Plant Profile: Blackberry

on
Blackberry
(Rubus fruiticosus & other species)

Family: ROSACEAE

Energetics: Cooling. Drying

Taste: Berries: Sweet. Leaf & Root bark: Astringent.

Tissue States: 

Systems Affected: Gastrointestinal. Respiratory.

Parts Used: Berries. Leaves. Root bark. 

Key Components: Berries: Isocitric acid. Malic Acid. sugars. Pectin. monoglycoside of cyanodin. Vitamin C. Vitamin A. Root & Leaf. Tannins. 

Preparations & dosage: Standard infusion of leaf. 1-2 tsp per cup steeped 8-10 minutes. Leaf syrup for sore throat 2-4 tsp per day. Decoction of root bark. Tincture: 1-3 dropperfuls per day. Berries as food. 

Actions:
Foundational: Astringent (leaf & root bark).
Primary: Antipyretic (leaf & root bark)
Secondary: Hemostatic (leaf & root bark)

Uses: 

 Berries:

  • Anemia
  • Yin Tonic
  • Blood nourishing
Leaf:
  • Fevers
  • Colds
  • Sore throat
  • Vaginal Discharge
Root Bark:
  • Diarrhea
  • Dampness in stomach that includes increased mucus, food stagnation, and loose bowels. 
  • Diarrhea from lack of tone in intestines.
  • Digestive complaints that include headaches. 
  • Dysentery
  • Tones, tightens, strengthens & protects the GI tract, making it better able to pass any foreign harmful things from the body. 
  • Externally for eczema, hemorrhoids & varicose veins. 
  • Mouth ulcers. 


Combines well with: 

Identifying: 

Growing:
Harvesting:

Contraindications: Due to astringency, should not be used long term. 
Sources:
The Way of Herbs: Michael Tierra. Pg 95-96 
The Herbal Apothecary: JJ Pursell. Pg 63-64
The Earthwise Herbal: Matthew Wood. Pg 309-312

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