Indian Barberry is a medicinal plant which is also called Daru Haridra and is usually available in the Himalayas and other parts. Ranaut is prepared from the plant Barberry which is used to treat the ailments such as ophthalmic, skin diseases, and jaundice. This plant helps to treat oxidative stress, remittent fevers and is used as an aid for the heart and liver. It possesses febrifugal, immuno-stimulating, hypotensive, anti-inflammatory, antiprotozoal, antimicrobial, antiarrhythmic, and anticholinergic properties. From ancient times, it is used in ayurvedic medicines. The fruits are an excellent source of Vitamin C. The root and bark are great sources of isoquinoline alkaloids and berberine. It is used to make dye for clothes, leathers, and cotton. The roots are used to prepare alcoholic drinks.

Berberis aristata, also known as Indian Barberry, Nepal Barberry, Tree Turmeric, Darlahad, and Ophthalmic barberry is a shrub that belongs to the family Berberidaceae and genus Berberis which composes from almost 450 to 500 species. It produces succulent and acidic berries which are often consumed as refreshing fruit. The shrub is native to the Himalayas in India and Nepal. The plant is mostly found in Himalayas, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, and in the hilly areas of Nepal. It is at a height of 2000 to 3000 meters in the Himalayan region, Sri Lanka, Nilgiri hills in South India, Bhutan, and hilly areas of Nepal. It is mostly cultivated for its edible fruits.

It is an erect, glabrous, spinescent, and evergreen shrub growing upto 2 and 3 meters high. The toothed leaves are 4.9 cm long; 1.8 cm broad, simple, pinnate, and deep green. The leaves are obovate-elliptic and subacute-obtuse. Flowers are yellow, hermaphroditic which is 12.5 millimeters in diameter. The fruit is an oblong-ovoid or ovoid berry which is 7 millimeters long and 4 millimeters in diameter. Every fruit contains 2 to 5 seeds whose color range from yellow to pink. The fruit is aconite violet in color which has plum purple flesh. The fruit is succulent and has an acidic to sweet taste.

Health Benefits of Indian Barberry

Since a long time ago, Indian barberry has been used in Ayurvedic medicine. It possesses antifungal, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and hepatoprotective properties. Indian barberry is used as a treatment for fever, ulcer, inflammation, infections, skin problems, eye ailments, wounds, diarrhea, etc. It also prevents the health conditions such as heart failure, malaria, liver disease, and jaundice. It is used for both internal and external use.

1. Anti-inflammation

The findings show that Berberis aristata possesses an anti-granuloma and anti-inflammatory properties which helps to prevent pro-inflammatory receptors as well as mediators in an activated macrophages. Activated macrophages and chronic inflammation play a vital role in RA pathogenesis and inflammation ailments. The findings show that Berberis aristata helps to treat inflammatory diseases. (1)

2. Treat diabetes

The study shows that 1,000 mg berberine and 210 mg of silymarin helps to improve the glycemic and lipid profiles in diabetic patients. Berberine and Berberol is an effective treatment for introducing insulin therapy in patients with diabetes with suboptimal glycemic control. (2)

3. Treats diarrhea

The studies show that Berberis possesses hepatoprotective, cardiovascular, anticancer, and antimicrobial properties. The activities such as antispasmodic, antidiarrheal, and antimalarial are also explored which is effective in the herbal formulations that contain biodynamic compounds. (3)

4. Type 2 diabetes

This fruit has the ability to reduce HbA1c which is vital in order to control the level of blood glucose. Additionally, this fruit helps to regulate blood glucose which might be caused due to the activation of metabolism enzymes of carbohydrates. The fruit of Berberis could weaken the hyperglycemic state in diabetic patients. (4)

5. Treats cancer

The combination of Berberine and Curcumin has anticancer effects in MCF-7, A549, Jurkat, Hep-G2, and  K562 cells. They have extreme antitumor properties. Its combination is the potential treatment for cancer. (5)

Traditional uses

• The root bark has berberine which has antifungal, antibacterial, antioxidant, and antiviral activities.
• Berberis aristata helps to treat urinary ailments.
• Assault is prepared from the plant of Indian Barberry.
• It is used as a mild laxative.
• The dried stem, wood, and root bark have antiperiodic, diaphoretic, deobstruent, tonic laxative, and ophthalmic properties.
• The infusion made from Indian Barberry is used to treat malaria, skin diseases, eye complaints, jaundice menorrhagia, and diarrhea.
• The fruit, leaves, stems, wood, root bark, and root are used to make medicines.
• It is used to treat heart failure, malaria, liver disease, heavy menstrual periods, eye infection, stomach swelling, skin diseases, diarrhea, and jaundice.
• Tree turmeric is used as a treatment for wounds and burns.
• The roots help to treat ulcers, ophthalmia, urethral discharges, fevers, jaundice, etc.
• The leaf buds are chewed for affected teeth for about 15 minutes.
• Paste of this herb is used externally to reduce pain and inflammation and the best use of this herb is in eye-related disorders.
• It treats spasmodic pain, leucorrhoea, and menorrhagia.
• It possesses anticancer properties which prevent human colon cancer.
• It is also used for constipation and piles.
• The decoction made from this herb is used as gargles for throat infections and also improves voice.
• Berries and bark help to treat gum diseases.
• The intake of Barberry root tea is a treatment for sores, kidney ailments, and ulcers.
• The douche which is made from Indian barberry helps to treat vaginal discharges.
• The decoction made with Haridra helps to treat uterine inflammations.
• The external application of paste can provide relief from pain as well as inflammation.
• The paste is used as a treatment for fistula and syphilis ulcers.
• Decoction has to be used for gargling two times a day to treat gum diseases.
• Assault could be mixed with alum, ghee and applied in the eyes to treat eye diseases.
• The ground Rasaut could be mixed with honey to cure stomach infections.
• The decoction is made from 5 gm of roots of Indian barberry and 400 ml of water treats piles.
• The decoction made from 5 gm of dried giloy, 5 gm of Indian barberry, and a few basil leaves should be consumed twice a day that helps to treat chronic fever.
• The decoction is made from ½ tbsp. of amla powder and 1 cup of assault helps to provide relief from painful urination.

Precautions

• Indian barberry is not safe for newborn infants because the berberine could lead to brain damage in infants.
• Breastfeeding and pregnant women should not use Indian barberry because berberine could be transferred through breast milk to the infant.
• The excessive use of Indian barberry causes the symptoms such as severe diarrhea, vomiting, and excessive sweating.
• Avoid the use of Indian barberry if any reaction occurs.

How to Eat

• The fruits are added to the dessert.
• The roots are used to make an alcoholic drink.
• In India, dried fruits are used like raisins.
• Flower buds are added to make sauces.

References

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