-IBIS-1.5.0-
rx
herb
Berberis vulgaris (Barberry)
botanicals
definition
botanical name(s): Berberis vulgaris
synonyms: barberry, European barberry, jaundice berry, pepperidge pepperidge bush, sowberry, berberitzenbeeren, epine vinette, berbero
part(s) used: root bark
qualities: bitter, cold, dry
affinities: gallbladder, spleen, intestines and blood
actions: alterative, antiseptic, astringent, bitter tonic, stomachic, cholagogue, hepatic, laxative, tonic; and mild purgative
dosage:
» tincture: 2 - 4 ml.
» powder: 0.5 - 1 g
appearance:
» sides of tongue red, yellow; center coated; often scaloped and red on the sides (Wood)
pulse:
» fast, hard, full; low pulse in chronic conditions (Wood)
therapy: chronic catarrhal ophthalmias; aphthous sore mouth; non-obstructive jaundice; gastric and intestinal dyspepsia; renal catarrh (Felter, p. 245) mild constipation; infections; conjunctivitis; use interchangeably with Hydrastis canadensis (Anderson Geller)
» Specific for vaginitis (Wood)
AHPA Botanical Safety Rating: 2b
toxicity: 2
» contraindicated in pregnancy due to the uterine stimulant action on animal uteri from its alkaloids (berberine, palmatine, jatorrhizine, columbamine) (Brinker, pp. 18, 110, Farnsworth)
» Berberine alkaloids may cause photosensitivity (Philogene, et al)
» Handling of freshly cut wood alone has caused diarrhea and dizziness; topical application may cause hyperpigmentation of treated tissues (Duke, p. 78)
» Mild systemic effects include oral irritation, epistaxis, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea (purgative in large doses), elevated body temperature, gastrointestinal inflammatory response, hypercontractility of voluntary and involuntary muscles (myelotonic, myotonic, uterotonic, and cardiotonic), dullness of mind with drowsiness (Ellingwood, p. 369; Fuller and McClintock, p. 101)
» laboratory test results: marked renal irritation with hematuria (Ellingwood, p. 369; Fuller and McClintock, p. 101)
constituents:
» Barberry contains at least eight isoquinoline alkaloids including: berberine (principal), oxyacanthine, berbamine, palmatine, jatrorrhizine, columbamine, berberrubine and hydrastine. » Berberine (principal), oxyacanthine, berbamine are the highest in concentration and the most important pharmacologically.
» The action of Barberry occurs because of berberine.
» Berberine exists in three different forms in Barberry.
» Barberry also contains chelidonic acid, resin and some tannins.
footnotes
Amin, A.H. et al. Berberine sulfate: anti-microbial activity, bioassay and mode of action. Can. J. Microbiol. 15:1067-76, 1969.
Anderson Geller, C. 1984-1989. Lectures in Botanical Medicine, National College of Naturopathic Medicine. Portland, OR.
Brinker, F.J. 1986. The Toxicology of Common Botanical Substances, 2nd ed. Portland, OR: National College of Naturopathic Medicine.
Duke, J.A. 1985. C.R.C. Handbook of Medicinal Herbs. Boca Raton, FL: The C.R.C. Press.
Ellingwood, F. 1898. American Materia Medica, Therapeutics, and Pharmacognosy. Portland, OR: Eclectic Medical Publications.
Farnsworth NR, Bingel AS, Cordell GA, Crane FA, Fong HHS. 1975. Potential Value of Plants as Sources of New Antifertility Agents I. J. Pharm. Sci., 64:535-98.
Felter, H.W. & Scudder, John K., 1922. The Eclectic Materia Medica, Pharmacology and Therapeutics. Cincinnati, Ohio. Reprinted in 1985 by Eclectic Medical Publications, Portland, OR.
Fuller, T.C., and McClintock, E. 1986. Poisonous Plants of California. Los Angeles: University of Southern California Press.
Gathercoal, E.N. and Wirth, E.H. Pharmacognosy. Philadelphia, PA: Lea & Febiger, , 1936. p. 210.
Kumazawa, Y., et al. Activitation of peritonal macrophages by berberine alkaloid in terms of induction of cytostatic activity. Int. J. Immunopharmacol. 6:587-92, 1984.
Philogene, B.J.R.; Arnason, J.T., Towers, G.H.N., Abramowski, Z., Campos, F., Champagne, D., McLachan, D. 1984. Berberine: a naturally occurring phototoxic alkaloid. New York: Plenum Publishing Corp.
Sabir, M., et al. Further studies on pharmacology of berberine. Ind. J. Physiol. Pharmacol. 22:9-23, 1978.
Sabir, M. and Bhide, N. Study of some pharmacological actions of berberine. Ind. J. Physiol. Pharm. 15:111-32, 1971.
Spoerke, D.G. Herbal Medications. Santa Barbara, CA: Woodbridge Press Publ. Co., 1980. p. 28.
Wood, H.C. and Osol, A. Dispensatory of the United States of America 23rd ed. Philadelphia, PA: J.B. Lippincott, 1943. p. 204.
Wood, Matthew. 1992. The Admirable Secrets of Herbs, Roots and Barks: Western Herbal Medicine, A Materia Medica. Unpublished manuscript.
Wren, R.C. Potter's New Cyclopaedia of Botanical Drugs and Preparations. London: Health Science.