What is barberry?
The use of barberry in cultural and traditional settings may differ from concepts accepted by current Western medicine. When considering the use of herbal supplements, consultation with a primary health care professional is advisable. Additionally, consultation with a practitioner trained in the uses of herbal/health supplements may be beneficial, and coordination of treatment among all health care providers involved may be advantageous.
Barberry is also known as Berberis vulgaris, berberry, pipperridge, jaundice berry, sow berry, mountain grape, Oregon grape, trailing mahonia, berberis, woodsour, and sour-spine.
Barberry has a long history of use for many conditions. Most commonly, barberry is known for its use in diarrheal conditions; other gastrointestinal complaints including constipation, lack of appetite, heartburn, and stomach cramps; coughs; infections; fevers, and in antioxidant supplement products.
Barberry has not been evaluated by the FDA for safety, effectiveness, or purity. All potential risks and/or advantages of barberry may not be known. Additionally, there are no regulated manufacturing standards in place for these compounds. There have been instances where herbal/health supplements have been sold which were contaminated with toxic metals or other drugs. Herbal/health supplements should be purchased from a reliable source to minimize the risk of contamination.
Barberry may also have uses other than those listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about barberry?
Barberry has not been evaluated by the FDA for safety, effectiveness, or purity. All potential risks and/or advantages of barberry may not be known. Additionally, there are no regulated manufacturing standards in place for these compounds. There have been instances where herbal/health supplements have been sold which were contaminated with toxic metals or other drugs. Herbal/health supplements should be purchased from a reliable source to minimize the risk of contamination.
Who should not take barberry?
Before taking barberry, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care professional if you have allergies (especially to plants), have any medical condition, or if you take other medicines or other herbal/health supplements. Barberry may not be recommended in some situations.
Do not take barberry without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant. It is not known whether barberry will harm an unborn baby.
Do not take barberry without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. It is also not known whether barberry will harm a nursing infant.
There is no information available regarding the use of barberry by children. Do not give any herbal/health supplement to a child without first talking to the child's doctor.