General Description
Barberry (also known as jaundice berry, pepperidge, or sowberry)
is a heavily branched, perennial, deciduous, thorny shrub native
to temperate regions of Europe, Asia, and northern Africa. Growing
up to 2 meters in height, the stem of the mature plant is covered
with gray bark, with three sharp spines at the joint of each branch.
The leaves are ovate, 2 to 4 centimeters long, with four or five
leaves on each branch. Barberry flowers in spring, bearing dense,
hanging clusters of yellow blossoms, which eventually produce ovoid,
orange-red berries, 10 to 12 millimeters long and 6 millimeters
thick. The berries and the dried root bark are used medicinally.
Health Applications
- Kidney/urinary tract health
- Digestive support
- Liver health
- Immune system support
History and Traditional Use
Barberry has a long history of culinary, medicinal, and other uses.
During the Middle Ages, medicines made from barberry were used as
purgatives, antiseptics, and tonics.1 Traditional herbalists
also used the stem and root bark to treat jaundice, diarrhea, and
general debility.2 The roots were used to make yellow
dyes for wool, leather, and linen. The berries were used to make
jellies, relishes, and garnishes.2 Chemical
Composition
The primary constituents in barberry root bark are a group of
alkaloid compounds, which includes berberine, jatrorrhizine, berberubine,
berbamine, bervulcine, palmatine, columbamine, and oxyacanthine.
The root also contains chelidonic, citric, malic, and tartaric
acids.3 Of all the compounds found in barberry, berberine,
which is also found in goldenseal, goldenthread, and Oregon grape,
has been the most extensively researched. Berberine extracts have
shown significant antimicrobial activity against a variety of
bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoans, and worms,4,5
and have also demonstrated antidiarrheal and antiinflammatory
activity.6,7 In one animal study, a total ethanol extract
from barberry showed greater antiinflammatory activity than berberine
or other isolated alkaloids, indicating that a number of compounds
may contribute to the herb's physiological effects.8
Contemporary
Uses
According to Germany's Commission E, barberry fruit is used for
kidney and urinary tract ailments, discomforts of the gastrointestinal
tract, liver diseases, spleen ailments, and as a stimulant for
the circulatory system. The stem and root bark is used for complaints
of the gastrointestinal tract, liver, gallbladder, kidneys, urinary
tract, respiratory tract, and the cardiovascular system.9
Commission E lists barberry as an unapproved herb because its
effectiveness for the claimed applications has not been documented.9
Dosage/Toxicity
Dosage recommendations for barberry vary with the type of preparation
and the intended application. A typical daily dosage recommendation
is 2 grams of the bark prepared as an infusion with 250 milliliters
of water.10 No health hazards or side effects are associated
with the herb at this dosage range.10 Although berberine
has low toxicity and is well tolerated at intakes up to 500 mg
per day, berberine intakes over 500 mg may cause side effects
such as lethargy, nose bleed, breathing difficulties, skin and
eye irritation, and kidney irritation. Gastrointestinal disturbances
with nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea have also been reported.9
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