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Dietary supplement

Oregon Grape Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Nature's Sunshine

Liquid Category: Botanical
Most serious interaction: Moderate
The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Moderate

Oregon Grape is a dietary supplement by Nature's Sunshine with 1 active ingredient. Its ingredients are commonly taken for psoriasis (topical), eczema and other skin conditions, digestive upset.Based on those ingredients, 1,218 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Oregon Grape root bark extract. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Oregon Grape by Nature's Sunshine

Our pharmacy team’s full take, with four database checks built into the cards below — a summary of what is known, not a grade of the product itself.

From our pharmacy team — supplement deep dive

What’s inside

Full disclosure
Ingredient Transparency · database check
Full

Every active ingredient lists its own amount on the label.

Why this rating?
  • The label discloses an exact amount for 1 of its 1 active ingredient.
  • No proprietary blends here — you can verify the dose of every single component.

This liquid contains a single active ingredient: Oregon grape root bark extract, which delivers berberine, the plant's main active alkaloid. The extract is suspended in vegetable glycerin and water.

Does it work?

Not established
Evidence for Intended Use · database check
By FDA rules, dietary supplements can’t claim to treat, cure, or prevent disease — so labels speak in careful marketing language. We discern each product’s intended use from its name, label claims, and label statements, then grade the clinical evidence for that use. How these ratings are computed
Not established

The graded evidence we hold for these ingredients covers different conditions than the ones this product is marketed for, so there's no established rating for its stated use — see Oregon Grape's own graded uses on its monograph.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: digestive and circulatory systems support.
  • We looked for evidence on: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), Peptic ulcers, indigestion, dyspepsia.
  • The closest evidence on file: Oregon Grape is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) (Natural Medicines).
  • Also on file: Oregon Grape is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Peptic ulcers.

Oregon grape is possibly effective for psoriasis based on available evidence. For other conditions — including eczema (atopic dermatitis), GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), and peptic ulcers — the evidence we hold is insufficient to establish whether it works.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Oregon Grape

How safe is it?

Well-documented data
Safety Information · database check
Well characterized

Adverse-effect, pregnancy, and general safety data are on file for most of these ingredients.

Why this rating?
  • We hold adverse-effect (side-effect) data for 1 of the 1 matched ingredient.
  • Pregnancy & breastfeeding safety ratings cover 1 of 1.
  • General safety write-ups exist for 1 of 1.
  • Remember: this measures how much safety information exists. Thin data is not the same as being safe.

Topical Oregon grape is generally well tolerated, though some people report itching, burning, or skin irritation. Oral use is less well studied and warrants caution.

The safety data advises against use during pregnancy and breastfeeding, since berberine may pass into breast milk and pose a risk to infants.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Oregon Grape

Meds to double-check

Moderate interaction found
Known Interaction Concern · database check
Moderate identified

The most serious documented interaction for these ingredients is Moderate. Check your medications for a personalized result.

Why this rating?
  • 1 of the 1 matched ingredient can interact with medications — Oregon Grape.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: anticoagulant / antiplatelet drugs; immunosuppressants / transplant drugs; diabetes medications.
  • For scale: 1,219 individual medications appear in the full list. A big number alone doesn't make a product dangerous — what matters is whether YOUR medication is on it, so run yours through the interaction checker on this page.

Before taking this product, double-check with your doctor or pharmacist if you take blood thinners (like warfarin or clopidogrel), CNS depressants (such as benzodiazepines or opioids), blood pressure medications, diabetes drugs, or any medication broken down by your liver. Also mention it if you're on cyclosporine or any drug whose levels your body needs carefully controlled.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with no established evidence rating for its marketed use. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

Oregon grape may help with psoriasis if you're looking for a botanical option. However, its interactions with blood thinners, liver-metabolized drugs, blood pressure medications, and diabetes medications are significant — so it's essential to check it against your full medication list before starting.

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about whether it's right for you, especially if you take any prescription drugs.

Educational only — not medical advice; always confirm with your pharmacist. Our editorial policy · How we use AI

Assessment coverage: 1 of 1 active ingredient matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Oct 24, 2022.

This Scorecard evaluates available label information, ingredient evidence, and known medication-safety considerations. It does not independently verify product identity, purity, potency, contamination, or manufacturing quality. How these ratings are computed

At a glance

General information

Key facts about Oregon Grape, straight from the product label.

