doi:10.1016/j.metabol.2008.01.013, Kong W, Wei J, Abidi P, et al. As with all other herbal supplements, always consult with a trusted healthcare provider before the use of Oregon grape in any form, but particularly before ingesting it. Meredith Bull, ND, is a licensed naturopathic doctor with a private practice in Los Angeles, California. The flowers are yellow and quite fragrant which attracts pollinators during the spring. The genus Mahonia has now been included in the genus Berberis, hence the accepted name for Oregon Grape is Berberis aquifolium. Today, Oregon grape is commonly used as a substitute for goldenseal (which is now considered an endangered species due to over-harvesting), offering similar antimicrobial properties. [12][13], Mahonia aquifolium is a popular subject in shady or woodland plantings. Herbalists have touted the use of Oregon grape, claiming that it is effective in stimulating liver function, treating infections, and supporting digestive health. Pinnately compound leaves with 5-11 shiny, green, holly like leaflets. Another study discovered that Oregon grape used in an ointment form was effective in reducing itching, irritation, and inflammation in those with mild to moderate cases of psoriasis. It originated in western North America and is the state flower of Oregon. The shrub’s appearance changes with the seasons. It is called “dull” because its leaves are not as shiny as Tall Oregon […] Plants bear upright clusters of fragrant flowers in late fall and winter; generally resemble Mahonia oiwakensislomariifolia and require the same conditions. [18] The berries can also be eaten raw after the season's first frosts.[19]. Oregon grape. Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Can Osha Root Really Treat Cold, Flu, and Sore Throat? The flowers, borne in dense clusters in late spring, are yellow, and are followed by spherical dark dusty blue berries, which give rise to the common name "Oregon grape".[7]. Excellent shrub for massed planting as hedge or screen or planted singly for color accent. [20] As the leaves of Oregon grape are holly-like and resist wilting, the foliage is sometimes used by florists for greenery and a small gathering industry has been established in the Pacific Northwest. It is an evergreen shrub growing 1 m (3 ft) to 3 m (10 ft) tall by 1.5 m (5 ft) wide, with pinnate leaves consisting of spiny leaflets, and dense clusters of yellow flowers in early spring, followed by dark bluish-black berries. It is recommended that Oregon grape (taken by mouth) is used no longer than two to three weeks before taking a break from its use. Read on to learn about Oregon grape care. She has worked in the hospital setting and collaborated on Alzheimer's research. Oregon grape has been commonly used as a tea by boiling several teaspoons (5 to 15 grams) of chopped roots in 2 cups (500 ml) of water for 15 minutes, then cooling and straining the mixture. Le… This includes other herbal supplements and over the counter medications and nutritional/medicinal supplements. It will provide color throughout all four seasons with its green and burgundy foliage, yellow flowers, and purplish-blue fruit. Long before the Europeans and other immigrants began to arrive in America, indigenous tribes used Oregon grape for many ailments including fever, arthritis, jaundice, diarrhea, and other maladies. doi:10.1038/nm1135. Read our, Medically reviewed by Arno Kroner, DAOM, LAc, Medically reviewed by Lana Butner, ND, LAc, Medically reviewed by Richard N. Fogoros, MD, Verywell Health uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience. It’s important to note that there are limited clinical research study results available on the safety and health benefits of Oregon grape. In fact, Oregon grape is native to the North American West to Southeast Alaska, Northern California, and Alberta, Canada to Central New Mexico. Mahonia Rust. Transfer of specific and infraspecific taxa from, Indigenous peoples of the Northwest Plateau, "Berberis aquifolium, in Jepson Flora Project (eds.) By using Verywell Health, you accept our. Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. Oregon grape (Mahonia aquifolium or Berberis aquifolium) is a medicinal herb from the plant family of Berberidaceae. It is often seen in Douglas fir forests and in brushlands of the Rocky Mountains, the Cascades, and the Northern Sierras. Yes. Tough and adaptable, Mahonia x media 'Charity' (Oregon Grape) is a statuesque, evergreen shrub with striking rosettes of large, architectural, dark green leaves, each composed of 17-21 leaflets. Several common species of Oregon-grape are known, and many have numerous cultivars. Oregon grape (Mahonia aquifolium or Berberis aquifolium) is a medicinal herb from the plant family of Berberidaceae. No. Yellow flowers followed by blue berries. Some medical experts report that there is not enough medical research evidence to prove that Oregon grape is safe when ingested. Sherry Christiansen is a medical writer with a healthcare background. Oregon grape has been demonstrated to help lower blood sugar in patients with insulin resistance. It also has some cholesterol-lowering effects.. Arthur Menzies grows to … Some authors place Mahonia in the barberry genus, Berberis. Oregon grape holly (M. aquifolia) is grown in U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 6 through 9. Many herbalists and medical experts disagree on the scientific name of the Oregon grape, some say that herb comes from the exact same plant as the Berberis aquifolium, but others say there are small differences between the B. aquifolium and M. aquifolium. Excellent evergreen shrub for massed plantings or a border. Cultivars have Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit: M. × wagneri 'Pinnacle' (M. aquifolium × M. pinnata) and 'Apollo’. Oregon grape also known as Mahonia Aquifolium is a flowering plant which derives from the family of berberidaceae (barberry). A condition called kernicterus, involving brain damage, has been reported in newborns from the use of berberine, it should not be used in premature infants with jaundice (studies have shown that berberine worsens jaundice). Mahonia aquifolium is not closely related to either the true holly (Ilex aquifolium) or the true grape (Vitis vinifera cv.). Although more studies are needed to ensure the safety of ingesting Oregon grape, herbalists recommend that no more than 3 cups of tea (750 milliliters) should be ingested daily. It’s used in restoration plantings, common at parks and roadsides. Other names used for Oregon grape include holly-leaf barberry, mountain grape, Oregon grape holly, Oregon barberry, blue barberry, creeping barberry, holly barberry, holly-leaved Berberis, holly Mahonia, Mahonia, Mahonia aquifolium, Mahonie, scraperoot, trailing Mahonia, Uva de Oregon, Vigne de l'Oregon and water-holly. Mahonia berries are covered in a whitish coating. The flowers are followed by highly ornamental bunches of round, deep purple-grey berries - hence the common name of Oregon Grape. The herb was also used in native cultures to stimulate appetite. Loconte, H., & J. R. Estes. Would Oregon grape be considered a good option for treating diabetes? [17] Oregon-grape juice can be fermented to make wine, similar to European barberry wine folk traditions, although it requires an unusually high amount of sugar. Oregon grape. However, more scientific evidence is needed to definitively back the claims that the entire Oregon grape herb (not just berberine) is safe and effective in treating these infections. Description Oregon Grape is the state flower of Oregon, best known for its production of blue-black berries which somewhat resemble clusters of grapes. Purplish-red leaves in winter. Long-term internal use is not recommended; long-term use has been found to lead to adverse reactions such as damage to the natural probiotics in the gastrointestinal system and liver toxicity. Clusters of yellow flowers bloom on the plant in early spring, followed by bluish-black, grape-colored berries. The name Oregon grape is somewhat misleading because the fruit it bears is not actually a grape, and while the plant does grow in the mountainous regions of the Pacific Northwest region of the United States—including Oregon— it is known to flourish in many other areas of the country, as well. The common name is often, and always in the United Kingdom, left unhyphenated as "Oregon grape", though doing so invites confusion with the true grapes. Slender spikes of sweetly scented, soft yellow flowers open over an extended period in winter. Mahonia aquifolium (Oregon grape) extract has been shown to have highly potent anti-fungal properties with low host toxicity 4. The primary medicinal component of Oregon grape, berberine, has been shown to have anti-bacterial properties that are helpful in the treatment of several infections including, throat, intestinal, and urinary tract infections. Some people are known to ingest the “grapes” from the