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What is Barberry Barberry is a thorny srub with long history of medical uses ...(more) Barberry Herbal Preparation is prepared as jams and jellies. Available in standardized extracts and capsules. Can be taken as tea infusion...(more)

Barberry used in medicine. Used to treat malaria, cough, fever, diarrhea, gout, arthritis, back pain, cancer and many other illness...(more)

Barberry use warning and cautions. Barberry if taken in large amount may be poisonous and can cause shock, nose bleeding, diarrhea and kidney damage....(more)

 

Scientific Names:Berberis vulgaris L., B. aquifolium Pursh. Mahonia aquifolium Nutt. Family: Berberidaceae

Common Names: Barberry, Oregon grape, trailing mahonia, berberis,jaundice berry, woodsour, sowberry, pepperidge bush, sour-spine.

Barberry (Berberis vulgaris) is a shrub in the family Berberidaceae, that is native to central and southern Europe, northwest Africa and western Asia.

Barberry grows in the wild but has gained popularity in Europe and US as a garden plant, commonly used as hedge or plant fence due to its thorny, wiry branches. Barberry has long been used in herbal medicine since the Middle ages, used to treat liver and gallbladder disorders.

Barberry shrub grows to about 4 meters in height. Barberry leaves are of variety of shapes about 2 to 5 cm long, the primary leaves are three-forked spines, while secondary ones are oval, subtended by a three branched spine.  Barberry flowers are bright yellow that bloom between April to June. The flowers are about 4–6 mm across, produced on 3–6 cm long panicles. Barberry bears red, edible fruits that are oblong in shape about  7–10 mm long and 3–5 mm in diameter. Barberry fruits are very sour that ripens in late summer or autumn. Barberry fruit is rich in vitamin C.

 

Barberry active constituent is berberine, a yellow crystalline alkaloid that has sedative, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, hypotensive, and anticonvulsant effects. Other constituents of barberry includes the following:

• albumin
• Berbamine
• Citric acid
• fat
• gum
• malic acid
• other alkaloidal matter
• Oxyacanthine
• resin
• tannin
• wax
• starch

Barberry has the following folkloric health benefits (no substantial medical and scientific studies)

• Barberry extract is used as bitter tonic to treat fever (antipyretic) and as anticonvulsant remedy,
• Barberry extract has applications in homeopathy for the treatment of gastro intestinal disorders, including diarrhea,
• Barberry is known to have anti-bacterial and anti-parasitic action, used to treat malaria and other parasite related infections.
• Barberry is used to treat coughs, cholera and skin infections,
• Barberry is also being studied to treat cancer and  tuberculosis,
• Barberry is used to treat sciatica, lower back pain, hemorrhoids, gout, arthritis, and enlarge spleen,
• Barberry can lower blood pressure and is beneficial for hypertension.
• Barberry is believed to also cure kidney related diseases

Barberry fruits are harvested and are prepared as jellies and jams

Barberry tincture, 2-3 ml taken three times per day.

Barberry tea  can be prepared using 2 to 4 grams of dried barberry herb in a cup of boiling water. Taken 2 to 3 times a day.

Barberry capsules as supplement. Taken as directed.

Barberry ointment prepared with 10% extract, applied to skin 3 times daily.

 

Barberry extract from leaves and barks may be poisonous if taken in excess. Large dose of barberry may cause shock, nose bleeding, nausea, vomiting, drop in blood pressure, difficulty in breathing, reduced heart rate, and potential damage to the kidney.

Barberry herbal extract is not to be given to children without professional medical supervision.

Use of barberry herbal extract is also discourage during pregnancy and lactation.

Barberry is not advisable for prolonged use due to potential risk of poisoning. Medical supervision is adviced.

Drug interactions

Barberry is a potent herbal medicine and the full extent of its interaction with drugs and other herbal medicines is undetermined. However, barberry should not be taken simultaneously with the following;

Antibiotics. Barberry may interact with the antibiotic lessening its effectivity.

Anticoagulants (blood thinners). Barberry may decrease the effectiveness of blood-thinning medication.

Antihistamines. Barberry may increase the effects of antihistamines.

Blood pressure medication. Barberry has blood pressure lowering effects, Barberry may increase the effects of these drugs.

Diuretics. Barberry may increase the effects of these drugs.

Medications for diabetes. Barberry may lower blood sugar, making the effects of these drugs stronger.

 

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