Oregon Grape Root

What is Oregon grape root?

The holly-like leaves, golden roots, and acidic, blue berries that resemble clusters of grapes are characteristics of the native to western North America, Berberis aquifolium. The chemical component berberine, found in Oregon grape roots, is considered to be responsible for many of the plant's health advantages. The Oregon grape is a member of the Berberidaceae family. Oregon grape root is a good alternative to goldenseal. It may be extracted, added to herbal tea blends, or used in topical care formulations.

As the name implies, the Oregon grape is most popular in the Pacific Northwest but is native to western North America. Shiny, holly-like leaves adorn the bushy, blooming perennial Oregon grape. Unlike the closely related barberry, it is more easily adapted to its surroundings and is often found in mountainous areas.

The dark green, thorny leaves of the Oregon grape ultimately become orange and, after a few years, vivid crimson. The plant has tiny, blackish-blue berries that resemble little grapes and grows to a height of two to six feet. These berries are edible but not very tasty, with a rather acidic taste that herbalist Michael Moore likens to sucking on an aspirin and a vitamin C pill at the same time. The Oregon grape is also known by the names Oregon barberry, holly-leaf barberry, mountain grape, and Oregon grapeholly. Mahonia is another botanical synonym for Berberis. It is a member of the family Berberidaceae.

Because goldenseal and Oregon grape have comparable component qualities, the golden yellow root of the Oregon grape is often picked for medicinal purposes and sometimes used in place of goldenseal. When applied topically, Oregon grape has been clinically shown to support certain skin irritations. Traditionally, it has also been used topically for its antibacterial qualities and as a bitter tonic to aid with digestion. Although these properties have not been shown in human studies, the active ingredients in Oregon grape root have demonstrated strong antibacterial and antifungal activity in vitro.

How do I use Oregon grape root?

Oregon grape root has been used to treat a variety of illnesses in herbal therapy. The majority of Oregon grape clinical research that has been published has used the herb's root in a topical (applied to the skin) cream to treat psoriasis.

Oregon Grape Root Benefits:

The blossoming Oregon grape plant has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for millennia. According to scientific studies, it helps with the symptoms of psoriasis and other skin disorders. It may also improve mood, have antimicrobial properties, and help with heartburn and IBS.

◉ May treat several skin conditions: Oregon grape may lessen the severity of psoriasis and atopic dermatitis symptoms, according to some research. Anywhere on your body, these common inflammatory skin disorders might become chronic. Atopic dermatitis is a severe form of eczema that causes dry, itchy skin, whereas psoriasis causes reddish, scaly patches of skin.

32 psoriasis patients used an Oregon grape topical cream for six months; of them, sixty-three percent said the product was on par with or better than the typical prescription medication. Similarly, after using an Oregon grape cream for 12 weeks, the psoriasis symptoms of 39 participants decreased dramatically, stayed stable, and required no further therapy for a month.

In addition, a 3-month trial involving 42 individuals with atopic dermatitis showed symptom improvements after their use of a skin cream containing Oregon grape three times per day.

◉ May have antibacterial properties: The Oregon grape's main ingredient, berberine, has potent antibacterial properties. It is mostly used to treat bacterial parasite infections and diarrhea. Furthermore, Oregon grape extracts have antibacterial action against certain pathogenic bacteria, fungi, and protozoa, according to test-tube research.

◉ May relieve several stomach issues: The berberine found in the Oregon grape may help reduce symptoms of gut inflammation and other gastrointestinal problems, including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

In an 8-week study including 196 IBS patients, berberine medication was associated with lower rates of diarrhea, stomach discomfort, and total IBS symptoms as compared to placebo.

◉ May help ease heartburn: The anti-inflammatory properties of berberine in Oregon grapes may help shield your esophagus from heartburn and associated harm. Heartburn frequently coexists with acid reflux, which is when stomach acid rises into your esophagus. An unpleasant, burning feeling in your chest or throat is called heartburn.

In a study, rats given berberine instead of omeprazole—a typical pharmaceutical therapy for acid reflux—had less damage to their esophages. Remember that research involving humans is necessary.

Where can I buy Oregon grape root?

Buy Oregon Grape Root from the health food store in the USA, Alive Herbals.

Oregon Grape Root information (at a glance):