Berberine, and the benefits of using TCM formulas versus single ingredient supplements

Hundred Grasses Acupuncture orchid photo. Over 300 species of orchid are used in Traditional Chinese Medicine

Have you ever heard of berberine?

It is well known in the dietary supplements world for many things, especially to treat infections, digestion and inflammation.

I recently came across this paper from 2020, which was a review of literature about the use of berberine to inhibit infection (such as with for cold, flu, and viruses including the herpes family), as well as the inflammatory response in the body triggered by viruses (hello long haul covid inflammation). What an incredibly helpful substance!

Still, it isn’t always easy to take what we want from the plant world, convert it to a supplement, and then have it work as well as we would hope. As noted in the paper, berberine has limited bioavailability, which means it is hard for our bodies to extract the things we need from the substance. Fortunately, limited bioavailability is not a problem when it is taken in the form of a Traditional Chinese Medicine formula.

Isolated constituents versus herbal formulas

As a potential consumer of supplements and herbs, you should know that herbal formulas are created in such a way as to make them accessible (bioavailable) and safe. As a TCM practitioner, I am very familiar with berberine’s function, but specifically via its presence in some of the most used herbs in the TCM pharmacopeia: huang lian (coptis chinensis), huang bai (phellodendron bark) and huang qin (scutellaria baicalensis or Chinese skullcap). This group is referred to as the 3 Yellows (3 yellow herbs, the color of which comes from berberine), which strongly fight against infection (together and alone). I know that I would not just recommend any single herb to a patient to support their immunity, because one herb is just… limiting! If I am trying to promote immune system strength, assist in blood sugar regulation, or decrease pain in arthritis as examples, a formula is so much more effective, practical and bioavailable.

In a herbal formula, individual herbs are processed in various ways (cut, steamed, fried, powdered etc) and then combined with other herbs (also traditionally processed), in order to make the leading functions of the primary herbs (such as in an immune boosting formula) accessible. And then other herbs are added, and processed as needed, to help our bodies to best digest these formulas safely and convert them to engage the actions we are seeking. We provide for effectiveness and safety this way.

So when a TCM formula uses the Yellows for the properties of protecting us from viruses or treating pathological amounts of inflammation, the bioavailability issue of berberine is already sorted out. In other words, the ratios and preparation of herbs in a TCM formula make them accessible to our bodies effectively, and also mitigate any possible toxic properties (that medicines have when taken improperly). Of course, these should be prescribed by a herbalist who checks potential contra-indications with pre-exisisting conditions, medications or supplements.