Oregon Grape (Mahonia aquifolium): Uses, Evidence and Safety
Oregon grape (Mahonia aquifolium): what reviews and trials found for psoriasis creams, its berberine content, and cautions for medicines, pregnancy and newborns.
Content last updated . This page has not been medically reviewed.
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What is Oregon grape good for?
What the body uses it for, and how strong the evidence is. A normal job in the body is not proof that extra supplements add benefit; each card says which.
Psoriasis, cream on the skin
Preliminary or mixedSeveral small trials of Oregon grape creams reported milder psoriasis than placebo, but reviews say the studies are too small and weak for firm conclusions.
Supplements: Evidence is for specific creams applied to the skin; it does not apply to capsules or tinctures.
Atopic dermatitis (eczema), cream on the skin
Not enough evidenceOne trial reported benefit, which is too little to know whether it helps.
Supplements: Not enough evidence.
Taken by mouth for any use
Not enough evidenceThe human trials tested creams. We found no proper human evidence for Oregon grape taken by mouth.
Supplements: No evidence of benefit by mouth.
Lab effects on inflammation and immune cells
Lab or animal research onlyIn laboratory tests, alcoholic extracts blocked inflammation-related enzymes and stimulated immune cells; the pure alkaloids did not.
Supplements: No human benefit shown from lab findings.
Contains berberine and related alkaloids
Lab or animal research onlyExtracts contain berberine, palmatine, magnoflorine and jatrorrhizine. Berberine results do not automatically apply to Oregon grape.
Supplements: Content tells nothing about benefit; no human trials of Oregon grape for blood sugar, cholesterol or weight were found.
Traditional use of Mahonia plants
Not enough evidenceMahonia species have long been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for conditions such as dysentery, eczema and wounds. That review covers other species, and tradition is not proof.
Supplements: Tradition does not show benefit.
Connected topics
Open a group to see how each topic connects and how strong the evidence is.
Health goals (1)
- Healthy SkinPreliminary or mixed
Creams made from Oregon grape extract improved psoriasis in several small trials, but reviews say the studies are too small to be sure. It does not apply to products taken by mouth.
Body systems (2)
- Integumentary SystemPreliminary or mixed
Creams made from Oregon grape extract improved psoriasis in several small trials, but reviews say the studies are too small to be sure. It does not apply to products taken by mouth.
- Skin, Hair & BeautyPreliminary or mixed
Creams made from Oregon grape extract improved psoriasis in several small trials, but reviews say the studies are too small to be sure. It does not apply to products taken by mouth.
Body parts (1)
- SkinPreliminary or mixed
Creams made from Oregon grape extract improved psoriasis in several small trials, but reviews say the studies are too small to be sure. It does not apply to products taken by mouth.
Root causes (1)
- Medication Side EffectsDocumented risk
Cell studies show Oregon grape root extracts can change a drug transporter, which may alter how some medicines are absorbed. This has not been shown in people.
Conditions & symptoms (1)
- PsoriasisPreliminary or mixed
Several small trials of Oregon grape creams reported improvement in mild to moderate psoriasis; reviews say strong conclusions cannot be made. See a dermatologist.
Documented risks and interactions (3)
- Possible effect on how medicines are absorbed. In cell experiments, root extracts changed a drug transporter (P-glycoprotein) that moves medicines such as cyclosporine and digoxin.
- Newborn, pregnancy and breastfeeding caution (berberine). NCCIH says the berberine in goldenseal can be harmful to newborns and goldenseal should not be used in pregnancy or breastfeeding. Whether this applies to Oregon grape was not tested, so ask a clinician.
- Skin irritation from creams. In the placebo-controlled trial, side effects were infrequent and minor: rash, burning on application and clothing stains.
Oregon grape extracts contain berberine among their major alkaloids [1], and laboratory work suggests root extracts may affect how some medicines are absorbed. [2] NCCIH says the berberine in goldenseal can be harmful to newborns and that goldenseal should not be used in pregnancy or breastfeeding. [3] Whether that applies to Oregon grape was not tested in the sources we read, so ask a clinician before any use in pregnancy, breastfeeding or infancy.
