Herb of the Week: Blackberry (Rubus fruticosus)

Herb of the Week: Blackberry (Rubus fruticosus)

Blackberries are more than a sweet summer fruit — their leaves, roots, and berries have been used as medicine for centuries. This thorny plant grows wild along hedges and fields, offering both nourishment and healing. For me, blackberry carries a strong sense of protection and resilience, reminding us that boundaries and sweetness can exist together.

  • Latin Name: Rubus fruticosus (and related Rubus species)

  • Family: Rosaceae

  • Common Names: Blackberry, Bramble

  • Parts Used: Leaves, roots, berries

Energetics & Herbal Actions

Blackberry carries a cooling, drying, and astringent nature. It helps tone tissues, calm inflammation, and ground excess energy.

Herbal Actions

  • Astringent

  • Antidiarrheal

  • Anti-inflammatory

  • Antimicrobial

  • Nutritive (berries rich in vitamins & antioxidants)

Therapeutic Uses

Digestive Support
Blackberry leaves and roots have been used for centuries as teas for diarrhea and digestive weakness. Their astringent action helps tone the gut and restore balance.

Oral Health
Leaf infusions can be used as gargles or rinses for sore throats, mouth ulcers, and inflamed gums.

Nutritional Support
The berries are a powerhouse of antioxidants, anthocyanins, and vitamin C. They support the immune system, protect against oxidative stress, and provide nourishment as both food and medicine.

Contraindications & Safety

  • Generally considered safe when consumed as food or tea.

  • High tannin content in leaves may cause stomach upset in sensitive individuals if used in excess.

  • Avoid strong or long-term use of root bark internally - its potency can be too drying.

  • No known major drug interactions, but always use caution with children, pregnancy, or if combining with other astringent herbs.

Folklore & History

  • In Celtic tradition, blackberry brambles were seen as protective plants - often planted around boundaries to ward off intruders.

  • English folklore discouraged picking blackberries after Michaelmas (late September), saying the devil had claimed them by then.

  • Blackberries were used in rural Europe both for food and medicine, symbolizing abundance and resilience.

Practical Ways to Work with Blackberry

  • Leaf Tea: Steep dried leaves (1 tsp per cup) for digestive or oral support.

  • Gargle: Infuse leaves and use as a mouth rinse for sore throats or gum health.

  • Berry Syrup: Combine fresh berries with honey for an immune-boosting tonic.

  • Jam or Preserves: A delicious way to preserve the medicine of the berries through the seasons.

✨ My favorite way: simmering fresh blackberries with honey and a touch of cinnamon into a syrup that feels like both medicine and treat.

Blackberry reminds us that healing can be both protective and nourishing. Its thorns teach us about boundaries, while its fruit reminds us of life’s sweetness. To work with blackberry is to remember that resilience often comes with both strength and generosity.

References & Further Reading

  • Chevallier, A. (2016). Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine. DK Publishing.

  • Wood, M. (2008). The Earthwise Herbal: A Complete Guide to Old World Plants. North Atlantic Books.

  • Paczkowska-Walendowska, M., (2021). Blackberry Leaves as New Functional Food? Screening Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory and Microbiological Activities in Correlation with Phytochemical Analysis. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland), 10(12), 1945. https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox10121945 

  • Zia-Ul-Haq, M. (2014). Rubus fruticosus L.: constituents, biological activities and health related uses. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland), 19(8), 10998–11029. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules190810998

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