Berberine is a bitter-tasting and yellow-colored chemical compound found in many plants, including European barberry, phellodendron, Oregon grape, goldenseal, and goldthread. It has been used historically to treat various ailments, and today it is being investigated as a treatment for diabetes, high cholesterol, and even polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) . Berberine has been shown to have several potential health benefits, including:

• Lowering blood sugar levels: Taking berberine supplements regularly seems to lower blood sugar levels in people with diabetes.

• Lowering cholesterol: Taking berberine supplements regularly appears to lower total cholesterol, “bad” cholesterol, and triglycerides in people with high cholesterol.

• Improving heart health: Taking berberine may help lower diastolic and systolic blood pressure, which are associated with heart disease and strokes.

• Relieving canker sores: Applying a gel containing berberine can reduce pain, redness, oozing, and the size of canker sores.

• Treating digestive tract infections: Adding berberine by mouth to multiple medications that are typically used to treat Helicobacter pylori or H. pylori infection might work as well as other accepted treatments for this condition.

However, many of the claims about berberine haven’t been verified by large, peer-reviewed studies, and the bulk of the research has been conducted in mice, not humans. Known side effects of berberine in humans include nausea and vomiting, and larger studies would need to be conducted to know whether there are any serious side effects in humans. Therefore, it is recommended to speak with a doctor before taking berberine as a part of a weight loss regime or for any other health condition.