Overview
Mahonia aquifolium (Pursh) Nutt. is a plant in the Berberidaceae family; GBIF lists it as the accepted name and Berberis aquifolium as a synonym. [4] Common names can be shared by different plants, so check which plant a study used. The sources we read discuss the root extract [2] and topical extracts. [5] Related plants with berberine are barberry and goldenseal; the compound itself is on the berberine page.Traditional use
Traditional use is not proof. A review of the genus Mahonia records a long history of use in Traditional Chinese Medicine for conditions such as dysentery, eczema and wounds; that review covers other Mahonia species, not specifically M. aquifolium. [6] Use by North American peoples was not described in the sources we read; this page does not make claims about it.What research shows
| Use | What the source found | Strength of evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Psoriasis, cream on the skin | A review that found 8 clinical trials (7 in psoriasis) reported significant improvement in 5 of the 7 psoriasis studies with topical M. aquifolium, with minimal side effects. [5] A 200-person, 12-week placebo-controlled trial of a cream labeled homeopathic found better scores than placebo. [7] A meta-analysis of plant extracts for psoriasis found limited support and said strong conclusions cannot be made because studies were small and weak. [8] | Promising but limited |
| Atopic dermatitis (eczema), applied to the skin | One trial in the 2018 review reported benefit. [5] | Insufficient evidence |
| Taken by mouth for any use | Proper evidence not found in the reviews we read; the trials above tested creams applied to the skin. We searched PubMed for Mahonia aquifolium reviews and trials. | Insufficient evidence |
| Blood sugar, cholesterol or blood pressure | Proper evidence not found in human studies for Oregon grape; the barberry page covers a related plant, and results for one plant do not transfer. | Insufficient evidence |
A 2025 systematic review of herbal treatments for psoriasis said Mahonia aquifolium showed promise, while calling for more research on safety and effectiveness. [9]
Forms
The trials used creams. Root extracts were used in laboratory work. [7][2] A result for a cream does not transfer to a capsule or tincture. See forms and why the form matters.Safety
- Skin reactions: the most common side effects in the placebo-controlled cream trial were rash, burning on application and clothing stains, each infrequent. [7] A review lists local skin irritation, redness, itching, burning and pain as the most common effects of topical psoriasis botanicals in general. [10]
- Medicines: in cell experiments, Oregon grape root extracts changed the activity of P-glycoprotein, a transporter that moves drugs such as cyclosporine and digoxin; the authors said this may affect the bioavailability of drugs that are P-glycoprotein substrates. [2] This is preliminary (laboratory) and has not been shown in people in the sources we read. See how interactions work.
- Pregnancy, breastfeeding, infants: see the warning box. [3]
- Liver, kidney, children, older adults, allergy, surgery: not described in the sources we read. LiverTox and LactMed could not be read in this session. Tell the surgical team about any herb: supplements before surgery.
- Quality: see quality testing. Do not collect or identify wild plants yourself.
Frequently asked questions
Does Oregon grape help psoriasis?
Several small trials of skin creams reported improvement, but reviews say strong conclusions cannot be made. See your dermatologist about psoriasis. [8][5]
Is Oregon grape the same as grapes?
No. It is a shrub in the Berberidaceae family, not a grape. [4]
Does Oregon grape contain berberine?
Yes. Berberine is listed among the major alkaloids of Mahonia aquifolium extracts. [1]
Can I use Oregon grape with my medicines?
Ask a pharmacist. Cell studies show it can change how a drug transporter works. [2]
Is Oregon grape safe in pregnancy?
Proper evidence not found for Oregon grape itself; NCCIH warns about berberine and newborns. Ask a clinician. [3]
References
- Phytomedicine 1994, Analytical and pharmacological studies on Mahonia aquifolium. Read 2026-10-22.
- Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences 2023, Effect of Oregon grape root extracts on P-glycoprotein mediated transport in in vitro cell lines. Read 2026-10-22.
- NCCIH (US), Goldenseal: Usefulness and Safety, page as read 2026-10-22.
- GBIF Backbone Taxonomy, Mahonia aquifolium and Berberis aquifolium match records. Read 2026-10-22.
- Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology 2018, Review of the efficacy and safety of topical Mahonia aquifolium for the treatment of psoriasis and atopic dermatitis. Read 2026-10-22.
- Journal of Ethnopharmacology 2015, The medicinal uses of the genus Mahonia in traditional Chinese medicine. Read 2026-10-22.
- American Journal of Therapeutics 2006, Treatment of mild to moderate psoriasis with a Mahonia aquifolium extract: a double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Read 2026-10-22.
- British Journal of Dermatology 2013, Plant extracts for the topical management of psoriasis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Read 2026-10-22.
- Complementary Therapies in Medicine 2025, Herbal medicine for treating psoriasis: a systematic review. Read 2026-10-22.
- American Journal of Clinical Dermatology 2017, Topical botanical agents for the treatment of psoriasis: a systematic review. Read 2026-10-22.