|
|
|
|
Blackberry (bramble)
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Family |
Rosaceae |
Genus and specie |
Rubus fruticosus |
Bramble, blackberry, dewberry, and goutberry.
Raspberry - Rubus idaeus - of the same family and similar properties, bears a pinkish red fruit when ripe instead of the black fruits born by the blackberry.
Semi-evergreen shrub that is variable, with prickly stems and split leaves. White to pink flowers appear in clusters in summer, followed by succulent black fruits.
The fruits are used, but it is the enzymatically fermented leaves that are mostly used in herbal medicine.
Acerbic, tonic herb with slightly diuretic properties.
The leaves contain about 10% hydrolysable tannins (gallotannins and dimeric ellagitannins) and flavonoids.
The tannins contained in the leaves have a clearly astringent effect, as well as antidiarrhoeic properties, and although clinical proof may be lacking, it is also used as for its uteronic activity - causing contractions of the uterine muscles.
There are conflicting reports regarding the pro and anti cancer effects of the tannins in blackberries, but the compounds have reportedly not been found to cause tumors in humans if taken in small quantities.
Some studies have shown a correlation between the high incidence of stomach cancer in Asian people and the quantity of tea they consume, but this is discounted by reports that show that British people also drink large quantities of tea and the incidence of stomach cancer amongst the British is considered normal. It is suggested that this is because the British add milk to their tea (milk is said to neutralize the tannins), while the majority of Asians do not.
Bearing this in mind, it is recommended that people suffering from cancer, or having a history of cancer, specifically colon and or stomach cancer, should not ingest excessive amounts of blackberry tea.
The tannins in blackberry leaves could cause distress, nausea, and vomiting if taken in large quantities.
Therapeutic doses of the leaves are not recommended for use during pregnancy, or when nursing a baby, or if allergic.
None.
To promote the interest and use of herbs and natural complementary health alternatives, we have included information on the following herbs.
Please note - although we discuss a wide variety of herbs, not all of them are used or sold by us. | |
|
|
To view our products, please click here. |
|
|
 |
| You are as young as your faith, as old as your fear and as long as your heart receives messages of beauty, cheer, courage, grandeur, and power - from the earth, from man and from the Infinite - so long will you stay Ageless. |
|
