Rubus fruticosus, Blackberry

Bramble
Picture Fuchs, L., New Kreüterbuch (1543)

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Botanical name:


Rubus fruticosus (syn. R. fructicosus)
R. villosus (Low-running or Tall Blackberry), R. flagellaris, R. nigrobaccus, R. cuneifolius are also used.

Parts used:


Fruit (ripe and unripe), Leaf

Temperature & Taste:


Cool, dry. Sweet

Classification:


R. Astringent
The unripe fruit is most Astringent, next the Root or Root-bark, then the leaves.

Uses:


LEAF:
1. Stops Leakage:
-Diarrhea, Dysentery

2. Clears Heat, Resists Poison:
-Fever

3. Externally::
-mouthwash and gargle for Mouth Sores and Ulcers


FRUIT:
1. Nourishes the Heart and Blood:
-nourishes the Heart

2. Clears Heat, Nourishes Yin:
-Joint disease

3. Externally:
-fruit juice was used for mouth, gum and throat diseases


UNRIPE FRUIT:
1. Astringes to Stop Leakage:
-Diarrhea, Dysentery

2. Resists Poison:
-Snake bite (internally and topically, Culpeper)

3. Externally:
-as for external uses of the leaf, but stronger


ROOT, ROOT-BARK:
1. Stops Leakage:
-used as the Leaf and Unripe fruit

2. Stops Cough:
-Spasmodic Cough, Whooping Cough

3. Promotes Urine, Clears Stones:
-Edema
-Gravel, Stones (Culpeper)

4. Externally:
-used as the leaf


Dose:


LEAF in INFUSION or BRIEF DECOCTION: 5–15 grams;
DRIED FRUIT in DECOCTION: 6–15 grams.

Substitute:


 … available in PRO version

Preparation:


 … available in PRO version
Picture

Main Combinations:


1. Diarrhea:
i. Blackberry juice  … available in PRO version
ii. Blackberry leaf,  … available in PRO version
iii. Blackberry leaf,  … available in PRO version
iv. Unripe Blackberry,  … available in PRO version
2. Dysentery:  … available in PRO version
3. Restlessness, Nervousness, Insomnia:
i. from Heart deficiency, Blackberry,  … available in PRO version
ii. Blackberry leaf,  … available in PRO version
4. Restless or Aggressive Children, Blackberry leaf,  … available in PRO version
5. Nervous Exhaustion, Blackberry leaf,  … available in PRO version
6. Heart tonic, Blackberry juice  … available in PRO version
7. Spotted Fever (Scarlet Fever etc.), Blackberry leaf,  … available in PRO version
8. Chronic Runny Nose, Blackberry leaf,  … available in PRO version
9. Diabetes, Blackberry leaf,  … available in PRO version
10. To fasten loose teeth, Blackberry leaf,  … available in PRO version
11. Eczema, Blackberry leaf,  … available in PRO version
12. Eczema, Herpes, Blackberry leaf,  … available in PRO version
13. Chronic Ulcers:  … available in PRO version
14. Eye pain or Eye Wounds, apply Blackberry  … available in PRO version
15. Bleeding of the Ears, Blackberry,  … available in PRO version
16. As a Tea substitute, Blackberry leaf,  … available in PRO version
17. To dye the hair black, make a strong decoction of the leaves in lye and use as a wash.

Major Formulas:



Cautions:


The ripe fruit are cool and moist and cause nausea and indigestion if eaten too much.

Main Preparations used:


Blackberry Wine

Blackberry Wine (Traditional recipe)
  Blackberry                1 gallon
  Boiling Water.           1 quart
Infuse 24 hours, stirring occasionally, then strain. To every Gallon add 2 pounds of White Sugar. Put in a cask and cork tightly and leave for a few months.