What do we DO with the Barberry Bushes?!

But that's just the lookin' part. Those of you cursing them out, you're yelling at your food and medicine again. I keep trying to TELL you.

First, let's go for the obvious. Those luscious-looking red berries. The first thing I learned to use them for was laryngitis. I wish I could remember where I read it....but you take about 7 fresh or dried berries and hop up and down on them with the edge of a spoon. Pour only about 1/4 cup of boiling water over them, cover and let steep for 5 minutes. Strain out the squashed berries and GARGLE with the tea. Amazing, the old voice usually returns in about 45 minutes - that's if it's your THROAT causing the laryngitis. If it's a case of NERVES, you probably need to hit the Motherwort.

You can also make a similar tea for DRINKING by taking 1-2 oz of berries and soaking them for two hours in a qt of cold water. Then boil for one minute and let cool. Served with honey, it's good stuff for a feverish patient and also has been used for treating diarrhea. There's almost no end to what you can do with the berries. Use them for neat food decorations, toss them into soups and stews (the way you might add just a splash of lemon juice). You can crush the berries and make them into jelly. Why, if you're REALLY ambitious, you can even make Barberry Wine!

The other part of the Barberry (Berberis) plant that is used medicinally is the bark, both of the roots and the stems. It is mostly the berberine that appears to have stimulating effects on the heart in small doses and depressant effects on the heart in large doses. Interesting. The stem and root bark is used today to improve the function of the liver, (the ancient Egyptians had THIS one all figured out...) gallbladder, spleen and pancreas, all important supporting players in the whole digestive show. Berberine is also said to be antiseptic when used on the skin.

The stems and roots also yield a yellow dye for wool, cotton and linen and has been used to polish leather and wood. And you thought it was just a thorny shrub.....

There is a decided down-side though. Barberries are a huge no-no if you're trying to grow grains. They're a host plant for part of the life cycle of the

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