The beautiful and fragrant yellow flowers and evergreen leaves of Oregon Grape have made it a popular ornamental plant and can now be found outside its native range of western North America. In addition to its beauty, Oregon Grape root is also a powerful medicine.
There are more than 70 varieties of Oregon Grape but Mahonia aquifolium And Mahonia relents are most commonly used for medicinal purposes (M. aquifolium is most commonly found along the west coast, and M. repens is often found in the western interior). The thick, glossy and spiky leaves resemble holly leaves and some mistake Oregon Grape for holly when not in bloom or fruit. But there’s no mistaking the bright yellow flowers or purple berries once they appear.
A member of the Berberidaceae family, the root contains berberine, giving it a light to dark yellow color. Because of this, Oregon grape is often used in the same way gold seal (Hydrastis canadensis), another native North American plant that contains high amounts of berberine. Goldenseal is now critically endangered in the wild and I often recommend people use Oregon Grape.
The Medicinal Uses and Health Benefits of Oregon Grape Root
Berberine has been well researched and found to help support healthy cholesterol levels and a healthy inflammatory response.
If you have Oregon Grape near you, the purple “grapes” that ripen in August are edible. Although quite sour and astringent when fresh, they make a delicious jam or syrup and are packed with free radical scavengers that help protect the body against oxidative stress.
Due to uterine stimulants, such as berberine, Oregon Grape should not be used during pregnancy.
WishGarden Herbs formulas with Oregon Grape Root:
Erin Smith has been working with plants for 25 years and is a medical herbalist and ethnobotanist. She is the creator of Plant Passionate Living, an interactive program designed to help people find greater health and vitality through a deeper relationship with plants. Erin is the founder and director of the Center for Integrative Botanical Studies.
For educational purposes only. This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease, or to sell any product.
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