Barberry (Berberis vulgaris)
Berberis vulgaris
Western Herbalism
Western Herbalism

Barberry

Berberis vulgaris

Also known as Oregon grape root, Golden seal, Chinese goldenthread, Berberry, Common Barberry.

CoolingDryingTaste: BitterTaste: Astringent

Berberine-containing herbs may be used interchangeably Best when herb touches infected tissue directly Don't use too early for acute infection, as mucus is important early on and this will decrease mucus production

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Actions

AntimicrobialBitter tonicImmunostimulantAlterativeAstringentCholagogueCholereticAntineoplasticLaxative (mild)AnticatarrhalHypolipidemic

Indications what the tradition reached for it in

Safety

Pregnancy: Use with care in pregnancy

Breastfeeding: Not for use while breastfeeding

The record lists 3 contraindications; open the plate in the library to read them in full.

Dosing as the sources wrote it

PreparationAs writtenMetric
Decoction1/2-1 tsp/c TID
Tincture (1:3)1-3 ml BID1-3 mL
Powdered herb1-3 g/day1000-3000 mg
Best to take small amountsBest to take small amounts (10-15 gtts of tincture) about 15-20 min before eating to prime GI tract and improve digestion
Dose, two to five grains, three times a day130-324 mg
Dose, 5 to 60 drops.0.1-1.2 mL

Doses are reproduced from the sources for practitioners and are not a recommendation for any person.

From the sources

Clinical Notes. Berberine-containing herbs may be used interchangeably Best when herb touches infected tissue directly Don't use too early for acute infection, as mucus is important early on and this will decrease mucus production

Action and Therapy. Barberry may be used for purposes for which berberine medication is needed. It acts much like hydrastis and could be employed for many of the uses of that scarce and high-priced drug so far as the berberine effects are required.

Properties and Uses. The bark is intensely bitter, rather stimulating and slightly relaxing. Its action is principally that of a tonic, improving the appetite and strength in debilitated conditions, and especially in bilious affections, and during the languor incident to spring.

primary-actions. Barberry acts primarily as: Antimicrobial, Bitter tonic, Immunostimulant, Alterative, Astringent, Cholagogue, Choleretic, Antineoplastic. Secondary actions include Laxative (mild), Anticatarrhal, Hypolipidemic.

Drawn from Cook's Physio-Medical Dispensatory; Scudder's Specific Medication and Specific Medicines; King's American Dispensatory, 18th edition (Felter and Lloyd); Felter's Eclectic Materia Medica, Pharmacology and Therapeutics, and the Bountiful Herbs editorial.

In formulas

Barberry stands in 143 documented formulas in the library, among them Syrupus Rhei Et Potassae Compositus, dà giang huo tàng, dão chì chéng gì tāng, bàn xià xiè xin tāng, shêng jiãng xiè xin tāng, rén shên xiè xin tǎng.

Often paired with

Chinese goldthreadCoptis chinensisChinese skullcapScutellaria baicalensisGoldthreadCoptis trifoliaLicorice rootGlycyrrhiza glabraGinsengPanax ginsengGingerZingiber officinale

Nearby on the shelf

BanabaLagerstroemia speciosaBananaMusa paradisiacaBanyanFicus benghalensisBaobabAdansoniaBarleyHordeum vulgareBay LaurelLaurus nobilisBayberryMyrica ceriferaBearberryArctostaphylos uva-ursi

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