Native to parts of Europe, Africa, and Asia, Berberis vulgaris is a small shrub with tart, edible berries, and thorny branches. The root of barberry contains berberine, a bright yellow plant constituent thought to contain wellness-supporting properties. Barberry root has a history of use in traditional healing systems from around the world and is often utilized in extracts, topical applications, and decoctions.
The barberry is a tall shrub with gray, thorny branches. Bright yellow flowers bloom in the late spring become dark, drooping bunches of red berries in the fall. Puckery but less bitter than cranberries, ripe barberries can be used to make jam. Both the berries and the bark are used traditionally. Barberry is a member of the Berberidaceae family.
