This is a natural wax coating that the plant itself produces. 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. Read on to learn about Oregon grape care. Today, they are sometimes used to make jelly, alone or mixed with salal. Touching them with your fingers leaves a mark. 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. Jepson eFlora", "North Carolina Botanical Garden / Conservation / Plants to Avoid in the Southeastern United States", Plants to Avoid in the Southeastern United States Tennessee Invasive Exotic Plant List, "Synergy in a medicinal plant: antimicrobial action of berberine potentiated by 5'-methoxyhydnocarpin, a multidrug pump inhibitor", "Our State Flowers: The Floral Emblems Chosen by the Commonwealths", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Mahonia_aquifolium&oldid=986921753, Plants used in traditional Native American medicine, Articles with unsourced statements from April 2018, Taxonbars with automatically added basionyms, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 3 November 2020, at 19:43. The leathery leaves resemble those of holly and the stems and twigs have a thickened, corky appearance. Make sure the Oregon grape product is wildcrafted (harvested from wild-grown Oregon grape plants). Mahonia aquifolium is a native plant in the North American West from Southeast Alaska to Northern California, and eastern Alberta to central New Mexico, often occurring in the understory of Douglas fir forests (although other forest types contain the species) and in brushlands in the Cascades, Rockies, and northern Sierras. Extensive medical research data has shown that Oregon grape may be safe and effective for the treatment of psoriasis (a common skin condition that causes skin cells to form scales and itchy, sometimes painful red patches). Mahonia aquifolium (Oregon grape) extract has been shown to have highly potent anti-fungal properties with low host toxicity 4. Mahonia nervosa Cascade, Long-leaved, or Dull Oregon Grape This Oregon grape is lower growing evergreen shrub, topping out at about two feet. … Loconte, H., & J. R. Estes. It originated in western North America and is the state flower of Oregon. 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. 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. doi:10.1016/j.metabol.2008.01.013, Kong W, Wei J, Abidi P, et al. Nat Med. You’ll barely recognize this shade dweller as an Oregon grape when it sends up its long slender foliage without a single thorn. Oregon grape. Can Osha Root Really Treat Cold, Flu, and Sore Throat? Health One/Rose Surgical Center staff. No. She has worked in the hospital setting and collaborated on Alzheimer's research. 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. Berberine is a novel cholesterol-lowering drug working through a unique mechanism distinct from statins. Pinnately compound leaves with 5-11 shiny, green, holly like leaflets. 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. Is the fruit of the Oregon grape plant edible? A 10% Mahonia aquifolium (Oregon grape) extract topical cream used to treat patients indicated that Mahonia aquifolium is a safe and effective treatment of patients with mild to moderate psoriasis 5. 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 . Evergreen shrub/ground cover, slow growing, to 2 ft (60 cm), stoloniferous. Description Oregon Grape is the state flower of Oregon, best known for its production of blue-black berries which somewhat resemble clusters of grapes. Tall Oregon Grape The Barberry Family–Berberidaceae Mahonia aquifolium (Pursh) Nutt. Morphology: Oregon Grape is an evergreen shrub which can grow to a height of 7’-10’ and up to 5’ wide. 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. Oregon grape (Mahonia aquifolium or Berberis aquifolium) is a medicinal herb from the plant family of Berberidaceae. New growth has bronzy-red coloring, turning to glossy, deep-green. The herb has traditionally been used for maladies including, eye infections, acne, athlete's foot, gastrointestinal issues, skin conditions, and more, though there is limited scientific research on these claims. It contributes structure, texture and color to home gardens throughout North America. In fact, the species gets its name from the name for English Holly, Ilex aquifolium. 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. Oregon grape holly (M. aquifolia) is grown in U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 6 through 9. Health Library. Why not read Winter Blooming Shrubs: The Short List by Jacqueline Cross for ornamental alternatives to leatherleaf? 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. However, in commercial horticulture these plants are still known as Mahonia. When it is fully grown, the shrub is between 2 to 6 feet high. 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. It’s important to note that there are limited clinical research study results available on the safety and health benefits of Oregon grape. As a topical (on the skin) cream for psoriasis, a specific mixture of 10% Oregon grape bark extract cream is commercially made by a company named Relieva, Apollo Pharmaceutical to be applied two to three times per day to the affected area (for eight weeks) of the skin. 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. Cultivars have Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit: M. × wagneri 'Pinnacle' (M. aquifolium × M. pinnata) and 'Apollo’. The flowers are yellow and quite fragrant which attracts pollinators during the spring. Oregon grape. (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. Berberine is thought to slow down the mobility of the intestinal tract in those with diarrhea; it also inhibits the growth of bacteria and enhances immune cell properties, helping to prevent infections (particularly throat, intestinal, and urinary tract infections). Bloom Color: Yellow. [5], The specific epithet aquifolium denotes "sharp-leafed" (as in Ilex aquifolium, the common holly), referring to the spiny foliage.