Rubus trivialis
Jul 29 • Written by Carmin Nezat
Dewberry, Rubus trivialis. Dewberry, Southern Dewberry, blackberry (but is a different species altogether- Rubus argutus). Native to Eastern US and in the rose family. In Cajun country, we call it “mure trainante”.1 “The Louisiana Herb Journal” cites that the “South Louisiana Acadians call em’ “eronce” which derives from “ronce,” the traditional French name for blackberry. The fruit is called “mure”, “mure de ronce”, or “mure taintante.”2 Traditional Cajun application was as a tea of the stems and leaves for bladder infection and dropsy (edema).1
The Cherokee used an infusion of the rootand/or herbage for diarrhea, (as an astringent and wash for) piles, rheumatism, for venereal disease, to regulate urination, as a tonic, as a stimulant; washed root chewed for coated tongue, and used as a wash with honey for sore throat; and the berries for juice and food.3 The Seminole used an infusion of herbage for stomach troubles.4
There are over a dozen dewberry species on earth but all possess similar astringent and edibility properties. Rubus trivialis root is astringent, stimulant and tonic; an infusion can be used in the treatment of rheumatism and diarrhea; the leaves are astringent; an infusion can be used in the treatment of stomach complaints, rheumatism and diarrhea.5
The existence of tannins in all Rubus species points to the fact that they all have similar action on the human body as an astrignent herb. Astringency depends on the existence of tannins in an herb which are very high in the foliage and root of Rubus species. The anti inflammatory action (which is why a tea is used for stomach issues) is also due to the tannins which reduce excess stomach secretion (through its astringent action). In traditional and modern herbalism, “the root and leaves are used for minor digestive upsets, acute diarrhea, inflammation in the mouth and throat, rheumatism, hemorrhoids (root) and fluid retention. In addition to the astringent properties, the plant is also anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, tonic and stimulant. Fruits contain a variety of B vitamins in addition to vitamin C, B, E and K and numerous other minerals that boost immunity and improve cognitive function.”2
**The dewberries are a group of species in the genus Rubus, section Rubus, closely related to the blackberries. They are small trailing (rather than upright or high-arching) brambles with aggregate fruits, reminiscent of the raspberry, but are usually purple to black instead of red. The blackberry is an edible fruit produced by many species in the genus Rubua in the family Rosaceae, hybrids among these species within the subgenus Rubus, and hybrids between the subgenera Rubus and Idaeobatus. The taxonomy of blackberries has historically been confused because of hybridization and apomixis, so that species have often been grouped together and called species aggregates. For example, the entire subgenus Rubus has been called the Rubus fruticosus aggregate, although the species Rubus fruticosus is considered a synonym of Rubus plicatus.**6 *Rubus idaeus is raspberry and has an affinity for and a toning effect on the uterus rather than GI.
1 Healers-Garden-Brochure-Web.pdf (netdna-ssl.com). Dewberry
2 Martin, Corinne. Louisiana Herb Journal. Baton Rouge, LSU Press. P 29, 30.
3 Hamel, Paul B. and Mary U. Chiltoskey, 1975, Cherokee Plants and Their Uses -- A 400 Year History, Sylva, N.C. Herald Publishing Co., page 25, 26. BRIT - Native American Ethnobotany Database. Rubus trivialis
4 Sturtevant, William, 1954, The Mikasuki Seminole: Medical Beliefs and Practices, Yale University, PhD Thesis, page 276. BRIT - Native American Ethnobotany Database. Rubus trivialis.
5 medicinal herbs: SOUTHERN DEWBERRY - Rubus trivialis (naturalmedicinalherbs.net)
6 Jarvis C.E. (1992). "Seventy-Two Proposals for the Conservation of Types of Selected Linnaean Generic Names,the Report of Subcommittee 3C on the Lectotypification of Linnaean Generic Names". Taxon. 41 (3): 552–583. doi:10.2307/1222833. JSTOR 1222833. Wikipedia- blackberry
Image 1 (https://thefamilyherbalist.wordpress.com/2012/03/18/yard-remedies-and-the-southern-dewberry/)
