Practitioners of traditional medicine have long used berberine as a natural treatment for a variety of primarily digestive conditions. Berberine is an orange-yellow alkaloid. While it is found in a variety of plants worldwide, in North America the primary source of berberine is Oregon Grape. Berberine is primarily used to treat digestive conditions; berberine can also reduce blood pressure and even prevent coagulation of blood platelets, thus inhibiting the formation of blood clots which lead to strokes.
Key Takeaways:
- People in North America used the alkaloid to prevent infections, ease digestive stress, and as a blood toner.
- Berberine improves gastrointestinal motility. There is evidence that in instances of hypofunction, berberine enhances the motility and contractility of the gastrointestinal system.
- Berberine activates adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), which enhances the uptake of glucose and in the process, lowers blood sugar levels and cholesterol production.
“This orange-yellow alkaloid has been used by both Native Americans and European colonists, as well as practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine, for its healing benefits on the digestive and cardiovascular systems.”
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