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Contents:
Common Names
Parts Usually Used
Plant(s) & Culture
Where Found
Medicinal Properties
Biochemical Information Uses
Formulas or Dosages
Nutrient Content
Warning
Bibliography
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Common Names
Bramble
Cloudberry
Dewberry
Goutberry
High blackberry
Piao
Thimbleberry
Wild western thimbleberries
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Parts Usually Used
Roots, leaves, fruit
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Description of Plant(s) and Culture
Blackberry is a trailing perennial plant; the slender branches feature sharp,
recurved prickles. The leaves are finely hairy or almost glabrous and pinnate
with 3-5 leaflets. The leaflets are ovate and doubly serrate. The upper leaves
are sometimes simple and palmately lobed. The white, five-petaled flowers appear
from June to September. The fruit is an aggregate of black drupelets collectively
called the blackberry.
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Where Found
Grows in dry or sandy soil, along woodland edges, in hedge rows, along roadsides,
and on disturbed ground in the northeastern and middle states of the United
States. and is cultivated elsewhere. West into Minnesota and south to Tennessee.
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Medicinal Properties
Astringent (leaves and roots), hemostatic, nutritive, refrigerant, tonic
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Biochemical Information
Isocitric, and malic acids; sugars, pectin, monoglycoside of cyanidin, tannin
(high in root bark and leaves), iron, carbohydrates, sodium, magnesium, and
vitamin A and C
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Uses
Blackberry leaves and roots are a long-standing home remedy for cholera, anemia,
regulates menses, diarrhea and dysentery. Prolonged use of the tea is also beneficial
for enteritis, chronic appendicitis, stomach upset, and leukorrhea. It is said
to have expectorant properties as well. A tea made from the dried root can be
used for dropsy. The chewing of the leaves for bleeding gums goes back to the
time of Christ. The fruit and juice are taken for anemia. A standard infusion
is made, which can also be applied externally as a lotion, reported to cure
psoriasis and scaly conditions of the skin.
Blackberries also make wine, brandy; and
flavor liqueurs and cordials.
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Formulas or Dosages
Infusion: use 1 tsp. dried leaves to 1/2 cup water. Take 1/2 to 1 cup a day.
Decoction: use 1 tsp. root or leaves to 1 cup water. Take 1 to 2 cups a day.
Tincture of root: take 15-40 drops in water,
as needed.
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Nutrient Content
Carbohydrates, iron, sodium, magnesium, vitamins A and C
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Warning
Should not take more than a week at a time without a rest.
