Evidence supporting the use of: Berberis (unspecified)
For the health condition: Parasites (general)

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Synopsis

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

Berberis, particularly species such as Berberis vulgaris (barberry), has a long history of traditional use in various medical systems for the treatment of parasitic infections, including intestinal worms and protozoal diseases. The primary active compound, berberine, is an isoquinoline alkaloid that occurs in Berberis species and has been cited in traditional herbal medicine texts from regions such as India, China, and the Middle East for its purported antiparasitic properties. Berberine-containing plants have been used for centuries in Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for treating dysentery, giardiasis, and other gastrointestinal complaints thought to be caused by parasites.

Modern research provides some support for these traditional uses. In vitro and animal studies have demonstrated that berberine possesses activity against certain protozoa (e.g., Giardia lamblia, Entamoeba histolytica) and some helminths. However, most of these studies are preliminary, and robust clinical trials in humans are lacking. Thus, while there is a plausible biochemical basis and a rich tradition of use, scientific evidence remains limited and inconclusive. Therefore, the primary justification for using Berberis against general parasites is traditional, with some emerging but not definitive scientific support.

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