Evidence supporting the use of: Barberry
For the health condition: Enteritis

Links: Go back one page, Tool main page, Ingredients list, Health conditions list, Body systems list

Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Barberry (Berberis vulgaris) has a long history of use in traditional medicine for gastrointestinal ailments, including enteritis (inflammation of the intestine). Its use can be traced to various traditional systems such as Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), and folk medicine in Europe and the Middle East. The primary active component, berberine, is believed to possess antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and astringent properties, which may help alleviate symptoms of enteritis such as diarrhea and abdominal pain. Traditional healers have prescribed barberry preparations (decoctions, extracts, or dried root bark) to treat dysentery, infectious diarrhea, and general digestive disturbances associated with enteritis.

Scientific validation of barberry's efficacy for enteritis is limited, though some modern studies suggest berberine may inhibit pathogens like Escherichia coli and Vibrio cholerae, both of which can cause enteric infections. Berberine has also demonstrated anti-inflammatory effects in preclinical models of colitis. However, high-quality clinical trials specifically investigating barberry or berberine in human enteritis are lacking. Therefore, while the traditional use of barberry for enteritis is well established, scientific evidence remains preliminary, supporting a modest evidence rating.

In summary, barberry’s use for enteritis is primarily justified by traditional practices, with some emerging but not yet conclusive scientific rationale. Individuals considering its use should consult healthcare professionals, especially given potential interactions and side effects.

More about barberry
More about Enteritis