Oregon grape root
Oregon grape root suppliers and sourcing guide
Oregon grape root is the dried root and rhizome of Berberis aquifolium (formerly Mahonia aquifolium), an evergreen shrub native to western North America. The root contains berberine and related alkaloids and is mostly wild-harvested in the Pacific Northwest. Brands buy cut root for tinctures, powder for capsules, and hydroalcoholic or dry extracts, sometimes standardized to berberine.
- Category
- Botanicals and mushrooms
- Also known as
- Berberis aquifolium · Mahonia aquifolium · holly-leaved barberry · mountain grape root
- Facts checked
- November 2026
Forms and grades of oregon grape root
Suppliers sell different products under the same name. Specify the one you need.
Cut and sifted root
Dried root and rhizome cut for tinctures and teas.
Root powder
Milled dried root for capsules and blends.
Liquid extract
Hydroalcoholic or glycerin extract of the root.
Standardized dry extract
Extract dried to a powder and sold on a declared berberine percentage by HPLC.
Organic or certified wild
Root from certified organic cultivation or certified wild collection, with the certificate tied to the lot.
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 aquifolium root and flag other Berberis or Mahonia species.
- Berberine assay (HPLC)
- Berberine content by a named HPLC method where the spec sets a minimum.
- 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 cut root, powder 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.
Lots and expiry dates
Berberine content and root-to-stem share vary with harvest site and root size, so check each lot's COA against your specification. Record the supplier lot, harvest region and wild or cultivated status, and rotate stock first-expiry-first-out.
Regulatory status
Facts from regulators and standards bodies, each linked to its source.
Health Canada's Natural Health Products Ingredients Database entry for berberine lists Berberis aquifolium root among its source materials.
Source: webprod.hc-sc.gc.ca (opens in a new tab)An April 2026 EFSA presentation on its mandate to review berberine-containing plant preparations lists Berberis aquifolium Pursh root (Oregon grape) among the plant parts covered.
Source: efsa.europa.eu (opens in a new tab)
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.
Oregon grape root suppliers
Manufacturers and distributors whose own websites say they sell it.
We are checking oregon grape root 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 oregon grape root? Request a listingFrequently asked questions
What forms of oregon grape root can brands buy?
Common forms include cut and sifted root, root powder, liquid extract, standardized dry extract and organic or certified wild. Ask each supplier for the specification sheet of the exact grade they quote.
What should the COA for oregon grape root 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 oregon grape root be stored?
Keep cut root, powder 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.
What is the regulatory status of oregon grape root?
Health Canada's Natural Health Products Ingredients Database entry for berberine lists Berberis aquifolium root among its source materials. An April 2026 EFSA presentation on its mandate to review berberine-containing plant preparations lists Berberis aquifolium Pursh root (Oregon grape) among the plant parts covered.
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