What Is Barberry - Berberis Vulgaris?
Other Common Names: Agracejo, Amberparis, Barberry, Berbery,
Common Barberry, Epine Vinette, European Barberry, Pipperidge Bush,
Berberis Vulgaris (Vulgaris=Common)
Range: France; Spain; Turkey; USA; Barberry Coast. Naturalized, or possibly native, in Britain
Habitat: Hedges, roadsides, clearings etc, preferring a sunny position
Barberries have long been used as a herbal remedy for the treatment
of a variety of complaints. All parts of the plant can be used, the
plant is mainly used nowadays as a tonic to the gallbladder to improbe
the flow of bile and ameliorate conditions such as gallbladder pain,
gallstones and jaundice. The bark and rootbark are antiseptic,
astringent, cholagogue, hepatic, purgative, refrigerant, stomachic and
tonic. The bark is harvested in the summer and can be dried for
storing. It is especially useful in cases of jaundice, general debility
and biliousness, but should be used with caution. The flowers and the
stembark are antirheumatic.
The roots are astringent and antiseptic. They have been pulverized
in a little water and used to treat mouth ulcers. A tea of the roots
and stems has been used to treat stomach ulcers. The root bark has also
been used as a purgative and treatment for diarrhea and is diaphoretic.
A tincture of the root bark has been used in the treatment of
rheumatism, sciatica etc. The root bark is a rich source of the
alkaloid berberine (about 6%).
Berberine, universally present in rhizomes of Berberis species, has
marked antibacterial effects. Since it is not appreciably absorbed by
the body, it is used orally in the treatment of various enteric
infections, especially bacillary dysentery. It should not be used with
Glyccyrriza species (Liquorice) because this nullifies the effects of
the berberine. Berberine has also shown antitumour activity and is also
efective in the treatment of hypersensitive eyes, inflamed lids and
conjunctivitis.
A tea made from the fruits is antipruritic, antiseptic, appetizer,
astringent, diuretic, expectorant and laxative. It is also used as a
febrifuge. The fruit, or freshly pressed juice, is used in the
treatment of liver and gall bladder problems, kidney stones, menstrual
pains etc.
The leaves are astringent and antiscorbutic. A tea made from the
leaves is used in the treatment of coughs. The plant (probably the
inner bark) is used by homeopaths as a valuable remedy for kidney and
liver insufficiency.
Fruit - raw or cooked. A very acid flavor, it is mainly used in
preserves, though children and some adults seem to like it raw when it
is fully ripe. A refreshing lemon-like drink can be made from the
fruit. The fruits are about 10mm long.
Young leaves - used as a flavoring or as an acid nibble. They can be
used in much the same way as sorrel (Rumex acetosa). The dried young
leaves and shoot tips make a refreshing tea.
Plants can be grown as a medium-size hedge in exposed positions but
they cannot tolerate extreme maritime exposure. They are very tolerant
of trimming but can also be left untrimmed if required. A good quality
yellow dye is obtained from the roots, bark and stem. As well as being
used on cloth, it is also used to stain wood.
The unripe fruit is dried and used as beads. Wood - fine grained,
yellow. Used for carving, toothpicks, mosaics etc. It is also used as a
fuel.
Other Common Names: Agracejo, Amberparis, Barberry, Berbery,
Common Barberry, Epine Vinette, European Barberry, Pipperidge Bush,
Berberis Vulgaris (Vulgaris=Common)
Range: France; Spain; Turkey; USA; Barberry Coast. Naturalized, or possibly native, in Britain
Habitat: Hedges, roadsides, clearings etc, preferring a sunny position
Barberries have long been used as a herbal remedy for the treatment
of a variety of complaints. All parts of the plant can be used, the
plant is mainly used nowadays as a tonic to the gallbladder to improbe
the flow of bile and ameliorate conditions such as gallbladder pain,
gallstones and jaundice. The bark and rootbark are antiseptic,
astringent, cholagogue, hepatic, purgative, refrigerant, stomachic and
tonic. The bark is harvested in the summer and can be dried for
storing. It is especially useful in cases of jaundice, general debility
and biliousness, but should be used with caution. The flowers and the
stembark are antirheumatic.
The roots are astringent and antiseptic. They have been pulverized
in a little water and used to treat mouth ulcers. A tea of the roots
and stems has been used to treat stomach ulcers. The root bark has also
been used as a purgative and treatment for diarrhea and is diaphoretic.
A tincture of the root bark has been used in the treatment of
rheumatism, sciatica etc. The root bark is a rich source of the
alkaloid berberine (about 6%).
Berberine, universally present in rhizomes of Berberis species, has
marked antibacterial effects. Since it is not appreciably absorbed by
the body, it is used orally in the treatment of various enteric
infections, especially bacillary dysentery. It should not be used with
Glyccyrriza species (Liquorice) because this nullifies the effects of
the berberine. Berberine has also shown antitumour activity and is also
efective in the treatment of hypersensitive eyes, inflamed lids and
conjunctivitis.
A tea made from the fruits is antipruritic, antiseptic, appetizer,
astringent, diuretic, expectorant and laxative. It is also used as a
febrifuge. The fruit, or freshly pressed juice, is used in the
treatment of liver and gall bladder problems, kidney stones, menstrual
pains etc.
The leaves are astringent and antiscorbutic. A tea made from the
leaves is used in the treatment of coughs. The plant (probably the
inner bark) is used by homeopaths as a valuable remedy for kidney and
liver insufficiency.
Fruit - raw or cooked. A very acid flavor, it is mainly used in
preserves, though children and some adults seem to like it raw when it
is fully ripe. A refreshing lemon-like drink can be made from the
fruit. The fruits are about 10mm long.
Young leaves - used as a flavoring or as an acid nibble. They can be
used in much the same way as sorrel (Rumex acetosa). The dried young
leaves and shoot tips make a refreshing tea.
Plants can be grown as a medium-size hedge in exposed positions but
they cannot tolerate extreme maritime exposure. They are very tolerant
of trimming but can also be left untrimmed if required. A good quality
yellow dye is obtained from the roots, bark and stem. As well as being
used on cloth, it is also used to stain wood.
The unripe fruit is dried and used as beads. Wood - fine grained,
yellow. Used for carving, toothpicks, mosaics etc. It is also used as a
fuel.
No comments:
Post a Comment