Oregon Grape Mahonia aquifolium
dried root
- Common Names
- Oregon Grape root , Mountain Grape, holly leaved barberry
- Botanical Name
- Mahonia aquifolium
- Syn. Berberis aquifolium
- Family
- BERBERIDACEAE
Medicinal Uses & Benefits of Oregon Grape Root
How to Use|
Side Effects |
Plant & Garden|
- Medicinal Uses: * Detoxification
* Diarrhea
* Parasites/worms
* Psoriasis
* Sinus
* Sore Throat
- Properties: * Anti-inflammatory * Antibacterial * Antioxidant * Cholagogue * Hepatic * Laxative
- Parts Used: root
- Constituents: alkaloids (berberine, berbamine, oxyacanthine, and herba-mine)
How to Use: Oregon Grape
Oregon grape is not botanically related to the endangered goldenseal, but for many uses Oregon grape serves as an excellent alternative; they both contain the immune-stimulating, infection-fighting, antiseptic constituent berberine. Herbs that contain berberine are scientifically proven to protect against bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
Herbalists use Oregon grape root in the treatment of bacterial diarrhea, intestinal parasites, and eye infections. 1 It has a sedative effect on the smooth muscles lining the digestive tract and can relieve stomach cramps and abdominal pain.
Orgegon grape can be used in skin washes to deter the over production of skin cells that occurs in placque psoriasis. One of the advantages to using preparations of the whole herb, as opposed to using products that only contain berberine extracts is that Oregon grape root contains tannins that ease inflammation, irritation, and itching of the skin.2
Preparation Methods & Dosage :Tincture, tea, decoction, oil infusion, powdered root. Eyewashes can also be made by diluting the tincture with sterile saline solution (4 drops of tincture/1 ounce saline) or 8 drops decoction of the roots/1 ounce saline.
Oregon Grape Remedies
Oregon Grape Side Effects: Do not use when chronic gastrointestinal irritation or inflammation is present, such as irritable bowel. The herb is not a problem for nursing mothers unless the baby has jaundice, however it should not be used while pregnant. Limit use to no more than 7 consecutive days for adults, 3 for children, exercise caution when using in children. Taking vitamin B6 supplements can give infectious bacteria resistance to the antibacterial toxins in the herb.
Plant Description
A strange attractive evergreen often cultivated as an ornamental, Oregon grape is a hardy shrub indigenous to the Northwestern United States and Canada. At first glance, it looks similar to American holly, with almost plastic-like leaves. In midsummer the yellow flowers develop into clusters of juicy, purple fruit sometimes used to make a brandy.
Regional Traditions :North America *
Related Species
All the
Works Cited- White, Linda B., M.D. "The Herbal Drugstore" (2003)
- Duke,James, Ph.D. (2000). "The Green Pharmacy Herbal Handbook"
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