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

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Synopsis

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

Barberry (Berberis vulgaris) has been used in traditional medicine systems, including Ayurveda and traditional Persian medicine, for treating various infectious diseases such as malaria. The primary active compound in barberry, berberine, possesses broad-spectrum antimicrobial and antiparasitic properties, which has led to its use in folk remedies for malaria and other febrile illnesses. Historical texts and ethnobotanical surveys document the preparation of barberry extracts or decoctions as part of anti-malarial regimens in regions where the plant is native or easily accessible. However, while these traditional uses are well documented, the modern scientific evidence supporting barberry’s efficacy against malaria specifically is limited and primarily preclinical.

Some in vitro studies have demonstrated that berberine and related alkaloids have inhibitory effects on Plasmodium species (the causative agents of malaria), but these findings have not translated into robust clinical evidence. No high-quality human trials have confirmed the safety or effectiveness of barberry or berberine as a standalone antimalarial treatment. The evidence rating is therefore modest, reflecting both the strength of traditional use and the weakness of current clinical validation. In summary, barberry’s historical use against malaria is well established, but scientific validation remains insufficient to recommend its use in modern clinical practice.

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