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"Oregon Grape Can Provide Relief from Psoriasis "

By Kearney Adams

Herbal practitioners use oregon grape for many medicinal uses. Its primary use is to decrease bacterial resistance to antibiotics and as a treatment for skin conditions such as psoriasis, but it has many other uses as well.

Its medicinal qualities are thought to be attributed to the fact that it contains numerous alkaloids including berberine, berbamine, canadine, and hydrastine.

A Treatment for Psoriasis and Eczema

When applied topically, this home remedy may be effective for skin conditions such as psoriasis, although study results in this area are mixed.

Results from 2 double-blind placebo-controlled studies suggest that a cream made from the root of this plant, may reduce the symptoms of psoriasis.

In one double-blind study, published in 2006, 200 people were given a cream that contained 10% oregon grape extract or a placebo two times daily for three months.

It was concluded that those given the extract saw greater benefits than those receiving a placebo.

In a second large study of 443 individuals with psoriasis applying oregon grape topically for 12 weeks, saw improvement in 73.7% of those participating.

Researchers concluded that this herb may have some effects at a cellular level, making it helpful for this condition, thus slowing the rate of abnormal cell growth and reducing inflammation.

However, in another study of 88 individuals with eczema, it was revealed that using this herb provided no benefit for those with this condition.

Ingredients in It Help to Prevent
Heart Disease

In tests carried out at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, it was discovered that the primary ingredient in this herb, berberine, could help to prevent irregular heartbeats and possible heart failure.

It has also been found to lower total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels, while reducing overall triglyceride levels.

Consequently, it may also cause blood pressure levels to increase. If you have a heart condition, it is not advised that you start taking this herb before counseling with your physician.

It Can Improve Liver Function

Oregon grape increases the flow of blood to the liver, thereby stimulating the flow of bile and intestinal secretions.

This would indicate it could prove beneficial for various liver and digestive conditions such as hepatitis, jaundice and gastrointestinal dysfunction.

One of its key constituents, berberine, is the primary chemical that is thought to increase production of bile, and to correct metabolic abnormalities in patients with cirrhosis of the liver.

In fact, modern herbalists use this herb as a liver and spleen cleanser.

However, individuals that frequently overeat, or have an overactive liver, should avoid taking this herb due to its simulative effects on the liver.

It Exhibits Antibiotic Properties

One of the more outstanding qualities of berberine is its antibiotic nature.

Berberine has proven effective against a broad range of bacteria and fungi including candida albicans, chlamydia, E. coli, salmonella typhi and more.

In fact, this herb has proven to be more effective against many types of bacteria than conventional antibiotics that are used to treat these kinds of pathogens.

Also, there have been animal studies indicating that it may boost the effectiveness of some antibiotics.

It Stimulates the Immune System

As berberine increases blood supply to the spleen, it helps to promote immunity by activating macrophages, which are a type of white blood cell that engulf foreign particles in the blood.

Macrophages also release substances that stimulate immune system cells and they will destroy bacteria and tumor cells.

Dosage

It may be taken as a tea up to three times daily. A tea is made by boiling 1 to 3 teaspoons of the extracts from this plant with a few cups of water. Be sure to purchase an extract containing 10% of this root.

Alternatively, you can take 250 to 500 mg capsules 1-3 times daily. It is best to take this at times other than mealtime.

In conclusion, oregon grape is often taken as an alternative to the herb goldenseal, as they both contain the alkaloid berberine.

The alkaloids found in this plant have been found to kill a wide range of microbes and have been proven effective in speeding recovery from numerous infections and skin conditions.

Additionally, it functions as an immune system stimulant and may help to prevent or treat various heart conditions. Remember that it may also cause blood pressure levels to rise, so use caution in this area.

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