Barberry - Berberis vulgaris

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Berberis vulgaris, with the common name barberry, has a long history of use in Ayurvedic and European medicinal traditions. The active ingredient most sought after is berberine, an alkaloid, although it also contains beneficial vitamins and flavonoids. The part used is the root, which is considered a bitter that can stimulate digestion.

Barberry is used today for its anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties,¹ and for weight loss. It has been used for a wide variety of systems including gastrointestinal, endocrine, cardiovascular, immune, renal, and CNS. It has been used to reduce fever, for gout, ulcers, diarrhea, and gallstones, for nephritis, psoriasis, and more. There is ongoing research into its potential use in fighting cancer.

Suggested dose: Tincture 2 ml 1-3x day, limit 4 weeks.

Possible side effects: Gastrointestinal upset, rash, dizziness, low blood pressure at high doses.

Contraindications: Pregnancy, breastfeeding. Cyclosporine, diabetes medications, blood thinners, and sedatives.

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose or treat any illness. I am not a medical professional and cannot diagnose or treat any illness.

¹Kalmarzi RN, Naleini SN, Ashtary-Larky D, Peluso I, Jouybari L, Rafi A, Ghorat F, Heidari N, Sharifian F, Mardaneh J, Aiello P, Helbi S, Kooti W. Anti-Inflammatory and Immunomodulatory Effects of Barberry (Berberis vulgaris) and Its Main Compounds. Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2019 Nov 19;2019:6183965. doi: 10.1155/2019/6183965. PMID: 31827685; PMCID: PMC6885761.