Barberry (lat. Berberis) is a perennial thorny shrub plant from the barberry family, bearing fruits with edible bright red berries. In the wild, it is found mainly in the Northern Hemisphere. The plant reaches an average height of 2-2.5 m. It has spiny shoots and simple serrated leaves. Lives for several decades. Begins to bear fruit from the third or fourth years of life. From one bush you can collect up to 13 kg of berries.
The plant has a number of useful properties. The berries are rich in vitamin C. The leaves contain malic acid, vitamins C, E. Oil is extracted from the seeds. The bark and roots are used as a yellow dye.
Did you know? Barberry is grown as an ornamental, medicinal, honey and dye crop. The berries of this plant are used to make sweets: jelly, caramel, jam, juice, and also as a condiment.
It is known about the existence of about 500 species of barberry shrubs, including evergreen and deciduous specimens. Of these, 45 varieties of barberry are introduced in many countries. This article has collected helpful information about barberry and a description of the most popular ornamental species and varieties.Amur barberry (Berberis amurensis)
Amur barberry grows to 3.5 m. It has a wide spreading crown and large foliage - up to 5-8 cm in length, which has a different color depending on the season. In spring it is bright green, in autumn it is yellow or red. The shoots of this species are prickly, yellow-gray in color. The plant blooms in May with inflorescences up to 10 cm long, containing 10-25 yellow flowers. It begins to bloom at the age of one year. The fruits appear at the age of four. The barberry bears fruit in autumn - the berries are oblong, red with a sheen, 1 cm in diameter.
Amur barberry, like most varieties of this crop, is unpretentious, its cultivation is not particularly troublesome. It can grow in any soil. It tolerates frost, heat and drought well. Resistant to diseases such as powdery mildew. Moderately resistant to rust and fusarium.
It is preferred to be used for growing tall hedges. It looks beautiful as a tapeworm. It also coexists well with other plants in group plantings.
The most popular varieties of Amur barberry are Orpheus and Japonica. Orpheus is a compact shrub small size(up to 1 m in height), with light leaves. It doesn't bloom. Japonica is beautiful due to its wide leaves and long yellow inflorescences, drooping in the form of a brush.
Canadian barberry (Berberis canadensis)
native North America Canadian barberry is a tall, spreading shrub, reaching a height of 2.5 m and a diameter of 1.6-1.8 m. Its shoots are brown and dark red. The leaves are small, 2-5 cm long, oval. Starting from May, for a week, the barberry blooms with yellow inflorescences. Fruits abundantly, with red berries 0.9 cm long. The fruits ripen at the end of September. By appearance"Canadian" is similar to the common barberry. 
Did you know? Barberry is also called sour, sour, paklon.
"Canadian" likes to grow in sunny areas, in the shade it becomes less decorative. It does not impose special requirements on the composition of the soil. It is frost-resistant, well transfers the dry periods.
In the homeland of this variety, Deklinat varieties are especially popular, with purple shoots and crimson fruits; Oxyphylla, Rederian, with red branches.
Korean barberry (Berberis koreana)
This species has spread from the mountains of the Korean Peninsula. His bushes are quite high - they are over 2 m. The leaves are red. The flowers are fragrant, collected in brushes of 15-20 pieces. The fruits are small, spherical, 1 cm in diameter. The species is drought-resistant. Easily survives in the heat. 
The disadvantages of the Korean barberry include the fact that in frosty winters its tops freeze slightly, it is susceptible to rust, and it does not tolerate spring thaws.
Monetary barberry (Berberis nummularia)
Monetary barberry comes from Asia. Thermophilic. Refers to deciduous species. Young plants often freeze and recover after frostbite for a long time. The crown of these shrubs grows well, reaches a maximum height of 2 m. There are large spines on the shoots - up to 3 cm in length. Branches are painted red. Blooms bright yellow from late June to early July. It bears fruit in the second half of September with small fruits up to 1 cm in diameter of bright red color. 
In addition to the fact that this species cannot boast of frost resistance, it also does not tolerate excessive humidity - it rots and gets wet when water stagnates. Often affected by rust.
Important! Barberry should not be planted near crops. It is an intermediate host for the linear rust fungus that infects these plants.
