Medicinal Shrubs: Berberis (barberry)
Forty-four varieties of Barberry have documented use in herbal medicine: Berberis aggregata - Salmon Barberry, Berberis amurensis, Berberis angulosa, Berberis aristata - Chitra, Berberis asiatica, Berberis buxifolia - Magellan Barberry, Berberis calliantha, Berberis canadensis - Allegheny Barberry, Berberis capillaris, Berberis concinna, Berberis cooperi, Berberis darwinii - Darwin's Barberry, Berberis empetrifolia, Berberis everstiana, Berberis fendleri - Colorado Barberry, Berberis flexuosa, Berberis gagnepainii, Berberis acuminata, Berberis georgii, Berberis heterophylla, Berberis chengii, Berberis chinensis, Berberis chitria, Berberis jaeschkeana, Berberis koreana - Korean Barberry, Berberis lycium, Berberis parisepala, Berberis rariflora, Berberis rubrostilla, Berberis ruscifolia, Berberis sherriffii, Berberis sibirica, Berberis sieboldii, Berberis sikkimensis, Berberis soulieana, Berberis thunbergii - Japanese Barberry, Berberis tomentosa, Berberis ulcina, Berberis verruculosa, Berberis vulgaris, Berberis wallichiana, Berberis wilsoniae, Berberis x carminea, Berberis x lologensis, Berberis x stenophylla
Only one variety is native to my region, Berberis canadensis (American Barberry), but three have been naturalized: Berberis bealei (Leatherleaf Mahonia), Berberis thunbergii (Japanese Barberry), Berberis vulgaris (European Barberry, Common Barberry)
These popular landscaping plants are, along with the closely related Mahonias, among the most important plants used in Herbal Medicine. These shrubs contain berberine, which is strongly antiseptic, antifungal and antiviral among its many virtues. Being able to identify these herbs could literally save your life in an emergency situation if you are wounded. These are also excellent herbs for the liver and digestion.
Dioscorides called Berberis Oxyacantha:
Oxyacantha is a tree like a wild pear tree, but smaller and very prickly. It bears a fruit like myrtle — full, red, easily broken — with a kernel within, and a deep root divided into many parts. Taken in a drink or eaten, the fruit stops stomach outflows and the flows of women. The root bruised small and applied draws out splinters and thorns. It is said that the root is able to cause abortions, the stomach being touched gently with it or rubbed with it. It is also called pyrina, or pytyanthe.
Culpepper wrote of Barberry:
The shrub is so well known by every boy or girl that hath but attained to the age of seven years, that it needs no description.
Government and virtues. Mars owns the shrub, and presents it to the use of my countrymen to purge their bodies of choler. The inner rind of the Barberry-tree boiled in white wine, and a quarter of a pint drank each morning, is an excellent remedy to cleanse the body of choleric humours, and free it from such diseases as choler causes, such as scabs, itch, tetters, ring-worms, yellow jaundice, boils, &c. It is excellent for hot agues, burnings, scaldings, heat of the blood, heat of the liver, bloody flux; for the berries are as good as the bark, and more pleasing; they get a man a good stomach to his victuals, by strengthening the attractive faculty which is under Mars. The hair washed with the lie made of ashes of the tree and water, will make it turn yellow, viz . of Mars' own colour. The fruit and rind of the shrub, the flowers of broom and of heath, or furz, cleanse the body of choler by sympathy, as the flowers, leaves, and bark of the peach tree do by antipathy; because these are under Mars, that under Venus.
Mrs. Grieve tells us:
In many parts of Europe, farmers have asserted that wheat planted within three or four hundred yards of a Barberry bush became infected with rust or mildew, but this belief has not been substantiated by recent observations.
Professor Henslow (Floral Rambles in Highways and Byways) writes:
'It was thought by farmers in the middle of the last century that the Barberry blighted wheat if it grew near the hedge. Botanists then ridiculed the idea; but in a sense the farmers were right! What they observed was that if a Barberry bush grew, say, at the corner of a wheatfield the leaves of the wheat became "rusty," i.e. they were streaked with a red colour when close to the bush; and that this "red rust" extended steadily across the field till the whole was rusted. The interpretation was at that time unknown. A fungus attacks the leaves of the Barberry, making orange-coloured spots. It throws off minute spores which do attack the wheat. These develop parasitic threads within the leaf, from which arise the red rust-spores: subsequently dark brown or black spores, consisting of two cells, called wheat-mildew, appear. After a time these throw off red, one celled spores which attack the Barbarry; and so a cycle is completed. Though it was not really the bush which blighted the wheat, the latter suffered through its agency as the primary host plant.'
