Rubus fruticosus: Blackberry leaf is the dried leaf of the blackberry plant, a member of the Rosaceae family. Blackberry is a perennial shrub that spreads by prickly canes and occurs naturally in almost every region of Türkiye, particularly at forest edges and in humid areas. In trade the leaf is handled separately from the fruit and is classified as a herbal drug in its own right.

What is blackberry leaf?

Blackberry leaf is the dried form of the compound leaves of the blackberry plant. The leaves usually consist of three to five leaflets, have serrated margins and are green on both surfaces. Because of its tannin content, the dried leaf has a mildly astringent, tea-like taste.

What is the difference between blackberry leaf and raspberry leaf?

Both plants belong to the genus Rubus and their leaves are similar. The clearest distinguishing feature is the underside of the leaf: the underside of a blackberry leaf remains green, whereas the underside of a raspberry leaf is distinctly whitish and hairy. Since this distinction becomes harder to judge as particle size decreases in the dried drug, species separation is carried out at harvest and the two drugs are processed as separate lots.

How is blackberry leaf harvested and dried?

Leaves are collected during the growing season, while healthy and free of spotting. They are dried in ventilated conditions away from direct sunlight to preserve colour. After drying, stems, prickles and foreign matter are separated; the leaves are sieved, graded and baled.

What is blackberry leaf used for?

• Herbal tea industry: infusion teas and base component in fruit blends
• Fermented leaf tea: traditionally fermented in Europe to obtain a beverage resembling black tea
• Extraction: raw material for botanical extract production
• Cosmetics industry: plant ingredient in care formulations

How is high-quality dried blackberry leaf identified?

The main criteria are a preserved fresh green colour, a low stem and prickle ratio, absence of foreign matter and of other species, uniform particle size and controlled moisture content. Lots containing spotted leaves, leaves showing signs of rust disease or mouldy material are not commercially accepted.

Traditional use of blackberry leaf

Blackberry leaf has long been among the plants consumed as an infusion in Anatolian and European folk practice. The information given here refers to traditional use and makes no claim of therapeutic effect. A healthcare professional should be consulted regarding the use of herbal products.

Bulk blackberry leaf supply and export

Organicure supplies and exports dried blackberry leaf in baled form, sourced by wild collection in the mountains of Anatolia. Please contact us regarding bulk supply, contract harvesting and regular shipment programmes for herbal tea producers, extract manufacturers and the cosmetics industry.