Profile: Berberis aquifolium is a shrub native to western North America with golden roots, holly-like leaves, and acidic, blue berries that resemble a cluster of grapes. The Berberidaceae family includes Oregon grape, and its roots contain the chemical ingredient berberine, which is thought to be responsible for many of the plant's health benefits. Oregon grape root is a good replacement for goldenseal and can be extracted, added to herbal tea blends, and used in topical care compositions.

Details: The Oregon grape is a native of western North America, with a strong presence in the Pacific Northwest, as the name implies. The Oregon grape is a blooming perennial with holly-like leaves and a bushy growth habit. It grows wild in mountainous areas and adapts to its surroundings more easily than the closely related barberry.

After a few years of age, the dark green and spiky leaves of the Oregon grape turn orange and then beautiful scarlet. The plant grows to a height of two to six feet and bears little blackish-blue berries that resemble grapes. These berries are edible but unpalatable, with a strong sour flavor that herbalist Michael Moore compares to sucking on a Vitamin C tablet and aspirin at the same time. Oregon grape is also known as holly-leaf barberry, mountain grape, Oregon grapeholly, and Oregon barberry, among other names. Berberis is also known as Mahonia in botanical terms. It is a member of the Berberidaceae family.

Oregon grape's bright yellow root is often used as a medicine, and it's occasionally mistaken for goldenseal because the two herbs have comparable component qualities. When administered externally, Oregon grape has been demonstrated to promote specific skin irritation. It's also been used for centuries as a bitter tonic to aid digestion and for its antibacterial properties. In vitro, the active ingredients in Oregon grape root have shown significant antibacterial and antifungal activity, while human trials have yet to confirm these findings.

NOTICE: DO NOT USE THIS PRODUCT IF PREGNANT OR NURSING.

**These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any diseases.