Health Benefits of Barberries

Barberry (Berberis vulgaris) is a bush native to Europe, China, and North Africa that now grows wild in many regions of North America.

The active ingredient in barberries is berberine, an important natural alkaloid that aids in many of the body's processes. Barberry is said to contain high amounts of berberine naturally.

The barberry's berries, roots, and stems have a long history as a remedy for the following digestive disorders:

  • Constipation
  • Diarrhea
  • Stomach pain
  • Heartburn
  • Loss of appetite.

It is also used topically to treat skin conditions like sores, acne, and minor wounds.

Traditional Chinese medicine has used berberine-containing herbal remedies for more than 3,000 years. Berberine is an over-the-counter (OTC) drug in China used to treat gastrointestinal issues like bacterial diarrhea.

This article discusses the benefits and safety of barberry.

ways to consume barberry
 JR Bee / Verywell

Dietary supplements are not regulated like drugs in the United States, meaning the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not approve them for safety and effectiveness before products are marketed. Choose a supplement tested by a trusted third party, such as the United States Pharmacopeia (USP), ConsumerLab.com, or NSF.org, when possible. However, even if supplements are third-party tested, that doesn't mean they are necessarily safe for all or effective in general. Therefore, talking to your healthcare provider about any supplements you plan to take and checking in about potential interactions with other supplements or medications is essential.

Supplement Facts

  • Active Ingredient(s): Berberine, berberine hydrochloride
  • Alternate Names(s): European barberry
  • Legal Status: OTC dietary supplement (United States)
  • Suggested Dose: There is no established daily dosage for barberry.
  • Safety Considerations: Ex., Pregnant people, those breastfeeding, and children should avoid taking barberry. Barberry may also interact with prescription medications, herbs, and supplements.

Uses of Barberry

Supplement use should be individualized and vetted by a healthcare professional, such as a registered dietitian, pharmacist, or healthcare provider. No supplement is intended to treat, cure, or prevent disease.

Evidence for any potential benefits from barberry is extremely weak, though there are studies of berberine that may apply to barberry.

Any benefit from barberry likely relies on the fact that it contains berberine, for which medical uses are being established.

Diabetes

The hypoglycemic effect of berberine was originally discovered when berberine was used to treat diarrhea in diabetic people in China.

Berberine may slightly reduce blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. One pilot study used 500 milligrams (mg) of berberine two to three times a day for up to three months. The researchers suggested blood sugar control as effective as metformin, a first-line treatment for type 2 diabetes.

Further study is needed to confirm these results.

High Cholesterol

There is early evidence that berberine can help lower elevated cholesterol levels. Taking 500 milligrams of berberine twice daily for three months reduced elevated total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglyceride levels.

Taking 1,000 milligrams of berberine with a cholesterol-lowering medication (such as simvastatin) was more effective in lowering cholesterol than using the prescription alone.

High Blood Pressure

One study of people with hypertension used berberine daily with blood pressure-lowering drugs. The combination reduced systolic blood pressure (the top number) and diastolic blood pressure (the bottom number) more effectively than taking amlodipine alone.

However, barberry's effects alone on blood pressure remain unclear. A recent meta-analysis suggests limited, weak evidence that berberine helps lower blood pressure.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

Research suggests that berberine improved the following in people with PCOS, a common hormonal disorder:

  • Blood sugar
  • Cholesterol and triglyceride levels
  • Testosterone levels
  • Waist-to-hip ratio

In a pilot study, anovulatory females with PCOS were given berberine (anovulatory bleeding is abnormal uterine bleeding). Ovulation improved by an average of 25% after four months of taking berberine. Berberine may improve fertility.

Another study showed that females with PCOS randomly selected to take berberine had greater pregnancy rates than metformin or placebo and fewer side effects when taken 12 weeks before IVF treatment.

Diarrhea

One of the most well-known uses for berberine is treating diarrhea and dysentery. Research for this purpose goes back to the middle of the 20th century.

In one study, people with diarrhea caused by E. coli took a single dose of 400 milligrams of berberine. They experienced a 48% decrease in stool volume in the eight hours after treatment compared to the placebo group.

The berberine group was also more likely to stop having diarrhea within 24 hours of treatment. However, there's insufficient evidence to rate the effectiveness of berberine for diarrhea.

What Are the Side Effects of Barberry?

Do not take barberry without discussing it with your healthcare provider - especially if you take anticoagulants (blood thinners), blood pressure medication, diabetes medication, or diuretics (water pills).

Common Side Effects

Common side effects of barberry can include the following:

  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea

Severe Side Effects

Severe side effects of barberry include the following:

  • Severe kidney irritation and masking of UTI symptoms such as bloody urine, pain when urinating, low back or stomach pain, and fever
  • Convulsions
  • Dangerous drops in blood pressure, heart rate, and breathing

Seek medical attention immediately should you have these symptoms after taking barberry.

