-IBIS-1.5.0-
rx
herb
Berberis aquifolium (Oregon Grape)
botanicals
definition
botanical name(s): Berberis aquifolium
synonyms: Oregon grape, mountain grape
part(s) used: root bark
qualities: bitter, cold, dry
affinities: gallbladder, spleen, intestine and blood
actions: alterative, astringent, cholagogue, laxative, tonic
dosage:
» tincture: 2 - 4 ml.
» powder: 0.5 - 1 g
specific indications: syphilitic dyscrasia; chronic skin diseases; profusely secreting tumid mucous membranes; indigestion, with hepatic torpor (Felter, p. 244)
therapy: atonic dyspepsia with hepatic torpor; stomatitis; gastric and intestinal catarrh; chronic skin diseases (Felter, p. 244); gastritis; leukorrhea; psoriasis; eczema; catarrhal gastritis with cholecystitis (British Herbal Pharmacopoeia, p. 41)
toxicity: 2
» use with caution during pregnancy (Brinker, p. 18); alkaloidal chemistry similar to B. vulgaris (Glasby)
» berberine alkaloids may cause photosensitivity (Philogene, et al.)
» eye exposure to plant parts, powders, or related products may cause intense pain (Duke, pp. 287-288)
» Mild systemic effects include oral irritation, epistaxis, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, elevated body temperature, gastrointestinal inflammatory response, hypercontractility of voluntary and involuntary muscles (myelotonic, myotonic, uterotonic, and cardiotonic), dullness of mind with drowsiness (Ellingwood, p. 369; Fuller and McClintock, p. 101)
» laboratory test results: marked renal irritation with hematuria (Ellingwood, p. 369; Fuller and McClintock, p. 101)
» In severe cases, hypotension and bronchitic-like dyspnea can occur; paresthesia and convulsions will often precede death which is due to respiratory depression and cardiac failure (Fuller and McClintock, p. 101)
constituents: isoquinoline alkaloids: berberine, berbamine, hydrastine, oxycanthine
footnotes
Brinker, F.J. 1986. The Toxicology of Common Botanical Substances, 2nd ed. Portland, OR: National College of Naturopathic Medicine.
British Herbal Medical Association. 1983. British Herbal Pharmacopoeia. West Yorks, England: The British Herbal Medical Association.
Duke, J.A. 1985. C.R.C. Handbook of Medicinal Herbs. Boca Raton, FL: The C.R.C. Press.
Ellingwood, F. 1898. American Materia Medica, Therapeutics, and Pharmacognosy. Portland, OR: Eclectic Medical Publications.
Felter, H.W. & Scudder, John K., 1922. The Eclectic Materia Medica, Pharmacology and Therapeutics. Cincinnati, Ohio. Reprinted in 1985 by Eclectic Medical Publications, Portland, OR.
Fuller, T.C., and McClintock, E. 1986. Poisonous Plants of California. Los Angeles: University of Southern California Press.
Glasby, J.S. 1975. Encyclopedia of Alkaloids. New York: Plenum Press.
Philogene, B.J.R.; Arnason, J.T., Towers, G.H.N., Abramowski, Z., Campos, F., Champagne, D., McLachan, D. 1984. Berberine: a naturally occurring phototoxic alkaloid. New York: Plenum Publishing Corp.