Useful properties and contraindications of barberry, medicinal use in traditional 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 minerals that help fight some diseases. Due to the medicinal properties of barberry, many people use it in medicine. However, before that, you need to familiarize yourself in more detail with the main features of this plant.
Barberry composition
Thanks to the components from the composition, the plant has a number of medicinal properties. At the same time, useful components are found not only in ripe fruits, but also in roots, leaves and bark. Barberry berries are rich in vitamins A, PP, C, B1 and B2. In addition, they contain the following trace elements:
- 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 a dozen alkaloids, which allows them to be used in folk medicine.
What is used in traditional medicine
Before using barberry in folk medicine, you need to familiarize yourself with the features of the use of each of the parts 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 barberry, since unripe berries are very dangerous. They contain many alkaloids, due to which signs of intoxication appear. Therefore, before preparing the broths, you need to make sure that the fruits are fully ripe.
Leaves
Barberry leaves have a number of useful properties, thanks to which they can be used in the treatment of various diseases. Most often, medicinal alcoholic decoctions are prepared from them, which help get rid of the symptoms of jaundice. Also, the sheets are used to eliminate bleeding. Some doctors prepare decoctions from the leaves, which eliminate the signs of hypertension and gynecological pathologies.
Root
Barberry rhizomes contain a lot of berberine, which is very similar in its medicinal properties to sulphurous salt. Tinctures and decoctions, which contain a barberry root, are used to cleanse the kidneys.Also, such medicinal products 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 oncological pathologies.
Branches
Solutions are prepared from the bark and twigs of barberry, from which lotions for rinsing are created. The prepared products are anti-inflammatory, which helps to eliminate sore throat and gums. Also, tinctures are prepared from them to help fight the symptoms of a cold.
Flowers
Flowers are used to create broths that help cope with heart disease.
Most often, these drugs are used to normalize blood pressure and get rid of hypertension.
How does it affect 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 need to familiarize yourself with before using barberry decoctions.
Acts as a natural antibiotic
Barberry is considered a natural antibiotic that can be used to prepare medicines that help cure liver and kidney diseases, as well as eliminate the signs of high blood pressure.
Strengthens the immune system
Ripe berry tinctures not only fight against pathogenic microorganisms, but also increase the body's defense against many diseases. The plant contains substances that strengthen tissues and protect cells from bacteria. Experts advise taking barberry extract regularly, which protects against flu and fever.
Improves vision
Medicines prepared on the basis of barberry are actively used for the treatment and prevention of eye diseases. The healing effect is achieved due to the fact that the plant contains berberine. This component is added to many drugs for the treatment of conjunctivitis.
Diarrhea treatment
Many people experience food poisoning with 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 the work of the heart
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 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 broth 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. Berberine is present in the berries, which, after entering the bloodstream, reduces the amount of glucose and normalizes lipid metabolism. With regular use of drugs made from barberry, insulin sensitivity increases significantly.
Promotes the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract
Decoctions of berries improve 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 from bacteria and worms. They also help get rid of the 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.
Healing recipes with barberry
To correctly create remedies, you need to familiarize yourself with the recipes for their preparation.
Infusion for the liver
Barberry tinctures help to normalize and improve liver function. To prepare a medicinal broth, you will need 100 grams of dried barberry leaves, pour boiling water over and leave for 45-55 minutes. Then the tincture is filtered and poured into a jar. The prepared broth is drunk daily five times for about 25 days.
Morse for immunity
It is no secret that fruits increase and improve the functioning of the immune system, and therefore drugs are prepared from them to increase immunity. When creating a fruit drink, 50 grams of berries are poured with water, boiled and insisted for several days. The prepared product is drunk daily before meals for 20-30 days.
Stomach tea
To normalize the digestive system, a 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 at 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 insisted for three hours and filtered. The broth 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 the barberry, as well as with the basic recipes for preparing medicines from berries, roots, leaves or plant bark.
