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| DISCLAIMER: These pages are presented solely as a source of INFORMATION and ENTERTAINMENT and to provide stern warnings against use where appropriate. No claims are made for the efficacy of any herb nor for any historical herbal treatment. In no way can the information provided here take the place of the standard, legal, medical practice of any country. Additionally, some of these plants are extremely toxic and should be used only by licensed professionals who have the means to process them properly into appropriate pharmaceuticals. One final note: many plants were used for a wide range of illnesses in the past, but be aware that many of the historical uses have proven to be ineffective for the problems to which they were applied. |
Image| Blackberries (notably R. fruticosus) are subject to legal control as a weed in parts of Australia and in some other countries. |
| Culpeper: It is a plant of Venus in Aries...If any ask the reason why Venus is so prickly? Tell them 'tis because she is in the house of Mars. |
This member of the rose family is part of a large genus worldwide consisting of raspberries, dewberries, thimbleberries, etc. Most are used in a similar manner. Blackberries have provided food for man since ancient times which is attested to by fossil evidence. Flowers and fruit can often be seen on the same plant at the same time.
MEDICINAL:
Astringent, tonic, mild diuretic, hemostatic; fruit specific to liver and kidney. Leaf specific to stomach and intestines. Fruit and juice considered a refrigerant.Long standing home remedy for diarrhea; European settlers to North America used jam to remedy diarrhea. Has also been used internally for dysentary, hemorrhoids, to loosen phlegm, and cystitis. Root bark as well as dried and powdered fruit have been used for dysentary. The root has been used as a preventative for dropsy (efficacy has not been established).Leaves, root, and root bark have been used externally for inflammation of the throat, mouth and gums (also bleeding gums) as well as piles, hemorrhoids and leucorrhea. Leaf has also been used to inhibit excessive menstrual bleeding. Chewing of the leaves for bleeding gums is an ancient practice. A strong tea of the leaves has been used externally for eczema.Has been used as an anti-inflammatory for conditions such as laryngitis and pharyngitis. In American folk medicine the root was also used for tonsillitis.Fruit and juice have been used for anemia and to regulate menses.The leaves have been used as a uterine tonic.The root decoction was once used during the spasmodic phase of whooping cough and a decoction of the leaves was once used as a fomentation for ulcerations; another method was to soak leaves in hot wine to make an infusion, then placing a cloth dipped in the liquid on the ulcerations morning and evening. Once believed useful for appendicitis.Blackberry jelly was an English folk remedy for swelling of the limbs (especially those associated with heart problems); the jelly was added to apple cider vinegar and used as a compress; blackberry glycerite was also used as a compress on swollen joints.The flowers and fruit were once used for venemous bites and the young shoots eaten to tighten loose teeth. The white underside of the leaves was said to 'draw' while the smooth green upper side was said to 'soothe'.Used by ancient Greeks to treat gout, mouth inflammation, and bowel inflammation.The leaves were once used in England for burns and scalds.The roots were boiled by the Catawbas for diarrhea. The Alabamas Indians used blackberry for a toothache remedy and a poultice for pneumonia. The Kwakiutils boiled vines, roots, and berries for a drink for those vomiting and spitting blood. The Flambeau Ojibwe boiled the cane to use as a diuretic and used a root tea for diarrhea. The Ojibwe made a tea of the roots as a remedy for pregnant woman who were in danger of miscarrying due to overwork. The Meskwakis used an extract of the root for stomach problems and as a antidote to poison. The Mohegans steeped the berries of the 'running blackberry' (species uncertain) in water and drank as a vermifuge. The root made into a decoction was used by the Chippewa for lung problems as well as for amenorrhea. The Tete de Boule made a tea of the scrapings of the bark of the branches for bronchial infections.An old remedy for cholera was to combine 2 quarts of blackberry juice with 1 lb of sugar, 1/2 oz nutmeg, 1/2 oz allspice, and boil together, then allowed to stand until cold; 1/4 pint of brandy ws added; 1 tsp up to 2 or 3 wine glass fulls were taken two or three times daily.Another old remedy for diseases of the bowels was to make a syrup of 8 oz blackberry root (finely cut and bruised), 4 oz bayberry, 2 oz cranesbill, 1 oz myrrh, 2 oz cinnamon, 1/2 oz fennel seed, 1 oz cloves; all were pounded together and placed in 6 quarts of water and allowed to steep 6 to 8 hours at a low simmer until reduced by half; the liquid was then strained and simmered down to 2 pints; while still hot 1 lb of sugar was added; when cold, 1 pint of French brandy wa added; 1 tbsp was considered an adult dose and repeated every 1/2 to 3 hours according to the severity of the illness, and 1 to 2 tsp for a child according to age. Was used for diarrhea, cholera, and cholera morbus.
DOSE: TRADITIONAL DOSAGES FOR PROFESSIONAL NOTE ONLYVETERINARY:CULINARY:COSMETIC:CRAFT:DYE:OTHER: