Goldenseal and Barberry in particular contain high levels berberine that has positively stimulating effect on the immune system. This effect is strongest no doubt is in mucous membrane tissues found in the vagina, mouth, and especially the digestive system. Berberine has been shown to possess excellent antimicrobial activity against a wide variety of microorganisms some of which are found in the vagina, like candida albicans, e coli, staph aureus and many others. Different types of preparations of goldenseal and barberry especially have been used both orally in teas, capsules and in liquid herbal extracts, and intra-vaginally in douches and as suppositories.

I don’t think of berberine containing herbs as candida specifics, but more adjuncts, meaning they are perfect to add to a candida cleansing and inhibiting dietary supplement because they: Enhance the activity of stronger antifungals like caprylic and undecylenic acid, Work in the background by killing bad bacteria and parasites, allowing stronger antifungals to do their job more easily.

How should you take Berberine Sulfate for Candida?

Unlike most antifungals, they support the mucous membranes and have an immune enhancing and cleansing effect on the mucosa of the throat, vagina and digestive system. Act as liver tonics and help the body secrete bile, good to use when detoxing.

Berberine has demonstrated growth inhibition of Giardia, Entamoeba histolytica, Trichomonas vaginalis, and leishmania donovani as well as several other well-known parasites and many different types of detrimental bacteria. Studies of berberine have shown in particular that it markedly decreases the parasitic load and can rapidly improve somebody’s immune system profile. Test tube studies have revealed that berberine inhibits the multiplication and inhibits the maturation of parasites. It is a most effective anti-parasitic herbal medicine and in my opinion is a must when treating any chronic yeast infection.

How does Berberine Sulfate for Candida work?

A small intestinal candida/yeast overgrowth is a common finding amongst environmental illness patients according to lab tests such as the organic acid urinary analysis and gut fermentation profiles, as well as patient repsonses to Dr. William Crook’s yeast questionnaire. As a result, anti-fungal therapy is usually a major part of an overall functional/integrative medicine based treatment plan for these illnesses.

This is usually made up of three distinct parts, an anti-fungal diet, anti-fungal medications and/or natural products and finally, probiotic supplementation. Most people seem to get the best benefit when treatment involves all three parts, implemented properly at the same time, as they work together to restore the normal balance of organisms in the small intestine. If anti-fungal agents were taken without concurrent probiotic supplementation for example, with the amount of yeast reduced and no supply of beneficial bacteria to replace it, the opportunity is there for pathogenic bacteria to become dominant.

Berberine is a yellow-colored alkaloid compound found in several different plants, including European barberry, goldenseal, goldthread, Oregon grape, phellodendron, and tree turmeric. Berberine has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and immune-enhancing properties. It’s effective against a wide range of bacteria, protozoa, and fungi. It can be used topically on cuts and other wounds, and it’s perhaps most commonly used to treat gastrointestinal issues, including traveller’s diarrhea and that from food poisoning.

However, what newer research is uncovering (and what traditional medicine has likely known for centuries) is that the benefits of berberine extend far beyond its antimicrobial properties.