Buckthorn, also known as waythorn, is a genus of plant that is found almost worldwide. Some species are used medicinally as remedies; soap and oils can also be made from some species of buckthorn. Depending on the species, buckthorn also has agricultural significance or produces tasty fruit.
Occurrence and cultivation of buckthorn
A well-known buckthorn plant that is native to Europe is, for example, the blackthorn, purgier buckthorn or holly buckthorn. The buckthorn is a genus of the buckthorn family. The various species occur as shrubs or small trees that can grow up to 5 m tall. The plants often have thorns, and their flowers are usually inconspicuous. Most species of buckthorn turn green in summer, but some are evergreen. There are about 100 different species known in the buckthorn genus. In Australia, as well as in Madagascar and Polynesia, there are no buckthorns at all. This is due to the fact that these islands are so far away from the mainland that seeds of the buckthorn family could never reach them. The distribution is also limited in Europe and Africa. A well-known buckthorn plant native to Europe is, for example, the blackthorn, the purgier buckthorn or the holly buckthorn.
Effect and application
The fruits, but also the seeds, wood and bark of buckthorn are interesting for further processing by humans, because they receive various substances that can serve a variety of purposes. Between the 15th and 17th centuries, for example, artists used the fruits of the purgier buckthorn to make a dye with which they stained the wood before processing it. Today, experts can determine age by experimentally detecting this dye in works of art. Buckthorn also has ritual significance for some indigenous peoples. In the beliefs of the Basotho, a people living in southern Africa, the branches of the African buckthorn have the effect of a defensive spell against storms and other calamities. The agricultural importance of the buckthorn is also considerable: the African Blackthorn is cultivated along the edges of fields, where it provides a windbreak for crops grown in the fields. Christ’s thorn, which is also common in Europe and North America, also serves as a hedge for fields. In addition to its agricultural importance, the buckthorn is also highly relevant for beekeepers, because as this plant is very popular with bees, it provides nectar, which in turn is important for honey production. In ancient times there is evidence of the use of the “Nebes oil” extracted from Christ’s thorn. It played a great role in funerals and as an offering. Some buckthorn plants can even be used for wood production. While many species produce only low-quality wood, the Japanese raisin tree can be used to produce high-quality furniture wood, which is even known as “Japanese mahogany”. The Japanese raisin tree also plays a major role in the design of parks and ornamental gardens; it is a robust species that grows even in sandy soils, at the same time it is an aesthetic ornamental plant.
Importance for health, treatment and prevention.
Various oils and proteins can be synthesized from the raw materials that buckthorn produces. Depending on the species, the use differs; however, often buckthorn can be used as a remedy. For example, the Purgier buckthorn is used as a laxative, or as a natural remedy to relieve symptoms of gout, rheumatism or skin rashes. Between August and October, the fruits of the Purgier buckthorn are ripe and suitable for further processing as a natural remedy. To develop its effect as a mild laxative, about ten to 20 berries of Purgier buckthorn should be poured over a quart of boiling water and drunk after ten minutes of infusion. The effect only sets in after about eight to ten hours, since the active ingredients, the anthraquinone glycosides, only develop their effect in the large intestine. They ensure that the intestinal contents are enriched with more fluid, which can facilitate digestion and elimination. However, eating undried and unripe fruits is strongly discouraged. These are highly toxic, as is the bark of Purgier buckthorn.Doctors also advise against the prolonged use of this natural medicine, because the intestine becomes increasingly sluggish with constant intake of laxatives. Pregnant women should also not resort to Purgier buckthorn, as they can harm their unborn child by consuming it. Children under 10 years of age tolerate preparations of purgier buckthorn very poorly and should also avoid this remedy. In principle, a cautious dosage of buckthorn berries is appropriate, since an overdose can cause side effects such as abdominal cramps, cardiac arrhythmia and other sometimes serious symptoms of poisoning. Some buckthorn plants also produce tasty and healthy fruits, the consumption of which is not only for health reasons. One example is the Chinese jujube; its fruits are also known as “Chinese date”. However, this name is misleading, as the plant also thrives in the Mediterranean region. The fruits of this species of buckthorn can be eaten raw, but are also widely used as ingredients in Asian cuisine. Dried, Chinese date can be used to make a tea mixture that speeds up the healing of colds. In pharmacies, such a tea is often available under the name “breastberry tea”. The wood of the Japanese raisin tree can be used to synthesize an active ingredient that reduces symptoms of discomfort after traveling or after drinking alcohol. A low-calorie sweetener can also be obtained from the fruit styles of this buckthorn plant.
