DOSE: ½ ounce to 1 pint of boiling water, steeped 10 minutes, 1–4 cups a day before meals, made fresh
daily. Of the tincture, ½–1 fluidram.
EXTERNALLY: Liquid from chewed root was placed on injuries and on wounds, while cuts and bruises
were washed with a root decoction. A preparation of the bark or berries will be of service as a gargle for
sore mouth and chronic ophthalmia.
HOMEOPATHIC CLINICAL: Tincture of the bark of the root for biliary colic, bilious attack, bladder
affections, calculus, duodenum (catarrh of), dysmenorrhea, fevers, fistula, gallstones, gravel, herpes,
irritation, jaundice, joint affections, knee (pain in), leukorrhea, liver disorder, lumbago, ophthalmia,
oxaluria, polypus, renal colic, rheumatism, sacrum (pain in), side pain, spermatic cords (neuralgia of),
spleen (affections of), tumors, urine (disorders of), vaganismus.
RUSSIAN EXPERIENCE: Since 1950 the official pharmacopoeia has recognized two species of barberry
—Berberis amerenis (amur barberry) and Berberis vulgaris (common barberry). In extract form for
female genital organs, pain and inflammation of gallbladder, and to increase bile. Also helpful to reduce
high blood pressure. Folk medicine: Since olden days Russian people have used the same two, now
recognized officially, for inflammation, excess of menstruation, and to stop bleeding in general and
gallbladder conditions.