What Are the Medicinal Uses of Blackberry Leaves?

Blackberry leaves contain more therapeutic compounds than the fruit itself.

Blackberry is a perennial plant that grows in dry conditions. It produces white or pink flowers and a small, dark-purple fruit. Branches and stems are either thorny or thornless. Blackberry leaves are oval-shaped and grow in bunches of three to five. The leaves contain a range of chemicals that contribute to its medicinal uses. The leaves contain more therapeutic compounds than the fruit itself.

Antioxidant

Phenolic compounds found in blackberry leaves, such as gallic acid and coumaric acid, are known for being potent free radical scavengers. Phenols are alcohols attached to a benzene ring. The antioxidant properties of gallic acid contribute to it being an anticancer agent, as it is toxic towards cancer cells. Most phenols present in blackberry leaves have similar anticancer properties.

Anti-inflammatory

Blackberry leaves contain caffeic acid and ferulic acid, which have anti-inflammatory properties, mainly in the brain, lungs and digestive tract. It works by blocking enzymes DOPA-decarboxylase and 5-lipoxygenase, inhibiting nuclear factor κ-B (NF-κB) and activating potassium channels. Blackberry leaves contain hydrolysable tannins, which also have anti-inflammatory properties and break down to form gallic acid and glucose. These compounds are responsible for the wound-healing effects of blackberry leaves. Due to the inflammatory action of its constituents, blackberry leaves also possess analgesic, or pain-killing, properties and help promote intestinal motility. Saponins are also found in blackberry leaves, which can reduce cholesterol absorption from the diet and may have liver-protecting effects.

Antihypertensive

Flavonoids like rutin, quercetin and kaempferol are present in blackberry leaves and have a range of activities. Flavonoids help lower blood pressure by reducing the permeability of blood capillaries. They also help with other blood vessel disorders. Due to their effect on blood vessels, flavonoids are also effective against heart disorders. The action of flavonoids from blackberry leaves depends on how much is absorbed in each dose.

Astringent

The tannin content of blackberry leaves give them astringent properties. Tannins work by precipitating proteins, which prevents the action of several enzymes. This is responsible for shrinking mucous membranes, making blackberry leaves useful for treating diarrhea, dysentery, hemorrhoids, peptic and mouth ulcers, mild sore throats, and bleeding gums if chewed or used as a mouthwash. Blackberry leaves can also be applied topically to treat acne, burns, scars and stretch marks. The astringent properties of blackberry leaves can lead to stomach upset, nausea and vomiting if large quantities are consumed.

References

• Antimicrobial activity against Helicobacter pylori strains and antioxidant properties of blackberry leaves (Rubus ulmifolius) and isolated compounds - Silvia Martini - International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents 34 (2009) 50--59
• Inhibitory effect of caffeic acid phenethyl ester, a plant-derived polyphenolic compound, on rat intestinal contractility - Gabriella Aviello - European Journal of Pharmacology 640 (2010) 163--167
• Gallic acid-based indanone derivatives as anticancer agents - Hari Om Saxena - Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters 18 (2008) 3914--3918
• Antioxidant Activity in Fruits and Leaves of Blackberry, Raspberry,and Strawberry Varies with Cultivar and Developmental Stage - Shiow Y. Wang - J. Agric. Food Chem. 2000, 48, 140-146
• Beneficial Uses Of Blackberry Leaf

Resources

• The Constituents of Medicinal Plants 2nd Edition -- Andrew Pengelly (2004) Sunflower Herbals