Common barberry (Berberis vulgaris)
Shrubs of this variety of barberry grow up to 2.5 m. Their shoots are prickly, yellow-brown in color, diverge from the stem in different directions in the form of arcs. The leaves are dark green in color, with a gray tint on the underside. In autumn they turn yellow. Flowering occurs in May - June. Inflorescences racemose, drooping, fragrant, yellow color. The bush bears fruit in autumn, with beautiful oblong berries of sour color, 1.2 cm in size. The bushes retain their decorative effect for a long time due to the fact that the fruits fall off only after a long time.
Common barberry is characterized by frost and drought resistance, good tolerance to air pollution. He loves the light, but can tolerate light shade. The plant is practically not demanding on the composition of the soil. However, it grows best in light, non-acidic soils. It tolerates pruning well, easily recovers after this procedure, gives abundant growth. 
Propagated in three ways: seed, dividing the bush and cuttings. An ordinary barberry has one significant drawback - in the cold and humid summer period it is often affected by fungal diseases: rust, powdery mildew etc. In landscape design involved in single and group plantings, for planting hedges.
Did you know? Barberry ordinary and Amur are used for medicinal purposes. Tinctures are prepared from them, which have a choleretic property and are able to stop uterine bleeding.
The common barberry has many forms popular in decorative culture. For example, a shrub with red leaves called Atropurpurea. Blossoms orange-yellow, fruits - dark red.
The variegated form of Albovariegat is also interesting. First of all, it attracts attention with its decorative leaves, which have a dark green color with white strokes and stains on the surface of the upper plate.
The form of Aureomarginata also has beautiful and remarkable leaves. They are dark green with gold splashes and a border. Among others, varieties with white berries stand out - Alba, with yellow ones - Lutea.
Ottawa barberry (Berberis x ottawensis)
The Ottawa barberry is a hybrid of the Thunberg barberry and a form of the common barberry Atropurpurea. In height, the shrub of this species reaches 2 m. It has dark purple foliage, which turns red in autumn. Blooms in late May with yellow racemes. 
When grown, it will require only mulching and organic top dressing. Otherwise, this barberry is unpretentious. It winters well without shelter. Resistant to most diseases. Growing fast.
Of the varieties used in ornamental culture, the most famous are Superba (with dark red leaves), Purpurea (with scarlet leaves), Aurikoma (with bright red leaves), Silver Miles (with dark leaves with a silver pattern).
Siberian barberry (Berberis sibirica)
The Siberian barberry comes from Western and Eastern Siberia, Kazakhstan and the Middle East. The shrub is small - up to a meter in height and in diameter. It begins flowering and fruiting at the age of six. Flowering continues for 12 days, from the second half of May to the end of June. The fruits appear in August. 
This species is characterized by average winter hardiness. Due to the low decorative effect, it is practically not used in culture.
Thunberg barberry (Berberis thunbergii)
Thunberg barberry has been found in the mountains of China and Japan. This deciduous shrub is small in height - up to 1 m. In diameter - sprawling, up to 1.5 m. Young, strongly prickly branches are painted yellow, later becoming brown, red-brown. The leaves also change color depending on the season. They are small in barberry Thunberg (1-3 cm in length), bright green in spring, red in autumn. The plant blooms at the end of May. Forms yellow-red inflorescences. Fruits in autumn. The fruits may not fall off throughout the winter. They are not suitable for food, because they are bitter. 
Barberry Thunberg has the same advantages as most varieties of oxalis - it is drought-resistant, frost-resistant, undemanding to the soil, easily tolerates pruning. In addition, it is practically not affected by powdery mildew and rust.
Important! Since the shoots of most barberries have simple, triple, five spines, you will need to protect your hands with gloves during the pruning procedure.
This species has about 50 interesting forms. Among them: 
You can not ignore the variegated varieties. For example, Kelleris, Harlequin, Kornik, Rose Glow. Also especially decorative are varieties with red leaves, which are painted in interesting shades at different times of the year: Helmont Pillar, Darts Red Lady.
Turkmen barberry (Berberis turcomanica)
Tall shrub native to mountain slopes Central Asia. Reaches a height of 3 m, but grows slowly. It begins flowering and fruiting at the age of seven. The duration of flowering is about two weeks. The fruits appear in early October. 