plants, but the research doesn’t support the safety of this form of use either. Is the fruit of the Oregon grape plant edible? Health One/Rose Surgical Center staff. Cleavers (G. aparine): Benefits, Side Effects, Dosage, and Interactions, The Benefits of Coptis Chinensis (Huang Lian), Pueraria Mirifica: Uses for Women's Health, What You Need to Know About Shepherd's Purse, Efficacy of berberine in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, Berberine is a novel cholesterol-lowering drug working through a unique mechanism distinct from statins, Itching, burning, and irritation (at the site of topical cream administration), Any medications that are changed by the liver. The root of Oregon grape has been used as herbal medicine to treat many maladies including colds, flu, herpes, hepatitis, syphilis, stomach upset, cancer, skin disorders, yeast infections, and more. Mahonia nervosa Cascade, Long-leaved, or Dull Oregon Grape This Oregon grape is lower growing evergreen shrub, topping out at about two feet. It is an evergreen shrub growing 1 m (3 ft) to 3 m (10 ft)[4] tall by 1.5 m (5 ft) wide, with pinnate leaves consisting of spiny leaflets, and dense clusters of yellow flowers in early spring, followed by dark bluish-black berries. Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Leaves, long (30-45 cm) clustered at stem tips, pinnately compound, 11-21 leaflets, each 2.5-9.5 cm long, bristle-toothed, glossy green, may show purple in winter. Oregon grape is used for scaly, itchy skin (psoriasis), eczema (atopic dermatitis), stomach problems, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Transfer of specific and infraspecific taxa from, Laferrière, Joseph E. 1997. There are several side effects that have been reported from the use of Oregon grape, including: Certain medicines may interact with Oregon grape and may interfere with the body’s ability to break down some types of medications in the liver. The berries (which are not grapes) are edible, but they taste nothing like grapes. No. The inner bark of the larger stems and roots of Oregon grape yields a yellow dye; the berries give purple dye. 2004;10(12):1344‐1351. aquifolium: the classical name for holly. Evergreen, upright or spreading. Mahonia aquifolium is a great plant for shade and works well in woodland gardens. Phylogenetic systematics of Berberidaceae and Ranunculales (Magnoliidae). Oregon grape is a fairly easy plant to grow and cultivate and makes a great garden or restoration plant. The root is the part of the plant that supplies most of the medicinal properties, not the berries. Mahonia aquifolium, the Oregon grape, is a species of flowering plant in the family Berberidaceae, native to western North America. Make sure the Oregon grape product is wildcrafted (harvested from wild-grown Oregon grape plants). The Garden In Winter by Larry Rettig suggests many other ideas for winter interest. Oregon grape is used as a tincture, which is an herbal mixture with alcohol, given in a dosage of 1/2 to 3/4 teaspoon (3 ml) and taken three times per day. … This is because there is not enough evidence from clinical research studies on the safety and effectiveness of the use of oral (by mouth) Oregon grape root. The study used whole Oregon grape extracts and discovered it reduced inflammation (a common symptom of psoriasis) and stimulated white blood cell production. Mahonia repens commonly known as creeping mahonia, creeping Oregon grape, creeping barberry, or prostrate barberry, is a species of Mahonia native to the Rocky Mountains and westward areas of North America, from British Columbia and Alberta in the north through Arizona and New Mexico, then into northwest Mexico by some reports. Tall Oregon Grape The Barberry Family–Berberidaceae Mahonia aquifolium (Pursh) Nutt. Nat Med. Mahonia aquifolium, the Oregon grape, is a species of flowering plant in the family Berberidaceae, native to western North America. [21], Mahonia aquifolium contains 5'-methoxyhydnocarpin (5'-MHC), a multidrug resistance pump inhibitor, which works to decrease bacterial resistance in vitro. Oregon grape has also been used for its digestive stimulant properties (relieving spasms in the intestinal tract), antimicrobial properties (including its anti-fungal, antibacterial, and anti-parasitic action), immune-boosting, and anti-inflammatory properties. New holly-like growth has bronze-red coloring. It contributes structure, texture and color to home gardens throughout North America. (Ma-HOE-nee-uh