Crespira: use, properties, and tradition

Published on July 1, 2022 - Medicinal Plants

Utilizzo, proprietà e tradizione del crespino

The Berberis vulgaris L., commonly known as Crespino, belongs to the Berberidaceae family.

The name Berberis seems to be linked to the brightness of the leaves; in fact, the Greek word “berberi” indicates shiny mother-of-pearl. In Italy, it owes its name to the Latin “acrispinum“, which means “with sharp thorns.”

Crespino is a small shrub up to about 3 meters tall, with thorny branches, and very small, ovate, finely serrated leaves with a three-structure derived from the spinification of the main vein.

The flowers, yellow in color, are clustered. The fruit is an elongated, red, edible berry with a slightly acidic taste.

In Italy, it is found in mountain woods and hedges and blooms from April to June.

Parts used: root (bark); leaves, and fruits.

The fruits contain sugar, acids (citric and malic), but no alkaloids. They are used in folk medicine for urinary and gastrointestinal ailments. They have a pleasant, very sharp taste, with a slightly bitter background; if made into jams, they are pleasant and refreshing. The infusion, obtained with the fruits or leaves, is a refreshing drink containing vitamin C and acts as a mild laxative and antipyretic.

The bark of young branches and roots contains two alkaloids: berberine and oxyacanthine; particularly active in reducing cholesterol levels (anti-cholesterol and anti-triglycerides).

Main properties: tonic and choleretic, stimulate digestive functions and liver functionality. It is used as a bitter, hemostatic, especially of the uterus. Externally, it is used as an antipyorrheic, while the leaves are astringent and aromatic.

Main activities: hypotensive; cholagogue and antispasmodic; vasoconstrictor and hemostatic; antibacterial and antipyretic.

Currently, the bark of the roots is used, but traditionally, the fruits and leaves were also used.

The yellow bark of crespino (Berberis vulgaris), if taken as a decoction in beer or white wine, is said to be purgative and has been shown to be highly effective in cases of jaundice, for which it is known in some parts of the country as “jaundice berry”. (Hogg, “Vegetable Kingdom”)

Berberil® drops – Augentropfen (Fa. Mann) contain berberine chloride and are considered a stimulant in cases of eye hypersensitivity, eyelid inflammation, and connective tissue inflammation of allergic origin.

In the past, the bark was used to dye fabrics and leather yellow, as well as in the preparation of medicines for its diuretic, hemostatic, tonic, and slightly laxative action. For its property of causing spleen contractions, it is recommended as an adjunct in the treatment of malaria.

In Ayurveda and Chinese Medicine, Crespino is appreciated as a detoxifying agent, particularly used as a remedy to eliminate toxins from the body.

For Indian and Chinese culture, the bitter taste of the roots of this shrub tones digestion because it improves stomach activity: according to Eastern analogies, gastric functions are associated with the color yellow, just like the wood of this plant.

Scientific studies report extensive antiseptic activity, which is useful in containing infectious states of the gastrointestinal, genital, urinary, and respiratory systems.

Only the use of high doses of the root is dangerous (do not exceed 0.5 grams of berberine). It is precautionarily not recommended during pregnancy and breastfeeding. It may reduce the effectiveness of “life-saving” drugs.

Its cultivation is not recommended in areas where wheat is grown because part of the wheat rust cycle occurs on the leaves of Crespino, as it is an obligate host of this highly damaging fungus.

Metrorragia (Leclerc)

Berberis fluid extract 2 grams

Cupressus fluid extract 2 grams

Garus Elixir * 20 grams

Simple syrup q.s. to 150 grams

One tablespoon every 2-3 hours

*Garus elixir is a remedy whose formula was developed in the 17th century by Joseph Garus (also written as Garrus), according to a recipe by Paracelsus. The elixir in question was mainly composed of myrrh, saffron, Ceylon cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and Socotra aloe.