Mahonia | Nourishing the understory

Mahonia (Mahonia nervosa), also commonly known as Oregon Grape, is an abundant understory plant found throughout the coastal rainforests of the Pacific Northwest. It’s evergreen leaves arise from a central point with sharply-toothed holly-like leaflets set in pairs along stiff yellow stems. In early spring clusters of the lemon yellow flowers emerge from the central growing tip. In summer the fertile ovules of the flowers swell into grape-like clusters of extremely tart deep blue coloured berries.

When scratched, the main stem of the plants will reveal a deep golden bile-coloured cambium underneath the thin rusty brown outer bark. If you follow the slender woody main stem downward you’ll find it travels shallowly just a few inches under the hummusy forest soil. Here it wanders onward under the soil branching to emerge as many new plants. In this way a densely connected patch of spiky leaves is formed, held just a foot or two off the moist forest floor.

An evergreen, Mahonia’s leaves shine verdant and glossy with the dormant season rains, greening our west coast forests through winter. It’s mini-canopy of spiky leaves can be found stretching for acres within the coastal Douglas Fir and Western Red Cedar rainforests, protecting the soil ecosystem, and the golden root medicine below.

At first glance the small evergreen plants appear as if still and silent, moving so slowly seeming almost as if unchanging through the years and seasons. Yet, they hold within them a great intensity, power and resiliency which can touch the most primal places within us ~ those related to the emotions of anger, helplessness, and frustration.

Mahonia has many edible and medicinal uses, making the whole plant of value from the leaves, to the flowers to the berries ~ but the roots, lined with a vibrant orange gold, is where the most potent medicine is found. Well known as a blood cleanser and digestive bitter, Mahonia can rekindle the digestive ‘fire’ within both our bodies and our spirits.

Mahonia spirit medicine

As a spirit medicine, Mahonia can help us work through the process of digesting our experiences, so that we can integrate life’s wisdom and lessons, and also shed what isn’t serving us. Through this process of assimilation and elimination, we can become more fully ourselves. This work helps us to become more integral and experience the fullness of what it means to live from our own central point within ~ the true core of who we are.

It is often the darker and more difficult experiences that can initiate us into a powerful sense of self, if we are able to allow the time and space to work through the uncomfortable feelings attached to these experiences. It is our traumas that can be our most valuable teachers and initiators into our true selves and the path of soul-level healing. The calm, patient, yet intensely powerful medicine of Mahonia can help us with this work by navigating us back to our centre.

I can recall one particular day in which I was gifted with Mahonia’s medicine in a profound way.

I was filled with a sense of being utterly lost, out of place in my own body, raw and exposed. I became filled with panic and fear at the overwhelming sensations within me. Seeking relief in the only way I knew how, I went to the forest in search of grounding and solace.

I walked for a while along a familiar forest trail, the smell of the dried fir needles in the afternoon sun infused the air with each step I took. All around me the deep green and calm slow growth of the forest plants in late summer. Each plant familiar, though as I walked among the green I felt no solace from this unshakable sense of grief and dread.

Instead of feeling at home among the plants and trees I felt a stranger. The Cedars I had always known to welcome me, encircling me in their aromatic bows with warmth and protection; now turned me away. Their bows now like an impenetrable boundary, “you are on your own..” the Cedars whispered distantly, almost menacingly, to me.

I had never known Cedar to withhold its gift of grounding. I needed so desperately to get back to myself…I looked to the abundant Sword Ferns arranged in their airy clumps between the trees, gracefully lining the forest trail…”will you help me?” But the Sword Ferns with their elegance so sharp and light, could not relate to a creature like me so wretched, weighted down, heavy and dark.

I let the tears come, though they provided no release, as a stood in the green mossy cathedral feeling a stranger among friends. Giving up hope, I turned toward home…

Then along the side of the forest trail I was drawn to a small and singular Mahonia plant. As if finding my way finally out of a dark labyrinth, I collapsed there beside it feeling its calm power welcoming me as if to a hearth.

As I sat there I observed the plant’s spiky leaflets. I counted the pairs 1, 2, 3, 4….8 and one at the tip to make 9. I ran my finger gently along the serrations, the sharpest little teeth set along the edge of the leathery leaves. Leaves which were now becoming mottled with patches of reds, yellows, and purples from the summer heat and cold winters before.

