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.
