Botanical Name
Vitis vinifera
Part Used
Seeds, fruit, leaves.
Common Names
Asma, Auzum, Domestic Grape, European Grape, Grape Vine, I’Nab, P’U T’Ao, P’U T’Ao Chiu, Raisin, Roseinekaerne, Tray, Vid, Vigne, Vine Vite
Brief History
Grape leaves, especially the red leaves, are astringent and anti-inflammatory. They are taken as an infusion to treat diarrhea, heavy menstrual bleeding, and uterine hemorrhage, as a wash for canker sores, and as a douche for vaginal discharge. Red leaves and grapes are helpful in treating varicose veins, hemorrhoids, and capillary fragility. The sap from the branches is used as an eyewash.
Grapes are nourishing and mildly laxative, and they support the body through illness, especially of the gastrointestinal tract and liver. Because the nutrient content of grapes is close to that of blood plasma, grape fasts are recommended for detoxification. The dried fruit (raisins or sultanas) is mildly expectorant and emollient, easing coughs slightly. Wine vinegar is astringent, cooling, and soothing to the skin
Constituents
Flavonoids, tannins, tartrates, inositol, carotenes, choline, and sugars. The fruit contains tartaric and malic acids, sugars, pectin, tannin, flavone glycosides, anthocyanins (in red leaves and red grapes), vitamins A, B1, B2, and C and minerals. The anthocyanins reduce capillary permeability.
Therapeutic Properties
Antioxidant, astringent, collagen stabilising, vasoprotective, venotonic
Vitalist Properties
Temperature: Cool
Moisture: Dry
Therapeutic Indications
Venous insufficiency, varicose veins, haemorrhoids, varicose ulcer
Capillary fragility, spider veins, diabetic retinopathy, hypertensive retinopathy, impaired peripheral circulation
To strengthen connective tissue, to promote healing
To modify bowel flora
Following (but not during) radiation therapy for cancer
Macular degeneration, ADHD Pancreatitis, chloasma
To prevent cardiovascular disease or Alzheimer’s disease
Congestive dysmenorrhoea
Dosage (Divided Daily)
- OPC’s: 100 – 150mg
Contraindications
- None known
Side effects
- None known
Interactions with other drugs
- Take separately from minerals
Bibliography
- Herbalpedia (2013)
- Bone, K. (2007). The ultimate herbal compendium: a desktop guide for herbal prescribers. Warwick, Qld.: Phytotherapy Press.
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Chevallier, A. (2000). Encyclopedia of herbal medicine (2nd American ed.). New York: DK Pub.
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