Name: Black currant
Gooseberries – Grossulariaceae.
Popular names: Alpine berry, gouty berry.
Parts Used: Mature fruits and leaves.
Pharmacy name: black currant fruits – Ribis nigri fructus (formerly: Fractus Ribis nigri), black currant leaves – Ribis nigri folium (formerly: Folia Ribis nigri).
Botanical description. Black currant is a shrub 1-2 m in height, in contrast to the gooseberry, it is completely devoid of thorns. The three- to five-lobed leaves have coarsely serrated edges and bear oil glands on the underside. The flowers are located in hanging racemes, yellowish-green, brown-red along the edges. From them, first brown-black, later black fruits develop. The plant has a peculiar smell, rather unpleasant (And in Russian the word “currant” is etymologically connected with the verb “currant” – to emit a stink, currant, stench. – Approx. Transl.). Blooms from April to May. It is believed that the birthplace of black currant is Central Europe and Asia. In the wild state, it is traditionally found in damp woodlands and swampy alder groves.
Collection and preparation. Blackcurrant leaves are harvested in June. They take only leaf blades, and not affected by fungi: black currants are often affected by rust. Drying is done in air. The fruits are harvested fully ripe. They are most often processed into juice, which must be bottled without additives and sterilized. It can also be used to make a well-preserved jelly with sugar.
active substances.The leaves contain some essential oil, which is credited with a dehydrating effect, tannins, vitamin C and flavonoids. Mature fruits are very high (about 120 mg%) in vitamin C. In addition, they contain vitamin C2, also called vitamin J, an antipneumonic factor, that is, a substance believed to protect against pneumonia. B vitamins, vitamin P, organic acids, pectins, tannins and minerals complete the list of the most important active ingredients. The dark purple pigment appears to be very close to that of the elderberry. And, finally, it must be said that the unpleasant smelling substance contained in the fruits and leaves probably also has a certain effect, but it has not yet been studied in detail. When the fruits are boiled and the leaves are dried, the smell disappears to a large extent. Healing action in application. The use of leaves in scientific medicine has not been achieved, although it has been established that they have a dehydrating effect, have an additional effect in rheumatism and gout; attacks of pain after a course of treatment with leaf tea become less frequent and easier. o Currant leaf tea: 1-2 teaspoons topped with blackcurrant leaves are poured into 1/4 liter of cold water, heated slowly to a boil and immediately strained. 2-3 cups every day – dosage for edema, urinary retention and rheumatism. Fruits, especially unsweetened juice prepared from them, are often and successfully given for coughs and hoarseness, as a prophylactic against colds and, above all, as a remedy for acute and chronic diarrhea, especially fermentative dyspepsia, characterized by an extremely unpleasant odor. In all these cases, the juice is given several times each day in doses ranging from a teaspoon to a tablespoon. With hoarseness and inflammation in the mouth, you can rinse your mouth with juice. To do this, it is diluted with an equal amount of warm water. Finally, dried blackcurrant fruits are sometimes used for diseases of the urinary system. Many sweetened fruit products are also useful – sweet must, marmalade, jelly. Whoever loves the taste of black currants and is not afraid of relatively high prices will do well if he diligently consumes it. Many sweetened fruit products are also useful – sweet must, marmalade, jelly. Whoever loves the taste of black currants and is not afraid of relatively high prices will do well if he diligently consumes it. Many sweetened fruit products are also useful – sweet must, marmalade, jelly. Whoever loves the taste of black currants and is not afraid of relatively high prices will do well if he diligently consumes it.
Application in folk medicine. Everything that was said above about the use of blackcurrant applies equally to traditional medicine. Leaves are applied much and successfully; rheumatism, gout, dropsy, and above all whooping cough are the diseases for which they are used. Of course, juice is extremely beneficial for health. It is used as a prophylactic against colds and as a tonic for loss of appetite and gastrointestinal diseases.
Side effects are unknown.