Oregon Grape Herb

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Here's some information on Oregon Grape.

http://www.herbs2000.com/herbs/herbs_oregon_grape.htm

Not many people are aware of the interesting fact that the state

flower of Oregon blooms on this beautiful shrub. Known for its

attractiveness and its rapid growth, the Oregon grape is used

medicinally, as well as for ornamental landscaping in several homes

across the country. The leaves of the Oregon grape resemble those of

holly; they are dark green, spiny and shiny, in almost the same way

as the holly leaves are dark green and shiny. The flowers of this

shrub are small and yellowish green in color, and the berries of the

Oregon grape are a shade of dark purple blue, especially when they

ripen. They grow in small clusters, and in this they resemble

clusters or bunches of grapes. The Oregon grape shrub can grow to

almost 6 feet in height, but in general, it grows about 3 - 4 feet

tall.

The Oregon grape has been recognized for its usefulness and value in

Europe even during the an times, and it continued to be

valued all through the eighteenth century. It is generally assumed

that it was the English settlers who brought the berries with them

when they arrived on the shores of America. The English reportedly

named the Oregon grape barberry, as it is still known to natives of

the west and Northwest. Initially, it was thought that the shrub,

which so closely resembled the holly, belonged to the species of

Berberis, but it was later proved that it belonged to their own

genus, Mahonia. However, in essence, they all belong to the same

plant family.

Most American herbalists rank the Oregon grape as one among the most

outstanding and exceptional Native American herbs available today.

They also believe that the shrub is in fact one of the bets herbs

available today, which can effectively stimulate liver activity and

the secretion of bile. There are several reasons for this belief. For

one, the Oregon grape boasts of a bright yellow root, which is high

in the alkaloid berberine, which is in turn an important constituent

of other similarly powerful healing plants like for example,

goldenseal. The root is also said to have a warm and drying

influence. The Oregon grape can stimulate weakened livers, and at the

same time dramatically alleviate liver-induced symptoms such as

headaches, poor digestion, and toxic blood. The versatile herb is

also regarded as a blood purifier, although it is a fact that this

point has not been clarified through scientific research. Herbalists

of today prefer to use the Oregon grape to cleanse the liver, the

spleen and in some cases the blood too. However, an individual who

consumes too much rich food, or who overeats regularly and who

therefore has an overactive liver must not use Oregon grape, because

of its action on the liver.

Oregon grape is generally prepared in an easy infusion, using 1/2

ounce of dried Oregon grape root to one quart of water. The infusion

can usually be taken a cup at a time, thrice a day until relief is

obtained. Oregon grape is often used in herbal formulas, too. Since

the berries of the Oregon grape have been found to possess a cooling

effect, they are used to break fevers. The berries can be gathered

during the late summer when they are considered to be fully ripe,

after which they can either be dried and later powdered, or made into

syrup. Oregon grape jams are very tasty indeed.

The European barberry is often said to be excellent for the

digestion, and that it was exceptionally good for the gallbladder and

the liver. In America, Oregon grape of both European and American

varieties was used for the treatment of dysentery and diarrhea, and

also for a variety of digestive problems and disorders. Woodsour,

sour-spine, sowberry, or pipperidge bush, as well as jaundice berry,

termed so because of the yellow color of the wood, all refer to the

same plant, the Oregon grape. The yellow color of the wood is derived

from the active ingredient in the plant, berberine, along with other

alkaloids. It must be remembered that berberine is a component

present in the Berberis and Mahonia species as well as in the

goldenseal.

Often, it has been suggested that the Oregon grape may be used as an

effective substitute for the goldenseal, which is today quite

difficult to find, and is listed as endangered, since it is a fact

that both the goldenseal as well as the Oregon grape contain

berberine, as can be proved by the Native Americans, who used both

the plants as and when required. It was believed that the Oregon

grape would prove to bring about a great improvement in one's

appetite, while at the same time improving one's generally weakened

condition. However, even though the purplish berries are edible and

rich in vitamin C, the part of the Oregon grape that is used in

medicine is the root.

PARTS USED

Root.

USES

Oregon grape is generally used for gastritis and for all types of

general digestive weaknesses, and it is also effective for

stimulating gallbladder functions, and for bringing in improvement in

congestion problems that may be concentrated in the gut. Oregon grape

can be used to treat and improve conditions like acne, boils, eczema,

herpes and psoriasis, and skin conditions that may be directly linked

to poor function of the gallbladder.

Other medical uses

Colorectal cancer, Liver cancer, Strep throat.

HABITAT AND CULTIVATION

The Oregon grape is considered to be native to North America, where

it is found growing in the Rocky Mountains up to 7,000 ft or 2,000 m,

and Oregon grape can be found in woods from Colorado to the Pacific

coast. Oregon grape grows abundantly in the regions of Oregon and

northern California.

