Black Currant Purchase & Information
Alternative Names
Black Currant Seed Oil, Cassis, European Black Currant, Groseille Noir, Grosella Negra, Nabar, Paper, Ribes Nigri Folium (black currant leaf), Ribes Nero CAUTION: Please refer to separate listings for Borage, Evening Primrose Oil, Gamma Linolenic Acid (GLA), and Omega-6 Fatty Acids
Scientific Name
Ribes Nigrum / Americanum
Why Do People Use Black Currant?
Oral preparations of Ribes nigrum (Black currant), like black currant powder, are used for the treatment of premenstrual syndrome (PMS), for menopausal symptoms, mastodynia, dysmenorrhea, for boosting immunity and hyperlipidemia. It is also used for Alzheimer's disease, upper respiratory tract infections such as the influenza and common cold, peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and muscle fatigue. Black currant’s dried leaves are used orally for gout, arthritis, diarrhea, rheumatism, hepatitis, colic, convulsions, liver ailments and inflammatory disorders of the mouth and throat. Dried leaves of black currant are also used for coughs and colds, disinfecting the urine, whooping cough, treating bladder stones, promoting diuresis and as a cleansing tea.
Topically - Leaves of black currant are topically used to cure insect bites and wounds.
In Foods Items - Black currant berry is used as a flavoring agent in liquors, as a food and for flavorings as well.
Is It Safe To Use?
Likely Safe - Oral and appropriate consumption of black currant thought to be safe for individuals. Black currant leaves, juice and flowers have attained Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) status in the United States. Black currant seed oil or berry has been used safely in number of human clinical studies.
Avoid in Lactation & Pregnancy - Physicians recommend to avoid oral or topical consumption of black currant in these conditions because there is scarce and unreliable information available about its safety.
How Effective Is Black Currant?
Hyperlipidemia - Initial experiments suggest that black currant seed oil can decrease cholesterol level in some individuals. In one clinical experiment, daily oral consumption of three grams of black currant seed oil for 4 weeks significantly decreased the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in healthy women. In another clinical trial, oral consumption of 1.8 mg of black currant seed oil two times every day significantly reduced triglycerides by about 34%, total cholesterol by about 16% and increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) by about 35% after six weeks of treatment in patients suffering from dyslipidemia.
Japanese Cedar Pollinosis - Initial experiments suggest that oral intake of black currant polysaccharide extract does not improve symptoms in patients suffering from Japanese cedar pollinosis.
Muscle Fatigue - Clinical studies also recommend that taking black currant may decrease the muscle fatigue. In an initial experiment, oral consumption of black currant anthocyanin extract 17 mg per kg seems to decrease the muscle stiffness.
Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) - There are some clinical studies which show that using a mixture of orange juice and black currant juice for four weeks can significantly decrease the markers of inflammation including fibrinogen and C-reactive protein in patients with peripheral arterial issues, on other hand, drinking the juice did not affect endothelial activation.
How Black Currant Works?
The most effective part of Ribes nigrum are the berry, seed oil, leaves and flower. Black currant berries contain delphinidine-3-glucoside, cyanidin-3-rutinoside and anthocyanidins delphinidin-3-rutinoside. But these anthocyanidins do not seem to be absorbed in most of the conditions. Oral consumption of black currant berries generally enhance the blood levels of quercetin.
Seed oil of black currant is obtained by pressing the seeds found in the fruit of black currant. There is 6% - 19% gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), 13% - 15% alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), an omega-6 fatty acid and an omega-3 fatty acid in black currant.
Seed oil of black currant may enhance the immune response in healthy and elderly individuals by decreasing prostaglandin E2 (PGE-2) production. However the supplements made of black currant seed oil can improve immune response in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and improve the prolonged hypersensitivity skin testing response.
Studies recommend that black currant powder may suppress markers of exercise-induced oxidative stress.
What Are The Side Effects /Adverse Reactions of Black Currant?
No known side effect.
How Black Currant Interacts With Other Herbs and Supplements?
Antiplatelet or Anticoagulant Contained Supplements & Herbs - Black currant consists of gamma linolenic acid (GLA), which has antiplatelet impacts. Combination of black currant with a number of other supplements that may affect platelet aggregation could enhance the potential risk of bleeding. Herbs in such category include clove, danshen, ginkgo, angelica, Panax ginseng, garlic, ginger and others.
How Black Currant Interacts With Drugs?
Anesthesia - Interaction rating between black currant powder and anesthetics is moderate, so be careful about this mixture. Oral consumption of black currant may enhance the risk of seizure in patients under anesthesia.
Antiplatelet or Anticoagulant Drugs - Interaction rating between black currant and drugs containing antiplatelet or anticoagulant properties is moderate so be careful about this mixture. Black currant may enhance the potential risks of the risk of bleeding if used in combination with antiplatelet or anticoagulant drugs. The constituents of black currant, such as gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), seems to have antiplatelet activity. Mixture of GLA and other antiplatelet or anticoagulant drugs may enhance the potential risk of bleeding or bruising. Some of these drugs include clopidogrel (Plavix), aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) which include ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil and others), diclofenac (Cataflam, Voltaren others), dalteparin (Fragmin), naproxen (Naprosyn, Anaprox, others), enoxaparin (Lovenox), warfarin (Coumadin), heparin and others.
How Black Currant Interacts With Foods?
Not known.
How Black Currant Interacts With Lab Tests?
Bleeding Time - Black currant powder consists of gamma linolenic acid (GLA). This inhibits platelet aggregation and can increase the bleeding time and related lab results.
Lipid Profile - There is significant amount of gamma linolenic acid (GLA) in Ribes nigrum. Due to this content in black currant, it may increase high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and lower plasma triglycerides in individuals.
How Black Currant Interacts With Diseases and Conditions?
Bleeding Disorders - There are platelet inhibiting effects are reported due to GLA content in black currant which may enhance the bleeding time and increase the risk of bleeding and bruising.
Surgery - There are platelet inhibiting effects are reported due to GLA content in black currant which may result in over bleeding if consumed perioperatively. Therefore, patients should discontinue black currant at least two weeks before suggested surgical procedures.
What Should Be the Dose/Administration of Black Currant?
ORAL In order to treat muscle fatigue, commonly 17 mg/kg of black currant anthocyanin has been consumed.
To relieve hyperlipidemia, 1.5 to 1.8 grams of black currant seed oil should be consumed two times every day.
For peripheral arterial disease (PAD), black currant juice and orange juice 500 mL daily has been used.
Comments
None.
General Certificate of Analysis (COA)
Specification sheet links below are a standard copy of the COA less the batch or lot number and manufactures dates. Specification sheet can be dated and should only be considered as a general information. Please contact and request an up to date COA if needed for specific updated information before placing order by filling out the contact form with product name and SKU number. If ordering quantities of twenty five kilos or more contact for availability.
