Suggested Dosing
Dried Root/Rhizome/Tea
0.5-1 g PO TID
Liquid Extract
0.3-1.0 ml PO TID; 1:1, 60% ethanol
Tincture
2-4 ml PO TID; 1:10, 60% ethanol
Mouthwash, Topical
Rinse TID-QID; with 6 g dried herb/150 ml water
Suggested Uses
Common cold, conjunctivitis, diarrhea, dysmenorrhea/menorrhagia, flatulence, gastritis/colitis, mouth/gum sores, respiratory infections, ringworm, urinary tract infections, urine drug tests
Adverse Effects
Frequency Not Defined
Bradycardia (Overdose: OD)
Cardiac damage (OD)
Constipation
Death (OD)
Delirium
Depression (OD)
Digestive disorders
Dyspnea (OD)
Excitability
Hallucinations
Hypotension (OD)
Kernicterus (peds)
Mucosal irritation
Nausea/vomiting (OD)
Nervousness (OD)
Paralysis (OD)
Respiratory failure (OD)
Seizures (OD)
Spasms (OD)
Warnings
Contraindications
Breast-feeding, hyperbilirubinemia, infectious GI conditions, inflammatory GI conditions, newborn/infant, pregnancy
Cautions
Cardiovascular disorders, concurrent antihypertensives, concurrent CYP 3A4 substrates, concurrent sedative agents, hypertension
Pregnancy & Lactation
Pregnancy Category: X
Lactation: unsafe
Pregnancy Categories
A: Generally acceptable. Controlled studies in pregnant women show no evidence of fetal risk.
B: May be acceptable. Either animal studies show no risk but human studies not available or animal studies showed minor risks and human studies done and showed no risk. C: Use with caution if benefits outweigh risks. Animal studies show risk and human studies not available or neither animal nor human studies done. D: Use in LIFE-THREATENING emergencies when no safer drug available. Positive evidence of human fetal risk. X: Do not use in pregnancy. Risks involved outweigh potential benefits. Safer alternatives exist. NA: Information not available.Pharmacology
Metabolism: N/A
Excretion: N/A
Mechanism of Action
Active constituent, berberine, has broad-spectrum antimicrobial & antiinfective activity
