Barberry Shrub
All about the Benefits of the Barberry Shrub
The barberry shrub is great for creating a divider between properties or sections of a large garden. There are several different species of this kind of shrub, each with slightly different qualities. The following is an incomplete list of some of the best-known types of the barberry shrub.
Berberis Vulgaris
The berberis bulgaris is a shrub common to the Mediterranean region and surrounding areas. One may also run across it in the British Isles and North American where it has spread as an invasive species. Although many counties and areas have ordinances against the berberis vulgaris, the shrub has several beneficial uses in cooking and as a medicine.
First, because it is loaded with Vitamin C it is useful against scurvy, a disease common to sailors who spend prolonged periods at sea without access to fresh fruit.
Although, the berries of this kind of barberry shrub are loaded with Vitamin C, it is not widely picked because of the sharp thorns that make harvesting difficult.
In both Iran and Europe, the producers use berries of the berberis vulgaris to create a sweet though slightly tart jam. In Iran, the farmers also grow it along side with saffron.
Furthermore, Iranians call the berberis vulgaris, Zereshk and they use it in making a wonderfully spicy dish called Zereshk polo. Often combined with chicken, this dish calls for the adding of barberry and saffron to rice until the rice takes on a yellowish color.
Physicians have also found that this type of the barberry shrub has positive effects in relieving jaundice. This effect is so common that users of this kind of barberry shrub often call it Jaundice Berry. Jaundice is condition in which the skin and the whites of the eyes turn yellow usually because of a problem with the liver or gallbladder. The berry of the berberis vulgaris is thought to help this condition because it cleanses the liver and gallbladder allowing them to return to normal levels of operation.
Many believe that the bark and root of the berberis vulgaris also helps in relieving menstrual cramps.
Darwin’s Barberry
Charles Darwin himself discovered the berberis darwinii during his famous expedition on the HMS Beagle. The shrub is common to Chili and the Patagonia region of Argentina (where Darwin discovered it). This connection is perhaps part of the reason why the shrub has become so popular in Great Britain. It is far less popular, however, in New Zealand where its bird-dispersed seeds have made designated it an invasive species.
The berries are far too tart to be enjoyable to the taste, although one can eat them without much consequence.
Magellan Barberry
Another Patagonian barberry shrub is Magellan barberry (berberis microphylla). Farmers use it, like the vulgaris, to make jams. A local Patagonian legend claims that anyone who consumes the Magellan barberry’s blue-black berries will be sure to return to Patagonian one day.
Oregon Grape
Although sometimes categorized as a different genus, the Oregon grape shrub also has several positive health effects as a medicinal agent. Herbalists often use the grapes from this shrub as an aid to help in fighting certain conditions that have become resistant to anti-biotics.
Furthermore, the Oregon grape is good substitute for goldenseal in helping to prevent colds and other infections. Oregon grape contains the same chemical that in goldenseal helps against both infection and inflammation.
In some alternative medicines, Oregon grape also helps with skin conditions.
Oregon grape may also help loosen the stool and increase the chances of bowel movements for those who may suffer from constipation.
Undiscovered Treatments
With so many other unstudied species of the barberry shrub, it is still possible that scientists will discover other beneficial effects. It is probably just a question of time.