Semester 4, Week 11, Day 4: Oregon grape

Interestingly, the prompt for this week's discussion in toxicology applied to an herb on my list that I had already gotten started.  As a result, I'll be discussing Oregon grape!  I have not posted it on the site yet because I'm not quite done with it even though I did post the discussion.  I'm not going to do a lab due to time (I'll get one done later) but I have a few research articles I want to read to add to the prompt so I'll add those to the herbarium as well then post it.

We have breakfast done and the kids are playing. Happy noises are coming from their room.  It's good to be a mom! When they're happy...   Love and Light!

On to Oregon Grape!

Constituents: Alkaloids of isoquinoline (berberine, berbermine, hydrastine, oxycanthine) (Hoffman, 2003, p. 564). Petersen (2018) adds the alkaloid jatrorrhizine – it and berberine are antibacterial and antifungal. Jatrorrhizine and magnoflorine are antioxidants (p. 184-5). Mills & Bone (2010) state flavonoids (magnoflorine, berberine, jatrorrhizine, columbamine, pxyacanthine, oxyberberine, berbamine, aromoline, baluchistine, and aquifoline); palmatine may be included in this list. It doesn’t have as much berberine as barberry or goldenseal (p. 520). Chevallier (2016) says isoquinoline alkaloids (berberine, berbamine, and hydrastine); and aporphine-type alkaloids (p. 177).

Therapeutic Actions: Alterative, cholagogue, laxative, antiemetic, anticatarrhal, tonic (Hoffman, 2003, p. 564). Petersen (2018) adds febrifuge, sedative, hypotensive, bitter, and antimalarial (p. 183). Mills & Bone say antipsoriatic, anti-inflammatory, depurative, mild cholagogue, and antimicrobial (p. 520). Griffin (1997) only mention this herb under the heading cholagogues (p. 8). Chevallier (2016) says antibacterial and recuse psoriasis (p. 177).

Indications: Chronic/scaly skin conditions – psoriasis, eczema – cleanses the liver and gallbladder which eliminates the toxins that cause the skin condition.  Also helps with nausea and vomiting. Chronic constipation Ellingwood says: pimples, roughness, eczema capitis, eczema genitalis, pruritis, scaly eczema, psoriasis, chronic dermatosis, glandular indurations, ulcerations and syphilis (Hoffman, 2003, p. 564). Petersen (2018) adds it stimulates the appetite (p. 185). Mills & Bone (2010) say skin conditions such as psoriasis, eczema and gastritis and cholecystitis (p. 520). Chevallier (2016) says historically it has been used for loss of appetite and debility as a decoction or tincture. It was used by Native Americans and during the Physiomedicalist movement as a detoxifier and tonic. Currently it’s used to treat gastritis and digestive weakness, in addition to gut congestion, eczema, psoriasis, acne, boils, herpes, and skin issues caused by problems with the gall bladder (p. 177).

Safety: No side effects or interactions noted (Hoffman, 2003, p. 564). Petersen (2018) adds berberine may cause kernicterus – do not use while pregnant/breastfeeding. The extract cream may cause itching, burning, skin irritation, and allergic reactions. May inhibit metabolization of drugs. Use with caution with drugs for seizure, hypertension, blood clotting, and blood sugar (p. 186). Mills & Bone (2010) state the berbine has a serious potential risk to babies in the womb giving it a category C for use in pregnancy.  There is some implication this may cause jaundice (p. 520). On the same page, they also state not to use it with drugs that displace bilirubin such as phenylbutazone.

Have a Great Day!