Barberry (Berberis vulgaris): Uses, Evidence and Safety
Barberry (Berberis vulgaris): what meta-analyses found for blood sugar, cholesterol and blood pressure, the berberine link, and cautions for medicines, pregnancy and newborns.
Content last updated . This page has not been medically reviewed.
Safety first. Supplements can cause side effects and interact with medicines. Read mushroom safety and interactions before you use any mushroom product.
What is Barberry good for?
What the body uses it for, and how strong the evidence is. A normal job in the body is not proof that extra supplements add benefit; each card says which.
Lower blood sugar markers in type 2 diabetes (small trials)
Preliminary or mixedPooled small trials in people with type 2 diabetes found lower fasting glucose, HbA1c and insulin resistance. Results across all adults were mixed.
Supplements: Promising but limited; markers only, not diabetes complications. Forms and parts of barberry differed between trials.
Lower cholesterol and triglycerides (small trials)
Preliminary or mixedPooled trials found lower total cholesterol, LDL and triglycerides. The authors said larger studies are needed.
Supplements: Blood-test changes only; not shown to prevent heart disease.
Weight and heart risk markers in type 2 diabetes
Preliminary or mixedOne 2025 meta-analysis in people with type 2 diabetes found lower weight, BMI and LDL, but another meta-analysis found no significant weight change.
Supplements: Mixed and limited; larger trials needed.
Blood pressure: no clear benefit
Preliminary or mixedA pooled analysis of 5 trials found no significant effect of barberry on blood pressure.
Supplements: No good evidence of benefit so far.
Traditional use in Iranian folk medicine
Not enough evidenceBarberry has several medicinal uses in Iranian folk medicine. Traditional use is not proof of benefit.
Supplements: Not evidence; tradition alone does not show it works.
Anti-cancer, gut, brain and other uses
Not enough evidenceBerberine has been tested in many other areas, but the sources read did not show reliable proof for barberry in these uses.
Supplements: No reliable evidence found for barberry itself.
Connected topics
Open a group to see how each topic connects and how strong the evidence is.
Health goals (2)
- Blood Sugar BalancePreliminary or mixed
Small trials in type 2 diabetes show lower fasting glucose and HbA1c in some analyses, but results across adults are mixed. Larger trials are needed.
- Cholesterol BalancePreliminary or mixed
Pooled trials found lower total cholesterol, LDL and triglycerides; the authors say larger studies are needed.
Body systems (2)
- Blood Sugar SupportPreliminary or mixed
Small trials in type 2 diabetes show lower fasting glucose and HbA1c in some analyses; results are mixed.
- Endocrine SystemPreliminary or mixed
Insulin and glucose measures changed in some trials in people with type 2 diabetes.
Body parts (1)
- GutDocumented risk
Berberine can cause mild gastrointestinal reactions in some people.
Functional actions (1)
- Blood Sugar RegulationPreliminary or mixed
Lower fasting glucose and HbA1c in some meta-analyses of small trials; other analyses found no clear change.
Root causes (2)
- Medication Side EffectsDocumented risk
Barberry and berberine affect liver enzymes that process many medicines (CYP2D6, CYP3A4), so interactions are possible. A related berberine herb lowered metformin levels.
- Blood Sugar ImbalancePreliminary or mixed
Small trials suggest it may lower glucose markers in type 2 diabetes, but evidence is limited and mixed.
Biomarkers (5)
- Blood GlucosePreliminary or mixed
Fasting glucose was lower in the 2024 meta-analysis in type 2 diabetes; no clear change in the 2020 analysis.
- HbA1cPreliminary or mixed
HbA1c fell in the 2024 meta-analysis of type 2 diabetes trials but not in the 2020 one.
- InsulinPreliminary or mixed
Insulin levels were lower in the 2020 meta-analysis; the 2025 analysis also found lower insulin in type 2 diabetes.
- LDL CholesterolPreliminary or mixed
LDL was lower in pooled trials; the authors say larger studies are needed.
- TriglyceridesPreliminary or mixed
Triglycerides were lower in pooled trials; larger studies are needed.
Conditions & symptoms (4)
- Diabetes MellitusPreliminary or mixed
Small trials in type 2 diabetes show lower fasting glucose and HbA1c in some analyses; evidence is limited and mixed. Not a replacement for prescribed treatment.
- HypercholesterolemiaPreliminary or mixed
Pooled trials found lower total and LDL cholesterol, but larger studies are needed and benefit for heart events is unknown.
- HyperlipidemiaPreliminary or mixed
Pooled trials found lower triglycerides and cholesterol; larger studies are needed.
- Insulin ResistancePreliminary or mixed
Insulin resistance score (HOMA-IR) was lower in the 2024 and 2025 type 2 diabetes analyses but not in the 2020 analysis of all adults.
Documented risks and interactions (4)
- Medicine interactions through liver enzymes. Barberry and its berberine affect several enzymes that process medicines, especially CYP2D6 and CYP3A4, so some medicines could act differently.
- Metformin level lowered by a related berberine herb. NCCIH reports a goldenseal extract lowered metformin levels by about 25 percent in healthy adults. That was goldenseal, not barberry, but it contains the same berberine.
- Pregnancy, breastfeeding and newborns: caution. NCCIH says the berberine in goldenseal can be harmful to newborns. Barberry also contains berberine, so use around pregnancy, breastfeeding or infants should be discussed with a clinician.
- Mild stomach and gut side effects. A clinical review says berberine has very low toxicity at usual amounts, with only mild gastrointestinal reactions in some people.
