PDR for Herbal Medicines

HERBAL MONOGRAPHS BLACK CURRANT / 95

on the campanulate flower axis within which the single-

valved ovary and the divided style is sunk. The hanging

flowers are self-pollinating. The multi-seeded, black, glandu-

lar punctuate berries develop from the ovary.

^ Leaves, Stem and Root: The plant is a sturdy perennial bush

^ up to 2 m high. The branches are pale, hard and initially

pubescent. The leaves are alternate, petiolate, becoming

quickly glabrous on the upper surface and have numerous

yellow resin glands on the undersurface. The 3- to 5-lobed

leaf blade has a cordate base and doubly dentate margin.

Habitat: The plant is indigenous to Eurasian forests as far as

the Himalayas, Canada and Australia and is cultivated in

many regions.

Production: Black currant leaves are the leaves of Ribes

nigrum collected during or shortly after the flowering season.

Leaves are harvested from cultivated crops during or shortly

after flowering. They are air-dried in the shade or carefully at

a maximum temperature of 60° C.

Black currant fruits are the ripe fruits, with stalks attached,

of Ribes nigrum. Fruits are harvested when fully ripe, and

utilized immediately or deep frozen.

£r

Other Names: Quinsy Berries, Squinancy Berries

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS: BLACK CURRANT LEAVES

Flavonoids: including astragalin, isoquercitrin, rutin

Oligomeric proanthocyanidins

Ascorbic acid (vitamin C, 0.1 to 0.27% of fresh weight)

Volatile oil (traces)

EFFECTS: BLACK CURRANT LEAVES

A salidiuretic effect is attributed to die drug through a

'diuretic factor' that is not closely defined. In animal

experiments, a hypotensive, anti-exudative and prostaglan-

din-release inhibiting effect has been proven.

COMPOUNDS: BLACK CURRANT FRUITS

Ascorbic acid (vitamin C, 0.1 to 0.3%)

Anthocyans: chiefly cyanidin-3-O-rutinoside and delphini-

din-3-O-rutinoside

f* Phenol caroboxylic acid derivatives: caffeoyi-, p-cumaroyl-
and feruloyl-quinic acids; p-cumaroyl and feruloyl glucoses
Flavonoids: chief components isoquercitrin, myricetin glu-
coside, rutin
Fruit acids (3.5%): malic acid, citric acid, isocitric acid

Invert sugar

Pectins

COMPOUNDS: BLACK CURRANT SEEDS

Fatty oil (30%) with high gamma linolenic acid content

Monosaccharides: invert sugar

EFFECTS: BLACK CURRANT FRUIT AND SEEDS

The extract of the drug that contains anthocyane has a

hypotensive and spasmolytic effect in animal experiments. In

addition, an antimicrobial and xanthine-oxidase and lipo-

peroxidase inhibiting effect has been proven.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

BLACK CURRANT LEAVES

Unproven Uses: Black Currant leaves are used internally to

increase micurition. In folk medicine they are used internally

for arthritis, gout and rheumatism, diarrhea, colic, jaundice

and liver ailments, painful micturition, urinary stones,

convulsive coughs and whooping cough. Black Currant is

used externally for treatment of wounds and insect bites.

BLACK CURRANT FRUITS

Unproven Uses: In folk medicine Black Currant fruit is used

internally to relieve colds, hoarseness and coughs, diarrhea

and stomachache. It is also used as a source of vitamin C.

Preparations are used on mucous membranes as a gargle for

hoarseness, strep throat and other inflammations of the oral

cavity.

Black currant dried berries are used for bladder complaints,

venous insufficiency, hemorrhoids, bruising and petechiae

CONTRAINDICATIONS

BLACK CURRANT LEAVES

Contraindicated in edema resulting from reduced cardiac and

renal activity.

PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS

BLACK CURRANT LEAVES AND FRUITS

No health hazards or side effects are known in conjunction

with the proper administration of designated therapeutic

dosages.

DOSAGE

BLACK CURRANT LEAVES

Mode of Administration: Black currant leaves are available

as whole, crude and powder drug for internal use.

Preparation: To prepare a tea, add 1 to 2 heaped teaspoons

(2 to 4 gm) Black currant leaves to boiling water (150 ml),

and strain after 10 minutes.

Daily Dosage:

Tea — 1 cup to be drunk several times a day.

Poultice — freshly rubbed Black Currant leaves or leaves

soaked in warm water are dried and used as a compress.

Place dried drug on wounds and fresh rubbed leaves on

insect bites.