Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1

Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa) has a history of use in traditional European herbal medicine, particularly for external applications such as wound treatment and to help control minor bleeding. Folk remedies sometimes involved the use of blackthorn bark or leaves applied as poultices or washes to minor cuts or abrasions, under the belief that the plant’s astringent properties could help constrict tissue and thus reduce bleeding. These astringent effects are largely attributed to the presence of tannins, which are known to have a mild contracting effect on skin and mucous membranes. However, there are no substantial clinical studies or robust pharmacological investigations directly validating the efficacy of blackthorn for stopping external bleeding in humans. The recommendation for its use in this context is therefore grounded in ethnobotanical and historical sources rather than scientific research. Contemporary herbal literature may still reference blackthorn’s traditional use for minor bleeding, but authoritative sources and systematic reviews do not list it as a standard or proven remedy for this condition. Consequently, while blackthorn’s application in this context is part of traditional herbal practice, the supporting evidence is weak and largely anecdotal.

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