What Is Berberine? How a Berberine Complex Is Built
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Key takeaways - Berberine is a yellow plant compound from roots and bark of herbs such as barberry. - Humming Herbs Berberine Complex has 8 ingredients. Per 2-capsule serving, 500mg of the 1300mg total is Berberine HCL. - A bottle holds 180 vegetarian capsules, or 90 servings. - Berberine and some companion herbs can interact with medicines. Talk to your provider first.
Berberine is a plant compound with a long history in traditional herbal use. A berberine complex combines it with other botanicals in one capsule. Here is what each ingredient is and how much of it is in a serving.
What is berberine?
Berberine is a bright yellow compound. It is found in the roots, stems and bark of several plants, including barberry, goldenseal and Oregon grape. The yellow color is why these roots were once used as dyes.
Traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic practice have long used berberine-containing plants. In capsules, berberine is usually sold as berberine HCL. HCL stands for hydrochloride, a purified, stable powder form.
Why make a "complex"?
A single-ingredient capsule has one thing in it. A complex is a formula with several ingredients chosen to go together, so you can use one product instead of several. The tradeoff is a harder label. Each ingredient takes up space in the capsule, and the big number on the front is the total, not any single ingredient.
Inside Humming Herbs Berberine Complex
Our Berberine Complex Capsules is an 8-in-1 herbal formula. A serving is 2 capsules. Here is what is in one serving:
| Ingredient | Amount per serving | Notes from the label |
|---|---|---|
| Berberine HCL | 500mg | 20:1 extract, sourced from Berberis aristata |
| Milk thistle extract | 200mg | 10:1 extract, equal to 2000mg of milk thistle powder |
| Ceylon cinnamon bark extract | 150mg | 10:1 extract, equal to 1500mg of raw cinnamon powder |
| Gymnema sylvestre leaf powder | 150mg | Leaf powder |
| Turmeric root extract | 100mg | Standardized to 95% curcuminoids, equal to 1000mg raw turmeric |
| Wild bitter melon extract | 100mg | 15:1 extract from Momordica charantia |
| Red yeast rice extract | 50mg | From Monascus purpureus |
| Probiotic blend | 50mg | Bifidobacterium lactis and Lactobacillus acidophilus |
| Total | 1300mg |
Other ingredients: microcrystalline cellulose, vegetable magnesium stearate, natural beta-carotene and L-ascorbic acid, in a vegetable cellulose capsule. The formula is free from sugar, gluten and GMOs. It is made in a cGMP-certified facility.
What each ingredient is
- Berberine HCL: the lead ingredient and the largest amount in the formula.
- Milk thistle: a thistle plant; its seed extract is common in herbal products.
- Ceylon cinnamon: a milder, sweeter cinnamon than the common cassia type.
- Gymnema sylvestre: a climbing plant used in traditional herbal practice.
- Turmeric: the golden root used in cooking and herbal products.
- Bitter melon: a gourd eaten in South Asian and East Asian cooking.
- Red yeast rice: rice fermented with a yeast called Monascus purpureus.
- Probiotics: live bacterial cultures, listed here by strain.
What does "20:1" mean?
An extract ratio shows how much raw plant goes into the extract. A 20:1 extract means about 20 parts of raw plant were used to make 1 part of extract. A higher ratio means a more concentrated extract. This is why 200mg of milk thistle extract can be listed as equal to 2000mg of powder.
How to take it
The label suggests 2 capsules daily with meals and plenty of water. Do not take more than the label directs. Take it at a regular time. For more on reading each line, see our berberine label guide.
Is a complex right for you?
A complex may suit you if you like a simple routine and are comfortable with all eight ingredients. A single-ingredient product may suit you better if you want to control each ingredient, or if you react to one herb. Check each ingredient against your allergies. Red yeast rice, turmeric and milk thistle are common ones to ask a professional about.
Talk to your healthcare provider
Talk to your healthcare provider, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, take medication or have a medical condition. Berberine and some herbs in this formula can interact with prescription medicines. Red yeast rice is a particular point to raise if you take any prescription medicine. Supplements are not a substitute for medical care. Stop use and call your provider if you have side effects. Keep out of reach of children, and do not use if the safety seal is damaged or missing.
Frequently asked questions
What is berberine? A yellow plant compound found in barberry and similar plants. Supplements use berberine HCL.
What is in Berberine Complex? Per 2-capsule serving: Berberine HCL 500mg, milk thistle 200mg, Ceylon cinnamon 150mg, gymnema 150mg, turmeric 100mg, bitter melon 100mg, red yeast rice 50mg, probiotics 50mg.
Is the 1300mg all berberine? No. 1300mg is the total of all eight ingredients. Berberine HCL is 500mg of it.
How many capsules are in a serving? Two. A bottle of 180 capsules is 90 servings.
Who should check with a doctor first? Anyone who is pregnant, nursing, takes medication or has a medical condition.
See the Berberine Complex product page
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
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