Berberis aquifolium. Mahonia aquifolia  Oregon mountain grape, Holly leaved barberry   Family: Berberidaceae      
PART USED: Root/rhizome.
TASTE: Bitter   ODORLESS
ACTIONS
GROUP: The Digestive system- Stomachic
1. Alterative.[3]
2. Anticatarrhal.[1]
3. Bitter tonic.[3]
4. Cholagogue-[3] mild.[1]
5. Antidiarheal.[3]
6. Anti-emetic.[1]
7. Laxative.[1]
INDICATIONS
1. Gastritis,[1,2,3] especially catarrhal gastritis with cholecystitis. Dyspepsia.
2. Chronic catarrhal conditions.
3. Skin diseases including eczema and psoriasis,.[1,3] in a similar way to Barberry.[3]
4. Leukorrhea.[1]
COMBINATIONS
- Skin conditions, with Burdock or Yellow dock.
- Stomach and gall-bladder disease, with Chamomile flowers, Acorus, and Veronicastrum.
PREPARATIONS:    3X /day
Dried roots  1-2 g, or by decoction.[1]
Fluid extract 1:1 in 25% alcohol  1-2 ml.[1,2,3]

ORIGIN: North America- Rocky Mountain region of Nebraska and British Columbia. Cultivated elsewhere as a garden plant.
DESCRIPTION: A trailing shrub, growing to a height of about 2 m, producing bright green, spiny, leathery leaves and small yellow flowers. The root is about 1-4 cm in diameter, with a thin, yellowish or brownish grey bark, longitudinally wrinkled, greenish-yellow internally; and a hard, yellowish wood with numerous medullary rays.
References
Inner Path can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Constituents
Research

Aqueous extract of dried fruit of Berberis vulgaris L. in acne vulgaris, a clinical trial
Rohollah F. Fouladi
PMID: 23038982 DOI: 10.3109/19390211.2012.726702
Abstract
Berberis vulgaris L. (barberry) is a very well-known herb in traditional medicine. Apart from its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, the antilipogenic effect of barberry on the sebaceous glands in animals may further suggest it could be employed as an anti-acne agent. This study examined the effect of oral aqueous extract of barberry on acne vulgaris. Adolescents aged 12-17 years with moderate to severe acne vulgaris were randomly given oral gelatin capsules containing either aqueous extract of dried barberry (600 mg daily for 4 weeks, n = 25) or placebo (n = 24). Counts of facial noninflamed, inflamed, and total acne lesions, as well as the Michaelson's acne severity score were documented at baseline and at weeks 2 and 4. Both groups were comparable in terms of the patients' characteristics and baseline variables. After 4 weeks, the mean number of noninflamed, inflamed, and total lesions as well as mean Michaelson's acne severity score declined significantly by 43.25 ± 10.88% (median: 42.11%), 44.53 ± 11.78% (median: 45.45%), 44.64 ± 8.46% (median: 46.15%), and 44.38 ± 8.25% (median: 44.07%), respectively, among the extract receivers (p <.001 for all the changes). Similar changes were not significant in the placebo group. No notable complication or side effect was reported in relation to barberry. In conclusion, oral aqueous extract of dried barberry is a safe, well-tolerated, and effective choice in teenagers with moderate to severe acne vulgaris.
Randomized Controlled Trial J Diet Suppl . 2012 Dec;9(4):253-61. doi: 10.3109/19390211.2012.726702. Epub 2012 Oct 8. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Berberine and Its Role in Chronic Disease
Arrigo F G Cicero, Alessandra Baggioni
Abstract
Berberine is a quaternary ammonium salt from the protoberberine group of isoquinoline alkaloids. It is found in such plants as Berberis [e.g. Berberis aquifolium (Oregon grape), Berberis vulgaris (barberry), Berberis aristata (tree turmeric)], Hydrastis canadensis (goldenseal), Xanthorhiza simplicissima (yellowroot), Phellodendron amurense [2] (Amur corktree), Coptis chinensis (Chinese goldthread), Tinospora cordifolia, Argemone mexicana (prickly poppy) and Eschscholzia californica (Californian poppy). In vitro it exerts significant anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. In animal models berberine has neuroprotective and cardiovascular protective effects. In humans, its lipid-lowering and insulin-resistance improving actions have clearly been demonstrated in numerous randomized clinical trials. Moreover, preliminary clinical evidence suggest the ability of berberine to reduce endothelial inflammation improving vascular health, even in patients already affected by cardiovascular diseases. Altogether the available evidences suggest a possible application of berberine use in the management of chronic cardiometabolic disorders.
Adv Exp Med Biol 2016;928:27-45. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-41334-1_2. PMID: 27671811 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-41334-1_2 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov