Barberry Bark C/S (Berberis vulgaris) 1 lb: C
This is Starwest's nitrogen-flushed double wall silverfoil pack. Used as an infusion, decoction, extract and tincture. As Grieve puts it, 'As a bitter stomachic tonic, it proves an excellent remedy for dyspepsia and functional derangement of the liver, regulating the digestive powers, and if given in larger doses, acting as a mild purgative and removing constipation.' In June 1999 clinical testing, confirming herbal tradition, suggested that Barberry was effective in the treatment of psoriasis. Health Canada has approved a cream containing the root extract for the treatment of psoriasis and other skin conditions. Grieve's classic 'A Modern Herbal': 'The chief constituent of Barberry bark is Berberine, a yellow crystalline, bitter alkaloid, one of the few that occurs in plants belonging to several different natural orders. Other constituents are oxyacanthine, berbamine, other alkaloidal matter, a little tannin, also wax, resin, fat, albumin, gum and starch.' 'Medicinal Action and Uses: Tonic, purgative, antiseptic. It is used in the form of a liquid extract, given as decoction, infusion or tincture, but generally a salt of the alkaloid Berberine is preferred.' 'As a bitter stomachic tonic, it proves an excellent remedy for dyspepsia and functional derangement of the liver, regulating the digestive powers, and if given in larger doses, acting as a mild purgative and removing constipation.' 'It is used in all cases of jaundice, general debility and biliousness, and for diarrhoea.' Preparations: Powdered bark, ¼ teaspoonful several times daily. Fluid extract, ½ to 1 drachm. Solid extract, 5 to 10 grains.' 'It possesses febrifuge powers and is used as a remedy for intermittent fevers. It also forms an excellent gargle for a sore mouth.' 'A good lotion for application to cutaneous eruptions has also been made from it.' 'The berries contain citric and malic acids, and possess astringent and anti-scorbutic properties. They are useful in inflammatory fevers, especially typhus, also in bilious disorders and scurvy, and in the form of a jelly are very refreshing in irritable sore throat, for which also a syrup of Barberries made with water, proves an excellent astringent gargle.' 'The Egyptians are said still to employ a diluted juice of the berries in pestilential fevers, and Simon Paulli relates that he was cured of a malignant fever by drinking an infusion of the berries sweetened with sugar and syrup of roses.' King's 1898 Dispensatory: 'Berberis vulgaris, a native of Europe, is now quite common in this country, and for many years has been in domestic use as a medicine. A tea made from the bark is taken during the spring months as a blood purifier.' 'A strong decoction is employed as an application to the sores which sometimes afflict children's lips, and in certain conditions of the system demanding tonic treatment, the infusion is a favorite remedy.' 'The fluid extract is usually administered. It is readily prepared by those h