Ribes uva-crispa
Botanical Nomenclature | Ribes uva-crispa |
Common Name | Gooseberry |
Taxonomy- Family | Grossulariaceae |
Distinguishing Features of the Plant | Ribes uva-crispa is a herbaceous, perennial plant growing from 1 to 1,5m, with deeply lobed, smooth or plush, green leaves and bell-shaped, white flowers. The fruits are oval, soft, bigger than Currant's one, sweet or slight sour, green, yellow or red. The flowering lasts from March to May, the fruiting happens from July to September and the harvesting takes place from July to August |
Region Found | Epirus (cultivated, not wild species) |
Part of the Plant with Active Substances | Leaves, fruits |
Active Substances | Vitamin C, E, A, fiber, antioxidants, polyphenol, citric acid, inorganic salts, carbohydrates, tannins |
Pharmacological Effects - Therapeutic Applications | The fruits are laxative, while the leaves have astringent and antioxidant properties. The plant is recommended for the treatment of diarrhea, vomiting, bleeding, hemorrhoids and phlebitis. The leaves infusion is used as astringent against dysentery and sores. The fruits, as all berries, improve visual acuity, as well are used against diabetes. |
Method of Administration | It is administered as laxative and astringent in the form of infusion (a spoon of dried herb in a cup of boiling water for 15min, 2-3 times a day) Warning: The use of herb preparations is not recommended without seeking advice from your physician or pharmacist. The substances they contain may interact with the subscribed drugs that the patient already takes, thus eliminating their therapeutic efficacy or inducing toxicity. They may also burden further weakened vital functions of the body thus exposing the patient to increased morbidity and life threatened conditions. |
Toxicity- Adverse Effects | The fresh leaves, possibly contain toxic cyanogenic glycosides, which in small quantities stimulate the respiration and improve digestion, but in large doses they may cause respiratory failure and death. |
References | 1) http://www.4epoches.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=463:%CE%BB%CE%B1%CE%B3%CE%BF%CE%BA%CE%AD%CF%81%CE%B1%CF%83%CE%BF-ribes-grossularia-%CE%AE-ribes-uva-crispa&catid=108&Itemid=520 2) http://www.reherb.eu/el/content/ribes-uva-crispa-subsp-austro-europaeum 3) http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Ribes+uva-crispa 4) http://www.naturalmedicinalherbs.net/herbs/r/ribes-uva-crispa=gooseberry.php 5) http://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/g/gooseb29.html#con |