View photos of the edible and medicinal plant Berberis fendleri (Fendler’s barberry), profiled in Medicinal Plants of the Western Mountain States.

A passage from Medicinal Plants of the Western Mountain States:

Through Barberry’s effect on the liver, it has a marked influence on inflammatory skin conditions. Poorly healing skin, reactive dermatitis, eczema, and acne are some of the plant’s main indications. Barberry’s healing effects are most likely due to its augmentation of hepatic detoxification pathways: the liver’s activity of neutralizing hepatic/systemic/local metabolites and toxins is increased. Topical use of the ointment/oil/salve builds on the plant’s internal effects. Due to Barberry’s reduction of dermis over–proliferation, even psoriasis with its related scaly skin patches responds well to its application.