In berry form, black currant has been used for a range of conditions from Alzheimer’s disease and upper respiratory tract infections to muscle fatigue and peripheral arterial disease (PAD). The dried leaf of black currants, when taken orally, also addresses several medical problems, including arthritis, gout, rheumatism, diarrhea, colic, hepatitis, liver ailments, convulsions, and inflammatory disorders of the mouth and throat.
Additionally, black currant dried leaf can relieve coughs, colds and whooping cough; purify urine and promote larger output; and treat bladder stones. The leaf makes a good cleansing tea as well. For insect bites or minor wounds, black currant leaf applied topically can soothe the skin, according to the Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database.
Significant research backs up these claims. Scientific study has shown that black currants and black currant seed oil possess a plethora of health benefits. A 2013 study found black currant seed oil was well tolerated and effective in reducing atopic dermatitis in newborns. At the other end of the age spectrum, a different study demonstrated that supplementation with black currant seed oil enhanced the immune system of healthy elderly individuals – A Nutrition Powerhouse indeed!