barberry barbarian

Berberine is an alkaloid found in the bark, leaves, branches, rhizomes, roots, and/or stems of various plants such as barberry, Oregon grape, and tree turmeric. Traditionally, berberine has been used as an anti-microbial, anti-protozoal and anti-diarrheal agent in Ayurveda and traditional Chinese medicine. Berberine, purified in the laboratory, is a yellow crystalline substance, odorless and has a very bitter taste, and it is widely used in medicine in the form of sulfate or hydrochloride.