Summary
Although the word berry is in this fruit’s name, it is typically considered an aggregate fruit and not a berry. The blackberry’s seeds are what contain the most nutrients. The seeds contain protein, dietary fiber, and omega-3. Medically, these seeds help to prevent inflammation and digestive health.
Blackberries’ medicinal properties come from the leaves, root and berries. No health hazards are known from blackberry consumption. The daily recommended dosage is 2 to 5 grams. Blackberry is available as a fruit, and in tea form.
Description
Medicinal Parts
The medicinal parts are the leaves, roots and berries.
Flower and Fruit
The white or sometimes pale pink flowers are in cymes. The calyx is 5-sepaled, the corolla is 5-petalled. There are numerous stamens and ovaries. The small fruit forms a black or reddish-black aggregate fruit.
Leaves, Stem, and Root
The plant is a fast-growing, thorny bush up to 2 m high. The generally blunt stems are densely covered in tough thorns that creep or curve backward. The leaves are usually 5-paired pinnate, glabrous above, and gray-to-white tomentose beneath.
Habitat
The plant is indigenous to Europe and has naturalized in America and Australia.
Production
Blackberry root consists of the underground parts of Rubus fruticosus as well as its preparations. Blackberry leaf consists of the dried, fermented, or unfermented leaf gathered during the flowering period of Rubus fruticosus as well as its preparations.
Other Names
American Blackberry, Dewberry, Bramble, Goutberry, High Blackberry, Thimbleberry
Actions & Pharmacology
Compounds: Blackberry Root
Saponins
Tannins
Effects: Blackberry Root
There is no reliable information available.
Compounds: Blackberry Leaf
Fruit acids: including citric acid, isocitric acid
Flavonoids
Tannins (8 to 14%): gallo tannins, dimeric ellagitannins
Effects: Blackberry Leaf
Blackberry leaf has astringent and antidiarrheal effects due to the high tannin content.
Indications & Usage
Blackberry Root
Unproven Uses
Blackberry root is used in folk medicine as a prophylaxis for dropsy. It is also used in gastrointestinal conditions.
Blackberry Leaf
Approved by Commission E:
- Diarrhea
- Inflammation of the mouth and pharynx
Blackberry leaf is used for nonspecific, acute diarrhea and mild inflammation of the mucosa of the oral cavity and throat.
Precautions & Adverse Reactions
Blackberry Root and Leaf
No health hazards or side effects are known in conjunction with the proper administration of designated therapeutic dosages.
Dosage
Blackberry Root
No information is available
Blackberry Leaf
Mode of Administration
Blackberry leaf is available as crude drug for infusions and other preparations for internal use, as well as for mouthwashes. The drug is a component of various tea mixtures.
Daily Dosage
2 to 5 gm drug. To prepare a tea, scald 1.5 gm drug, steep for 10 to 15 minutes, strain (1 teaspoon equivalent to approximately 0.6 gm drug).
