BARBERRY BERRIES

Barberry
Berberis vulgaris; Berberry

Medicinal use of barberry dates back more than 2,500 years. 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 may help the immune system function better. The aqueous extract of barberry has beneficial effects on both the cardiovascular and neural system. As such, it may be useful in the treatment of hypertension, tachycardia (rapid heartbeat), and some neuronal disorders, such as epilepsy and convulsions. Recent studies suggest that barberry also has antioxidant properties, and may help prevent certain types of cancer.

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 and acne. More research is needed to confirm these findings.

Diarrhea

Barberry may 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. However, taking barberry with antibiotics may reduce the effectiveness of antibiotics. Talk to your doctor before combining the two.

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 is 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 that 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 to 12% alkaloids (berberine).

How to Take It
Pediatric

There is not enough evidence to establish a dose for children. Certain dosages of barberry may be unsafe for children so onlly use barberry in children under the supervision of a qualified health care provider.

Adult

Dosages should be determined by your provider. 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, you should take herbs 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
It is not known for certain what drugs, herbs, or supplements may interact with barberry. 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 about taking barberry in conjunction with antibiotic therapy.

Anticoagulants (blood thinners): Barberry may alter 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.

Other drugs metabolized by the liver: Because barberry works on the liver, it may alter the way many medications, which are metabolized by the liver, work in your body. Speak with your physician about potential interactions.

Supporting Research
Abd El-Wahab AE, Ghareeb DA, Sarhan EE, Abu-Serie MM, El Demellawy MA. In vitro biological assessment of Berberis vulgaris and its active constituent, berberine: antioxidants, anti-acetylcholinesterase, anti-diabetic and anticancer effects. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2013;13:218.

Arayne MS, Sultana N, Bahadur SS. The berberis story: Berberis vulgaris in therapeutics. Pak J Pharm Sci. 2007;20(1):83-92.

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).

Fatehi M, Saleh TM, Fatehi-Hassanabad Z, Farrokhfal K, Jafarzadeh M, Davodi S. A pharmacological study on Berberis vulgaris fruit extract. J Ethnopharmacol. 2005;102(1):46-52.

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.

Fouladi RF. Aqueous extract of dried fruit of Berberis vulgaris L. in acne vulgaris, a clinical trial. J Diet Suppl. 2012;9(4):253-61.

Gruenwald J, Brendler T, Jaenicke C, et al, eds. PDR for Herbal Medicines. 2nd ed. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company Inc; 2000:61-62.

Imanshahidi M, Hosseinzadeh H. Pharmacological and therapeutic effects of Berberis vulgaris and its active constituent, berberine. Phytother Res. 2008;22(8):999-1012.

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.

Pierpaoli E, Arcamone AG, Buzzetti F, Lombardi P, Salvatore C, Provinciali M. Antitumor effect of novel berberine derivatives in breast cancer cells. Biofactors. 2013;39(6):672-9.

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.

Tomosaka H. Antioxidant and cytoprotective compounds from Berberis vulgaris (barberry). Phytother Res. 2008;22(7):979-81.

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.

Zhang CM, Gao L, Zheng YJ, Yang HT. Berbamine protects the heart from ischemia/reperfusion injury by maintaining cytosolic Ca(2+) homeostasis and preventing calpain activation. Circ J. 2012;76(8):1993-2002.

Zilaee M, Kermany T, Tavalaee S, Salehi M, Ghayour-Mobarhan M, Ferns GA. Barberry treatment reduces serum anti-heat shock protein 27 and 60 antibody titres and high-sensitivity c-reactive protein in patients with metabolic syndrome: a double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled trial. Phytother Res. 2014;28(8):1211-5.

Latin name
Berberis vulgaris
Origin
Europe, Africa and Asia
Alternative names
European BarberryJaundice BerryMountain GrapeOregon GrapePipperidgeSow Berry
Parts used
Berries

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Benefits
Immune System

One of the most powerful plant alkaloids in Barberry bark is “berberine” (also found in Goldenseal), and it is this phytonutrient that is responsible for many of its benefits. Berberine has been shown to stimulate the immune system by activating the macrophages that devour harmful micro-organisms. It is naturally antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal – in particular berberine has been shown to inhibit the ability of bacteria to attach itself to human cells.

Digestive Health

A healthy digestive system is the cornerstone of vibrant health, allowing the body to absorb nutrients fully and to expel waste efficiently. Classed as a “bitter herb”, Barberry Root has long been used to support this delicate system. The bitter alkaloids found in this herb stimulate and regulate the digestive system and aid in the secretion of bile, which is good for liver health. Berberine also acts as a mild purgative which makes Barberry highly effective for constipation.

Studies show that Barberry outperforms antibiotics cases of gastro-intestinal problems, possibly due to its astringent effects. It has also been shown to clear up bacterial diarrhoea without any negative side effects.

Bladder/Urinary Health

The berberine found in Barberry Root Bark has a powerful antibacterial action which supports the traditional use of this herb to combat bacterial Urinary Tract Infections. Research now shows that berberine is effective for UTIs due to its ability to inhibit bacterial adhesion to uroepithelial cells (the cells lining the surface of the urinary bladder). Barberry has been found to be particularly effective in preventing E coli from binding to urinary tract cells. As an anti-inflammatory, Barberry will also soothe an inflamed urinary tract.

The berries of the Barberry plant are naturally diuretic and high in vitamin C. The diuretic action allows the body to flush out bacteria, whilst the vitamin C content supports and boosts the immune system in its efforts to fight off infection.

Barberry
Barberry Products
Berberis vulgaris
Folklore and history
The Barberry (along with other berberine containing herbs) has been used throughout history for its medicinal properties. Traditional Chinese Medicine documents its use dating back over 3,000 years ago, whilst the Ancient Egyptians combined Barberry with Fennel Seeds to prevent plagues and treat fevers.

In folklore and magic, Barberry was used to ward off evil and protect ones house and self from enemies. People would lay Barberry branches across the path of their enemies to literally “bar” their progress.

Traditional use
The bark and berries of the Barberry bush have a long and enduring history in many ancient medicinal systems, utilised for either medicinal or culinary purposes. The bark was used to break fevers, stimulate digestion and for gastrointestinal disorders, whilst the berries were known for their diuretic qualities, high vitamin C content, and for their astringent cooling properties. The berries were popularly used to make jam – Barberries are naturally high in pectin which allowed the jam to set nicely as it cooled after boiling.

This native plant of Europe, Africa and Asia has been recorded in medicinal use for more than 2,500 years in Ayurvedic, Traditional Chinese and Native American medicine systems, as well as in Western herbalism.

Typical use
Barberry Bark Tincture

Traditionally Taken: 2-3ml taken 2-3 times per day, or as directed by a Herbal Practitioner.

Barberry Bark Powder

A typical dosage of Barberry Bark is ½g- 1g of powdered bark up to three times per day.

Constituents
The chief constituent of Barberry bark is berberine. Other constituents of Barberry are; oxyacanthine, berbamine, berberrubine, bervulcine, columbamine, isotetrandine, jatorrhizine, oxycanthine, palmatine, vulcracine, carbohydrates, organic acids, some vitamins, poliphenolic compounds, pectin, tannin, and mineral elements.

Precautions
Not recommended for children, pregnant or breastfeeding women. If you are taking any prescription medications, please consult your healthcare practitioner.