They do also have a slight tartness to them that is similar to barberries, but they are not commonly used in savoury dishes in the same way. Their sourness is subtle, unfortunately.

In muesli or yoghurt: A sprinkling of barberries will lend a citrus-like flavour to muesli or yoghurt. The edible berries, [8] though rich in vitamin C, have a very sharp or sour flavor and are not widely consumed because the thorny shrubs make them difficult to harvest. Suadoni MT, Atherton I. Berberine for the treatment of hypertension: a systematic review. Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2021;42:101287. doi:10.1016/j.ctcp.2020.101287 As a garnish: sauté them in butter and a little sugar to counteract the tartness, before using them whole. Turner, NJ; Hebda, RJ (1990). "Contemporary use of bark for medicine by two Salishan native elders of southeast Vancouver Island, Canada". Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 29 (1): 59–72. doi: 10.1016/0378-8741(90)90098-e. PMID 2345461.

Rosehip does not carry as much sweetness as berries do, but they are very tart. In fact, their tartness is the only real flavour they have. 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. Another 8-week study in 30 people with type 2 diabetes found that those who took 2 mg of dried barberry fruit extract daily had reduced hemoglobin A1c levels and significantly lower blood sugar levels, compared with a placebo group ( 17). Berberis vulgaris, also known as common barberry, [3] European barberry or simply barberry, is a shrub in the genus Berberis native to the Old World. It produces edible but sharply acidic berries, which people in many countries eat as a tart and refreshing fruit.

Supplemental forms of barberry include dried capsules, liquid extracts, and ointments or gels made from whole berries or berberine extract. However, due to the limited research in humans, there is no recommended dosage for barberry or berberine supplements. 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. Risks of Barberries Berberine acts on the smooth muscles that line the intestines, helping improve digestion and reduce gastrointestinal pain. Barberry is even an effective treatment for diarrhea, including both traveler’s diarrhea and diarrhea caused by food poisoning. Elias, Thomas S.; Dykeman, Peter A. (2009) [1982]. Edible Wild Plants: A North American Field Guide to Over 200 Natural Foods. New York: Sterling. p.219. ISBN 978-1-4027-6715-9. OCLC 244766414.A 2015 study reported that barberry’s active alkaloid berberine produces a biochemical action in the heart that prolongs the effective refractory period, which improves atrial fibrillation. The study concludes that the berberine acts as a class IA or III anti-arrhythmic agent, but the benefits of berberine in atrial fibrillation/atrial flutter have not been systematically studied in human clinical trials — therefore its mainstream acceptance in the treatment of atrial fibrillation remains limited.

a b USDA, NRCS (n.d.). " Berberis vulgaris". The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov). Greensboro, North Carolina: National Plant Data Team . Retrieved 24 March 2016. Berberine has also been shown to have a positive impact on the immune system, making it helpful for a wide range of infections and diseases. Can’t find barberries? Or want to make a dish calling for them right now but don’t have any in your pantry? You can use cranberries. If the size matters, chop the cranberries into smaller pieces.

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Imenshahidi M, Hosseinzadeh H. Berberine and barberry (Berberis vulgaris): a clinical review. Phytother Res. 2019;33(3):504-523. doi:10.1002/ptr.6252 Native Americans originally taught settlers barberry’s value as a medicinal herb. The ancient Egyptians used it in combination with fennel seed to ward off plagues while it was used to treat dysentery in India.