Barberry

One of the best bitter liver tonic, barberry contains berberine antibacterial, antimicrobial and antifungal compound. Barberry has been shown to increase bile production, help with gallbladder pain, gallstones, jaundice and is one of the most useful cholagogues. Barberry also contains a compound called 5’-*MHC, which hep keep bacteria from developing resistance to antibiotics. In addition to antibiotic action, Berberine also stimulates the immune system, help with liver disorders. Barberry contains compounds that enlarge (dilate) blood vessels. This lends support to the herb’s traditional Russian use as a treatment for High blood pressure. Achinese analysis showed that barberry significant reduced cholesterol, help with diabetes (after 3 months, the herb lowered blood sugar as much as the drug).
Berberine has been shown to have antibiotic activity against cholera, giardia, shigella, salmonella and E.coli., UTI and Candida.