Iranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences: “Toxicology effects of Berberis vulgaris (barberry) and its active constituent, berberine: a review.” Zhu B, Ahrens FA. Effect of berberine on intestinal secretion mediated by Escherichia coli heat-stable enterotoxin in jejunum of pigs. Am J Vet Res. 1982;43(9):1594-1598. The efficiency of antibiotics could be lower if barberry is taken along with them. Consult your physician before using them together. Suadoni MT, Atherton I. Berberine for the treatment of hypertension: a systematic review. Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2021;42:101287. doi:10.1016/j.ctcp.2020.101287

Zeng XH, Zeng XJ, Li YY. Efficacy and safety of berberine for congestive heart failure secondary to ischemic or idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy. Am J Cardiol. 2003 Jul 15;92(2):173-6. https://www.ajconline.org/article/S0002-9149(03)00533-2/fulltext#secd385962e481 In a three-month study, including 36 patients with type II diabetes, researchers discovered that berberine (contained in the barberries) dramatically lowered HbA1c levels. A drug used to manage high blood sugar levels, metformin, was found to be less effective than berberine.Pang SF, Yusoff MM, Gimbun J. Assessment of phenolic compounds stability and retention during spray drying of Orthosiphon stamineus extracts. Food Hydrocoll. 2014; 37:159–165. doi: 10.1016/j.foodhyd.2013.10.022. [ CrossRef] [ Google Scholar] Anticoagulants (blood thinners): Barberry may alter the effectiveness of blood-thinning medication. DO NOT take barberry if you take anticoagulants. Barberries preserve their colour and flavour better in cool conditions for long-term storage. The manufacturer suggests keeping the product refrigerated after receipt, particularly in busy kitchens and centrally heated homes. A 2014 study in Iran aimed to explore the impact of supplementation with barberry, a fruit rich in antioxidants, on pro-oxidant-antioxidant balance (PAB) in patients with metabolic syndrome. PAB is a measure of factors that promote and control oxidative stress, and PAB may also be associated with the risk factors of coronary heart disease.

Berberine is one of these alkaloids, and some studies have shown that it has antioxidant effects on cell damage caused by free radicals. Free radicals are unstable atoms that can be harmful if they accumulate in the body, causing illness and aging.

Prevention & Wellness

Congestive heart failure. Berberine may help improve the health of those with congestive heart failure, a condition in which your heart muscle doesn’t pump enough blood. A study of 156 adults with congestive heart failure found that those who were given 1.2 to 2 grams of berberine a day showed improvement in their exercise ability and how their heart pumped blood. Fewer of those given berberine died compared to those given placebos.

Berberine can also interact with certain medications. These include blood thinners ( anticoagulants), blood pressure medications, diabetes medications, water pills ( diuretics), as well as any drugs processed by the liver. Barberries are known to have a tart, slightly sweet flavor and can be eaten raw, in jam, or as a component of rice dishes and salads. They can also be juiced or used to make tea. Used for the natural treatment of bladder, urinary tract, gastrointestinal or respiratory infections.Furthermore, one study in 196 adults with diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D) found taking 800 mg of berberine hydrochloride per day significantly decreased the frequency of diarrhea and the urgent need to defecate, compared with a placebo ( 22). Pregnant women should not take it because it may cause uterine contractions and trigger miscarriage. Barberry is also not recommended for nursing mothers since the berberine can be passed to the infant this way.

Acta medica Iranica: “Efficacy of Barberry Aqueous Extracts Dental Gel on Control of Plaque and Gingivitis.” What’s more, there is no research on the effects of barberries in children or pregnant or lactating women. Therefore, barberry or berberine supplements should be avoided in these populations ( 34). According to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status barberry is classified as Least Concern in Europe due to its widespread distribution, presumed stable populations and no major threats (7). Barberry works especially for hepatic portal vein congestion which often correlates with a sluggish liver (12). This can sometimes correspond with varicosities in the body such as haemorrhoids due to the secondary effects of vascular congestion further up the digestive tract. Jaundice and constipation may be symptoms of such a picture. A clinical trial was carried out to evaluate the effects of short-term barberry juice supplementation on the response of immunoglobulin A, G and M and cortisol in active female participants following exhaustive exercise activity. 20 healthy young women aged between 23- 25 years were randomly divided into two experimental groups. The first group received 250 ml barberry juice and did exhausting activity. The control group received 250 ml placebo and did exhausting activity.Antibiotics have been overused and as a result, bacteria are evolving more rapidly than we can develop new medicines, leading to increased resistance and decreased efficacy. Berberine from barberry has been shown to support and enhance the efficacy of antibiotics against Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections (MRSA), and therefore can offer support for the antibiotics crisis (12). Doggrell SA. Berberine--a novel approach to cholesterol lowering. Expert Opin Investig Drugs. 2005;14(5):683-685. doi:10.1517/13543784.14.5.683