ak-wih-FOAL-ee-um) Names: Oregon Grapes have leaflets with sharp spines along their margin. It’s primarily found in the Rocky Mountains from British Columbia to California. [5], Numerous cultivars and hybrids have been developed, of which the following have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit:[14], The small purplish-black fruits, which are quite tart and contain large seeds, are included in small quantities in the traditional diets of Pacific Northwest indigenous peoples, mixed with salal or another sweeter fruit. The Oregon grape (Mahonia aquifolium) is a broadleaf evergreen shrub that grows well in shadier spots. Evergreen shrub/ground cover, slow growing, to 2 ft (60 cm), stoloniferous. Systematic Botany 14:565-579. (Ma-HOE-nee-uh nerv-OH-suh) Names: Low Oregon Grape is also called Cascade Oregon Grape, Cascade Barberry, Dull Oregon Grape, Dwarf Oregon Grape or Longleaf Mahonia. Cascade Oregon grape plant (Mahonia nervosa) goes by several names: longleaf mahonia, cascade mahonia, dwarf Oregon grape, cascade barberry, and dull Oregon grape. No. Although Oregon grape is used as a medicinal herb that is taken by mouth, some experts caution against the safety of internal use of the herbal supplement. Oregon Grape Alcohol-Free Liquid Extract, Oregon Grape (Mahonia aquifolium) Dried Root Glycerite Natural Herbal Supplement, Hawaii Pharm, USA 2x4 fl.oz 4.6 out of 5 stars 108 $54.95 $ 54 . It is also occasionally printed as "Oregongrape". It wards off pests and keeps moisture in. It produces blackish-blue, unpleasant-tasting, edible berries that look like very small grapes. Oregon grape is also thought to slow down the overproduction of immature skin cells and reduce inflammation in a skin condition called psoriasis. Anyone taking prescription medication should consult with the healthcare provider before taking Oregon grape. Safety has not been established for use in those with severe liver or kidney problems and Oregon grape should not be taken by those with an allergy to other herbs in the Berberidaceae family. Touching them with your fingers leaves a mark. 1997. Its spikes of fragrant, lemon yellow flowers bloom from fall through winter, and will add a jolt to any shady bed. Studies have shown that the active ingredient, berberine, contained in Oregon grape has effectively been used to treat diarrhea caused by E. coli infections. Health Library. Why not read Winter Blooming Shrubs: The Short List by Jacqueline Cross for ornamental alternatives to leatherleaf? Creams containing a 10% tincture of Oregon grape root are also available. In a 2006 double-blind study (the gold standard of clinical research studies) 200 participants were broken into two groups. It has medicinal and other uses. Berberine is a chemical that is extracted from Oregon grape, berberine is also found in goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis) and barberry (Berberis vulgaris), it is the part of Oregon grape thought to give the herb its antibacterial and antifungal properties. Because of this feature they are often confused with holly. The pale yellow flowers form in long racemes of about eight inches, and the leaves are blue-green turning dusky maroon during winter. Main Bloom Time: Early spring to Mid spring. In spring, racemes of cheerful, bright golden-yellow flowers appear just above the leaves. This Mahonia will make a lovely focal point for a shady spot in the garden, where its glossy, architectural leaves can be appreciated all year round. For tinctures, ensure that the method of processing involves the cold process method because it extracts the maximum concentration of nutrients and botanical ingredients from the herb. Its berries attract birds. Today, they are sometimes used to make jelly, alone or mixed with salal. These are purple in color, a deep violet sheen that explains why the common name for many species of Mahonia is “Oregon grape”. Oregon grape is not safe for use by people who are breastfeeding; brain damage has been reported in newborn infants exposed to berberine, which can be transferred to the infant via breast milk. Among these are tall Oregon grape (Mahonia aquifolium); Cascade, low, dull, or dwarf Oregon grape (M. nervosa); and creeping Oregon grape (M. repens). Is not enough medical research evidence to prove that Oregon grape holly ( aquifolia. Mammals during the summer and fall grape yields a yellow dye ; the berries ( which are not )... 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