Blackthorn is a shrub with thorny branches. Berries ripen on it, which are sometimes confused with plums. However, these are different plants. Sloe, in comparison with plum, has a more astringent and less sweet taste, and also has a much smaller size. The fruits of the plant can have both benefits and some contraindications.
Thorn berries tend to knit the mouth, so they are rarely consumed fresh. Basically, jam is made from them, various jams and pie fillings are made.
In folk medicine, blackthorn berries are usually used fresh.
The sloe contains a large amount of tannins, so it has antiseptic properties. In folk medicine, these berries are the only plant-based food with a sweetish taste, used for diarrhea, food poisoning and indigestion.
A drug made from blackthorn berries (200g), buckthorn bark (50g), grass and chamomile flowers (100g) is considered very effective for diarrhea. All components are boiled in a water bath with 1.5 liters of water. The finished mixture is taken in 2 tbsp. every 4 hours.
Due to the content of coumarin, which determines the antiseptic properties of berries, the thorn pounded into gruel can be applied to wounds, calluses, and boils.
It is recommended to chew berries for diseases of the gums, teeth, throat.
The thorn can be consumed to prevent vomiting. Sometimes it is used for toxicosis during pregnancy, but the feasibility of this has not been confirmed by science.
Compote from thorn berries has diuretic and blood pressure lowering properties. To reduce pressure, you can also use a decoction from the leaves of the plant.
The berries contain minerals (iron, potassium) and a large amount of vitamins A, C, K, R. They can be used for vitamin deficiency, especially since they persist until the first frost.
Blackthorn tincture is sometimes used as a sedative. For its preparation, it is necessary to insist 200 g of plant flowers in 0.5 liters of vodka for 2 weeks. This tincture is credited with metabolism-accelerating properties during weight loss.
The blackthorn is also used for cosmetic purposes. For rinsing hair with oily seborrhea, a decoction of flowers is used. It is also recommended to add it to the bath for problem skin and frequent acne. It is good to wipe oily skin with thorny ice made from juice of berries and water in a 1: 1 ratio.
An alcoholic infusion of thorn flowers cannot speed up metabolism. A decrease in body weight occurs due to the fact that a certain amount of diuretics and coumarins is transferred into the composition used. In addition, premature infusion on an empty stomach causes diarrhea, which also leads to weight loss (although not due to the fat component). It should be borne in mind that prolonged use of alcohol tincture (several weeks or even months) can lead to indigestion, dehydration, and metabolic disorders.
While blackthorn berries help with diarrhea, its leaves, flowers and bark, on the contrary, have laxative properties. The plant, especially during flowering, can cause an allergic reaction.
Before using thorn fruit, it is advisable to consult a doctor. The dosage may vary depending on factors such as age, health, and some others. It is worth taking extra care when consuming sloe berries during pregnancy and lactation.
