Botanical Index No. 82

Barberry

berberis vulgaris

Medicinal Actions

Alterative, Amebicide, Antiacetylcholinesterase, Antialzheimeran, Antiamnesic, Antiarrhythmic, Antiarthritic, Antibacterial, Anticancer, Anticariogenic, Anticholinesterase, Anticonvulsant, Antiemetic, Antifibrillatory, Antihelicobacter, Antihemorrhagic, Antiinflammatory, Antiitch, Antimitotic, Antineoplastic, Antiperistaltic, Antipyretic, Antiscorbutic, Antiseptic, Antispasmodic, Antitrypanosomic, Antitubercular, Antiulcer, Astringent, Cholagogue, Choleretic, Depurative, Diaphoretic, Diuretic, Expectorant, Fungicide, Hematigenic, Hepatotonic, Hypotensive, Immunostimulant, Laxative, Leucocytogenic, Mydriatic, Negative Inotropic, Parasiticide, Peristaltic, Positive Inotropic, Sedative, Tonic, Uterotonic, Colic, Renal Colic

Primary Conditions Treated

Aperitif Bitter Collyrium Tranquilizer Vasoconstrictor Alzheimer’s Ameba Amnesia Anorexia Aphtha Arrhythmia Arthrosis Backache Bacteria Biliousness Bladder Stone Bleeding Bronchosis Calculus Cancer colon liver mouth neck stomach Cardiopathy Caries Catarrh Chlorosis Cholecystosis Cholera Cold Congestion Conjunctivosis Constipation Convulsion Cough Cramp Cystosis Debility Dermatosis Diabetes Diarrhea Dysentery Dysmenorrhea Dyspepsia Dysuria Enterosis Eye Problem Fever Fistula Flu Flux Fungus Gall Bladder Gallstone Gastrosis Giardia Gingivosis Gout Gravel Halitosis Headache Heartburn Helicobacter Hemorrhoid Hepatosis Herpes High Blood Pressure Hypertyraminemia Immunodepression Induration Infection Inflammation Insomnia Irritation Itch Jaundice Kidney Stone Knee Pain Amenorrhea Leishmaniasis Leprosy Leukorrhea Lumbago Malaria Metrorrhagia Morphinism Mucososis Mycosis Nausea Nephrosis Nervousness Neuralgia Neurosis NIDDM Odontosis Ophthalmia Opiate Withdrawal Oxaluria Parasite Phthisis Plague Polyp Protozoa Pulmonosis Pyelosis Retinosis Rheumatism Ringworm Sacral Pain Salmonella Scrofula Sore Throat Splenosis Staphylococcus Stomatosis Streptococcus Scab Sciatica Side Pain Sore Spermatic Cords Spleen Stomachache Stone Stress Trachoma Trichomoniasis Tuberculosis Tumor Typhus Ulcer Urethrosis Uterrhagia Uterosis UTI Vaginismus Vaginosis Vomiting Water Retention Worm Wound Yeast active against Escherichia coli active against Pseudomonas aeruginosa active against Salmonella typhii active against Staphylococcus aureus active against Streptococcus viridans increases white blood cell counts in animals increases platelet counts in animals used in China for essential hypotension used for leukopenia following chemotherapy and/or radiation

General Dosage

2–4 g tincture; 1.5–3 tsp tincture 3 ×/day; 2–3 g fl extract; 20–40 drops 1:10 bark tincture; 2–4 ml liquid bark; 1–2 tbsp fresh bark/day; 2 g bark/250 ml water; 1.5–3 g dry bark/day; 0.5–1 g powdered bark; 1 tsp root bark in hot tea; 0.5 tsp powdered root bark/cup/1 ×/day; 2 g dry root:10 ml alcohol:10 ml water; 2 tsp berries in cold tea; 1–2 tsp fruit/150 ml water.

Safety & Contraindications

Class 2b. Unapproved. Possibly hepatotoxic. Oral administration appeared to cause nausea, emesis, diarrhea, renal irritation, and nephrosis in unanesthetized dogs. Canadians do not allow berberine containing bark, even in alcoholic beverages. Commission E reports no risks are known for the fruit, but other parts contain the alkaloid berberine. One source says high doses are dangerous, but Commission E says that berberine at 500 mg is well tolerated. But high dosages may generate serious dyspnea and spasms, ending in lethal primary paralysis of the respiratory system. Such doses may also cause hemorrhagic nephrosis. Death from berberine has been reported. I suspect the herbal PDR erred in saying of the root bark, “Dosages over 4 mg will bring about light stupor, nosebleeds, vomiting, diarrhea, and kidney irritation.” It also said, “No health hazards or side effects are known in conjunction with the proper administration of designated therapeutic dosages”, and gave 2 g as root bark dosage. Though no toxicity problems have been observed so far, avoid preparations during pregnancy due to uterotonic activity. Contraindicated for pregnant women due to its stimulant effect on the uterus. Berberine is reportedly mutagenic in yeast cells and Ames test. Upset stomach, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, or faintness may occur. Convulsions, drastic lowering of blood pressure, heart rate, or respiration may be caused by large doses of barberry. In cases of heart disease or chronic respiratory conditions, consult health care practitioner before using. If Barney is right in saying that “goldenseal should not be taken for long periods of time,” I suspect that the same would be true for those herbs containing similar compounds, such as barberry, goldthread, oregon grape, and yellowroot. Therefore, I lowered their safety ratings to 1+.

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