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Barberry (berberry)
Berberis vulgaris
This page contains information on barberry and how it is used as a herb in alternative herbal treatments, to treat ailments and problems, such as assisting in liver detoxification, fighting cancer, promoting anti-aging and reducing inflammation and controlling blood pressure.
On this page
Please note that we are not advocating that people stop using their normal medication, but would like to make people aware that some alternative therapies can be very effective to help treat problems and create a healthier, younger and more vital you. For more information on our range of products, please click here.
Although we believe in the therapeutic and healing properties of herbs, care must be taken in the use thereof, as they are powerful compounds.
Family |
Berberidaceae |
Genus and specie |
Berberis vulgaris |
Berberry, berberis, jaundice berry, and common barberry.
Deciduous scrubby herb with gray-yellow grooved stem and yellow roots, which bear 3-pronged spines and toothed leaves, with yellow flowers followed by oval red fruits.
The fresh and dried fruits are used of (Berberidis fructus), the stem bark (Berberidis cortex), root bark (Berberidis radicis cortex), as well as the root (Berberidis radix) .
A bitter, stimulating, and sedative and detoxifying herb, that is effective against disease-causing organisms, is a liver stimulant and a digestive tonic.
It contains several isoquinoline and protoberberine alkaloids, including berberine, columbamine, jatrorrhizine and palmitine - while the ripe berries are nearly free of alkaloids.
- Internal use
- Barberry has a high concentration of berberine, which has remarkable disease and infection fighting properties.
- Studies have been reported that show that it kills organisms that cause
- wound infections (staphylococcus and streptococcus),
- diarrhea (salmonella and shigella)
- dysentery (Entamoeba histolytica)
- giardiasis ((Giardia lamblia)
- urinary tract infections (Escherichia coli)
- vaginal yeast infections (Candida albicans)
- Berberine stimulates the macrophages (white blood cells that devour microorganisms) and is an excellent immune system booster.
- Barberry is traditionally used as a liver tonic and for detoxification and the root bark has some very good liver stimulant properties, which increase liver functioning and to treat gallstones.
- Researchers in Pakistan did a study on this, using rats that had artificially induced liver damage. This caused the rats liver enzymes to increase, and barberry was shown to significantly reduce the enzyme levels after ingestion by the rats.
- Barberry is used by naturopaths and herbalists to treat
- dysentery and diarrhea
- gallstones
- high blood pressure
- and as supportive therapy in chemotherapy.
- The ripe fruits are sour and are made into a jelly served with lamb.
- Berries are also dried and served in Iranian rice dishes, stuffing and omelets, made into jams in France, and the young leaves are dried and brewed as a tea.
- External use
- Barberry ointment was shown to significantly reduce skin eruptions in psoriasis during a German study.
- Berberine is used in eye ointment to treat conjunctivitis and sensitive eyes.
- Barberry also contains chemicals that reportedly enlarge blood vessels, thereby reducing blood pressure.
- Aromatherapy and essential oil use
Use in consultation with a medical practitioner. If taken in excess, barberry may cause nausea, vomiting, convulsions, low blood pressure, abnormally low heartbeat and breathing.
Not to be taken during pregnancy or when trying to conceive.
When taken internally it may counteract short-acting blood thinners.
Men who have problems in fathering a child should avoid barberry, as it contains palmitine hydroxide which could interfere with the maturation of sperm cells which may contribute to sterility.
To promote the interest and use of herbs and natural complementary health alternatives, we have included information on the following herbs.
Please note - although we discuss a wide variety of herbs, not all of them are used or sold by us.
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