Herbs and plantsRowanberries — poisonous beads or a forgotten medicinal fruit?
Sources: 5 · Article: 9 696 characters
Henryk Różański states that Commission E does not recommend rowanberries for treating diseases because there is no scientific evidence to support their use.
- In folk medicine, the fruits were used, among other things, for kidney stones, diabetes and rheumatism.
- Parasorbic acid can irritate the skin and mucous membranes, but it breaks down during drying, steeping and cooking.
What the authors write
Henryk Różański
Commission E does not recommend using rowanberries to treat diseases because there is no scientific evidence to support their use.
„Because there is no scientific evidence to support the use of rowanberries for treating diseases, Commission E does not recommend their use. Commission E did, of course, note the presence in the fruits of parasorbic acid, which irritates the mucous membranes and skin. This acid is a very labile (unstable) compound. It breaks down when the fruits are dried, steeped or cooked and in practice poses no danger.”Komisja E z braku dowodów naukowych uzasadniających zastosowanie jarzębiny w leczeniu chorób – nie zaleca jej stosowanie. Oczywiście Komisja E zwróciła uwagę na kwas parasorbowy (obecny w owocach), który działa drażniąco na błony śluzowe i skórę. Kwas ten jest związkiem bardzo labilnym (niestabilnym), ulega rozkładowi podczas suszenia, parzenia i gotowania owoców i nie stanowi w rzeczywistości żadnego zagrożenia.
Henryk Różański
In folk medicine, rowanberries were used, among other things, for kidney stones, diabetes, rheumatism and metabolic disorders.
„In folk medicine, rowanberries are used to treat kidney stones, diabetes, rheumatism, metabolic disorders and arthritis. They increase the excretion of uric acid, have a detoxifying effect, prevent vitamin C deficiency and stimulate metabolism.”W medycynie ludowej owoce jarzębiny są wykorzystywane w leczeniu kamicy nerkowej, cukrzycy, reumatyzmu, zaburzeń metabolicznych i artretyzmu. Zwiększa wydalanie kwasu moczowego. Działa odtruwająco. Zapobiega hipowitaminozie C. Pobudza przemianę materii.
Henryk Różański
Earlier authors described rowanberries as a diuretic and as helpful for mild catarrh of the digestive tract.
„Hugo Schulz (first half of the 20th century) described rowanberries as a diuretic and as useful for treating mild catarrh of the digestive tract.
Künzle (1921) recommends a decoction of rowanberries for gargling when hoarse. According to Madaus, rowan fruit extracts are diuretic, laxative, antirheumatic and helpful against stones.”Hugo Schulz (I połowa XX wieku) opisał owoce jarzębiny jako środek diuretyczny i przydatny w leczeniu łagodnych nieżytów przewodu pokarmowego.
Künzle (1921 r.) proponuje odwar z owoców jarzębiny do płukania gardła przy chrypce. Wg Madaus’a wyciągi z owoców jarzębiny to środek moczopędny, rozwalniający kał, przeciwreumatyczny i przeciwkamiczy.
Henryk Różański
A decoction of the fruits was described as increasing the excretion of urine and nitrogenous metabolites, and as helpful for several ailments.
„It increases diuresis and the excretion of nitrogenous metabolites. It is considered a blood-purifying remedy. It increases bile secretion. In my opinion, it does not relieve spasms; on the contrary, it increases intestinal peristalsis and the secretion of digestive juices. The decoction can be taken in winter as a source of easily absorbed mineral salts and vitamins. It has beneficial effects in rheumatism, gout, urinary stones, skin diseases, obesity, diabetes and atherosclerosis.”Wzmaga diurezę i wydalanie metabolitów azotowych. Należy do środków czyszczących krew. Wzmaga wydzielanie żółci. Moim zdaniem nie działa rozkurczowo, wręcz przeciwnie, wzmaga perystaltykę jelit i wydzielanie soków trawiennych. Odwar może być przyjmowany w okresie zimowym jako źródło łatwo przyswajalnych soli mineralnych i witamin. Korzystnie działa w reumatyzmie, dnie moczanowej, przy kamicy moczowej, chorobach skórnych, otyłości, cukrzycy i miażdżycy.
Henryk Różański
Parasorbic acid can irritate the skin and mucous membranes, but according to Henryk Różański, it breaks down during drying, steeping and cooking.
