Botanical: Mahonia aquifolium (also known as Mahonia nervosa)
Family: Berberidaceae (barberry/barley)
Other common names: Mountain Grape, Oregon Grapeholly, Oregon Barberry, Alegrita,

Holly-leaved Barberry, California Barberry, Mahonia, Mountain Holly, Pepperidge, Sourberry, Sowberry, Yellow Root

Oregon Grape is one of our most valuable herbs and thought to be unequalled in helping to purify the blood and liver of wastes and promoting a healthy gallbladder.It is also an effective antifungal and antibacterial. Moreover,Oregon Grape helps to treat many skin problems and ease digestivedisorders.

Disclaimer:
The information presented herein by Vitamin Depot Online.com isintended for educational purposes only. These statements have not beenevaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, cure, treat orprevent disease. Individual results may vary, and before using anysupplements, it is always advisable to consult with your own healthcare provider.

History:
Oregon Grape, the state flower of Oregon, derives its name from its useas a medicine and food along the Oregon Trail, and that popularity as afood and medicine nearly led to its extinction in the late nineteenthcentury. Both the leaves and root bark of this evergreenperennial are used medicinally, and the root, containing the powerfulalkaloid, berberine, was officially included in the United States Pharmacopoeia from 1905 to 1916. Oregon Grape was originally thought to be a species of Berberis and later determined to belong to its own genus, Mahonia, but all the species belong to the same plant family. Oregon Grape closely resembles Barberry (Berberis vulgaris )in its chemistry and is used in similar ways, but the slightlydifferent composition of the antiseptic alkaloid, berberine, makes it abetter liver tonic. Oregon Grape has been called yerba de la sangre (herb of the blood), indicating its importance as a blood purifier. The smaller Mahonia repens (creeping Oregon Grape) is also used for similar medicinalapplications. Oregon Grape was included in many culinarypreparations, including a jelly that is rich in vitamin C, and was alsoused as a greenish-yellow dye. Blackfoot Indians called it Ot-to-gue and used it to check rectal hemorrhage, dysentery and stomachtroubles. The Kwakiutls made a bark tea to offset an excess ofbile, and Oregon Grape was also found to be beneficial for open boils,kidney troubles and as an antiseptic for wounds. In Europe today,Oregon Grape is used topically to treat psoriasis and dry skin rashes.Some of the principal constituents in Oregon Grape include alkaloids(especially berberine, berbamine, isocorydin and oxyacanthine), tanninsand

vitamin C.

Beneficial Uses:
Oregon Grape isprobably unequalled as a corrector of liver secretions. The rootpurifies the blood and cleanses the liver by stimulating bile flow andreleasing toxins. Some American herbalists believe that whilestrengthening the liver, it will also alleviate liver-related symptoms,such as jaundice, headache, toxic blood, poor digestion and gallbladdercomplaints. Oregon Grape helps the liver to metabolize wastes andtoxins and has been said to be useful in the treatment of chronichepatitis-B. Modern herbalists use the root to cleanse the spleen, andit is also thought to lessen the size of the spleen.

Theberberine content in Oregon Grape is believed to possess a widespectrum of antifungal and antibacterial activity and has been used tostop diarrhea caused by toxic pathogens, such as bacterialdysentery. Some studies also claimed that its antibacterialactivity has countered such important germs as E.coli and N. meningitides, among others.Berberine and other alkaloids have also been shown to kill a wide rangeof microbes and have been effective in human studies for speedingrecovery from giardia, a parasite causing contagious diarrhea, andcholera.

Usedinternally and externally, Oregon Grape root has been found to be veryeffective for reducing and preventing psoriatic lesions. With itsblood cleansing and antibacterial qualities, it has been found to behelpful in treating various skin problems, such as acne, boils, rashesand eczema.

Oregon Grape is said toregulate the digestive system. It is a bitter that is thought tostimulate and improve the function of the digestive organs, increasinghydrochloric acid in the stomach and digestive secretions that aidassimilation of foods. It is said to smooth mucous membranes andalleviate digestive complaints, including nausea and gastritis.Some studies claim that its use helps to remove obstructions in theintestinal tract and stimulate sluggish bowels. Herbalistssometimes use Oregon Grape as an overall tonic to benefit delicate andconvalescing people.

Berberine (found in Oregon Grape, Barberry,Goldenseal, and the roots and bark of a number of plants) is now thefocus of attention for use in diabetic care. In a report from Medical News Today (DiabetesNews/August, 2006), a collaboration of Chinese, Korean and Australianscientists at Sydney's Garvan Institute revealed that berberine couldbe a valuable new treatment for this disease, giving scientific backingfor its glucose lowering effects that were documented in Chineseliterature and long used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).Garvan scientist, Dr. Jiming Ye claimed that in lab tests, theberberine activates an enzyme in the muscle and liver that is involvedin improving sensitivity of the tissue to insulin, which, in turn,helps lower blood sugar levels. Moreover, the berberine might help toreduce body weight. Professor James, the head of Garvan'sDiabetes and Obesity Research Program added that despite berberine'swidespread use in Traditional Chinese Medicine, it would have to beevaluated following the defined clinical trials process.

Studies in China have shown that an alkaloid in OregonGrape, called berbamine, can help to protect bone marrow and promoterecovery after chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

Recommended Dosage:
For Botanical Powder: Take two (2) to three (3) capsules, one (1) time each day with water at a mealtime.
For Botanical Extract: Take one (1) capsule, one (1) to two (2) times each day with water at mealtimes.

Contraindications:
Berberine-containing plants (Barberry, Oregon Grape, Goldenseal, etc.)should not be used by pregnant or nursing women. Those who suffer fromhyperthyroid conditions should not take Oregon Grape, and diabeticsshould use Oregon Grape only under the supervision of aphysician. There is some evidence that berberine may interferewith the efficacy of tetracycline medications. High doses (manytimes the recommended amount) may cause vomiting, lowered bloodpressure and lowered heart rate, lethargy, nosebleed, skin, eye andkidney irritation. Do not take Oregon Grape Root if you have chronicdiarrhea, a duodenal ulcer or excessive stomach acid, as it could makethese conditions worse.Oregon Grape root is not recommended for prolonged use.

Capsule Size:
We use only 100% Gluten-free, Vegetable Cellulose, size "00" capsules for all of our encapsulated products. (click here for size comparison) Each capsule contains approximately 600 mgs of powdered herb material.

• Oregon Grape Root - Botanical Powder -- Approximately 600 mgs each
• Oregon Grape Root - Botanical Extract 4:1 -- Approximately 600 mgs each