Blackberry Leaf Tea Benefits: A Revitalizing and Reinforcing Drink 

Blackberry leaf tea is a pleasant-tasting medicinal tea. It is unique for its pharmaceutical and healing properties, mild taste, and delicate aroma. Blackberry leaf tea is perfect for those who want to warm up on a cold winter’s day and have a cup of fragrant tea. It is also a powerful help for a sore throat or immunity boosting—the prominent blackberry leaf tea benefits. 

You will learn how to harvest blackberry leaves, and make tea for healing, tasting, and feeling.  

What Blackberries Look Like and Where They Grow? 

Of course, blackberry leaves grow on blackberry bushes. The blackberry (Rubus) is a thorny shrub with biennial, woody, spiny stems. The leaves are compound, usually in three leaflets. The flowers of blackberry are white, sometimes pink or red. They are double, clustered in clusters. The fruit is a blackberry berry. Many black, purple, or red drupes compose the fruit.

All parts of the blackberry have medicinal and nutritional properties. Blackberry root tea helped to relieve the pain of childbirth. The juice of the berries was provided to reduce the stomach colic. People also chewed the leaves for toothache. 

Blackberries grow in damp areas such as forests, riversides, lakeside, roadsides, and patios. Blackberry growing areas have been shrinking and replaced by farmland, deforestation, etc. in recent years. It is easier to cultivate this medicinal shrub by yourself if you have the option. Blackberries are low-maintenance quick and easy to propagate. If you grow blackberries, you will always be able to harvest their leaves for making tea. 

How to Prepare the Raw Material?  

Of course, you can brew blackberry tea from fresh or frozen blackberry leaves. However, it is much more convenient to have dried blackberry leaves. Fresh blackberry leaves are not flourishing in winter, when we need healing teas the most. 

People use dried or fermented blackberry leaves. It is advisable to pick the leaves when the bushes bloom. Be careful, as blackberry leaves have thorns like the stems. They are not as sharp, but they are still stinging. You can pick the leaves with gloves. This will also protect you from the sharp thorns on the stem. Pick only healthy, nice leaves that are free from diseases or pests.

Drying Blackberry Leaves 

Place the harvested leaves on a clean cloth or paper (newspaper is also suitable), and keep it in a well-ventilated place protected from direct sunlight. An attic is perfect. And leave them to dry. Check after a while and flip the leaves to ensure drying. 

Place the dried leaves in a paper or linen bag, tie them up, and store them in a cool, well-ventilated room. Dried blackberry leaves remain serviceable for 1–2 years.  

Fermented Blackberry Leaf Tea 

Fermentation determines whether blackberry leaves contain more medicinal properties, vitamins, and minerals than dried ones. It is a longer process and requires additional patience, but fermented blackberry leaves will reveal an even more intense flavor and aroma.  

The fermentation process: 

1. Gather the blackberry leaves, dry them slightly until barely wilted, or place them in the freezer for a while. 
2. Twist the leaves, rub them between the hands, or tap with a rolling pin. The key to this step is to decompose the structure of the blackberry leaf and sap the juice. 
3. Twist, squeeze the rubbed leaves, and place them in a jar. Compress the leaves tightly to ensure that there is no air. Close the jars and place them upside-down in a warm place. A glass-enclosed balcony is very suitable in the summer. 
4. Keep the jars warm for 1-3 days maximum. Spread out to dry the fermented leaves then. It is essential to fluff each leaf so no twisted, sticky ones are left. 
5. Place the dried blackberry leaves in a sealed clay or glass container. Store them in a dark, cool place, protected from direct sun and moisture.  
6. It is advisable to consume the fermented tea only after a few months. It will be more aromatic, richer, and more effective. 

Tip: Try fermentation with other plants, such as raspberries, blackcurrants, strawberries, cherries, blueberries, etc. 

