Always much valuable information from you, lg! Many, many thanks.
Barberry and info on blending herbs
Barberry
Part used: Root
Tissues: blood, plasma, fat
Systems: circulatory, digestive
Properties: alterative, antihelmintic, bitter tonic, anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, mild laxative, anti-pyretic, amoebicidal, anti-hemmhoragic, hypotensive (so good for high BP), increases platelets and white blood cell counts, sedative.
Indications: bacterial infections, gall bladder inflammation or stones, fever, acne or boils, liver tumors, pyorrhea, conjunctivitis, liver or spleen enlargement, fevers, skin eruptions, dysentery, jaundice, hepatits, diabetes, gastroenteritis.
Barberry, whose main constituent is berberine, is a strong bitter that has an affinity for the plasma and blood, and pacifies excess pitta - heat conditions - and kapha - excess fluids, fat, mucus, or other accumulations. It clears excess fire/heat from the liver, thus is useful in treating just about any liver condition - jaundice, hepatitis, and enlargement of liver or spleen. It soothes mucus membranes, burns toxins, and purifies the blood from heat/toxins.
Berberine have significant antimicrobial activity against a wide variety of organisms including bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa, intestinal parasites and Chlamydia. Evidence suggests it may be valuable in cancer.
It works well for all inflammatory skin conditions such as boils, acne and rashes (probably would help rosacea), as well as a wide variety of infections. It possesses similar properties to goldenseal and can be used instead, as goldenseal is endangered and extremely expensive. It can be put directly on cuts or infections and covered with a bandage, to speed healing and quell infection. It is less disturbing to the digestive fire and the intestinal flora than goldenseal, especially for extended use.
Barberry it is less aggravating to vata (air/ether) than many other alterative herbs, which are usually cooling. A person with tissue deficiency, weakness, or symptoms of dizziness has a vata imbalance, so Barberry is better for someone with these issues. Barberry can be useful in type 2 diabetes, can control blood sugar levels and decrease excess kapha (accumulations, fat, edema). A good rememdy for reducing toxins, fat and regulating blood sugar is a mixture of 1 part Barberry, 2 parts Turmeric, and 2 parts Neem. This will NOT taste good. Take 1/2 t. with warm water and a bit of honey, or stuff into 2 00 capsules, take 3 times daily, after meals. Or take 1 heaping teaspoon, simmer in 8 oz water (with lid) for 10 minutes, take 1/2 t. 3 times a day. Barberry is often used with turmeric in Ayurvedic medicine. In the case of skin problems including boils, I would blend Barbarry with Burdock, and some turmeric, for internal use.
I use Barberry primarily in formulas for infective illnesses of various kinds, as well as skin problems.