Barberry is a decorative shrub with the potential to make liver drugs
Mohsen Pouyan stated: The barberry family includes about 650 species of shrubs and often prickly plants that have been used by humans for a long time.
He continued by pointing out that the exploitation of this shrub dates back to thousands of years ago and ancient civilizations: The use of barberry has a long history in almost all parts of the world, including China, Greece, Egypt, Europe and the United States. This date is related to seeded barberry and seedless barberry is native to Iran, especially southern Khorasan.
The project manager of the South Khorasan University Jihad Medicinal Plants Village added: Barberry is a shrub whose roots, leaves and fruits are used in herbal medicine. The human approach to using plants in the treatment of diseases has created a wave that has changed the use of this shrub.
Pouyan pointed out that barberry shrub is used as an ornamental plant in parks and gardens, and specified: In expanding the green space of cities due to its low water requirement, it is a suitable plant and barberry ornamental cultivars in Europe have received more attention than Iran. .
He pointed out: Barberry with seeds is more important in other countries than decorative and medicinal aspects, and barberry without seeds, in addition to these uses, is also used in Iran as a food seasoning and jam.
South Khorasan University Jihad Medicinal Plants Village Project Manager added: Barberry with seeds in our country is one of the most important plant species in most mountainous areas as a hardy plant plays a major role in protecting the soil and preventing erosion of steep slopes and positive environmental effects.
Pouyan added: Improper use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers in agriculture and environmental pollution caused by industrial wastewater entering rivers and lakes and pollution caused by cars increase harmful elements and heavy metals such as lead and mercury in foods such as fruits. Vegetables and fish meat have resulted in an increase in liver failure and many other problems.
Barberry as a very important herbal medicine for liver problems and blood purification can have great potential for processing and manufacturing liver drugs, he said.
The project manager of the Medicinal Plants Village of Jihad University of South Khorasan reminded: Since barberry is an exclusive product of Iran, planning in order to implement this economic potential does not seem necessary.
Pouyan pointed out: The officials of South Khorasan are responsible for the goals of job creation, currency exchange, advertising and introducing this product to the world in various practical dimensions and very heavy duties.
He added: Creating foreign markets due to the monopoly of this product can increase the prosperity of planting and its expansion in South Khorasan.