Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa), also known as sloe, has a longstanding history of use in traditional European herbal medicine. Its fruits, flowers, and bark have been used for a variety of gastrointestinal complaints, including gas and bloating. The traditional rationale is based on the plant's mild astringent and digestive properties attributed to its tannins and flavonoids. Historical herbal texts from central and eastern Europe mention blackthorn preparations (especially infusions of the flowers) as remedies to support digestion, relieve mild constipation, and reduce bloating or flatulence. However, there is very limited modern scientific research specifically validating these effects. Most evidence remains anecdotal or based on ethnobotanical surveys rather than controlled clinical studies. A few laboratory studies suggest that extracts of blackthorn may have mild spasmolytic (muscle relaxing) effects on the gut, which could theoretically help with bloating, but these findings are preliminary and far from conclusive. Overall, while blackthorn is widely cited in traditional medicine for digestive complaints like gas and bloating, robust scientific validation is lacking, and its use for this purpose should be considered as traditional rather than evidence-based.

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