Barberry is an extremely useful plant... This is distinguished not only by the aesthetic and nutritional value of the shrub, but also by the healing properties of all parts of the plant.
Barberry root has the broadest potential for medicinal properties., which has many medicinal properties, which is often used in traditional medicine for the treatment and prevention of many diseases.
Composition and medicinal properties of barberry root, contraindications
If you look closely at the break in the roots of the barberry, you will notice a bright yellow color. This color gives the roots of the plant rare alkaloid berberine... This component of barberry determines its main medicinal properties.
On the basis of an alkaloid, a choleretic drug "Berberine bisulfate" has been developed, which is used in traditional medicine.
In addition to berberine (9.4%), the root of the plant contains alkaloids (4.8%):
- columbamine;
- leontin;
- oxyacanthin;
- berberrubin;
- jatroricin;
- palmitin.
Complement the chemical composition of the root organic acids: apple, chelidone and lemon, resins, pectins, vitamins C and E.
As a result of experimental studies, a number of therapeutic effects were revealed after the use of herbal remedies prepared on the basis of barberry roots.
Berberine inhibits the production of high density lipoproteins ("bad" cholesterol). This is an irreplaceable property in atherosclerosis, obesity, cardiovascular pathologies.
An aqueous extract from the root of barberry increases cardiac contractility and reduces peripheral vascular resistance, thereby preventing the dangerous manifestations of hypertension.
By supplementing berberine with organic acids and vitamin C barberry root is effective for fighting fever.
The pronounced anti-inflammatory effect helps to fight nephritis and other inflammatory processes in the body.
The active substances of the root have an antioxidant effectby suppressing lipid peroxidation. Therefore, herbal remedies will be useful as an antioxidant supplement in diabetes mellitus and liver pathologies, which are accompanied by the release of toxins into the body.
Regular use of barberry root lowers blood sugar.
Barberry roots affect the secretion of thyroid hormones T3, T4 and TSH, the imbalance of which can lead to hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism. Therefore, herbal remedies can be considered as an additional treatment for these disorders.
Additionally, berberine has anticonvulsant, diuretic, antibacterial, tonic, sedative and antispasmodic properties.
Barberry roots should not be used when hypotension, contraindication is pregnancy and the postpartum period, bleeding associated with ovarian dysfunction, liver cirrhosis and acute manifestations of hepatitis.
This list includes children under 12 years old and people with individual intolerance to the components of the roots. Drinking above recommended levels may result in choking or respiratory failure.
Procurement, storage and use of dried raw materials
The roots are harvested in the spring before the buds swell or in October. At the same time, it is permissible to dig out no more than 1/3 of the roots from each shrub. Subsequent harvesting is only possible after 5 years.
The soil is shaken off the roots and the fibrous part is cut out. Since berberine dissolves quickly in water, raw materials cannot be washed... Roots are dried in a dry and ventilated area for 4-5 days.
It is possible to speed up the process in the oven by setting the temperature to 45 ° C. After that, the raw materials are put into fabric bags, which are stored in a dry room. Shelf life 3 years.
Decoctions are made from the root of barberry, alcoholic tinctures are made, used as an additive to tea or to fruit compotes.
Herbal remedies help fight viruses and bacteria during epidemics, and are a worthy alternative to many chemical preparations.
Useful infusion
To prepare herbal remedies, crushed raw materials (1 tsp) are placed in a thermos and poured with boiling water (0.5 l), insisted for 45 minutes.
Applied for:
- lowering the temperature with fevers (malaria) 1 tbsp. l. 4 times a day;
- rinsing the mouth for gum disease 3-4 times a day;
- relieving pain in the liver and gallbladder, 50 ml 4 times a day;
- as an auxiliary treatment for dropsy and jaundice, 50 ml 3-4 times a day.
The infusion can be used as an active ingredient for lotions for eye inflammation, purulent wounds, eczema, or for rinsing the face with dermatitis.
Decoction
Medicinal raw materials (3 tsp) are poured with water (0.5 l), boiled for 20 minutes, the volume is brought to its original state with boiled water. The broth is filtered and poured into a glass container.
Applied with:
- internal bleeding 1 tbsp. each hour;
- hepatitis, bronchitis 1 hour 3 times a day;
- neuralgia, hypertension, atherosclerosis, 50 ml 3 times a day.
The broth is used as a choleretic agent, taking 1 hour 5-6 times a day... It is used for hepatitis, gallbladder pathologies and exacerbations of cholecystitis.
Tincture
To prepare a remedy, the crushed raw materials (40 g) are poured with 40% ethyl alcohol (100 ml), insisted in a dark place for 20 days. The tincture is taken 30 drops 3 times a day for internal bleeding.
Compresses, lotions are made with tincture with joint diseases and muscle spasms. To do this, a gauze cloth soaked in the product is applied to the painful areas for 30 minutes. The procedure has anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic effects.
