What is Berberine?

What is berberine?

Berberine is a broad spectrum antibiotic alkaloid. It is known by western herbalists mainly as a constituent of the plants barberry, golden seal and Oregon grape. It also has antifungal and antiviral actions. This alkaloid stimulates uterine contractions, so should not be used in pregnancy.
Berberine must come into direct contact with the body part that requires antibiotic action. Therefore, it is useful in infections anywhere in the digestive tract, but not in systemic illness such as colds and influenza, because it is not well absorbed into the blood stream.
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