Barberry

Barberry

In the European part of Russia barberry is widely distributed in the Crimea and the Caucasus. It is drought resistant and cold-resistant. It grows well in poor shading on the edge of forests, scrublands and in river valleys. By the soil demanders, on moist soils form numerous suckers.

Propagated by seeds and suckers, in Siberia grows Siberian and the Far East - Amur barberry.

Branch of barberry, upward, seated tripartite spines, serrated leaves and yellow flowers in drooping racemes, with a strong peculiar odor that attracts bees. The flowers of this shrub are a good honey plant.

May - time of flowering barberry. The fruits ripen in August - early September. Autumn leaf color change - they become dark red, purple.

Berry - dark red, oblong-cylindrical brush collected. They are edible, have a pleasant taste, quench thirst, contain glucose fructose, malic acid, and vitamin C.

It is recommended to collect them in late fall slightly frostbitten.

The berries of barberry are widely used in food. They are used as a seasoning for meat dishes of Caucasian cuisine. Of these, prepare jam, juice, syrup, jelly, marmalade, candy. The fruit is widely used in confectionery and alcoholic beverage production. The pulp of ripe fruit can replace the lemon.

In folk medicine used for medicinal purposes fruits, roots and leaves of barberry.

Therapeutic use of barberry

* The leaves bark and roots of barberry contain the alkaloid berberine, lowers blood pressure and reduces heart rate.

* The young leaves contain malic acid, vitamin C, carotene, and are eaten in the form of salads and marinades are a good means of anti-scorbutic.

* Diseases of the liver and biliary tract, as anti-inflammatory and choleretic infusion of the leaves is used: 10 g (1 tbsp) chopped dried leaves pour 1 cup of hot water, close lid and heated in a water bath for 15 minutes. Then allowed to cool, filter, squeeze, made up of boiled water to the original volume, store the prepared infusion in a cool place. Take 1 tablespoon 3-4 times a day.

* Gastritis with low acidity, to strengthen the capillary walls can be a great tool to prepare, quenches thirst - extract from the fruit of barberry: 1 piece of fruit is filled with 10 parts of boiling water, and when the infusion has cooled, strain it through cheesecloth and store in a cool place. Take 0.5 cup 2-3 times a day 30 minutes before meals.

* The fruit of barberry is used to improve appetite, thirst and lower the temperature in febrile states, as a choleretic, diuretic, protivoponosnoe and improving blood circulation means.