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| (Berberis
vulgaris) |
| Common names: Jaundice
Berry, Old Woman's Friend, Pipperidge Bush, Sowberry. |
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| Parts
Used: Root, bark of the root, berries. |
Methods
Used: Hot water infusion. |
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| Spiritual
Uses: None
identified to date. |
Physical
Uses: Found from New England to Virginia.
Native Americans used
the root to dye fabrics, buckskin and baskets yellow.
They also used Barberry
bark tea to treat ulcers, sores, rheumatism and heartburn as well
as the early stages of tuberculosis and to treat some of the symptoms
of typhus.
Fresh juice of the berries
was applied to the gums to treat pyorrhea and the bark tea was used
as a mouthwash for general irritations and inflammations.
Because Barberry causes
the blood vessels to dilate, it lowers blood pressure. Famous as
'the old woman's friend,' it had a general use as a tonic. Because
it improves the appetite as well, it was used to treat convalescents.
The juice of the berries
can be effective in the treatment of diarrhea
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Preparation:
Root Tea:
- Bruise ½
oz. of chopped root sections.
- Boil 1 pint
of water.(Allow to sit 30 seconds after boiling.)
- Pour water
over root sections. Cover.
- Allow to
steep for 10 minutes.
- Strain root
sections out and discard.
- Dosage is
½
to 1 cup, before meals. Not to exceed 4 cups per day.
Bark Tea:
- Add 1 teaspoonful
of chopped bark to 1 pint of simmering water.
- Cover and
simmer for 10 minutes.
- Strain herb
out and discard.
- Dosage is
1 tablespoon, as needed.
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