The species is winter and drought resistant. Not used for landscaping.
Among the barberries there are many resistant and decorative species that grow well in conditions middle lane Russia. Japan is considered the birthplace of the plant. All barberries are thorny shrubs with a height of 1 to 3 m. The leaves are small, collected in bunches on shortened shoots. The fruits of the plant are edible, with a high content of wine and citric acid. But there are some varieties of barberry that are used only as ornamental seedlings. Interesting not only autumn, but also the main color of cultural forms. Perhaps that is why barberries are rarely spoken of as ornamental shrubs that give a beautiful color. But at the beginning of summer, in bloom, the bushes of these plants become especially attractive. Entirely dotted with small, but numerous yellow flowers, they look very impressive. late autumn the plant is decorated with fruits. Today, barberries of different types and varieties make it possible to combine different shapes and colors into beautiful garden compositions. See how beautiful the decorative barberry looks in the photo:
What does barberry look like and how does it bloom: photo and description of species and varieties
The most commonly used in landscaping are:
Any variety of barberry shrub is incredibly attractive. For many gardeners, the variety of species of this plant is confusing. But in order to make a choice, it is recommended to focus on the goal that you are pursuing.If you want a plant to please you with delicious berries, then these are some varieties. Want to decorate your garden - use decorative types. Later in the article we will talk about barberries different varieties with a photo and description of the features of each. We have already mentioned them above. Note that each of the species presented by us copes well with both tasks: it will decorate your garden and give edible, tasty fruits.
Aureo Marginata
Albo Variegata
Asperma
The last representative of the plant of this species has a fruit without a seed, which facilitates its processing.
See how the types of common barberry look in the photo.
Compared to the previous species, its size is much smaller. An adult bush reaches a height of no more than 1 m. The branches of the bush spread in a horizontal direction. Depending on the variety, the young shoots of the plant can be bright red or even yellow, which later turn brown. The foliage is ovate, slightly elongated, the average length reaches no more than 3 cm.
In summer, the bush has a brightly saturated green color due to the color of the leaves, by autumn it becomes bright red.Color lasts up to 2 weeks. During this period, the bush acquires a reddish-yellow hue. The flowers of the barberry bush of the Thunberg variety have a double color: the petals are yellow on the inside, and bright red on the outside. Elliptical fruits reach 1 cm in length, have a coral hue and ripen in early autumn. If they are not collected, then they can hold out on the branches until the first serious frost. Barberry Thunberg, the care and cultivation of which does not require special knowledge or skills, will give a different, more aesthetic look to your backyard. This species also has many hybrid varieties that are considered ornamental: many-flowered, silver-bordered, dark purple, etc.
See how Thunberg's barberries look like in the photo.
Ottawa variety - is a shrub that combines the qualities of the first and second species.
This view is perfect for regions with enough harsh winters. By external characteristics this plant is similar to Thunberg, but enlarged. Its height reaches 2 m. But the leaves are closer in color and shape to the ordinary species. They have a pink-purple hue, which becomes almost black in the sun. On autumn days, when most of the colors in the garden are fading, the bush will be at its most beautiful, as its leaves take on a crimson hue and stay on the branches for a long time. Ottawa barberry, its types and varieties are shown in the photo:
Auricoma
Superba
Silver Miles
In addition to the listed varieties, barberries of various ornamental varieties can be found all over the world, which differ in their color, height, and leaf shape. For creating alpine slides use dwarf varieties barberry bushes:
Atropurpurea
Bagatelle
cobolt
See how effectively such a barberry looks - ornamental shrub in the photo surrounded by stones:
Their height does not reach more than 50 cm, so these varieties are called dwarf.
Growing conditions for barberry: how to plant and care for shrubs
Decorative barberry, which even an inexperienced gardener can care for, differs little depending on the type of plant or its variety. Therefore, it is enough to get acquainted with all the subtleties once and you can safely grow different types such plants, regardless of its form. You can find ideal growing conditions for barberry in any garden. When choosing a place for further plant growth, give preference to places that are not too dark, but also abundant. sunlight he does not like. Partial shade is considered ideal for these bushes. In such a place you will see all the brightness of the colors of the leaves and flowers of the barberry. Planting and caring for a plant does not take much time and mainly consists of:- the correct selection of the method of planting shrubs;
- ensuring timely watering, loosening the soil, harvesting weeds;
- shrub pruning;
- top dressing.
