Blackberry
  Rubus various species
   
   Blackberrys have  been used through the ages for a variety of 
  medicinal purposes, from diarrhea to a general restoritive.
   
   The main chemicals present in blackberries are gallic acid and 
  tannin, and it is present in every part of the plant.  
   
   Blackberries picked and dried then powdered can be stored and
  used with a small amount of water to counter act diarrhea.
  The tea made from the leaves, steeped in water for five minutes,
  or simmering bark of the root, can be used in 1 cup increments 
  several times a day.  Blackberry leaves are available at most 
  health-food stores, or you can dry your own. Cordials have been
  used in the past for those with colds and flu, along with vinegars.
  Also old folk tales state that mixing vinegars with water seems to 
  aid those with gout and arthritis. And the use of vinegars for a 
  fever is suppose to be lowered by the use of blackberries. Blackberry
  shoots boiled into a tea is said to have been used for mouth irritations
  such as cankersores.  Possibly because of it's astringent properties.
  A tea from the leaves and the drinking of the juice has also been 
  used in the past for an upset stomach. 
  
   
   A cordial from the juice of the blackberry has been used in the 
  past as a stimulate for the body and heart, and is helpfull in 
  overcoming an illness.  To make a cordial, press out the juice,
  for every quart of juice add, 1/2 - 1 oz of nutmeg and cloves and 
  about 2 to 2 1/2 pounds of sugar (honey also works well, about 2/3
  cup of honey is equivalent to on cup of sugar, the amount of total
  liquid also needs to be monitored, about 3 tablespoons less liquid
  per amount of honey used)  Heat and simmer this mixture till it 
  reaches the point of becoming a syrup.  This syrup can be mixed 
  with brandy to taste.  Note: Using honey does cut down on the shelf
  life of this cordial and it may cause it to ferment if not kept cold.
    
    Vinegars can be used to sooth the throat, and be made into compresses.
   Dip a cloth into the vinegar and wrap around the throat, then wrap 
   with a couple of layers of dry cloth and then an old sock. (my 
   mother use to do this for all sore throats..  what the sock has to 
   do with it I have no idea.. but it does work)  To make Blackberry 
   vinegar, take the berries make sure that they are cleaned of stems
   branches etc. Place them in a covered non-aluminum container, poor 
   apple cider vinegar or malt over them and let them sit for a min.
   of 3 days.  Then strain the mixture through cheescloth or a strainer
   do not force it through.  Let it drip on it's own. To each pint of 
   juice measure about a pound of honey, simmer, remove the scum that 
   rises to the top and bottle. Make sure that your bottle is closed  
   tightly with a cork or lid.  
    
    A modification of the above is to use glycerite in place of the 
   honey, approx 8 oz of glycerite is the equivalent amount. Both of 
   the above I might add work can be used as external compresses for 
   arthritic joints.  Now the short cuts or when you don't have fresh 
   berries or don't have time to wait.  Take blackberry jelly mix it 
   with vinegar heat and use as in the above.