# Prunus spinosa

**Canonical URL:** https://ingredients.hermeticasuperfoods.com/ingredients/prunus-spinosa
**Data Source:** Hermetica Superfoods Ingredient Encyclopedia
**Updated:** 2026-04-02
**Evidence Score:** 2 / 10
**Category:** European
**Also Known As:** blackthorn, sloe, sloe berry, wild plum, mother of the wood, wishing thorn, fairy tree, winter pick, sloe plum, blackthorn flower

## Overview

Prunus spinosa (blackthorn) is a thorny shrub whose flowers, fruits, and bark contain flavonoids, tannins, and cyanogenic glycosides that are traditionally used to support respiratory, digestive, and urinary health. Its astringent tannin content is the primary bioactive driver behind its mild antidiarrheal and mucous membrane-soothing properties.

## Health Benefits

• May support respiratory health during common colds (traditional use only, no clinical evidence provided) • Potentially aids digestive regularity as a mild laxative (traditional use only, no clinical evidence provided) • May help manage mild diarrhea (traditional use only, no clinical evidence provided) • Traditional use for respiratory tract diseases (no clinical evidence provided) • Historical applications lack modern clinical validation in available research

## Mechanism of Action

The tannins in Prunus spinosa, including condensed proanthocyanidins, precipitate mucosal proteins and reduce [intestinal permeability](/ingredients/condition/gut-health), producing an astringent effect that helps manage mild diarrhea and inflamed mucous membranes. Flavonoids such as quercetin and kaempferol derivatives may modulate NF-κB signaling to exert mild [anti-inflammatory](/ingredients/condition/inflammation) activity on respiratory and urinary tract mucosa. Cyanogenic glycosides present in small amounts in the bark may contribute to mild expectorant and antispasmodic effects on bronchial smooth muscle, though the precise receptor-level mechanisms remain poorly characterized in human studies.

## Clinical Summary

Prunus spinosa lacks robust clinical trial data; its therapeutic applications are recognized by ESCOP based primarily on traditional use and plausibility from phytochemical composition rather than controlled human studies. No randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with defined sample sizes or quantified endpoints have been published to support its use for respiratory, digestive, or urinary indications. In vitro studies have demonstrated [antioxidant activity](/ingredients/condition/antioxidant) attributed to anthocyanins and polyphenols in sloe berries, and limited animal data suggest mild laxative and [anti-inflammatory](/ingredients/condition/inflammation) effects, but these have not been translated into human clinical evidence. Overall, the evidence strength is rated low, and ESCOP endorses it solely as a traditional herbal medicine.

## Nutritional Profile

Prunus spinosa (blackthorn/sloe berry) nutritional composition per 100g fresh fruit: Calories approximately 55-65 kcal. Macronutrients: Carbohydrates 9-12g (predominantly fructose and glucose, with notable tannin-bound sugars), Dietary fiber 2.5-4g (pectin-rich, contributing to both laxative and antidiarrheal traditional uses depending on preparation), Protein 0.5-1g, Fat <0.5g. Key micronutrients: Vitamin C 20-40mg (moderate bioavailability, enhanced when consumed fresh), Potassium 180-220mg, Calcium 25-35mg, Magnesium 8-12mg, Iron 1.2-1.8mg (non-heme, bioavailability limited by co-occurring tannins), Phosphorus 20-30mg. Bioactive compounds: Total polyphenols 800-1500mg/100g (one of the higher phenolic concentrations among European wild fruits); Anthocyanins 150-400mg/100g (primarily cyanidin-3-glucoside and cyanidin-3-rutinoside, responsible for deep blue-black color and [antioxidant activity](/ingredients/condition/antioxidant)); Tannins (hydrolyzable and condensed) 300-600mg/100g (primary contributor to astringency and digestive effects); Flavonols including quercetin and kaempferol glycosides 30-80mg/100g; Organic acids including malic acid (1.5-2.5g/100g) and citric acid (0.3-0.8g/100g); Triterpenic acids including ursolic and oleanolic acid in skin fraction (50-120mg/100g dry weight). Bioavailability notes: High tannin content significantly reduces iron and protein bioavailability; anthocyanin bioavailability estimated at 5-10% typical of berry anthocyanins; pectin fiber fermented by gut microbiota producing short-chain fatty acids; tannins poorly absorbed systemically but exert local gastrointestinal effects explaining traditional digestive uses.

## Dosage & Preparation

No clinically studied dosage ranges for Prunus spinosa preparations were provided in the research dossier. Traditional preparations mentioned include flower-based formulations, but specific dosing information is unavailable. Consult a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement.

