Oregon Grape Purchase & Information
Alternative Names
Barberry, Berberis, Blue Barberry, Creeping Barberry, Holly Barberry, Holly Mahonia, Holly-Leaved Berberis, Mahonia, Mahonia Faux Houx, Mahonia à Feuilles de Houx, Mahonie, Mountain-Grape, Oregon Barberry, Oregon Grape-Holly, Scraperoot, Trailing Mahonia, Uva de Oregon, Vigne de l'Oregon, Water-Holly CAUTION: Please refer to separate listing for European Barberry
Scientific Name
Berberis Aquifolium
Why Do People Use Oregon Grape?
The oral preparations of Berberis aquifolium (Oregon grape), like Oregon grape powder, are used for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), peptic ulcers, as a bitter tonic, stomach upset, to treat infections and as a cathartic.
Topically - Oregon grape is topically used as a disinfectant and for psoriasis.
Is It Safe To Use?
Possibly Safe - Topical use of Oregon grape powder for appropriate time period is considered safe. Particularly, a cream containing 10% Oregon grape (Relieva, Apollo Pharmaceutical) has been used in studies for up to 12 weeks.
In order to rate the safety of Oregon grape in medicinal amount, there is lack of authentic information available.
Likely Unsafe For Children - Oral consumption of Oregon grape for newborns is considered unsafe. There is an active constituent of Oregon grape, known as berberine, which may cause kernicterus issues in newborns, particularly preterm neonates with hyperbilirubinemia.
Likely Unsafe For Pregnant Women - Oral utilization of Oregon grape powder during pregnancy is considered unsafe. Berberine may cross placenta and may harm the fetus too. It may develop kernicterus in new born babies because of berberine constituent.
Likely Unsafe For Breast Feeding Women - Oral consumption of Oregon grape may have adverse effects for breast feeding females. Possibly berberine and other lethal constituents can adversely affect the new born through breast milk.
How Effective Is Oregon Grape?
Oregon grape powder may be effective for:
• Psoriasis
How Oregon Grape Works?
The most effective part of Berberis aquifolium are the roots and rhizome. Oregon grape consist of magnoflorine, jatrorrhizine and alkaloids berberine. Oregon grape concentrates seem to have antifungal and antibacterial effects. The constituents Oregon grape powder such as jatrorrhizine seems to have great action against various Candida and dermatophytes species. Magnoflorine and Jatrorrhizine seem to have antioxidant effects as well.
Topical utilization of Oregon grape appears to lessen keratinocyte hyperproliferation and keratinocyte makers that are seen in psoriasis. Berberine is the most essential constituent of Oregon grape. Initial experiments suggest that berberine reduces cell proliferation and restrains keratinocyte growth.
Berberine has antiarrhythmic, inotropic and antihypertensive properties. Berberine seems to have alpha-adrenergic blocking action. According to initial experiments, berberine may also be effective in decreasing low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and blood glucose. Berberine may also repress aldose reductase. It is also suggested that berberine may have antitumor impacts and protect the liver from potential damage caused by hepatotoxins.
Berberine has antifungal, antibacterial and some antiprotozoal and antimycobacterial activity as well. Berberine has action against Streptococcus pyogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, Shigella boydii, Escherichia coli, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Vibrio cholerae, Candida tropicalis, Candida albicans, Microsporum gypseum, Cryptococcus neoformans, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Giardia lamblia, Sporotrichum schenckii and Entamoeba histolytica. According to initial studies, berberine may restrain bacterial sortase, which is a protein that is responsible for acnchoring gram-positive microbes to cell membranes.
Initial studies also recommend that berberine stops the production of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and proinflammatory cytokines. Berberine is helpful in treating alcoholic liver disease, which is related with increased levels of TNF-alpha and IL1-beta.
Initial research recommends that berberine specifically hinders the expression of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2. Berberine seems to diminish the secretion of gastric acid.
What Are The Side Effects /Adverse Reactions of Oregon Grape?
Orally - Consumption of herbs that contain berberine during lactation, pregnancy or in newborn infants can lead to kernicterus and several fatalities have been reported due to the same reason. Berberine has been utilized orally in amount up to two grams daily for consecutively 8 weeks with no severe side effects reported.
Topical application of oregon grape can lead individuals to burning, itching, allergic reactions and skin irritation. Berberine is an essential constituent of Oregon grape can be used for up to 20 days and additionally there is no adverse effects reported.
How Oregon Grape Interacts With Other Herbs and Supplements?
Not known.
How Oregon Grape Interacts With Drugs?
Cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune) - Interaction rating between Oregon grape powder and Cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune) is moderate, so be careful about this mixture. Most active constituent of Oregon grape is Berberine, which can increase serum levels and decrease metabolism of cyclosporine. It can also inhibit cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) that can potentially metabolize cyclosporine.
Cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) Substrates - Interaction rating between Oregon grape is moderate so be careful about this mixture. Initial clinical experiments suggest that berberine is an essential constituent of Oregon grape that may inhibit cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) enzyme. However, so far, this result has not been reported in human beings. So closely monitor increase in the drugs levels metabolized by CYP3A4 in patients who orally intake Oregon grape powder. Drugs metabolized by CYP3A4 consist of clarithromycin (Biaxin), lovastatin (Mevacor), triazolam (Halcion), sildenafil (Viagra), indinavir (Crixivan) and various others. European barberry should be consumed carefully or discontinue in patients taking these drugs.
How Oregon Grape Interacts With Foods?
Not known.
How Oregon Grape Interacts With Lab Tests?
Bilirubin - Berberis aquifolium may enhance the level of bilirubin. This has been confirmed with isolated berberine constituent but not particularly with Oregon grape. Berberine can cause an increase in unbound and total bilirubin concentrations the reason is it displaces bilirubin from albumin.
How Oregon Grape Interacts With Diseases and Conditions?
Not known.
What Should Be the Dose/Administration of Oregon Grape?
Topical - In order to treat psoriasis, particulate cream extract of 10% Oregon grape bark (Relieva, Apolla Pharmaceutical) topically should be used on affected areas for 2 to 3 times every day.
Comments
None.
General Certificate of Analysis (COA)
Specification sheet links below are a standard copy of the COA less the batch or lot number and manufactures dates. Specification sheet can be dated and should only be considered as a general information. Please contact and request an up to date COA if needed for specific updated information before placing order by filling out the contact form with product name and SKU number. If ordering quantities of twenty five kilos or more contact for availability.
