Spirit Food – Blackberries

ORIGIN

The blackberry is known throughout ancient history. Blackberries have been used in
Europe for over 2000 years. They were used for eating, medicinal purposes, and also
as hedges to keep out marauders. The leaves were often used to wash wounds to help
stop them from excess bleeding.

Blackberries grow on bramble trees and fruit in mid to late summer. There are more
than 40 species of blackberry. Blackberries were always considered wild and in the
early days they were not cultivated. People would travel to where a bush was growing
and gather the berries.

The common species of blackberry was well-known by the Greeks and the Romans.
Blackberries have also been consumed for centuries by Native Americans who also
used the blackberry canes and vines to make twine.

The blackberry, also known as bramble, is well known worldwide. There are
numerous subtypes of blackberries mostly found in North America and Canada.
Blackberries are also located in Great Britain, New Zealand, Chile, and in most
European and Mediterranean countries.

Blackberries have been used to treat bowel problems and fever for more than 2,000
years. The root, bark and leaf were used in medicinal applications. They were boiled
in water and given as a medicine for whooping cough. Blackberries are a good source
of fibre and essential vitamins and minerals and have various potential health benefits.

CHAKRA – Throat

PHYSICAL BENEFITS

Blackberries keep you feeling full for longer and they also minimise your risk for
diverticulitis, constipation, and heart disease. Blackberries are full of vitamin C and
they are high in fibre. Blackberries are a great source of vitamin K and are high in
manganese. A one-cup serving of blackberries contains 62 calories, 1 grams fat, 2
grams protein, and 14 grams carbohydrates including 8 grams of dietary fibre. This is
32 per cent of your daily fibre requirement.
Blackberries contain several polyphenol antioxidants including tannins and
phenylpropanoids. These antioxidants are known to protect your body against a
variety of oxidizing agents that can cause neurodegenerative diseases and
cardiovascular diseases.

According to an article in Nutrition Reviews in 2010, the vitamins, minerals,

phytochemicals and fibre in blackberries may help to lower your risk for heart disease.
This decreased risk is believed to result from limiting inflammation and oxidative
stress. This is achieved through an increase in antioxidants in your blood and limiting
cholesterol build-up in your arteries. The anthocyanin content of the berries is the
active ingredient.

Eating blackberries may improve brain health and help prevent memory loss that is
caused by ageing, according to a scientific research review. This concluded that
antioxidants in berry fruits help fight free radicals and alter how neurons
communicate. This may help reduce brain inflammation and thus minimise the
cognitive and motor issues that are common with ageing.

Adding more blackberries as well as other berries to your diet may lower your risk for
cancer. Some researchers saw that Blackberry and other berry extracts inhibited the
growth of cancer cells in laboratory tests.

Increasing the amount of Blackberry extract further increased the effect. Blackberry
extract has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties that fight off some types of
bacteria that cause oral disease. Research suggests that blackberry extract may help
prevent and control gum disease and cavities.

SPIRITUAL BENEFITS

Blackberries have multiple meanings across religious, ethnic and mythological realms.
The Blackberry has been used for a variety of medicinal purposes by Native American
peoples and Western Europeans for centuries. In Celtic lore, blackberries are seen as a
pagan fairy fruit.

Witches used blackberries when casting money spells. They believed that blackberries
contain properties of abundance and prosperity. The leaves and berries are believed to
attract wealth and healing.
Blackberries have a long history of healing women’s diseases. Used in syrups, healing
teas and pies, the blackberry leaves are cooling and the roots are astringent.
Blackberries were also often used to treat sore throats, bites from venomous creatures,
wounds, and diarrhoea. According to English folklore, passing under an archway
formed by a bramble branch, sometimes at a certain moon phase, will prevent or cure
many things including hernias, ruptures, pimples and boils.

According to Christian folklore, Christ’s crown of thorns was made of brambles and
this is why the berries changed from red to black. Blackberries are used for protection
from malevolent energies and also in spells for protection from ghosts. If the bramble
is twined into a wreath with rowan and ivy then it will keep away evil spirits.
Blackberries are considered protective against bad sorcerers, shadow witches,
earthbound spirits, and vampires. If blackberry bushes are planted near a home then a
vampire cannot enter.

CONNECT WITH BLACKBERRY

Blackberries are commonly eaten out of the hand. You can connect with Blackberries
by picking them yourself when ripe whilst avoiding the thorns, wasps and bees.

There are many ways to enjoy blackberries. They can be used in jams, jellies, and
mixed with other fruits. You can combine other ingredients like yoghurt and seeds to
create a delicious and healthy summer dish. Blackberries are versatile fruits used in
baked goods. You can also add them to fruit or vegetable salads or turn them into
jellies or sauces. Blackberries are often combined with salads and fruit desserts. Mix
blackberries with apples, kiwi and strawberries to make a delicious fruit salsa.