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Common Names
Black Currant, Cassis
Latin Name
Ribes nigrum
Habitat
Black Currants are native to central and northern Europe and northern Asia. It is also known to the French as "Cassis". Black currants were named because of their similarity to raisins.
Traditional Uses
Black Currant contains very high levels of Vitamin C, more than four times that of oranges. In World War II, when Vitamin C-rich fruits became almost impossible to import to Britain, the government encouraged Black Currant consumption to treat scurvy and colds.
Medicinal Uses
Black Currants have high antioxidant activity and are rich in nutritional content. These antioxidants are useful for treating eye fatigue, especially from watching television and computer monitors. The high vitamin C content is also useful for maintaining skin tone and elasticity. Black Currants are very high in rare essential fatty acids, including GLA, which have been used for PMS and mild depression. While Black Currant only contains half the anthocyanins of blueberry, its antioxidant activity is higher.
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