Algerita Berberis, Mahonia

Algerita Berberis, Mahonia


The algerita is found throughout the State of Texas, but mainly in Central Texas or the Hill Country, as well as many parts of the US. It is an evergreen bush/shrub with thorn covered leaves. In the spring, the bushes are covered with sweet-smelling yellow flowers that later produce small red berries. To avoid the painful thorns when picking the berries, place a cloth on the ground beneath the bush and use a stick to knock the berries off of the branches, which causes the berries to fall onto the cloth. The red berries are great for jellies, pies, drinks/wine, etc.. The woody parts of the algerita bush are bright yellow like the blooms and also have a sweet-smelling scent.

Algerita roots should be gathered during the winter and cut into small pieces to be dried for later use. Other woody parts may be preserved in the same way. The medicinal parts of the plant are the stem, bark, and root. Use the bright yellow wood to make a tincture as a liver purifier and/or to treat jaundice; the small branches can be made into a cold infusion. The flowers, applied to wounds, help prevent infections.

Algerita roots are laxative in action, and in weaker preparations, they are effective in treating diarrhea caused by bacteria, such as food poisoning. The berry may be used for sore throats and acts as a mild local anesthetic. Berberine is the main active ingredient in algerita, which is found in other healing plants such as goldenseal and Oregon grape. The algerita is also used for chronic indigestion; constipation; eye infections; fever; mouth ulcers; and sore throats. This is a wonderful native plant that has no problems with medicinal or food usage.

The algerita and other barberry bushes are used frequently in landscaping. This plant may be bought at your local nurseries specializing in native plants, or they may be grown from cuttings and/or seeds. The algerita makes large full hedges that are colorful during the spring flowering season and again when laden with its berries.

To make a yellow dye from the algerita bush: Use about three parts by weight of the root to one part by weight of cotton or wool. Gather branches and/or roots of the algerita and chop into small pieces. Place the pieces in a piece of cloth (pillowcase) and tie it closed. Soak this bundle several days in water. Soak fabric and/or yarn for several hours in water, then squeeze out the excess water or as much as you possibly can. In a pot, immerse the wet material/wool in the algerita dye solution and, stirring continually, bring this to a boil. Simmer this until it reaches the color or just a little darker then the desired color you are looking for. Rinse the material until the rinse water is clear. In order to not fade your newly dyed material/wool, dry it out of direct sunlight, which may take several days.

The bright yellow woody parts of the algerita may be used around your home/office or in rituals/workings to represent clarity of mind, happiness, power, creative energy, wisdom, and hope. The fragrance is very pleasing, so use it in potpourri. Also, having this wonderful drought-repentant shrub around your home will impart all these useful characteristics listed above, making your home and yard a much brighter place.
Brenda Miller, RM, IAAM
http://www.designsbybrenda.net/
Author of Curiosity Expands Your Mind, a resource book for truth seekers.
Visit http://wwwdesignsbybrenda.net/ or http://www.amazon.com/ or http://www.barnesandnoble.com/
or http://www.amazon.co.uk/ or http://www.trafford.com/ to purchase your copy.

Brenda L Miller is a NAPW 2010 VIP Woman of the Year. The National Association of Professional Women (NAPW) is one of the most exclusive and rapidly growing associations of female executives, professionals, and entrepreneurs in the United States. We span almost every industry, including health and medicine, education, advertising and public relations, manufacturing, publishing, communications, entertainment, law, and more. Visit http://www.napw.com/  for more info.