Blackcurrant

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PDR for Herbal Medicines Joerg Gruenwald, Ph.D. See book keywords and concepts

Preparation: Add 1 to 2 teaspoonfuls (2 to 4 gm) of blackcurrant leaves to boiling water (150 ml), strain after 10 minutes. Daily Dosage: Internally, 3 to 4 cups of tea to be drunk during the course of the day. Externally, freshly grated blackcurrant leaves or leaves soaked in warm water, dried and used as a compress. Freshly grated leaves can also be rubbed onto insect bites. RIBES NIGRI FRUCTUS Mode of Administration: Internally as a fruit juice and syrup. Externally as a gargle. Daily Dosage: Internally, 5 to 10 ml of syrup may be taken several times daily, or eaten as a jelly.

Production: blackcurrant leaves are the leaves of Ribes nigrum. The leaves are harvested during or shortly after flowering, air-dried in the shade or at maximum temperature of 60°C. blackcurrant fruits are the ripe fruits of Ribes nigrum. The fruit is harvested when in bloom and used immediately or deep-frozen. Other Names: Quinsy Berries, Squinancy Berries ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY COMPOUNDS: RIBES NIGRI FOLIUM Flavonoids (0.5%): including among others astragalin, isoquercitrin, rutin- oligomeric proanthocyanidins- ascorbic acid (Vitamin C, 0.1-0.

Food Plants of the World: An illustrated guide Ben-Erik van Wyk See book keywords and concepts

Origin & history Indigenous to northern Europe and northern Asia, where it was developed as a crop over several centuries by crossing with wild Asian species and later with North American species such as the Californian blackcurrant (R. bracteosum) and western blackcurrant (R. petiolare). Production (mostly in Europe) amounts to nearly half a million tons per year. Parts used Ripe fruit. Cultivation & harvesting blackcurrant requires at least ten weeks of subzero temperatures during winter. Optimal ripeness is critical, so that harvesting has become mechanised.

The Secret of Scent: Adventures in Perfume and the Science of Smell Luca Turin See book keywords and concepts

Beware though, the culinary satanism of kala namak is beguiling: a tiny amount in blackcurrant ice cream, strawberry daiquiris, coffee and chocolate does wonders, as long as you don't let anyone know you did it. Do all -SH compounds smell identical then, i.e. of rotten eggs? Not a bit, actually: they smell of all manner of things, from grapefruit to garlic via blackcurrants, but they all have this sulphuraceous (i.e. from Hell) character. The grapefruit compound is particularly instructive. It is called pinanethiol.

PDR for Herbal Medicines Joerg Gruenwald, Ph.D. See book keywords and concepts

Externally, freshly grated blackcurrant leaves or leaves soaked in warm water, dried and used as a compress. Freshly grated leaves can also be rubbed onto insect bites. RIBES NIGRI FRUCTUS Mode of Administration: Internally as a fruit juice and syrup. Externally as a gargle. Daily Dosage: Internally, 5 to 10 ml of syrup may be taken several times daily, or eaten as a jelly. Externally, gargle with the juice and equal parts of warm water. LITERATURE RIBES NIGRI FOLIUM Kyerematen G, Sandberg F, (1986) Acta Pharm Suecica 23:101. Lietti A et al., (1976) Arzneim Forsch 26(5):829.

The leaves are harvested during or shortly after flowering, air-dried in the shade or at maximum temperature of 60°C. blackcurrant fruits are the ripe fruits of Ribes nigrum. The fruit is harvested when in bloom and used immediately or deep-frozen. Other Names: Quinsy Berries, Squinancy Berries ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY COMPOUNDS: RIBES NIGRI FOLIUM Flavonoids (0.5%): including among others astragalin, isoquercitrin, rutin- oligomeric proanthocyanidins- ascorbic acid (Vitamin C, 0.1-0.

1000 Cures for 200 Ailments: Integrated Alternative and Conventional Treatments for the Most Common Illnesses Marshall Editions See book keywords and concepts

Take 500 mg of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) from a fish oil with 100 mg of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), which is found in evening primrose oil and blackcurrant or borage oil. 892 Herbs: Drink a tea or take a tincture of chamomile, hops, lady's slipper, passion flower, skullcap, wood betony, St. John's wort, or valerian. These herbs have a sedative effect on the nervous system. To make a tea, add 1 cup of boiling water to 1 tsp of herbs and drink, or take 20 drops of herbal tincture diluted in liquid daily. You can also take vitamin C to help the immune system and reduce stress damage to nerves.

