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Berberis; Uses, Dosage, Site Effects, Interactions

Berberis is particularly important in traditional medicine and the food basket of Iranians. Given various plants from genus Berberis and their economic, nutritional, and medicinal status in Iran, this study seeks to investigate the findings of recent studies on the phytochemical characteristics, specifications, and uses of Berberis vulgaris. Introducing Berberidaceae family, different species of Berberis, pharmaceutical organs, B. vulgaris nutrition facts and minerals, the antioxidants and alkaloids compounds in fruit and other organs, action mechanisms of preventing and treating diseases, traditional uses of B. vulgaris, and its properties reported by recent studies. The results briefly indicate that B. Vulgaris contains a large number of phytochemical materials including ascorbic acid, vitamin K, several triterpenoids, more than 10 phenolic compounds, and more than 30 alkaloids. Therefore B. vulgaris may have anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antidiabetic, antibacterial, analgesic and anti-nociceptive and hepatoprotective effects. Regarding the use of different organs of B. vulgaris in traditional medicine and their confirmed effects in the recent studies, it is possible to use different organs of B. vulgaris, especially fruit, to develop new drugs.

Uses / Benefits of Berberis

Acne – Early research shows that taking European barberry capsules for 4 weeks seems to reduce acne in adolescents.
Diarrhea – Research studies indicate that the alkaloid berberine may fight bacterial, viral, fungal and parasitic infections. Another alkaloid in barberry, called berberine, is believed to help fight infections by stimulating white blood cells called macrophages. In alternative medicine, barberry is used mainly for bacterial diarrhea, traveler’s diarrhea, intestinal parasitic infections and chronic candidiasis. Barberry capsules are usually recommended, especially those standardized to contain 5 to 12% isoquinoline alkaloids.
Indigestion – When using barberry for indigestion, alternative practitioner s recommend a liquid form, such as a liquid extract or tea, because the bitter taste is thought to help its medicinal action. It’s usually taken 15 to 20 minutes before a meal.
Liver and Gallbladder Conditions – Barberry is thought to promote the secretion and flow of bile and be a mild laxative. Although it’s sometimes promoted as a herbal remedy for gallstones, it shouldn’t be used for this condition unless under the supervision of a qualified healthcare professional.
Urinary Tract Infections – One study suggested that berberine may be active against Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Some sources say that the berry portion of barberry is more effective at combatting urinary tract infections than the root.
The vaginal infection called bacterial vaginosis – Using a cream with European barberry and metronidazole seems to stop bacterial vaginosis infection from happening again.
Dental plaque – Early research suggests that brushing teeth with a European barberry extract gel for 3 weeks reduces dental plaque. The effects appear to be similar to a commercial toothpaste (Colgate).
Diabetes – Early research suggests that taking European barberry by mouth for 8 weeks does not improve blood sugar control in people with type 2 diabetes.
Gum swelling (gingivitis) – Early research suggests that brushing teeth with a European barberry extract gel for 3 weeks reduces gingivitis.
Salishan elders have used M. aquifolium to treat acne and native American Indians utilized barberries to treat scurvy. A decoction of the plant has been used to treat gastrointestinal ailments and coughs.
The edible fruits have been used to prepare jams, jellies, and juices. The use of the plant in traditional medicine has been limited by the bitter taste of the bark and root. However, numerous folk medicinal uses for barberry exist. Other reported uses of M. aquifolium include the treatment of fever, gout, renal and biliary diseases, rheumatic symptoms, diarrhea, gastric indigestion, and dermatosis.
Berberine, the active ingredient in barberry, inhibits the growth of bacteria and has antioxidant properties in vitro. Berberry extract may also improve the symptoms of certain skin conditions, although more research is needed to confirm these findings.
Berberry fruits have been used in the traditional Austrian medicine internally as tea, jelly, or syrup for treatment of disorders of the respiratory tract, fever, infections, cold, and flu.
Arthritis
Bladder problems
Constipation
Fever
Gout
Heart and circulation problems
Heartburn
Kidney problems
Liver problems
Lung problems
Spleen problems
Stomach cramps

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Disease	Title of article	Berberis species	Part of plant	Results	Reference
Acne	Aqueous extract of dried fruit of	Berberis	Fruit	Oral aqueous extract of dried barberry is a	(97)
vulgaris	Berberis vulgaris L. in acne vulgaris, a clinical trial	vulgaris		safe, well-tolerated, and effective choice in teenagers with moderate to severe acne vulgaris.
Cardio	The Effect of Berberis Vulgaris extract	B.vulgaris	Fruit	Mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure	(72)
vascular /	on blood pressure and weight of the			was significant compared to control group.
Hypertention	patients suffered from Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
Cardio	Effect of processed Berberis vulgaris	B.vulgaris	Fruit Of	findings had shown processed B.vulgaris had	(98)
vascular /	in apple vinegar on blood pressure		B.vulgaris	no effect on systolic- and diastolic blood
Hypertention	and inflammatory markers in type 2 diabetic patients		in apple vinegar	pressure but apple vinegar had positive effect on interleukin-6. Nevertheless, further investigations about B.vulgaris effect on blood pressure and inflammatory markers are necessary.
Diabetes	Clinical trial ( patients with diabetes type 2)	Berberis	Fruit	The fruit had a significant reducing effect on serum glucose and decreased HbA1c levels during the 8 weeks of study.	(99)
Diabetes	Clinical trial (type 2 diabetic patients )	B.vulgaris	Fruit	Mean nutritional intake, anthropometric indices, hs CRP concentration, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure did not change in processed B. vulgaris. Also, interleukin-6 concentration did not change in processed B. vulgaris and control groups.	(98)
Diabetes	The effects of Berberis vulgaris fruit extract on serum lipoproteins, apoB, apoA-I, homocysteine, glycemic control and total antioxidant capacity in type 2 diabetic patients	Berberis vulgaris	Fruit	The intake of 3 g/d B. vulgaris fruit extract for 3 months may have benefical effects on lipoproteins, apoproteins, glycemic control and total antioxidant capacity in type 2 diabetic patients.	(100)
Lipid profile	Clinical trial (dyslipidemic patients)	Berberis aristata	Fruit	B. aristata reduced total cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL cholesterol and increased HDL cholesterol after three months.

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Dosage of Berberis

Dosage: Mix 10-15 drops in ¼ cup of water and sip slowly. Repeat every 2 hours until symptoms subside and 3 times daily for 3 days thereafter.

Adults: 4 drops into a tsp. of water 3 times a day.
Children: 1/2 dose. Repeat at greater intervals as condition subsides. Or as a directed byalic practitioner.
Adults and children: Dissolve 5 pellets in the mouth 3 times a day until relieved or as directed by a doctor.