Blackthorn

At a glance

Origin / distribution: Turkey, UK, US, Spain

Cultural traditions: not documented

Recorded uses: Astringent, Cancer, Cyanogenetic, Diuretic

Science studied: AMYGDALIN, CAFFEIC-ACID, EMULSIN, FERULIC-ACID

Research volume: 0 indexed records · volume only · methodology ↗

Legal status: Varies by jurisdiction; not assessed in this record.

Names and identity

Family: Rosaceae

Scientific name: Prunus spinosa

Common names: Blackthorn, Sloe, Artengruppe Schlehe, Blodau'r Draen, Ciruelo Silvestre, Draenen Ddu, Drain Duon, Eirin Berthi, Eirin Ddu Fach, Eirin Duon Bach, Eirin Duon Tag, Eirin Mân y Llwyni Gwylltion, Eirin Sur Fach, Eirin Surion, Eirin Tagu, Eirin y Perthi, Eirinberth, Endrino, Epine noire

POWO: 730297-1 · WCVP June 2026 / POWO backbone

History

The source record documents this plant in Turkey, UK, US, Spain.

It records these historical or traditional applications:

• Astringent
• Cancer
• Cyanogenetic
• Diuretic
• Emmenagogue
• Fever
• Laxative
• Liqueur

This summary is limited to the cited source record.

Origins and distribution

• Turkey
• UK
• US
• Spain

Documented cultural uses

• Astringent
• Cancer
• Cyanogenetic
• Diuretic
• Emmenagogue
• Fever
• Laxative
• Liqueur
• Purgative
• Styptic
• Vermifuge
• Nephritis

Cultural record detail

These entries are transcribed from the cited ethnobotanical source; they do not represent current advice or a claim of efficacy.

• Astringent · Turkey · "
• Cancer · UK · "
• Cyanogenetic · US · "
• Diuretic · Turkey · "
• Emmenagogue · Turkey · "
• Fever · Turkey · "
• Laxative · Spain · "
• Liqueur · Turkey · "
• Purgative · Turkey · "
• Styptic · Turkey · "
• Vermifuge · Turkey · "
• Laxative · Turkey · "
• Nephritis · Turkey · "
• Depurative · Turkey · "

Contemporary uses

Contemporary practice is not documented separately in this record.

Scientific research

Indexed records indicate research activity; they do not establish efficacy or safety.

Indexed research records

• Exploring the apoptotic potential of Prunus spinosa Trigno extract in BRAF-mutated melanoma cells. · 2026 source ↗
• Engineering applicability of coarse Prunus spinosa biochar for post‑nitrification ammonium polishing in recirculating aquaculture systems. · 2026 source ↗
• Biochemical Profiling and Ecotoxicological Assessment of <i>Prunus spinosa</i> L. Fruits from the Cluj Region: Phytochemical Composition, Contaminant Load, and Antioxidant Potential. · 2026 source ↗

Scientific compounds

Chemical presence is not evidence of clinical efficacy.

• AMYGDALIN
• CAFFEIC-ACID
• EMULSIN
• FERULIC-ACID
• KAEMPFERIN
• KAEMPFEROL
• KAEMPFEROL-4'-ARABINOSIDE
• KAEMPFEROL-3-ALPHA-L-ARABOFURANOSIDE-7-ALPHA-L-RHAMNOFURANOSIDE
• LF
• KAEMPFEROL-3,7-ALPHA-L-DIRHAMNOFURANOSIDE
• KAEMPFEROL-3-O-ALPHA-L-RHAMNOFURANOSIDE
• NONACOSANE
• 10-NONACOSANOL
• PECTIN
• PRUNICYANIN
• QUERCETIN-3-O-ALPHA-L-ARABOFURANOSIDE

Legality

No exact international trade listing was returned by the CITES checklist for this accepted name. Country-specific law is not assessed here.

Consult the CITES species checklist for current international and national requirements.

Reference images

Sources

Plants of the World Online (POWO) · Kew data terms; cite POWO/WCVP

World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP) · CC BY 3.0

CC0 · Dr. Duke raw CSV archive

Contributions and revisions

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