Uses---The Barberry used to be cultivated for the sake of the fruit, which was pickled and used for garnishing dishes. The ripe berries can be made into an agreeable, refreshing jelly by boiling them with an equal weight of fine sugar to a proper consistence and then straining it. They were formerly used as a sweetmeat, and in sugar-plums, or comfits. It is from these berries that the delicious confitures d'epine vinette, for which Rouen is famous, are commonly prepared.
The roots boiled in Iye, will dye wool yellow, and in Poland they dye leather of a beautiful yellow colour with the bark of the root. The inner bark of the stems will also dye linen of a fine yellow, with the assistance of alum.
Provincially, the plant is also termed Pipperidge Bush, from 'pepon,' a pip, and 'rouge,' red, as descriptive of the scarlet, juiceless fruit.
Berberis is the Arabic name of the fruit, signifying a shell, and many authors believe the name is derived from this word, because the leaves are glossy, like the inside of an oyster-shell.
Among the Italians, the Barberry bears the name of Holy Thorn, because it is thought to have formed part of the crown of thorns made for our Saviour.
Parts Used---Stem-bark and root-bark. The stem-bark is collected by shaving and is dried spread out in trays in the sun, or on shelves in a well-ventilated greenhouse or in an airy attic or loft, warmed either by sun or by the artificial heat of a stove, the door and window being left open by day to ensure a warm current of air. The bark may be also strung on threads and hung across the room.
When dried, the pieces of bark are in small irregular portions, about 2 inches long and 1/2 inch wide, and of a dark-yellowish grey colour externally, and marked with shallow longitudinal furrows. It frequently bears the minute, black 'fruits' of lichen. The bark is dark yellowish brown on the inner surface separating in layers of bast fibres.
The bark has a slight odour and a bitter taste, and colours the saliva yellow when chewed.
The root-bark is greyish brown externally and is dried in a similar manner after being peeled off. When dry, it breaks with a short fracture. It contains the same constituents as the stem-bark and possesses similar qualities.
Constituents---The chief constituent of Barberry bark is Berberine, a yellow crystalline, bitter alkaloid, one of the few that occurs in plants belonging to several different natural orders. Other constituents are oxyacanthine, berbamine, other alkaloidal matter, a little tannin, also wax, resin, fat, albumin, gum and starch.
Medicinal Action and Uses---Tonic, purgative, antiseptic. It is used in the form of a liquid extract, given as decoction, infusion or tincture, but generally a salt of the alkaloid Berberine is preferred.
As a bitter stomachic tonic, it proves an excellent remedy for dyspepsia and functional derangement of the liver, regulating the digestive powers, and if given in larger doses, acting as a mild purgative and removing constipation.
It is used in all cases of jaundice, general debility and biliousness, and for diarrhoea.
Preparations---Powdered bark, 1/4 teaspoonful several times daily. Fluid extract, 1/2 to 1 drachm. Solid extract, 5 to 10 grains.
It possesses febrifuge powers and is used as a remedy for intermittent fevers. It also forms an excellent gargle for a sore mouth.
A good lotion for application to cutaneous eruptions has also been made from it.
The berries contain citric and malic acids, and possess astringent and anti-scorbutic properties. They are useful in inflammatory fevers, especially typhus, also in bilious disorders and scurvy, and in the form of a jelly are very refreshing in irritable sore throat, for which also a syrup of Barberries made with water, proves an excellent astringent gargle.
The Egyptians are said still to employ a diluted juice of the berries in pestilential fevers, and Simon Paulli relates that he was cured of a malignant fever by drinking an infusion of the berries sweetened with sugar and syrup of roses.
An Irish Herbal states:
The inner bark, which is of a deep yellow color, is good for jaundice and the fruit relieved diarrhea.
Brother Aloysius wrote:
The inner rind of the stem and root is very good for liver, spleen diseases and dropsy…. And is a good laxative. The root is also used for jaundice. The leaves are recommended for scurvy or dropsy. The berries can be preserved. A refreshing drink which is very useful for fever can also be made from them.
A Russian Herbal tells us:
Another manuscript from the 16th century found in the Pskov region of Russia refers to barberry’s ability to cure a disease that prevented women from becoming pregnant. It was believed that Princess Xenia of Pskov used an extract made with barberry leaves to enable her to conceive an heir. In books documenting Russia’s colonization of the east, references have been made to barberry’s widespread growth in Siberia.
…Russian herbalists use a root decoction for relieving symptoms of colitis as well as for treating bladder and urinary tract infections. It’s considered a very helpful remedy for overcoming morphine addiction. As a diaphoretic, a barberry root decoction is used to treat an enlarged spleen as a result of malaria.