## Safety & Drug Interactions

Prunus spinosa is generally considered safe at traditional doses when prepared correctly, but the seeds and bark contain amygdalin, a cyanogenic glycoside that can release hydrogen cyanide upon hydrolysis and must not be consumed in large quantities or as crushed seed preparations. Tannin-rich preparations may reduce the absorption of iron and certain medications including tetracyclines and alkaloid-based drugs if taken concurrently; a separation interval of at least two hours is advised. No formal studies have established safety during pregnancy or lactation, and use is not recommended in these populations due to insufficient data. Individuals with known hypersensitivity to Rosaceae family plants should exercise caution.

## Scientific Research

No clinical trials, meta-analyses, or PMIDs for Prunus spinosa were found in the provided research dossier. The available information references only traditional uses without supporting clinical evidence. Comprehensive scientific studies on P. spinosa preparations are notably absent from the current research compilation.

## Historical & Cultural Context

Blackthorn flower preparations have been traditionally used in European folk medicine for common colds, respiratory tract diseases, and digestive complaints including both constipation and diarrhea. However, the research dossier lacks detailed historical documentation or traditional medicine system references.

## Synergistic Combinations

Elderflower, Marshmallow root, Thyme, Licorice root, Echinacea

## Frequently Asked Questions

### What is Prunus spinosa used for traditionally?

Prunus spinosa (blackthorn) flowers are traditionally used to support respiratory health during mild colds, the fruits (sloe berries) are used as a mild laxative and antidiarrheal, and the bark has been applied to support urinary tract health. These uses are recognized by ESCOP as traditional herbal medicine indications, meaning they are based on historical use rather than modern clinical trials.

### Does Prunus spinosa have any proven clinical benefits?

No randomized controlled trials have confirmed clinical benefits of Prunus spinosa in humans; its ESCOP monograph classification is based entirely on traditional use and phytochemical plausibility. In vitro and animal studies show antioxidant and mild anti-inflammatory activity from its polyphenols and anthocyanins, but these findings have not been replicated in human clinical studies with measurable endpoints.

### What active compounds are found in Prunus spinosa?

Prunus spinosa contains condensed proanthocyanidins and hydrolyzable tannins responsible for astringency, flavonoids including quercetin and kaempferol glycosides with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and anthocyanins (particularly cyanidin and delphinidin derivatives) concentrated in the sloe berries. The bark and seeds also contain amygdalin, a cyanogenic glycoside that requires cautious preparation to avoid toxic hydrogen cyanide release.

### Is Prunus spinosa safe to take with medications?

The high tannin content of Prunus spinosa preparations can chelate and reduce the oral bioavailability of iron supplements, tetracycline antibiotics, and alkaloid-based drugs; a minimum two-hour separation between doses is recommended. No specific pharmacokinetic drug interaction studies exist, so individuals on anticoagulants, immunosuppressants, or narrow therapeutic index medications should consult a healthcare provider before use.

### What is the recommended dosage of Prunus spinosa?

ESCOP and traditional European herbal medicine sources suggest using dried blackthorn flowers as an infusion, typically 1–2 grams of dried flowers steeped in 150 mL of hot water up to three times daily for respiratory support. For sloe berry preparations used as a mild laxative, standardized dosage guidelines are not well established in modern literature, and users should follow product-specific manufacturer directions and avoid preparations containing crushed seeds due to amygdalin content.

### Is Prunus spinosa safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding?

There is insufficient clinical data on the safety of Prunus spinosa during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Due to its traditional use as a mild laxative, pregnant and nursing women should consult a healthcare provider before use to avoid potential risks. WHO/EMA monographs recommend caution with herbal preparations in these populations unless safety is well-established.

### What forms of Prunus spinosa are available and which is most effective?

Prunus spinosa is commonly available as dried fruit preparations, liquid extracts, and herbal infusions or teas. Traditional preparations typically used dried fruit or flower extracts, though comparative efficacy studies between different forms are limited. The choice of form may depend on intended use (respiratory support versus digestive regularity) and individual preference, as clinical evidence does not demonstrate superiority of one form over another.

### Who should avoid taking Prunus spinosa supplements?

Individuals with acute inflammatory bowel conditions, chronic diarrhea, or obstruction should avoid Prunus spinosa due to its traditional laxative properties. Pregnant women, nursing mothers, and children should use it only under professional medical guidance, as safety data is limited. Those with known hypersensitivity to Prunus species or with specific medication concerns should consult a healthcare provider before use.

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