Barberry
Barberry with the scientific name Berberis (Vulgaris) is a fruit from the family of Berberidaceae which grows in different species around the world including Iran, Asia and South America.
• Barberry trees are usually 1-5 meters tall with an attractive Pink or Red color during the Autumn.
• The berries of the barberry are traditionally used to make jams and jellies. But the herb also has a long history as a folk remedy for digestive disorders, including constipation, diarrhea, dyspepsia, heartburn, and loss of appetite.
Health Benefits of Barberry
Antioxidants
About 22 alkaloids have been found in the barberry plant. Alkaloids are a group of compounds that have various properties beneficial for medicinal uses.
Berberine is one of these alkaloids, and some studies have shown that it has antioxidant effects on cell damage caused by free radicals. Free radicals are unstable atoms that can be harmful if they accumulate in the body, causing illness and aging.
Cholesterol
The berberine compound found in barberry plants can help improve cholesterol levels as it may lessen low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and triglycerides. LDL is the “bad” cholesterol because some of the LDL can enter artery walls. Triglycerides are a type of fat found in your blood.
Congestive heart failure
Berberine may help improve the health of those with congestive heart failure, a condition in which your heart muscle doesn’t pump enough blood. A study of 156 adults with congestive heart failure found that those who were given 1.2 to 2 grams of berberine a day showed improvement in their exercise ability and how their heart pumped blood. Fewer of those given berberine died compared to those given placebos.
Type 2 diabetes
Researchers conducted a 3-month study of 36 adults with type 2 diabetes and found that taking berberine significantly lowered HbA1c levels. This is a measure of your average blood sugar (glucose) over the past few months. Berberine was found to be as effective as metformin, a medication used to control high blood sugar.
Berberine has been found to increase insulin sensitivity, which is the ability of your cells to use blood sugar more effectively. In a study in Iran, 30 adults with type 2 diabetes were given dried barberry extract. This was found to significantly decrease their blood sugar levels and HbA1c levels.
Diarrhea
Barberries, or more specifically, the berberine compound in barberries, may be effective in treating diarrhea. In a study of 165 adults with bacterial diarrhea such as E. coli, those who were given berberine showed faster improvement with no side effects found. But doctors caution that because of the serious symptoms associated with bacterial diarrhea, standard antibiotic treatment should be given.
Acne
Barberry extract may be beneficial for those with acne. In a study of teenagers in Iran with moderate to severe acne, those who took 600 milligrams of barberry extract for 4 weeks had significantly fewer lesions compared to those who took a placebo.
Dental health
Barberry gel may be able to help with dental diseases like plaque and gingivitis, which is an inflammation of the gums. A study conducted on 45 boys aged 11 to 12 found that those who used a dental gel containing barberry extract had reduced gingivitis and plaque.
is sour with a sharp flavor
Barberry juice Concentrate can be used to make fresh Barberry Juices while also being used in other industries including Desserts, Fruit leather, ice creams, cakes, pastries, fruit pastilles and a variety of applications in Pharmaceutical and Cosmetics products.