Barberry - Common Barberry - Jaundice Berry - Berberis Vulgaris - Berberidaceae Barberry
Family Name: Berberidaceae
Botanical Name(s): Berberis Vulgaris Popular Name(s): Berberry, Berberberis, Jaundice Berry, and Common Barberry.
Parts Used: The fresh and dried fruits are used.
Habitat: Native to the temperate and subtropical regions of Europe, Asia, Africa, North America and South America.
Description: Deciduous scrubby herb with gray-yellow grooved stem and yellow roots, which bears 3-pronged spines and toothed leaves, with yellow flowers followed by oval red fruits.
Uses: Barberry is traditionally used as a liver tonic and for detoxification and the root bark has some very good liver stimulant properties, which increase liver functioning and to treat gallstones. Barberry has a high concentration of berberine, which has remarkable disease and infection fighting properties. Berberine stimulates the macrophages (white blood cells that devour microorganisms) and is an excellent immune system booster.
