Everything You Need to Know About

Barberry (Berberis vulgaris)

Botanical family: Berberidaceae
Parts used: Bark Roots Stems
Barberry (Berberis vulgaris)
Left Image

Overview and Health Benefits

Barberry (Berberis vulgaris) is a highly valued herb across traditional health practices around the globe, notably for its liver and gallbladder support. Modern clinical trials have also brought additional insights into its effects. Barberry has a broad spectrum of applications, ranging from gastrointestinal issues to skin conditions and metabolic disorders. Its primary benefits are derived from its anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties, particularly associated with the alkaloid berberine, making it a versatile remedy for various health concerns.

Key benefits:

  • Liver and gallbladder support
  • Gastrointestinal health
  • Anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects
  • Metabolic support and antidiabetic properties
  • Cardiovascular health
  • Skin health

Traditionally, barberry has been used to support liver and gallbladder function. It acts as a cholagogue, promoting bile flow and aiding in the detoxification processes of the liver. This makes it beneficial in managing conditions such as jaundice, gallstones, and other hepatic disorders (Imanshahidi & Hosseinzadeh, 2008).

Barberry is widely recognised for its ability to support digestive health. It acts as a bitter tonic, stimulating digestive enzymes and bile flow, which can help alleviate symptoms of dyspepsia, constipation, and loss of appetite (Mills & Bone, 2013). The berberine in barberry has shown efficacy in treating bacterial diarrhoea by inhibiting pathogenic bacteria like Escherichia coli and Vibrio cholerae (Imanshahidi & Hosseinzadeh, 2008).

Barberry exhibits strong anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activities, largely due to berberine. It has been used to manage various infections, including those affecting the skin and gastrointestinal tract. Notably, barberry's ability to inhibit the growth of Staphylococcus aureus makes it a useful remedy in treating resistant infections (Stermitz et al., 2000).

Barberry has shown promise in supporting metabolic health, particularly in managing type 2 diabetes. Clinical studies have demonstrated that barberry extract can significantly reduce blood glucose levels, improve insulin sensitivity, and decrease lipid profiles in diabetic patients (Shidfar et al., 2012; Moazezi & Qujeq, 2014). This makes it a valuable adjunct in managing diabetes and related metabolic disorders.

The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of barberry also contribute to cardiovascular health. It helps in reducing blood pressure, improving blood circulation, and lowering cholesterol levels. Studies suggest that the flavonoids in barberry, alongside berberine, work to protect against atherosclerosis by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation within the vascular system (Feng et al., 2019; Emamat et al., 2020; Han et al., 2020;  Bashir et al., 2010).

Barberry is beneficial for skin conditions such as acne and eczema. Clinical trials have shown that both the juice and extracts of barberry can significantly reduce acne lesions due to its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties (Johnson & Rafikhah, 2014; Fouladi, 2012). This effect is likely due to the inhibition of inflammation and oxidative stress, key factors in the pathogenesis of acne.

Safety

Barberry is a potent herbal remedy and its use requires caution, particularly due to its high berberine content. Berberine can interact with several prescription medications, including those metabolised by the liver's cytochrome P450 enzymes, such as anticoagulants and antihypertensives (Guo et al., 2012). Additionally, berberine may induce uterine contractions, making barberry unsuitable for use during pregnancy (Kamrani Rad et al., 2017). It may possibly also exacerbate jaundice in newborns by displacing bilirubin from albumin (Chan, 1993). Due to its strong effects on blood sugar, individuals with diabetes should monitor their levels closely if using barberry, as it may potentiate the effects of hypoglycemic medications (Dong et al., 2012). As with any herbal remedy, it is advisable to consult with a healthcare professional before using barberry, particularly if you have a pre-existing medical condition or are taking prescription medications.

Featured Products Containing Barberry (Berberis vulgaris)

360° Detox Mix | Your Two Week Inner Cleanse | All-Natural Herbal Ingredients | 150g
£22.99
Detox Tea | For Daily Inner-Cleanse | Loose Leaf Tea | 30 Servings
from £13.99
Choose size
Size

Key Body Systems Barberry (Berberis vulgaris) relates to

Barberry (Berberis vulgaris)
Urinary system
Barberry (Berberis vulgaris)
Skin
Barberry (Berberis vulgaris)
Digestive System
Barberry (Berberis vulgaris)
Immune System

Energetics

Barberry (Berberis vulgaris)
Cooling
Barberry (Berberis vulgaris)
Drying

Key actions

  • Antimicrobial
  • Cholagogue
  • Choleretic
  • Antiemetic
  • Bitter
Barberry (Berberis vulgaris)

Key uses

  • Supporting digestive health - easing diarrhoea, constipation, dyspepsia, acute bowel infections
  • Supportng liver function
  • Fighting infections

Where to Find Barberry (Berberis vulgaris)

Barberry (Berberis vulgaris)

Barberry is a deciduous shrub recognisable for its arching branches and clusters of vibrant, elongated red berries. The plant typically grows between 1 to 3 metres tall. Its leaves are small, oval, and serrated, arranged in clusters around thorny stems, a key characteristic that makes barberry easy to identify. In spring, the shrub produces small, yellow flowers that hang in clusters, later giving way to the bright red, oblong berries that persist into winter. The bark of both the stems and roots is a distinctive yellow, a result of the high concentration of berberine, an alkaloid compound with medicinal properties.

