About Mahonia aquifolium
A berberine-containing shrub (Mahonia/Berberis aquifolium). The clearest clinical evidence is for a topical 10% cream modestly improving mild-to-moderate plaque psoriasis in a few trials; oral supplement evidence is essentially absent. Contains berberine and related alkaloids, so it can share berberine's drug-interaction and pregnancy cautions.
What Mahonia aquifolium supports
- Topical cream may modestly improve mild-to-moderate psoriasis
How much Mahonia aquifolium to take
The RDA prevents deficiency. The effective range is what clinical trials used to actually move the outcome.
Effective
200–500
mg
No established oral therapeutic dose; clinical evidence is for topical 10% cream. Nominal oral range for a blend component.
Clinical evidence
Limited clinical evidence. A few small trials of topical cream for psoriasis; oral evidence lacking.