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These health guides are no substitute for proper diagnosis and treatment from your own health professional.
Barberry
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Berberis vulgaris
This is a tall thorny shrub growing wild along the edge of woodlands and hedgerows. Both the barks and the berries are used medicinally, as a tonic, purgative, hepatic and an antiseptic.
The berries, which contain a bitter alkaloid, berberine, must be ripe when used, and when, crushed and boiled with water to make a drink, are used for mild disorder of the liver and relieve biliousness.
The berries too act as a mild laxative, and help to regulate the digestive processes.
Barberries are full of Vitamin C, and have a beneficial effect on the blood pressure by causing the vessels to dilate.
A jelly or syrup made from the berries is effective in treating coughs and sore throats and tonsillitis.
The Chinese variety ( mahonia japonica et species) in traditional Chinese medicine, is often used as an anti-inflammatory and antipyretic.
This herb helps to reduce fever, treats colds, bronchitis, sore throats, toothaches, acute gastroenteritis, dysentery, tuberculosis, pneumonia, infectious hepatitis, rheumatic arthralgia, and cancer of the lungs and liver
Precaution
The barks of this plant should only be used under strict medical supervision, as it contains a substance called berberine, which is very toxic.
References
- Tierra M.The Way of Herbs. New York. Pocket Books. 1990.
- Black P. The Illustrated Herbal. Hamlyn. 1987
- Boxer A, Black P.The herb Book. Reed International Books Limited. 1980.
- Burch E (N.D.).The Complete Herbal Companion.Harper Collins 2000
- L’Orang D.The Herbal Healing Secrets of the Orient.Prentice Hall 1998
- Tierra M.The ways of Chinese Herbs.Pocket Books. 1998.
- Liu HC.Chinese System of Food Cures.Pelandok Publication.1989.
- Dr.Hong YH, PhD, Hsu CS, PhD. Commonly Used Chinese Herbs.Oriental Healing Arts Institute, 1980.
- Dr.Hong YH, PhD. How to Treat Yourself with Chinese Herbs.Oriental Healing Arts Institute. 1993.
- Murray M, Pizzorno J.The Encyclopaedia of Natural Medicines. Prima Pub. 1998.
- Tierra L.The Herbs of Life.Freedom, CA. Crossing Press. 1992.
- Dr.Walker M.Olive leaf extract. Kensington books. 1997
- Kloss J, Promise M.Back to Eden, revised version. Mass Market Paperback. 1989.
- Prevention Magazine (editors).The complete book of natural & medicinal cures. Health books. Berkley Publishing Group, 1996.
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