Why An Oregon Grape is an Effective Natural Treatment For Psoriasis

When looking for an effective natural treatment for psoriasis, look no further than the Oregon grape. You may not have heard of this extraordinary herb that’s now being touted as a safe and extremely successful treatment for mild to moderate psoriasis. What exactly is the Oregon grape and why all the hype?

The Oregon Grape (mahonia aquifolium) is not really a grape, but an evergreen shrub that gets clusters of purple berries, the color and appearance of which look a little like grapes. The berries are edible, although quite bitter in taste and usually have to be sweetened to make them palatable. The leaves of the plant look like holly and the flowers, which appear in late spring, are a beautiful yellow color. This attractive plant is native to the American northwest coast, from British Colombia to Northern California

The next helpful thing relevant to this content. The medicinal properties of the Oregon grape plant have long been known because it contains a high concentration of berberine. Berberine, found in the roots and bark, has been identified as having strong antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antifungal properties that make it beneficial in the treatment of skin diseases such as psoriasis, eczema and acne as well as for athlete’s foot and other fungal infections. It has even been suggested that berberine may help prevent heart disease by lowering cholesterol levels. All these benefits aren’t mere hearsay: several scientific studies have clearly shown that berberine has the ability to protect the body against cell damage, to slow down the rate of abnormal growth and to reduce inflammation.

Nevertheless, 3 recent clinical trials have really proven that the Oregon grape is a viable treatment alternative for psoriasis. In one trial the group of patients using 10% concentration in a cream base had significantly greater benefits than the patients in the placebo group. Another study found that using it topically for twelve weeks improved the symptoms in a high percentage of the group, whilst yet another study found that using Oregon grape was more beneficial than the standard treatment. It has therefore been concluded that it’s a safe and effective treatment for mild to moderate psoriasis.

Oregon grape can be used in several ways, such as tinctures, creams, ointments and teas. The mounting empirical evidence suggests that taking a tincture internally combined with a cream and ointment is an extremely effective treatment for psoriasis. It’s important to note that even though a standard dosage has not been established, it has been found that Oregon grape can cause diarrhea and other symptoms if taken in too high a dose. It’s also not suitable for pregnant women because evidence has shown that it can cause uterine contractions in animals.

If you’re looking for an effective natural treatment for psoriasis, the Oregon Grape seems to be a great choice. Not only has it been scientifically proven to successfully treat psoriasis, but it is safe to use with very few side-effects.

If you want to learn more about other psoriasis natural treatments and the best psoriasis creams, visit my Clear Skin Guide website.

Vicky Massey has a wide experience of alternative health and healing. She has a degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine and qualifications in massage, nutrition, healing and yoga.