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Name |
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Barberry |
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Biological Name |
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Berberis vulgaris
Berberidaceae |
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Other Names: |
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European barberry,
jaundice berry, pepperidge, pepperidge bush, sowberry, Barberry,
berberis, Daruharidra, Daruhaldi, Kingor, Barberry |
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Parts Used |
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Bark of root or stem.
Gather the root in spring or fall. Use only ripe berries. |
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Active Compounds |
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Alkaloids of the
isoquinoline type, mainly berberine, berbamine and derivatives,
berberrubine, bervulcine, columbamine, isotetrandrine, jatrorrhizine,
magnoflorine, oxycanthine and vulvracine
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Miscellaneous,
including chelidonic acid, resin, tannin etc. |
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History |
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Barberry has played a
prominent role in herbal healing for more than 2,500 years. The
ancient Egyptians used it to prevent plagues. India's Ayurveda
healers used it for dysentery.
During the early middle
ages, European herbalists used it to treat liver and gallbladder
ailments. Russian healers used it for inflammations, high blood
pressure, and for abnormal uterine bleeding. American Indians
recognize barberry as similar to Oregon grape. |
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Remedies For |
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Cholagogue, hepatic,
anti-emetic, bitter, laxative
Ayurvedic action:
Diuretic, antibilious, refrigerant, stomachic, bitter tonic,
antiperiodic, alterative, antipyretic
Used for the
treatment as an antibiotic, immune stimulant, for treating pinkeye,
high blood pressure.
One study showed that
the herb may shrink some tumors. Another study shoed that it has
anti-inflammatory properties, useful for treating arthritis. More
work is needed in this case.
Indications :
Barberry is one of the best remedies for correcting liver function
and promoting the flow of bile. It is indicated when there is an
inflammation of the gall-bladder or in the presence of gall stones.
When jaundice occurs due to a congested state of the liver, Barberry
is also indicated. As a bitter tonic with mild laxative effects, it
is used with weak or debilitated people to strengthen and cleanse
the system The herb is believed to have the ability to reduce an
enlarged spleen. It acts against malaria.
Herbalists recommend
barberry as a stimulating tonic hepatic: influences the mucosa
generally, removing mucoid accumulations and controlling excess
secretion. Improves appetite, digestion and assimilation. Indicated
for gouty constitutions.
Felter considered
barberry much like Hydrastis and could be employed for many of the
uses of that scarce and high-priced drug. Barberry tends to dilate
the blood vessels, thereby lowering blood pressure. A teaspoon of
the root will purge the bowels, or use an infusion of the berries
with wine for the same purpose. A decoction of either berries or
root bark makes a good mouthwash or gargle for mouth and throat
irritations. The fresh juice of the fruit is also said to strengthen
the gums and relieve pyorrhea when brushed on or applied directly to
the gums.
Ayurvedic
Applications
For bile and
urinary conditions, Pitta detoxification, and congestion of abdomen
and pelvic cavities; rheumatism, scarlet fever, brain disorders,
heat, thirst, nausea; small amounts- tonic; large doses-purgative;
excellent herb for jaundice, during pregnancy, mild laxative,
periodic neuralgia, fevers, skin diseases, vomiting in pregnancy;
fruit-mild laxative/purgative for children, fevers, blood purifier,
malaria, gastric and duodenal ulcers; sores, jaundice, enlarged
liver and spleen, and regulates liver functioning, diabetes, and
toxins/ama (with twice as much turmeric); destroys toxins, reduces
body fat (with turmeric); renal calculi, abdominal and pelvic
congestion; G.I. stimulant, reduces blood pressure. |
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Description |
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A common garden bush,
native to Europe and the British Isles, naturalized in North
America, flowering in April and May. It is a deciduous shrub that
grows in hard, gravelly soil in the northeastern states and
sometimes in rich soils in the western states. The root is yellow on
the outside and its bark has a bitter taste. The stems, growing from
3 to 8 feet high, are reddish when young but turn dirty gray when
older. The leaves are obovate to oval and have a soft, bristly point
The small, yellow flowers appear from April to June and hang from
the branches in clusters. The bright red, oblong berries, ripening
in August and September, have an agreeable acid taste and should be
eaten only when ripe. |
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Dosage |
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Decoction:
put 1 teaspoonful of the bark into a cup of cold water and bring to
the boil. Leave for 10 - 15 minutes. This should be drunk three
times a day. Tincture:
take 1-2ml of the tincture three times a day.
Combinations:
In gall-bladder diseases it combines well with Fringe Tree Bark and
Black Root. |
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Safety |
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Avoid during pregnancy;
barberry may stimulate the uterus.
In high doses, barberry can cause nausea, vomiting, convulsions,
hazardous drops in blood pressure, and depression of the heart rate
and breathing. If you are suffering from heart disease or chronic
respiratory system, do not take large doses of this herb and use
only with the approval of your doctor.
Use only in medicinal
amounts. If the herb causes dizziness or faintness, stop using the
herb immediately.
Do not give to
children under 2 years old. For older children and those older than
65, start with a lower strength than recommended above.
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