Black currant: what it is and what it is for
He black currant (Ribes nigrum) is an aromatic shrub up to two meters that grows in the Alps and northern Europe. The leaves are large, similar to those of maple, with five marked lobes.
The currant tree comes in various forms and there are many laboratories that market this plant. The plant is included in the formulation of about twenty herbal products.
Medicinal properties of Ribes nigrum
The currant bush has been gaining importance due to its wide therapeutic applications. Its leaves contain traces of essential oilflavonoids, anthocyanidosides, caffeic and chlorogenic acids and tannins.
- It stands out above all for its diuretic virtues, anti-inflammatory and antirheumatic.
- Preparations with black currant leaves have proven to be very effective as a natural remedy to facilitate elimination of excess urea and uric acid with urine and to promote, where appropriate, dissolution and passage of kidney stones.
- Its berries are rich in vitamin C, pectins and sugars, and in juice form they are ideal for quenching thirst and infuse energy into states of weakness and convalescence.
- The currant is also indicated to relieve arthritic pain and the drop.
- The leaves and fruits of the currant also exert a notable hemostatic and venous tonic action being indicated to prevent vascular accidents and to circulatory disordersas phlebitis, varicose veins and hemorrhoids.
- Berries are a good source of minerals and vitamins, and are said to improve visual acuityabove all the night.
- The black currant is also astringent, digestive and antidiarrheal.
- Lately, special emphasis has been placed on its anti-allergic virtuesfor being an adrenal corticosteroid stimulant. Monthly treatments with fluid blackcurrant extract ampoules have proven to be effective to combat seasonal allergies. An alternative would be the syrup combined with perpetual and royal jelly.
How to take black currant
It can be taken as an infusion, simple or combined, in syrup, in tincture, fluid extract, capsules, oil beadsfruit juices and even jams. In Spain there are at least eight laboratories that market the pure ribes nigrum extract.
Black currant herbal tea for cystitis
A herbal tea that is made combining black currant leaves with blueberry, bearberry and horsetail leavesat a rate of 2 level tablespoons of the mixture per liter of water.
How to prepare it: Boil it for 2 minutes and let it rest for another 10. It is a very diuretic drink that can be taken in small quantities throughout the day.
Black currant infusion for gout
An ideal anti-inflammatory formula is recommended to reduce uric acid levels, which combines black currant leaves with lespedeza stem, dandelion root and friar’s crown leaves (Globularia alypum) in equal parts.
How to prepare it: Pour a tablespoon of the mixture into a quarter of a liter of water. Boil it for 2 minutes and let it rest for 8 more. It is advisable to take a first glass on an empty stomach and the second in the middle of the afternoon.
Black currant seed oil
The oil from the seeds bears a certain similarity to that of evening primrose and borage. Contains 20% gammalinolenic acid (omega 6), which acts as anti-inflammatory by stimulating prostaglandins E1 and immunity in general.
It is indicated in doses of up to 1 gram daily in gynecological problems such as premenstrual syndrome, menopause, menstrual or breast pain and as an immune stimulant.
Caution. Its use in high doses for more than 6 months is not recommended without consulting a doctor.
Advisor: J Mª Teixé, herbalist from “El Manantial de Salud”