Plants containing Berberine have been used in Ayurvedic (Hindu) and Chinese medicine (TCM) dating back at least 3,000 years.*
Berberine has demonstrated significant antimicrobial activity against bacteria, fungi, yeast, protozoa (Giardia, etc.), viruses, helminthes (worms) and chlamydia. In addition, berberine's actions include: antagonism to the effects of cholera and E. coli toxin, inhibition of intestinal ion secretion, inhibition of smooth muscle contraction (intestinal spasms), and reduction of inflammation.*
Berberine's most common Traditional Chinese Medicine uses include bacterial diarrhea and intestinal parasites. Other uses of Berberine may offer anti-infective qualities, actually inhibiting the adhesion of pathogens (bacteria, fungi, parasites, etc.) to the body's host cells, thus crippling the pathogen before it can do any damage. It may do this by causing the pathogen to lose lipoteinchoic acid (LTA) which is the major substance responsible for enabling the adhesion of bacteria (or other pathogens) to host tissues.*
Sources:
Bensky D, Gamble A, Kapchuk T. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica, Revised Edition. Seattle: Eastland Press, Inc., 1993, p78).
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Traditional Chinese Medicine For Diabetes Has Scientific Backing", Science Daily, July 31, 2006
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