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Botanical

Barberry

Barberry, Berberis vulgaris, is a thorny shrub with red berries. Its root and bark contain the yellow alkaloid berberine.

Also listed as Berberis vulgaris, Berberis jacquinii, Berberis sanguinea, Barberry Extract

Weight ManagementOrgan FunctionCardiovascularLongevityHair & Skin

What it is studied for

The strongest rated effects first. Bars show the size of the effect, the letter grades the evidence, and each rating lists the studies behind it.

Blood sugarWeight ManagementStrongA3 studies
Liver healthOrgan FunctionModerateBNo linked study
Cholesterol balanceCardiovascularModerateBNo linked study
Oxidative stressLongevityModerateBNo linked study
Skin InflammationHair & SkinModerateBNo linked study
Immune SupportModerateBNo linked study
All 8 rated effectsGrouped by health goal, with the publications behind each rating

Barberry is not a synonym for berberine

Barberry fruit is eaten as food, while roots and bark contain substantially more berberine, a biologically active plant compound. Verbraucherzentrale distinguishes the fruit from these other plant parts; the name of the plant alone does not describe the exposure. 1

Key studies

The most recent publications linked to Barberry's ratings.

Therapeutic Effects of Berberine in Metabolic Diseases and Diabetes Mellitus2021The effect of barberry (Berberis vulgaris L.) on glycemic indices: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.2020Berberis Fruit Extract and Biochemical Parameters in Patients With Type II Diabetes2014

Why people take it

Detox22.6%
Immune Support21.5%
Gut Health17.2%
Essential Health12.9%
Weight Management6.5%
Inflammation5.4%

SuppCo community snapshot, 2026-09-28. Reasons for use are not evidence that it works.

Questions people ask

Is barberry the same as berberine?

No. Barberry is the plant; berberine is one constituent, present in different amounts in different plant parts. 1

Did the trials improve HbA1c?

Neither the 2020 nor the 2025 pooled analysis found a statistically significant improvement in this longer-term glucose marker. 2 3

Can it lower blood pressure?

The reviews conflict: an earlier analysis was negative, while a newer one found reductions with low-certainty evidence. 3 4

Is a root extract as ordinary as dried fruit?

No. Root and bark provide a different exposure, and berberine-containing supplements carry important interaction and safety concerns. 1 5

Sources