Rubus parviflorus is a deciduous herb native to Western North America from South Alaska as far as New Mexico, California, Chihuahua, and San Luis Potosi, producing a cup-shaped, red fruit. English common names include Western thimbleberry, Mountain sorrel, Salmonberry, and Western thimble raspberry.

Though Thimbleberry is found in various habitats, it prefers open and moist sites. It could be found in riparian zones, shrublands, coniferous, deciduous, and mixed forests. It is not tolerable to waterlog. It is mostly found in well-drained upper floodplains or lower floodplains. The plant has white flowers which attract birds and butterflies.

History

It extends from East to the Rocky Mountains and to the Great Lakes Region discontinuously. It is distributed to Alaska, Ontario, Michigan, and South to Northern regions of Mexico. It is commonly grown in open, stream banks, wooded hillsides, borders, canyons, and roadsides.

Plant

Thimbleberry is a deciduous, perennial, erect, upright shrub growing to 1-8 feet in height and 1.5 centimeters (0.59 inches) in diameter. Leaves are alternate, tomato, maple shaped, toothed; green above and white tomentose beneath which is 7-10 cm long. Flowers are white, rose-shaped; 4-5 cm across, and 5-6 mm long. Fruits are ovoid and cup-shaped. The stems are red, thorn less, zigzag, 2-15 mm in diameter and 1.5-2 cm wide.

Traditional uses

• The berries, leaves, and roots help to treat stomach aches, wounds, reduce scarring as well as swelling.
• The berries are consumed fresh as well as dried.
• The young roots, shoots, and leaves are used to cure ailments.
• A tea made from leaves and roots acts as a tonic to treat nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, and dysentery.
• It helps to tone, strengthen the stomach, and increase appetite.
• Thimbleberry is also used to enhance the immune system and prevent scurvy.
• A poultice made from dried powdered leaves is used to treat burns and wounds.
• The crushed leaves help to treat acne.
• A decoction made from roots is used to treat acne.
• The leaves are used to treat vomiting and nausea.
• A tea is used to treat stomach ailments, dysentery, diarrhea, and anemia.
• A poultice made from dried powdered leaves treats wounds as well as burns.
• The crushed leaves are rubbed on the skin to cure blackheads and pimples.
• The roots are used as tonic and appetizers.
• To poultice of leaves are used to cure swelling.
• The flowers and leaves of Thimbleberry provide relief from stomach complaints.
• Young shoots are considered as antiscorbutic and alterative.

Precautions   

• The merely wilted leaves are toxic.
• Pregnant women should avoid the use of Thimbleberry.
• Excessive consumption can result in adverse health effects.

How to Eat

• Young shoots and leaves are consumed as teas.
• These berries are consumed raw or cooked as jelly or jam.
• The berries are dried and consumed as dry fruits.
• The fruit is added to fruit pies, milkshakes, and other desserts.
• The shoots are consumed raw or prepared as green vegetables.
• Berries are also mixed with other berries.

Other Facts        

• The fruit is dried for winter and consumed fresh in the summer.
• The boiled bark is used to make soap and medicinal tea was made from leaves.
• The powdered leaves are applied to burns which help to minimize scarring.
• Due to the softness of leaves, they are also referred to as nature wipes.
• Barks and leaves are used in facial steam for oily skin.
• They are also used as care products for herbal baths and hair rinses.
• This plant is used to eradicate toothaches.
• The flowers of this plant are the biggest among the plants from the genus Rubus.
• These plants are tolerable to mild draughts.

References