Rowanberry, with the scientific name Sorbus domestica, is a small deciduous tree in the rose family Rosaceae, native to Western, Central & Southern Europe, Northwest Africa, and Southwest Asia. Rowanberry tree produces edible fruit and is cultivated for both domestic and commercial purposes. Most Rowan berries are processed into the products such as sauce, juice, jam, wine, and also dried. It performs well in moist soil with cold climates. The plant bears flowers from Late April to Mid-May and fruits from July to October. The plant usually lives up to 100 years in the wild. Some vernacular names of Rowanberry are Zahmer Eberesche in German; Rjabina Krymskaja in Russia; Sorbo in Spain and Nanakamado in Japan. Other common names of Rowanberry are Beam Tree, Chess Tree, Checker Tree, Service Tree, Sorb Tree, Mountain Ash, Whitty Pear, and True Service Tree.

Plant

Rowan berries are small, deciduous trees up to 15-20 m high with a trunk diameter of 1 m. Leaves are imparipinnate, alternately arranged, and 15-25 cm long with oblong to oblanceolate leaflets of 3-5 cm long and 1-2 cm wide. The flowers are hermaphrodite with five creamy-white petals of 15 mm diameter and 5-10 mm across. The fruit is a pome of 2-3 cm long and 2 cm diameter. The color of the fruit ranges from bright orange to red, pink, yellow, and white. Fruits are obovoid or pyriform which resembles the shape of apple or pear but has a bitter taste. The trees have brown, smooth, fissured, and flaky bark.

Nutritional Value

100 grams of Rowanberry provides 0.0545 grams of protein, 15 grams of total sugars, 4.75 grams of glucose, and 9.8 grams of fructose. 100 grams of Rowanberry seeds provides 3.29 grams of protein, 20.53 grams of fat, 2 grams of total sugars, 0.57 grams of glucose, and 1.83 grams of fructose.

Health Benefits of Rowanberry

Rowan berries are loaded with various amounts of nutrients such as Vitamin C, dietary fiber, and ascorbic acid. It also possesses antioxidants that assist the body to prevent diseases. Rowan berries help to enhance the immune system, digestion, respiratory system, prevent cancers, and lower bacterial infections. The fruit, bark, and leaf of Rowanberry are useful. In folk medicine, Rowan berries are used to prevent diabetes, anemia, hemorrhoids, kidney & liver ailments, and gastrointestinal problems. The fruit has diuretic, cholagogue, diaphoretic and hemostatic properties. Rowan berries are included in the diet in the form of jams, jellies, fruits, pies, juices, and desserts.

1. Prevent cancer

Rowan berries are high in antioxidants which help to prevent chronic diseases along with cancer. Ascorbic acid and quercetin both act as antioxidants that help to prevent damage made by free radicals in the body. Free radicals are the harmful byproducts of the cellular metabolism that leads to the mutation of healthy cells into cancerous cells. Rowan berries help to enhance the antioxidant levels that help to prevent the growth of cancers, lower the risk of premature aging, promote skin health, raise the regeneration of cells, speed up healing, and lower the chances of macular degeneration. (1)

2. Enhance immunity

Though Rowan berries do not have various vitamins, it is rich in Vitamin C content. Vitamin C is essential for maintaining health because it helps to enhance white blood cells production and also functions as an antioxidant. In addition, Vitamin C assists in the functioning of bodily processes which includes collagen production, enhancing the muscle tissues, and repairing the blood vessels. (2)

3. Antibacterial agent

Ascorbic acid is associated with lowering the effects of bacterial and microbial agents in the body as well as skin. The extracts of Rowanberry is used in cosmetic use and also as a food source. It acts as an antimicrobial and antibacterial booster. (3)

4. Supports digestion

Rowan berries contain adequate amounts of dietary fiber which promotes digestion and lowers constipation by adding bulk to the stool and stimulating the gastrointestinal system. Additionally, the organic compounds found in Rowan berries help to treat diarrhea but the exact mechanism is not clear. (4)

