Barberry

How You May Benefit:

Aid digestion
Improve digestion and absorption of nutrients and stimulate appetite
Boost immune functioning
Provide Vitamin C to support strong connective tissue and immune functioning
Detoxify the body
Detoxify the body and cleanse the blood to support liver health
Reduce inflammation
Reduce post-workout inflammation and support recovery from injuries
Fight infections
Relieve cold and flu symptoms and fight infections by inhibiting harmful bacterial
Reduce water retention
As a diuretic, decrease water retention

Overview

This medicinal herb has a long history for being helpful for the digestive system. It may also help fight off infections and enhance immune functioning, while supplying the body with extra Vitamin C.

Usage

Amount and Timing: When used for digestive complaints and infections, 2 to 3 ml of the tincture taken 15 to 20 minutes before a meal, 3 times a day, is typical. (Standardized extracts containing 5% to 10% of the alkaloids, for around 500 mg of berberine per day, are reportedly preferable.)

Tea can be made by adding half a cup of water to 1 to 2 teaspoons of whole or squashed barberries, heating for 10 to 15 minutes, and then straining. Up to four cups per day are recommended by some experts.

Ointments, found at some health-food stores, are reportedly used three times daily to help relieve skin ailments. (The ointments that contain 10% barberry extract are preferable.)

Twenty to 40 drops of a barberry tincture used once a day may be effective.

Tip: If supplementing to help avoid traveler's diarrhea, starting supplementation one week before, continuing throughout the trip, and using for one week after is reportedly effective.

Some athletes have begun experimenting with barberry to help reduce swelling after an intense training session or after injury. But it's more often used to help relieve digestive complaints, such as constipation and heartburn, and to help stimulate appetite. It may also be used to stimulate the immune system and fight off infections.

Safety Information

Safety:

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, barberry is not recommended.

Strong extracts can sometimes lead to a tummy ache and should not be used for more than two weeks at a time.

Known drug interactions:
Avoid if using Tetracycline medication.

Toxicity:
An overdose may cause a light stupor, nosebleeds, vomiting, diarrhea, and/or kidney irritation.

Bans and Restrictions:
None reported.

References

Amin, A.H., et al., "Berberine Sulfate: Antimicrobial Activity, Bioassay, and Mode of Action," Can J Microbiol 15.9 (1969) : 1067-76.

Desai, A.B., et al., "Berberine in Treatment of Diarroea," Indian Pediatr 8.9 (1971) : 462-5.

Hahn, F.E., and Ciak, J., "Berberine," Antibiotics 3 (1976) : 577-88.

Ivanovska, N., and Philipov, S., "Study on the Anti-Inflammatory Action of Berberis vulgaris Root Extract, Alkaloid Fractions and Pure Alkaloids," Int J Immunopharmacol 18.10 (1996) : 553-61.

Murray, M.T., The Healing Power of Herbs (Prima Publishing, Rocklin, CA, 1995).

Sabir, M., and Bhide, N.K., "Study of Some Pharmacologic Actions of Berberine," Indian J Physiol Pharmacol 15.3 (1971) : 111-32.

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