„Commission E did, of course, note the presence in the fruits of parasorbic acid, which irritates the mucous membranes and skin. This acid is a very labile (unstable) compound. It breaks down when the fruits are dried, steeped or cooked and in practice poses no danger.”Oczywiście Komisja E zwróciła uwagę na kwas parasorbowy (obecny w owocach), który działa drażniąco na błony śluzowe i skórę. Kwas ten jest związkiem bardzo labilnym (niestabilnym), ulega rozkładowi podczas suszenia, parzenia i gotowania owoców i nie stanowi w rzeczywistości żadnego zagrożenia.
Henryk Różański
Cyanogenic glycosides, including amygdalin, have been reported in the seeds, leaves, bark and unripe fruits.
„The leaves, seeds, bark and unripe fruits (fruit flesh) contain cyanogenic glycosides (prunasin, amygdalin 0.1–0.5%). The fruits, flowers and leaves are rich in flavonoid glycosides (quercetin, kaempferol), triterpenes (ursolic acid), phytosterols, phenolic compounds (aucuparin = 2,6-dimethoxy-4-phenylphenol, methoxyaucuparin) and lignans.”Liście, nasiona, kora, niedojrzałe owoce (miękisz owocni) zawierają glikozydy cyjanogenne (prunazyna, amigdalina 0,1-0,5%). Owoce, kwiaty, liście bogate są w glikozydy flawonoidowe (kwercetyna, kaempferol), trójterpeny (kwas ursolowy), fitosterole, związki fenolowe (aukuparyna = 2,6-dimethoxy-4-phenylphenol, metoksyaukuparyna), lignany.
Henryk Różański
Rowanberries contain vitamin C, sorbitol and pectins.
„Rowanberries are rich in the sugar alcohol sorbitol (3–10%), sorbic acid (0.10–0.15%), vitamin C (160 mg%), catechins (114–412 mg%), flavonoids (150–400 mg%), carotene (0.53–4.62 mg%), malic acid (2.01–2.7%), fructose (4.3%), glucose (3.8%), sucrose (0.7%), amino acids (235.9 mg%), tannins (0.3%) and parasorbic acid (0.8%); pectins 0.39%; mineral salts 0.85%; invert sugar 5.85%.”Owoce jarzębiny są zasobne w alkohol cukrowy sorbitol (3-10%), w kwas sorbowy (0,10-0,15%), witaminę C (160 mg%), katechiny (114-412 mg%), flawonoidy (150-400 mg%), karoten (0,53-4,62 mg%), kwas jabłkowy (2,01-2,7%), fruktozę (4,3%), glukozę (3,8%), sacharozę (0,7%), aminokwasy (235,9 mg%), garbniki (0,3%), kwas parasorbowy (0,8%); pektyny 0,39%; sole mineralne 0,85%; cukier inwertowy 5,85%.
Henryk Różański
One source gives the vitamin C content of rowanberries as 150–550 mg per 100 g.
„Rowan fruit: vitamin C 150–550 mg/100 g, provitamin A 48 mg/100 g, pectins 1%, organic acids 3% (sorbic, malic, parasorbic), sugar 10%. Blackthorn fruit: vitamin C 20 mg/100 g. Rosa moyesii Hemsl. — rose fruit: vitamin C 250–3000 mg/100 g, vitamin P (bioflavonoid) 2900 mg, vitamin A — 500 gamma units.”Jarzębina owoc: witamina C 150-550 mg/100 g, prowitamina A 48 mg/100 g, pektyny 1%, kwasy organiczne 3% (sorbowy, jabłkowy, parasorbowy), cukier 10%. Tarnina owoc: witamina C 20 mg/100 g. Rosa moyesii Hemsl. – róża owoc: witamina C 250-3000 mg/100 g, witamina P (bioflawonoid) 2900 mg, witamina A – 500 gamma jednostek.
Henryk Różański
A tincture made from the fruits was presented as a metabolism-boosting and strengthening remedy.
„Useful for coronary heart disease, enlargement of the prostate gland (flowers), peripheral circulatory disorders (flowers), speeding up metabolism (fruits) and strengthening the body (flowers, fruits). For treating edema (dropsy), I recommend a 1:3 tincture and rowan wine, because diuretics need to be taken while fluid intake is limited. For this reason, infusions and decoctions are not always suitable, unless concentrated water extracts are used and taken in small amounts.”Pomocny w leczeniu choroby wieńcowej, przerostu gruczołu krokowego (kwiaty), zaburzeń krążenia obwodowego (kwiaty), dla przyśpieszenia przemiany materii (owoce) i wzmocnienia (kwiaty, owoce). W leczeniu obrzęków (puchliny wodnej) zalecam intrakt 1:3 i wino jarzębinowe, bowiem wówczas trzeba zażywać środki moczopędne, a równocześnie ograniczać przyjmowanie płynów (stąd napary i odwary nie zawsze są wskazane, chyba że zastosujemy stężone wyciągi wodne – przyjmowane wtedy w małych ilościach).
