Rowan - Sorbus aucuparia

Common Names: Rowan, Rowan tree, European Rowan, Mountain-ash, Amur mountain-ash, Quick beam, Rowan berry, Witchen, Sorb apple, Sorbus aucuparia, Eberesche, Ebereschenbeeren, Sorbier des Oiseaux, Sorbier des Oiseleurs, Pyrus aucuparia

Latin Name: Sorbus aucuparia

Origin: Europe

Short Introduction

Rowan generally prefers moderately moist to moderately dry, sandy soils that are slightly acidic, with no special requirements for humus content. The tree thrives on clay to sandy soils, as well as wet peat bogs. However, the plant does not tolerate saline or waterlogged substrates. Rowan tolerates partial shade and shadow, and survives dry winters. Additionally, it withstands polluted air, strong winds, and snowstorms.

The seeds of the plant germinate quickly and easily, so the plant readily takes root among rocks, in ruins, or hollow trees. Growing rowan is remarkably easy, quick, and requires little care. The fruits are harvested at the end of August or early September. The berries are best dried first in the shade, and then—if possible—in full sunlight.

Detailed Description

Rowan berries purify, refresh, and relax the body.

Botanical Information

Rowan (Sorbus aucuparia) may grow as a perennial shrub or tree, reaching up to 15 meters in height (and occasionally up to 20 meters!). Its crown is open, oval, or irregularly shaped and broad, often with several trunks. The trunk is slender, rarely over 40 cm wide, with yellow-gray bark and upright branches. The root system grows both deep and wide and can send up new shoots, enabling the rowan to regenerate after pruning.

The leaves are lanceolate, about 20 cm long and 8-15 cm wide, veined, opposite, and pinnate with 4-9 pairs of leaflets. Each leaflet measures 2-7 cm long and 1-3 cm wide, slightly hairy with smooth edges and short petioles. Rowan is a monoecious plant, bearing both male and female flowers on the same individual. It reaches maturity around its 10th year and flowers almost every year, blooming in corymbs from May to June. The flowers are green-yellow-white, 8-10 mm in diameter, with triangular petals. Fruits appear from August to October as oval, greenish berries about 1 cm in size.

Origin and Distribution

Rowan is likely native to most of Europe, southwestern Asia, and northern Africa. Today, it is distributed from Madeira and the Azores, across Iceland and the Faroe Islands, to the far eastern reaches of Russian Siberia and northern China. The northernmost occurrence is documented at the 71st parallel in Norway.

Related species are found throughout northern Asia and in some parts of North America (care should be taken not to confuse with similar species!). Rowan is found in all types of wooded areas, along forest edges, and boundaries. The tree can grow freely from lowlands to high mountain areas, reaching altitudes up to 2000 meters in the Alps.

Usage / Dosage

Rowan grows relatively fast but does not live very long (maximum about 80 years). Its wood is flexible, elastic, and hard, but not very durable or of high quality. The tree is valued for its decorative effect, and has historically been used in furniture making and for strengthening slopes in mountainous regions. Rowan was also once used for attracting and trapping birds.

In the Czech Republic, deliberate cultivation of rowan began in 1779 on the recommendation of Empress Maria Theresa. The edible cultivar Sorbus aucuparia var. dulcis or var. edulis, or moravica, was first discovered in 1810 near Ostružná in the Hrubý Jeseník mountains and spread significantly in the 20th century across Austria-Hungary and Germany (sometimes as a coffee substitute together with chicory).

The bark and fruit decoction can be used as an astringent for diarrhea and some mild vaginal infections. Some fruit compounds support the treatment of chronic diarrhea and the healing of damaged blood vessels in cases of external hemorrhoids. Astringent substances can also help heal inflammation of the oral cavity with regular gargling.

Phenolic compounds present in rowan berries have been tested in different extracts (water, methanol, ethanol) for their antioxidant activity. Identified components include anthocyanins, flavonols, tannins, and phenolic acids. In vivo tests showed significant antioxidant potential, with derivatives of caffeoylquinic acid being the primary contributors (making up 60–80% of content).

Extracts from both wild and cultivated rowan berries have also been analyzed for bacteriostatic properties, particularly against Staphylococcus aureus, with notable concentration-dependent effects. In vitro studies suggest antibacterial action against Gram-negative bacteria via inhibition of DNA polymerase, offering new possibilities for antibiotic development.

Smaller in vivo studies showed a mild antineoplastic effect of rowan berry extract in mice with lung carcinoma and cutaneous melanoma, compared with cyclophosphamide, suggesting potential in cancer treatment.

These research findings, together with traditional uses, support the approved health claims by national regulatory agencies regarding the refreshment of the body and immune system support during stress and physical strain after consuming rowan berries. The immune support is attributed to vitamin C content and phenolic antioxidants (anthocyanins, tannins, flavonoids, and others). These compounds may contribute to regeneration and refreshment of the body under stress.

Traditional and Folk Uses

In folk medicine, rowan berries are used as a diuretic, mild laxative, anti-rheumatic agent, promoting bile flow, dissolving urinary tract stones, and soothing inflammation of the upper respiratory system. Rowan is used in baths for mild eczema, and decoctions are traditionally consumed to support women’s health, particularly for hormonal supplementation in cases of deficiency.

Traditionally, rowan berries have a mild laxative and astringent effect (the taste is tart and slightly bitter), display diuretic action, and in history were taken as a cholagogue and for the prevention of scurvy. Additional folk uses across Eastern Europe include "blood cleansing," enhancing metabolism, and supporting uric acid processing, thereby reducing symptoms of gout and similar inflammatory joint conditions.

In Austrian folk medicine, rowan berries are used for making tea, syrup, or liqueur to internally treat respiratory illnesses, fevers, infections, colds, influenza, rheumatism, and gout attacks. German folk medicine also recommends rowan decoctions for chronic kidney troubles and rowan syrup for hoarseness.

Rowan flowers and berries are taken to aid digestion by promoting the secretion of bile acids. Decoctions of these plant parts are drunk for painful menstruation, constipation, and kidney ailments. Some herbal sources note regular use of rowan for vitamin C deficiency as a natural dietary supplement.

Cautions

Certain compounds in rowan berries can cause mild headaches (depending on the dose), but this effect is removed through boiling or drying the fruit. Pharmacist Mannfried Pahlow described some adverse effects occurring after consuming large amounts of the berries.

Active Compounds

Rowan berries are rich in carotenoids (sorbusins), citric, tartaric, malic, parasorbic, sorbic, and ascorbic acids. They also contain provitamin A, sugars (sorbitol, sorbose), tannins, pectins, anthocyanins, essential oils, bitter substances, flavonoids, and glycosidic compounds. Notable constituents include chlorogenic acid, caffeoylquinic acid, p-coumaric acid, rutin, and quercetin-3-O-rutinoside.

Traditional Dosage

The berries are given 2–3 times daily in the amount of one glass in the form of a macerate (soaked for 6 hours), decoction (boiled for 2 minutes then steeped for 10 minutes), or 3–4 teaspoons as a syrup (the berries are pressed, filtered, mixed with sugar 1:1, and boiled for about 15 minutes).

Rowan berries can also be used to produce wine and various juices. The berries should always be boiled or dried before consumption. A strong decoction can be used for baths, rinses, or washes.