Blackberry - Treatment and Medical uses of Blackberry Herb

Common Name: Brombere (Ger), Bramble, Brambleberry, Bramble-kite, Brameberry, Brombeere

Medcinal Uses and Benefits of Bluebell

• The flowers and fruit were once used for venemous bites and the young shoots eaten to tighten loose teeth. The white underside of the leaves was said to 'draw' while the smooth green upper side was said to 'soothe'.
• Leaves, root, and root bark have been used externally for inflammation of the throat, mouth and gums (also bleeding gums) as well as piles, hemorrhoids and leucorrhea. Leaf has also been used to inhibit excessive menstrual bleeding. Chewing of the leaves for bleeding gums is an ancient practice. A strong tea of the leaves has been used externally for eczema.
• Has been used as an anti-inflammatory for conditions such as laryngitis and pharyngitis. In American folk medicine the root was also used for tonsillitis.
• Fruit and juice have been used for anemia and to regulate menses.
• The leaves have been used as a uterine tonic.
• The root decoction was once used during the spasmodic phase of whooping cough and a decoction of the leaves was once used as a fomentation for ulcerations; another method was to soak leaves in hot wine to make an infusion, then placing a cloth dipped in the liquid on the ulcerations morning and evening. Once believed useful for appendicitis.
• Blackberry jelly was an English folk remedy for swelling of the limbs (especially those associated with heart problems); the jelly was added to apple cider vinegar and used as a compress; blackberry glycerite was also used as a compress on swollen joints.
• Long standing home remedy for diarrhea; European settlers to North America used jam to remedy diarrhea. Has also been used internally for dysentary, hemorrhoids, to loosen phlegm, and cystitis. Root bark as well as dried and powdered fruit have been used for dysentary. The root has been used as a preventative for dropsy (efficacy has not been established).
• An old remedy for cholera was to combine 2 quarts of blackberry juice with 1 lb of sugar, 1/2 oz nutmeg, 1/2 oz allspice, and boil together, then allowed to stand until cold; 1/4 pint of brandy ws added; 1 tsp up to 2 or 3 wine glass fulls were taken two or three times daily.
• Used by ancient Greeks to treat gout, mouth inflammation, and bowel inflammation.
• The leaves were once used in England for burns and scalds.
• The roots were boiled by the Catawbas for diarrhea. The Alabamas Indians used blackberry for a toothache remedy and a poultice for pneumonia. The Kwakiutils boiled vines, roots, and berries for a drink for those vomiting and spitting blood. The Flambeau Ojibwe boiled the cane to use as a diuretic and used a root tea for diarrhea. The Ojibwe made a tea of the roots as a remedy for pregnant woman who were in danger of miscarrying due to overwork. The Meskwakis used an extract of the root for stomach problems and as a antidote to poison. The Mohegans steeped the berries of the 'running blackberry' (species uncertain) in water and drank as a vermifuge. The root made into a decoction was used by the Chippewa for lung problems as well as for amenorrhea. The Tete de Boule made a tea of the scrapings of the bark of the branches for bronchial infections.