Berberis

Barberry. The root of Berberis vulgar is, or common barberry. Its properties are due to an alkaloid, berberin, It is an astringent, bitter tonic; in large doses a cathartic. It is used locally in conjunctivitis, and internally in malarial and typhoid fevers. B., Ext. Fid. Dose B., Tinct., contains 20 per cent, of the root. Dose j. Berberin, the alkaloid. Dose gr. j-x. B., Hydrochl., an efficient injection in gonorrhea. All unof. B. asiatica, B. a qui folium (or Oregon grape), and B. lycium are all medicinally active, and have similar properties to those of the common barberry.