It is important to remember that in the first few weeks after planting, watering should also be carried out weekly, until the decorative barberry is fully rooted. Planting and care in the future implies the absence of stagnant water in the soil. Therefore, it is important not to overdo it with watering.
Also, weeds should be removed in time in the area around the shrub. Pay Special attention on the shoots that will appear near the barberry bushes. It needs to be removed in time. From time to time loosen the soil around the bush.Fertilized barberry shrub at the time of planting, does not require more care than indicated above. Provide him with timely watering and air supply to the soil. This will be quite enough for a young plant. But after a year it is desirable to do this in the spring, it should be fed with nitrogen fertilizers. To do this, dilute in a bucket of water no more than 30 g of urea. Further, it is enough to do this no more than once every 3 years. But such top dressing will be acceptable for ornamental shrubs. If you also want to get healthy fruits with good edible qualities, then also feed each bush with phosphorus and potassium, in a ratio of 1: 1.5. Pruning, as for other shrubs in the garden, consists of removing weakened or dry shoots. Such a process carries health and aesthetic moments. Remember that barberry bushes have sharp thorns, so use gloves and prune very carefully. The first pruning of branches can be carried out in the spring on a one-year-old barberry. Look at the photo and read the description of how to do it:
Such pruning is used only for tall barberry varieties. All shoots must be shortened by almost 2/3 or half. Dry branches are removed completely. This will help form a decorative bush that will look aesthetically beautiful.
In the future, pruning is carried out twice a year: early summer and August. Dwarf species undergo only sanitary pruning.What does the barberry look like - an ornamental shrub before and after pruning, look at the photo:
Ways to propagate barberry
Many people think that this is a rather capricious plant. That is why some gardeners are afraid to grow it on their site. But the reproduction of barberry and care in the future will not be difficult even for an amateur. Let's try to dispel the myths that fanned the cultivation of this plant. There are many ways to reproduce:- cuttings;
- seeds;
- dividing the bush;
- layering.
Dividing the bush also entails some problems. For example, with this method of reproduction, there is a high probability of damage to the root system. As a result, both bushes may disappear or get sick.Despite all the difficulties, gardeners say that with the right approach and observance of all the subtleties, you will very soon see in your garden how beautifully the barberry blooms.
How to plant barberry: propagation by seeds
The plant can be grown from a small seed. Since the germination rate is quite low, it is recommended to plant several fruits at once. How to plant barberry from seeds? The process begins with the selection of a ripe, large fruit. Sort a few berries from the bush you like. Next, clean the fruit and free the seed. It needs to be washed running water and soak a little in a weak solution of potassium permanganate. Next, dry the seed well. Sowing is recommended in autumn. Use open ground with loose soil. Make indentations up to 3 cm and sow the seeds. Winter frosts will harden them, and in the spring you will see the first shoots of your future barberry. Planting also entails caring for the seed, reproduction on which depends directly. To do this, the collected product is stored in the refrigerator in dryness, mixed with sand, at a temperature of +3 degrees. And only at the end of April can be sown in loose open soil. Seeds that have sprouted should be thinned out, removing the weakest sprouts. A year later, a strengthened barberry can be transplanted to permanent place.With this reproduction, you will see the first fruits in the second year. There is a possibility that varietal traits may not be preserved in a plant grown in this way. But the situation can be prevented by vaccination.
Barberry can reproduce itself quite independently, by self-seeding. If you do not collect the fruits in the fall, then they crumble to the ground and may well take root. In the spring, the sprouts are not touched, and the transplant is carried out the next year.
Propagation of barberry Thunberg and other species by cuttings in spring
And yet, how to grow a barberry of the same variety? To do without subsequent vaccination, it is better to use the method of cuttings. To do this, it is enough to cut the branches from an adult bush, root and plant. But we note right away that not all types of barberry can give a good cutting that will quickly take root. In addition, this method requires a lot of time for the roots to germinate. To speed up this process, gardeners recommend using special root stimulants. Reproduction of decorative barberry by cuttings takes place according to the following scheme:- the cuttings are on the side branches, they are cut in June, up to 15 cm in size;
- the leaves at the base of the incision are removed, and the incision itself is treated with a root formation stimulator;
- soil is being prepared: peat and sand;
- processed cuttings are planted;
- all seedlings are covered plastic wrap or banks to create a greenhouse effect.
