Coptis is quickly becoming a popular alternative to Goldenseal for its many health benefits, including: fighting inflammation, improving gut health, increasing bile flow and much more. Despite this, there aren’t many Coptis supplements available – and some of the available ones aren’t the best quality. Here’s what you need to know about Coptis supplements and the best options.
Quick Pick: Hawaii Pharm Coptis Extract
This extract is made with organic Coptis chinensis. It’s high menstruum ratio and extraction method means it is very potent.
Coptis vs. Berberine Supplements
Coptis contains many alkaloids with health benefits. The most wellknown of these is berberine. It is possible to find many berberine supplements. However, research shows that taking Coptis chinensis extract is more effective than taking pure berberine extracts.
The other alkaloids on Coptis provide their own health benefits. Thus, taking a supplement made from Coptis root will provide more well-rounded benefits than taking just berberine. Further, there is evidence that the alkaloids work together to improve bioavailability (absorption): Berberine is better absorbed as Coptis than when it’s taken by itself.
How to Take Coptis?
Coptis plant can be taken orally as a:
- Tea/Infusion: The loose dry rhizome is steeped in hot water and consumed as an herbal tea.
- Powdered dry rhizome: The rhizome is dried and ground into a powder. It can then be mixed into food or drinks, or is put into capsules.
- Liquid extracts: These are made by soaking dry Coptis rhizome in a solvent (often alcohol or glycerol) and then straining. To take the extract, you drop it directly onto your tongue or mix it with food or drinks.
Which Type of Coptis Supplement Is Most Potent?
Coptis extracts are more potent than tea and powder forms of the supplement. Specifically, alcohol Coptis extracts contain the most alkaloids and are likely best absorbed by the body. Glycerin Coptis extracts are better than tea and powders, but not as potent as alcohol extracts.
Note about Potency: The potency of Coptis supplements can vary drastically. In addition to the type of supplement, factors like species, where the plant was grown, and whether it was dried under hot conditions can affect alkaloid content. Exposure to heat and light will also destroy alkaloids in Coptis. That’s why it’s important to choose a reputable brand of Coptis supplements.
Which Species of Coptis Is Best?
There are approximately 15 different species of Coptis plants. Of the ones commonly used, Coptis chinensis contains the most alkaloids. It is also the species of Coptis which has been studied the most and has lots of research backing its health benefits.
Coptis Dosage
While there is no set dosage for Coptis, the following recommendations are common:
- Powder: 200–550mg 1-3x per day
- Extract: 20-30 drops, 1-4x per day
Sources:
https://www.spandidos-publications.com/10.3892/mmr.2015.4288
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5428121/
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/13880200390500768
https://www.hindawi.com/journals/jamc/2021/9970338/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6804028/
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1034/j.1600-0773.2002.t01-1-910403.x
https://www.acupuncturetoday.com/herbcentral/coptis.php
https://www.hindawi.com/journals/ecam/2015/802903/
Image credit: “Goldthread” by Sheldon Community Forest