Brand Nature's Sunshine
Barcode (UPC) 099904033955
Net contents 2 Fluid Ounce(s); 59 mL
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Oct 24, 2022
DSLD ID 278193
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Liquid
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years), Kosher
From the label
Everything in this section is reproduced from the manufacturer’s own product label — it’s the label speaking, not HelloPharmacist. We show it so you can see exactly what the maker states; we don’t verify or endorse those statements.

Supplement Facts

The label details for Oregon Grape by Nature's Sunshine, sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database.

Supplement Facts

Daily Value (DV) Target Group(s):
Adults and children 4 or more years of age
Minimum serving Sizes:
2.5 mL
Maximum serving Sizes:
2.5 mL
Servings per container
24
UPC/BARCODE
099904033955
IngredientAmount% DV
Oregon Grape root bark extract1550 mg--

Other ingredients: Vegetable Glycerin, Water

Tap any ingredient to jump to its full detail below.

Label statements
These statements are the manufacturer’s wording, reproduced from the product label — the label is saying it, not HelloPharmacist. We don’t verify or endorse them.
General Statements

Be a force of nature: Please recycle this bottle. We are committed to you and our planet. Scan to learn more.

We source the world's purest ingredients, no matter where they are grown, to ensure the active nutrients are delivered just as nature intended.

New look! Same great product

Precautions

Do not use if inner seal is missing or damaged.

FDA Disclaimer Statement

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Seals/Symbols

Ko Pareve (Kosher)

Formula

Ko Pareve (Kosher)

Formulation

Traditional digestive support Liquid herbal extract Supports the digestive and circulatory systems

Guaranteed pure

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

Brand IP Statement(s)

Natures Sunshine Herbal experts since 1972

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Recommended Use: Take 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon (1 mL to 2.5 mL) in water with a meal three times daily.

See for yourself

Oregon Grape by Nature's Sunshine label

The label scan from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database. Tap to enlarge.

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Oregon Grape by Nature's Sunshine

This is the 1 active ingredient this product is made of. Select it to open its full monograph.

Serving size2.5 mL Dosage formLiquid Servings per container24 Amounts shown are per serving.

Oregon Grape root bark extract

Interacts with
1,218 drugs
1550 mg per serving

Oregon grape is a shrub whose root contains berberine and related compounds. The strongest (though still modest) evidence is for topical creams that m...

Oregon Grape root bark extract monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Vegetable Glycerin, Water. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Oregon Grape by Nature's Sunshine Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Oregon Grape?

Ask about interactions with your drugs in plain English — “Can I take it with lisinopril?” — and we find you the answer in seconds, ingredient by ingredient.

Go to the checker
1,218Drugs
1,218 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Oregon Grape with known interactions, here are the types of medications it can affect. Open any type for the detail — or search your exact drug in the checker above.

Oregon Grape root bark extract9 drug types · 1,218 drugs

Anticoagulant/Antiplatelet Drugs

Theoretically, Oregon grape might increase the risk of bleeding when taken with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
In vitro and in vivo research suggests that berberine, a constituent of Oregon grape, can inhibit platelet aggregation.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Antidiabetes Drugs

Theoretically, Oregon grape might increase the risk of hypoglycemia when taken with antidiabetes drugs.
Clinical research suggests that berberine, a constituent of Oregon grape, can lower blood glucose levels.

Likelihood Possible Evidence A
Antihypertensive Drugs

Theoretically, Oregon grape might increase the risk of hypotension when taken with antihypertensive drugs.
Animal research suggests that berberine, a constituent of Oregon grape, can have hypotensive effects. Also, an analysis of clinical evidence suggests that taking berberine in combination with amlodipine (Norvasc) can lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure when compared with taking amlodipine alone.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Cns Depressants

Theoretically, Oregon grape might increase the sedative effects of CNS depressants.
Animal research suggests that berberine, a constituent of Oregon grape, can have sedative effects.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune)

Theoretically, Oregon grape might increase the effects and adverse effects of cyclosporine.
Berberine, a constituent of Oregon grape, can reduce metabolism of cyclosporine and increase serum levels. It might inhibit cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4), which metabolizes cyclosporine.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Cytochrome P450 2C9 (Cyp2C9) Substrates

Theoretically, Oregon grape might increase serum levels of drugs metabolized by CYP2C9.
Preliminary clinical evidence suggests that berberine, a constituent of Oregon grape, can inhibit cytochrome P450 2C9 (CYP2C9).

