Content
The barberry bush is considered a medicinal plant. Not only the fruits, but also the leaves and roots of the plant have beneficial properties. The medicinal properties and contraindications of barberry root have been used in folk medicine for more than one era. It is useful for modern people to know such information in order to use the plant as a support for health.
Medicinal properties of barberry root
Barberry root is successfully used both in medicine and in cosmetology. The main medicinal properties of the root:
- expectorant for various diseases accompanied by cough;
- improves metabolic processes, promotes weight loss;
- optimizes blood composition;
- helps normalize liver function;
- stops bleeding, including uterine bleeding;
- normalizes blood pressure in hypertension;
- relieves symptoms of colds;
- antimicrobial;
- astringent, helps stop diarrhea;
- anti-inflammatory;
- pain reliever;
- diuretic.
The root of the plant is used in the treatment of liver pathologies, diabetes mellitus, gynecological diseases, for weight loss, and for pancreatitis.
Decoctions and tinctures based on barberry root contain tannins that help normalize stool in case of indigestion.
Often used for coughs in tuberculosis, it significantly reduces the number of unpleasant symptoms.
Chemical composition
The main active ingredients contained in barberry roots are isoquinoline alkaloids. There are about 10 of them in total in the roots. The chemical composition also contains:
- vitamins C and E;
- tannins;
- organic acids;
- essential oil;
- carotene.
Thanks to these substances, barberry is beneficial for health in many pathologies. But the roots also have their own contraindications, which must be taken into account before using folk recipes.
Rules for procurement of raw materials
For maximum effect, it is important to properly prepare medicinal raw materials. The advantage of barberry root is that it can be harvested at any time of the year, both spring and autumn. It is optimal to collect roots at a time when the bush itself is at rest.
If you plan to leave the plant for later harvesting, then it is necessary to cut out not all of the root and leave it at least 15 cm long. And also experienced gardeners who have a lot of barberry growing on their plot have an unspoken rule - to leave at least one plant at 10 meters absolutely untouched.
After the root has been dug, it must be inspected and the rotten parts or those infected with disease must be separated. Do not wash the root before drying. To prepare it, just carefully remove the soil and cut it into pieces 10–15 cm long.
You can dry the raw materials in two ways: in a dryer at a temperature of 50 °C or in the fresh air, spreading them out in a thin layer on a flat surface.When using fresh air, it is important to cover the root pieces with gauze and stir occasionally. The healing properties are preserved to the maximum during drying.
Applications of barberry root
The beneficial properties of barberry root are used in a number of industries. This includes medicine and cosmetology. Each industry has its own recipes for use. Traditional medicine widely uses rhizomes in the form of tinctures of water and alcohol, decoctions, and for external use - ointments and lotions. For medical use, it is recommended to first consult a specialist, especially if you have chronic pathologies. There are certain contraindications to the use of barberry roots. The medicinal properties may result in side effects for some patients, and therefore you should not experiment until the contraindications have been studied.
In medicine
Most often, the healing properties of this product are used to maintain normal blood pressure, as a choleretic agent, and also against diarrhea. But in any case, this is used in parallel with conservative treatment methods and on the advice of the attending physician.
In folk medicine, barberry rhizomes are used:
- to strengthen blood vessels;
- for joint pathologies;
- as a choleretic and diuretic;
- as an anti-inflammatory agent;
- against toxicity of the body, cleanses and removes toxins;
- to increase blood clotting;
- to reduce blood pressure;
- as a beneficial remedy for liver and kidney function.
Each disease has its own types of formulations. For some pathologies, a decoction is used, but to reduce blood pressure, an alcohol tincture is perfect.But such a tincture should be used only after consultation with a doctor and in a strictly defined dosage.
In cosmetology
Decoctions from the roots in question are a popular remedy in cosmetology. They are used as a bleaching agent. Perfectly helps those who have freckles. When using barberry root regularly, freckles become significantly paler and skin color evens out.
There are other methods to use:
- hand baths, after which the skin becomes softer;
- barberry root products perfectly smooth the skin and fight wrinkles;
- for soft hair and eliminate dandruff.
In cosmetology, decoctions and tinctures are used, and essential oils are also sold in pharmacies. Many effective cosmetics have also been created based on them.
