1 Examples are morphine and heroin. 2  Worldwide, an estimated 69 000 people die from opioid overdose each year.  There are an estimated 15 million people who suffer from opioid dependence (i.e. an addiction to opioids).
Berberine is a natural alkaloid found in a wide variety of traditional herbs including goldenseal, barberry and Oregon grape. Many herbalists credit this unique alkaloid for the benefits of ancient herbal tonics used by native populations throughout the world.
Goldenseal contains a compound called berberine that kills many types of bacteria in test tubes, including the ones that cause diarrhea. Berberine also kills a wide range of other types of germs in test tubes, such as those that cause candida (yeast) infections and parasites such as tapeworms and Giardia.