A few ripe berries still clung to the plant, the pale sky-blue waxy coating on their skin obscuring the deeper shade beneath. With permission I plucked a berry and placed it in my mouth, letting the sharp sour taste of its juices wash gradually over my tongue.

In that moment, with the shock of the sharp sour taste of the berry, I felt my spirit come back to me, and a sense of normalcy return. Replacing the disjointed feelings of fear, helplessness and dread, I felt the tender feelings of sweet sadness and release now filling me.

I remember sitting there on the dry fragrant earth with Mahonia for some time, savouring the berry and letting it linger on my taste buds for as long as possible. I felt three large seeds in my mouth, all that remained of the berry. I placed them in my palm, admiring their gentle angular shape in calm and contemplation.

Contemplating the seeds in my hand brought me even further back to myself, awakening me to the promise of renewal that each seed holds. The seeds reminded me of the work that I do as a seed-saver and medicine maker; and of where I find meaning and purpose in my life.

In that moment I was able to glimpse the inner seed of my self, a shining jewel momentarily unobscured in its own truth and rawness. Sitting on the dry fragrant earth of late summer, I renewed a promise to that seed: I shall continue to nurture and grow it; not fearing the dark clouds overhead, letting the light in the best I can.

Mahonia in the apothecary

Mahonia root is one of the most powerful and effective liver herbs and digestive remedies available in the modern materia medica. Extracts made from the root improve overall digestive function, promote bile flow, and clear toxins and parasites from the blood. Mahonia is also a fantastic antimicrobial and wound healer, both internally and topically.

Bitter in the truest sense of the word, Mahonia promotes digestive secretions of all kinds, greatly aiding in the assimilation of nutrients and the elimination of waste products. It is stimulating to the appetite and particularly helpful in cases where bloating, gas, constipation, and nausea are experienced. 

We have a fresh batch of Mahonia Root Tincture available in our online store in 50ml, 100ml, 250ml, and 500mls sizes.

Most effective when taken daily before meals, Mahonia Root Tincture is a favourite for ‘reseting’ digestion when things are feeling a bit off. It cools and contracts tissues, promoting tone and bringing down inflammation; all the while warming up and rekindling the digestive fire.

Mahonia root is a main ingredient in our gut-healing Groovy Gut Tincture Blend, with Fireweed (C. angustifolium), Calendula (C. officinalis), Plantain (P. major), Garlic (A. sativum), and Ginger (Z. offinale). This blend is designed to aid digestion, while easing pain and inflammation, and helping to soothe and heal the tissues of the gut. It is a wonderful blend to support digestive health in general, and is a specific remedy for leaky-gut syndrome and ulcerations of the GI tract.

Mahonia’s bitter action, combined with it’s antimicrobial actions, make it a go-to remedy for infections of the digestive tract such as Giardia, Ecoli, Salmonella, as well as Candida overgrowth. You can find Mahonia root in our Parasite Purger Tincture Blend with other anti-microbial and tonifying herbs: Wormwood (A. absinthium), Elecampane (I. helenium), Thyme (T. vulgaris), and Garlic (A. sativum).

Though this blend, and even Mahonia alone, can definitely clear up some really stubborn GI infections, it is important to also consider dietary changes, such as removing sugar and processed foods, as this will make the terrain of the gut that much less hospitable to the parasites and reduce the chance of reinfection. 

Due to its powerful antimicrobial action, Mahonia is also one of my go-tos for urinary tract infections. A great combo tincture for stubborn and acute UTI is equal parts Mahonia, Yarrow (A. millifolium), and Fireweed (C. angustifolium).

Mahonia's bitter action effectively stimulates bile flow and encourages bilirubin discharge in the liver and gallbladder. A healthy flow of bile helps support the liver with its myriad of life-giving tasks, including the maintenance of blood sugar balance, the digestion of fats and other nutrients, and the elimination of toxins and excess reproductive and stress hormones from the bloodstream.

Liver congestion tends to show up in the constitution as excess heat, with a temperament that is tense, angry, irritable, frustrated, grumpy and/or depressed. Due to its strong action on the liver, Mahonia can speed the natural detoxification processes.

