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by Rex Trulove

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Many people love blackberries, especially when baked into a pie or made into jam, but the blackberry also has some very good medicinal properties that have been utilized for a very long time.

Blackberries grow in profusion in many countries of the world, so they are widely available which increases their value, medicinally. They are common over much of Europe, England, and Australia, as well as in the US and Canada. They are sometimes called brambles, and raspberries are certain species of blackberry.

The ripe berries contain large quantities of fructose sugars, citric acid, and are high in vitamins C and E. They also contain salicylate, which is an analgesic or pain reliever, and which may help lower the risk of heart diseases. The juices also contain several anti-oxidants which continuing research indicates is helpful for preventing or lowering the incidence of many diseases, including cancer. Note that cooking can break down some of these healthful ingredients, so the ripe berries eaten raw are far better for you than the berries that are cooked into pies or which are processed in other ways.

The fruit is also high in pectin, so it has the benefit of helping jells to set.

As good as they are, and as wonderful as they taste, the berries are not the only medicinal portions of the blackberry plant.

The leaves, outer layers of the stem, and the roots are also used medicinally. All of these contain large quantities of tannic acid, which is a strong astringent. For this reason, a dilute tea can be made out of the leaves, roots, or stem bark for treating diarrhea or dysentery. A tea made from the dried roots can be used for the same purpose, but it will have a stronger action. The tea is also sometimes taken as a tonic.

The roots and the leaves can be dried for use medicinally, or they can be used fresh. To dry, spread on screen in a warm dry room out of direct sunlight. The leaves should be stored in air tight containers, and as with nearly all herbs, their potency will be retained longer if they are kept in a cool, dry, dark place.

For the tea, put 1 tablespoon of the leaves or chopped root in a cup of boiling water, cover for 15 minutes, then sweeten with honey. The dose is 1/2 cup every 2 or 3 hours for diarrhea. It should be noted that the tea is both tart and mildly bitter.

Blackberries are well known for their delicious taste, but they are very good plants for health and medicinal treatment. They have a definite place in the herbalist's medicine cabinet. As easy as the leaves are to pick, this is a worthwhile herb to collect.

Next time you are out blackberry picking, be sure to pick a few handfuls of leaves as well.

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