Barberry contains berberine, and berberine can be harmful to newborns. NCCIH says this about the berberine in goldenseal and advises that pregnant or breastfeeding women should not use goldenseal and that it should not be given to infants. [1] Barberry also contains berberine [2], but the sources we read did not test barberry itself in pregnancy or newborns, so ask a clinician before any use around pregnancy, breastfeeding or infants. Barberry may also change how the body processes many medicines (see Safety). [3]
Overview
Berberis vulgaris L. is a shrub in the Berberidaceae family; GBIF lists it as an accepted name. [4] In folk medicine in Iran, barberry has several medicinal applications. [2] Berberine, an alkaloid, is present in the roots, rhizomes, stem and bark of this plant and of many others. [2] The review abstracts we read did not say which part and preparation each trial used. That matters, because a result for one preparation does not transfer to another. Berberine as a supplement has its own page: berberine. Related berberine-containing plants are goldenseal and Oregon grape.Traditional use
Traditional use is not proof. Barberry has several medicinal applications in the folk medicine of Iran. [2] Other regions' traditions were not described in the sources we read.What research shows (human trials, pooled in meta-analyses)
| Outcome | What the source found | Strength of evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Blood sugar | A 2020 meta-analysis of 7 studies (452 people) found lower insulin levels, but no clear change in fasting glucose or HbA1c. [5] A 2024 meta-analysis of 9 trials (547 people with type 2 diabetes) found lower fasting glucose, HbA1c and insulin resistance, but no change in after-meal glucose or weight. [6] | Mixed |
| Cholesterol | A 2019 meta-analysis of 5 trials (339 people) found lower total cholesterol, triglycerides and LDL; the authors said larger studies are needed. [7] | Promising but limited |
| Blood pressure | A 2021 meta-analysis of 5 trials (350 people) found no significant effect; the authors could not conclude a benefit. [8] | No good evidence of benefit so far |
| Weight and heart risk markers in type 2 diabetes | A 2025 meta-analysis of 8 trials (451 people) found lower weight, LDL and glucose measures, but no blood pressure effect; it said larger trials are needed. [9] | Promising but limited |
All of these are blood-test or measurement changes, not outcomes such as heart attacks or diabetes complications. The pooled trials differed in country, diet, health condition and form of barberry, so the results are uneven. [8] For uses other than these four, Proper evidence not found in the human studies and reviews we read (we searched PubMed for Berberis vulgaris reviews and trials).
Safety
- Medicines: a 2025 review found barberry and berberine affect several drug-processing (CYP450) enzymes, especially CYP2D6 and CYP3A4, and said healthcare providers should check for interactions. [3] NCCIH reports that goldenseal extract reduced blood levels of metformin by about 25 percent in healthy adults; that was goldenseal, not barberry, but it shows why medicine users should ask. [1] Link: how interactions work and supplements and diabetes medicines.
- Everyday tolerance: a clinical review says berberine has very low toxicity at usual amounts, with only mild gastrointestinal reactions in some patients. [2]
- Pregnancy, breastfeeding, infants: see the warning box. [1]
- Liver, kidney, children, older adults, allergy: not described in the sources we read for barberry itself. LiverTox and LactMed could not be read in this session, so they are not cited.
- Before surgery: because barberry may lower blood sugar and alter how medicines are processed, tell the surgical team; see supplements before surgery.
- Quality: see quality testing. Do not try to identify or collect wild shrubs; for plant poisoning questions use plant poisoning help.
Frequently asked questions
Is barberry the same as berberine?
No. Berberine is a compound found in barberry and other plants; a plant preparation has other substances too. [2]
Does barberry help with blood sugar?
Meta-analyses of small trials gave mixed results, with some lowering of fasting glucose and HbA1c in people with type 2 diabetes and none in others. [5][6]
Does barberry lower cholesterol or blood pressure?
Pooled trials suggest lower cholesterol but not lower blood pressure. [7][8]
Can I take barberry with my medicines?
Ask a pharmacist. Barberry and berberine affect enzymes that process many medicines. [3]
Is barberry safe in pregnancy?
Proper evidence not found for barberry itself. NCCIH warns that berberine can harm newborns, so ask a clinician. [1]
References
- NCCIH (US), Goldenseal: Usefulness and Safety, page as read 2026-10-22.
- Phytotherapy Research 2019, Berberine and barberry (Berberis vulgaris): a clinical review. Read 2026-10-22.
- Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's Archives of Pharmacology 2025, Effects of Berberis vulgaris, and its active constituent berberine on cytochrome P450: a review. Read 2026-10-22.
- GBIF Backbone Taxonomy, Berberis vulgaris match record. Read 2026-10-22.
- Complementary Therapies in Medicine 2020, The effect of barberry (Berberis vulgaris L.) on glycemic indices: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Read 2026-10-22.
- Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine 2024, Efficacy of Berberis vulgaris and Berberis integerrima on glycemic indices and weight profile in type 2 diabetic patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Read 2026-10-22.
- Complementary Therapies in Medicine 2019, Barberry (Berberis vulgaris L.) is a safe approach for management of lipid parameters: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Read 2026-10-22.
- Complementary Therapies in Medicine 2021, The effect of barberry (Berberis vulgaris L.) supplementation on blood pressure: a systematic review and meta-analysis of the randomized controlled trials. Read 2026-10-22.
- Current Therapeutic Research 2025, The effect of Berberis (vulgaris and integerrima) on cardiovascular risk factors in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a systematic review, meta-analysis, and GRADE assessment. Read 2026-10-22.