If detoxification is pushed to hard, a temporary worsening of symptoms, or ‘healing crisis’ may result. For this reason, if severe liver congestion is evident, I like to start with smaller doses of Mahonia, just 10-30 drops once per day depending on the individual gradually increasing to 30 drops 3x per day over a period of two weeks.

Mahonia combines nicely with other more gentle hepatics and alteratives such as Burdock root (Arctium lappa) or Dandelion root (Taraxacum officinale). For more on the latter herb ~ and more about the importance of working on the liver ~ check out my previous blog post Dandelion | Rooted Resiliency.

Also related to its action on the liver, Mahonia is a useful herb for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Through its stimulating action on the pancreas and liver, Mahonia can help with blood sugar and metabolic regulation. The alkaloid berberine, which gives Mahonia root its golden colour, has been well studied for its effects on blood sugar.

The golden colour of the inner bark of Mahonia root is attributed to the alkaloid berberine. Berberine is most well known for its antimicrobial properties and found in other herbs such as Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis) and Goldthread (Coptis spp).

Several studies have shown that berberine can lower blood glucose as effectively as the commonly prescribed drug metformin at similar doses. Risk factors with type 2 diabetes include obesity and fatty organ syndrome, both of which can be supported through improving liver health and digestion. Berberine has also been shown to reduce the size of fat cells and cut down on their number as well.

Though the root is highest in medicinal potency, the leaf and the ripe berries of Mahonia also contain many medicinal constituents, including berberine content. The berries are laxative, diuretic, and high in antioxidants and Vitamin C. They have expectorant action that can be useful for lung congestion.

Topically, Mahonia leaf is a fantastic wound healer, especially when it comes to wounds that are pus-filled, red and inflamed; and for bacterial, fungal and viral infections on the skin. I have combined Mahonia with Usnea (U.longissima), Poplar bud (P. trichocarpa), Western Red Cedar (T. plicata), Yarrow (A. millifolium) and Calendula flowers (C. officinalis) to create our Cuts & Scrapes Salve, a broad spectrum topical antibiotic with a strong anti-inflammatory and astringent action.

Mahonia leaf is also a proven topical remedy for the symptomatic relief of psoriasis. Our Psoriasis Remedy Salve contains Mahonia leaf in combination with supportive herbs to help reduce pain, inflammation, and itching due to psoriasis.

Harvesting & medicine making

The roots of Mahonia are best gathered anytime from late summer though fall and early winter. I have found the late winter, spring and summer roots to be much less potent that those gathered at the end of the season. The roots, technically rhizomes, grow shallowly, running an inch to several inches under the soil, and may be gently teased up until they naturally break off or can be snipped with a sharp pair of secateurs.

Since the entire plant is pulled up in this process, I gather the leaves at the same time, snipping them off the plant into a separate basket. The central growing point, or crown, can then be replanted with a couple inches of the root still intact. If planted in moist soil during the rainy season, and with a few of the tiny root hairs attached to the main root, the crown will have a good chance at establishing itself, though the process may be slow.

Freshly harvested Mahonia roots.

Another consideration for sustainable harvesting, is to pull plants from the centre of a patch rather than the edges. Thinning out the patch in this way will encourage new growth and provide room for the other plants to send out fresh rhizomes, allowing the patch to gradually restore itself.

Mahonia is a slow growing plant taking many years to establish, so make sure to harvest thinly in any area and ideally where you know for certain you are the only one harvesting. In this case, depending on the density of the patch, one plant may be pulled up every 10-15 feet or so in radius from the next.

Though this article focuses solely on Mahonia nervosa, aka Low/Dull Oregon Grape, it is important to note here that we have another very similar species that may also be used for food and medicine: Mahonia aquifolium, aka Tall/Shiny Oregon Grape. I haven’t worked as much with the latter as it is less common in my area where the low growing Mahonia species is extremely abundant.

Where the roots of the low species M. nervosa are harvested, the stems of the tall M. aquifolium may be used instead. Though from my experience the medicine is much more potent in the low growing species. The essence of the medicine changes when harvesting stems vs roots. Root medicine is earth medicine, embodying the energy of the earth element; the energy of nourishment, stability, and regeneration.

My preference is to work with the root medicine of Mahonia, but if the tall species is abundant in your neck of the woods I would recommend working with that species and exploring its medicine for yourself. Since the stems of this species are the part used, it means not having to pull up the plant when harvesting and may allow for more sustainable harvest practices.