See how barberry cuttings look like, planting and caring for them in the photo:
Propagation of barberry by layering and dividing the bush
Another way to get a daughter plant of the same species is to propagate the barberry by layering or by dividing the bush into parts. Many shrubs in the garden can be propagated by dividing the root system. Barberry in this case is no exception. But here you need to be extremely careful and prevent severe damage to the root system, otherwise the bush will not be accepted. We will tell you how to plant barberry by dividing the root:- a healthy mother bush is suitable for division;
- dig it carefully out of the ground;
- divide into parts;
- place planting material into prepared wells filled with water.
Throughout the summer, both the bush and dug layers are watered, weeds are removed and the ground is loosened. By autumn, you will have ready-made seedlings that will retain all the varietal characteristics of the parent barberry.
How to grow barberry: disease and pest control
Like any other plant in the garden, the barberry is also subject to some. Therefore, if you want to preserve the beauty and fertility of your bush, you need to monitor its condition and take timely measures to eliminate them. Among the main signs of diseases that should alert the gardener, the following can be distinguished:- loose white coating powdery mildew on leaves and shoots;
- on the upper side of the foliage there are bright orange spots, the leaves turn yellow and crumble - rust;
- gradual drying of the leaves of the bush, which spreads from one side to the other - wilting.
From wilting, only the timely removal of the affected shoots and the treatment of the bush with Bordeaux liquid will help. Damaged and removed shoots must be burned.Often a severely affected bush cannot be saved. Therefore, it is important to identify the problem in time and fix it.
Insects that infect the barberry bush include aphids, sawflies and flower moths. If you find that the leaves have wrinkled on the plant and places of drying have appeared, then this clear sign the presence of aphids. Look at the shoots and young leaves - you will surely notice this insect.
To combat it, you can use the old, but proven method - strong soap solution. Concentration: take 300 g per bucket of water laundry soap. The plant is well processed with a spray gun.The moth is especially dangerous for the barberry of the fruiting species, since it settles precisely in the berries of the plant. With her, as well as with the sawfly, they fight by spraying 1-3% chlorophos. See how beautifully the barberry blooms in these photos:
This plant is still quite rare in the gardens of our country. But if you want to surprise with such unpretentious and beautiful bush, then make every effort to plant and care for it, and very soon the barberry will decorate your site.
The barberry shrub is a member of the numerous genus of the Barberry family. These plants grow in mountainous northern regions. The family includes approximately 170 varieties, many of which are introduced into the culture. Gardeners are interested in barberry as a raw material for the preparation of drinks and medicines.
Also this shrub, for its decorative properties, lovers of beauty did not deprive of attention - there are many shades of leaves in barberry of different varieties, from ordinary green to purple and spotted with a border. Sizes also vary by species. Some plants reach up to three meters in height, and although the barberry may look like a tree, it is worth remembering that it is still a shrub.
The barberry bush is a plant of a group of deciduous, evergreen or semi-evergreen plants with thorns. The leaves are simple or leathery. Barberry flowers are small, with a fairly strong aroma, golden or orange color with shades of red. The flowers are usually collected in an inflorescence, but sometimes they grow singly. This plant also attracts many insects, such as bees, because the shrub is very rich in nectar. Barberry fruits also have a huge variety in shape and color. This shrub is very unpretentious to environment. He grows well in different soils well adapted to urban conditions. For hedges from bushes - the ideal solution.
Planting barberry is best in early spring immediately after the soil has thawed. However, planting seedlings must be done before the buds open. Sometimes planting is carried out in the fall, during heavy leaf fall.
Due to its unpretentiousness to environmental conditions, barberry grows well in open areas, as it withstands drafts and strong winds well. This shrub can also grow in partial shade, but some species in the open sun give a brighter color. Regarding the soil, the barberry feels more comfortable in a neutral type of soil, but still withstands some deviations in the composition of the earth.
