Oregon Grape

Question 1

How do you recognise Oregon Grape?

Answer 1

An evergreen shrub with holly-like leaves and edible dark purple berries. • Native to Eastern USA, grown as ground cover and garden plant in UK along with other Mahoniaspecies

Question 2

What are Oregon Grape’s main constituents?

Answer 2

Constituents, actions and uses mostly replicate those of Berberis vulgaris. Constituents include alkaloid mahonine. Lower levels of berberine than Berberis.

Question 3

What family is Oregon Grape in?

Answer 3

Berberidaceae

Question 4

What is Oregon Grape good for?

Answer 4

Constituents, actions and uses mostly replicate those of Berberis vulgaris. Possibly less effective as an anti-infective agent.• Specific for skin problems: both dry and suppurative skin conditions, eczema, acne and particularly psoriasis.

Question 5

What is Oregon Grape’s Latin name?

Answer 5

Mahonia aquifolium (Pursh) Nutt

Question 6

What parts of Oregon Grape do you use?

Answer 6

Medicinally root bark used.

Question 7

What safety issues might Oregon Grape have?

Answer 7

Safe herb. As tincture 15 -25ml/week.

Question 8

What useful research does Oregon Grape have?

Answer 8

Three links here to information re Mahonia. • The medicinal uses of the genus Mahonia in traditional Chinese medicine: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26387740/ An ethnopharmacological, phytochemical and pharmacological review •

Oregon Grape Root: A Brief Introduction to Harvesting and Marketing Oregon Grape as a Medicinal Herb• https://knowyourforest.org/sites/default/files/documents/Oregon_grape_root.pdf

Review of the Efficacy and Safety of Topical Mahonia aquifolium for the Treatment of Psoriasis and Atopic Dermatitis https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6334833/