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Uses
- Black currant is a plant. People use the seed oil, leaves, fruit, and flowers to make medicine.
- Women use black currant seed oil for treating symptoms of menopause, premenstrual syndrome, painful periods, and breast tenderness. It is also used for boosting immunity.
- Black currant berry is used for coughs and Alzheimer’s disease.
- Black currant dried leaf is used for arthritis, gout, joint pain (rheumatism), diarrhea,colic, hepatitis and other liver ailments, convulsions, and disorders that cause swelling (inflammation) of the mouth and throat. Black currant dried leaf is also used for treating coughs, colds, and whooping cough; disinfecting the urine; promoting urine flow; treating bladder stones, and as a cleansing tea.
- Some people apply black currant leaf directly to the skin for treating wounds andinsect bites.
- In foods, black currant berry is used to flavor liqueurs and other products. People also eat black currant berry.
Benefits
- Black currant seed oil contains a chemical called gamma-linolenic acid (GLA). Some research suggests that GLA might improve the effectiveness of the immune system, making it more able to fight off disease. Black currant seed oil and leaves might also help decrease swelling.
Cautions
- Black currant is LIKELY SAFE when used as food, or when black currant berry or seed oil is used appropriately as medicine. Not enough is known about black currant dried leaf to be able to rate its safety.
- Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There is not enough reliable information about the safety of taking black currant if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
- Bleeding disorders: Black currant might slow blood clotting. There is some concern that it might increase the risk of bruising and bleeding in people with bleeding disorders.
- Low blood pressure: Black currant can lower blood pressure. In theory, taking black currant might make blood pressure become too low in people with low blood pressure.
- Surgery: Black currant might slow blood clotting. There is concern that it might increase the risk of extra bleeding during and after surgery. Stop taking black currant at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.
Other Names
Black Currant Seed Oil, Cassis, European Black Currant, Feuille de Cassis, Gadelier Noir, Groseille Noir, Grosella Negra, Huile de Pépins de Cassis, Nabar, Paper, Ribes Nigri Folium (Black Currant Leaf), Ribes Nero, Ribes nigrum.
References
Source: WebMD, “Black Currant”, http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/