A decoction of the berris improves the circulation of the blood; it tends to dilate blood vessels and, lower blood pressure and increase blood coagulation. An infusion of barberry leaves promotes uterine contractions, which helps limit menstrual bleeding. Used externally, a barberry decoction is used to treat eczema and neurodermatitis.
The Lumbee referred to Barberry as “Yellow Root”, which can be confusing as that is the common name for more than one herb:
This yellow root was called “wii ti wiiya” or medicine root in the Lumbee traditional language. The lumbee healer would often boil the stems and roots into a tea to treat an ulcerated stomach and cankers. A piece of the green or dried root was chewed by some Lumbee to relieve discomfort of the stomach. The virtue was thought to lie in the bitterness.
In the Thomsonian System of Medicine:
BARBERRY. Berberis Vulgaris.
This is a house-yard shrub bearing bright red berries which are often used for preserving purposes. The bark is the portion that is used medicinally.
Barberry bark is an intensely bitter stimulant, used chiefly for torpid condition of the liver and flaccid conditions of the stomach. It is a pronounced tonic and is adapted only to chronic cases. In jaundice, accompanied by loss of strength and feeble appetite, it is valuable. It is much used in malarial diseases combined with other agents. An infusion of half an ounce to the pint of boiling water is sufficiently strong. Half a teacupful before meals will prove of much benefit. It is used as part of the bitters No. 4. The dose of the Tincture is from 5 to 10 drops.
Resources of The Southern Fields and Forests tells us:
AMERICAN BARBERRY, (Berberis vulgaris, Walt. Fl. Carol.
Berbens Canadensis, Ph. and Ell.) Grows wild in St. John's, Berkeley, near Woodlawn, PI.; upper districts of Georgia, South and North Carolina, and northward. Fl. May.
Shec. Flora Carol, (see B. vidgaris,) 268; Lind. Nat. Syst. Bot. 30 ; U. S. Disp. 1233, Appendix. The B. vulgaris of Europe, with which this plant is not identical, though differing from it but slightly, if at all, in medicinal properties, has received considerable attention. They are used as a domestic remedy in jaundice, and in dysentery and diarrhoea; it is supposed that the acid is specific. From analysis by Buchner and Herberger, it is shown that the root contains a new principle called berberine, which acts like rhubarb, and with equal promptness and activity.
Griffith, Med. Bot. 113 ; Journal de Pharm. 1233 ; Trans. Phil. Soc. 1834 ; Analysis in Journal de Pharm. xxiv, 39 ; Mer. and de L. Diet, de M. Med. Supplement, 1846, 101.
From the berries a syrup is obtained which is adapted to putrid fevers, and those of
a low type ; a cooling drink is also made with them, and given in similar cases. The root boiled in lye imparts a yellow color to wool. I have observed the remarkable irritability of the stamens in the species growing in South Carolina, which, when touched,
instantly spring down upon the stigma, and in this way communicate their pollen to it. It was said to have a singular effect upon wheat growing near it, turning the ears black for some distance around ; but this, however, is doubted. The berries are acid. The English barberry (B. vidgaris) has attracted much attention ; its fruit is edible, and much discussion has been excited whether or not it produces smut in wheat or corn when
planted near it. Experiments touching this peculiarity should be performed with respect to our barberry. For a full statement of the merits of the above question, see Avilson's Eural Cyc. Art Barberry. Thaer, in his " Principles of Agriculture," p. 409, says : " One very extraordinary fact is that the barberry bush will produce smut, or something very similar to it, in all corn growing within a considerable distance of it. This is a fact which has been confirmed by numerous observations and experiments in almost all countries. But it has never yet been clearly and satisfactorily ascertained in what manner the barberry produces this effect. My friend Einhoff has made several experiments on the possibility of communicating the cecidium (a parasitical fungus) to cereals by cutting branches from the barberry, which were quite covered with it, and shaking them over the corn, or else planting them in the midst of it ; but he never sncceeded in thus producing the disease ; therefore it would seem that it is not the communication of this dust, but the vegetation of the barberry in the vicinity of the cornfield, which engenders the disease. Nor will it attack crops planted near young and newly made barberry hedges ; but as these latter grow up, the disease will appear until these hedges are rooted up. As soon as the barberry has been thoroughly extirpated, the evil disappears." Thaer considei"S mill or meldew a disease of the skin of plants. See this work for information on diseases affecting the cereals — on irrigation, etc. Translated by William Shaw and C. W. Johnson, New York, 1852. It is believed by some in this country that the pokeweed (Phytolacca,) if allowed to die in a cotton field, wilt produce rust. This is quite unlikely.
