Is it safe to drink the juice of the blackthorn fruit?

What kind of plant is the blackthorn plant?

The article on the Medlatec General Hospital website, with medical consultation from Dr. Duong Ngoc Van, states that the scientific name of Celastrus hindsii Benth is Celastrus hindsii Benth, also known by other names such as Bach Van Hoa, Bach Giai, and Day Goi.

This is a woody vine that clings to larger trees when growing wild, but when cultivated, its branches intertwine to form clumps. The stem of the blackthorn is round, 3-10m long, light gray and hairless when young, but turns brown and hairy as it matures, gradually turning green.

In Vietnam, the blackthorn plant grows wild in many forests of the northern mountainous regions such as Ninh Binh , Hoa Binh, and Thua Thien Hue. The chemical composition of this plant includes:

- Polyphenols: kaempferol 3-rutinoside, rutin, lithospermic acid, rosmarinic acid, lithospermic acid B.

-Triterpene and Sesquiterpene: 1b, 6a, estar agarofuran sesquiterpene, glucosyringic acid, loranthol, emarginatine E, lupenone.

- Other groups of compounds include: amino acids, tannins, and flavonoids.

Currently, there is a type of plant on the market called "golden turmeric" that looks relatively similar to "black turmeric," but it has no health benefits whatsoever. To avoid confusion, users need to know the following differences:

With fresh plants

+ Blackthorn plant: young leaves are purple, thick, and serrated; as they mature, the leaves turn dark green, and the stem is dark in color.

+ Goldenrod: leaves are thin and lack purple hue, and are not serrated; as the plant matures, the leaves turn green.

- With dried plants

+ Blackthorn plant: leaves have a mild fragrance, are not brittle or crumbly; the stem is black and fragrant.

+ Goldenrod: its leaves crumble easily and become brittle when dried; the stem is pale white and odorless.

Blackthorn fruit is also a type of medicinal herb.

Is it safe to drink the juice of the blackthorn fruit?

According to the Health & Life newspaper, Dr. Tran Ngoc Que, Chairman of the Quang Binh Traditional Medicine Association, stated that the blackthorn fruit can be consumed orally. Several remedies using blackthorn fruit are effective in treating specific diseases:

- Treatment for hepatitis: Boil 50g of blackthorn fruit in 800ml of water for 15-20 minutes, then drink the resulting liquid throughout the day.

- Treatment for gallstones: 50g of blackthorn fruit, 12g of goldenrod, 10g of plantain, 1000ml of water, boil for 15-20 minutes and drink throughout the day instead of water.

- Treatment for cirrhosis: 80g of blackthorn fruit, 20g of *Nhội* (a type of herb), 20g of *Hoàng bá* (a type of herb), 1000ml of water, boil until only 400ml remains, divide into two doses and drink twice a day.

- Treatment for high liver enzymes: Boil 60g of blackthorn fruit and 10g of Anxoa (a type of herb) for 15-20 minutes, then drink the decoction throughout the day.

- Support for cancer patients: 60g of blackthorn fruit, 100g of Anxoa herb, 50g of blood grass, 50g of Vuong Ton herb, 1000ml of water, boil until 400ml remains, divide into 2 doses and drink twice a day.

Note: Patients wishing to use black sesame seeds must do so under the guidance of a specialist doctor. Do not use them without consulting your doctor or healthcare provider.

Ha An (Compiled)

Source: https://vtcnews.vn/qua-xa-den-co-uong-duoc-ar907533.html