Supplements such as B-complex vitamins, folate, blackcurrant oil, and magnesium aspartate are associated with a reduction of overall anxiety and as such may lead to a reduction of phobias. TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE Herbs: The herbs listed below are available from Chinese pharmacies or online. To prepare a formula, place the raw herbs in a glass or ceramic pot and add 3 cups of water. Bring the mixture to a boil and let it simmer for 30 minutes. Strain the liquid and drink 1 cup twice a day.

Beat Diabetes Naturally: The Best Foods, Herbs, Supplements, and Lifestyle Strategies to Optimize Your Diabetes Care Michael T. Murray See book keywords and concepts

Diabetic Neuropathy þGamma-linolenic acid from borage, evening primrose, or blackcurrant oil?80 mg daily þCapsaicin (0.075 percent) cream—apply to affected area twice daily Diabetic Nephropathy þFollow recommendations for high blood pressure unless kidney function falls below 40 percent of normal. In that situation, do not supplement with magnesium and potassium unless recommended to do so by physician. Poor Wound Healing þAloe vera gel—apply to affected areas twice daily Diabetic Foot Ulcers þGinkgo biloba extract?20 to 240 mg daily; or grapeseed extract?

Food Plants of the World: An illustrated guide Ben-Erik van Wyk See book keywords and concepts

Uses & properties The small fruits (the size of medium-sized grapes) are eaten raw for their delicious taste, considered by some people to resemble a mixture of grape, litchi and blackcurrant. The tough skins are usually discarded. The fruits can be added to fruit salads or served with ice cream. They may also be processed into jams, jellies, sauces, compotes, fruit juices, ice drinks or may be fermented to produce a dark red wine. A sweet sauce made with jaboticabas and onions goes well with chicken or duck.

Creme de cassis is blackcurrant liqueur, made from macerated berries soaked in alcohol and later sweetened. Double creme or super-cassis has 20% alcohol and twice as much fruit as the normal liqueur with 16% alcohol. The liqueur is used in cooking but is mostly enjoyed as kir (a spoonful of liqueur topped up with dry white wine), kir royale (topped up with champagne brut) or communard (topped up with dry red wine).

The acid level is double that of gooseberry but similar to the level found in blackcurrant. Ribes uva-crispa gooseberry Gooseberry leaves and fruit Description A spiny, long-lived, deciduous shrub with broad, toothed leaves and small, greenish red flowers. The glossy, sparsely hairy berries are translucent so that the veins (vascular tissue) are clearly visible. Also distinctive are the remains of the sepals. These large berries are borne singly or in pairs and are green or sometimes yellow, red or purple, depending on the cultivar.

The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Andrew Chevallier See book keywords and concepts

Medicinal Actions & Uses In Europe, blackcurrant leaves are used for their diuretic effect. By encouraging the elimination of fluid, the leaves help to reduce blood volume and thereby to lower blood pressure. The leaves are also used as a gargle for sore throats and canker sores. According to French investigators, blackcurrant leaves increase the secretion of Cortisol by the adrenal glands, and thus stimulate the activity of the sympathetic nervous system. This action may prove useful in the treatment of stress-related conditions. blackcurrant berries and their juice are high in vitamin C.

Food Plants of the World: An illustrated guide Ben-Erik van Wyk See book keywords and concepts

The characteristic blackcurrant flavour is partly due to sulphur-containing minor compounds in the essential oil, while the mint-like character is ascribed to diosphenol (so-called buchu camphor) and other volatile oil components. Oval leaf buchu is inferior to round leaf buchu as it lacks some of these ingredients. Nutritional value Used in small quantities for flavour only. Notes Buchu is an important medicinal plant. It is an excellent tonic and is traditionally used to treat indigestion, as well as ailments of the kidneys and urinary tract.

The Constituents of Medicinal Plants: An Introduction to the Chemistry and Therapeutics of Herbal Medicine Andrew Pengelly See book keywords and concepts

GLA is also present in oil of borage seed (Borago officinalis) and other plants in the Boraginaceae, as well as species in the blackcurrant family—Saxifragaceae (see Table 8.2). Table 8.2 Botanical sources of GLAs Botanical name Common name % GLA Alkanna orientalis 12.4 Borago officinalis Borage 20-26 Pectocarya platycarpa 15 Oenothera biennis Evening primrose 8-12 Oenothera grandi flora Large evening primrose 9.3 Scrophularia marilandica American figwort 9.6 Ribes nigrum Blackcurrant 14-19 Ribes uva-crispa Gooseberry 10-12 Source: D. J. McKenna, K. Jones and K.