Dr. Wood advises that the active principle berberina be examined for its anti periodic properties. See Hydrastis, in this volume ; U. S. Disp., 12th Ed.
King’s American Dispensatory of 1898 states:
This shrub, a native of Europe, and naturalized in Asia, is found in the New England States, on the mountains of Pennsylvania and Virginia, among rocks, and in hard, gravelly soils; occasionally it is found in the West on rich grounds. It flowers from April to June, and ripens its fruit in June. "It is frequently planted in gardens and prized for the beautiful bunches of red berries which hang after the leaves have fallen. The plant is generally a shrub from 2 to 8 feet high, although Loudon is authority that 'there are examples of trees 30 feet in height' and that 'they live for two or three centuries.' The wood contains a yellow, bitter coloring matter, and is sometimes used as a dye. The flowers are in pendulous racemes and appear in May or June. The leaves are obovate, bristly serrate, tapering at the base to a very short petiole. They are agreeably acid, resembling in this respect the leaves of the Nat. Ord.—Oxalidaceae. The French name for barberry, Epine vinette, means literally an acid thorn. The fruit is a bright scarlet berry, and has an intensely, yet agreeably acid taste. It is said to make excellent preserves; was highly esteemed by the ancients, and probably would be now, if other fruits had not been cultivated to such a degree of excellence. The name berberys seems to have been first applied to this fruit by Averroes, an Arabic writer on medicine, who wrote in the Twelfth century" (Berberidaceae, by C. G. and J. U. Lloyd, p. 5). Barberry bark, it is stated, has been used as an adulterant of pomegranate root bark.
Description.—This drug is the foliaceous bark of the barberry root, and occurs in thin sections, having an orange-yellow, smooth inner surface; externally it has a soft, yellow-gray periderm. It breaks with an abrupt fracture, exhibiting a vivid yellow interior. Its laminated structure permits of its being separated into layers. It has a bitter, non-astringent taste, but no odor. When chewed it imparts a yellow color to the saliva. In Europe the whole root is frequently employed. It is thick and tough, very much branched and hard. Externally it has a brown color; internally it is yellow, the color extending throughout the light, thick wood. Like its bark it is bitter and without odor.
Chemical Composition.—Berberine (see Hydrastis) is the active alkaloidal principle of this drug. It has also been found in Hydrastis, Podophyllum, and other plants. According to Brande, the bark likewise contains gum, starch, fatty matter, chlorophyll, bitter yellow extractive (probably the above alkaloid in an impure condition), brown coloring matter, a resinous substance, lignin and water. Other alkaloids have also been found in this bark, viz.: Oxyacanthine (C19H21NO3), also called berbine and vinetine; and berbamine (C18H19NO3) (see Berberis aquifolium). A fourth alkaloid, in an amorphous condition, has also been obtained from it. A very little tannin is also said to be, present. sufficient to give a green color with the ferric salts. The flowers contain sugar and an essential oil, while malic acid is present in the berries.
Action, Medical Uses, and Dosage.—"Berberis vulgaris, a native of Europe, is now quite common in this country, and for many years has been in domestic use as a medicine. A tea made from the bark is taken during the spring months as a blood purifier. A strong decoction is employed as an application to the sores which sometimes afflict children's lips, and in certain conditions of the system demanding tonic treatment, the infusion is a favorite remedy. The fluid extract is usually administered. It is readily prepared by those having the proper facilities, and can easily be made to represent the bark, fluid ounce to troy ounce. It is more satisfactory in its action than the alkaloid berberine" (Lloyd's Berberidaceae). Berberis is a tonic and laxative. Formerly used extensively by practitioners in the New England States, in all cases where tonics are indicated, also in jaundice, and chronic diarrhea and dysentery. The berries form an agreeable acidulous draught, useful as a refrigerant in fevers, also beneficial in dysentery, cholera infantum, diarrhoea, etc. The bark is bitter and astringent, and has been used with advantage as a tonic. The bark of the root is the most active; a teaspoonful of the powder will act as a purgative. A decoction of the bark or berries, has been found of service as a wash in aphthous sore mouth, and in chronic ophthalmia.
Webster declares it of value in jaundice when there is no obstruction of the bile ducts, and in doses short of purgative stimulates the duodenal functions relieving intestinal dyspepsia. Small doses are also palliative in renal calculi, and in soreness, burning, and other unpleasant sensations of the urinary tract.
