The Medicinal Uses of Currants and Gooseberries

While the time for harvesting herbs to make medicine ranges from spring through fall depending on the plant and which parts are being used, spring is generally the best time for plant identification.  That’s when the flowers are out, and it’s the flowers that make narrowing down the list of options possible.  When we moved here last fall, it was easy to see that we had loads of wild shrubs.  But there was no way I was going to attempt to identify them without any flowers to help me out.

A trip down the driveway last month revealed that growing alongside the chokecherries we also had some gooseberries and wax currants.  Another score for medicinal herbs and emergency food.  (Of course, the “emergency food” won’t be for us—we prefer the food we’re accustomed to, but the gooseberries and currants can feed those grasshoppers who preferred to play instead of prepare alongside the ants.  However, gooseberries and currants are high in pectin and can be used for making jam and jellies.)

Over 60 species of the currants and gooseberries, all members of the Ribes family, can be found all over the western states.  The flowers, leaves, and fruit color and taste vary widely.  Fortunately, making the medicine is straightforward.

HARVEST

Leaves and fruit.  Mature fruit ranges in color from green to orange, red, purple, and black, depending on exact species.  Black-fruited species have a higher content of anti-inflammatory compounds.[1]  Recent studies have shown that the quercetin content in the leaves is higher when they are harvested at the end of the season.[2]  Harvest 1-2 feet of the leafing branch ends and dry flat.  After completely dry, remove the leaves from the branches.[3]   Store the leaves in a glass jar in a cool, dry place.

EFFECTIVE AGAINST

• Streptococcus[4]
• Candida[5]

PREPARATION

Infusion.  4-8 ounces, 2-3 times per day.[6]

Poultice.  Crushed (fresh) leaves.[7]

USAGE

• Dental
• Bleeding/inflamed gums (infusion, gargle)[8]
• Mouth sores (infusion, gargle)[9]
• Gastrointestinal
• Diarrhea (infusion)[10]
• Musculoskeletal
• Arthritis (infusion) [11]
• Respiratory
• Cold (fresh or dried fruit, infusion)[12]
• Sore throat (infusion, gargle)[13]
• Skin
• Abrasions
• Infusion, used externally as a wash[14]
• Poultice[15]
• Contact dermatitis (i.e., poison ivy, etc.)
• Infusion, used externally as a wash[16]
• Erysipelas
• Infusion, used externally as a wash[17]
• Lacerations
• Infusion, used externally as a wash
• Poultice[18]
• Sunburn
• Infusion, used externally as a wash[19]
• Poultice[20]
• Urogenital
• Cystitis (infusion) [21]
• Other
• The fruit is an excellent source of vitamin C. [22]

Cautions.  Eating too many currants or gooseberries may cause stomach upset.

 

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[1] Charles W. Kane, Medicinal Plants of the Western Mountain States, 2017, 256.

[2] Michael Vagiri, et al., Phenolic compounds in black currant (Ribes nigrum L.) leaves relative to leaf position and harvest date, Food Chemistry, 1 April 2015, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25442534/ (accessed 3 June 2021).

[3] Charles W. Kane, Medicinal Plants of the Western Mountain States, 2017, 257.

[4] Linda Kershaw, Edible and Medicinal Plants of the Rockies, 2000, 52.

[5] Linda Kershaw, Edible and Medicinal Plants of the Rockies, 2000, 52.

[6] Charles W. Kane, Medicinal Plants of the Western Mountain States, 2017, 257.

[7] Charles W. Kane, Medicinal Plants of the Western Mountain States, 2017, 257.

[8] Charles W. Kane, Medicinal Plants of the Western Mountain States, 2017, 257.

[9] Charles W. Kane, Medicinal Plants of the Western Mountain States, 2017, 257.

[10] Charles W. Kane, Medicinal Plants of the Western Mountain States, 2017, 257.

[11] Charles W. Kane, Medicinal Plants of the Western Mountain States, 2017, 257.

[12] Linda Kershaw, Edible and Medicinal Plants of the Rockies, 2000, 52.

[13] Charles W. Kane, Medicinal Plants of the Western Mountain States, 2017, 257.

[14] Charles W. Kane, Medicinal Plants of the Western Mountain States, 2017, 257.

[15] Charles W. Kane, Medicinal Plants of the Western Mountain States, 2017, 257.

[16] Linda Kershaw, Edible and Medicinal Plants of the Rockies, 2000, 52.

[17] Linda Kershaw, Edible and Medicinal Plants of the Rockies, 2000, 52.

[18] Charles W. Kane, Medicinal Plants of the Western Mountain States, 2017, 257.

[19] Charles W. Kane, Medicinal Plants of the Western Mountain States, 2017, 257.

[20] Charles W. Kane, Medicinal Plants of the Western Mountain States, 2017, 257.

[21] Charles W. Kane, Medicinal Plants of the Western Mountain States, 2017, 257.

[22] Charles W. Kane, Medicinal Plants of the Western Mountain States, 2017, 257.