Blackcurrant

A leafy shrub reaching between 1 and 1.5 m in height. When the fresh leaves are rubbed, they release a highly aromatic fragrance. The fragrance fades when the flowers are dried. The flowers have 3 to 5 triangular lobes with serrated edges. Its limb is mildly fuzzy. Its flower has a shorter corolla than its hairy calyx. It is highly melliferous and is yellow to reddish in colour on the inside. It is green on the outside. Its fruits are black berries that hang in clusters, type 5 (closely related to the rosaceae family), topped with the calyx teeth, and are fragrant, with a pleasant flavour. Its pulp provides a purple coloured juice.

Latin name

Ribes nigrum L.

Origin

North Europe and Asia.

Used part

The leaves.

Active components

Flavonoids and phenolic components: antioxidant action.

Proanthocyanidins: anti-inflammatory action.

Vitamin C: Antioxidant action.

Essential oil: responsible for its diuretic action.

Usage

In traditional medicine, the leaves of the blackcurrant plant are mainly used for their diuretic effect. They eliminate uric acid, but also act against joint and rheumatic pain. Moreover, applications are also described to treat conditions such as diarrhoea, coughs and wound care. Scientific research into blackcurrant leaves has clearly demonstrated its beneficial action on the comfort and mobility of joints, particularly in the case of rheumatic diseases. The leaves also contribute to proper muscle function. These effects can be attributed to interactions in the inflammatory process and in the accompanying pain. _2-6 Blackcurrant buds have recently been used in certain products, for diuretic purposes among others, but to date only its antioxidant and antimicrobial actions have been scientifically proven. _7-10 The EFSA currently refutes all claims relating to this medicinal plant.

Bibliographical references

Assessment report on Ribes nigrum L., folium
Committee on Herbal Medicinal Products
EMA/HMPC/1http://www.ema.europa.eu/docs/en_GB/document_library/Herbal_-_HMPC_assessment_report/2010/07/WC500094204.pdf42989/2009; 6 May 2010
European Medicines Agency:
[Flavonoids extracted from Ribes nigrum L. and Alchemilla vulgaris L.: 1. In vitro inhibitory activities on elastase, trypsin and chymotrypsin. 2. Angioprotective activities compared in vivo].
Jonadet M, Meunier MT, Villie F, Bastide JP, Lamaison JL.
J Pharmacol. 1986 Jan-Mar;17(1):21-7.
Pubmed: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3635653
Anti-inflammatory evaluation of a hydroalcoholic extract of black currant leaves (Ribes nigrum).
Declume C.
J Ethnopharmacol. 1989 Nov;27(1-2):91-8.
Pubmed: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2615431
Proanthocyanidins, from Ribes nigrum leaves, reduce endothelial adhesion molecules ICAM-1 and VCAM-1.
J Inflamm (Lond). 2005 Aug 9;2:9.
Garbacki N, Kinet M, Nusgens B, Desmecht D, Damas J.
Pubmed: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16091140
Inhibitory effects of proanthocyanidins from Ribes nigrum leaves on carrageenin acute inflammatory reactions induced in rats.
Garbacki N, Tits M, Angenot L, Damas J.
BMC Pharmacol. 2004 Oct 21;4:25.
Pubmed: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15498105
Effects of prodelphinidins isolated from Ribes nigrum on chondrocyte metabolism and COX activity.
Garbacki N, Angenot L, Bassleer C, Damas J, Tits M.
Naunyn Schmiedebergs Arch Pharmacol. 2002 Jun;365(6):434-41.
Pubmed: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12070756
Plant Extracts from Meristematic Tissues (Foliar Buds And Shoots): Antioxidant And Therapeutic Action
Andreea Militaru, Ioana Simedrea, Iren Alexoi, Camelia Peev, Elena Bernad, Claudia Toma Studia Universitatis Vasile Goldis: http://www.studiauniversitatis.ro/v15/pdf/20-2010/20-3-2010/SU20-3-10Militaru.pdf
Chemical and biological studies of Ribes nigrum L. buds essential oil.
Oprea E, Radulescu V, Balotescu C, Lazar V, Bucur M, Mladin P, Farcasanu IC.
Biofactors. 2008;34(1):3-12.
Pubmed: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19706967
Composition of the essential oils of black currant buds (Ribes nigrum L.)
Jean Luc Le Quere, Alain Latrasse
J. Agric. Food Chem. 1990, 38, 3-10
ACS Publication: http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/jf00091a001

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The health claims relating to other nutrients or substances contained in our products that feature on our site are compliant with Regulation No. 432/2012 of the Commission of 16 May 2012 which establishes a list of authorised health claims authorised in relation to food products, other than those in reference to the reduction of the risk of disease as well as community-based development and child health (cf. website of the European Commission: http://ec.europa.eu/nuhclaims/).