Related Species.—"Berberis Canadensis is our only indigenous species of the Berberis proper. It very closely resembles the berberis vulgaris, but is a smaller shrub, with smaller leaves, smaller berries, and smaller and fewer flower racemes. Its locality is farther South than the introduced species, being a native of the Southern States. The acidity of the fruit and leaves and the yellow color of the wood are also observed in this species. It closely resembles the foregoing in medicinal properties. Doubtless it contains much the same principles, as the two species closely resemble each other and are used commonly for the same purpose" (Berberidaceae, C. G. and J. U. Lloyd; see also Berberis aquifolium).
Jethro Kloss wrote:
BARBERRY (Berberis vulgaris)
Common Names: Berberidis, European barberry, jaundice berry, pepperidge bush, sowberry.
Part Used: Root, root-bark, berries.
Medicinal Properties: Tonic, purgative, hepatic, antiseptic.
Description and Uses: The berries must be ripe when used and can be taken as a drink for fever or diarrhea. The fresh juice is also good as a mouthwash or gargle. The root-bark contains berberine, a bitter alkaloid, that aids in the secretion of bile and is therefore good for all liver problems, acts as a mild purgative, and helps regulate the digestive processes. There may also be a beneficial effect on the blood pressure by causing a dilatation of the blood vessels.
WILD OREGON GRAPE (Berberis aquifolium)
Common Names: Oregon grape, holly-leaved barberry, mahonia, California barberry, mountain grape.
Part Used: Root.
Medicinal Properties: Tonic, alterative.
Description and Uses: Useful in liver and kidney troubles, rheumatism, constipation, leukorrhea, and uterine diseases. Is a good blood purifier and useful in scrofulous and chronic skin diseases such as psoriasis, eczema.
The medicinal uses of this plant are nearly identical to Barberry (Berberis vulgaris).
Botany in A Day tells us:
Medicinally the yellow berberine alkaloid acts as a potent bitter stimulant and antiseptic/antibacterial. As a bitter substance, berberine is stimulating to the digestive tract, promoting gastric activity, bile production, liver cleansing and acting as a laxative. By stimulating liver function it is considered a “blood purifier”, useful for the venereal diseases syphilis and gonorrhea, as well as premenstrual syndrome; it calms a person by facilitating liver function. Chewing the leaves may help with acne. This again is the result of increased liver function.
Berberine is so incredibly bitter it stimulates the entire body and not just the digestive system. It opens up the blood vessels (vasodilation) to lower blood pressure. Increased blood flow can stimulate involuntary muscle, and so the Flathead Indians used berberine to stimulate delivery of the placenta after childbirth.
Berberine is not a narcotic alkaloid, but it is reported to have a Novocaine-loke effect if you chew the root prior to dental work. As an antiseptic, berberine has been used internally and externally. Externally, it is a treatment for cuts and wounds. The roots are cleaned, crushed and applied to open injuries. Berberine is also useful to lower fevers and inflammation. Mixing barberries with licorice somehow negates the effects of berberine. Any of the Berberis species are excellent substitutes for the over harvested and now endangered goldenseal of the Buttercup family.
Methoxyhydrocarpin or MHC, found in Colorado’s Fremon barberry, has proven useful against antibiotic resistant bacteria MHC prevents bacteria from pumping hte antibiotics, including berberine, out of the cells,
Plants for A Future states:
Medicinal use of Allegheny Barberry: Berberine, universally present in rhizomes of Berberis species, has marked antibacterial effects. Since it is not appreciably absorbed by the body, it is used orally in the treatment of various enteric infections, especially bacterial dysentery. It should not be used with Glycyrrhiza species (Liquorice) because this nullifies the effects of the berberine. Berberine has also shown antitumour activity. A tea made from the roots is used in the treatment of fevers and diarrhoea.
This article is an excerpt from
Medicinal Shrubs and Woody Vines of The American Southeast An Herbalist's Guide
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Disclaimer
The information on this site is not intended to diagnose or treat any disease or condition. Nothing on this site has been evaluated or approved by the FDA. I am not a doctor. The US government does not recognize the practice of herbal medicine and their is no governing body regulating herbalists. Therefore, I'm just a guy who studies herbs. I am not offering any advice. I won't even claim that anything I write is accurate or true! I can tell you what herbs have "traditionally been used for." I can tell you my own experience and if I believe an herb helped me. I cannot, nor would I tell you to do the same. If you use any herb I, or anyone else, mentions you are treating yourself. You take full responsibility for your health. Humans are individuals and no two are identical. What works for me may not work for you. You may have an allergy, sensitivity or underlying condition that no one else shares and you don't even know about. Be careful with your health. By continuing to read my blog you agree to be responsible for yourself, do your own research, make your own choices and not to blame me for anything, ever.