Oregon grape is a shrub that usually has leathery dark green leaves and purple or blue clusters of berries. It is normally found in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States, as well as in the province of British Columbia in Canada. The Plateau Indian tribe is thought to have used this plant for relief of indigestion. It is also sometimes used as a cancer preventative and as an antibiotic.
The plant forms purple or blue berries, in clusters, on its branches. These berries are normally surrounded by pointy, dark green leaves that are thick, tough, and shiny. The clusters can sometimes resemble bunches of grapes. The bush can grow to anywhere from three to 13 feet (.91 to 3.96 m) in height.
Plateau Indians are often credited with first using the Oregon grape for medicinal purposes. It is thought that this tribe used the berries to treat various forms of stomach upset. Some of these digestion problems may have included bloating, nausea, heartburn, excess stomach acid, and occasionally even ulcers.
The juice of the Oregon grape is sometimes very effective in treating stomach disorders because it is thought to help increase the production of bile. This can occasionally stimulate a sluggish digestive system and aid in cleansing the gall bladder. It may also be beneficial in softening stools and relieving symptoms of constipation.
This berry might be effective as a cancer preventative. It can sometimes work as an antioxidant to remove free radicals or cancer-causing agents from the body. It is thought to be especially beneficial in treating cancers of the liver and large intestine, partly due to the fact that it is also believed to be effective in cleansing these two organs.
Oregon grape contains an ingredient called berbamine. This substance is considered by its proponents to be good for bone marrow. Some people also believe that berbamine can help ease the suffering of patients who are undergoing chemotherapy treatment for a variety of cancers.
This plant is also said to help ward off infections, and might be a very effective antibiotic. It is often used homeopathically instead of goldenseal root, an endangered plant, to ward off infections like the common cold. It is also thought to be able to kill bacteria that may be resistant to other antibiotic medicines.
People who use Oregon grape may initially become nauseous whenever they take it. This usually passes after a few doses have been ingested. Even so, it is believed to be safe to consume by most adults. Although it is generally not considered harmful, pregnant women should not take it unless advised to do so by a physician. This is because the effect of this medicine on an unborn fetus is unknown.