Blackthorn

The Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa) is a well know species of wild shrubs that can be found in Europe, Asia and even parts of Africa. The bush is practically covered in thorns and it can be easily recognized by its multitude of purple, small and quite sour fruits. The blackthorn’s flowers, leaves and berries have important properties but handpicking them one by one is quite a slow and laborious job. 

The berries are at their best in early autumn, after the first frost of the season. They become less sour and many people like to make jam or wine out if them. The fruits can also make a very healthy and delicious raw snack. Other people simply set them to dry in order to use them as tea or decoct during the winter. The delicate white flowers and the young leaves are usually picked up in early spring and immediately set to dry in order to preserve their medicinal properties.

The flowers can be made into an infusion by adding them to a cup of boiling water and letting them to rest for 2-3 minutes. After that, the blackthorn infusion can be consumed as a gentle and harmless diuretic and laxative.

The fruit decoction is made by boiling a teaspoon of dried fruits in a cup of water for a couple of minutes. After that, the whole thing must be left to rest for more than 10 minutes before drinking the tea. The decoction can help in cases of diarrhea, stomach pain or gall bladder stones.

The blackthorn tincture is made by using berries and alcohol and it is can lower high levels of cholesterol and it can be an excellent tonic. The berries contain a lot of magnesium and potassium salts and a great deal of vitamin C.

The herbalists around the world appreciate the blackthorn bush for its many benefits and I think that everyone should use these delicious healthy berries at least as a tasty jam if not for the medicinal properties.