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Common mahonia

Common mahonia, also known as holly-leaved mahonia, is a plant whose root and root stem are used to make medicine. Common mahonia is used for stomach ulcers, gastroesophageal reflux disease, stomach upsets, as a bitter tonic, to treat infections and to cleanse the intestines. Common mahonia is used to treat psoriasis and as a disinfectant on the skin.

How does common mahonia work?

The chemicals contained in common mahonia may help to treat bacterial and fungal infections. Common mahonia may also slow down the overproduction of skin cells in skin conditions such as psoriasis.

How effective is common mahonia?

Common mahonia may be effective for treating psoriasis. Some research suggests that applying a specific cream containing 10% of an extract of common mahonia (Relieva) could reduce the severity of psoriasis and improve the quality of life in people suffering from psoriasis. This cream could be as effective as a Medicationcalcipotriene cream for some people. There is not enough scientific data to make a statement about the effectiveness of common mahonia for stomach ulcers, heartburn and indigestion. Further scientific research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of common mahonia in these applications.

Safety and side effects

A cream containing common mahonia appears to be safe and harmless for most people when applied to the skin. However, it may cause some side effects such as itching, burning, skin irritation and allergic reactions. There is not enough information to make a statement about the safety and harmlessness of taking common mahonia orally in medicinal quantities.

Precautions and warnings

Pregnancy and lactation: The use of common mahonia is not safe for pregnant women. A chemical found in common mahonia called berberine could cross the placenta and harm the fetus. There have been reports of brain damage in newborn infants exposed to berberine. Berberine can also be transferred to the breastfed child through breast milk, which is why breastfeeding women should avoid common mahonia.

Children: Common mahonia is not safe for children, especially newborn infants. The berberine contained in common mahonia can cause brain damage, especially in premature babies suffering from jaundice. Jaundice is a disease in which the eyes and skin turn yellow due to bile acid pigments in the blood. Jaundice can occur in newborns who have a different blood group from their mother.

Interactions

Care should be taken when combining common mahonia with the following medications:

Cyclosporine

The body breaks down cyclosporine in order to be able to excrete it. Common mahonia may reduce the rate at which the body breaks down cyclosporine. This can result in excessive cyclosporine levels in the body and potentially cause side effects.

Drugs that are broken down by the liver (Cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4 substrates)

Some drugs are broken down by the liver. Common mahonia can reduce the rate at which the liver breaks down certain drugs. Taking common mahonia in conjunction with medications that are broken down by the liver may increase the side effects of some medications. For this reason, you should consult your doctor before taking common mahonia if you are taking medications that are broken down by the liver.

Dosage

The following dosages have been investigated in scientific studies.

Applied to the skin:

For psoriasis: a specific cream containing 10% of an extract of common mahonia (Relieva) is applied to the affected areas two to three times a day.

References

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