5. Respiratory problems

The juice of Rowanberry was used in traditional medicine to cure respiratory tract inflammation, relieve congestion, asthma, and sore throat. This may be due to the presence of antioxidant properties which acts as an anti-inflammation. Vitamin C helps to alleviate the symptoms of asthma. Rowan berries are used as an aid for respiratory problems. (5)

Traditional uses

• The dried and ground fruit is used in folk medicine to treat diarrhea.
• The fruit is used to cure intestinal problems.
• Rowan berries are medicinally used as a laxative, treatment for sore throats, hoarseness, inflamed tonsils, and diarrhea.
• A decoction made from the bark is used as an astringent agent.
• The decoction made from ripe berries is used in traditional medicine as a gargle to cure sore throats.
• It is regarded to be helpful for piles due to its astringent properties.
• Berries help to treat scurvy as it has a high content of vitamin C.
• The fresh juice of berries is laxative and helps to soothe inflammation in mucous membranes.
• Fruit helps to lower pressure in an eyeball in the situation of glaucoma.
• It is used to treat piles, urinary problems, gall bladder ailments, indigestion, coronary problems, angina, appetite stimulant, blood purifier, worms, scurvy, boils, and tonsillitis.
• Rowan berries are helpful for the treatment of kidney disease, arthritis, diabetes, diarrhea, vitamin C deficiency, as well as menstrual problems.
• It also helps to reduce inflammation of tissues of the nose, mouth, throat, and other parts of the body.
• It also helps to treat lung ailments.
• It helps to purify the blood and increase metabolism.
• The berries possess antiseptic, diuretic, and wound healing properties.
• Rowan berries help to treat diabetes, kidney disease, gout, rheumatism, arthritis, and constipation.
• It is an aid for sinus, internal inflammations, lung infections, excess acid in the blood, menstrual complaints, and poor metabolism.
• Rowan berries also treat eye irritations, bladder problems, spasmodic pains in the uterus, neuralgia, and gout.
• The tea helps to treat hemorrhoids and urinary tract problems.
• The decoction made from Rowan bark helps to cure vaginal irritations and irritable bowels.
• The fruit helps to eradicate cancer cells, prevent premature aging, stimulate skin health, intensify the cell’s reproduction, increase immunity power, enhance vision and treat macular degeneration.
• It boosts collagen production, strengthens muscle tissues, and also restores blood vessels.
• The fruits assist digestion, eliminate constipation by stimulating the stool capacities and gastrointestinal system.

 Precautions

• The high intake of berries can cause queasiness, stomach pain, diarrhea, vomiting, kidney damage, and skin rashes.
• People who are allergic to Rowan berries should not use them to remain on the safe side.
• Wild Rowan berries contain a high amount of parasorbic acid that can damage kidneys, indigestion, and other health ailments.

How to Eat

• The ripened fruits are consumed raw or cooked.
• The fruits are processed into liqueurs, pies, marmalade, and beverage.
• The dried fruits are used like prunes and used as an ingredient for baking the cake.
• The fruits are used to make jams, juices, jellies, fruit wines, and other alcoholic drinks.
• In Ancient Greece, the fruits are pickled by cutting it in half.
• The dried berries are used to make tea.
• The fruit is added to alcoholic beverages and liqueurs to enhance its flavor.
• The fruits are mixed with sugar to make dessert.
• They are consumed with lams and other meat.
• The fruits are also used to make pastries.

Other Facts

• The trees of Rowanberry have roundish crowns and slender trunk.
• Flowers attract flies, bees, and beetles which are the main pollinators.
• Each fruit contains eight seeds.
• Blackbirds, redwings, thrushes, waxwings, and fieldfares consume the fruit of Rowan berries which helps to disperse the seed.
• Fruit is used as a perfect substitute for coffee and adds flavor to the liqueurs and cordials.
• The woods are used to prevent the curdling of the milk and manufacture the divining rods in past.
• It was planted in order to prevent farm cottages from roaming witches.
• A rowan tree was planted on a grave with a belief that it would decrease the haunting.
• In ancient times, druids used to light fires from Rowan wood to help promote insights into the forthcoming battles.

References