BLACK CURRANT


The fruits, leaves & buds of the black currant have multiple effects in treating & preventing various diseases. 

Black currants are known for their high content of vitamin C & potassium. They contain twice the amount of potassium found in bananas, 4 times the vitamin C in oranges & twice the antioxidants in blueberries.
They also contain magnesium, iron, calcium, vitamins A & B.

BERRIES:

They contain anthocyanins that help in fighting against cardiovascular disease, aging, joint inflammation, eyestrain, urinary infections, kidney stones.
The fruits are packed with anti-oxidant compounds that help in the prevention of dementia.
The derivatives of black currants are formulated into treatments for Alzheimer’s disease.
Black currants are used to cure diarrhea, tonsillitis, whooping cough & gum disease.
The fruit intensifies weak peripheral circulation caused by menopause & cleans the blood of toxins, wastes & cholesterol.
A diet rich in black currants proves to be helpful against rheumatism, arthritis & gout.
Early European folklore has black currants being used for treating general fatigueinflammation of the mouth, stomach & bowel, lung & cough aliments & as a diuretic.
Black currants show positive effects on inhibiting the influenza virus, decreasing airways inflammation, enhancing pro-biotic bacteria levels & anti-cancer effects.
Because it contains vitamin C, the black currant is used in treating cardiovascular diseases, preventing cardiac insufficiency & vascular accidents, it increases the resistance of fragile sanguine capillaries, reduces arterial hypertension.
Black currant is recommended as a systemic anti-inflammatory agent with actions similar to those of natural cortisone, in cutaneous, acute & chronic allergies, bronchial asthma, allergic rhinitis & diabetic retinopathy.
In external use, the mixtures from black currant fruits are used for treating abscess, dermatosis, eczemas & psoriasis, insect stings or hits.
The plant stimulates digestion, stimulates the functioning of the liver, pancreas, spleen & kidneys.
Because of its diuretic qualities, the plant is useful for people suffering from oliguria.
Black currants are also useful against tiredness & overwork, reduce muscle fatigue & stiffness.
The diet with these fruits is also recommended to plethoric & lymphatic people.
Black currants  support eye health & improving vision.
Black currants are also known to have anti-cancer properties as they have a high proportion of vitamin C & hence are known to be effective in fighting against breast cancer & colon cancer cells.

Drinking black currant juice is a healthy way to improve your antioxidant intake & maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Women use black currant seed oil for treating symptoms of menopause, premenstrual syndrome, painful periods & breast tenderness.
It is also used for boosting immunity.
Blackcurrant juice or extract can be taken regularly to maintain healthy resistance to viral infection, including colds, flu & herpes sores.
It is likely to speed recovery from infection as well.
The juice or extract can be taken daily for several months to help improve circulatory problems, such as capillary fragility & varicose veins.
A tablespoon of the jelly or jam was traditionally used for a sore throat (mixed into a cup of boiling water) and taken several times a day, drunk while hot. The effect was soothing and demulcent. - See more at: http://vitalitymagazine.com/article/black-currants/#sthash.hXoOqOwJ.dpuf
Mix 1 tbsp of jam with cup of boiling water & drink when you have a sore throat several times a day.

LEAVES:

Black currant leaves contain flavonoids; glycosides, essential oil, essential fatty acids, oligosaccharides, ascorbic acid, enzymes, rutin, Vitamin C & other vital nutrients. 
Black currant leaves are said to be an incredible immune booster.
Black currant leaves are diaphoretic & diuretic, they aid in the elimination or reduction of bodily fluids & they are believed to lower vascular pressure.
The leaf infusion is also believed to stimulate the nervous system & may help with stress-related ailments.
Studies in France have revealed anti-inflammatory activity in the leaves.
Due to the great amount of Vitamin C black currant leaves possess antioxidant property. 