In the presence of serious pathologies, any drug from the root of the barberry can harm. Therefore, before using them, it is important to discuss the tactics of treatment with a doctor who will select the optimal doses, a course of treatment, based on the individual condition.
How to use in cosmetology
The antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and tonic properties of barberry root are also attractive for cosmetology.
Thanks to the effects of berberine, the local metabolism in the epidermis increases, which makes it possible to strengthen hair follicles, tighten loose skin and smooth wrinkles.
Root active substances lighten the most persistent age spots and freckles, even out the complexion.
Skin rejuvenation
For rejuvenation procedures a decoction of barberry roots is used... This is a daily wipe in the morning and evening.
For toning the skin, the broth is used frozen. The wiping procedure with ice cubes is repeated every morning before applying decorative cosmetics.
Make a mask twice a week... To do this, a terry towel is soaked in a warm broth, wrung out, applied to the face, neck, décolleté and kept for 15 minutes. The product is not washed off.
Strengthening and growing hair
For medical procedures prepare a strong infusion from the roots... For this, 4 tbsp. raw materials are poured into 1 liter of boiling water and insisted for 1 hour.
The herbal remedy is used as a rinse after shampooing. The procedures are carried out within 1-2 months.
With severe hair shedding make masks... To do this, rub the infusion into the hair roots, put on a plastic cap and wrap the head with a terry towel. Stand for 15 minutes and wash off with water.
Acne and age spots
With acne, there will be useful daily wiping problem areas with a decoction or infusion.
The product has disinfectant and antibacterial properties, which will suppress the spread of acne and reduce inflammation in the layers of the skin.
With age spots and freckles, the skin is rubbed with a strong infusion 3-4 times a day. If the skin is dry, the infusion is mixed with sour cream (1: 1).
Application of leaves and berries
The fruits of barberry have choleretic, antipyretic, hemostatic, anti-inflammatory and tonic properties.
Recipes:
- Decoction... Chopped berries (50 g) are poured with water (250 ml) and boiled for 30 minutes. The filtered agent is used as a choleretic or antipyretic agent, 100 ml 3 times a day.
- Morse... Dried raw materials (300 g) are poured with water (3 l), boiled for 10 minutes and insisted for 2 hours. Sugar or vanilla powder is added to the strained drink. Barberry juice will be useful for pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract, liver and gallbladder, colds, hemorrhoids and constipation. The daily allowance is 500 ml.
- The juice... Dried fruits are soaked in cold water for 10 hours. After that, wipe and squeeze the juice, add sugar to taste. This is a good way to increase appetite, strengthen the heart and blood vessels. The juice is recommended to be consumed in 100 ml in the morning.
- Infusion... Whole fruits (2 tbsp. L.) Are poured with boiling water (0.5 l) and insisted for 8 hours. The medicinal infusion is used to regulate the water-salt balance, treat pancreatitis. The daily rate is 3 tbsp. l., the course of treatment is 7 days.
- Prophylactic tea... In a teapot (250 ml), lay 1 teaspoon of fruits and pour boiling water over it, leave for 5-7 minutes. Tea is drunk warm 30 minutes after eating. The drink tones and strengthens the immune system.
Barberry fruits are used as a seasoning to rice, meat and fish dishes, boil jelly, jelly and make marshmallow.
The leaves of barberry contain alkaloids, only in smaller quantities than in the roots. They contain a large amount of phytoncides, phytohormones, flavonoids, vitamins C, E and K.
Recipes:
- Tincture... Crushed dry raw materials (40 g) are poured with 40% ethyl alcohol (100 ml), insisted for 20 days in a dark place. Take 20-30 drops 3 times a day for 20 days. This treatment regimen will be useful for hypertension, atherosclerosis, internal bleeding, hemorrhoids.
- Infusion... Crushed raw materials (1 tbsp. L.) Are poured with boiling water (250 ml) and steamed in a water bath for 15 minutes. The volume of the strained broth is adjusted to 250 ml and insisted for 8 hours. It is taken as a choleretic agent for liver pathologies. Treatment tactics: taking 1 tbsp. 4 times a day for 10 days.
- Vitamin drink... Barberry leaves (100 g) are poured with water (1 l) and cooked over low heat for 5 minutes. 50 g of honey is added to the drink. The drink tones and strengthens the body. You can use no more than 200 ml of the product per day, dividing it by 2 times.
All products made from barberry leaves have diaphoretic and antibacterial properties. Therefore, they can be used to treat acute respiratory viral infections, acute respiratory infections, influenza and malaria.
Of all the alkaloids contained in barberry, only berberine has been studied to date. This allows us to speculate that barberry can be beneficial for human health in other ways.
However, even today barberry is a significant culture for humans, which brings aesthetic pleasure, enriches the diet and cures many diseases.