Barberry Benefits | Digestive Health & Liver Function
Barberry (Berberis vulgaris) has had a long use in history for its medicinal and dietary purposes and is well-known for being rich in vitamin C and Berberine.
Barberry Pharmacology
Botanical Name
Berberis vulgaris
Other Common Names
European Barberry, Mountain Grape, Berberine, Pipperidge, Sow Berry
Part Used
Bark & Berries
Main Therapeutic Compounds
Protoberberine alkaloids, including berberine, jatrorrhizine and palmatine.
Herbal Actions
Antimicrobial
Antiparasitic
Cholagogue
Choleretic
Anti-nausea
Bitter tonic
Barberry Herbal Benefits
Liver & Gallbladder Function || Digestive Health || Skin Inflammation || Immune Support
Immune System Support
Barberry is rich in “berberine”, one of the most potent plant alkaloids (also found in the near-extinct plant Goldenseal) and responsible for many of its health benefits. Current research has found berberine stimulates the immune system by activating the macrophages and fighting pathogens. It is a natural antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal and may be beneficial for the respiratory system, genitourinary and gastrointestinal tract and skin infections.
Liver & Digestive Health
Barberry is traditionally used for improving liver function and may be helpful for gallbladder inflammation and gallstones. Due to its bile stimulating actions, herbalists commonly use it as a bitter digestive tonic and mild laxative to promote a healthy digestive system.
Barberry is classified as a "bitter herb", and barberry Root has long been utilised to stimulate the digestive system, liver function and relieve constipation.
Recent studies revealed that Barberry's astringent and antimicrobial effects effectively manage gastrointestinal problems, such as bacterial diarrhoea, without any adverse side effects.
Barberry Typical Use
Dried Herb & Powder
Typical adult use of powdered or dried Barberry is 500mg - 2 grams daily in capsule, tablet or powder form.
Tincture & Liquid Extract
Typical adult use of Barberry tincture or liquid extract is approximately 2-5mls daily, or as directed by your practitioner.
Herbal Combinations
Barberry combines well with Wormwood, Calendula, Thyme and Myrrh.
Cautions & Safety
Not recommended during pregnancy and lactation.
Caution is advised in people with gallstones due to the potential for gall stones to move and cause obstructed bile ducts.
If you have a medical condition or take pharmaceutical medications, please consult your primary healthcare practitioner prior to use.
References
Amin AH, Subbaiah TV, Abbasi KM. Berberine sulfate: antimicrobial activity, bioassay, and mode of action. Can J Microbiol 1969;15:1067-76.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/4906191/
Shamsa F, Ahmadiani A, Khosrokhavar R. Antihistaminic and anticholinergic activity of barberry fruit (Berberis vulgaris) in the guinea-pig ileum. J Ethnopharmacol 1999;64:161-6.
Fatehi M, Saleh TM, Fatehi-Hassanabad Z, et al. A pharmacological study on Berberis vulgaris fruit extract. J Ethnopharmacol 2005;102:46-52.
Pozniakovskii, V. M., Golub, O. V., Popova, D. G., and Kovalevskaia, I. N. [The use of barberry berries in human nutrition]. Vopr.Pitan. 2003;72(4):46-49.
Arayne, M. S., Sultana, N., and Bahadur, S. S. The berberis story: Berberis vulgaris in therapeutics. Pak.J Pharm Sci 2007;20(1):83-92.
Imanshahidi, M. and Hosseinzadeh, H. Pharmacological and therapeutic effects of Berberis vulgaris and its active constituent, berberine. Phytother.Res 2008;22(8):999-1012.
Choudhry, V. P., Sabir, M., and Bhide, V. N. Berberine in giardiasis. Indian Pediatr. 1972;9(3):143-146.
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.
Imenshahidi M, Hosseinzadeh H. Berberis Vulgaris and Berberine: An Update Review. Phytother Res. 2016;30(11):1745-1764.
DISCLAIMER
This content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice or to take the place of such advice or treatment from a personal primary healthcare practitioner. All readers/viewers of this content are advised to consult their doctors or qualified health professionals regarding specific health questions. Naturopath Herbals nor the publisher of this content takes responsibility for possible health consequences of any person or persons reading or following the information in this educational content. All viewers of this content, especially those taking prescription or over-the-counter medications, should consult their doctors or qualified health professionals before beginning any herbal product, nutritional supplement or lifestyle program.