Blackberry Leaf Tea Benefits

Blackberry leaf tea has been used since ancient times to strengthen the body, calm the nervous system, improve bowel function, and relieve climacteric symptoms. It has also been used to treat various infections of the mouth and gums, toothaches, and even anemia. What other benefits does blackberry tea have, you ask? We’ve highlighted a few key ones: 

• Blackberry leaf tea is commonly used to stop diarrhea and relieve stomach aches and pains. It also improves digestion and normalizes bowel function. 
• Blackberry leaf tea has anti-inflammatory properties, making it a beneficial aid for sore throats and gum disease. It can be used as a mouthwash. It will be even more effective when mixed with sage tea. 
• Like raspberry leaves, blackberry leaves have sweating and anti-inflammatory properties and can be used as a temperature aid. 
• Studies have confirmed the effectiveness of the compounds in blackberry leaf tea against H. pylori bacteria. These bacteria are responsible for many stomach ailments.  
• Blackberry leaf tea’s antibacterial action helps fight kidney and urinary tract infections. 
• Blackberry leaf tea has a calming effect, making it an excellent remedy for insomnia. It can also relieve the symptoms of illnesses such as hysteria and neurosis. 
• It is an indispensable aid for women’s well-being. Blackberry leaf tea is beneficial for alleviating climacteric symptoms and is particularly good for regulating hot flashes. It also relieves the pain caused by menstruation.  
• Externally, blackberry leaf tea is used as a facial wash to tone, firm, brighten, and rejuvenate the skin. It can also be used as a poultice for irritated, damaged skin. It is an excellent remedy for faster wound healing. 

Blackberry Leaf Tea: Side Effects 

Blackberry leaf tea is safe for use by all people. However, before using it for therapeutic purposes, consult your doctor first. 

Blackberry leaf tea is not recommended during the first three months of pregnancy. Pregnant women, lactating women, and children should consult with a doctor for further use.

Blackberry tea can harm stomach and liver health if consumed in large quantities. Its tannins may cause nausea or even vomiting. Milk is an excellent counteractant of tannins so you can try blackberry leaf tea with a drop of milk.  

Although there is not enough reliable data. It is thought that large amounts of blackberry leaf tea may cause excessive relaxation of the bladder muscles. People with incontinence problems should consume it with awareness. 

Blackberry Leaf Tea: How to Make It? 

Once you have prepared or purchased the raw material for blackberry leaves, making this tea is very simple and fast. And we can enjoy the wonderful aroma of blackberries and the distinctive, delicate taste of the tea. 

Ingredients: 

• 1 tsp. of blackberry leaves 
• one glass of water 

Preparation: cover the blackberry leaves with boiling water, cover, and leave to steep for 4-5 minutes. Drain. If desired, flavor with honey. Drink hot. 

Use 1–2 glasses a day. 

Tip: You can enhance the therapeutic effect of the tea. Just mix blackberry leaves with other medicinal herbs or leaves. Blackberry leaves work well with raspberry leaves, peppermint, lemon balm, thyme, and sage. Throwing a few blackberries into your tea will make it even more aromatic and delicious. 

Blackberry Leaf Tea Benefits: Strengthening Your Health 

Blackberry tea is not for pleasant sipping, when cold. You drink it to heal the body, so consume it with responsibility. This tea strengthens the body, boosts immunity, removes toxins, and cleanses the body. 

Ingredients: 

• 1 tbsp. of blackberry leaves; 
• 1 glass of water. 

Preparation: cover the blackberry leaves with boiling water and leave to infuse for 4 hours. Drain. 

Use: take 0.5 glasses, 3–4 times a day, 20–30 minutes before meals. 

Blackberry Leaf Tea for Bleeding Gums 

Blackberry leaf tea is ideal for daily oral hygiene instead of mouthwash. It is natural, alcohol-free, and works just as effectively. Or perhaps even more effective. Also suitable for children. Mix blackberry leaves with sage leaves for an even sharper effect. Use this tea as a mouthwash or rinse a sore throat. 

Ingredients: 

• 1 tbsp. of blackberry leaves; 
• 2 glasses of water.

Preparation: pour boiling water over the blackberry leaves, cover, and leave to steep for an hour. Drain it. Rinse your mouth two times a day. Be sure to rinse your mouth before bedtime. 

Blackberry leaf tea is unique not only for its taste and aroma but also for its healing properties. It is an excellent antibacterial and anti-inflammatory remedy. Enjoy it with moderation and responsibility! 

Associative photos from © Canva.