Black Currant
Parts Usually Used
Leaves, fruit
Description of Plant(s) and Culture
Black currant is a small deciduous shrub, growing to a height of 6-7 feet; the leaves are alternate, palmately 3-5-lobed, doubly serrate, and more or less cordate. The large, strongly scented leaves are broader than long. Drooping racemes (in the leaf axils) of greenish-white or greenish-yellow, bell-shaped flowers appear in April and May. The fruit is a berry that is dark brown at first, turning black, juicy and round when ripe.
Where Found
Found in moist soils and shallow marshes. It is also cultivated in North America. Native of Europe.
Medicinal Properties
Diaphoretic, diuretic, nutritive, demulcent
Biochemical Information
Gamma-linolenic acid, vitamin C, tannin, traces of essential oil, enzyme emulsion.
Legends, Myths and Stories
52 oz. (100g), is said to far exceed that of citrus fruit. Shoshone name: Owa pawump. Washoe name: Non hal wa.
Uses
Historically, an infusion of the leaves was employed by herbalists to stimulate the kidneys and address gouty and rheumatic conditions, as well as arteriosclerosis. Taken cold, this leaf preparation was traditionally administered for hoarseness and other throat ailments. Folk practitioners also utilized the berries, either whole or as expressed juice, for colic pains, diarrhea, and anemia.
Additionally, an infusion of the dried berries was historically used as a gargle for oral inflammation and as a mouthwash for bleeding gums. Beyond its medicinal applications, the fruit was traditionally used as a flavoring agent in liqueurs and cordials.
Bibliography
The Herb Book , by John Lust, Bantam Books, 666 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY. copyright 1974. Eastern/Central Medicinal Plants , by Steven Foster and James A. , Houghton Mifflin Company, 215 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10000 The Nature Doctor: A Manual of Traditional and Complementary Medicine , by Dr. A. , 27 Pine Street (Box 876) New Canaan, CT. 06840-0876. Copyright Verlag A.
, Lotus Press, PO Box 325, Twin Lakes. , 180 Varick Street, New York, NY 10014, first printed by the United States Government Printing Office, Washington, in 1928, this Dover edition 1974 Indian Uses of Native Plants , by Edith Van Allen Murphey, Meyerbooks, publisher, PO Box 427, Glenwood, Illinois 60425, copyright 1958, print 1990 American Folk Medicine , by Clarence Meyer, Meyerbooks, publisher, PO Box 427, Glenwood, Illinois 60425, 1973 Prescription for Nutritional Healing, Fifth Edition: A Practical A-to-Z Reference to Drug-Free Remedies Using Vitamins, Minerals, Herbs & Food Supplements , by James F.
D. and Phyllis A. , 15 Columbus Circle, New York, NY 10023 An Instant Guide to Medicinal Plants , by Pamela Forey and Ruth Lindsay, Crescent Books (January 27, 1992). The Healing Plants , by Mannfried Pahlow, Barron’s Educational Series, Inc. , Hauppauge, NY 11788, 1992