Content
The barberry shrub is considered a medicinal plant. Useful properties are possessed not only by the fruits, but also by the leaves, as well as the roots of the plant. 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 health support.
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;
- contributes to the normalization of the liver;
- stops bleeding, including uterine;
- normalizes blood pressure in hypertension;
- relieves symptoms of colds;
- antimicrobial;
- astringent, helps to 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, with pancreatitis.
In the composition of decoctions and tinctures based on barberry root, there are tannins that contribute to the normalization of stool in case of indigestion.
It is often used for coughs in tuberculosis, significantly reduces the number of unpleasant symptoms.
Chemical composition
The main active ingredients contained in the roots of barberry are isoquinoline alkaloids. There are about 10 of them in the roots. And also in the chemical composition there are:
- vitamins C and E;
- tannins;
- organic acids;
- essential oil;
- carotene.
Thanks to these substances, barberry is also beneficial for health in many pathologies. But the roots have their own contraindications, which must be taken into account before using folk recipes.
Rules for the 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 in spring and autumn. It is optimal to collect the roots at a time when the shrub itself is at rest.
If you plan to leave the plant for later harvesting, then you must not cut out the entire root and leave at least 15 cm long. And also experienced gardeners, who have a lot of barberry growing on the site, have an unwritten rule - to leave at least one plant 10 meters away completely untouched.
After the root has been dug up, it must be examined and rotten parts or infected with disease must be separated. Do not wash the root before drying. For harvesting, it is enough to carefully pick the ground and cut into pieces 10-15 cm long.
Raw materials can be dried in two ways: in a dryer at a temperature of 50 ° C or in the fresh air, spread 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 as much as possible during drying.
Application of barberry root
The beneficial properties of barberry root are used in a variety of industries. This is both medicine and cosmetology. Each industry has its own recipes for use. Traditional medicine widely uses rhizomes in the form of tinctures on water and alcohol, decoctions, and for external use - ointments and lotions. For medical use, it is recommended to first consult with a specialist, especially in the presence of chronic pathologies.There are certain contraindications to the use of barberry roots. The healing properties for some patients can result in side effects, and therefore it is not worth experimenting until the contraindications are studied.
In medicine
Most often, the medicinal properties of this product are used to maintain normal blood pressure, as a choleretic agent, and also against diarrhea. But in any case, it 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;
- with joint pathologies;
- as a choleretic and diuretic;
- as an anti-inflammatory agent;
- against the toxicity of the body, cleanses and removes toxins;
- to increase blood clotting;
- to reduce pressure;
- as a beneficial agent for the liver and kidneys.
Each disease has its own variety of formulations. For some pathologies, a decoction is used, but alcohol tincture is perfect for lowering pressure. But such a tincture should be used only after consulting 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. Great for those with freckles. When using barberry root, freckles become significantly paler on a regular basis, and skin color is evened out.
There are other methods of use:
- hand baths, after which the skin becomes softer;
- barberry root products perfectly smooth the skin and fight wrinkles;
- for softness of hair and elimination of dandruff.
In cosmetology, decoctions, tinctures are used, and essential oils are also sold in pharmacies. Many effective cosmetics have also been created on their basis.
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 particular recipe depends on the pathology. In some diseases, it is more effective to take a decoction, and in others, alcohol tincture. When applied externally, the healing properties 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 option:
- Pour half a teaspoon of the root into a glass of milk.
- Boil for half an hour.
- Filter out.
You need to take such a 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 in a saucepan.
- Add 300 ml of water.
- Boil for half an hour.
- Cool and filter.
- Add boiled water to the original volume.
Take as a choleretic agent, 50 ml 3 times a day.
There is a decoction for external use:
- Pour two and a half teaspoons of barberry root with 300 ml of boiling water.
- Boil for 5 minutes.
With such a remedy, women can douche, rinse the gums with increased bleeding, and use them as lotions 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.
- Insist for 18 days in a dark and cool place.
- Filter and take 30 drops 3 times a day.
There is also a simpler recipe for making a tincture:
- Four spoons of raw materials.
- Half a glass of alcohol.
- Insist for two days.
Take 5 drops 3 times a day. Helps to reduce blood pressure. But in any case, specialist advice is required. Alcohol tincture is not recommended if you are prone to alcohol dependence.
Tincture on water
In case of bleeding, a tincture on water effectively helps:
- Pour one and a half cups of boiling water over 2-3 teaspoons of the dried root.
- Boil for a couple of minutes.
- Insist and strain.
Take a large spoonful every hour.The remedy has healing properties and stops the blood, regardless of the cause.
You can mix the roots, twigs and bark of the barberry. In this case, you get an infusion for external use. Excellent results for sprains and dislocations.
Boil a tablespoon in a glass of water for 15 minutes. Insist an hour and apply in the form of compresses.
With hepatitis, an infusion prepared in a thermos helps:
- Pour the roots of barberry in the amount of two tablespoons into a thermos.
- Pour 400 ml of boiling water over.
- Insist.
Take 100 ml three times a day. The course of treatment is a month. The drug perfectly normalizes liver function and fights viral infection.
Contraindications
The root has enough contraindications, as well as side effects. This must be taken into account and the reaction of the body must be closely monitored. Usually, the root of barberry is not recommended for chronic hypotension, since the product is able to reduce blood pressure. As a result, the patient may faint and feel dizzy. Also, do not take dried root for pregnant women and those who have kidney disease. Menopause and liver pathology are also a contraindication.
There may 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 clots;
- muscle cramps;
- constipation.
You should not offer infusions and decoctions based on the root to children, people with cirrhosis of the liver and thrombophlebitis. It is important to understand that the rhizome has an astringent property, and therefore causes severe constipation in large quantities. People who are prone to such problems are better off not using these recipes.
Chronic pathologies can be treated with traditional medicine recipes only in parallel with traditional medicine and after consulting a doctor.
Terms and conditions of storage
Infusions and decoctions should be prepared literally for one day. Such funds 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 the raw materials, after drying, the root must be folded into a linen bag or in a plastic container. Store the product in a dry place without access to 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 shrub have beneficial properties, but each of them is useful in its own way. It is important to properly prepare and apply the folk recipe so that the effect is really noticeable. Before taking a course of decoctions or tinctures, it is better to consult a specialist. For pregnant women, children and hypotensive people, it is better not to use the root, despite all its medicinal properties.
