Features: One hundred and seventy-five species of shrubs make up this large family of Berberidaceae, many of which are used in ornamental planting and for hedges. The plant is native to the temperate climates and grows wild in the New England States, on the mountains of Pennsylvania and Virginia.
The flowers grow in small yellow clusters in April and May, are succeeded by red, dark-blue, or black fruit which in some species is used for making jellies of beautiful colour and distinct taste; also used like raisins when dry.
Barberry is an erect deciduous shrub, from 3 – 8 ft. high. The leaves are obovate, oval form, terminated by soft bristle, about 2 in. long and one-third as wide. The yellow root was an important dye for baskets, buckskins and fabric among the Indians. The Spanish-Americans used the yellow root to make neck-crosses( crucifixes). The active principle is Berberine. Medicinal Parts: Root, bark, berries. Solvent: Water. Bodily Influence: Antiseptic, Laxative, Stimulant, Tonic. Uses: The Indians knew by experience the use of Barberry for ulcers, sores, consumption, heartburn and rheumatism. Root tea was prepared as a blood tonic, cough medicine and for kidney ailments.
BARBERRY Berberis vulgaris, L.( Dr. A. J. Thut, Guelph, Canada)
Barberry is indicated in the chronic ills of the stomach and the early stages of tuberculosis, general debility, liver and spleen derangements. The agent is excellent to cleanse the body of choleric humours, and free it from such diseases as cholera and its associated malicious oddities such as scabs, itch, tetters, ringworm, yellow jaundice, bile, etc. It is also frequently prescribed in catarrhal conditions of the bronchial tubes, Barberry has a history of being an“ old woman’ s medicine” because of its general use in infusion as a stomach and liver agent. As a tonic it will help convalescent patients recouperate.
Barberry bark is the most active anisian intensely bitter stimulant. The berries can be eaten and the juice is an agreeable acridulous refrigerant, useful in fevers, and will generally stop the bloody flux and diarrhoea that often accompany typhus fevers.
Barberry can be effectively combined with Golden seal( Hydrastis canadensis), Burdock( Lapps minor), Yellow dock( Rumex crispus), Fringe tree( Chionanthus virginica) and Wild cherry( Prunus serotina). Dose: ½ oz. to 1 pint of boiling water, steeped 10 min., 1 – 4 cups a day before meals, made fresh daily. Of the tincture, ½ – 1 fl. dram. Externally: Liquid from chewed root was placed on injuries and on wounds, while cuts and bruises were washed with a root decoction. A preparation of the bark or berries will be of service as a gargle