One of the great benefits of using medicinal herbal bitters is that they are liver supportive. One of the primary herbs to stimulate liver deficiency is Oregon Grape. The family to which Oregon Grape belongs is Berberidaceae, or Barberry. The Barberry family has a long history of use in herbal medicine and Bitters. I'm going to focus on the Oregon Grape for this post, since it is the one I see most often. As the name would indicate, the species originates in America's Pacific northwest, but as a popular ornamental and hedge plant, it has become widespread through much of North America and I am told it is popular in England and maritime Europe, as well. In some areas it is considered and "invasive exotic" species and wildcrafting would be encouraged where that is the case. In parts of its native habitat, it is considered to be under pressure from development, so growing your own or sourcing it elsewhere may be prudent, depending on where you live. Around here, it grows most everywhere.
By The original uploader was Meggar at English Wikipedia. - Transferred from en.wikipedia to Commons., CC BY-SA 3.0,
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Berberine is an alkaloid found in many plants, most notably in goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis), barberry (Berberis vulgaris), Oregon grape (Berberis aquifolium), and goldthread (Coptis chinensis). These plants have a long history of use for several health conditions. Clinical studies with isolated berberine have shown significant success in the treatment of acute diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, elevated blood lipids, Alzheimer’s disease and cancer.
https://www.pharmaca.com/projectwellness/a-quick-guide-to-berberine/
Rodale's Illustrated Encyclopedia of Herbs mentions that, "in ancient Egypt, a barberry syrup mixed with fennel seed was taken to prevent the plague. In Europe, during the Middle Ages, medicines made from barberry were prescribed as antiseptics, purgatives and tonics. In North America, Indians prepared decoctions from the root and the bark and drank them to restore the body from general debility and to improve appetite."
Barberry's use in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is described as:
Flavors: bitter
Special Properties:
circulates qi, clears heat
In TCM terms barberry regulates qi and clears heat from several organs including the lung, liver, and gallbladder. It can also be used for several damp heat conditions including dysentery, jaundice, and eczema, but it is not specifically indicated for dampness. There are about 500 species, and Berberis vulgaris is the best known medicinally. In TCM only the dry crust from the roots and stem is used for medicinal purposes, but other cultures also used the berries as medicine. The active subtances of Barberry have the following properties: hemostatic, diuretic, vasodilator, hypertensive, antibacterial (kills bacteria and parasites), and anti-inflammatory.
http://chinesenutrition.org/view_image.asp?pid=626
The fruit is edible and very nutritious, being high in vitamin C. They are, however, extremely sour. Most people combine them with sugar to make jams or jellies. The late herbalist, Michael Moore, describes the flavor of Oregon Grape berries, in particular as, "sucking simultaneously on a Vitamin C tablet and aspirin."
In his teaching through the Southwest School of Botanical Medicine, Moore often used Oregon Grape as and example of his view of herbal energetics. Oregon grape root, he explained, is not nutritive to the liver. It is not a food or a vitamin. Instead, it acts as a perceived irritant. He said the role of Oregon Grape is to "poke the liver", stimulating it to function. The then more active liver is better able to cleanse the blood, regenerate liver tissue and support the similar tissues of the skin and small intestine. The role of the liver in skin health is why medicinal Bitters, especially containing Berberine, is a "go to" for herbalists in cases of psoriasis and eczema.
I use Oregon Grape root in my daily digestive bitters. My main issues are with allergies and asthma. I have found strong liver function to be of great benefit for my allergic conditions. I will post a recipe for those bitters later this week... "same bat time, same bat channel", so stay tuned!
Herb: Oregon Grape
Latin name: Mahonia aquifolium
Synonyms: Berberis aquifolium
Family: Berberidaceae (Barberry Family)
Medicinal use of Oregon Grape: Oregon grape was often used by several native North American Indian tribes to treat loss of appetite and debility. Its current herbal use is mainly in the treatment of gastritis and general digestive weakness, to stimulate the kidney and gallbladder function and to reduce catarrhal problems. The root and root bark is alterative, blood tonic, cholagogue, diuretic, laxative and tonic. It improves the digestion and absorption and is taken internally in the treatment of psoriasis, syphilis, haemorrhages, stomach complaints and impure blood conditions. Externally, it has been used as a gargle for sore throats and as a wash for blurry or bloodshot eyes. The roots are harvested in late autumn or early spring and dried for later use. The fruit is an excellent gentle and safe laxative. Berberine, universally present in rhizomes of Mahonia species, has marked antibacterial effects and is used as a bitter tonic. Since it is not appreciably absorbed by the body, it is used orally in the treatment of various enteric infections, especially bacterial dysentery. It should not be used with Glycyrrhiza species (Liquorice) because this nullifies the effects of the berberine. Berberine has also shown antitumour activity. The root and root bark are best harvested in the autumn.
Propagation of Oregon Grape: Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame. It usually germinates in the spring. "Green" seed (harvested when the embryo has fully developed but before the seed case has dried) should be sown as soon as it is harvested and germinates within 6 weeks. Stored seed should be sown as soon as possible in late winter or spring. 3 weeks cold stratification will improve its germination, which should take place in 3 - 6 months at 10C. Prick out the seedlings when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in a cold frame for at least their first winter. Plant them out in late spring or early summer. Division of suckers in spring. Whilst they can be placed direct into their permanent positions, better results are achieved if they are potted up and placed in a frame until established. Leaf cuttings in the autumn.
Known hazards of Mahonia aquifolium: None known
http://www.naturalmedicinalherbs.net/herbs/m/mahonia-aquifolium=oregon-grape.php
https://southernappalachianherbs.blogspot.com/2020/09/oregon-grape-rootmahonia-aquifolium.html
