Barberry
Also listed as: Berberis vulgaris; Berberry
Overview
Medicinal use of barberry dates as far back as ancient Egypt, and it has been used in Indian folk medicine to treat diarrhea, reduce fever, improve appetite, relieve upset stomach, and promote vigor as well as a sense of well-being. Today, it is widely used for medicinal purposes in Iran, including for biliary disorders (such as gallbladder disease) and heartburn.
Barberry and goldenseal (
Hydrastis canadensis
) are often used for similar medicinal purposes because both herbs contain the chemical berberine. Berberine has been shown to inhibit the growth of bacteria in test tubes, and also may help the immune system function better.
Infection and skin disorders
Barberry is used to ease inflammation and infection of the urinary (bladder and urinary tract infections), gastrointestinal, and respiratory tracts (sore throat, nasal congestion, sinusitis, bronchitis) as well as candida (yeast) infections of the skin or vagina. Barberry extract may also improve symptoms of certain skin conditions including psoriasis, but further studies are needed to confirm these findings.
Diarrhea
Barberry may also be an effective treatment for diarrhea (including traveler's diarrhea and diarrhea caused by food poisoning). A few studies have suggested that barberry improves symptoms faster than antibiotics, perhaps because it has astringent properties, but that antibiotics may be more effective at killing bacteria in the intestines. Because of the serious consequences associated with bacterial diarrhea, if barberry is used to ease symptoms, it is best to take the herb along with standard antibiotic therapy.
Plant Description
Barberry is a shrub with gray, thorny branches that can grow to about 9 feet tall. Bright yellow flowers bloom between the months of April and June and become dark, drooping bunches of red berries in the fall. The root, bark, and berries are used for medicinal purposes.
What's It Made Of?
The stem, root bark, and fruit of barberry contain alkaloids, the most prominent of which is berberine. Laboratory studies in test tubes and animals suggest that berberine has antimicrobial (killing bacteria and parasites), anti-inflammatory, hypotensive (causing a lowering of blood pressure), sedative, and anticonvulsant effects. Berberine may also stimulate the immune system. It also acts on the smooth muscles which line the intestines. This last effect may help improve digestion and reduce gastrointestinal pain.
Available Forms
Barberry is available in capsules, fluid extracts, tinctures, and as a topical ointment. Dried roots of barberry can also be used in tea. Barberry extracts are standardized to contain 8 - 12% alkaloids (berberine).
How to Take It
Pediatric
There is not enough evidence to establish a dose for children. For this reason, barberry should be used in children only under the supervision of a qualified health care provider.
Adult
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Tea: 2 - 4 grams of dried root steeped or 1 - 2 tsp of whole or crushed berries steeped in 150 mL (approximately 2/3 of a cup) of boiling water for 10 - 15 minutes three times daily
-
Tincture: 3 - 6 mL (1/2 to 1 1/2 tsp three times daily)
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Dry extracts: 250 - 500 milligrams three times daily
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For skin disorders: 10% extract of barberry in ointment, applied to the skin three times daily
Barberry should not be taken for long periods of time (more than a week) without the supervision of your doctor.
Precautions
The use of herbs is a time-honored approach to strengthening the body and treating disease. Herbs, however, can trigger side effects and can interact with other herbs, supplements, or medications. For these reasons, herbs should be taken with care, under the supervision of a health care provider.
People using normal and appropriate doses of barberry do not generally report side effects. Cases of nosebleeds and vomiting have been reported with extremely high doses of this herb.
In infants, berberine (a constituent of barberry) may interfere with liver function and might worsen jaundice.
Pregnant women should not take barberry because it may cause uterine contractions and trigger miscarriage.
Possible Interactions
Because there is not a lot of scientific evidence about barberry's effects, it is not known for certain what drugs, herbs, or supplements barberry may interact with. However, it is possible that barberry may interact with the following:
Antibiotics
-- Taking barberry with antibiotics may decrease the effectiveness of the antibiotics. Talk to your doctor before combining the two.
Anticoagulants (blood thinners)
-- Barberry may decrease the effectiveness of blood-thinning medication. Do not take barberry if you take anticoagulants.
Antihistamines
-- Barberry may increase the effects of antihistamines.
Blood pressure medication
-- Barberry may increase the effects of these drugs. Do not take barberry if you take blood pressure medication.
Celecoxib (Celebrex)
-- Barberry may interact with Celebrex. Talk to your doctor before combining the two.
Diuretics (water pills)
-- Barberry may increase the effects of these drugs. Talk to your doctor before combing the two.
Medications for diabetes
-- Barberry may lower blood sugar, making the effects of these drugs stronger. Do not take barberry if you take medications for diabetes.
Supporting Research
Berberine.
Altern Med Rev
2000 Apr;5(2):175-177.
Bergner P. Goldenseal and the common cold; goldenseal substitutes.
Medical Herbalism: A Journal for the Clinical Practitioner
. 1996–1997;8(4).
Foster S, Tyler V.
Tyler's Honest Herbal: A Sensible Guide to the Use of Herbs and Related Remedies
. Binghamton, NY: Haworth Herbal Press; 1999;43-45.
Gruenwald J, Brendler T, Jaenicke C, et al, eds.
PDR for Herbal Medicines
. 2nd ed. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company Inc; 2000:61-62.
Ivanovska N, Philipov S. Study on the antiinflammatory action of Berberis vulgaris root extract, alkaloid fractions, and pure alkaloids.
Int J Immunopharmacol
. 1996;18:552–561.
Kaneda Y, Torii M, Tanaka T, et al. In vitro effects of berberine sulphate on the growth and structure of
Entamoeba histolytica
,
Giardia lamblia
and
Trichomonas vaginalis
.
Ann Trop Med Parasitol
. 1991 Aug;85(4):417-425.
Rabbani GH, Butler T, Knight J, et al. Randomized controlled trial of berberine sulfate therapy for diarrhea due to enterotoxigenic
Escherichia coli
and
Vibrio cholerae
.
J Infect Dis
. 1987 May;155(5):979-984.
Shamsa F, Ahamadiani A, Khosrokhavar R. Antihisminic and anticholinergic activity of barberry fruit (
Berberis vulgaris
) in the guinea-pig ileum.
J Ethnopharmacol
. 1999;64:161–166.
Sun D, Courtney HS, Beachey EH. Berberine sulfate blocks adherence of Streptococcus pyogenes to epithelial cells, fibronectin, and hexadecane.
Antimicrob Agents Chemother
. 1988;32:1370–1374.
Yesilada E, Kupeli E. Berberis crataegina DC. root exhibits potent anti-inflammatory, analgesic and febrifuge effects in mice and rats.
J Ethnopharmacol
. 2002 Feb;79(2):237-48.
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Review Date:
2/24/2007
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Reviewed By: Steven D. Ehrlich, N.M.D., private practice specializing in complementary and alternative medicine, Phoenix, AZ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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