Where to Find Berberine
There are various options available for obtaining berberine. It can be acquired in the form of plant-based dietary supplements, which are easily accessible over-the-counter. Additionally, berberine is also available in the form of tinctures, gels, and astringents. In certain cases, a healthcare professional may prescribe berberine as part of a treatment plan.
For those interested in cultivating their own berberine-rich plants, it is possible to grow them in gardens. Some examples of plants that contain berberine include goldenseal, phellodendron, and Oregon grape. However, it is important to note that experts in plant cultivation advise against attempting to grow European or Japanese barberry plants due to their invasive nature. It is worth mentioning that certain local governments have actually banned the cultivation of these plants in certain areas.
Endangered Plants Containing BBR
With its numerous health benefits, berberine has caught the attention of botanists and advocates of natural medicine. However, there is growing concern that the plants naturally containing BBR could be at risk of becoming endangered or even extinct due to habitat loss. In fact, several states such as Georgia, Maine, Minnesota, New Jersey, North Carolina, and Vermont have already declared goldenseal, a plant rich in BBR, as an endangered species. Additionally, many other states have classified it as threatened. To prevent further harm to these plants, experts strongly advise against harvesting them from the wild in order to obtain berberine.