Oregon Grape
Useful mainly for people with mild plaque psoriasis seeking a topical option.
Quick decision guide
May help most
people with mild plaque psoriasis seeking a topical option
Common dosing range
10% cream topically twice daily; 500–3000 mg/day dried root orally
When to expect effects
Weeks (topical psoriasis)
Watch out for
berberine content inhibits CYP3A4/2D6 and P-glycoprotein, raising levels of many drugs; avoid in pregnancy and infants
What is it
Oregon grape ( Mahonia aquifolium , also classified as Berberis aquifolium ) is an evergreen shrub native to the Pacific Northwest of North America whose yellow inner bark and root have a long ethnobotanical history of use by Indigenous peoples and in Western herbalism. The plant is rich in isoquinoline alkaloids - principally berberine, berbamine, and oxyacanthine - which are responsible for its characteristic bitter taste, yellow colour, and most of its pharmacological activity. Modern supplement use centres on standardised root and bark extracts, often quantified by berberine content, marketed for digestive, skin, and antimicrobial support.
Is it worth it for you?
Use this as a quick fit check, not a diagnosis.
Worth considering if…
Probably skip if…
Evidence at a glance
| Goal | Effect | Best fit | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
plaque psoriasis (topical) Limited Evidence | Modest improvement in plaque severity | adults with mild-to-moderate plaque psoriasis | Weeks |
glycemic and lipid effects (via berberine) Limited Evidence | Modest reductions in glucose and lipids | adults with elevated glucose or lipids using berberine-standardized extracts | Weeks |
antimicrobial and antifungal effects Mixed Evidence | Unclear in humans | not established | Unclear |
plaque psoriasis (topical)
- Effect
- Modest improvement in plaque severity
- Best fit
- adults with mild-to-moderate plaque psoriasis
- Time
- Weeks
glycemic and lipid effects (via berberine)
- Effect
- Modest reductions in glucose and lipids
- Best fit
- adults with elevated glucose or lipids using berberine-standardized extracts
- Time
- Weeks
antimicrobial and antifungal effects
- Effect
- Unclear in humans
- Best fit
- not established
- Time
- Unclear
Evidence for 3 uses
AI-assisted evidence assessment — talk to your doctor before relying on any single supplement.
plaque psoriasis (topical)
Disease adjunctA small clinical evidence base supports 10% Mahonia aquifolium cream for reducing plaque severity in mild-to-moderate psoriasis. Effects are modest and studies are limited in size and quality.
Bottom line: Topical 10% cream may modestly improve mild plaque psoriasis.
glycemic and lipid effects (via berberine)
Biomarker supportOregon grape's main alkaloid, berberine, lowers fasting glucose, HbA1c, and LDL in meta-analyses of berberine trials. This evidence is for purified berberine, not Oregon grape extract specifically, and reflects biomarker changes rather than tested clinical outcomes.
Bottom line: Berberine content may shift glucose and lipid markers, but this is extrapolated from purified berberine, not Oregon grape itself.
antimicrobial and antifungal effects
Mechanism onlyBerberine-containing extracts show antibacterial and antifungal activity in laboratory studies. There is little controlled human evidence that oral or topical Oregon grape treats clinical infections.
Bottom line: Antimicrobial activity is shown in the lab but not demonstrated clinically.
How to take it
What to track
Safety
Know the common side effects, key cautions, and who should avoid it.
Common side effects
Serious risks
kernicterus risk in neonates from berberine displacing bilirubin
Who should avoid it
- pregnancy and breastfeeding
- infants
- people requiring narrow-therapeutic-index drugs metabolized by CYP3A4/2D6
Pregnancy & breastfeeding
Contraindicated in pregnancy and lactation; berberine crosses the placenta and can raise neonatal kernicterus risk.
Interactions
berberine inhibits CYP3A4 and P-glycoprotein, raising cyclosporine levels
CYP3A4/P-gp inhibition can raise plasma drug levels; separate dosing
additive glucose-lowering effect
possible additive blood-pressure lowering
Choosing a product
What to look for on the label — and what to be skeptical of.
Look for…
Be skeptical of…
References by claim
plaque psoriasis (topical)
glycemic and lipid effects (via berberine)
Track Oregon Grape with Pilora
Set up dose reminders, check interactions, and join the community in the Pilora iPhone app.
Coming to App StoreDisclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This page is educational, not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Evidence grades are AI-assisted assessments — talk to your doctor before starting any new supplement, especially if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, on medications, or managing a chronic condition.