MEDICINAL PLANTS

The currant is a shrub that can grow to five feet. The branches are thick, bright, yellowish-brown. The buds are alternate, oval, and are covered with rounded scales tomentose with yellowish glands. The flowers are produced in hanging clusters, born in the axils of the leaves, these flowers have a corolla-like calyx, which is divided into five lobes extended, yellowish green. It breeds across central Europe and northern Asia and America. In our country, by contrast, very little is grown.

FLOWERING

THE currant flowers in spring. It reproduces vegetatively from a few small fragments that are cut in early spring, before the appearance of the leaves. It can also play grafts from the lower branches. For medicinal purposes are harvested fruits from July, when already mature.

APPLICATIONS

As discussed before, is the fruit that contains the active ingredients of the gooseberry, though the leaves can also find some interesting compound. Currant juice contains various sugars such as glucose and levulose, which are communicated to it that is so characteristic sweetness. They also appear various acids such as malic, citric, tartaric, salicylic, etc. Which provide the sour flavor of the fruit. They may also appear pectins. They are an important source of vitamin C. They are a good appetizer, especially when eaten early in the day as breakfast, which is very common in certain European countries. Very diuretics and are considered to have significant gastrointestinal anti-inflammatory action. Currant juice or sweetened is usually taken in large quantities to reduce fever. This species, by its very nature, lack in Mediterranean countries, why not much is known about the effectiveness of its most popular uses. In Spain we have three species of this genus, easily distinguished by their morphological characteristics. In any case, it is difficult to find these fruits in Spain, although they are brought from outside.

ADMINISTRATION

Currant syrup. It is prepared from fresh fruit juice freshly pressed, unfermented. Mix 1 kg. 0.5 kg of sugar. Currant juice and stir until sugar is completely dissolved. There is no need to filter the result, being able to take in moderation.
Infusion. With a dessert spoon per cup. It takes three cups a day.

SUMMARY

FAMILY: Saxifragaceas
HABITAT: Central Europe, Asia and Latin
FLOWERING: Spring
PART USED: Fruit
CATALAN: Riber roig
BASQUE: Andere-mahats

USES

Strong diuretic, Appetizer Moderate, Mild gastrointestinal inflammatory.