Barberry Herb

Barberry, also known as Mountain Grape, belongs to the Berberis family which hosts nearly 500 species of shrubs found in Europe, Africa, Asia and the Americas. The shrub grows in tight thorny hedges that flower and produce edible berries. The shrub is commonly used as decoration as well as protection for one�s difficulty in penetrating the shrub without injury.

The Barberry shrub can tolerate extreme climate and soil conditions and it requires very little maintenance making it desirable as hedges and borders for property.

Barberry Tea

Barberry Tea can be made from the dried roots or berries. Barberry Root Tea> is made using 2 � 4 grams of dried crushed root to about 1 cup of boiling water and steeped for 10 minutes. Barberry Berry Tea is made using 1 � 2 teaspoons of dried crushed berries to about 1 cup of boiling water and steeped for 10 minutes.

Barberry Uses

A mild Barberry Tea can be used before meals to promote gallbladder function and avoid heartburn.

Barberry Herbal Tea can be used to aid in bacterial and viral forms of diarrhea as well as other viral, bacterial and parasitic infections. Barberry is often used as a form of natural antibiotic to strengthen the immune system in fighting viral and bacterial infection.

Barberry berries can be used to fight urinary tract infections much the way Cranberry is used.

It is believed by some that Barberry can be used to keep your enemy from you by laying out 3 Barberry branches in the threshold preventing them to cross the threshold.

Barberry Cautions

Barberry should not be used more that one week to avoid complications of excessive Barberry use.

Barberry may interact with certain drugs including anti-coagulants, blood pressure medications, and antibiotics. As with any herbal supplement please discuss the use of herbs with your health care provider before beginning an herbal program.

When using Barberry to treat diarrhea caution must be used as too much Barberry tea can also cause diarrhea as well as a host of other problems such as low blood pressure, vomiting and kidney irritation.

Pregnant women should not drink Barberry tea or consume Barberry berries as it can cause uterine contractions and cause miscarriage. The effects in nursing infants have not been studied; therefore, breast feeding women should avoid the use of Barberry as well.