Berberine, a traditional Chinese medicine, is the root and stem bark of the plant Pseudoepithelium berberis, which belongs to the family Berberidaceae. It is distributed in Shaanxi, Gansu, Hubei, and Sichuan provinces. Berberine has the effects of clearing heat, reducing inflammation, reducing swelling, and relieving pain. It is commonly used to treat hepatitis, oral ulcers, dysuria, and burns.
Berberine is the root and stem bark of the plant Pseudoepithelium berberis, which belongs to the family Berberidaceae.
Berberine has a bitter taste and a cold nature.
Internal use: decoct 3-5 qian (9-15 grams) of berberine. External use: grind into powder and apply.
Pseudoepithelium berberis is an evergreen shrub, 0.5-1.5 meters tall, with upright stems that are grayish-yellow and have ridges. The thorns are divided into three branches and are 1-2.5 centimeters long.
The leaves are clustered, thick and leathery, lanceolate in shape, 3.5-8 centimeters long and 1-2.5 centimeters wide, with thorn-like serrations along the edges and distinct veins.
The flowers are yellow, clustered in groups of 5-15 in the axils of the thorns. There are 6 sepals, with 2-3 small bracts below; 6 petals; 6 stamens, with the anthers splitting open; the ovary is superior, with 1 chamber and multiple ovules.
The berries of Pseudoepithelium berberis are oblong-ovate in shape, red, covered with white powder, and contain 2 seeds.
