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Oregon Grape To Treat Psoriasis

If you are looking for an effective natural treatment for psoriasis then take a look at Oregon grape.  You may not have heard of this extraordinary herb that is now being touted as a safe and extremely successful treatment for mild to moderate psoriasis.So what exactly is Oregon grape adn 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 more pleasant.The Oregon grape plant has holly like leaves and beautiful yellow flowers that bloom in late spring. This attractive plant is native to the American northwest coast, from British Colombia to Northern California.

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 strong antioxidant, antibacterial,anti-inflammatory and antifungal properties which makes it so beneficial in treating skin diseases such as psoriasis, eczema and acne.It’s even been suggested that berberine is good for your heart by by lowering cholestrol levels.  All these benefits are not 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.

However, three recent clinical studies have proven that Oregon grape is a viable treament alternative for psoriasis.In one study, the trial group used 10% of oregon grape in a cream base and showed significant improvement than the placebo group. Another study found that using Oregon grape topically for 12 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.The conclusion of these studies show that Oregon grape is indeed an effective and safe treatment for mild to moderate cases of psoriasis.

Oregon grape can be used in several ways, such as tinctures, creams, ointments and teas. The growing amount of empirical evidence suggests that taking an oral tincture of Oregon grape combined with a topical cream is an extremely benefical treatment for psoriasis.A standard dosage of Oregon grape has not been established, andi it’s important to note that taking too higher a dose can cause diarrhea.  It is also not suitable for pregnant women because evidence has shown that it can cause uterine contractions in animals.  

The Oregon grape seems to be a great choice if you are looking for an effective natural treatment for psoriasis.Not only has it been proven scientifically to effectively treat psoriasis, but is safe to use.

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