Common names: Oregon Grape and Mountain Grape

Alternative Names: Mahonia aquifolium, Berberis aquifolium, Holly-Leaved Barberry, Sowberry, Woodsour, Blue Barberry, Holly Mahonia.

It is generally assumed that it was the English settlers who brought the berries with them when they arrived on the shores of America. 

The English reportedly named the Oregon grape barberry, as it is still known to natives of the west and Northwest. Initially, it was thought that the shrub, which so closely resembled the holly, belonged to the species of Berberis, but it was later proved that it belonged to their own genus, Mahonia.

Most American herbalists rank the Oregon grape as one among the most outstanding and exceptional Native American herbs available today. 

They also believe that the plant is in fact one of the best herbs available that effectively stimulates liver activity and the secretion of bile. This is due to the Oregon grape containing a high level of the alkaloid berberine, which is in turn an important constituent of other similarly powerful healing plants like goldenseal.

Oregon grape (Mahonia aquifolium) grows naturally from British Columbia south to California. The root of the plant is part used by herbalists and medical researchers. Oregon grape kills bacteria and reduces inflammation. 

It's been used to treat such varying diseases as giardia (beaver fever), candida (yeast infection), viral diarrhea and even cholera. In China, studies show that Oregon grape root speeds recovery from chemotherapy and radiation therapies. 

Eczema and psoriasis sufferers have been successfully treated using Oregon grape root to ease inflammation, irritation, and itching. It is yet another bitter herb that's reputed to rid the body of intestinal worms.

The antibacterial activity of Oregon grape and other barberries may not be strictly due to this alkaloid. Many bacteria, such as Staphylococcus aureus, have developed multidrug resistance pumps (MDRs) that protect them from both synthetic and natural antibiotics, including berberine. 

However, over the millennia, plants develop ways to circumvent bacterial resistance.

Oregon grape is in the same family as barberry and both contain the same alkaloids as goldenseal. 

Barberry is more specific for the liver while Oregon grape is a valuable aid to the lymphatic system.

Oregon grape rhizome and roots have the following properties: alterative, antibiotic, antiseptic, astringent, bitter taste, cholagogue (bile stimulating), cooling, diuretic, emetic, laxative, thyroid stimulant. They affect the blood, intestines, liver, skin, spleen, and stomach.

Traditional uses of Oregon grape include: acne, arthritis, bronchial congestion, chronic fatigue, eczema, hepatitis, herpes, hypoglycemia, indigestion, lymphatic congestion, menstrual problems, psoriasis, scrofula, syphilis, and vaginitis.

In modern times, Oregon grape is known as a good liver cleanser. This is due to the fact that it increases bile production. This action also aids digestion and purifies the blood. When combined with dandelion, milk thistle or celandine, it can be very effective in combating hepatitis B and jaundice.

Recent studies have shown that berberine-containing herbs may be useful for those suffering from diarrhea and especially bacterial dysentery.

Taken internally it may help with the following problems:

Syphilis

Hemorrhages

Stomach Complaints

Impure Blood Conditions

Strep Throat

Diuretic

Herpes

Kidney

Laxative

Rheumatism

Acne

Boils

Psoriasis

Eczema

And skin conditions that may be directly linked to poor function of the gallbladder.