Berberine: Herbal Uses and Benefits

Berberine is a compound found in various plants, including goldenseal and barberry. It is used in herbal medicine for its potential antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects.
Category
Compound
Where to get
Available in health food stores as a berberine supplement.
Applicable for
Prepared by Shruti Sahoo, reviewed by Dr. Eugene Smith

Berberine FAQ


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What is berberine & how does it work?

Berberine is a chemical found in some plants like European barberry, goldenseal, goldthread, Oregon grape, phellodendron, and tree turmeric. Berberine is a bitter-tasting and yellow-colored chemical. It might help strengthen the heartbeat, which could benefit people with certain heart conditions.

Is berberine a prescription drug?

Berberine is a natural remedy that could be as powerful as some prescription drugs. As such, people should use it with care and speak with a doctor before taking it. Berberine is a naturally occurring compound in goldenseal, Oregon grape, tree turmeric, and other plants. It may help high blood pressure and inflammation.

Where is berberine found?

Berberine is usually found in the roots, rhizomes, stems, and bark. The alkaloid berberine has a tetracyclic skeleton derived from a benzyltetrahydroisoquinoline system with the incorporation of an extra carbon atom as a bridge.

Where does berberine come from?

Like many supplements, berberine is derived from plants. “Berberine is a type of chemical compound called an alkaloid that is found in the roots, leaves, stems, and barks of plants, such as barberry, Oregon grape, and tree turmeric ,” says Vicki Shanta Retelny, RDN, the Chicago-based author of The Essential Guide to Healthy Healing Foods.

What are the side effects of berberine?

Berberine, or berberine hydrochloride, is a compound in several plants. It may help to treat diabetes, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure, among other conditions. However, side effects can include upset stomach and nausea. Berberine has been a part of Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years.

Is berberine a supplement?

Berberine is primarily found as a supplement, but it does come in other forms. Capsules Most of the potential benefits of berberine have been seen when the supplement is taken by mouth (such as to lower high blood pressure), and it is typically sold in capsule form.

Berberine References

If you want to know more about Berberine, consider exploring links below:

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