Berberidaceae · root, rhizome
Oregon grape
Mahonia aquifolium
Root mapped as a Western berberine bitter and as a traditional topical for some papulosquamous complaints.
Safety first
Berberine-containing. Pregnancy avoid internally. Not a substitute for Coptis/huang lian, but the alkaloid class overlaps. Topical psoriasis-adjacent products are not internal bitters.
Tradition vs trials
Traditional record. Pacific Northwest bitter; later topical European psoriasis-adjacent extracts.
Trial literature. Topical files exist in psoriasis-adjacent literature; internal evidence is more traditional. Catalog overall tag is traditional.
Practical ranges
Educational ranges — not a prescription. Culinary use is not an extract.
topical
Specified creams in dermatology-adjacent trials; not a swallowable range
ESCOP-era Mahonia notes — Educational range only — not a prescription. A licensed clinician individualizes product, dose, and duration.
Pregnancy, nursing, children
- Pregnancy. Avoid internally.
- Nursing. Avoid internally.
- Children. Insufficient reliable data; avoid unless a clinician directs otherwise.
Contraindications
- pregnancy (internal)
- known Berberidaceae allergy
Key interactions
- CYP substrates / cyclosporine-class · caution
Berberine class pharmacokinetic notes.