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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.

Using or taking herbs together is not difficult to do, it’s not a mystic science or anything like that. One just needs to know something about the function and uses of each herb. A typical herbal formula has:

Chief herb or herbs
Assisting herb or herbs
Supporting herb or herbs
Sometimes a balancing herb
Conducting herb

Example: For instance, in a heart formula:

Chief herb: Arjuna
Supporting herb: Hawthorne
Second supporting herb: Punarnava (for those with excess congestion or edema)
Conducting herb: Cardamom and/or cinnamon

The conducting herb may help metabolize, or it may help bring it to the right organ system or location.

So, even if someone is not an herbalist per se but is taking several herbs, it’s fine to take related function herbs at the same time, say heart herbs. But taking a heart herb at the same as a laxative herb is not useful.

Here’s another way to explain it:

take herbs for organs below the navel before eating.

Herbs for digestion with the meal or right after the meal.

Herbs for lungs or heart after or in between meals.

Herbs for the brain after the meal.

Herbs for the whole system take some time before eating.

Any questions and I’ll try to clarify as needed.