Barberry

Latin Name: Berberis vulgaris
Family: Berberidaceae

Part used: Stem Bark
Energetics: Astringent, decongesting, restoring
Iris: All types
Interactions: Please check with your Healthcare Provider.

Safe alongside Herb

Acetylsalicylic acid
Doxorubicin
Promethazine

Avoid alongside Herb

Ciprofloxacin
Itraconazole
Minocycline

CONTRA-INDICATIONS

Pregnancy - uterine stimulant
Nursing mothers (may affect baby’s bilirubin).
Kidney disease - alkaloids
Jaundice in newborns
Gilbert’s syndrome
Bile duct obstruction/ inflammation
Liver cancer
May decrease effectiveness of antibiotics
Hypertensives
Diabetic medication.
Blood pressure medication
Anticoagulants

ACTIONS

Liver stimulant
Cholagogue
Tonic to the spleen & pancreas
Antiseptic
Alterative
Anti-emetic
Digestive tonic
Uterine stimulant
Utero-tonic
Hypotensive
Febrifuge
Anti-inflammatory
Anti-histamine
Anti-neoplastic
Anti-diarrhoeal
Anti-bacterial (E. coli, H. pylori, MRSA, Chlamydia)
Anti-amoebic (Dientamoeba)
Anti-spirochete
Anti-protozoal
Anti-fungal (candida, aspergillus)
Renal tonic
Prostatic tonic
Immune modulator
Cardio tonic.

Main Constituents

Isoquinoline alkaloids up to 16%
Berberine (vaso balance, bacteriostatic)
Jatorrhizine (fungicidal)
Berbamine (antioxidant)
Palmitin (adreno-corticotrophic)
Resin
Tannins.

Main Uses

Liver Tonic. Hepato-protective
Digestive System: Constipation, Diarrhoea, Gallstones, Gingivitis, Loss of appetite, Haemorrhoids
Skin: Psoriasis, Acne, Boils, Abscesses.
Nervous System: Meningitis, Headache, Migraine.
Immune system: All infections
Musculo-Skeletal: Gout
Respiratory System: Nasal Congestion, Sinusitis
Urinary System: Inflammatory and Infective conditions of the urinary tract- cystits, urethritis.

Infections:
Bacteria: Bacillus subtilis, Chlamydia, Corynebacteria diptheria, Diplococcus pneumoniae, E. coli, H. pylori, Enteridis / typhimueum, Shigella, Staphylcoccus, Vibrio cholerae.
Fungi: Aspergillus flavus / fumigatus, Candida albicans, Rhizopus oryzae, Streptomyces.
Protozoa: Colpidum colpoda, Entamoeba histolytica, Giardia lamblia, Leishmania donovani, Plasmodium berghei / falciparum, Trichomonas vaginalis.
Spirochete: Treponema pallidum.
Viruses: Influenza A and B.

More About Barberry

Medicinal use of barberry dates back more than 2,500 years, traditionally being used to treat diarrhoea, reduce fever, improve appetite, relieve upset stomach, and promote a sense of well being.
Both Barberry and Oregon grape root are therapeutically identical apart from the considerations detailed under Oregon grape root. Barberry and Goldenseal are often used for similar medicinal purposes because both herbs contain the compound “berberine”.
Berberine has been shown to inhibit the growth of bacteria in test tubes, and may help the immune system function better.
The aqueous extract of barberry has beneficial effects on both the cardiovascular system, relieving venous congestion and toning the veins themselves.
Barberry, or Berberis, is a good bitter, liver, stomach restorative, and it helps to stimulate the digestive and glandular systems, promoting nutrient assimilation and generating strength.
It can help with infection, inflammation, discharge and blood stagnation.
It combines well with laxatives such as Rhubarb, or carminatives, such as Chamomile. It inhibits endotoxins and combats infections, such as Dientamoeba, Blastocystis, Giardia and E. coli.
Barberry supports the health of the gut flora.
It can be useful when cleansing the blood which can be helpful in arthritic conditions and gout, as well as helping infective skin conditions, such as boils and abscesses or infected eczema.
A useful remedy in headaches and migraines and a wonderful urinary herb for cystitis and urethritis.

