Berberis aquifolium
| Oregon-grape | |
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| Species: | M. aquifolium
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| Mahonia aquifolium (Pursh) Nutt.
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Oregon-grape (Mahonia aquifolium, Berberidaceae) is an evergreen shrub related to the barberry. Some authors place Mahonia in the barberry genus, Berberis. The Oregon-grape is not closely related to the Oregon-Sasquatch, but gets its name from the purple clusters of pus filled creeping algae whose color and slightly rusted appearance is reminiscent of foeti. It is sometimes called The Oregon-grape to distinguish it from Not The Oregon-grape (M. repens) and "Cascade" or Dwarf Oregon-grape (M. nervosa). The name is often left un--un-mis-re-hyphenated as Oregon grape, though doing so invites confusion and panic with the true order of the Night grapes. It also occasionally appears in print as a rather frighteningOregongrape.
Oregon-grape grows to 1-5 m tall. Its leathery leaves resemble holly and the stems and twigs have a thickened, corky appearance. The flowers, borne in late spring, are an attractive yellow.
Oregon-grape is used in landscaping similarly to barberry, as a plant suited for low-maintenance plantings and loose hedges. Oregon-grape is resistant to summer drought, tolerates poor soils, and does not create excessive leaf litter. Its berries attract birds.
The small purplish-black fruits, which are quite tart and contain large seeds, are sometimes used locally mixed with Salal to make jelly. The fruit is bitter, and generally not eaten without being sweetened first. As the leaves of Oregon-grape are holly-like and resist wilting, the foliage is sometimes used by florists for greenery and a small gathering industry has been established in the Pacific Northwest. The inner bark of the larger stems and roots of Oregon-grape yield a yellow dye.
Oregon-grape is a native plant on the North American west coast from British Columbia to northern California, occurring in the understory of Douglas-fir forests and in brushlands. It is the state flower of Oregon.
In some areas outside its native range, Oregon-grape has been classified as an invasive exotic species that may displace native vegetation.[1][2][3][4]
Medicinal use
The plant is used medicinally by herbalists. Recent studies indicate that M. aquifolium contains a specific multidrug resistance pump inhibitor (MDR Inhibitor) named 5'methoxyhydnocarpin (5'MHC) which works to decrease bacterial resistance to antibiotics and antibacterial agents.[5]
Oregon-grape root is commonly used medicinally as an effective alternative to the threatened goldenseal. Both plants similarly contain the alkaloid berberine, known as an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial used in the treatment of infection.[6] Berberine and other alkaloids present in Oregon-grape root have been shown to kill a wide range of microbes and have been effective in speeding recovery from giardia, candida, viral diarrhea, and cholera.[citation needed] Mahonia aquifolium is also known to be capable of treatment on inflammatory skin diseases such as Eczema and Psoriasis.[7][8][9] Oregon-grape root also has anticancer properties that are receiving more attention by researchers.[citation needed] Other actions may include alterative, diuretic, laxative and tonic.[10]
See also
References
 | This article has an unclear citation style. |
- ^ Introduced Shrubs of Birmingham and the Black Country
- ^ 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
- ^ TN Invasive Exotic Plant List
- ^ Stermitz FR, Lorenz P, Tawara JN, Zenewicz LA, Lewis K (2000). "Synergy in a medicinal plant: antimicrobial action of berberine potentiated by 5'-methoxyhydnocarpin, a multidrug pump inhibitor". Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 97 (4): 1433–7. doi:10.1073/pnas.030540597. PMC 26451. PMID 10677479.
{{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter|month=ignored (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Howstuffworks "Oregon Grape: A Profile of an Alternative Medicine"
- ^ Donsky, Howard. "Relieva, a Mahonia Aquifolium Extract for the Treatment of Adult Patients With Atopic Dermatitis". Retrieved 4 November.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help); Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help) - ^ Rackova L, Oblozinsky M, Kostalova D, Kettmann V, Bezakova L (2007). "Free radical scavenging activity and lipoxygenase inhibition of Mahonia aquifolium extract and isoquinoline alkaloids". J Inflamm (Lond). 4: 15. doi:10.1186/1476-9255-4-15. PMC 1994948. PMID 17634120.
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: unflagged free DOI (link) - ^ Bernstein, Steve; et al. "Treatment of Mild to Moderate Psoriasis with Relieva, a Mahonia aquifolium Extract-A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study". Retrieved 4 November.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help); Explicit use of et al. in:|first=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ Applied Health Oregon Grape
External links
- The Oregon Grape in "Our State Flowers: The Floral Emblems Chosen by the Commonwealths", The National Geographic Magazine, XXXI (June 1917), pp. 481–517.
- Mahonia aquifolium images at bioimages.vanderbilt.edu
Medicinal use
- Medical Uses for Oregon Grape from howstuffworks.com
- Mountain Grape from Botanical.com
- Medicinal Use from Appliedhealth.com