Barberry Bark

50g (1.75oz)

 

Medicinal Name: Berberis vulgaris (Berberidaceae)

 

Properties: cholagogues, hepatic, anti-bacterial, anti-amoeba, antiseptic

 

Treatment: Bacterial Infection, Eye infection, food poisoning, gallbladder disease, liver disease, kidney disease, stagnant bile, dysentery, cholera, gastrointestinal infections, digestive system disorders

 

Barberry contains isoquinoline alkaloids, including berberine and berbamine. Berberine is strongly antibacterial and amoebicidal, and stimulates bile secretion. Berbamine is strongly antibacterial. Many of the alkaloids are thought to be cancer-inhibiting.

 

The Berries were traditionally used in a decoction to treat peptic ulcers

 

Barberry acts on the gallbladder to improve bile flow and ameliorate conditions such as gallbladder pain, gallstones, and jaundice. Its strongly antiseptic property helps amoebic dysentery, cholera, and other similar gastrointestinal infections. The bark is astringent, antidiarrheal, and healing to the intestinal wall—in short, barberry has a strong, highly beneficial effect on the digestive system as a whole. barberry helps chronic skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. The decoction makes a gentle and effective wash for the eyes, although it must be diluted sufficiently before use.

 

Berberine has been shown to have antibiotic activity against cholera, giardia, shigella, salmonella, and E. coli.

 

Preparation:

Decoction: 1-2 Tbsp boiled for 10-20 minutes then cool and sweeten with honey

 

Caution: **Do not use Barberry without consulting with a specialist such as a Naturopathic Doctor (ND) or your local herbalist**