Blackthorn
OTHER NAME(S): Blackthorn Berry, Blackthorn Flower, Blackthorn Fruit, Buisson Noir, Créquier, Épine Noire, Épinette, Fourdinier, Mère-du-Bois, Pélosse, Pélossier, Pruni Spinosae Flos, Pruni Spinosae Fructus, Prunier Sauvage, Sloe, Sloe Berry, Sloe Flower, Wild Plum Flower, Prunus spinosa, Black thorn, Endrino, Prunellier
Overview
Blackthorn is a shrub. The berry and dried flower are used as medicine.
People use blackthorn for the common cold, cough, fatigue, constipation, and other conditions , but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
In foods, blackthorn is used in herbal teas, syrups, wines, and liqueurs.
There isn't enough information available to know how blackthorn might work.
There isn't enough information available to know how blackthorn might work.
Uses
Insufficient Evidence for
- Common cold.
- Constipation.
- Cough.
- Fatigue.
- Indigestion (dyspepsia).
- Skin irritation.
- Sore mouth or throat.
- Stomach pain.
- Infections of the kidney, bladder or urethra (urinary tract infections or UTIs).
- Other conditions.
More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of blackthorn for these uses.
Side Effects
When taken by mouth: Blackthorn flower is POSSIBLY SAFE when taken by mouth short-term. One to two cups per day of tea prepared with 1-2 grams of blackthorn flowers have been used with apparent safety. But blackthorn is POSSIBLY UNSAFE when the seeds or fresh flowers are used in large doses or long-term. These parts of the plant contain poisonous chemicals.
When applied to the skin: Blackthorn berries are POSSIBLY SAFE when applied to the skin, short-term. Traditionally, preparations containing 2-4 grams of blackberry fruit have been applied to the skin with apparent safety.
Precautions
When taken by mouth: Blackthorn flower is POSSIBLY SAFE when taken by mouth short-term. One to two cups per day of tea prepared with 1-2 grams of blackthorn flowers have been used with apparent safety. But blackthorn is POSSIBLY UNSAFE when the seeds or fresh flowers are used in large doses or long-term. These parts of the plant contain poisonous chemicals.
When applied to the skin: Blackthorn berries are POSSIBLY SAFE when applied to the skin, short-term. Traditionally, preparations containing 2-4 grams of blackberry fruit have been applied to the skin with apparent safety.
Pregnancy: Blackthorn seeds and fresh flowers are POSSIBLY UNSAFE for pregnant women because they contain chemicals that can cause birth defects. These chemicals can also cause toxicity.
Breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if blackthorn is safe to use when breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use
Interactions
We currently have no information for Blackthorn overview.
Dosing
The appropriate dose of blackthorn depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for blackthorn. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.
References
- Schulz V, Hansel R, Tyler VE. Rational Phytotherapy: A Physician's Guide to Herbal Medicine. Terry C. Telger, transl. 3rd ed. Berlin, GER: Springer, 1998.
- McGuffin M, Hobbs C, Upton R, Goldberg A, eds. American Herbal Products Association's Botanical Safety Handbook. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, LLC 1997.
- Gruenwald J, Brendler T, Jaenicke C. PDR for Herbal Medicines. 1st ed. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company, Inc., 1998.
- Fraternale D, Giamperi L, Bucchini A, Sestili P, Paolillo M, Ricci D. Prunus spinosa fresh fruit juice: antioxidant activity in cell-free and cellular systems. Nat Prod Commun 2009;4(12):1665-70.
- Sharma H, Meredith AD. Blackthorn injury: a report of three interesting cases. Emerg Med J 2004;21(3):392.
- Sharma H, Meredith AD. A report of 18 blackthorn injuries of the upper limb. Injury 2004;35(9):930-5.