Dried leaves of the black currant plant are known to promote flow of urine, work against the formation of bladder stones & also disinfect the urine especially when consumed on a regular basis as a cleansing tea.
Black currant dried leaf is used for arthritis, gout, joint pain (rheumatism), diarrhea, colic, hepatitis & other liver ailments, convulsions & disorders that cause swelling of the mouth & throat.
Black currant dried leaf is also used for treating coughs, colds & whooping cough.
Some people apply black currant leaf directly to the skin for treating wounds & insect bites.
Its leaves have a great diuretic capacity, they have anti-rheumatic effects, favoring the elimination of uric acids.
The mixtures from buds are used in urticaria.
The buds support adrenal gland function & treat allergic & inflammatory conditions such as asthma.


PRECAUTIONS:

Side effects of black currant berries can include slow blood clotting. For this reason, it is recommended that one stop taking this berry, tea or supplement at least 2 weeks before a planned surgery.

RECIPES:

Traditionally used in jams & pies, modern usage can see the common blackcurrant complementing salads with a generous sprinkling over the top.

Adults could try fermenting their own alcoholic beverages from the berries.
Add a little to some wine & sparkling water to create your own cocktail.

Mix with natural yogurt with some crunched up ginger biscuits for a tasty & colorful dessert.
Reduce the berries down in a saucepan, add some sugar & a little water to get a versatile puree that can be used as a base for many summer puddings.

Black currant fruits can also be consumed in form of syrup, jelly, jam, fruit jelly, marmalade or liqueur.

The black currant tea is prepared from 2 tsp of leaves cut into small pieces, soak in 250 ml of boiling water.
Consume 3 cups per day, between meals, in long diets of 5-6 months.

Natural black currant juice is obtained from 400 fruits & 4 big leaves.
It can be consumed simply or diluted in 200-500 ml water, 3-4 times a day.
It has beneficial effects against digestive inflammations & febrile states.
Throat washes can be made with it more times a day for treating inflamed tonsils & throat aches.

For Low Stomach Acid:
Drink fresh black currant juice 1/2 cup 3x per day.

Black currant cream is prepared out of fresh fruits.
In a glass bottle or jar, add layers of fruit & sugar until full.
Closed hermetically & keep macerating for 4 months.
Shake it every day.
At the end of the 4 months strain it.

The fruit decoction:
Add 1 tsp of dried fruit to 250 ml of cold water.
Boil with slight bubbling, leave to infuse for 30 minutes, strain, drink during the day in 3 or 4 stages.

Decoction made from fresh or dried leaves is prepared from 1-2 tsp of leaves to 1 l of cold water.
Boil on a weak fire to the first bubbling, then infuse for 10 minutes & drink 3-4 cups a day.
Combined with fresh crushed leaves, it is applied as an external dressing for wounds & other ulcerations.

Cold pressing of fruit, being consumed daily in doses of 4-6 tbsp at intervals of 2 hours.
It has energizing effects, assures the general fortification of the body, is good for children, elderly & ill persons in recovery.

Black Currant Jam:

1 kg black currants
500 ml water
1 kg sugar
Place the black currants & water together in a large thick bottomed pan.
Bring to the boil, reduce to simmer & cook until the fruit is softened.
The contents of the pan should be reduced by half .
Add the sugar.
Stir well whilst bringing all to boil.
Boil  until a set is obtained.
Pour into sterilized jars & seal whilst still hot.


Black Currant Syrup:

450 g black currants
250 g sugar
250 ml water
1 lemon
In a heavy-based pan, simmer the sugar, black currants & water gently for 5 minutes.
Using a potato masher, break up the fruit to release as much juice as possible.
Add sliced lemon & simmer for another 2 minutes.
Strain the mix through muslin & pour the extracted liquid into a sterilised bottle & keep in the fridge.

BEAUTY:

It is proven to help prevent aging - as it is a rich source of vitamins & antioxidants – by plummeting wrinkle development & renovating tissue impairment triggered by free radicals.

MAGIC:

Cassis liqueur, first produced by French monks in the 16th century, was used as a cure for snakebite & wretchedness.

Black currant provides assistance in fearful situations, especially in facing the self as being truly alone.

Considered to be one of the angelic fragrances, it helps learning to forgive & to be less judgmental.

