Barberry

Berberine is a chemical compound derived from a plant called Barberry. This substance is gaining increasing popularity in Europe and around the world, including among people suffering from Lyme disease and co-infection. This is because barberry has wide spectrum of activity. It is used in the treatment of Type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance. It can have a beneficial effect on well - being, it lowers cholesterol and reduces the gastrointestinal symptoms of Lyme disease.

Properties of Barberry:

Barberry is valued for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, hypoglycemic, antibacterial and antifungal properties. However, it is also necessary to distinguish several special features of Barberry:

- increases the production of SCFA in the intestines. This protects the mucous membrane from damage caused by Borrelia bacteria and relieves inflammation

- reduces insulin resistance by interacting with the gut microbiota

- increases the number of beneficial microorganisms

- has a strong antifungal effect against fungi of the genus Candida

- has a beneficial effect on the intestinal barrier and leads to a decrease in chronic inflammation

- has antibacterial properties, including against the bacterium Chlamydia pneumoniae. Barberry is of the main herbs in Buhner's protocol for Chlamydia.

It works synergistically i.e. increases the effectiveness of certain fungicides, e.g. caprylic acid

- promotes the removal of parasites from the body, mainly used in the case of Giardia Lamblia

Method of use:

You can find barberry in several forms:

1. Alcohol tincture

Alcohol-based herbal tincture is made by macerating a fresh  plant in full-strength alcohol or a dried plant in a mixture of alcohol and water. Alcohol is an excellent medium for the extraction of herbs, and alcohol-based tinctures are the most popular form of use of herbs by professional herbalists. Maceration of herbs with alcohol makes the active ingredients of the herb delivered to the bloodstream faster, making the tincture a fast-acting form of herb intake.

Recommended intake: 1 ml x 3-6 daily, concentration 1:2

2. Non-alcoholic extract

Non-alcoholic extract is prepared primarily on the basis of glycerin. Glycerin has become a popular alternative to alcohol tinctures and is ideal for children and people who do not like or cannot consume alcohol. Glycerin, however, is not as effective in extracting as water or alcohol. Glycerin has only about 60% of the extractive value of alcohol. Thus, Berberis glycerate will be 40% weaker than alcohol tincture.

Recommended intake: 1 ml x 3-6 daily, concentration 1:1

3. Encapsulated herb

Capsules have become a very popular way of taking herbs because they are an easy and convenient form of dosage. One of the main advantages of capsules is that we do not feel the taste of herbs. In addition, taking the herb in the form of ground herbs enclosed in a capsule, you take all the plant material along with plant fibers. However, remember that along with the ground Barberry enclosed in the capsule, you also swallow the capsule shell. The capsule shell contributes nothing to the therapy and must be digested by the body.

Recommended intake: take 1 capsule 2-3 times a day with meals.

4. Ground herb

Ground Barberry can be encapsulated or prepared from it tinctures.

Making tinctures at home: the most effective concentration is 1:5 on 70 % alcohol. That is, 1 part of plants for 5 parts of alcohol. 100 g of berberine pour 500 ml of alcohol 70 % (to prepare it you need to dilute 365 ml of spirit with 135 ml of water). Leave for 2 weeks in a dark container without access to light, you can also leave in a regular jar, bottle or dish but keep in a closed cabinet so that there is no access to light. Shake every day to mix. After 2 weeks, filter to separate the plants from the resulting alcohol extract-you can through a funnel or through gauze. Store in a dark bottle or a regular bottle wrapped in aluminum foil and store in a cabinet.

Recommended intake: ½ teaspoon of tincture 3-6 times a day

5. Cut herb

Cut herb is a dried form of Berberis cut into smaller pieces. From the cut herb you can prepare broths or tinctures.

Decoction: boil 2/3 cup water and add 1 or 2 teaspoons of Barberry bark. Cook for about 15 minutes., strain. It is recommended to drink 2 to 3 cups a day.

Contraindications:

Barberry can not be used by women during pregnancy and lactation.

Side effects:

The berberine contained in Barberry can increase the level of bilirubin in the blood , decrease the level of sodium in the blood, or cause mild photophobia.