If you plant a barberry singly, then the distance between the bushes should be about two meters. If you plan to plant a hedge, then you need to plant a couple of bushes per running meter. Planting holes must be dug a couple of weeks before planting, approximately 40 to 40, for a hedge a trench is made 40 cm deep. To access more air to the roots, a layer of sand is placed at the bottom of the pits or trenches.
If the composition of the soil deviates from neutral, then its bring back to normal various methods. After lowering the seedling into the hole, sprinkle it with soil, crush it, carry out good watering. After all this, you need to mulch trunk circle. The aerial part of the seedling is cut off, leaving only a part with three to five good buds.
Care rules
Everything related to planting and caring for a barberry can be easily done even by a novice gardener, and it doesn’t matter what kind of this shrub will be planted. For example, there is many varieties with bitter fruits which are grown only in decorative purposes, but they almost do not differ in care from species with edible berries. Therefore, once you have mastered the rules for caring for barberries, you can grow many varieties in your garden.
There are a few mandatory things to do when caring for this unpretentious shrub:
Exists several ways to propagate barberry, but to choose the right one, you need to study the aspects of each.
wintering barberry
Young plants, under the age of five, needs to be covered for the winter. This is especially true for evergreen varieties. If the bush is too voluminous, it is covered in the same way as roses or hydrangea: the branches are firmly tied with a strong rope. Then I place a metal net around the bush, the height of which should be 10 centimeters higher than the bush. Between the bush and the net, dry leaves fall asleep and the resulting shape is wrapped with material for covering plants.
The benefits of barberry
The decorative advantages of the barberry have served to recognize this shrub by all gardeners in the world. However, this plant can be grown not only for enjoying its beauty, but also for the huge number of its beneficial properties. In this regard, the most popular variety is common barberry. It is grown mainly for its berries, which are used in the manufacture of various products.
Barberry fruits contain many vitamins, useful acids and mineral salts. The beneficial properties of this plant are also used in medicine for the treatment various diseases and ailments. Moreover, any parts of the shrub are suitable for treatment, but still, leaves and fruits are mainly used.
Despite the great benefits, there are a number of restrictions on its use. Before use, it is best to consult a specialist.
In the article we discuss the common barberry. You will learn what the shrub looks like and where it grows. We will talk about medicinal properties plants, as well as discuss the care and cultivation of barberry in the garden. We will look at recipes for herbal medicines that help with pancreatitis, diabetes, adenoids and high blood pressure. We will tell you whether it is possible to use barberry-based products during pregnancy and consider contraindications for use.
The common barberry or the eastern barberry is a deciduous shrub of the Barberry family (lat. Berberidaceae). The Latin name is Berberis vulgaris. The plant is known as sour, berberis, sour blackthorn.
What does it look like
Appearance of the common barberry. The thorny shrub reaches a height of 2.5 meters. Barberry rhizome lignified, creeping. The bark of the barberry is light brown on the outside, dark yellow on the inside.
The branches of the plant are spreading and covered with thorns. Shoots erect yellow or yellow-purple. Leaves grow on short shoots, spines on long shoots.
The leaves are alternate, narrowed towards the base. They have the shape of an ellipse with a rounded or pointed top. There are small teeth along the edges of the leaves. The leaf plate reaches 4 cm in length and 2 cm in width.
Inflorescence brushes unite from 15 to 25 small yellow flowers. Each flower consists of an orange nectary, 6 petals, 6 sepals, 1 pistil and 6 stamens. It blooms in late spring - from April to May.
The buds of the plant are small, up to 1 cm long. They have smooth surface and pointed shape. Barberry berries are oblong, bright red in color, sour in taste. The length of the fetus reaches 12 mm. It bears fruit in early autumn - from September to October.
The seeds of the plant are flattened, no more than 7 mm long.
Where does it grow
In the wild, barberry grows throughout Europe, Asia and the Caucasus. It is found in the European part of Russia and the North Caucasus.
The shrub prefers light and dry areas of soil. The plant is found in the steppes, meadows and edges. Barberry grows in chalk and pebble areas.
Landing and care
Barberry is cultivated in summer cottages and household plots. Planted as single bushes or as a hedge. One of the most unusual and colorful varieties is the barberry thunberga atropurpurea.
