Leaves from Gerard's Herball by Marcus Woodward

Fruit extracts have been used as colorants and are now being tested as anticarcinogenic, antiviral, antiallergenic, and cosmetic moisturizing compounds. Recent research has measured high ellagic acid, anthocyanin, total phenolics, and total antioxidant content in Rubus fruits. Medicinal properties of Rubus continue in Renaissance and modern herbals, sanctioning leaf infusions as a gargle for sore mouth, throat cankers, and as a wash for wounds the bark, containing tannin, was a tonic for diarrhea and root extract, a cathartic and emetic. The Leechbook of Bald described the use of brambles against dysentery, combining ancient medicinal knowledge with pagan superstition and herb lore. chingii are combined in a yang tonic called fu pen zi, “overturned fruit bowl,” and prescribed for infertility, impotence, low backache, poor eyesight, and bedwetting or frequent urination. Greeks and Romans recorded female applications, whereas the Chinese described uses in male disorders. Flowers triturated with oil reduced eye inflammations and cooled skin rashes infusions with water or wine aided stomach ailments. Leaves were chewed to strengthen gums and plastered to constrain shingles, head scurf, prolapsed eyes, and hemorrhoids. Decoctions of branches were applied to stop diarrhea, dye hair, prevent vaginal discharge, and as an antivenom for snakebites. Stems, branches, roots, leaves, and flowers were used in decoctions, infusions, plasters, oil or wine extractions, and condensates. Although in modern times Rubus is grown for its delicious and vitamin-rich fruit for fresh and processed product consumption, the ancients used the whole plant and its parts. Folk traditions of native peoples throughout the world have also applied Rubus for multiple medicinal uses. Brambles were documented in the writings of the ancient Greeks: Aeschylus, Hippocrates, Krataeus, Dioscorides, and Galen Romans: Cato, Ovid, and Pliny the Elder Asian medicinal traditions traditional Chinese medicine and the Ayurvedic tradition of India.

This short article presents only a sample of the wealth of historical reports of medicinal uses for Rubus. Rubus species were a food and medicinal source for native peoples soon after the Ice Age. The genus Rubus L., indigenous to six continents, includes blackberries, raspberries, and their hybrids and is commonly referred to as brambles or briers.

Leaves from Gerard's Herball by Marcus Woodward