Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1

Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa) has a history of use in traditional European herbal medicine, though it is not among the most commonly cited herbs for insomnia. Traditional uses of Blackthorn have included remedies for digestive complaints, mild laxative effects, and as a general tonic. In some folk medicine practices, the flowers of Blackthorn have been used in teas with the intention to promote relaxation and mild sedation, which may indirectly support sleep. However, there is a lack of detailed ethnobotanical records specifically linking Blackthorn as a primary remedy for insomnia. Most references to its use for sleep are secondary, and it is not featured prominently in major traditional materia medica for this purpose.

From a scientific perspective, there is little to no clinical research validating the use of Blackthorn for insomnia. The available phytochemical analyses of Blackthorn indicate the presence of flavonoids and other polyphenolic compounds, which may have mild soothing or anxiolytic effects, but this has not been substantiated in controlled studies regarding sleep. In summary, while there is some traditional precedent for using Blackthorn as a mild calming agent, the evidence is sparse and the support for its use in the treatment of insomnia is weak.

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