Planting and caring for shrubs have their own characteristics. Barberries are planted in the spring open areas. The plant is not afraid of windy weather. For planting barberry, a trench method is used. The depth and width of the moat is 40 cm.
A layer of sand and humus is laid at the bottom of the trench, then watered, and only after that a seedling is placed there, sprinkled with earth.
The first pruning of the shrub is carried out immediately after planting.
In dry weather, the plant must be watered once a week, during the rainy season, watering is canceled. Young seedlings are watered more often - 2 times a week, until they take root.
For more information about barberry, see the following video:
Leaf and root of barberry
Barberry has been used since ancient times as a medicinal plant for the treatment of diseases of the liver, gastrointestinal tract, genitourinary system and upper respiratory tract. The leaves and roots of the plant are used in the preparation of medicines.
Chemical composition
Barberry ordinary contains:
- berberine;
- palmitin;
- vitamins;
- tannins;
- oxyacanthin;
- carotene;
- resinous substances;
- organic acids;
- tocopherols.
Medicinal properties
Medicinal properties medicinal plants, including barberry, is studied by the science of pharmacognosy. With the help of it, it was found that the barberry has
- antimicrobial,
- antipyretic,
- anti-inflammatory
- astringent properties.
Thanks to the berberine that is part of the plant, barberry-based products have a choleretic effect. They also reduce the tone of the gallbladder.
Barberry is used as an anesthetic, as well as to stop bleeding - berberine increases blood clotting. Hemostatic agents with it are used to stop postpartum hemorrhage.
Barberry exhibits antibacterial and antispasmodic properties. Plant-based preparations are used to treat inflammatory diseases of the upper respiratory tract, dysentery.
Means based on barberry stop the development of cancerous tumors.
Barberry has a mild laxative effect and is also used as a diuretic. Barberry dilates blood vessels and lowers blood pressure. Based on the plant, medicinal infusions and decoctions are made.
How to collect
They start picking berries when they are not yet ripe. Unripe fruits retain their shape better. The bark of the plant is harvested in April and May. From the beginning of flowering until mid-summer, barberry flowers are harvested. The roots are harvested 2 times a year - in spring and autumn.
Barberries are dried at a temperature of not more than 50 degrees under a canopy or in a ventilated room and stored in fabric bags in a room with low humidity.
Shelf life - 3 years.
How to apply
Barberry is used in regular and traditional medicine. Dry root can be bought at any pharmacy. At home, medicinal infusions and decoctions are made from medicinal raw materials. They are used as an antipyretic and choleretic agent for the treatment of diseases of the gallbladder, with dysentery and colds.
An infusion of the plant is used to treat inflammatory diseases of the upper respiratory tract.
Barberry tincture normalizes metabolism and improves appetite. The drug is used to treat diseases of the liver and kidneys. The tincture eliminates liver intoxication and reduces its swelling.
With gout and rheumatism, the antiseptic and tonic properties of the plant help.
A decoction of barberry reduces the spleen enlarged during malaria.
In gynecology, barberry tincture is often used to stop uterine bleeding. The drug increases blood clotting.
Pharmaceutical products are produced from barberry medications. For example, berberine is prescribed for cholecystitis. The main active ingredient of which is berberine bisulfate. It is extracted from the leaves of barberry.
Preparations based on barberry stop the growth of cancerous tumors.
Rinsing the mouth with a decoction of barberry eliminates the inflammatory process.
Infusion and decoction of the plant is used for lotions for eczema and for wound healing.
Decoction for rinsing with adenoids
Adenoids - inflammation of the adenoids. This disease occurs in children 2 years of age and older. For the treatment of inflamed tonsils in childhood use an infusion of barberry for gargling.
For oral administration, the homeopathic preparation Barberry Comp Iov-baby is prescribed. This remedy is safe for children, as it contains a low concentration of active ingredients.
Ingredients:
- Barberry root - 20 gr.
- Water - 500 ml.
How to cook: Pour the barberry root with boiling water, put on a slow fire and simmer under the lid for 5 minutes. Cool the finished broth and strain through cheesecloth.
How to use: Gargle 2-3 times during the day.
Result: The tool relieves inflammation and has an analgesic effect. With regular use eliminates swelling of the adenoids.
