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Description
Gooseberry is a small spiny bush in the family Rosaceae which is grown for its edible fruit of the same name. The gooseberry bush is a spiny shrub with deeply lobed, dark green leaves and produce bell shaped flowers and green/yellow to red berries approximately 1 inch long containing many tiny seeds. If managed properly, gooseberry bushes can be very long lived, growing to 0.9–3.0 m (3–10 ft) tall and up to 1.8 m (6 ft) wide and producing a crop of fruit each spring. The gooseberry has been derived mainly from two species, the European gooseberry, native to North Africa, and the American gooseberry, native to Northeast and central US and parts of Canada. The American gooseberry tends to be smaller than the species grown in Europe, with weeping stems that will rot easily if they are allowed to be in contact with the ground.
Uses
Gooseberries can be eaten fresh or used as an ingredient in other foods such as desserts, jams and preserves or drinks such as tea. The fruit can also be used as an ingredient for pickling. They are also used to flavor beverages such as sodas, flavored waters, or milk, and can be made into fruit wines and teas. They can be preserved in the forms of jams or dried fruit. The fruit pulp is used cosmetically in face-masks for its cleansing effect on greasy skins.
Medicinal
Stewed unripe gooseberries are used as a spring tonic to cleanse the system. The leaves have been used in the treatment of gravel. An infusion taken before the monthly periods is said to be a useful tonic for growing girls. The leaves contain tannin and have been used as an astringent to treat dysentery and wounds.
The fresh leaves contain the toxin hydrogen cyanide. This substance is found in several foods, including almonds. In small quantities, hydrogen cyanide has been shown to stimulate respiration and improve digestion, it is also claimed to be of benefit in the treatment of cancer. In excess, it can cause respiratory failure and even death.
Sources
https://www.plantvillage.com/topics/gooseberry/infos/
http://www.naturalmedicinalherbs.net/herbs/r/ribes-uva-crispa=gooseberry.php
Recipes
http://www.deliaonline.com/recipes/main-ingredient/gooseberry
Disclaimer:
This information is for educational purposes only. Plant Sale does not and can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Plant Sale makes no claims to the medicinal/edible effects of these plants. In fact, plants may be harmful or even deadly if taken for the wrong conditions, used in excessive amounts, or combined with other drugs. Consult your doctor about your health conditions and the use of plant-based remedies. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally/edibly. The statements on this site have not been evaluated by the FDA. Use information wisely and at your own risk.
Gooseberry is a small spiny bush in the family Rosaceae which is grown for its edible fruit of the same name. The gooseberry bush is a spiny shrub with deeply lobed, dark green leaves and produce bell shaped flowers and green/yellow to red berries approximately 1 inch long containing many tiny seeds. If managed properly, gooseberry bushes can be very long lived, growing to 0.9–3.0 m (3–10 ft) tall and up to 1.8 m (6 ft) wide and producing a crop of fruit each spring. The gooseberry has been derived mainly from two species, the European gooseberry, native to North Africa, and the American gooseberry, native to Northeast and central US and parts of Canada. The American gooseberry tends to be smaller than the species grown in Europe, with weeping stems that will rot easily if they are allowed to be in contact with the ground.
Uses
Gooseberries can be eaten fresh or used as an ingredient in other foods such as desserts, jams and preserves or drinks such as tea. The fruit can also be used as an ingredient for pickling. They are also used to flavor beverages such as sodas, flavored waters, or milk, and can be made into fruit wines and teas. They can be preserved in the forms of jams or dried fruit. The fruit pulp is used cosmetically in face-masks for its cleansing effect on greasy skins.
Medicinal
Stewed unripe gooseberries are used as a spring tonic to cleanse the system. The leaves have been used in the treatment of gravel. An infusion taken before the monthly periods is said to be a useful tonic for growing girls. The leaves contain tannin and have been used as an astringent to treat dysentery and wounds.
The fresh leaves contain the toxin hydrogen cyanide. This substance is found in several foods, including almonds. In small quantities, hydrogen cyanide has been shown to stimulate respiration and improve digestion, it is also claimed to be of benefit in the treatment of cancer. In excess, it can cause respiratory failure and even death.
Sources
https://www.plantvillage.com/topics/gooseberry/infos/
http://www.naturalmedicinalherbs.net/herbs/r/ribes-uva-crispa=gooseberry.php
Recipes
http://www.deliaonline.com/recipes/main-ingredient/gooseberry
Disclaimer:
This information is for educational purposes only. Plant Sale does not and can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Plant Sale makes no claims to the medicinal/edible effects of these plants. In fact, plants may be harmful or even deadly if taken for the wrong conditions, used in excessive amounts, or combined with other drugs. Consult your doctor about your health conditions and the use of plant-based remedies. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally/edibly. The statements on this site have not been evaluated by the FDA. Use information wisely and at your own risk.