This herb is traditionally used for psoriasis therapy and disinfectant. The active molecules are isoquinoline alkaloids such as berberine and oxyacanthine which are antibacterial,
antihelmintic, and immunostimulating. It can induce pruritis, contact irritant and allergic dermatitis. This herb is administered in powder, cream, and ointment (22).
Two psoriasis clinical studies have been reported. The open study documented improvement in psoriasis symptoms and quality of life (48). The blinded study found oregon grape ointment to be superior to placebo in less than half of the patients (49).