The shrub must be grown in a shady and fairly rich and well drained

soil conditions. For propagation, the cuttings can be obtained during

midsummer and planted. The new plants of Oregon grape would be ready

to set out during spring of the next year. The handsome plant can be

grown from seeds too. The seeds can be obtained from the ripe berries

during the fall and then planted outdoors. One must be careful that

stratification or in other words good exposure to cold weather occurs

for the saplings. The Oregon grape plants can also be obtained at

nurseries across America.

As mentioned earlier, it is the root of the Oregon grape that is used

for medicinal purposes. One must make sure that one does not gather

the roots before the second year of the plant's growth, that is, in

late autumn, or in the climates where the ground does not freeze

during the winter. After harvesting the roots of Oregon grape, one

can replant the crown roots, and these may at times give rise to new

plants. Several herbalists suggest that one can dig up the ground

around the roots, so that enough of the root system is left behind

for the plant to survive, making sure that the pruning is done to a

level of one-fourth to one-third of the roots with shears.

CONSTITUENTS

Oregon grape contains isoquinoline alkaloids (including berberine,

berbamine, and hydrastine). These alkaloids are strong antiseptics

and are thought to reduce the severity of psoriasis.

HOW MUCH TO TAKE

No standard dosage of Oregon grape herb is established.

SIDE EFFECTS AND CAUTIONS

Oregon grape is deemed not suitable for pregnant women, because of

present evidence that taking Oregon grape can cause uterine

contractions in animals on which it has been tested. Taking too much

Oregon grape can cause diarrhea and other undesirable effects like

kidney inflammation, and some unwelcome psychological effects of a

stupor and daze.

http://www.mountainroseherbs.com/learn/oregon_graperoot.php

Oregon Grape Root and Powder Profile

Also known as- Mahonia aquifolium. Botanists disagree

about the scientific name of this plant. Some list it

as Berberis aquifolium, a close relative of, but not

identical to, barberry.

Introduction

Oregon grape root is a tall, evergreen, flowering

shrub that grows among the firs, spruces, and pines of

the mountainous American Northwest. The state flower

of Oregon, Oregon grape root bears fruit but " grapes "

is an inaccurate description.

Oregon grape root is a useful substitute for

goldenseal, which has been over harvested in the wild.

It is not as fussy about its habitat than the closely

related barberry, and easier to find.

As a purely bitter herb, Oregon grape root is used

easily with Traditional Chinese Medicine, having the

same function and only a little less potency than

coptis. Like coptis, Oregon grape root is useful in

treating the various symptoms of " damp heat, " such as:

´ Abdominal fullness and distention

´ Constipation alternating with diarrhea

´ Foul-smelling loose stools,

´ General feeling of heaviness,

´ Nausea,

´ Reduced appetite,

´ Reduced thirst although with the sensation of dry

mouth,

´ Sticky, thick, and yellow or green mucous

discharges,

´ Watery, oozing skin eruptions, and

´ " Red " symptoms: red tongue, hot flushes, bad temper,

rapid pulse.

(Practitioners of Traditional Chinese Medicine are

likely to note that Oregon grape root is less

appropriate than coptis in treating syndromes in which

there is a " deficiency of Yin, " an inherent tendency

to lose fluids.)

Oregon grape rootÍs best-researched application in

modern herbal medicine, however, is in the treatment

of chronic inflammatory skin conditions, such as

psoriasis.

Constituents

Oregon grape root contains berberine, also found in

barberry, coptis, and goldenseal. The herb also

contains phytochemicals with similar activity,

including columbamine, hydrastine, jatrorrhizine,

oxyacanthine, and tetrahydroberberine, as well as

tannins. It does not contain the range of nutrient

vitamins and minerals found in barberry.

Parts Used

Root

Typical Preparations

Topical creams containing 10% tincture of Oregon grape

root.

Also used as tea, tincture and it may be administered

in capsule form.

Proper dosage is important:

´ Tea: 1 to 2 grams (1/2 to 1 teaspoon) of dried root

steeped in 150 ml (approximately 2/3 of a cup) of hot

water for 10 to 15 minutes three times daily. This is

not the same dosage as for the chopped herb.

´ Tincture: 3 to 6 ml. (1/2 to 1-1/2 tsp) three times

daily (but no more than three doses of any kind of

Oregon grape root product per day).

´ For skin disorders: 10% tincture in ointment,

applied to the skin three times daily

Summary

Traditional herbal medicine uses Oregon grape root to

stop diarrhea. It slows the passage of stool through

the small intestine, but it also keeps bacteria from

implanting themselves in the lining. Oregon grape root

may also give the immune system a mild boost by

encouraging phagocytosis, the engulfing and digesting

of bacteria by the white blood cells known as

microphages.

