Barberry (Berberis vulgaris) is a bush native to Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and North Africa that's been naturalized to many regions of North America. The berries of the barberry are traditionally used to make jams and jellies. But the herb also has a long history as a folk remedy for digestive disorders, including constipation, diarrhea, dyspepsia, heartburn, and loss of appetite. It was thought to increase the flow bile, which is why it was used for liver and gallbladder problems. Topically it was recommended to treat skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, and acne, as well as minor wounds.
Barberry enthusiasts recommend introducing yourself to the berries by having them in sauce, jelly, juice, wine, or tea. You can also try substituting some barberries for raisins or cranberries when baking (barberries taste sourer). Barberries (also called zereshk) can be purchased at Mediterranean or Middle Eastern grocers, some health-food shops, or on the Internet. To maintain color and quality, be sure to refrigerate the berries.
Barberry is available in tea, tincture, capsule, fluid extracts, dried herb, and tablet forms, as well as a topical ointment. There is no established daily dosage for barberry: Recommendations range from two grams to six grams of the berries or an equivalent amount in extract form.15 Barberry extracts are standardized to contain 8% to 12% alkaloids, of which berberine is the most prevalent. However, it's not clear that barberry provides enough berberine to produce any purported potential benefits.