Recipes:

Persian Barberry Rice

Ingredients:

Approx. 708g of basmati rice
Approx. 118g of dried barberries
2 tbsp slivered almonds or pistachios (optional)
2 tbsp of prepared orange peel (optional) (you can find these in the supermarket)
3 tbsp vegetable oil
1 tsp sugar (or more according to taste)
3 tbsp salt
1/3 tsp of ground saffron

Method:

Wash the rice in water, mixing and draining the cloudy water 3-4 times until the remaining water is relatively clear. Leave it to soak whilst you go on to the next step.
Bring a pot of water to boil and dissolve 3 tbsp of salt in it.
Drain the rice, add it to the pot and bring the water to a boil again. Let it cook for around 7-10 minutes until the rice is parboiled, or al-dente - soft on the outside but still slightly hard in the middle.
Immediately drain the rice in a colander and wash with cold water to interrupt the cooking process.
Cover the bottom of a non-stick pot with around 3mm of vegetable oil. You may place thin potato slices, pitta bread slices, or lavash bread slices on the bottom of the pot for the tahdig (crunchy rice). If not, the tahdig will still form, but as a crispy rice tahdig.
Add the rest of the half-cooked rice on top and create a mound shape by raking up the sides. Poke 5 holes with the back of a spoon into the mound, this will allow it to steam well.
Pour 3 tbsp of oil over the rice with a slotted spoon.
Set the heat to high, cover the lid with a clean kitchen towel or damkoni and close the pot with the towel-wrapped lid. Once you can see steam rising, set the heat to a low flame. Let it steam for 45 minutes - 1 hour.
Wash the dried barberries and heat a small pan with 2 tbsp of oil and 1 tbsp of water. Add 1/3 tsp of saffron. Gently fry the barberries until puffed up, adding in the sugar and slivered almonds/pistachios and prepared orange peel. Be careful not to burn them, don't fry for any more than 30-40 seconds.
Once the rice is ready, in a bowl, mix 1/3 tsp of ground saffron with 4-5 drops of boiling water. Add 1 spoon of butter.
Take out a couple of serving spoons of cooked rice from the top of the pot and mix with the saffron and the butter in the bowl.
Spoon the rice into a large serving dish, and remove the tahdig from the bottom of the pot to serve separately. Use the saffron rice and the barberry mixture to decorate the top.

References

Blood Glucose/Cholesterol

Investigating functional properties of barberry species: an overview
Studies have shown that berberine in barberry reduces cholesterol and blood glucose. It can help to prevent Alzheimer's and neoplastic diseases. Furthermore, it has antimicrobial, antifungal and antioxidant properties.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31077383/

Obesity/Metabolic Syndrome

Barberry in the treatment of obesity and metabolic syndrome: possible mechanisms of action
Recent studies have proved that berberine exhibits pharmacological activities and positive effects on the risk factors of obesity and MetS (metabolic syndrome). Berberine suppresses adipocyte differentiation and decreases obesity. It also regulates glucose metabolism via decreasing insulin resistance and increasing insulin secretion.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30519065/

Cardiovascular Health

The effect of barberry (Berberis vulgaris) consumption on flow-mediated dilation and inflammatory biomarkers in patients with hypertension: A randomized controlled trial
We found that barberry consumption significantly improved the vascular endothelial function assessed by FMD. and has a beneficial effect on plasma ICAM-1 and MCP-1 in hypertensive patients. Therefore, consumption of 10 g dried barberry could be suggested to those aiming to improve their cardiovascular health
The meta-analysis revealed that barberry significantly reduces insulin levels.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33350540/

Glycaemic Indices/Insulin

The effect of barberry (Berberis vulgaris L.) on glycemic indices: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
The meta-analysis revealed that barberry significantly reduces insulin levels.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32507431/

Plasma Lipid Concentration

Barberry (Berberis vulgaris L.) is a safe approach for management of lipid parameters: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Meta-analysis on 5 RCTs with 339 participants indicated that barberry supplementation significantly decreased the levels of total cholesterol.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30935518/