| name: | Barberry |
| also known as: | Barberry Bark; Barberry Root; Barberry Root Bark; Barberry Herbs |
| description: | Barberry is known through folklore medicine as a herb antibiotic. It has been used to treat all kinds of infections and inflammations. Given as a tea, it is thought by some to help in the treatment of urinary tract infection, acute kidney infection, acute bronchitis, and gastroenteritis. One of the structures within barberry is a compound called isoquinolone which is similar in structure to a well known antibiotic called quinolones. In fact, barberry is effective against many types of bacteria such as staph infection and strep infection although it is not the primary treatment of choice for these infections. |
| signs & symptoms: | Side effects can include shortness of breath, eye irritation, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and can be lethal at toxic dosages. |
| treatment: | Given orally, usually as a tea. |
| prevention: | Should not be given to women who are pregnant. Interacts with vitamin B1 and other vitamin B complexes. |
skynetMD suggests the following:
| if: | If you have questions, problems, or concerns regarding any medication |
| go to: | Go to the phone and ask your pharmacist or your doctor, or go to the doctor. |
Last updated 4/26/2003