Blackcurrant: the plant for light legs and venous comfort

It is from this plant that blackcurrant comes — that small dark fruit with an intense flavour used for centuries in phytotherapy and gemmotherapy, notably in the form of bud macerate. Its leaves, buds and fruits contain a remarkable concentration of anthocyanins, flavonoids and polyphenols, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds whose activity on cell membranes and vascular walls is well documented.

This combination of properties makes it a particularly relevant species for supporting venous comfort and promoting the sensation of light legs — a very real concern during pregnancy, when circulation changes profoundly. The quality of the extract, in particular the standardisation of anthocyanins and the extraction method, determines the efficacy and consistency of the benefits obtained.

In its natural form, Black currant is best known for its fruit: the blackcurrant berries, consumed fresh, as jam, jelly, juice, herbal tea or syrup. Their intense dark purple colour is directly linked to their concentration of anthocyanins, the same compounds that support vascular benefits. Blackcurrant is also well regarded for its broader benefits on the body: its dried leaves are traditionally used in infusions or phytotherapy to relieve joint pain, particularly in cases of gout and osteoarthritis, as well as for their anti-inflammatory effects on the circulatory system. Other berries rich in anthocyanins share similar medicinal properties: blueberry, blackberry, aronia and cherry. The absorption of anthocyanins depends on the form of consumption, the freshness of the fruit and the overall food matrix. Dietary intake remains difficult to standardise according to season and individual habits.

In the form of supplements, Black currant is available as: standardised dry leaf or berry extract in polyphenols, bud macerate in gemmotherapy, fruit powder capsules, liquid ampoules, or integrated into venous complexes combining several medicinal plants. For women suffering from heavy legs, the liquid ampoule form, as in Light Legs by Jolly Mama, offers the advantage of rapid absorption and easy daily intake, diluted in a glass of water or juice. The blackcurrant bud macerate, used in gemmotherapy, is known for its systemic anti-inflammatory effects, particularly on joint pain and chronic inflammatory conditions such as osteoarthritis. A standardised anthocyanin extract guarantees a consistent content from batch to batch, which is preferable to a simple raw fruit powder. It is advisable to check the origin of the plant, its cultivation method — ideally organic — and the absence of unnecessary preservatives or additives. Blackcurrant is generally well tolerated.