[6]. Oregon grape (Mahonia aquifolium) is a flowering herb that has been used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine to treat numerous conditions, including … Oregon grape is not recommended for people who are pregnant (it is thought to cross the placental barrier and may harm the fetus). It is valued for its striking foliage and flowers, which often appear before those of other shrubs. The Oregon grape is a bushy perennial plant with shiny leaves that resemble holly. Mahonia berries are covered in a whitish coating. Berberine, an alkaloid derivative of many herbs, including goldenseal, barberry, and other herbs in the Berberis L genus, is known to have antibacterial and antifungal properties. Sherry Christiansen is a medical writer with a healthcare background. Purplish-red color in winter. These are purple in color, a deep violet sheen that explains why the common name for many species of Mahonia is “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. What is Oregon Grape? 2004;10(12):1344‐1351. The Garden In Winter by Larry Rettig suggests many other ideas for winter interest. Because of this feature they are often confused with holly. [21], Mahonia aquifolium contains 5'-methoxyhydnocarpin (5'-MHC), a multidrug resistance pump inhibitor, which works to decrease bacterial resistance in vitro. 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. Would Oregon grape be considered a good option for treating diabetes? Anyone taking prescription medication should consult with the healthcare provider before taking Oregon grape. Do the berries from the Oregon grape have medicinal properties? Yellow flowers followed by blue berries. In a 2006 double-blind study (the gold standard of clinical research studies) 200 participants were broken into two groups. The berries (which are not grapes) are edible, but they taste nothing like grapes. 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. [18] The berries can also be eaten raw after the season's first frosts.[19]. It is also occasionally printed as "Oregongrape". Mahonia aquifolium, the Oregon grape, is a species of flowering plant in the family Berberidaceae, native to western North America. 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). 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. Oregon grape is a fairly easy plant to grow and cultivate and makes a great garden or restoration plant. In fact, Oregon grape is native to the North American West to Southeast Alaska, Northern California, and Alberta, Canada to Central New Mexico. It is often seen in Douglas fir forests and in brushlands of the Rocky Mountains, the Cascades, and the Northern Sierras. The pale yellow flowers form in long racemes of about eight inches, and the leaves are blue-green turning dusky maroon during winter. Examples of medications that should not be taken with Oregon grape include: Some medications that are broken down in the liver may be broken down differently (causing increased side effects of some medications). The study results indicated that those given the cream with Oregon grape received more benefits for skin conditions than those who used the placebo. Mahonia aquifolium, Oregon grape holly, is a native American relative of leatherleaf. The flowers are followed by highly ornamental bunches of round, deep purple-grey berries - hence the common name of Oregon Grape. It’s used in restoration plantings, common at parks and roadsides. This evergreen shrub is the smaller cousin of Tall Oregon Grape, offering the same glossy, serrated foliage and canary-yellow blooms, but in a smaller package. 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. In fact, they are very tart, but they are rich in vitamin C. Keep in mind that there is limited scientific evidence on the safety of Oregon grape when ingested. In fact, most of the published clinical research study results on Oregon grape involved the use of the root of the herb in a topical (administered on the skin) cream, for the treatment of a skin condition called psoriasis. Mahonia aquifolium grows to 1–2 m (3 ft 3 in–6 ft 7 in) tall by 1.5 m (5 ft) wide, with pinnate leaves up to 30 cm (12 in) long, each leaf made up of spiny leaflets. Yes. In spring, racemes of cheerful, bright golden-yellow flowers appear just above the leaves. Cascade Oregon grape plant (Mahonia nervosa) goes by several names: longleaf mahonia, cascade mahonia, dwarf Oregon grape, cascade barberry, and dull Oregon grape. Systematic Botany 14:565-579. Excellent evergreen shrub for massed plantings or a border. Oregon grape (Mahonia aquifolium or Berberis aquifolium) is a medicinal herb from the plant family of Berberidaceae. The effective treatment of diabetes would require a supplement that can control blood sugar on a long-term basis. Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. 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. Its spikes of fragrant, lemon yellow flowers bloom from fall through winter, and will add a jolt to any shady bed. After a few years of its life cycle, the leaves of the plant turn bright red. Oregon grape also known as Mahonia Aquifolium is a flowering plant which derives from the family of berberidaceae (barberry). doi:10.1038/nm1135. Phylogenetic systematics of Berberidaceae and Ranunculales (Magnoliidae). Oregon grape holly (Mahonia aquifolium) is a handsome, 3- to 6-foot ornamental shrub that can play a number of roles in the garden. 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