Black currant is often recommended to those on a spiritual quest.

Use black currant for opening of the third eye to see the future for others as well as yourself.

Healing by remote means can be facilitated with the use of black currant.



32 comments:

  1. This syrup was really easy to make and yummy. surely high in anti oxidants

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  2. I love blackcurrant juice. Anti oxidants needed! Thanks for sharing

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  3. There are so many natural things that are healthy and good for us, i didn't know the benefits of this until now, thanks for sharing.

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  4. Black currents are so yummy and very healthy. My kids were little I make a syrup with ginger to help ease a sore throat.

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  5. BERRIES They contain anthocyanins that help in fighting against cardiovascular disease..This very correct, you bare such a genus, i love this blog.

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  6. I had no idea how beneficial these berries are! Definitely need to work on incorporating them more into my family's diet. Thanks for sharing!

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  7. I had no idea of the benefits of the berries or that you are advised to stop taking supplements of these 2 weeks before a planned surgery, very informative x

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  8. I have not really had much black current in my lifetime. I will try this out my self.
    Thanks for sharing.

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  9. Black currant is one of my faves and has so many great benefits. Must be why I drink so much Ribena haha

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  10. that's amazing how many things can be benefited by taking black currant.i like black currant jam on occasion but for the main part have never really tried it. thanks for all the ideas.

    Joy at The Joyous Living

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  11. wow I've never heard of the Black Currant and it's really cool to see all you can do with it!

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  12. natural methods of joint health and preventing inflammation are definitely something worth looking into. I've just started to dabble a bit myself.

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  13. Oh wow I had no idea they helped with so many things. The Kidney Stones was one I had no idea about and will have to tell a few friends that suffer from these. I love learning new things about what plants can do for us.

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  14. Great info. Looks like the poison berry in a hollywood movie lol. But in fact it has a lot of benefits. Wow

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  15. This is so informative, and nice to know. Thanks for sharing.

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  16. What a great and informative article. Very awesome to know that this black currant had a lot to give. I will be sharing this to my family and friends.

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  17. I love eating black currents but i never know it had so many healing properties! It makes me want to eat more of them. I'll also start drinking black current juice now that I know it boosts immune systems and helps with period pain! Fantastic blog. Thank you so much for sharing.

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  18. I never knew that this berry is jam packed with nutrients. I hope to grow one in my backyard.

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  19. This is so interesting and informative article. I have never knew that there's a lot of good benefits that a blackcurrant can give to us. I will definitely share this with others, thank you!

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  20. Waooo so many health benefits and so nutritious. Thanks for sharing this information especially the warning message to not consume them before surgery very helpful for all.

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  21. Much needed info! Most of the times we eat food without knowing the health benefits. Next time while reading black current I will remember this.

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  22. I've always loved black current but I had no idea these berries had so many properties and benefits! Thanks for sharing, this is really informative and helpful.

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  23. We tried to make the jam and my boyfriends and I love it! Amazing recipe and i find out may thing that i did not know about beries

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  24. wow I am going to sound a little ignorant here, but I never heard of Black Currant before! Sounds amazing though, lots of health benefits. Will be looking for this at my local store and maybe read more into it. Thank you for sharing!

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  25. First of all, I never knew or thought that black currant leaves could be dried. I know leaves can be dried but it never really occurred that one could dry black currant leaves. It's really amazing how many health benefits are attached to it. Thanks for sharing.

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  26. I've heard about the benefits of black currant but I didn't know it helps with aging. Hmm.. Seems like I had to raid our supermarket for this! Thank you very much!

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  27. There are so many great ways to use the berries. I'd like to try the black currant jam.

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  28. Whoa! Would I have know that black currant has this much health benefits and also, supernatural uses? I now think I should be taking more of the fruit.

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  29. Ohh wow these black currant reminds me of my childhood. Our Grandparents have lots of these planted in their backyard, and we spend our weekends picking these berries. It was a beautiful childhood!

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  30. These berries looks so delicious..Add the vitamins and minerals it can give the body..

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