Blackberry
Blackberry is an herbaceous plant that originates in the subtropical regions of Asia, Europe, North America and Central America. This herb grows to a height of one meter and has a strong coniferous aroma and astringent taste. One of the oldest medicinal herbs known to humans, has been used several types of this plant in Chinese medicine, Indian and Romanian, and despite the fame of this herb in ancient folk medicine, but its uses decreased in the previous centuries until the spread at the beginning of the twentieth century for weight loss and improve athletic performance, but after testing several risks of misuse was limited to the use of this herb in the past two decades under a lot of censorship and caveats, which are not currently considered safe plant for use and should be avoided.
Benefits of Blackberry
Despite the therapeutic benefits of blackberry herb, it is not recommended to eat the products containing it frequently because of its toxicity, and the side effects that can be serious, and include the benefits and therapeutic effects of this herb as follows:
- Blackberries extend the bronchial tubes, which explains the use of this herb popularly in cases of asthma, and relieve nasal congestion, but its use in these purposes requires further scientific research to clarify its effectiveness.
- Blackberry stimulates the nervous system, which explains its current use of weight loss and improves athletic performance in both endurance and body building exercises. It also increases metabolic rate in fatty tissue and appetite suppression. The herb is scientifically effective in weight loss, especially when used with a diet for weight loss as well as exercise, but its use may cause serious side effects even in healthy people who abide by the instructions of use, and should therefore be avoided. As for its effectiveness in improving athletic performance, it is not scientifically proven, and research has found that taking it with caffeine was not more effective than caffeine alone in improving athletic performance.
- Blackberry carries anti-inflammatory effects.
- It was found that isolated compounds from the roots of the herb of blackberries have antihypertensive effects in experimental animals, which is contrary to the effect of the herb known as hypertension. These results are consistent with Chinese belief that the root of the blackberry plant has the opposite effect of the upper parts of it.
- Some scientific research has found that blackberry has low glycemic effects in diabetes, but eating this herb may interfere with blood sugar control in people with diabetes and who take other treatments, and should therefore be avoided.
- Food supplements made from this herb are popularly used in China to treat asthma, cough, cold, flu, fever, chills, headaches, edema, nasal congestion and joint pain.
- Dietary supplements made from this herb are popularly used in Western countries, alone or with caffeine, as stimulants of the central nervous system and in improving mood.
- The herb is used by cancer patients, which began in Palestine and then spread to the Middle East, and is believed to be a miracle herb in the treatment of cancer, but in a study examined the effect of this herb on cancer cells using cell lines did not have any effect on breast cancer cells, while it was found to reduce the efficiency of some chemical treatments against these cells.
Side effects and precautions
During the past years there have been many cases of poisoning after the use of herb blackberries or ephedrine, due to the general use of misuse, or use in cases where prohibited use, or sensitivity to this herb, and include cases of poisoning symptoms related to the cardiovascular system or the nervous system. The most common symptom is high blood pressure followed by palpitations or irregular heartbeat, or both, stroke, and seizures. Poisoning in some cases ended in death (10 cases) or permanent disability (13 cases). This herb in the United States of America because of the health risks associated with their use. It is not recommended to use the products containing them. They are considered unsafe in adults and children. Other stimulants, such as caffeine and drinks containing tea, coffee and others, and can cause this herb less serious side effects, such as dizziness, irritability, anxiety and tension, feeling heart palpitations, headaches, nausea, vomiting, and others.
The use of blackberry is prohibited for patients with stress and other diseases and cardiovascular disorders, such as angina, arrhythmias, long QT syndrome, glaucoma, diabetes, and hyperactivity Thyroid gland, anxiety disorders, essential tremor syndrome, kidney stones, pheochromocytoma, and eating of this herb by pregnant and lactating women. In a manner raise the risk of side symptoms.
Note : This article is not considered a health reference, please consult your doctor before using any herbal or alternative treatments.