How to use
Barberry root is used in folk medicine in a variety of recipes. Both internally and externally, the root has found its use. There are several varieties of decoctions and infusions and a variety of additional ingredients. Most often, the use of a specific prescription depends on the pathology. For some diseases, it is more effective to take a decoction, and for others, an alcohol tincture. The healing properties when used externally are revealed in lotions and compresses.
Decoction
There are several recipes with decoctions of barberry root. For bruises, rheumatism and pain, you should use this decoction:
- Pour half a teaspoon of root into a glass of milk.
- Boil for half an hour.
- Filter.
You need to take this decoction 5 ml three times a day if there is a dislocation, sprain or bruise.
If there are roots in the gallbladder, then the recipe looks like this:
- Place a large spoonful of barberry bark and roots into the pan.
- Add 300 ml water.
- Boil for half an hour.
- Cool and filter.
- Add boiled water to the original volume.
Take 50 ml 3 times a day as a choleretic agent.
There is also a decoction for external use:
- Pour two and a half teaspoons of barberry root into 300 ml of boiling water.
- Boil for 5 minutes.
This product can be used as a douche for women, rinsed with increased bleeding gums, and used as a lotion for wounds.
Alcohol tincture
Alcohol tincture is also used in a variety of situations. For bleeding, the following tincture is used:
- 50 g of dried raw materials.
- Add 100 ml of alcohol.
- Infuse for 18 days in a dark and cool place.
- Filter and take 30 drops 3 times a day.
There is a simpler recipe for making tincture:
- Four spoons of raw materials.
- Half a glass of alcohol.
- Leave for two days.
Take 5 drops 3 times a day. Helps to reduce blood pressure. But in any case, specialist advice is required. It is not recommended to take alcohol tincture if you are prone to alcohol addiction.
Tincture on water
For bleeding, tincture of water effectively helps:
- Pour 1.5 cups of boiling water over 2-3 teaspoons of dried root.
- Boil for a couple of minutes.
- Leave and strain.
Take a large spoon every hour. The product has healing properties and stops bleeding, regardless of the cause.
You can mix the roots, branches and bark of barberry. In this case, you will get an infusion for external use. Excellent results for sprains and dislocations.
Boil a tablespoon in a glass of water for 15 minutes. Leave for an hour and apply as compresses.
An infusion prepared in a thermos helps with hepatitis:
- Place two tablespoons of barberry roots into a thermos.
- Pour 400 ml of boiling water.
- Insist.
Take 100 ml three times a day. The course of treatment is a month. The drug perfectly normalizes liver function and fights viral infections.
Contraindications
The root has quite a few contraindications and side effects. This must be taken into account and carefully monitor the body’s reaction. Typically, barberry root is not recommended for chronic hypotensive patients, since the product can lower blood pressure. As a result, the patient may faint and feel dizzy. Also, pregnant women and those with kidney disease should not take the dried root. Menopause and liver pathology are also contraindications.
There may also be individual intolerance to this remedy. When using alcohol tincture, it is recommended to accurately calculate the dosage so that other diseases and problems do not arise.
Side effects:
- vascular spasms;
- blood clot formation;
- muscle cramps;
- constipation
You should not offer infusions and decoctions based on the root to children, people with liver cirrhosis and thrombophlebitis. It is important to understand that the rhizome has an astringent property, and therefore in large quantities causes severe constipation. People who are prone to such problems should not use these recipes.
Chronic pathologies can be treated using traditional medicine recipes only in parallel with traditional medicine and after consultation with a doctor.
Terms and conditions of storage
Infusions and decoctions should be prepared literally for one day. Such products should not be stored for a long time. Alcohol tinctures should be stored in a cool place, preferably in the refrigerator, and the bottle should be tightly sealed.
As for raw materials, after drying the root should be placed in a linen bag or plastic container. The product should be stored in a dry place away from sunlight.
Conclusion
The medicinal properties and contraindications of barberry root are based on the rich chemical composition of this product. The dried root is used in crushed form both in medicine and in cosmetology. In barberry, all parts of the bush have beneficial properties, but each of them is useful in its own way. It is important to prepare and apply the folk recipe correctly so that the effect is truly noticeable. Before taking a course of decoctions or tinctures, it is better to consult a specialist. Pregnant women, children and people with hypotension should not use the root, despite all its medicinal properties.
