Blackberry by Judi Singleton

Was mentioned by Aeschylus (ca.525-456 BC) and Hippocrates (ca.460-357 BC).

At one time, it not only had a reputation as a medicinal, but also as a charm against various illnesses.

The dried bark was official in the USP from 1820 to 1916 and in the NF from 1916 to 1936 as an astringent tonic. Berries were official in the NF from 1916 to 1926 as a flavoring agent in syrups.

PROPAGATION: Spreads easily enough on its own, but can be propagated by seed, softwood cuttings in summer, leaf bud cuttings in late summer, hardwood cuttings in winter, division in early spring or autumn; root cuttings 1/2 inch long are taken in autumn and stored in sand over winter at about 50ºF, then in early spring the cuttings are set vertically into the soil and covered with 3 to 4 inches of soil (or the branches can be layered in late summer when the cane tips are slightly thickened and grow without leaves). R. fruticosus can be tip layered in summer and can also be trained against a wall.

NEEDS: Moist, well-drained soil in sun to part shade. The roots are long-lived, throwing up canes the first year which do not yield fruit until the second year. Once they have given up their fruit, they are done and should be removed. In spring, prune lightly. Susceptible to aphids, crown gall, cane blight, Botrytis and viral diseases.

HARVEST: Leaves are taken either before plant flowers or during flowering, then dried; roots are lifted in summer and dried (root bark is taken at the same time); berries are taken when ripe and used fresh or dried; young shoots are also harvested for some uses in spring..

SOLVENT: Water, alcohol

FLOWERS: June to September

RELATED SPECIES:

CREEPING BLACKBERRY (R. procumbens): Was used by Native Americans for diarrhea and dysentary.

THORNLESS (or Low) BLACKBERRY (R. canadensis): Fruit was eaten by the Iroquois and Kansas Indians.

PURPLE-FLOWERING RASPBERRY (R. odoratus): Was being investigated in 1977 as a possible cancer therapeutic agent.

R. ALLEGHANIENSIS (syn. R. villosus var montanus): Prickles straight, not hooked, and with a range from eastern Canada south to Missouri, Tennessee, and North Carolina, found in thickets and clearings. The Menominees and Prairie Potawatomis used an infusion of the root as an eyewash for sore eyes; also as a poultice. The Meskwaki boiled the root and used the decoction as an antidote to poison.

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BIO:

About the Author: Judi Singleton publishes Jassmine's Journal, one ezine, nine lists, target your advertising, subscribe today
http://www.motherearthpublishing.com

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