Likelihood Possible Evidence B
Cytochrome P450 2D6 (Cyp2D6) Substrates

Theoretically, Oregon grape might increase serum levels of drugs metabolized by CYP2D6.
In vitro research and preliminary clinical evidence suggest that berberine, a constituent of Oregon grape, can inhibit cytochrome P450 2D6 (CYP2D6).

Likelihood Possible Evidence B
Cytochrome P450 3A4 (Cyp3A4) Substrates

Theoretically, Oregon grape might increase serum levels of drugs metabolized by CYP3A4.
In vitro research and preliminary clinical evidence suggest that berberine, a constituent of Oregon grape, moderately inhibits cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4).

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
P-Glycoprotein Substrates

Theoretically, Oregon grape might increase serum levels of drugs that are P-glycoprotein (P-gp) substrates.
In vitro research suggests that Oregon grape extracts inhibit P-gp efflux.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Oregon Grape, from the product label.

Nature's Sunshine

See all Nature's Sunshine products
Name
Nature's Sunshine Products, Inc.
City
Spanish Fork
State
UT
ZipCode
84660
Phone Number
1-800-223-8225
Web Address
www.naturessunshine.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Oregon Grape by Nature's Sunshine: Common Questions

Does Oregon Grape by Nature's Sunshine interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Oregon Grape has a known interaction with 1,218 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Oregon Grape contains a single active ingredient, and that one ingredient can interact with many different medications on its own. We check it against each medication and show the mechanism responsible.
Where does this information come from?
The product label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database (DSLD); the interaction data is built on the Natural Medicines database and reviewed by HelloPharmacist pharmacists.
Can I take Oregon Grape if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
No — the safety data advises against use in both pregnancy and lactation. Berberine may pass to your baby through breast milk. If you're pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding, talk with your doctor before taking any Oregon grape product.
What does Oregon Grape actually do?
It's possibly effective for psoriasis. For eczema, GERD, and peptic ulcers, there isn't enough reliable evidence in our data to say whether it works or not.
What are the side effects?
When applied topically, Oregon grape may cause itching, burning, or skin irritation in some people. The safety data notes that oral use is less well studied, so caution is warranted if you're taking it by mouth.
Why does this interact with so many medications?
Oregon grape's active ingredient, berberine, slows how your liver breaks down a wide range of drugs — particularly those metabolized by CYP2D6, CYP2C9, and CYP3A4 enzymes. This can cause those medications to build up in your bloodstream and become stronger than your doctor intended.
Is this product safe to use alongside my medications?
That depends entirely on what you take. Oregon grape interacts with blood thinners, blood pressure drugs, diabetes medications, CNS depressants, and many others broken down by your liver. Use the medication checker on this page to see if any of yours are affected, then discuss the results with your doctor or pharmacist.

Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy

Not sure if Oregon Grape is safe with your meds?

Our pharmacists answer your medication & supplement questions — free.

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Label information is sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database and reflects the product version on file; always read your actual product label. This page is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Confirm with your pharmacist or doctor before combining supplements and medications.

Oregon Grape label
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Oregon Grape's label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database; the ingredient interaction data is from the Natural Medicines database, reviewed by our pharmacists.

Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists. See our data sources and editorial standards for how this information is built and checked.

The 21 references behind this product’s interaction data

Every citation that drives the interaction findings for this product’s ingredients, from the evidence-graded Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) database. Open an ingredient to browse its citations — links open the study on PubMed or the publisher’s site.

