

What the science says

  • The study found that several viable thermal time threshold models for predicting phenophase transitions could be constructed using volunteer-collected data from the USA National Phenology Network. D PMID
  • Serviceberry fruits contain significant levels of polyphenols, catechins, anthocyanins, and tannins. D PMID
  • Metabarcoding analysis showed both honey bees and bumble bees visited a diverse range of plant species, with some overlap in their diets. D PMID
  • The study identified polyphenols in Amelanchier lamarckii extract with antioxidant and enzyme inhibitory activities. D PMID

Frequently asked questions

What is Amelanchier canadensis?

Amelanchier canadensis (Amelanchier canadensis) is a plant documented in FolkKB's traditional-medicine reference, drawn from sourced literature and cross-checked against the evidence.

What does the scientific evidence say about Amelanchier canadensis?

4 sourced findings are recorded for Amelanchier canadensis; the strongest carries evidence grade D. For example: The study found that several viable thermal time threshold models for predicting phenophase transitions could be constructed using volunteer-collected data from the USA National Phenology Network.

How strong is the evidence for Amelanchier canadensis?

The strongest finding for Amelanchier canadensis carries evidence grade D — preliminary or traditional. Grades run A (strongest) to D (preliminary or traditional).

Is Amelanchier canadensis safe? What are the side effects?

No major safety issues are recorded for Amelanchier canadensis in our sources, but the data may be incomplete. Consult a qualified professional before use.

Does Amelanchier canadensis interact with medications?

No drug interactions are recorded for Amelanchier canadensis in our sources. This does not rule them out — check with a pharmacist.

What are the common names of Amelanchier canadensis?

Amelanchier canadensis is also known as: Ирга канадская, amélanchier du Canada.

Is Amelanchier canadensis a proven treatment?

No. FolkKB is informational only. Traditional use and early findings are not proof of efficacy or safety — consult a qualified professional and never self-treat.

Sources

  1. T2 USA National Phenology Network's volunteer-contributed observations yield predictive models of phenological transitions. literature abstract metadata
  2. T2 Serviceberry, a berry fruit with growing interest of industry: Physicochemical and quali-quantitative health-related compound characterisation. literature abstract metadata
  3. T2 Antioxidant, Enzyme Inhibitory, and Protective Effect of Amelanchier lamarckii Extract. literature abstract metadata
  4. T2 Comparing the spring diet of buff-tailed bumble bees and honey bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae) in a forest landscape: a metabarcoding approach. literature abstract metadata