Beneficial properties and contraindications of barberry, medicinal use in folk medicine

Barberry is a small shrub whose branches are covered with sharp thorns and red berries. Barberry fruits are very useful, as they contain vitamins and microelements that help fight certain diseases. Due to the medicinal properties of barberry, many people use it in medicine. However, before this, you need to become more familiar with the main features of this plant.

Composition of barberry

Thanks to its components, the plant has a number of medicinal properties. Moreover, useful components are found not only in ripened fruits, but also in the roots, leaves and bark. Barberry berries are rich in vitamins A, PP, C, B1 and B2. In addition, they contain the following microelements:

• essential oils;
• organic acids;
• fructose;
• carotene;
• glucose;
• pectin;
• alkaloids.

Many consider barberry leaves to be an excellent antiseptic and anti-inflammatory agent. They contain resinous components, malic acids, as well as vitamins K and E. Young roots contain one and a half dozen alkaloids, which allows them to be used in folk medicine.

What is used in folk medicine

Before using barberry in folk medicine, you need to familiarize yourself with the features of using each part of the plant.

Berries

The fruits of the plant are considered an effective remedy used to improve the functioning of the immune system and increase appetite. Also, decoctions made from berries are used to eliminate hypertension and kidney diseases.

Experts advise using only ripe barberries, since unripe berries are very dangerous. They contain many alkaloids, which cause signs of intoxication. Therefore, before preparing decoctions, you need to make sure that the fruits are completely ripe.

Leaves

Barberry leaves have a number of beneficial properties, thanks to which they can be used in the treatment of various diseases.Most often, medicinal alcohol decoctions are prepared from them, which help get rid of the symptoms of jaundice. The leaves are also used to eliminate bleeding. Some doctors prepare decoctions from the leaves that eliminate signs of hypertension and gynecological pathologies.

Root

Barberry rhizomes contain a lot of berberine, which in its medicinal properties is very similar to sulfur dioxide. Tinctures and decoctions containing barberry root are used to cleanse the kidneys. Also, such therapeutic agents stimulate the functioning of the uterine muscles, eliminate signs of arrhythmia and help normalize high blood pressure. In addition, decoctions from the roots are used in the fight against cancer pathologies.

Branches

Solutions are prepared from barberry bark and twigs, from which lotions for rinsing are created. The prepared products have an anti-inflammatory effect, which helps eliminate inflammation of the throat and gums. They are also used to prepare tinctures that help fight cold symptoms.

Flowers

Flowers are used to create decoctions that help cope with heart disease.

Most often, such medications are used to normalize blood pressure and get rid of hypertension.

How it affects the body

Before using barberry for medicinal purposes, you need to understand the peculiarities of its effect on the body.

Beneficial features

There are several useful properties that you should familiarize yourself with before using barberry decoctions.

Acts as a natural antibiotic

Barberry is considered a natural antibiotic, from which you can prepare medicines that help cure liver and kidney diseases, as well as eliminate signs of high blood pressure.

Strengthens immunity

Tinctures made from ripe berries not only fight pathogenic microorganisms, but also increase the body’s defense against many diseases. The plant contains substances that strengthen tissues and protect cells from the penetration of bacteria. Experts advise regularly taking barberry extract, which protects against flu and fever.

Improves vision

Medicines prepared from barberry are actively used for the treatment and prevention of eye diseases. The therapeutic effect is achieved due to the fact that the plant contains berberine. This component is added to many drugs for the treatment of conjunctivitis.

Treatment of diarrhea

Many people experience food poisoning accompanied by diarrhea. Some healers and doctors believe that barberry decoctions help eliminate the unpleasant symptoms of diarrhea. Ripe berries have astringent properties that help cleanse the intestines of dangerous bacteria.

Improves heart function

All experienced doctors talk about the benefits of barberry medicines in the treatment of diseases associated with the heart muscle. Such remedies are useful for people who suffer from angina and ischemia. Also, regular use of medications reduces the likelihood of developing strokes.

To increase the effectiveness of treatment, barberry products are used in conjunction with procedures such as acupuncture and yoga.

Eliminates metabolic syndrome

People with metabolic syndrome need to take decoctions made from the leaves or flowers of the plant. It is enough to drink 300-400 milliliters of decoction every day to activate the elimination of fats and speed up metabolic processes in the body.

Reduces the likelihood of diabetes

Barberry is considered an effective remedy for the prevention and treatment of diabetes.The berries contain berberine, which, after entering the blood, reduces the amount of glucose and normalizes lipid metabolism. With regular use of medicines prepared from barberry, sensitivity to insulin increases significantly.

Promotes the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract

Berry decoctions improve the functioning of the digestive system and also help get rid of ulcers on the internal organs. Medicinal decoctions are prepared from the leaves and roots, which cleanse the intestines of bacteria and helminths. They also help get rid of signs of poisoning.

Harm and contraindications

Before using any barberry products, you should familiarize yourself with the contraindications. They cannot be used for the following ailments:

• renal failure;
• thrombophlebitis;
• varicose veins;
• bleeding in the uterus.

Medicinal recipes with barberry

To properly create medicinal products, you need to familiarize yourself with the recipes for their preparation.

Infusion for the liver

Barberry tinctures help normalize and improve liver function. To prepare a medicinal decoction, you will need 100 grams of dried barberry leaves, pour boiling water and leave for 45-55 minutes. Then the tincture is filtered and poured into a jar. The prepared decoction is drunk five times daily for about 25 days.

Morse for immunity

It is no secret that fruits increase and improve the functioning of the immune system, and therefore medicines are prepared from them to enhance immunity. When creating a fruit drink, 50 grams of berries are poured with water, boiled and infused for several days. The prepared product is drunk daily before meals for 20-30 days.

Tea for the stomach

To normalize the functioning of the digestive system, special medicinal tea is prepared.When preparing it, add 150 grams of fruit to half a liter of water. Then the container with the broth is placed on a gas stove and boiled for half an hour, after which the liquid is filtered through a strainer. Prepared tea is drunk daily, 50-60 milliliters.

Decoction for the heart

When creating a decoction for the heart, 60-70 grams of berries are placed in a container with 500-600 milliliters of water and boiled on a gas stove. Then the container with the liquid is infused for three hours and filtered. The decoction is drunk three times a day, 20-30 milliliters.

Conclusion

Barberry is a medicinal plant that is often used in modern medicine. Before preparing medicines from it, you need to familiarize yourself with the composition of barberry, as well as the basic recipes for preparing medicines from the berries, roots, leaves or bark of the plant.