Oregon Grape and Its Herbal Healing Uses

Latin name: Berberis aquifolium

Common name(s): California Barberry, Mountain Grape, Oregon Grape, Oregon Grape root, Rocky Mountain Grape, Trailing Grape, Wild Oregon Grape

Oregon Grape was first introduced in the 1800’s in the form of tonics when the herb was listed in official pharmacopoeias. It is known in the Spanish-American herbal medicine tradition as ‘Yerba de la Sangre’ which translates as ‘Herb of the Blood’. It is an excellent blood purifier and a great source of berberine which is an anti-inflammatory.

Oregon Grape aids in the production of digestive and liver secretions which in turn helps to cleanses the liver and digestive tract. Oregon Grape is a great tonic for all the glands in the body. It promotes liver functions, stimulates bile secretions and it purifies the blood lymphatic’s and spleen.

It aids in relieving constipation and it aids in the release of stored iron in the body into the bloodstream which helps to maintain a good supply of hemoglobin and a healthy immune system. It is great for restoring the complexion of the skin to a clean and clear complexion especially after an illness which has left the body with sores.

Oregon Grape is an alterative, anti-scorbutic, antiseptic, anti-syphilitic, blood purifier, cholagogue, depurative, hepatic, laxative and tonic. The parts of the plant that are used in herbal healing are the roots. Oregon Grape stimulates the thyroid and cleanses the kidneys because it is a great antiseptic.

Oregon Grape is a deciduous shrub that has yellow roots with grooved grayish-yellow stems and leaves that obovate and toothed. It blooms yellow flowers in pendent racemes in the spring which it then followed by slender oval red fruits that contain seeds. The parts that are used in herbal healing are the leaves, stems and roots. Oregon Grape is a very bitter sedative herb which is very effective against many disease causing organisms.

Oregon Grape fruits have a very high content of vitamin C. The juice made from the fruits can be used in drinks and sorbets. The fruits are candied, pickled and added to pies. The fruits can also be added to sauces and stuffing’s. The leaves are dried for use in herbal teas.

Oregon Grape can be used to treat any of the following:

Acne, anemia, appetite stimulant, arthritis, blood conditions, blood purifiers, bowels, bronchial congestion, bronchitis, cancer, Crohn’s disease, chronic constipation, diabetes, digestive disorders, dysentery, eczema, hepatitis, herpes, hypertension, jaundice, kidneys, liver problems, lymphatic congestion, malaria, menstrual irregularities, mononucleosis, psoriasis, promotes digestion, rheumatism, scrofula, skin disease, staph infections, syphilis, uterine disease and vaginitis.


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