Susun Weeds Wise Woman Forum

I was given a lovely Middle Eastern cookbook recently, which I am still exploring. I have done a fair amount of cooking from that region, but this is the first time I've seen mention of the use of barberry. Now I'm beginning to wonder about medicinal uses. It doesn't seem to be generally known; I've just seen vague references saying "it has medicinal value." Does anybody know more?

My association with barberry is the bushes that grew on the edge of our lawn in NY, when I was a child. I always loved them; their deep red berries told me that Autumn was getting on and the edge of winter was near.

Here's a link to some good information
http://www.herbs2000.com/herbs/herbs_barberry.htm

Thanks! I also sent an e-mail to a couple of herbalist friends and got a bunch of links. And my herbal from the American colonial days makes a connection with red currant. Interesting plants.