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PEBMAGULTUBE
egenerative agricul-
Rture acknowledges its
place in an intact ecol-
ogy. To the extent
that an ecology is
balanced, it offers
us food, medicine,
material and fuel on
which we should re-
flect with humility.
Some believe
we’re exiled from
Eden and must labor
for our every need.
But inasmuch as
We do not pave and
build over it, what
is “undeveloped” has
yet so much to offer us.
Oregon grape (Berberis
spp. or Mahonia spp.) carpets
our young timberlands. On
the Olympic Peninsula, the
species is likely aquifolia,
nervosa or repens. It has me—
dicinal uses that coincidental-
ly correspond with its harvest
time, and it’s so abundant
you can comfortably harvest
some in the five to 120 min-
utes between autumn rains.
Around this time of year
we probably slow down and
eat more. How fortunate that
Oregon grape root is best har—
vested from midsummer to
winter, and that it functions
as a “bitter tonic for impaired
salivary and gastric secre-
tions, a stimulant to liver and
skin protein metabolism, and
an antimicrobial for the skin
'lhe grapes of worth
By ALEX
FETHIERE
and digestive tract,” accord-
ing to Michael Moore’s book
“Medicinal Plants of the Pa-
cific West.”
One of Oregon
graperoot’s active in-
gredients, berberine,
is what gives the en-'
dangered medicinal
goldenseal root its
vibrant yellow color.
Berberine’s antican—
cer, anti—inflammato-
ry and digestive sup-
port functions are
the subject of much
current research.
Most Oregon grape
research at present involves
its topical uses for treating
psoriasis.
I don’t take any pharma-
ceuticals and I don’t practice
medicine, but then neither do
indigenous Oregon grape us-
ers. The Quinault, Swinomish
and Samish, among others,
have used the root medici-
nally for generations.
One can just as easily
buy — from reputable com-
mercial outfits such as Herb
Pharm — as produce these
tonics. With these warnings
in mind, consider what this
folk medicine might do for the
responsible user.
A bitter tonic can be made
of roots using vodka or glyc-
erine. When harvesting, it is
polite to say thanks or make
an offering of poem or song. I
Thursday, Nov. 26, 2020 Shelton-Mason County Journal — Page A-9 ’
This fresh batch of Oregon grape root vodka tincture is already deep orange
after a half
hour. Journal photo by Alex Féth/‘ére
brush off the dirt, grind away
the woody outer bark with
the spine of a knife, and skin
only the brightest yellow in-
ner bark to infuse.
Per Moore, the fresh root
should be steeped at one part
chopped root to two parts 50%
alcohol, or dry root at 1:5. He
recommends taking 15-30
drops up to four times a day,
before eating or retiring, or
30-45 drops up to three times
a day.
The former dosage is a
hepatic tonic and the latter is
a liver stimulant. The same
formulation can be used as
a mouthwash. I suspect it
would work for indigestion
as well and will try it on the
next such occasion. I spilled a
little while making this batch
and even a taste of it set me
salivating.
If you find the tincture too
bitter, a tea might also work
for the same complaints, at 2
teaspoons of dried cut bark or
root per cup of boiling water.
This should be simmered for
15 minutes in a nonreactive
(enamel or glass) pot, if you
have one.
If your psoriasis worsens
in winter and you’re inclined
to self-treat responsibly (con-
sulting your doctor and medi-
cations, etc.), Oregon grape
leaves can be infused in olive
or sunflower oilplus vitamin
E as a preservative. This
salve can be gently heated if
you want to melt some bees-
wax in it for thickening.
As we celebrate the holi-
day responsibly because of
the pandemic, I’m giving
thanks that the remedy for
too much Thanksgiving grows
just outside the window.
I Alex Fe’thiére has lived on
Harstine Island long enough
to forget New York City, where
he built community gardens
and double-dug his suburban
sod into a victory garden. He
can be reached at onlandist@
gmail.com.
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