Properties of Barberry Root

Active Ingredients

• Barberry (Berberis vulgaris) root contains barberine, a yellow crystalline alkaloid said to inhibit the growth of bacteria and, when ingested, to help the human immune system function more effectively, according to Chinese Herbs. Barberine is known to dilate blood vessels and to reduce bronchial constriction, the Herb Prof reports. Barberry also contains thiamine, vitamin C, beta-carotene, lutein, zeaxanthin, chromium, cobalt and zinc.

Internal Health Benefits

• Barberry root may, according to WebMD, cause a stronger heartbeat and help fight inflammation. Barberry root is used to treat diseases of the liver, kidneys gallbladder, spleen, urinary tract, as well as jaundice, diarrhea, hemorrhoids, gout, rheumatism, arthritis, back pain, malaria, and dysentery and other gastrointestinal infections, according to Chinese Herbs and WebMD. The Herb Prof notes that barberry root has astringent properties that can help fight bacterial infections.

External Health Benefits

• Chronic skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis as well as yeast infections of the skin may respond to treatment with barberry root, according to Chinese Herbs.

Dangers of Barberine

• WebMD warns that the chemical barberine is dangerous to infants and children; it may cause brain damage, especially if administered to premature infants with jaundice. Pregnant women should not ingest barberry root or any other part of the plant, as barberine can pass through the placenta and cause brain damage to the fetus. Similarly, nursing mothers should not ingest barberry root or any other part of the plant.

Disclaimer

• While WebMD lists the medicinal uses of barberry root, it says that there is insufficient evidence to validate claims that it is an effective treatment against "kidney problems, bladder problems, heartburn, stomach cramps, constipation, diarrhea, liver problems, spleen problems, lung problems, heart and circulation problems, fever, gout, arthritics [and] other conditions." Though Western medicine appears not have validated the efficacy of barberry root for treating disease, some studies, for example, work by H. Tomosaka et al., have verified some components in barberry that could have medicinal properties, such as antioxidants.