Chapters 4.34

From Firstnationsfoods
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Mahonia nervosa - Oregon grape.jpg

Suggested citation for this chapter.

Poortinga,L. (2022) Fleshy Fruits. In The Student Encyclopedia of Canadian Indigenous Foods. Editor, M.N. Raizada, University of Guelph, Canada. http://www.firstnationsfoods.org/

Introduction

The low Oregon grape has been an influential food and herbal medicine in Indigenous culture for many years. From their berries to their bark, these plants have many healing qualities. This paper aims to inform about the benefits of the low Oregon grape and how they have been an asset to Indigenous culture.

Plant And Species Description

Belonging to the Berberidaceae family, more commonly known as the Barberry family, the low Oregon grape is known for its fragrant flowers and herbal qualities (Kuhnlein and Turner, 2020). The common name for these hardy shrubs is the low Oregon grape, however, they are also known by their scientific name Berberis nervosa. They range in size, depending on the cultivar, however, the low Oregon grape only reaches 2 feet tall at maximum height and is one of the smallest varieties of Oregon grape (Habitatdana, 2015). Due to their shade tolerance, and small size, Berberis Nervosa shrubs are found in second growth and low elevation forests (Davis, n.d.). The sturdy, gray, woody, stems of the low Oregon grape bear a pleasant surprise, with bright yellow flesh on the inside of the stem (Kuhnlein and Turner, 2020). These strong stems support shiny, polished leaves with pointy tips that look like that of a holly plant (Davies, 2019). Each leaf carries anywhere from 9-19 leaflets, that with moderate sun exposure, turn red in the fall (Buttolph et al., 2012). Yellow flowers appear between the months of April and May, giving off a great fragrance. Shortly after, the plant bears clusters of small gray/blue berries carrying on into the late summer season (Davies, 2019).

Figure 1.0 Low Oregon Grape Berries (Native Plants PNW Encyclopedia 2015)

Historical Background

Historically, these shrubs have been used by many different tribes to help with healing different ailments, but they have also been used for the bright yellow dye their stems produce (Fillhart and Tobias 2006). Due to the qualities of their bright yellow dye, they were frequently traded in Indigenous fair-trade businesses (Fillhart and Tobias, 2006). The Makah tribe did not eat the berries claiming that they would make their children ill and that they were raven food (Gunther, 1973). However, the Chehalis people realized the benefits that the fruits of this shrub had and used it to their advantage. The Chehalis made a bitter brew from the berries, using it as a digestive aid, and cure for colds (Fillhart and Tobias, 2006). Other tribes, such as the Samish peoples used the bark as a topical aid to rinse sores; both in the mouth and on the body (Fillhart and Tobias, 2006).

Geographic Origins

The Oregon Grape generally originates in British Columbia, inhabiting mountain slopes, forests, and rocky terrain (Kuhnlein and Turner, 2020). This shrub is also native to many places to the south of Canada including Idaho and Oregon, as well as southwestern Alberta (Kuhnlein and Turner, 2020). The low Oregon grape specifically, can be found in shady spots amongst the trees (Buttolph et al., 2012). The most common forests to see these low-growing shrubs in are douglas fir and western red cedar forests throughout central California to southern British Columbia and even parts of northern Idaho (Buttolph et al., 2011). They can most commonly be found as a border plant to forests of cone-bearing evergreens, as well as a low brush in less compact forests (Buttolph et al., 2011).

Figure 2.0 Distribution of the Low Oregon Grape (USDA Plants Database 2014)

Food Uses

The berries of the low Oregon grape have been known to be very high in vitamin c levels, making them very healthy, as well as aiding in digestive purposes (Davis, n.d.). These berries have been studied and shown that they are antimicrobial, and increase secretion in the stomach, strengthening inner stomach muscles and aiding in the absorption of nutrients (Davis, n.d.). The berries from these plants are very tart due to their high vitamin C concentration, meaning that a lot of sweeteners are used to make use of the many health benefits that these berries hold (Davis, n.d.). Historically and currently, many tribes make jams and jellies with the berries or jar them to use in baking and other recipes (Kuhnlein and Turner, 2020).