Henryk Różański
Henryk Różański states that amygdalin is found in the seeds and that crushed seeds are a source of it.
„The fruit seeds contain vitamin B17 (amygdalin). Crushed seeds are a good source of it, which may be useful in some therapies.
Vitamin content of common rowanberries: vitamin A 13,000 IU, vitamin K 400 ug%, vitamin P 400 mg%.
The fruits of Swedish rowan — Sorbus intermedia Persoon, hybrid rowan — Sorbus hybrida, whitebeam — Sorbus aria (L.) Crantz, and wild service tree (Sorbus torminalis) — Sorbus torminalis (L.) Crantz are also valuable.
Adam Lonicer — Adamus Lonicerus (1528–1586) — used rowan fruit to treat disorders of the liver and kidneys and dropsy (edema).”W pestkach owoców zawarta jest witamina B17 (amigdalina). Rozgniecione pestki stanowią dobre jej źródło, co w niektórych terapiach może być wykorzystane.
Zawartość witamin w owocach jarzębiny pospolitej: Witamina A 13 000 j.m., witamina K 400 ug%, witamina P 400 mg%
Cenne są także owoce jarzębiny szwedzkiej – Sorbus intermedia Persoon, jarzębiny pośredniej – Sorbus hybrida, jarzębiny mącznej – Sorbus aria (L.) Crantz i jarzębiny brekinii (brzęk) – Sorbus torminalis (L.) Crantz
Adam Lonicer – Adamus Lonicerus (1528-1586) stosował owoc jarzębiny w leczeniu niedomogów wątroby i nerek oraz terapii puchliny wodnej (obrzęków).
Research from PubMed · Europe PMC
We selected 2 studies with the best, positive results. This is a selection, not a full review of all research.
Total number of studies on this topic in PubMed: 4.
In an in vitro study, rowan fruit extract increased the survival of kidney cells exposed to low doses of gentamicin, but survival fell at higher doses.
Aim of the study: Considering that Sorbus aucuparia fruits have been underutilized despite their tremendous potential, this study aimed to correlate the in vitro antioxidant, antibacterial and cell-protective abilities of fruit extracts derived from Sorbus aucuparia Romanian cultivars with their phytochemical composition.
Results: coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The cell-protective activity was analyzed on gentamicin-stressed renal cells, through MTT and Annexin V-FITC assays. Importantly, a significant increase in viability was registered on stressed cells following extract administration in low doses; nevertheless, viability was noticed to decline when exposed to elevated concentrations, potentially due to the cumulative actions of the extract and gentamicin. These findings offer novel light on the antibacterial activity of Sorbus aucuparia Romanian cultivars, as well as their cell-protective ability in renal cell injury.
Money for the studygovernment, public institutions · Romanian Ministry of Research, Innovation, and Digitalization’s National Research Development Projects, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, Romania, USAMV CN
Do the authors have ties to companies?no — the authors say so
Did a manufacturer help with the study?NO
Type of studylaboratory study (on cells)
“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.
A review describes rowanberries as a rich source of nutrients and polyphenols, which are thought to be potentially linked to preventing and treating diseases.
Aim of the study: After a period of intense development in the synthesis pharmaceutical industry, plants are making a comeback in the public focus as remedies or therapeutic adjuvants and in disease prevention and ensuring the wellbeing and equilibrium of the human body. Plants are being recommended more and more in alimentation, in their natural form, or as extracts, supplements or functional aliments.
Results: As a result, scientific research turns to lesser known and used plants, among them being rowanberries, a species of fruit very rich in nutrients and underused due to their bitter astringent taste and a lack of knowledge regarding the beneficial effects of these fruit. Rowan fruits (rowanberries) are a rich source of vitamins, polysaccharides, organic acids and minerals. They are also a source of natural polyphenols, which are often correlated with the prevention and treatment of modern world diseases. This article presents the existing data regarding the chemical composition, active principles and biopharmaceutical properties of rowan fruits and the different opportunities for their usage.
Money for the studygovernment, public institutions · The Human Capital Operational Programme 2014–2020 (POCU), Romania
Do the authors have ties to companies?no — the authors say so
Did a manufacturer help with the study?NO
Type of studydiscussion of other studies
“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.
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