June 7, 2002

BLACKBERRY

Latin Name: Rubus villosus

Alternate Names: Bramble, Dewberry, Cloudberry

Family: ROSACEAE

Parts Used: Leaves, root bark (stronger), fruit.

Properties: Alterative, Astringent, Blood Tonic, Diuretic, Hemostatic, Nutritive, Refrigerant, Tonic, Uterine Tonic, Yin Tonic.

Internal Uses: Anemia, Bedwetting, Bleeding, Diarrhea, Dysentery, Fever, Hemorrhoids, Infertility

Internal Applications: Tea, Capsule, Syrup.

The tannins in Blackberry contribute to the plant's ability to treat diarrhea and dysentery, as well as to constrict blood vessels, which inhibits bleeding.

Topical Uses: Bleeding Gums, Insect Bites, Mouth Sores, Oily Skin, Sore Throat, Wounds

Topical Applications: Facial wash for oily skin. Mouthwash for sores and weak gums. Gargle for sore throat. Wash for wounds. Poultice on insect bites. Leaves are chewed to treat bleeding gums.

Culinary uses: Raw, pies, tarts, jam. Liqueurs, wine, brandy.

Energetics: Sweet, Sour, Cool, Dry.

Chemical Constituents: Tannins, gallic acid, villosin, iron. Fruits contain vitamin C, niacin, pectin, sugars, anthocyanins, flavonoids (kaempferol, quercitin).

Contraindications: Overindulgence can cause constipation or diarrhea and inhibit menstrual bleeding

Comments: Blackberries are sometimes called Brambles, meaning 'prickly'.

Different parts of the plant have different energetics. The leaves are neutral, the root bark is astringent, and the fruit is sweet and sour.

The common name Blackberry also includes the species Rubus fructicosus, Rubis lacinniatus, Rubus procerus, and other Rubus species, which are used interchangeably with Rubus villosus.

-- Phil in KS (mac0328@planetkc.com), June 07, 2002

Answers

Love blackberries! I have them growing wild in the fields next to me. I especially love blackberry cobbler, and blackberry vinegar!

-- Granny Hen (cluckin along@cs.com), June 08, 2002.

I absolutely love blackberry ANYTHING! Blackberry jam, jelly, cobbler, pie, just blackberries fresh picked..... it's my most favorite fruit. I can't wait for them to get ripe around here this year!!!!!

-- Cheryl in KS (klingonbunny@planetkc.com), June 08, 2002.