Health Benefits

Both the Berberis nervosa plant itself and the Berberis family in general, are of great importance in natural medicinal practices (Singh, 2021). This plant held great importance to many indigenous tribes many years ago but is still used as a natural supplement in our culture today (Davis, n.d.). Traditionally the extract from the roots and stem of the low Oregon grape was used to treat eye disease and ulcers in India (Singh, 2021). They called the concentrated juice received from the stem Rasaut (Singh, 2021). Now, the stem and bark of the Berberis nervosa plant are used as a support and treatment for many different illnesses, including liver malfunction, cardiovascular health, blood glucose regulation, laxative properties, and as a digestive and topical aid (Davis, n.d.).

The Berberis nervosa plant carries many special qualities that make it a very beneficial topical aid for skin irritation, thrush, and other infections (Davis, n.d.). This plant carries berberine which is a chemical found in the bark, and roots of the plant, that carries many antifungal and antimicrobial properties against different bacteria (Davis, n.d.). Berberine is a local aid, meaning it is a great option for localized irritations and infections (Davis, n.d.).

The Berberine within the Berberis nervosa plant can also be a benefit for blood sugar metabolism and cardiovascular health. Many studies have been done on Berberine being a natural supplement to help control hyper and hypoglycemia (Yin et al., 2008). In terms of cardiovascular health, Berberine can be used to treat cardiovascular arrhythmia (Lau et al., 2001).

Limitations

Some limitations that come with farming the low Oregon grape are the regeneration of crops when harvesting the rootstock, as well as harvest yield potential. It is possible that if a good harvest is produced, it will be another 2-8 years until another harvest with a comparable yield can be collected (Buttolph et al., 2011). When harvesting the root, it is very possible that the plant will not regenerate, depending on how much root is harvested (Buttolph et al., 2011). This can limit yield as new plants will be required, taking multiple years to reach full yield potential.

Growing conditions can also place limitations on the low Oregon grape, for example, shrubs grown together will have better yield potential (Buttolph et al., 2011). The forests changing conditions will also determine how much sunlight and water each plant gets, in turn affecting yield as well (Buttolph et al., 2011).

References

1. Davies, S. H. (2019) "Mahonia aquifolium (Pursh) Nutt.| tall Oregon-grape| sә́nayʔəłp." Logan Creek Decolonization Project Journal 2.1, 28-33.

2. Davis, R. (n.d.) "Oregon Grape (Berberis spp.)."

3. Fillhart, S., and Tobias P., (2006). "PLANT OF THE YEAR." Kalmiopsis Volume 13.

4. Gunther E. (1995). Ethnobotany of Western Washington: the knowledge and use of indigenous plants by Native Americans. Seattle (WA): University of Washington Press.

5. Gupta, M., Singh, Dr. A., & (U.K.), U. U., Dehradun. (2022). Studies of the Antimicrobial Activity and Phytochemical Properties of Berberis Lyceum. Book Rivers.

6. Habitatdana. (2015, June 15). Low Oregon Grape, Mahonia nervosa. Native Plants PNW. http://nativeplantspnw.com/low-oregon-grape-mahonia-nervosa/

7. Kuhnlein, H., & Turner, N. J. (2020). Traditional plant foods of Canadian indigenous peoples: Nutrition, botany, and use. Routledge.

8. Lau, C. W., Yao, X. Q., Chen, Z. Y., Ko, W. H., & Huang, Y. (2001). Cardiovascular actions of berberine. Cardiovascular Drug Reviews, 19(3), 234-44.

9. Smith, T., Majid, F., Eckl, V., & Reynolds, C. M. (2021). Herbal supplement sales in US increase by record-breaking 17.3% in 2020. HerbalGram, 131, 52-65.

10. USDA plants database. (2014). https://plants.usda.gov/home/plantProfile?symbol=MANE2

11. Yin, J., Xing, H., & Ye, J. (2008). Efficacy of berberine in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Metabolism: Clinical and Experimental, 57(5), 712-7. doi:10.1016/j.metabol.2008.01.01.