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Berberine

Berberine (from Berberis, Coptis and Hydrastis) · 黄连

Supplements. Modern nutrition, Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda.

Also called Berberine chloride, Barberry alkaloid, Goldenseal alkaloid

Pinyin: huáng lián

Spanish: Berberina

Not for newborns or pregnancy

A yellow compound from the roots and bark of several plants, sold as a supplement for blood sugar and cholesterol.

Did you know? Berberine gives the roots of barberry, goldenseal and Coptis their bright yellow color.

What it may help, and how strong the proof is

Blood sugar. Several small trials and reviews show lower fasting blood sugar and HbA1c (a sugar test that reflects about 3 months). The trials are short and of mixed quality.
Early proof
Cholesterol. Small trials show lower LDL (bad) cholesterol and triglycerides. Results vary, and longer trials are needed.
Early proof

Parts of the body

Pancreas & blood sugar, Heart & vessels, Liver

Traditional use

Chinese medicine has used Coptis root (huang lian) for centuries, mainly for damp-heat problems such as diarrhea and jaundice. Berberine is the main active compound extracted from it.

How it is classified

Herbal actions: Antimicrobial, Bitter, Hypoglycemic. Energy: cooling.
Chinese medicine: 黄连 Clear heat. Nature: cold. Flavour: bitter. Enters the Heart, Spleen, Stomach, Liver, Gallbladder and Large Intestine channels.

How people take it

Studies used 0.5 to 1.5 grams a day, split into two or three doses with meals, usually for weeks to months. Berberine is not for newborns, pregnancy or breastfeeding.

Capsule, tablet and powder.

Where to get it

Berberine is found in the roots and bark of barberry, goldenseal, Oregon grape and Coptis. Supplements are capsules and tablets sold in stores and online.

Be careful

Common side effects are stomach upset, constipation or diarrhea. Berberine may raise bilirubin, which can cause brain injury (kernicterus) in newborns, so it should be avoided in pregnancy and breastfeeding. It can raise cyclosporine and other drug levels, so check with a doctor before combining.

Avoid if: pregnancy; breastfeeding; newborns.

Mixing with other things

Works well together
The pure compound has more human studies than barberry does.
Works well together
Coptis root is the classic Chinese source of berberine.
Works well together
Goldenseal root is another natural source of berberine.
Don't mix
Immune-suppressing medicine (transplant drugs, some arthritis drugs)
Can raise cyclosporine levels to unsafe levels. Do not combine without a doctor's direction.
Use caution
Diabetes medicine (metformin, insulin, glipizide, Ozempic)
Can lower blood sugar, so diabetes medicines may need adjusting.

Adds up with others that may lower blood sugar: , , , , , , , , , , , , , and 39 more.

The honest take

Berberine lowers blood sugar in small trials, and it is a common supplement, but the studies are short and mixed. Long-term safety is not known, and the warnings about newborns and drug interactions are serious. Diet and exercise have much stronger proof for blood sugar and cholesterol.