Blackthorn berries ripen after the first frost. Jam is made from them, put into traditional fruit pies, vinegar is infused on them, wine, liqueur and a special type of gin are prepared from thorns. Blackthorn fruits, tinctures and syrup from them can be used for medicinal purposes.
Blackthorn berries: benefits and harms
Useful properties of blackthorn
Blackthorn contains tannins, organic acids, sugars and a large dose of vitamin C. Organic acids in thorns are malic, lactic, citric and fumaric acids. The thorn fruit also contains a significant amount of vitamin A, in the form of B-carotene, vitamin E, vitamins B1, B2, B6, niacin and minerals – calcium, potassium, magnesium and sodium.
Thanks to tannins, blackthorn is an excellent astringent. It can be used to treat diarrhea. The pectins found in blackthorn have a calming and relaxing effect on the gastrointestinal system. The juice from the thorn fruit can be a mild laxative. Thorn gin, taken in small doses, stimulates metabolism, and has also been used since antiquity to treat: – colds; – indigestion; – kidney stones; – certain types of allergies.
Rich in pectins, thorns are great for jams and marmalades
Topically, thorns gin can relieve symptoms of eczema, herpes, and some other skin conditions. Blackthorn tea has a mild diuretic and stimulating effect. As a gargle, such a decoction can relieve a sore throat, help with tonsillitis and laryngitis. Blackthorn syrup helps with flu and rheumatism. Once upon a time, thorns were ground into a paste and used to whiten teeth. The juice can help with stomatitis. Blackthorn tea may cause increased sweating. If you brew two tablespoons of dried thorns in a glass of boiling water, then the resulting broth can be drunk to stimulate appetite. Some people believe that thorn wine can “purify” the blood.
Thorns have been endowed with magical properties since ancient times. Many peoples associated it with witches and their rituals.
By turning the thorn fruit into a puree, you can use the resulting mass for astringent masks that will give the skin elasticity and make it glow. Blackthorn oil can prevent stretch marks.
Before you start consuming blackthorn fruits, you should consult your doctor. The dosage depends on a number of factors – age, health status and some others, besides, blackthorn can interact with some medications. Pregnant and lactating women should take thorns with extreme caution. The fruits of thorns are not poisonous, the leaves and seeds of this plant can be poisonous, since they contain a toxic substance – hydrogen cyanide.