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What is
Mahonia aquifolium?
What
is Mahonia aquifolium?
Mahonia aquifolium is
a natural plant extract (otherwise known as ‘Holly-leaved barberry’) from
the Western United States of America. The root has been shown to contain high
proportions of berberin and oxycanthin (strong antimicrobial agents) and has
been successfully used to treat a variety of skin disorders as well as digestive
disorders and impure blood conditions.
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Has
it been researched?
Yes. There
has been extensive research in recent years into the healing properties of
Mahonia aquifolium, and in particular into its use in the treatment of psoriasis.
In one study published in the
Journal of Dermatology(1), the results were outstanding; Monitoring over 400
psoriasis sufferers from 89 different dermatological clinics throughout Germany,
the researchers found that regular use of Mahonia aquifolium ointment was
particularly successful:
81% of the patients stated
that their symptoms had either completely disappeared or substantially
alleviated, and - within 12 weeks, the number of
patients who had severe lesions had reduces by 81%
For details of research
abstracts, click here
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How
does Mahonia aquifolium work?
Mahonia aquifolium
has historically been used to treat a wide variety of ailments, most notably
skin disorders. However, in recent years, researchers have discovered that it
contains unique qualities.
Antioxidant
Scientists have discovered
that the extract of the bark of Mahonia aquifolium contains very strong
antioxidant compounds and inhibits keratinocyte (abnormal skin cell) growth(2).
Antifungal
Tests by US and Canadian
researchers have demonstrated that Mahonia aquifolium is one of the top five
most powerful herbal antifungal agents (3).
Promotes healthy at metabolism
Scientists at the national
Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesca, USA have demonstrated that Mahonia aquifolium
inhibits lipoxygenase and lipid hydroperoxide, and that this effect may be a
crucial factor in explaining why it seems to be so beneficial for psoriasis
sufferers(4).
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Is it safe?
Mahonia aquifolium is
a completely natural plant extract and no serious or significant adverse side effects
have been
observed in any tests to date. A small percentage (less than 5 per cent) may
experience increased itching and redness on initial use. Please be advised that pregnant women and those patients
taking any allopathic medications or diagnosed with any disease should consult their health
practitioner before taking Mahonia aquifolium extract internally.
Footnotes:
Geler U.; Von der Weth A.; Heger
M. Mahonia aquifolium – A new type of topical treatment for psoriasis. Journal
of Dermatological Treatment (United Kingdom), 1995, 6/1 (31-34)
2. Muller K.; Ziereis K., Gawlik
I. Institut fur Pharmazie, Universitat Regensburg, Universitatsstr. 31, D-93040
Regensburg Germany PLANTA MED. (Germany), 1995, 61/1 (74-75)
McCutcheon A.R.; Ellis S.M.;
Hancock R.E.W.; Towers G.H.N. Antifungal screening of medical plants of British
Columbia native peoples department of Botany, University of British Columbia,
3515-6270 University
Blvd, Vancouver, Borough Council
V6T 1ZA Canada J. ETHNOPHARMACOL. (Ireland), 1994, 44/3 (157-169)
Misik V.; Bezakova L.; Malekova
L.; Kostalova D. Lipoxgenase inhibition and antioxidant properties of
protoberberine and aporphine alkaloids isolated from Mahonia aquifolium.
National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892 USA Planta Medica (Germany),
1995, 61/4 (372-373)
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