Barberry

Barberry can grow to be a fairly large shrub. The thorny shoots are found growing wild in Alborz mountains
Image

Barberry can grow to be a fairly large shrub. The thorny shoots are found growing wild in Alborz mountains amplitudes and other parts of Iran. Ruby is the name given to a seedless barberry which is cultivated in Qaenat and emerges from an erect shrub of 1.5-2 meters tall. The leaves are small oval which are borne in clusters besides thorns. Its yellow beautiful and attractive flowers include 6 sepals, 6 petals and 6 filaments and its pistil consists of a filament terminating in a short style. Flowering occurs from mid April to May. The fruit is an oblong red berry 7-10mm long and 3mm broad, ripening in annual branches and resists water shortage, drought and salinity. The plant is south Khorasan climate friendly-product.

Medicinal Uses

For many years barberry has been in domestic use as a medicine. Because of its organic acids, the plant is a remedy that reduces blood bile and ejects bile out of the liver. Also it reduces Polydipsia. Barberry mixed with warm nature remedies like cinnamon and honey leads to liver strength and treats Polydipsia and diarrhea caused by liver weakness and gastric problems.It is useful in vomiting and its mixture with appropriate medicine results in gastric ulcers healing process.