Precautions

Do keep the following precautions in mind when using Barberry:

  • Severe allergic reaction: Avoid using barberry if you have a known allergy to it or its ingredients. Ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider for a complete list of the ingredients if you need clarification.
  • Pregnancy: Pregnant people should not use barberry, as it may stimulate uterine contractions and cause miscarriage.
  • Breastfeeding: The safety of barberry in those who are nursing is unknown and should be avoided.
  • Adults over 65: Studies of the use of barberry have occurred with adults over 65. Be sure to speak with your healthcare provider before using barberry.
  • Children: The safety of barberry in children is unknown and should be avoided.
  • Other modifications: Barberry should not be used to replace conventional treatment. In particular, it shouldn't be used as a home remedy for UTIs. If the bacteria causing a UTI aren't entirely eradicated, the infection may spread to the kidneys, even though symptoms, such as difficult or painful urination, may disappear.

Dosage: How Much Barberry Should I Take?

There is no established daily dosage for barberry.

Some barberry extracts provide the percentage of berberine contained, but not all. There is not enough evidence as to whether barberries in their whole food form provide enough berberine to produce any potential benefits.

Always speak with a healthcare provider before taking a supplement to ensure that the supplement and dosage are appropriate for your individual needs.

What Happens If I Take Too Much Barberry?

Recommendations for barberry supplementation typically fall between 2 to 6 grams. It is not recommended to exceed this amount. Regardless of the amount ingested, monitoring yourself for any of the side effects mentioned above is always important.

Interactions

The following interactions are possible with barberry:

  • Anticoagulants (blood thinners): Barberry may alter the effectiveness of blood-thinning medication. Avoid taking barberry if you take anticoagulants.
  • Blood pressure medication: Barberry may increase the effects of blood pressure medicines. Avoid barberry if you take them.
  • Diuretics (water pills): Barberry may increase the effects of these drugs. Talk to your healthcare provider before combing the two.
  • Diabetes medications: Barberry may lower blood sugar, making the effects of these drugs more potent. Avoid barberry if you take diabetes medications.
  • Other drugs metabolized by the liver: Because barberry works on the liver, it may alter the way many medications, which are metabolized by the liver, work in your body. Speak with your healthcare provider about potential interactions.

It is essential to carefully read a supplement's ingredient list and nutrition facts panel to know which ingredients and how much of each ingredient is included. Please review this supplement label with your healthcare provider to discuss potential interactions with foods, other supplements, and medications.

How to Store Barberry

To maintain color and quality, be sure to refrigerate any whole-food barberries. If using them in the dried or tinctured form - store them in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight.

Storage instructions do vary for different products. Carefully read the directions and packaging label on the container.

Similar Supplements

Other herbs that contain berberine include:

Do not take barberry alongside another supplement containing berberine.

Sources of Barberry & What to Look For

Barberry is traditionally consumed in its whole food form.

However, barberry can also be purchased as a prepared supplement in many health food stores and online.

Food Sources of Barberry

Barberry enthusiasts recommend introducing yourself to the berries by having them in sauce, jelly, juice, wine, or tea.

You can also try substituting some barberries for cranberries when baking (barberries are quite sour).

Barberries (zereshk) can be purchased at Mediterranean or Middle Eastern grocers, some health-food shops, or online.

Berberry Supplements

Barberry is available in tea, tincture, capsule, fluid extracts, dried herb, tablet forms, and topical ointment.

Keep in mind that dietary supplements are largely unregulated. When buying supplements, look for products certified by ConsumerLab, U.S. Pharmacopeia, or NSF.org.

These organizations don't guarantee a product is safe or effective. However, they indicate that it's undergone testing for quality and accuracy.

Summary

Barberry has been used for centuries in traditional medicine systems around the world.

Its active ingredient is the alkaloid berberine, which has had beneficial effects on blood sugar, blood pressure, and PCOS in clinical studies. Barberry is often to used to alleviate diarrhea.

Further studies are needed to show how effective barberry is as a treatment. Please be aware of this when you add it to your diet.

Please consult your healthcare provider, registered dietitian nutritionist, or pharmacist before taking barberry, as it may affect your conditions or medications.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is barberry?

    Barberry (Berberis vulgaris) is a bush native to Europe, China, and North Africa that now grows wild in many regions of North America.

    The active ingredient in barberries is berberine - an important natural alkaloid that aids in many of the body's processes.

    Barberry enthusiasts recommend introducing yourself to the berries by having them in sauce, jelly, juice, wine, or tea.

    Barberry is also available in tea, tincture, capsule, fluid extracts, dried herb, and tablet forms, as well as a topical ointment.

  • What are the medicinal properties of barberry?

    The barberry's berries, roots, and stems have a long history as a folk remedy for digestive disorders - including constipation, diarrhea, stomach pain, heartburn, and loss of appetite.

    It is also used topically to treat skin conditions like sores, acne, and minor wounds.

    Research suggests that the berberine contained in barberries aids in lowering blood sugar, blood pressure, and PCOS symptoms.

  • What are the side effects of barberry?

    Barberry may cause both common and severe side effects. Common side effects include vomiting and diarrhea.

    Severe side effects include severe kidney irritation, convulsions, and dangerous drops in blood sugar, blood pressure, heart rate, and breathing.

    Always speak with a healthcare provider before taking a supplement to ensure that the supplement and dosage are appropriate for your needs.

21 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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Additional Reading

By Hannah Coakley, MSPH, RDN
H. Coakley, MSPH, RDN, is a Dietitian & Public Health Consultant in Brooklyn, New York.