If you scratch the surface of the fresh root, or stem, you will see the bright yellow colour of the berberine constituent. The main bulk of the medicine is in the cambium, or inner bark, but the whole root or stem can be used for medicine making. Rather than meticulously peeling off the very thin cambium layer, simply chop the root and stems whole into small rounds.

Make sure to process the roots the same day as harvesting, when they are still fresh. The roots are extremely woody and even when fresh are very labour intensive to process ~ get yourself a nice sharp pair of secateurs ~ once dry the roots will be near impossible to process. I use the fresh root for medicine making, but it may also be dried after processing for latter use.

Processed and dried Mahonia root from last years harvest. The root keeps for 1-2 years when dried.

Since the root is so intensely bitter, the tincture is the easiest way to take the medicine. I tincture the whole chopped root fresh 1:2 (herb in grams : alcohol in mls). The constituents that are responsible for much of Mahonia’s medicinal properties are primarily alkaloids, which are poorly soluble in water. Because of this you’ll want to seek out a high proof alcohol, just use what you can find at your local liquor store somewhere between 60-80% alc.

As super-potent alcohol-free alternative to the tincture is to make a Mahonia infused vinegar. Vinegar is fantastic at pulling out both the potent alkaloids as well as the nutritive minerals found in the root. For the vinegar I use the root fresh and prepare it to a 1:4 ratio with raw apple cider vinegar. Steep for 4 weeks at room temp for best extraction.

If you are curious and wish to brave the nasty-bitter tea, or you simply need the medicine asap and don’t have 2-4 weeks to wait until your tincture or infused vinegar is ready, decoction is the best method of extraction. The root should be simmered in water for at least 20mins, simply infusing the root won’t do.

The leaf can be gathered through summer, but I usually just collect it at the same time as root. The leaf may be used fresh or dried for medicine making. I usually tincture the leaf fresh, but dry and grind it to infuse into oil for use in salves.

The berries appear in the heat of summer and stay on the plants through early fall, sometimes into winter. They get sweeter with the frosts. They may be used fresh to make tincture, vinegar ~ and all manner of jelly’s, wine, or other preserves ~ or dried for tea.

Mahonia berries are packed with flavour, antioxidants, vitamin C and other nutrients.

Mahonia in the kitchen

The bright lemon yellow flowers of Mahonia come out in early spring and are a delight to the senses. They are one of the earliest bloomers in spring time and can be found along with wild Dandelion flowers and Big Leaf Maple blossoms around late-March to mid-April.

The flowers have a wonderful flavour that is reminiscent of one part garden sorrel, one part berry, with a dash of lemon. They are tender and delectable, and make a wonderful trail nibble when out for spring walks. The flowers can also be used to add flavour and decoration to spring salads.

Though the mature Mahonia leaves are tough, leathery and quite sharp, the new spring growth is surprisingly tender and succulent. It is one of my most favourite additions to liven up spring salads. Even small amounts of wild greens when consumed can add important trace nutrients to our diets that are not commonly found in farm-gown produce. They also help to build healthy gut flora and land connection!

The berries of Mahonia, though intensely sour, are the most common part of the plant gathered for food. They make a wonderfully rich and complex jelly or jam, wine or mead. To add in a bit of sweetness, try combining with ripe Salal (Gaultheria shallon) berries which can be gathered at the same time and in the same habitat as Mahonia.

Growing Mahonia

Mahonia species, especially the tall species M. aquifolium, are commonly grown as garden ornamentals and can often be found at local plant nurseries and garden centres.

Mahonia is also useful as a wild forage and pollinator plant in home gardens. The spring flowers are wonderful for bees and other insects in early spring when little else is available. The berries provide food for many local bird species such as robins, towhees, and waxwings from summer into winter.

The plants prefer loose well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter and on the acid side. They prefer part shade and will do well underneath the protective canopy of established evergreen trees. The plants are slow to get going but if the conditions are right will become vigorous and form extensive communities.

Mahonia can be propagated by root cuttings/divisions, but it is easiest by seed. The seeds germinate best when sown fresh in fall, either outside in flats or directly in place. We have both Mahonia nervosa seeds and Mahonia aquifolium seeds available in our online store. For more info on seeding in fall, please refer to my previous blog post A Guide to Seeding in Fall | Nature’s planting time.