Japanese Barberry

This prickly shrub found on the edges of forests is now known as ‘invasive’ as the proportion of forest edge in our world grows over time - a fate shared by many other edge-dwellers. But Japanese Barberry (Berberis thunbergii) is has much to offer human society. The yellow root contains berberine, a chemical compound that has both antimicrobial and blood sugar regulation properties. Those with diabetes and prediabetes and anyone with a stubborn infection would be well advised to get to know this plant. The leaf contains a compound that when added to the root, prevents the development of antimicrobial resistance.