Black Currant

Scientific Name(s): Ribes nigrum
Common Name(s): Black currant, Blackcurrant, European black currant, Gichtbeerblaetter, Johannisbeere (German), Kurokarin, Quincy berries, Schwarze (German), Siyah Frenkuzumu

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Apr 21, 2022.

Clinical Overview

Use

Evidence is conflicting regarding the benefits of black currant as an antioxidant source and in night- and fatigue-related visual impairment. Two small published trials showed some benefit in rheumatoid arthritis, but black currant was not compared to a gold standard. Long-term safety and efficacy have not been studied for any of the above potential uses. Oil and juice extracts have also exhibited limited antimicrobial and prebiotic activities, as well as potential benefit in preventing infant atopic dermatitis, reducing cardiovascular risk, and improving certain exercise performance measures.

Dosing

Limited clinical trial data exist to provide dosage recommendations. Standardization of commercial products has usually been related to anthocyanin and/or vitamin C content. A tea made from 2 to 4 g of chopped leaves can be administered several times per day. Commercial extract products have been used at daily doses ranging from 300 mg to 6 g for 1 to 2 weeks for improvements in exercise performance and recovery. Black currant juice drinks with low (6.4%) and high (20%) juice concentrations have been administered at 250 mL/day for 6 weeks to improve cardiovascular risk parameters.

Contraindications

Contraindications have not been identified.

Pregnancy/Lactation

Information regarding safety and efficacy in pregnancy and lactation is lacking.

Interactions

None well documented.

Adverse Reactions

Self-limiting adverse reactions have been reported, including indigestion, loose bowels, and increased urinary frequency. Although no direct evidence is available, black currant should be used with caution in epileptic patients because lowered seizure threshold has been reported with evening primrose oil.

Toxicology

No data.

Scientific Family

• Grossulariaceae (currant)

Botany

Black currant is a stout, woody, usually spineless, deciduous shrub native to northern Asia and central and eastern Europe and cultivated in the United States and throughout the world. The plant grows to an untrimmed height of about 1.2 to 2.1 m and has tooth-edged, maple-like leaves.Gopalan 2012 The fruits are resistant to cold or changing temperatures but do not thrive in hot or dry climates. Some Ribes species are fragrant, but R. nigrum possesses a strong, unpleasant odor. In spring, the flowers are yellowish-white, are shaped like small bells, and grow alternately in a row. In the fall, clusters of 4 to 6 black-red fruits ripen from the main branch and are used to make jams and jellies.van Wyk 2005 Ribes species in the Grossulariaceae (currant) family are sometimes included in the Saxifragaceae family.Määttä 2003, USDA 2013

History

Black current plant was first domesticated for its fruit approximately 400 to 500 years ago. It has been used in Chinese folk medicine as a diuretic, diaphoretic, and febrifuge. It has also been used as an ingredient in nutraceuticals, wines, juices, and jams in China and Europe.Matsumoto 2005, Suzutani 2003 It was used as a flavoring and coloring agent in syrupus ribis fructus, or "syrup of currants" (100 parts red currants, 10 parts red cherries, and 5 parts black currants).

An infusion of the leaves has been used in the treatment of edema, rheumatic pain, whoopi...