The History of Berberine: From Ancient Herbal Traditions to Modern Research

Berberine is a bright yellow compound found in the roots, bark, and stems of several plants. You may not have heard of it until recently, but the plants that contain it have been used in traditional medicine across Asia and the Americas for thousands of years. Here's its story.

One compound, many plants

Berberine is not an herb itself. It's a natural compound, called an alkaloid, found in a number of different plants. The best-known include:

• Chinese goldthread (Coptis chinensis), known as huang lian in China
• Indian barberry (Berberis aristata) and related Berberis species
• Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis), native to North America
• European barberry (Berberis vulgaris) and Oregon grape

Its vivid yellow color also made berberine-rich plants useful historically as natural dyes.

Berberine in traditional Chinese medicine

Huang lian, the dried root of Chinese goldthread, is one of the most widely used herbs in traditional Chinese medicine, with more than 2,000 years of recorded use.^[1] Traditional practitioners classified it as a bitter, "cooling" herb used to "clear heat" and "dry dampness," and it appears in an enormous number of classical formulas.^[2] Historical texts from as early as 220–589 AD describe its use, and it is recorded in Li Shizhen's 16th-century Compendium of Materia Medica.^[1]

Berberine in Ayurveda

In Asia, the use of berberine-rich plants, especially Berberis species, has more than 3,000 years of history, and they are an important ingredient in Ayurvedic medicine.^[3] Indian barberry, known in Sanskrit as daruharidra ("tree turmeric"), was traditionally used in Ayurveda for digestive complaints, wound care, and eye, ear, and mouth preparations.^[3]

Goldenseal and Native American traditions

In North America, Native American peoples used goldenseal root for a variety of purposes, including as a wash for skin and eyes and as a yellow dye.^[4] European settlers adopted it, and by the 19th century goldenseal had become a popular American herbal remedy. Today, NCCIH notes that very little berberine may be absorbed from oral goldenseal, so research on purified berberine may not apply to goldenseal itself.^[4]

What modern research is exploring

In recent decades, researchers have studied purified berberine extensively, particularly its effects on metabolic markers such as blood sugar and blood lipids in clinical trials.^[1] This research has driven much of berberine's recent popularity.

It's important to keep this research in perspective. Berberine is a dietary supplement, not an approved medicine, and it should never be used to replace treatment prescribed by your doctor. For a closer look, read Berberine Explained: What It Is & What to Know.

How the FDA regulates berberine

In the US, berberine is sold as a dietary supplement. Under DSHEA (1994), the FDA does not approve supplements for safety or effectiveness before they are marketed, and supplements cannot legally claim to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.^[5]

Important safety information

Berberine is biologically active, which means safety precautions matter:

• Pregnancy, breastfeeding, and newborns: Berberine can be harmful to newborns and can pass into breast milk. Do not use if pregnant or breastfeeding, and never give it to infants or children.^[4]
• Drug interactions: Berberine-containing herbs can change how the body processes certain medications. One NCCIH-funded study found goldenseal lowered blood levels of the diabetes medication metformin by about 25 percent.^[4] Berberine may also add to the effects of blood sugar-lowering drugs.
• Digestive effects: Some people experience stomach upset, constipation, or diarrhea.

Talk with your healthcare provider before using berberine, especially if you take any prescription medication, have diabetes or low blood sugar, or have a liver condition.

The bottom line

Berberine's story connects ancient Chinese formulas, Ayurvedic tradition, and Native American plant knowledge with modern laboratory research. It's a fascinating compound with a long history, and one that deserves to be used thoughtfully and with medical guidance.

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Sources

1. The Antihyperglycemic Effects of Rhizoma Coptidis and Mechanism of Actions: A Review of Systematic Reviews and Pharmacological Research. Biomed Res Int. 2014.
2. Wang J, et al. Coptidis Rhizoma: a comprehensive review of its traditional uses, botany, phytochemistry, pharmacology and toxicology. Pharm Biol. 2019.
3. Neag MA, et al. Berberine: Botanical Occurrence, Traditional Uses, Extraction Methods, and Relevance in Cardiovascular, Metabolic, Hepatic, and Renal Disorders. Front Pharmacol. 2018;9:557.
4. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Goldenseal.
5. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Information for Consumers on Using Dietary Supplements.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. This content is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Historical and traditional uses are described for context only.