10% Oregon grape cream for psoriasis: skin score fell from 6.9 to 3.4, better than placebo; side effects under 1%
Bernstein 2006, Am J Ther · Source
Oregon Grape
Mahonia aquifolium root · certified organic
Oregon's state flower and a native plant with a long history in Pacific Northwest skin care. Its golden root is rich in berberine, one of the most-researched plant compounds.
200people in a randomized trial on irritated, scaly skin
Berberinea widely studied plant compound in the root
Nativeto the Pacific Northwest, like us
Why we love it
We're an Oregon company, and Oregon grape is a native plant with a long history in Pacific Northwest and American herbal practice for skin. Its berberine pairs with goldenseal's, and lab work suggests the two plants' compounds support each other.
What does the research show?
Irritated, scaly skin
In a randomized trial of 200 people with mild to moderate psoriasis, a 10% Oregon grape cream improved skin scores and quality of life more than placebo over 12 weeks, with side effects in under 1%. Smaller open studies found similar results.
Berberine and yeast (lab)
Berberine inhibited several Candida species and their biofilms in lab tests. In a study using vaginal skin cells, a low dose of berberine reduced how well C. albicans stuck to the cells.
Berberine and vaginal bacteria (lab)
A 2026 study tested a berberine-rich plant extract (from a different plant) against Gardnerella vaginalis grown alongside three vaginal Lactobacillus species. The extract suppressed Gardnerella and did not inhibit the lactobacilli.
Berberine in a human study
A Chinese study of 180 women with bacterial vaginosis used purified berberine vaginally for a month and reported improved lab scores and symptoms. It had no comparison group, and it used a purified compound, not Oregon grape.
Studies
Human study tested in people Lab study a starting point, not proof
Summarizes seven psoriasis trials and one eczema trial of Oregon grape creams
Janeczek 2018, J Clin Aesthet Dermatol · Source
Vaginal purified berberine for BV: lab-positive fell from 100% to 7%; itch from 89% to 37%. No placebo group
Ma 2019, Exp Ther Med · Source
Oregon grape cream for 12 weeks: psoriasis scores fell from 5.6 to 1.4, and gains held a month after stopping
Gulliver 2005, Am J Ther · Source
Berberine-rich extract suppressed G. vaginalis when grown with lactobacilli; lactobacilli not inhibited
Vardeman 2026, Sci Rep · Source
Low-dose berberine reduced C. albicans sticking to vaginal cells
Zhao 2022, Front Pharmacol · Source
Berberine active against several Candida species and their biofilms
DDDT 2020, Drug Des Devel Ther · Source
Oregon grape extract and its berberine-type alkaloids showed antifungal activity
Volleková 2003, Folia Microbiol · Source
Without killing them, berberine stopped urinary E. coli from sticking to cells and reduced the hair-like fimbriae they use to attach
Sun 1988, Antimicrob Agents Chemother · Source
Berberine slowed the growth of catheter-associated urinary E. coli and protected larvae from infection, with no toxicity to bladder cells
Petronio Petronio 2020, Molecules · Source
Berberine was antifungal on its own and worked together with fluconazole against Candida
Iwazaki 2010, Antonie van Leeuwenhoek · Source
Berberine plus fluconazole killed fluconazole-resistant Candida albicans
Li 2013, Antimicrob Agents Chemother · Source
How has it been used traditionally?
Oregon grape root bark (Mahoniae cortex) is part of German phytotherapy for skin conditions, and the plant appears in 19th-century American Eclectic medical texts for skin use. Native peoples of the Pacific Northwest used the plant long before that.
Is Oregon grape safe?
In the 200-person skin trial, side effects showed up in under 1% of people. Berberine-containing herbs are generally not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding, so ask your healthcare provider first.
Last reviewed: November 2026.
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Reviewed by the Momotaro Apotheca medical team, including OB-GYNs and naturopathic doctors. Educational information, not medical advice. All ingredient research