What are the properties of barberry?

Barberry is an evergreen and often thorny sapling, whose leaves, roots, bark, and fruit have been used as medicine since long ago, and in addition to Iran, it is also found in parts of Europe, Asia, North and South America, and Africa. It is possible, but it is most widely distributed in Iran and is considered native to Iran, and our country is the largest producer of barberry in the world.

This special plant has different varieties and due to its pleasant taste and color, it has a special place in the preparation of food products, and knowing its effective ingredient called "Berberine" which has medicinal properties, it has also found a significant role in the pharmaceutical industry. Properties of the fruit of this plant is red, small and oval in shape, with a sour taste.

According to Iranian traditional medicine, barberry has a so-called cold and dry nature and is known as an antipyretic and heart rate regulator. But the properties of barberry are not limited to these things. So far, more than 500 species of barberry have been identified around the world, of which four or sometimes seven species are more well-known and are found in Iran, especially in Khorasan.

What are the properties of barberry for the body:

The phenomenon of "oxidative stress" occurs as a result of a relative imbalance between the production of free radicals and reactive oxygen species on the one hand and the antioxidant defense system on the other hand. Free radicals are ions that contain unpaired electrons and are highly reactive and play a major role in the etiology of many diseases, including arthritis, cancer, and cardiovascular diseases.

In plants and other organisms, there is a mechanism to deal with free radicals naturally. Antioxidants prevent the oxidation process, and in the meantime, natural antioxidants are much more useful and effective. Naturally, some food items such as fruits, drinks, spices and pickles contain antioxidants, and in the meantime, red fruits such as blackberries have this property and characteristic.

Properties of barberry for the liver:

The liver is responsible for removing toxins and cleaning the body. As an anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory substance, barberry will help liver health. This food item can clean the liver and help improve its function and eliminate possible infections in this very important organ. The use of barberry in the treatment of fatty liver is effective in washing and purifying the liver. Barberry extract maintains liver health by controlling free radicals and antioxidant factors.

Barberry benefits for heart and blood pressure:

"Berbamine" found in barberry helps heart health and prevents damage to heart tissue by regulating the concentration of ions in the blood. The regulation of these ions, along with the purification of fat and blood concentration, prevents the occurrence of heart attacks and causes the health of the heart and blood vessels and the elimination of heart and blood vessel cramps.

On the other hand, barberry, having polyphenols and strong antioxidants, as well as vitamin C, leads to a decrease in blood pressure and contributes to the health and longevity of the walls of blood vessels.