Food Plants of the World: An illustrated guide Ben-Erik van Wyk See book keywords and concepts

Closely related are blackcurrant (R. nigrum) and redcurrant (R. rubrum). Origin & history Gooseberry is widely distributed throughout Europe and Asia. Cultivation started in the fifteenth century, and became very popular during the eighteenth century, when many cultivars were developed. Commercial production is centred in western, central and eastern Europe, with Germany as the leading producer. Gooseberries (green cultivar) Parts used Unripe or ripe berries. Cultivation & harvesting Gooseberries are usually grown from cuttings. They require a temperate climate and cold winters.

Beat Diabetes Naturally: The Best Foods, Herbs, Supplements, and Lifestyle Strategies to Optimize Your Diabetes Care Michael T. Murray See book keywords and concepts

Diabetic Neuropathy þGamma-linolenic acid from borage, evening primrose, or blackcurrant oil?80 mg daily þCapsaicin (0.075 percent) cream—apply to affected area twice daily Diabetic Nephropathy þFollow recommendations for high blood pressure unless kidney function falls below 40 percent of normal. In that situation, do not supplement with magnesium and potassium unless recommended to do so by physician. Poor Wound Healing þAloe vera gel—apply to affected areas twice daily Diabetic Foot Ulcers þGinkgo biloba extract?20 to 240 mg daily; or grapeseed extract?

The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Andrew Chevallier See book keywords and concepts

Habitat & Cultivation blackcurrant is native to the temperate regions of Europe, western and central Asia, and the Himalayas. It is cultivated for its sour-sweet fruit. The leaves are gathered in early summer, the berries when ripe in mid- to late summer. Parts Used Leaves, berries. Blackcurrant fruit is harvested in summer. The juice is extremely rich in vitamin C. Constituents blackcurrant leaves contain a volatile oil, tannins, and vitamin C; the berries contain anthocyanosides (about 0.3%), flavonoids, pectin, tannins, vitamin C, and potassium.

Medical Herbalism: The Science Principles and Practices Of Herbal Medicine David Hoffman, FNIMH, AHG See book keywords and concepts

Resting blood pressure and cardiovascular reactivity to mental arithmetic in mild hypertensive males supplemented with blackcurrant seed oil. Journal of Human Hypertension 1996; 10:531-7. 3. Watson J, Byars ML, McGill P, Kelman AW. Cytokine and prostaglandin production by monocytes of volunteers and rheumatoid arthritis patients treated with dietary supplements of blackcurrant seed oil. British Journal of Rheumatology 1993; 32:1055-58. 4. Evans WC. Trease if Evans' Pharmacognosy, 13 th edition. London: Baillere Tindall, 1989. 5. Mills S, Bone K.

Disease Prevention and Treatment The Life Extension Editorial Staff See book keywords and concepts

Stir or blend in a liquid, such as grape juice, blackcurrant juice, or fresh vegetable juice. Drink this before or with breakfast, 20-30 minutes after drinking coffee. Optionally, drink additional coffee. Then take additional stimulating supplements, starting with small amounts and increasing them gradually.

The Natural Medicine Guide to the 50 Most Common Medicinal Herbs Heather Boon, BScPhm, PhD and Michael Smith, BPharm, MRPharmS, ND See book keywords and concepts

Boraginaceae), blackcurrant oil (Ribes nigrum L., Grossulariaceae) and algal sources. These sources of GLA are generally considered less biologically active than that from evening primrose oil.8 The vast majority of clinical evidence exists for evening primrose oil supplements. It is important to remember that both omega 3 and omega 6 essential fatty acids are therapeutically important. Consequently, supplements combining both are becoming increasingly popular in practice. Feverfew Tanacetum parthenium (L.) Schultz-Bip.

The New Encyclopedia of Vitamins, Minerals, Supplements and Herbs Nicola Reavley See book keywords and concepts

Evening primrose oil, blackcurrant and borage oils contain varying amounts of the omega-6 fatty acid, gamma-linolenic acid (GLA). As GLA is the precursor of beneficial series 1 prostaglandins, supplements are quite popular. However, some studies show that long-term use of these supplements increases arachidonic acid levels and decreases EPA levels which may increase the risk of heart disease and cancer.22 Supplements There are many types of essential fatty acid supplements available, including flaxseed oil, fish oils, evening primrose oil, blackcurrant oil, and borage oil.

