Oregon Grape

Oregon Grape is considered an excellent blood purifier, especially in chronic skin problems like acne or eczema. It is claimed to stimulate the liver and gall bladder, and absorption of nutrients, and to help with chronic constipation, which is often related to skin problems. It also stimulates acid production in the stomach, as all bitter herbs do.

As part of its cleansing effect on the liver, Oregon Grape has been shown to release iron which is stored in the liver into the blood stream, which can be useful in anemia, and safer than risking the side effects of large doses of additional iron.

It contains berberine, the main active constituent in Goldenseal, but in a more balanced form which does not cause the side effects of Goldenseal, and Oregon Grape is not endangered and recovers quickly from harvesting.

In a study of Oregon Grape’s antiseptic and anti-bacterial effects, it was shown to block the adhesion of streptococcus, E. Coli, and salmonella to various mucus membranes. Its antiseptic effects act in particular on the kidneys and urinary system.