Barberry thrives in temperate climates, commonly found in Europe, Asia, and North America. It prefers well-drained soils and can be spotted growing in hedgerows, along forest edges, and in open, sunny locations. It is particularly well-suited to sandy or rocky soils, making it a resilient plant in diverse environments.

When foraging for barberry proper identification is vital, as barberry can be confused with other thorny shrubs. Foraging should always be done sustainably, taking care not to over-harvest and ensuring that wildlife, which also relies on the berries for food, is left with ample resources. Given the plant's protective thorns, wearing gloves while foraging is advisable.

References

Bashir, S., Gilani, A. H., Siddiqui, A. A., Pervez, S., Khan, S. R., Sarfaraz, N. J., & Shah, A. J. (2010). Berberis vulgaris root bark extract prevents hyperoxaluria induced urolithiasis in rats. Phytotherapy Research, 24(8), 1250-1255. https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.3196 

Chan, E. (1993). Displacement of bilirubin from albumin by berberine. Biology of the Neonate, 63(4), 201-208. https://doi.org/10.1159/000243932

Dong, H., Wang, N., Zhao, L., & Lu, F. (2012). Berberine in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus: A systemic review and meta-analysis. Evid-Based Compl Alt Med, 2012, 591654. https://doi.org/10.1155/2012/591654

Emamat, H., Zahedmehr, A., Asadian, S., Tangestani, H., & Nasrollahzadeh, J. (2020). Effect of barberry (Berberis vulgaris) consumption on blood pressure, plasma lipids, and inflammation in patients with hypertension and other cardiovascular risk factors: Study protocol for a randomized clinical trial. BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies, 20(1), 986. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-020-03158-2

Feng, X., Sureda, A., Jafari, S., et al. (2019). Berberine in cardiovascular and metabolic diseases: from mechanisms to therapeutics. Theranostics, 9(7). https://doi.org/10.7150/thno.30787 

Guo, Y., Chen, Y., Tan, Z. R., Klaassen, C. D., & Zhou, H. H. (2012). Repeated administration of berberine inhibits cytochromes P450 in humans. European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, 68(2), 213-217. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00228-011-1108-2

Han, C. Y., Sun, T. T., Xv, G. P., Wang, S. S., Gu, J. G., & Liu, C. Y. (2020). The Berberis vulgaris L. extract berberine exerts its antioxidant effects to ameliorate cholesterol overloading-induced cell apoptosis in the primary mice hepatocytes: An in vitro study. In Vitro Cellular & Developmental Biology - Animal, 56(7), 614-623. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11626-020-00473-w 

Imanshahidi, M., & Hosseinzadeh, H. (2008). Pharmacological and therapeutic effects of Berberis vulgaris and its active constituent, berberine. Phytotherapy Research, 22(8), 999-1012. https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.2399

Johnson, M., & Rafikhah, N. (2014). Berberis vulgaris juice and acne vulgaris: A placebo-controlled study. Asian Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 6(2), 47-52. http://doi.org/10.3923/ajcn.2014.47.52 

Kamrani Rad, S. Z., Rameshrad, M., & Hosseinzadeh, H. (2017). Toxicology effects of Berberis vulgaris (barberry) and its active constituent, berberine: A review. Iranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences, 20(5), 516-529. https://doi.org/10.22038/IJBMS.2017.8676

Mills, S., & Bone, K. (2013). Principles and practice of phytotherapy (2nd ed.). Elsevier.

Moazezi, Z., & Qujeq, D. (2014). Berberis fruit extract and biochemical parameters in patients with type II diabetes. Jundishapur Journal of Natural Pharmaceutical Products, 9(2), e13490. https://doi.org/10.17795/jjnpp-13490 

Shidfar, F., Ebrahimi, S. S., Hosseini, S., Heydari, I., Shidfar, S., & Hajhassani, G. (2012). The effects of Berberis vulgaris fruit extract on serum lipoproteins, apoB, apoA-I, homocysteine, glycemic control and total antioxidant capacity in type 2 diabetic patients. Iranian Journal of Pharmaceutical Research, 11(2), 643. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/pmc3832145/ 

Stermitz, F. R., Lorenz, P., Tawara, J. N., Zenewicz, L. A., & Lewis, K. (2000). Synergy in a medicinal plant: Antimicrobial action of berberine potentiated by 5′-methoxyhydnocarpin, a multidrug pump inhibitor. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 97(4), 1433-1437. http://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.030540597