Berberis vulgaris
(Barberry, Oregon grape)

Therapeutic Actions:

• Activates macrophages
• Alterative
• Antibiotic against:
  
  Bacteria
  Fungus
  Protozoa
• Anti-inflammatory
• Antioxidant
• Antipyretic
• Anti-tumor activity
• Astringent
• Cholagogue
• In vitro was a potent macrophage activator for inducing cytostatic activity against tumor cells
• Increases blood supply to the spleen
• Inhibits the respiration of ascites tumor by 15%
• Inhibits oxygen uptake by neoplastic cells
• Induces differentiation in human teratocarcinoma
• Kills cancer cells
• Laxative
• Promotes elimination of catabolic residues
• Supports the immune system

Clinical Indications:

• Allergies
• Aphthous stomatitis
• Cancer prevention
• Candidiasis
• Cholecystitis
• Cholelithiasis
• Constipation
• Eczema
• Fibrocystic breast disease
• Hepatitis
• Psoriasis
• Acne
• Amebiasis
• Cholera
• Conjunctivitis
• Infections caused by:
  
  Candida a
  Chlamydia sp
  Corynebacterium d
  Diplococcus p
  E. coli
  Entamoeba h
  Giardia l
  Leishmania d
  N. meningitidis
  Neisseria g
  Pseudomonas sp
  Salmonella t
  Shigella d
  Treponema p
  Trichomonas v
  Vibrio c
• Maldigestion

Contraindications:

• Pregnancy due to the uterine stimulants, berberine, palmatine, jatorrhizine and columbamine

Drug/Nutrient Interaction:

• Counterproductive to use medications that inhibit stomach acid production, ie antacids, gastric acid secretion inhibitors and histamine H2 receptor antagonists, since Berberis promotes stomach acid secretion
• May interfere with vitamin B metabolism

Chemical Constituents:

• Acids:
  
  Chelidonic
  Citric
  Malic
  Tartaric
• Alkaloids:
  
  Berbamine
  Berberine
  Berberubine
  Columbamine
  Oxycanthine
  Palmatine

Toxicity:

• Nontoxic at recommended dosages
• Overdose for an extended length of time may cause:
  
  Eye irritation
  Kidney irritation
  Lethargy
  Nose bleed
  Skin irritation
  Stomach upset
  

Copyright 1998 - 2008 by L. Vicky Crouse, ND and James S. Reiley, ND. All rights reserved (ISSN 1527-0661).