- Botanical Name(s): Berberis Aquifolium
- Popular Name(s): Oregon Mountain Grape, Wild Oregon grape, Holly-Leaved Barberry, Mahonia, California Barberry, Mountain Grape.
- Habitat: It is a native of Oregon and Northern California.
Description: Oregon grape belongs to the barberry family (Berberidaceae) and grows about 2 to 6 feet in height, the branches sometimes trailing. The leaves are 2 to 3 inches long and about 1 inch wide, evergreen, thick, leathery, oblong or oblong ovate in outline, smooth and shining above. The margins provided with thorny spines or teeth. The flowers are yellow in color and are borne in erect, clustered heads. The fruit consists of a cluster of blue or bluish purple berries, having a pleasant taste, and each containing from three to nine seeds.
Uses: Oregon grape Root is used as a treatment for skin diseases and as a treatment for prostate infection. It is also used as a blood cleanser, to stimulate the liver and gall bladder and as a mild laxative. Externally, a decoction of the root bark is used as a liniment for arthritis.Oregon grape is ranked by some herbalists among the most outstanding native American herbs. Its bright yellow root is high in the alkaloid berberine, which is a constituent of other powerfully healing plants such as goldenseal.
Many American herbalists believe that oregon grape stimulates liver activity and the secretion of bile. It is said to strengthen weak livers, and in the process, alleviate liver-induced symptoms such as headache, toxic blood, poor digestion, and lack of warmth. Oregon grape is also regarded as an excellent blood purifier, although these claims have not been verified by scientific research. To the root is assigned a warm, drying influence. Modern herbalists use oregon grape to cleanse the spleen, as well as the liver and blood. Oregon grape should not be used by anyone with an overactive liver, a condition created by overeating or eating too much rich foodOregon grape is chiefly used for gastritis and general digestive weakness, to stimulate gallbladder function, and to reduce congestion problems (mainly of the gut). Oregon grape also treats eczema, psoriasis, acne, boils, and herpes, and skin conditions linked to poor gallbladder function.
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