Oregon - Grape
Other Names: Holly-leaf barberry, Mountain grape, Oregon grapeholly, Oregon barberry.
A perennial native plant of the barberry family with stiff prickly leaves, clusters of yellow flowers, and sour bright blue berries.
Part Used: Root
Action: Hepatic, Alterative
Oregon Grape is related to the Barberry plant that grows in some variation throughout the world and has even been identified as a valuable medicinal plant used in ancient Egypt.If you want to attract birds to your garden, this is the plant that will do it. Robins, waxwings, juncos and towhees among others, find the berries irresistible. You can eat them too, they make a nice jelly. Or, you can make a nice, bright yellow dye from the shredded bark. Truly an all purpose plant.It is a berry not a grape.
Caution: Contraindicated during pregnancy. Oregon grape contains berberine, which is a cold, bitter constituent that can suppress digestive activity when used to excess, especially in people with weak, cold digestion. Otherwise, it is probably well tolerated when used as recommended.
Health Benefits
Oregon grape is used for liver toxicity from drugs or alcohol; low stomach acid (poor protein assimilation); infections; or irritation in the intestines (irritable bowel syndrome). It cools the liver, stimulates bile flow, reduces intestinal inflammation, and benefits symptoms of dermatitis. It is one of the most effective herbs for skin disorders such as acne, psoriasis, or cysts, for which it can be used with burdock seed. Oregon grape root has been recommended for heat in the stomach with such symptoms as tooth and gum pain, inflamed gums, a burning and gnawing feeling in the stomach area, styes, and facial acne. It may also be useful for vaginal yeast infections, especially when the discharge is slightly yellow and strongly smelling.To treat fevers, the bitter root of the plant was crushed and mixed with fennel seed in order to counteract the bitterness that is characteristic of this plant.
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