According to Betsy Hornick and Erick Yarnell, writers of “Medicinal Uses for Oregon Grape,” at the Discovery Health website,Oregon Grape Root has anticancer and antibiotic benefits and, as a result, is receiving growing attention from many researches and clinicians.
Health & Wellness Benefits of Oregon Grape Root
In addition to its wonderful antibiotic and anticancer benefits, Oregon Grape Root is useful in treating several health conditions and aliments such as abdominal distention, Gallbladder disease, hemorrhoids, constipation, Syphilis, Psoriasis and other bacterial and skin problems, hemorrhaging, Herpes, Rheumatism and stomach ailments. Oregon Grape Root may, also, be helpful in treating impure blood conditions, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), your liver, your kidney, act as a diuretic and even help with your bad temper.
How to Take Oregon Grape Root
You can take Oregon Grape Root in tea form, pill form or by making a tincture. You should be able to buy the Oregon Grape from your local health food store. If your choice is a tea, you can prepare the tea by simmering one to two teaspoons of coarsely chopped roots in a cup of water for about 15 minutes. Strain the tea from the remaining roots. Let your tea cool a bit and sip the tea when it is ready.
If you prefer to take herbal pills of the Oregon Grape Root, you can take two to three capsules three times a day with a meal. However, you should follow the directions on the bottle as prescribed for safe ingestion.
For external skin conditions, such as psoriasis, you can use a cream containing 10 percent of Oregon grape extract and apply it to your skin area as prescribed or directed.
How Long Should I Keep Oregon Grape Root?
As a tincture, you can mix approximately one teaspoon in two to four ounces of water. A tincture is an alcohol extract version of the Oregon Grape Root; however, the quantity of alcohol in the tincture is reasonably low. Your tincture can be kept for an indefinite period of time as long as you keep it out of heat and lighting.
Dried Oregon Grape Root, on the other hand, should not be stored or kept for over a year, but should be kept out of direct lighting and heat as well.
Warnings and Side Effects
Oregon Grape Root should not be taken for more the three weeks. If you are breast-feeding or a pregnant woman, you should not take Oregon Grape Root orally. If you have chronic diarrhea, excessive acid in your stomach or a duodenal ulcer, you should not take Oregon Grape Root.
The alkaloid, berberine, that is present in Oregon Grape Root causes uterine contractions as well as an increase in bilirubin levels. Increased bilirubin levels interfere with the normal metabolism of bilirubin in infants and can result in the worsening of the condition, jaundice, in infants. If you are taking antibiotics for diarrhea, you, also, should not take Oregon Grape Root.
Most importantly, talk to your health practitioner prior to taking Oregon Grape Root.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be used for diagnosis or to guide treatment without the opinion of a health professional. Any reader who is concerned about his or her health should contact a doctor for advice.
Claudette Pendleton - Claudette Pendleton is a freelance writer and real estate agent. She is, also, a self-taught credit restoration consultant. Since nine ...
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