The Blackcurrant (Ribes nigrum) aka
Black Currant Seed Oil, Cassis, European Black Currant, Feuille de Cassis, Gadelier Noir, Grosella Negra, Huile de Pépins de Cassis, Nabar, Paper, Ribes Nigri Folium (Black Currant Leaf), Ribes Nero, Ribes nigrum, Svart vinbär, Mustaherukka
“is a woody shrub in the family Grossulariaceae grown for its piquant berries. It is native to temperate parts of central and northern Europe and northern Asia where it prefers damp fertile soils and is widely cultivated both commercially and domestically.
The blackcurrant is native to northern Europe and Asia. It was cultivated in Russia by the 11th century when it was present in monastery gardens and also grown in towns and settlements. Cultivation in Europe is thought to have started around the last decades of the 17th century. Decoction of the leaves, bark or roots was also used as traditional remedies.
Ribes nigrum, the blackcurrant, is a medium-sized shrub, growing to 1.5 metres (4.9 ft) by 1.5 metres (4.9 ft). The leaves are alternate, simple, 3 to 5 cm (1.2 to 2.0 in) broad and long with five palmate lobes and a serrated margin.
Blackcurrants can grow well on sandy or heavy loams, or forest soils, as long as their nutrient requirements are met. The blackcurrant is a gross feeder and benefits from additional nitrogen, and phosphatic and potash fertilisers should also be applied annually.It is winter hardy but cold weather at flowering time during the spring reduces the size of the crop.
The raw fruit is particularly rich in vitamin C and polyphenol phytochemicals. Blackcurrants can be eaten raw but are usually cooked in a variety of sweet or savoury dishes. They are used to make jams, jellies and syrups and are grown commercially for the juice market. The fruit is also used in the preparation of alcoholic beverages and both fruit and foliage have uses in traditional medicine and the preparation of dyes.”
Note of caution: Be careful of blackcurrant when having bleeding disorders.
Potent antioxidant (Excerpt from research:” BCL ( blackcurrant leaves )extract differs in polyphenolic composition from BCF (fruit)extract, where quercetin derivatives dominate, which constitute ca. 80% of the total polyphenols content of the extract. “) which means the berries are even more beneficial *see research link 12009991 & 24742033 & PMC3914294/
Anti-inflammatory *see research link PMC1198248/
Antiviral against influenza virus types A and B and 3 other strains; pandemic flu from 2009-2010 (IFV-AH1pdm), Hong Kong flu (IFV-AH3), oseltamivir phosphate-resistant Russian flu (IFV-AH1tamr) (Excerpt from research:” Both IVA and IVB were directly inactivated up to 99% by 10 microgram/mL of the extract at pH 2.8, and 95% to 98% by this dose at pH 7.2…. Anthocyanins in the fraction F' did not directly inactivate influenza viruses A and B, but they inhibited virus adsorption to cells and also virus release from infected cells “) crude fruit extracts of wild Ribes nigrum L. was used *see research link 12601672 & 11885927 & /23842512
Antiviral against herpes simplex 1 & 2 that lip sore, up and down (excerpt from research link:” The extract inhibited herpes simplex virus type 1 attachment on the cell membrane completely at a 100-fold dilution, as well as the plaque formation of herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2, and varicella-zoster virus by 50% at a 400-fold dilution or lower concentrations. “) *see research link 12820226
Blackcurrant anthocyanins act as phytoestrogens ,the research results got beyond my understanding *see research link 26395027
Improves vascular health and reduces high blood pressure & high cholesterol (Excerpt from research:” These observations lead to the conclusion that BLE (blackcurrant leaf extract) may improve endothelial cell viability at low physiological concentrations without affecting the antiplatelet action of endothelium “) *see research link 25407137, PMC4609398/
Antibacterial against Acinetobacter (A.) baumanii, Escherichia (E.) coli, Pseudomonas (P.) aeruginoasa and Staphylococcus (S.) aureus *see research link 19706967
Research and tips on Blackcurrant:
