Oregon
Grape Root is also known by the
names Barberry, Mountain Grape and
Holly-Leaved Barberry. It
has a direct action on the skin. Therein, it behaves unlike
any other known herb. It is used to restore the skin to a smooth, clear
condition following any kind of skin disease, or other illness, that may have
dried out the skin or produced dermal sores.
In one clinical trial, Oregon Grape Root was found to be mildly effective for reducing skin irritation, inflammation and itching in people with mild to moderate psoriasis. Oregon Grape extracts were shown in one pharmacological study to reduce the inflammation often associated with psoriasis, and to stimulate the white blood cells known as macrophages. In this study, isolated alkaloids from Oregon Grape did not have these actions, which suggests that something besides alkaloids are important to the properties of Oregon Grape's ability to reduce inflammation. The common name Oregon Grape includes Mahonia repens, Mahonia nervose, Mahonia pinnata, and other Mahonia species, which are used interchangeably with Mahonia aquifolium.
Oregon Grape Root is also a good source of berberine which is one of the active principles in Goldenseal. The alkaloids in Oregon Grape Root, especially berberine and hydrastine, have been used to combat a wide variety of infectious agents. The herb has been shown effective against staphylococcus, strep, tuberculosis and escherichia coli, in addition to curing an increasingly troublesome, water-borne disease called giardiasis.
In fact, Oregon Grape Root acts on the nervous system very much like Cinchona. It is well suited for treating the mucous membranes, especially in cases of vaginal and uterine infections.
Oregon Grape has a proven strong bactericidal effect.
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