The Oregon grape is a plant whose rhizomes (root and root-like stem) are used to make herbal medicine. They are notable for curing abdominal diseases such as stomach ulcers, stomach upset, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and also bowel cleansing plus other infections.

On the other hand, they are also useful for treating psoriasis and as a disinfectant in general. In the meantime, what is the Oregon grape plant? And what are the health benefits of Oregon grape root extract?

About the Oregon Grape Plant

The Oregon grape or the Mahonia aquifolium is a species of flowering plant that belongs to the family Berberidaceae, and its home is in the North American continent. They grow from 1 to 2m tall by 1.5m wide, with leaves growing as long as 30cm.

Their leaves are made up of spiny leaflets that create a leathery texture. The flowers, which grow in dense clusters will only bloom towards the end of spring are yellow in colour with dark vivid blue berries just like the health benefits of beautyberry. It is important to note that these berries aren’t actual grapes, however their overall appearances that resemble actual grapes earn the plant’s name “Oregon grape.” These are the complete health benefits of Oregon grape berries.

Compared to other types of plants used in herbal medicines, Oregon grape is stronger and more specific in its function. They are not polycrest by nature, meaning they do not offer treatment to a wide range of ailments.

What are its Health Benefits?

Here are the health benefits of Oregon grape root extract:

1. Oregon Grape Root Extracts are Strong Anti-Microbial Agents

Oregon grape roots have long been manifested to treat small-scale to large-scale bacterial infections. Modern herbalists use Oregon grape root extracts to treat various kinds of infections, such as eye infections, vaginal infections, skin wounds or cuts, oral infections, inflammatory bowel conditions, both infectious diarrhea and the upper digestive tract, urinary tract infections, sore throat and so much more.

Indeed, unconventional scientific approaches had attempted to utilize Oregon grape roots for treating syphilis, in which the results were also highly regarded! A scientist named Harvey W. Felter stated that Oregon grape root had earned its own reputation for being able to treat syphilis.

He continued that the more critical the conditions are, the more it gets appraised. He also added that it should end syphilis early if Oregon grape is given to the patient at the early stages of syphilis, however the likelihood of recovery greatly depends on the patient’s immunity as well as how he or she takes care of themselves.

2. Oregon Grape Root Extracts are Good for Liver Health

There are many health benefits of Oregon grape root extract. This is perhaps the primary function of Oregon grape root extracts. Oregon grape root extracts provide a holistic care to the liver by enhancing its function, promote the flow of bile for urine, liquid filtering as well as blood cleansing. Not only it takes good care of the livers; Oregon grape root extracts also treats and maintains the stomach plus intestines as well.

Western theories believe that herbs that has a role on the liver are bitter in taste, which also applies to Oregon grape plant! The bitter taste on the tongue stimulates and increases saliva production, which are the early steps to an efficient yet effective digestion.

3. Oregon Grape Root Extracts are Natural Bone Strengtheners

Alkaloids inside Oregon grape root extracts result in the bitter taste of it. However on the bright side, they are also natural bone strengtheners. This observation is traced back to China, where Oregon grapes are used as a substitution for coptis.

For your information, coptis is a traditional Chinese herb used as a daily supplement to prevent gastrointestinal diseases or cancer. Back to alkaloids, it turned out that the alkaloids themselves contain berbamine, which is useful to strengthen and improve bone density.

4. Oregon Grape Root Extracts Heals Psoriasis and Other Skin Conditions

Psoriasis is a common skin condition that speeds up the life cycle of the skin cells. It triggers the skin cells to build up rapidly and accumulate themselves on the skin surface. The excess skin cells that pile up form scaly rashes and red patches that are not only irritating, but also painful at times. Psoriasis is a chronic dermatological condition that come and go over time.

Some scientific observations suggest that psoriasis can be treated using 10% Oregon grape extract cream, which reduces the severity of the disease and gradually gets rid of it for sufferers. For some people, the reaction caused by Oregon grape root cream may be similar to the ones resulted by medicationcalcipotriene.

On the other hand, Oregon grape root extracts as a form of herbal medicine is proven to be more effective on certain dermatological conditions compared to pharmaceuticals, especially on sensitive skin.

5. Oregon Grape Root Extracts are Primarily Used for Digestive Diseases

The same way with the health benefits of grape leaves, Oregon grape root extracts especially work for digestive diseases. At the end of the day, stomach ulcers, stomach upset, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), as well as bowel cleansing can come in handy when Oregon grape herbal products are around.

Despite being bitter in taste, it has a sedative effect on the smooth muscle lining on the digestive tract while stimulating bile flow in order to loosen up waste and prevent digestive common digestive complications such as cramps, constipation, hemorrhoids, irritable bowel syndrome, gallbladder disease and so much more.

Warnings and Precautions

Some medications can be altered or broken down by the liver. Oregon grape root extract may hinder the chemical reaction of medicines that are meant to be broken down by the liver.

At the end, you are likely to endure its side effects, so before taking any medicines “digested” by the liver, make sure you are not in the state of consuming Oregon grape products. Some medicines that can take longer time to be broken down in the liver because of Oregon grape are cyclosporine, lovastatin, triazolam, sildenafil, indinavir, and many others.