Oregon grape root and other herbs that contain

berberine are scientifically proven to protect against

bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoans, helminthes

(worms), and chlamydia. Conditions treated by Oregon

grape root include bacterial diarrhea, intestinal

parasites, and ocular trachoma. Oregon grape root may

increase blood platelet counts and counteract the

proliferation of cancerous tumors of the bladder and

colon. It has a sedative effect on the smooth muscles

lining the digestive tract and can relieve stomach

cramps and abdominal pain.

Why use Oregon grape root as a whole herb? Why not

just take a berberine concentrate?

Oregon grape root contains tannins that cross link

proteins in the linings of the nose and throat, or in

the digestive tract, to seal them against infection.

The tannins may also explain the herbÍs usefulness in

treating psoriasis, a condition characterized by the

over-rapid multiplication of cells in the skin. In at

least one clinical study, a cream containing Oregon

grape root eased inflammation, irritation, and

itching.

Precautions

Adults should limit use of Oregon grape root or any

other herb containing berberine (barberry, coptis, or

goldenseal) to seven consecutive days at a time,

waiting at least a week before using the herb again.

This gives the natural, helpful bacteria of the

intestine a chance to recover. Taking vitamin B6

supplements can give infectious bacteria resistance to

the antibacterial toxins in the herb. DonÍt take

vitamin B supplements while you are taking Oregon

grape root.

Oregon grape root may interfere with the intestineÍs

ability to absorb doxycycline or tetracycline. Do not

take Oregon grape root if you are taking antibiotics

for diarrhea.

Oregon grape root is often given to children with

success, but should be used with caution, no more than

three consecutive doses followed by a day without the

herb. The herb is not a problem for nursing mothers

unless the baby has jaundice, however it should not be

used while pregnant.

http://groups.msn.com/healingherbs/herbskr.msnw

Oregon Grape: Botanical name: Berberis aquifolium.

Oregon grape is an evergreen shrub which grows

throughout the American northwest. It is somewhat

misnamed, as the fruit are not actually grapes. It is,

however, grown in Oregon (it is the official state

flower). Oregon grape is a close relative of barberry

(Berberis vulgaris), and shares many common uses and

constituents. The root is used medicinally.

Oregon grape has been used in connection with chronic

candidiasis, conjunctivitis/blepharitis, diarrhea,

infection, parasites, poor digestion, psoriasis, and

urinary tract infections.

Before European colonists arrived, the indigenous

peoples of North America treated all manner of

complaints with Oregon grape. The berries were used

for poor appetite. A tea made from the root was used

to treat jaundice, arthritis, diarrhea, fever, and

many other health problems.

Active constituents: Alkaloids, including berberine,

berbamine, canadine, and hydrastine, may account for

the activity of Oregon grape.Isolated berberine has

been shown to effectively treat diarrhea in patients

infected with E. coli. One of the ways berberine may

ease diarrhea is by slowing the transit time in the

intestine. Berberine inhibits the ability of bacteria

to attach to human cells, which helps prevent

infections, particularly in the throat, intestines,

and urinary tract. These actions, coupled with

berberine's ability to enhance immune cell function,

make Oregon grape possibly useful for mild infections

although clinical trials are lacking on the whole

root.

In one clinical trial, an ointment of Oregon grape was

found to be mildly effective for reducing skin

irritation, inflammation and itching in people with

mild to moderate psoriasis. Whole Oregon grape

extracts were shown in one pharmacological study to

reduce inflammation (often associated with psoriasis)

and stimulate the white blood cells known as

macrophages. In this study, isolated alkaloids from

Oregon grape did not have these actions. This suggests

that something besides alkaloids are important to the

properties of Oregon grape responsible for reducing

inflammation.

The bitter-tasting compounds as well as the alkaloids

in Oregon grape root are thought to stimulate

digestive function.

A tea can be prepared by boiling 1–3 teaspoons (5–15

grams) of chopped roots in 2 cups (500 ml) of water

for fifteen minutes. After straining and cooling, 3

cups (750 ml) can be taken per day. Tincture, 1/2–3/4

teaspoon (3 ml) three times per day, can be used.

Since berberine is not well absorbed, Oregon grape

root might not provide adequate amounts of this

compound to treat significant systemic infections. A

physician should be consulted in the case of infection

before attempting to use Oregon grape. An ointment

made with 10% Oregon grape extract applied three or

more times daily may be useful for psoriasis.

Oregon grape is thought to be safe in the amounts

indicated above. Long-term (more than two to three

weeks) internal use is not recommended. Berberine

alone has been reported to interfere with normal

bilirubin metabolism in infants, raising a concern

that it might worsen jaundice. For this reason,

berberine-containing plants should be used with

caution during pregnancy and breast-feeding. Certain

medications may interact with Oregon grape. Refer to

the drug interactions safety check for a list of those

medications.