At the mention of barberry, caramels of the same name, which have an unusual taste, come to mind. In reality, this is a beautiful thorny bush, the fruits of which resemble the same candies in shape and color.
Due to the high decorativeness of the bushes, barberry is widely used in garden design: graceful barberry hedges serve not only to decorate the site until late autumn, when its foliage acquires a bright burgundy color, but also as a source of useful substances that are contained in the fruits.
Barberry berries are used to treat hypertension, to prevent the development of cancer. The use of fruits in the recommended doses helps to normalize blood pressure. The fruits, leaves and bark of barberry contain a large amount of active alkaloids, fat-soluble vitamin K, carotene, vitamins E and C, therefore they are effective as a choleretic agent, help with liver and gallbladder diseases, as a hemostatic agent.
In folk medicine, barberry fruits are used to stop bleeding of various localizations, they also perfectly increase the body's natural immunity, and have anti-inflammatory properties.
Barberry berries have strong astringent properties, remove salts of heavy metals and other harmful substances from the body, therefore they can stop diarrhea, relieve stomach and intestinal colic, and relieve hangover syndrome. The unique quality of barberry - to regulate the functions of the hematopoietic organs, in particular, the spleen, makes it possible to use this plant for malaria and various exotic fevers.
Extracts from barberry fruits are used in cooking as a seasoning for meat dishes, in the preparation of sauces, syrups, jellies. Medicinal tea, ointments, tablets, tinctures are made from all parts of this plant. Barberry is especially popular in dietetics, since it perfectly replenishes the supply of vitamins and microelements, does not contain fats and easily digestible carbohydrates, so its use is possible in diabetes mellitus.
In case of an overdose of drugs prepared on the bark of barberry, with overeating of fruits, the development of intoxication is possible: nausea, dizziness appears, convulsions are possible, the development of renal failure.
Barberry slimming tincture is also popular. To prepare it, you need to take 20 g of dry crushed plant leaves and pour 100 ml. quality vodka, insist in a dark place for 14 days, then filter. You need to take 25 drops three times a day for 14-20 days, depending on the effect. Do not use this medication while taking aspirin and laxatives.
There are very serious restrictions for the use of this shrub in treatment: since unripe fruits contain a large amount of the toxic alkaloid berberine, only fully ripe berries are allowed to be eaten. You can not eat barberry berries and preparations with it for pregnant and lactating women, since they stimulate muscle activity, can provoke a miscarriage or cause oxygen starvation of the fetus.
