Oregon Grape (Mahonia aquifolium) is known by several names: Sowberry, Mountain Grape, Woodsour, and Blue Barberry to name a few. A shrub native to western North America, Oregon Grape not only has strong antimicrobial properties, but is famed as an hepatic or liver herb as well. It's been called “Natures Antibiotic”. While I don't agree with this term since there are many herbs with antimicrobial properties, this herb has certainly earned a place on the list. Each one works differently for different infections.
Besides antimicrobial properties, Oregon Grape also has anti-inflammatory properties and is an amoebicide (kills parasites). That's a big punch packed into one shrub! Not only is Oregon Grape used medicinally, it's the state flower of Oregon and is grown for ornamental landscaping. I planted some in my front garden last year because it's fast growing, it's beautiful, and I can use it medicinally too!
The alkaloid berberine is what gives the roots their yellow color and what gives it those wonderful medicinal powers. Berberine is being extensively studied because it contains a specific multi-drug resistance pump inhibitor called 5'-methoxyhydnocarpin (5'-MHC). I know that's a mouthful but basically it means it helps to decrease bacterial resistance to antibiotics and has been studied for its effectiveness against clinical multi-drug resistant isolates of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Berberine works well against infections of the urinary tract, intestines, and throat by reducing the ability of bacteria to adhere to cell walls.
Oregon Grape has been used in dogs and cats for diarrhea, urinary tract infections, eye and ear infections, constipation, to improve itchy/scaly skin, as a topical treatment for wounds, and for supporting liver function. According to the website Caninecancer.com it also stimulates white blood cell production from the bone marrow and has anti-cancer properties.
When rubbed through the coat and on the skin of dogs and cats, Oregon Grape oil works well for allergies. It's anti-inflammatory properties help soothe the skin and if the cat or dog licks it off no problem, she will also get the antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory benefits internally as well!
All animals can benefit from the wound healing powers of Oregon Grape. Its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties speed up the healing process. Make a tea combining 2 teaspoons of dried coarsely chopped Oregon Root, 1 cup of water, bring to a boil and simmer for 10-15 minutes. Allow time for the mixture to cool and strain out the root. Depending on the size of the animal you might need to adapt the recipe. Dip a clean sterile cloth or cotton ball into the tea and apply directly to the wound. If possible soak sterile gauze in the tea and wrap the wound. Many people have been pleasantly surprised how well this works, especially when combined with Calendula.
You can also use the tea as an eye wash to treat conjunctivitis in a variety of animals including dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, ferrets, horses and rodents. To make this eye wash use 12-20 drops of the tea and mix with 1 ounce of sterile saline solution such as those for contact lenses. A few drops in each eye (a fraction of a drop for small birds, rodents, reptiles etc) two to three times per day should provide signs of relief in no time at all!
Oregon Grape root has a very bitter taste, which is why is it considered one of the “bitter herbs”. Bitter herbs are traditionally used for their effect on the liver and gallbladder. The bitter taste stimulates saliva and encourages digestive juices and bile production in both the liver and gallbladder with the end result being improved digestion and appetite.
For its many different benefits, Oregon Grape is one very useful herb that should be in every pet guardian's household.
All posts with Blog Post in the title are blog posts I wrote for another website.
Besides antimicrobial properties, Oregon Grape also has anti-inflammatory properties and is an amoebicide (kills parasites). That's a big punch packed into one shrub! Not only is Oregon Grape used medicinally, it's the state flower of Oregon and is grown for ornamental landscaping. I planted some in my front garden last year because it's fast growing, it's beautiful, and I can use it medicinally too!
The alkaloid berberine is what gives the roots their yellow color and what gives it those wonderful medicinal powers. Berberine is being extensively studied because it contains a specific multi-drug resistance pump inhibitor called 5'-methoxyhydnocarpin (5'-MHC). I know that's a mouthful but basically it means it helps to decrease bacterial resistance to antibiotics and has been studied for its effectiveness against clinical multi-drug resistant isolates of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Berberine works well against infections of the urinary tract, intestines, and throat by reducing the ability of bacteria to adhere to cell walls.
Oregon Grape has been used in dogs and cats for diarrhea, urinary tract infections, eye and ear infections, constipation, to improve itchy/scaly skin, as a topical treatment for wounds, and for supporting liver function. According to the website Caninecancer.com it also stimulates white blood cell production from the bone marrow and has anti-cancer properties.
When rubbed through the coat and on the skin of dogs and cats, Oregon Grape oil works well for allergies. It's anti-inflammatory properties help soothe the skin and if the cat or dog licks it off no problem, she will also get the antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory benefits internally as well!
All animals can benefit from the wound healing powers of Oregon Grape. Its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties speed up the healing process. Make a tea combining 2 teaspoons of dried coarsely chopped Oregon Root, 1 cup of water, bring to a boil and simmer for 10-15 minutes. Allow time for the mixture to cool and strain out the root. Depending on the size of the animal you might need to adapt the recipe. Dip a clean sterile cloth or cotton ball into the tea and apply directly to the wound. If possible soak sterile gauze in the tea and wrap the wound. Many people have been pleasantly surprised how well this works, especially when combined with Calendula.
You can also use the tea as an eye wash to treat conjunctivitis in a variety of animals including dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, ferrets, horses and rodents. To make this eye wash use 12-20 drops of the tea and mix with 1 ounce of sterile saline solution such as those for contact lenses. A few drops in each eye (a fraction of a drop for small birds, rodents, reptiles etc) two to three times per day should provide signs of relief in no time at all!
Oregon Grape root has a very bitter taste, which is why is it considered one of the “bitter herbs”. Bitter herbs are traditionally used for their effect on the liver and gallbladder. The bitter taste stimulates saliva and encourages digestive juices and bile production in both the liver and gallbladder with the end result being improved digestion and appetite.
For its many different benefits, Oregon Grape is one very useful herb that should be in every pet guardian's household.
All posts with Blog Post in the title are blog posts I wrote for another website.
