Description
Latin Name: Prunus Spinosa L.
Prunus Spinosa, also known as blackthorn or sloe is a wild relative of the cultivated plum. It is native to Europe, western Asia, and northwest Africa, and blackthorn because of its dark-colored bark and skin.
The plant’s fruits have astringent, antioxidant, diaphoretic (inducing perspiration), depurative (removal of impurities), febrifuge (reducing fever), laxative, stomachic, and diuretic properties.
The ripe fruit, referred to as sloe, is used to make a liqueur called sloe gin.
In addition, sloes can be used to make jams, jellies, syrups, and so on. Being extremely tart and astringent in taste, they are not eaten raw. They can be consumed after several frosts because freezing breaks down some of the sugars.
Even the seeds of these fruits are edible, whether raw or cooked. Moreover, the dried fruits and leaves of this plant can be used to make herbal tea.
