Are beauty berries medicinal?

Beauty berries are a type of berry that grow on beautyberry shrubs. They are known for their bright purple color and tart, sweet taste. Some people believe that beauty berries have medicinal properties and can be used to treat certain conditions. In this article, we will explore the key questions around beauty berries and their potential medicinal uses.

Table of Contents

What are beauty berries?

Beautyberries are the small, round berries that grow in clusters on beautyberry shrubs. There are several species of beautyberry, but the most common is the American beautyberry or French mulberry (Callicarpa americana). This is a deciduous shrub native to the southern United States.

The berries usually ripen to a bright magenta-purple color in the late summer or early fall. They have a tart, sweet taste and make a popping sound when chewed. Although edible, raw beautyberries are not very palatable. They are best consumed cooked, or used to make jams, jellies, and syrups.

In addition to their culinary uses, beautyberries have long been used in folk medicine. Various Native American tribes used the roots and leaves to treat a variety of ailments. The vibrant berries were used as dyes and food colorings.

What are the claimed medicinal uses of beauty berries?

There are several medicinal properties that have been attributed to beauty berries:

Insect repellent – Crushed beautyberry leaves are said to repel mosquitoes, ticks, and other insects when rubbed on the skin. This is likely due to the presence of volatile oils in the leaves.

Anti-inflammatory – Compounds in beautyberry leaves and roots may help reduce inflammation when taken internally as a tea or extract.
Antimicrobial – Beautyberry extracts have shown antimicrobial activity in test tube studies, suggesting they may inhibit the growth of bacteria and fungi.
Fever reducer – Beautyberry tea has been used traditionally to lower fever and relieve cold and flu symptoms.

Gastroprotective – Some research indicates the berries may help protect and heal the stomach lining due to their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.

Most of the evidence for these medicinal uses comes from traditional, folk use and preliminary laboratory research. More investigation is needed to confirm the therapeutic potential of beauty berries.

What do we know from scientific research on beauty berries?

Unfortunately, there is still very limited scientific evidence directly testing the medicinal effects of beautyberries. However, some preliminary studies give us clues about their potential benefits:

A 2011 study found an extract from beautyberry leaves demonstrated antimicrobial activity against several bacteria and yeasts, including E. coli, S. aureus, and C. albicans. This provides some support for its traditional use to treat infections.
Test tube research indicates beautyberry extracts have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This could explain their traditional uses for treating inflammatory conditions.
Mice fed a beautyberry extract for 7 days showed improved signs of colitis (colon inflammation). The researchers suggested this gastroprotective effect could be useful for treating inflammatory bowel diseases.

Chemicals isolated from beautyberry roots exhibited anti-malarial properties in a cell study. This may eventually lead to new antimalarial drugs.
Feeding mice a beautyberry extract appeared to extend how long it took for milk to spoil in their stomachs. The researchers proposed this was due to antibacterial effects in the gut.

Overall, current research shows beautyberries contain various compounds that may be biologically active in humans. However, we cannot definitively state beautyberries are proven treatments for any condition until larger-scale, high-quality human trials are conducted.

Key areas needing more research

Here are some of the key areas future studies should investigate about beautyberry’s medicinal potential:

Clinical trials on beautyberry extracts in humans to confirm beneficial effects against bacteria, inflammation, and gastrointestinal issues seen in laboratory studies.
Studies testing beautyberry’s traditional use as an insect repellent when applied topically.

Investigation of the active compounds in beautyberries that may be responsible for medicinal effects.
Research on beautyberry’s safety, optimal dosing, and potential side effects.
Standardization of beautyberry preparations to ensure consistency in chemical makeup and therapeutic effects.

Are beauty berries safe to consume?

When eaten in normal food amounts, beautyberries are generally considered safe for most people. They have a long history of use as a food product in jams, drinks, and candies.