Infusion for pancreatitis
For the treatment of diseases of the pancreas, an aqueous infusion of barberry is used. It has a choleretic and analgesic effect. The remedy relieves inflammation and reduces the tone of the walls of the gallbladder.
Ingredients:
- Barberry leaves - 10 gr.
- Water - 250 ml.
How to cook: Pour boiling water over the grass, put in a water bath and bring to a boil. Stir the broth over low heat for 10 minutes. Remove from the stove, cover, wrap with a towel and let it brew for 2 hours. Strain the cooled infusion through a strainer.
How to use: Take 10 ml 3-4 times a day before meals.
Result: Infusion of barberry relieves inflammation of the pancreas and has a choleretic effect. The tool effectively relieves pain.
Infusion for diabetes
To lower blood sugar levels, you can eat fresh barberry berries or take infusions based on them. The juice of the plant saturates the body with vitamins, improves metabolism and reduces thirst, which often occurs with diabetes.
Ingredients:
- Barberry berries - 20 gr.
- Water - 500 ml.
How to cook: Grind the barberry berries, put them in a thermos, pour boiling water over it and let it brew for at least 3-4 hours.
How to use: Take an infusion of half a glass before each meal, but no more than 5 times a day.
Result: The infusion strengthens the walls of blood vessels, normalizes metabolism and lowers blood sugar levels.
pressure tincture
Barberry effectively reduces pressure, tones and strengthens blood vessels. Plant-based products are used in complex therapy for hypertension.
Ingredients:
- Barberry flowers - 30 gr.
- Vodka - 200 ml.
How to cook: Pour vegetable raw materials into a glass jar, fill with vodka and put in a dark, cool place for two weeks. The finished tincture has a cherry color and a sour taste.
How to use: Take 20 drops of tincture 3 times a day. The course of treatment is 3 weeks, then you need to take a break for a week and resume treatment.
Result: Tincture dilates blood vessels, helps lower blood pressure. Regular intake of the drug normalizes blood pressure.
Barberry during pregnancy (breastfeeding)
Barberry has a strengthening effect on the immune system, which is especially important during pregnancy. But despite this, it is strictly forbidden to use any medicines based on barberry during the period of expectation of the baby and during breastfeeding.
The plant contains a large number of alkaloids that are harmful to the body of a pregnant woman. In addition, barberry stimulates the contraction of different muscle groups, which can lead to miscarriage.
Preparations based on barberry can cause swelling and lead to the formation of blood clots.
During pregnancy, it is permissible to eat sauces and seasonings based on barberry, but only in moderation.
Barberry in cooking
The barberry leaf and berries of the plant are used in cooking for cooking various dishes. For example, they are added to pilaf, sauces or seasonings.
Barberry is used to make jams and jams. The well-known candies "Barberry" contain the essence of the plant's berries.
Barberry juice has a sour taste and can replace lemon juice. Vitamin compotes are brewed from barberry fruits, and tea is also infused.
Contraindications
Contraindications to taking funds based on barberry:
- uterine bleeding before separation of the placenta;
- children's age up to 12 years;
- period of pregnancy and lactation;
- individual intolerance;
- cirrhosis of the liver;
- cholelithiasis;
- stomach ulcer.
Do not eat green barberry berries as they are poisonous.
Classification
Common barberry (lat. Berberis vulgaris) is a species of the genus Barberry (lat. Berberis). The Barberry family (lat. Berberidaceae), to which the barberry belongs, unites 19 genera of plants. The common barberry belongs to the order Ranunculaceae (lat. Ranunculales), class Dicotyledonous (lat. Dicotyledones), Flowering department (lat. Magnoliophyta).
Varieties
The genus Barberry unites 580 plant species. The most famous of them:
- Amur barberry;
- Barberry ordinary;
- Barberry purple;
- Barberry reticulate;
- Barberry multiflorous;
- Barberry Wilson;
- Barberry warty;
- Barberry hawthorn.
Barberry common infographics
Photo of common barberry, its beneficial features and application 
Infographics on common barberry
What to remember
- Common barberry is used as ornamental plant, as well as in cooking and as a medicinal raw material for medicinal preparations.
- Barberry lowers blood pressure, has choleretic, analgesic and antibacterial effects.
- Despite the wide scope, the plant has a number of contraindications that you need to familiarize yourself with.
