Berberine

Berberine is a quaternary ammonium salt from the protoberberine group of benzylisoquinoline alkaloids found in such plants as Berberis vulgaris (barberry), Berberis aristata (tree turmeric), Mahonia aquifolium (Oregon grape), Hydrastis canadensis (goldenseal), Xanthorhiza simplicissima (yellowroot), Phellodendron amurense (Amur cork tree), Coptis chinensis (Chinese goldthread), Tinospora cordifolia, Argemone mexicana (prickly poppy), and Eschscholzia californica (Californian poppy).

HFMA advised this is probably novel, and in an email of 21/9/18 the MHRA confirmed they regard it as medicinal.

As of 27/4/2023 there is a public consultation from EFSA looking at the safety of berberine containing plants, this will be updated when new information is released.

Barberry root powder is R2052, and is an acceptable alternative.

We do have Berberine in Access but it is only for use outside the UK/EU.