Blackthorn

Prunus spinosa

Blackthorn Sole Parts used Uses Habitat and cultivation Constituents How much to take Side effects and cautions

Blackthorn is a woody and thorny shrub of up to 4 m in height bearing dull green leaves, white flowers and blue-black spherical fruits. Several species of Prunus are used medicinally. The fruit stalks of the European wild cherry, P. avium, is a traditional diuretic and astringent. It should not be confused with the morello cherry or amarelle cherry, P.cerasus, the leaves of which have been used as tea. Bark of American wild cherry or black cherry, P.serotina, is used to produce "wild cherry syrup", a well known expectorant medicine. Small amounts of apricot seeds (P.armeniaca) are used in China as expectorants, while the seed oil has cosmetics uses. Cherry-laurel water (produced from P.laurocerasus) was traditionally used in Europe as a respiratory stimulant. Fruits of Japanese apricot or wu mei is a styptic and cough and diarrhea medicine.

PARTS USED

Dried flowers and fresh or dried ripe fruits.

USES

The dried fruits (or fruit juice) of blackthorn are used to treat inflammation of the mouth, gums and throat. Numerous medicinal properties have been ascribed to the flowers (expectorant, mild laxative, diuretic and diaphoretic).

HABITAT AND CULTIVATION

Blackthorn is native to Europe, western Asia and North Africa (P.spinosa). The products are wild-harvested in eastern Europe. Other species listed above are European and Asian in origin, except the North American P.serotina.

CONSTITUENTS

Mainly present in blackthorn are tannins, flavonoids and cyanogenic glycosides, prunasin produces prussic acid (hydrogen cyanide, HCN) and benzaldehyde (with a "marzipan" smell) upon enzymatic hydrolysis.

HOW MUCH TO TAKE

A tea is made from 1- 2 g of dried flowers, and one or two cups are taken during the day or at night. To treat inflammation of the mouth and throat, an infusion of 2-4 g of the dried fruit or fresh fruit juice is made as an oral gargle.

SIDE EFFECTS AND CAUTIONS

HCN is a strong toxin; 5-12 seeds of bitter almonds (P.dulcis var. amara) can be lethal for children. Cherry-laurel water may contain HCN.