Image source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mahonia_aquifolium.jpg
Common name Oregon grape
Plant family Berberidaceae
Parts used Root and rhizome
Qualities Dry, cold (Holmes, 2007).
Constituents
Isoquinoline alkaloids: berberine, berbamine, hydrastine, oxycanthine (Hoffman, 2003).
Actions
Anti-psoriatic, anti-inflammatory, depurative, antimicrobial (Bone, 2003). Alterative, cholegogue, laxative, anti-emetic, anti-cattarhal, tonic. Immune-modulating (Yarnell, Abascal & Hooper, 2009). Anti-fungal, anti-viral, anti-protozoan (Hechtman, 2011).
Indications
Main use is for treatment of scaly, chronic skin conditions such as psoriasis and eczema (Hoffman, 2003). Clinical trials have demonstrated that B. aquifolium is a safe and effective treatment for cases of mild to moderate psoriasis (Gulliver & Donsky, 2005) when prepared as a cream containing 10% extract.
A safe gentle laxative (Hoffman, 2003).
Helpful for stomach and gallbladder conditions where there is accompanying nausea and vomiting (Hoffman, 2003).
In vitro, extracts of B. aquifolium showed an inhibitory effect on P. acnes bacteria (Slobodnikova, Kostalova, Labudova, Kotulova & Kettmann, 2004).
Hechtman advises that the anti-microbial properties of the herb are most potent topically, pointing out that berberine is not absorbed from the GI tract and hence ineffective for the uterus, lungs and liver (Hechtman, 2011).
Physician's Desk Reference advises using for dandruff (Gruenwald, Brendler & Jaenicke, 1998).
Cautions/Contraindications
Not to be used during pregnancy or by jaundiced neonates due to berberine content (Bone, 2003).
Dosage
Dose per day, 3.5-7ml of 1:2 liquid extract; dose per week, 25-50ml of 1:2 liquid extract (Bone, 2003).
Dried herb: 1-2 g dried herb per day according to British Herbal Pharmacopoeia (Willoughby & Mills, 1996).
Combinations
With chamomile, wild yam, peppermint, and caraway for immune-modulating, anti-inflammatory action, particularly suited to IBS (Yarnell, Abascal & Hooper, 2009).
With Hydrastis canadensis in cystitis treatment (Bone & Mills, 2013).
References
Bone, K. (2003). A clinical guide to blending liquid herbs. Edinburgh [u.a.]: Churchill Livingstone.
Bone, K., & Mills, S. (2013). Principles and practice of phytotherapy. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone.
Gruenwald, J., Brendler, T., & Jaenicke, C. (1998). PDR for herbal medicines. Montvale, New Jersey: Medical Economics.
Gulliver, W., & Donsky, H. (2005). A Report on Three Recent Clinical Trials Using Mahonia aquifolium 10% Topical Cream and a Review of the Worldwide Clinical Experience With Mahonia aquifolium for the Treatment of Plaque Psoriasis. American Journal Of Therapeutics, 12(5), 398-406.
Hechtman, L. (2011). Clinical naturopathic medicine. Sydney, Australia: Churchill Livingstone/Elsevier Australia.
Hoffmann, D. (2003). Medical herbalism. Rochester, Vt.: Healing Arts Press.
Holmes, P. (2007). The energetics of Western herbs. Cotati, Calif.: Snow Lotus Press.
Slobodnikova, L., Kostalova, D., Labudova, D., Kotulova, D., & Kettmann, V. (2004). Antimicrobial activity of Mahonia aquifolium crude extract and its major isolated alkaloids. Phytotherapy Research, 18(8), 674-676.
Willoughby, M., & Mills, S. (1996). British herbal pharmacopoeia, 1996. [Exeter, England]: British Herbal Medicine Association.
Yarnell, E., Abascal, K., & Hooper, C. (2009). Clinical botanical medicine. Larchmont, NY: Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.