Red Currant
Botanical name: Ribes rubrum
Family: Currant (Grossulariaceae)
Collectability: plentiful, good, specialised habitat
Main benefit
blood cleansing, good for kidneys and liver
Use - overview
Features and Identification
Habitat
Type: woods, especially near water
Distribution: throughout northern hemisphere
Prefers: damp, shade
General
Growth type: shrub
Cycle: deciduous
Height: up to 1.2 meters
Leaf
Shape:3-5 lobes
Edge: toothed
Other: not aromatic like Black Currant
Stem
Other: erect or leaning
Flower
Diameter: tiny
Arrangement: drooping clusters
When: April to May
Colour:
Fruit
Shape: round
Colour: red
Size: 5-7mm
Other: shiny, translucent
Type: woods, especially near water
Distribution: throughout northern hemisphere
Prefers: damp, shade
General
Growth type: shrub
Cycle: deciduous
Height: up to 1.2 meters
LeafShape:3-5 lobes
Edge: toothed
Other: not aromatic like Black Currant
StemOther: erect or leaning
FlowerDiameter: tiny
Arrangement: drooping clusters
When: April to May
Colour:
FruitShape: round
Colour: red
Size: 5-7mm
Other: shiny, translucent
Caution Notes
May be confused with Guelder Rose (see plant list).Leaves contain or produce hydrogen cyanide. Hydrogen cyanide, also known as Prussic acid, may be safe in very small quantities. May be driven off by heat. Very bitter with smell of almonds.
When Available?
April to August July and AugustParts with black and white icons are for non-culinary use
Culinary Use
Flavour
Rating and Description:
tangy
How to Consume
raw
Nutrition
Vitamin C
Used as ...
food
Rating and Description:
tangyHow to Consume
raw Nutrition
Vitamin CUsed as ...
food
Medicinal Use
Action:
poultice: anti-rheumatic
antiscorbutic, aperient, refrigerant, sialagogue
May treat:
sprains
poultice: anti-rheumatic antiscorbutic, aperient, refrigerant, sialagogueMay treat:
sprains
Other Use
yellow dye
Key
Plant parts:
leaf
stem or trunk
sap
root, bulb, tuber and other below ground parts
flower
fruit
seed
Parts with black and white icons in the availability section are for non-culinary use
Use:
culinary use
medicinal use
household use
Other:
caution
leaf stem or trunk sap root, bulb, tuber and other below ground parts flower fruit seedParts with black and white icons in the availability section are for non-culinary use
Use:
culinary use medicinal use household useOther:
caution
Glossary
Glossary of Medicinal Terms and Nutritive Substances
- anti-rheumatic: treats rheumatism
- antiscorbutic: prevents scurvy, contains Vitamin C
- aperient: mild laxative
- refrigerant: produces a feeling of coolness
- sialagogue: stimulates secretion of saliva