Medical Herbalism: The Science Principles and Practices Of Herbal Medicine David Hoffman, FNIMH, AHG See book keywords and concepts

Cytokine and prostaglandin production by monocytes of volunteers and rheumatoid arthritis patients treated with dietary supplements of blackcurrant seed oil. British Journal of Rheumatology 1993; 32:1055-58. 4. Evans WC. Trease if Evans' Pharmacognosy, 13 th edition. London: Baillere Tindall, 1989. 5. Mills S, Bone K. Principles and Practice of Phytotherapy: Modern Herbal Medicine. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone, 1999. 6. Belch JJF, Hill A. Evening primrose oil and borage oil in rheumatologic conditions. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2000; 71(suppl):352S-5S. 7.

Ultraprevention : The 6-Week Plan That Will Make You Healthy for Life Mark Hyman, M.D. See book keywords and concepts

Sources of the omega-3 alpha-linolenic acid include flaxseed oil and blackcurrant seed oil. They can also be found in smaller amounts in certain nuts and seeds. Deficiencies in these two essential fatty acids can cause dry, scaly skin; hair loss; slowed wound healing; easy bruising; and a goose-flesh type of eruption on the skin, usually over the backs of the arms or upper thighs. (Such deficiencies can also cause heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and depression.) Supplementing with the essential fats reverses these conditions.

Evening primrose, borage, and blackcurrant seed oil: These can be bought as liquid oils or capsules and have high levels of GLA (gamma-linolenic acid), which complements the benefits of omega-3 fats. Though not technically essential fatty acids, these are the good omega-6 fats. 2. Repair and Enhance Detoxification All of us could use a tune-up for our waste and toxin elimination systems. The key systems of elimination are our digestive tract, liver, kidneys, and skin. In order to enhance detoxification, we need to boost the detoxification capacity of each of these organs.

The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Andrew Chevallier See book keywords and concepts

According to French investigators, blackcurrant leaves increase the secretion of Cortisol by the adrenal glands, and thus stimulate the activity of the sympathetic nervous system. This action may prove useful in the treatment of stress-related conditions. blackcurrant berries and their juice are high in vitamin C. They help improve resistance to infection and make a valuable remedy for treating colds and flu. According to the herbal authority R. F. Weiss, the juice is "as good as, if not better than, lemon juice (Citrus limon) for patients with pneumonia, influenza, etc.

Ultraprevention : The 6-Week Plan That Will Make You Healthy for Life Mark Hyman, M.D. See book keywords and concepts

Good sources of the omega-6 oils include evening primrose oil, blackcurrant oil, borage oil, nuts, and seeds. Olive oil is the best source of the omega-9 fats—but don't forget avocados and nuts such as almonds. However, omega-6 fats are much more prevalent than omega-3 fats. The optimal ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fats in our diet is between 2:1 and 4:1, whereas the standard American diet has a ratio of more than 20:1. This means most of us need to increase our intake of omega-3 fats and reduce our intake of omega-6 fats.

The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Andrew Chevallier See book keywords and concepts

Constituents blackcurrant leaves contain a volatile oil, tannins, and vitamin C; the berries contain anthocyanosides (about 0.3%), flavonoids, pectin, tannins, vitamin C, and potassium. Medicinal Actions & Uses In Europe, blackcurrant leaves are used for their diuretic effect. By encouraging the elimination of fluid, the leaves help to reduce blood volume and thereby to lower blood pressure. The leaves are also used as a gargle for sore throats and canker sores.

The Natural Medicine Guide to the 50 Most Common Medicinal Herbs Heather Boon, BScPhm, PhD and Michael Smith, BPharm, MRPharmS, ND See book keywords and concepts

In a recent animal study, evening primrose oil supplementation was shown to out-perform a number of other products rich in GLA (borage oil, blackcurrant oil and 'fungal' oil).56 WOMEN'S HEALTH CARE Premenstrual Syndrome A number of studies have indicated that evening primrose oil may be of use in the management of premenstrual syndrome.8-5761 The benefits are seen only following prolonged administration of 4 to 6 months.8-20 A proposed mechanism of action is that the PGE1 generated could influence the actions of prolactin which is thought to play a role in the presentation of this syndrome.

Eat Right, Live Longer: Using the Natural Power of Foods to Age-Proof Your Body Neal Barnard, M.D. See book keywords and concepts

Either borage oil or blackcurrant oil (1000 milligrams, usually taken as two 500-milligram capsules) or evening primrose oil (three 1300-milligram capsules) 3. Vitamin E, 400 IUs, or 100 IUs for people with high blood pressure It usually takes several weeks for benefits to be seen. Flax oil may cause loose stools, which usually abate after a few days. These natural oils reduce inflammation, while animal fats and frying oils sometimes aggravate inflammation and should be eliminated.

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