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Barberry

Barberry suppliers and sourcing guide

Barberry is Berberis vulgaris, a thorny shrub native to Europe and western Asia. The ingredient trade uses the dried root and stem bark, which contain berberine and related alkaloids, sold cut, powdered or as extracts standardized to berberine; the dried red berries (zereshk) are a separate culinary product. Barberry is one of several plant sources for commercial berberine.

See suppliersWhat to ask for on the COA
Also known as
Berberis vulgaris · common barberry · European barberry · barberry root bark
Facts checked
November 2026

Forms and grades of barberry

Suppliers sell different products under the same name. Specify the one you need.

  • Cut root or root bark

    Dried root or root bark cut for tinctures and teas, sold by cut size.

  • Root or bark powder

    Milled root or bark for capsules, usually with a minimum berberine content.

  • Standardized extract

    Hydroalcoholic extract dried to a powder and sold on a declared berberine percentage by HPLC.

  • Dried fruit

    Dried barberries for culinary use and fruit powders, with low alkaloid content compared with the root.

What to check on the COA

Compare each result with your own specification when the lot arrives.

Identity (HPTLC or HPLC)
Alkaloid fingerprint to confirm Berberis vulgaris and the plant part, and to flag other berberine-containing plants.
Berberine assay (HPLC)
Berberine content by a named HPLC method, plus a check that the berberine is plant-derived rather than added isolate where the spec requires it.
Heavy metals
Lead, arsenic, cadmium and mercury by ICP-MS, checked against the buyer's limits and any Prop 65 exposure targets.
Microbiology
Total plate count, yeast and mold, E. coli or coliforms, and Salmonella.
Pesticide residues
Multi-residue pesticide screen, required for organic claims and commonly requested for conventional material.
Physical tests
Loss on drying, mesh or particle size, bulk density and, for extracts, the extract ratio, carrier and residual solvent.

Storage, lots and expiry

Storage and shelf life

Keep root, bark and extract sealed in lined bags or drums in a cool, dry, dark place; berberine is light sensitive and powders pick up moisture once opened. Reseal opened containers promptly. Shelf life or a retest date comes from the supplier's specification, with the berberine assay repeated at retest.

Lots and expiry dates

Berberine content varies with plant part, root age and origin, so check each lot's assay against your specification. Record the supplier lot, plant part and origin, and rotate stock first-expiry-first-out.

Regulatory status

Facts from regulators and standards bodies, each linked to its source.

This is general information, not regulatory advice. Status differs by country and by how the ingredient is used, so check the rules for your product and market.

Barberry suppliers

Manufacturers and distributors whose own websites say they sell it.

We are checking barberry suppliers now

Every listing is checked against the supplier’s own website before it goes live, so this list fills in over the coming weeks. The specs and COA checklist above are ready today.

Sell barberry? Request a listing

Frequently asked questions

What forms of barberry can brands buy?

Common forms include cut root or root bark, root or bark powder, standardized extract and dried fruit. Ask each supplier for the specification sheet of the exact grade they quote.

What should the COA for barberry include?

Expect identity (HPTLC or HPLC), berberine assay (HPLC), heavy metals, microbiology, pesticide residues and physical tests, each with its method, specification and result for that lot.

How should barberry be stored?

Keep root, bark and extract sealed in lined bags or drums in a cool, dry, dark place; berberine is light sensitive and powders pick up moisture once opened. Reseal opened containers promptly. Shelf life or a retest date comes from the supplier's specification, with the berberine assay repeated at retest.

What is the regulatory status of barberry?

Health Canada's Natural Health Products Ingredients Database entry for berberine lists Berberis vulgaris root bark, stem and whole plant among its source materials. An April 2026 EFSA presentation on its mandate to review berberine-containing plant preparations lists Berberis vulgaris L. root and bark among the plant parts covered.

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