Oregon grape — no, it’s not grapes from Oregon. In fact, it is not at all related to grapes that everybody loves snacking on. The one being talked about there is a type of herb which is revered by so many because of the numerous health benefits it offers, and this article will get you acquainted with some of them.
Abundantly growing all across the northwestern part of North America, Oregon grape is an evergreen shrub that likes to thrive in shaded areas. It bears deep purple-colored fruits that look just like grapes but, just like what’s mentioned earlier, the herb is not related to grapes in any way. However, its fruits are very much edible.
Traditional healers commonly employ the root of Oregon grapes for treating a wide variety of health problems, many of them pertaining to concerns related to the liver. The said part of the herb is also usually used for dealing with matters related to the digestive system. At times they serve as treatments for skin issues.
One of the reasons why Oregon grape possesses superb medicinal properties is the fact that it contains many different alkaloid compounds, and berberine is one of the most noteworthy of all. According to scientists, berberine boasts of amazing antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, immune-boosting properties. So impressive!
So without any more ado, let’s take a look at some of the health benefits of Oregon grape:
Most of the time, Oregon grape is used by traditional healers in strengthening the liver. It is said to be highly effective against hepatitis and cirrhosis of the liver. Commonly, it is employed to deal with jaundice, which is a common symptom of various liver problems, and it causes the yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes.
Small doses of Oregon grape are known to help treat diarrhea, courtesy of its astringent and antimicrobial properties. What so amazing about this herb is it may also be employed for dealing with the complete opposite of diarrhea, and that’s constipation. For such, high doses of Oregon grape are used.
Oregon grape is also used by traditional healers in managing all sorts of problems concerning the skin. For instance, it is commonly recommended for the treatment of acne and eczema. Because of the antifungal properties of this herb, it is also employed for the treatment of skin infections that are caused by fungus.
There are herbalists who recommend the intake of Oregon grape in order to augment the effects of antibiotics. However, it is very important for you to ask the doctor who prescribed you with antibiotics if it’s perfectly fine for those medications to be taken with anything containing Oregon grape.
Oregon grape can also prove to be very good at controlling inflammation, which is something that is linked to a host of health problems. Some of them include osteoporosis, diabetes and arthritis. Because of its anti-inflammatory properties, Oregon grape is believed to be effective against certain types of cancer.
Scientists are studying the ability of berberine in Oregon grape to kill off one of the scariest microbes on the face of the planet, which is MRSA. Just how scary it is? You can know simply by checking out what MRSA stands for — methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus. It’s one very tough kind of bacterium!
CAUTION: Just like when planning on using any other herb, the utilization of Oregon grape should only be done under the supervision of an experienced herbalist. Make sure that you talk with your doctor beforehand most especially if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or diagnosed with a medical condition and taking prescription drugs for it.
Don’t forget to share this article on your different social media sites to let your family and friends also get introduced to Oregon grape, too, and the many amazing health benefits it’s known to offer!