However, beautyberries do contain chemicals called methylxanthines, including caffeine, theobromine, and theophylline. In high doses, these compounds can cause side effects like nausea, diarrhea, headaches, and heart issues. The berry leaves and roots may also have higher concentrations of potentially toxic compounds.

For these reasons, it’s best to exercise caution regarding beautyberry consumption:

Avoid eating raw berries in huge amounts. Stick to a few handfuls per day.
Do not ingest beautyberry leaves, stems, or roots as they may contain higher levels of toxic compounds.
Consult your doctor before taking beautyberry extracts, tinctures, or supplements for medicinal purposes.

Discontinue use if you experience side effects and seek medical advice.
Closely supervise children when consuming beautyberries to prevent overeating.

Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should also exercise caution, as the safety of beautyberries during pregnancy is unknown at this time.

How do you take beauty berries medicinally?

There are a few ways people consume beautyberries for potential health benefits:

Tea – Dried beautyberry leaves can be steeped to make an herbal tea. This is typically used to treat fever, colds, and digestive complaints.
Tincture – Beautyberries can be soaked in alcohol to extract compounds. Tinctures are taken in small amounts under the tongue.

Extracts – Companies produce beautyberry extracts standardized to contain certain concentrations of active compounds. These are consumed in capsules as supplements.
Topical oil – Infusing beautyberry leaves in oil allows the active compounds to be applied to the skin. This can be used as an insect repellent.
Food products – Jams, jellies, and juices provide a more palatable way to consume beautyberries in moderate food amounts.

Always read and follow label directions on any commercially made beautyberry products. It’s also best to discuss their use and dosing with your doctor first.

Recommended dosing

There are currently no standardized dose recommendations for taking beautyberry medicinally. Most herbal medicine practitioners suggest the following general dosing considerations:

Tea: Steep 1-2 teaspoons dried beautyberry leaves in 8 oz boiling water for 5-10 minutes. Drink up to 3 times daily.

Tincture: Take 1⁄2 to 1 teaspoon (2-5 mL) up to 3 times per day.
Extracts: Follow label dosing recommendations, usually around 100-200 mg capsules taken 1-2 times daily.
Topical oil: Apply as needed for insect repellent purposes.

Work with an experienced herbalist or your doctor to determine appropriate beautyberry dosages based on your health status.

Are there any side effects or precautions?

When used appropriately, beautyberry is generally well tolerated by most people. However, some side effects can occur:

Upset stomach – Beautyberries may irritate the gastrointestinal tract, causing nausea, stomach cramps, and diarrhea.

Dizziness – Methylxanthine compounds may lower blood pressure and lead to dizziness or lightheadedness.
Headaches – Dehydration from diuretic effects can sometimes trigger headaches.
Heart palpitations – High doses may impact heart rate due to the stimulant compounds.

Allergic reactions – Some people may be allergic to beautyberry plants, developing rashes, itching, and swelling.

Safety concerns have not been reported with normal food consumption of beautyberries. But caution is warranted with frequent use of large medicinal amounts.

The following groups should avoid using beautyberry:

Pregnant or breastfeeding women.
Children under 2 years old.
People with heart conditions or high blood pressure.

Those who get dizzy or faint easily.
People taking medication for diabetes, anxiety, or to boost energy.

Always consult your healthcare provider before using beautyberry therapeutically because of possible medication interactions.

Conclusion

Beautyberries are an intriguing traditional folk medicine that science has only begun to investigate. Early research shows compounds in beautyberries do have antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and other beneficial bioactive effects.

However, there is currently insufficient evidence from human clinical trials to decisively confirm whether beautyberries are effective at treating specific health conditions. Much more research is still needed on their pharmacological effects, therapeutic dosing, side effects, and drug interactions.

In normal food amounts, beautyberries are likely safe for most people to consume. But caution is warranted if frequently ingesting large doses for medicinal purposes. As with any herbal supplement, it is best to consult a doctor or trained herbalist to guide your medicinal use of beautyberries.