Evidence supporting the use of: European Barberry
For the health condition: Glands (swollen lymph)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
European Barberry (Berberis vulgaris) has been used in traditional European and Middle Eastern herbal medicine, including for conditions involving swollen lymph glands. Historical texts and folk medicine sources cite barberry as a remedy for "glandular swellings" or "scrofula" (a form of tuberculosis affecting lymph nodes), often due to its perceived ability to "purify the blood" and support the body's natural detoxification processes. The main active constituent, berberine, is known for its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects, which may have contributed to its traditional use for infections and inflammatory conditions, including swollen glands.
However, there is little to no direct scientific evidence specifically supporting the use of European Barberry or berberine for swollen lymph nodes in modern clinical trials. Most research on barberry focuses on its antimicrobial, hepatoprotective, and metabolic effects. Thus, while tradition supports its use for glandular swellings, scientific validation is lacking, and clinical recommendations for this specific indication cannot currently be made based on available evidence.
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Other ingredients used for Glands (swollen lymph)
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bovine
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Coptis chinensis
turmeric
dog rose
echinacea purpurea
elderberry
fu ling
goldenseal
onion
horseradish
honeysuckle
Japanese sophora
licorice root
spruce
oregon grape
phellodendron amurense
platycodon root
reishi mushroom
schizonepeta
scrophularia root
serratiopeptidase
slippery elm bark
chickweed
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ferula assafoetida
punarnava
commiphora
caesalpinia crista
rubia cordifolia
swertia
peony
goldenrod
myrrh
fern
sweet flag
oriental arborvitae
trichosanthes
zanthoxylum
sheep's sorrel
eucalyptus
cleavers
paw paw
white oak
geranium
Aralia
Avens
Ardisia
Angelica
Agrimony
Allicin
Achyranthes
Anamu
Abrus
Ajuga
Aerva lanata
American Liverleaf
Agrimonia pilosa
Abuta
Amor seco
Arisaema
Bee Propolis
Betony
Baikal Skullcap
Blue Flag
Baliospermum
Blackthorn
Broussonetia
Butea monosperma
Barleria
Bitter Grass
Banyan
Black Nightshade
Bombax
Black root
Bupleurum
Borneol
Chinese Silkvine
Calendula
Calotropis gigantea
Cynomorium
Cinquefoil
Cyathula
Cajuput
Centipeda
cypress
Cynodon dactylon
Costus
Collinsonia
Castor Oil
Celosia
Dianthus
Didymocarpus
Devil's Club
Dichrostachys glomerata
Dipsacus
European Elder
Erodium cicutarium
Elephant's Head
Euphorbia
Fuchsia
Fang-Feng
Ficus simplicissima
Goldthread
Gnaphalium
Garlic
Galium
Giant Blazingstar
Glechoma hederacea
Galangal
Guazuma ulmifolia
Heartsease
Little ironweed
Mustard
Mallow
Vervain
Other health conditions supported by European Barberry
Acid IndigestionAnemia
Appetite (deficient)
Blood Poisoning
Boils
Bronchitis
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer (prevention)
Canker Sores
Cholera
Cholesterol (high)
Colds (antiviral)
Colds (general)
Colds (prevention)
Colds (with fever)
Constipation (adults)
Cuts
Diarrhea
Digestion (poor)
Dyspepsia
Eczema
Fever
Gall Bladder (sluggish or removed)
Gastritis
Gingivitis
Glands (swollen lymph)
Gonorrhea
Headache (general)
Hemorrhoids
Hepatitis
Hypertension