Oregon Grape 21 references
  1. Wiesenauer M, Lydtke R. Mahonia aquifolium in patients with Psoriasis vulgaris; an intraindividual study. Phytomedicine 1996;3:231-5.
  2. Chan E. Displacement of bilirubin from albumin by berberine. Biol Neonate 1993;63:201-8. PubMed
  3. Janbaz KH, Gilani AH. Studies on preventive and curative effects of berberine on chemical-induced hepatotoxicity in rodents. Fitoterapia 2000;71:25-33.. PubMed
  4. Wu X, Li Q, Xin H, Yu A, Zhong M. Effects of berberine on the blood concentration of cyclosporin A in renal transplanted recipients: clinical and pharmacokinetic study. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 2005;61:567-72. PubMed
  5. Gulliver WP, Donsky HJ. A report on three recent clinical trials using Mahonia aquifolium 10% topical cream and a review of the worldwide clinical experience with Mahonia aquifolium for the treatment of plaque psoriasis. Am J Ther 2005;12:398-406. PubMed
  6. Zhang Y, Li X, Zou D, et al. Treatment of type 2 diabetes and dyslipidemia with the natural plant alkaloid berberine. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2008;93:2559-65. PubMed
  7. Budzinski JW, Foster BC, Vandenhoek S, Arnason JT. An in vitro evaluation of human cytochrome P450 3A4 inhibition by selected commercial herbal extracts and tinctures. Phytomedicine 2000;7:273-82. PubMed
  8. Chatterjee P, Franklin MR. Human cytochrome p450 inhibition and metabolic-intermediate complex formation by goldenseal extract and its methylenedioxyphenyl components. Drug Metab Dispos 2003;31:1391-7. PubMed
  9. Shanbhag, S. M., Kulkarni, H. J., and Gaitonde, B. B. Pharmacological actions of berberine on the central nervous system. Jpn.J Pharmacol 1970;20(4):482-487. PubMed
  10. Wu, J. F. and Liu, T. P. [Effects of berberine on platelet aggregation and plasma levels of TXB2 and 6-keto-PGF1 alpha in rats with reversible middle cerebral artery occlusion]. Yao Xue.Xue.Bao. 1995;30(2):98-102.
  11. Peng, W. H., Hsieh, M. T., and Wu, C. R. Effect of long-term administration of berberine on scopolamine-induced amnesia in rats. Jpn J Pharmacol 1997;74(3):261-266. DOI
  12. Sabir M and Bhide NK. Study of some pharmacological actions of berberine. Ind J Physiol & Pharmac 1971;15(3):111-132.
  13. Tripathi YB and Shukla SD. Berberis artistata inhibits PAF induced aggregation of rabbit platelets. Phytotherapy Research 1996;10:628-630.
  14. Yin, J., Xing, H., and Ye, J. Efficacy of berberine in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Metabolism 2008;57(5):712-717. PubMed
  15. Zhang, H., Wei, J., Xue, R., Wu, J. D., Zhao, W., Wang, Z. Z., Wang, S. K., Zhou, Z. X., Song, D. Q., Wang, Y. M., Pan, H. N., Kong, W. J., and Jiang, J. D. Berberine lowers blood glucose in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients through increasing insulin re
  16. Guo, Y., Chen, Y., Tan, Z. R., Klaassen, C. D., and Zhou, H. H. Repeated administration of berberine inhibits cytochromes P450 in humans. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 2012;68(2):213-217. PubMed
  17. Wei, W., Zhao, H., Wang, A., Sui, M., Liang, K., Deng, H., Ma, Y., Zhang, Y., Zhang, H., and Guan, Y. A clinical study on the short-term effect of berberine in comparison to metformin on the metabolic characteristics of women with polycystic ovary syndro
  18. Hermann, R. and von, Richter O. Clinical evidence of herbal drugs as perpetrators of pharmacokinetic drug interactions. Planta Med 2012;78(13):1458-1477. PubMed
  19. Chun YT, Yip TT, Lau KL, and et al. A biochemical study on the hypotensive effect of berberine in rats. Gen Pharmac 1979;10:177-182. PubMed
  20. Lan J, Zhao Y, Dong F, et al. Meta-analysis of the effect and safety of berberine in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus, hyperlipemia and hypertension. J Ethnopharmacol. 2015;161:69-81. PubMed
  21. Fan Y, Zhou Z, Zhang L. Effect of Oregon grape root extracts on P-glycoprotein mediated transport in in vitro cell lines. J Pharm Pharm Sci 2024;26:11927. PubMed

See these in context on the Oregon Grape monograph →

Parts of this content are provided by the Therapeutic Research Center, LLC.

DISCLAIMER: Currently this does not check for drug-drug interactions. This is not an all-inclusive comprehensive list of potential interactions and is for informational purposes only. Not all interactions are known or well-reported in the scientific literature, and new interactions are continually being reported. Input is needed from a qualified healthcare provider including a pharmacist before starting any therapy. Application of clinical judgment is necessary.

© 2021 Therapeutic Research Center, LLC

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