Berberis Aristata: Herbal Remedy for Eye, Ears and Mouth Diseases (Indian Berberry)

 Table of Contents

 “The root, root bark and lower part of the Daruharidra stem is boiled in water, strained and evaporated till a semi-solid mass is obtained. This mass is known as Rasanjana or Rasauth.”

1. Introduction

The name “Daruharidra” suggests that the wood of this plant resembles the color of Haridara, yellow color. In ancient Ayurveda literature, both the drugs (Haridara and DAruharidara) have been mentioned together as Haridara dvay.

Daruharidara has been used as a popular remedy for disease of upper clavicular region since time immemorial. Charak, Sushrut, Astang, Vrinda madhav all advocated the use of Daruharidara or Rasanjana in disease of eyes, ears and mouth.

The ancient Egyptians used it to prevent plagues, Europeans used it to treat gall balder and liver aliments. Russians used it for inflammation, high blood pressure, and abnormal uterine bleeding. In the Unani system of medicine, it is used in leprosy. The Tibetan people used its decoction in piles and gastric disorders, and the plant is known as Kershuen.

The fully ripe, juicy fruits are eaten by local inhabitants often as dessert and nutrient supplement in their diet. The roots can also be used for making alcoholic drinks, dyeing clothes and tanning leather.

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2. Common Names

• Family – Berberidaceae
• Hindi Name – Daruhaldi, Darhald
• English Name – Indian Berberry, Tree Turmeric

3. Vernacular Names

Bengali – Daruharidara

Gujarati – Daruharidara, Daruhuladur

Kannada – Maradarishana, Daruhaldi

Nepal – Chitra

Marathi – Daruhalad

Punjabi – Sumlu, Simlu

Tamil – Gangeti

Oriya – Daruharidara, Daruhalidi

Malayalam – Maramannal

4. Synonyms

Darunisha – Its stem has similar actions like Nisha (haridra).

Darvi – Wood is used as medicine in therapeutics.

Kaleyaka – It is like peetchandana.

Kantakateri – The plant bears many spines in leaves.

Panchampacha – It helps digestion and improve liver function.

Parjanya – The plant bears fruit in the rainy season.

Peetadaru – The wood is yellow in color.

5. Classical Categorization

• Charaka Samhita – Lekhaniya
• Sushrut Samhita – Haridradi
• Ashtanga Hridya - Haridradi
• Dhanvantari Nighantu – Guduchyadi varga
• Madanpal Nighantu – Abhyadi varga
• Kaiyadev Nighantu – Oshadi varga
• Raj Nighantu – Pippalayadi varga
• Bhavaprakasha Nighantu – Haritakyadi varga

6. Distribution

It is distributed in temperate and sub-tropical parts of Asia, Europe, and America, Nilgiris, and Kulu-Kumaon regions of the Himalayas. Berberis Aristata is a large thorny shrub with yellow wood and whitish or pale grey branches. The plant is native to the whole region of Himalayas mountains at an elevation of 2000 to 3,500 m, and it also grows in Nilgiri mountains of Southern India.

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7. Morphology

It is an erect, glabrous, spinescent shrub, 3 to 6 m in height, with a thick woody yellow root covered with a thin brittle bark.

Stem – Cylindrical, with scars of the lateral branching, some lenticels and longitudinal fine wrinkles on the external surface, internally yellow with a distinct central pith.

Leaves – Simple in tufts of five to eight, obovate or elliptic, leathery, sessile, about 5 cm long and 2 cm wide, subacute to obtuse apex, entire or spinous-toothed margin, base gradually narrowed, with prominent reticulate nerves, glossy dark green above, glossy pale green beneath.

Flowers – Yellow, numerous, stalked, arranged in drooping corymbose racemes.

Fruits – Smooth berries, globose to ovoid shape, unripe green which turns aconite violet on maturity. The fruits are popularly known as Jhariksha. Seeds are two to five in number.

Root – Cylindrical, thick, woody yellowish-brown, knotty, and covered by a thin brittle bark. Bark is internally pale brown, rough, furrowed, fracture hard, odorless and bitter in taste.

8. Ayurvedic Properties

Rasa (Taste) – Tikta, Katu (bitter)

Virya (Potency) – Ushna (hot)

Guna (Qualities) – Laghu, Ruksha

Vipaka (Post-digestive Effect) – Katu

9. Chemical Constituent

Root and stem of Berberis Aristata contain a large number of alkaloids, Berberine, palmatine, oxyberberine, aromoline, karachine, oxycanthine, taxilamine, jatrorrhizine, columbamine, epiberberine.

10. Identity, Purity, and Strength

Foreign Matter – Not more than 2%

Total Ash – Not more than 14%

Acid-insoluble ash – Not more than 5%

Alcohol-soluble extractive – Not less than 6%

Water-soluble extractive – Not less than 8%

(Source: The Ayurvedic Pharmacopeia of India 2001)

11. Ayurvedic and Pharmacological Actions

Ayurvedic Actions

The Ayurveda classic described it as reduce swelling, antipyretics, antidotes, complexion promoter, wind healing, cleansing of wound, beneficial of eyes, appetizer, astringent, blood purifier, rejuvenation, antitussive, antidotes and hemostatic.

Fruit – Relish, antithirst

Doshakarma – Kaphapitta, shamaka

Dhatukarma – Chakshushya, vishaghna

Malalarma – Swedajanan, pittasaraka

Pharmacological Actions

The plant contains antimicrobial, hepatoprotective, immunomodulatory, antipyretic, antidiabetic, antidepressant, antioxidant, antioxidant, anticancerous, cardiovascular, antihyperglycemic, antiamoebic and wound-healing properties.

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12. Health Benefits

Berberis Aristata beneficial in ear, eye and mouth disease, throat, inflammation, pruritus, wounds, erysipelas, diabetes, leucorrhea, piles, skin problems, conjunctivitis, chronic fever, soft chancre, jaundice, liver disorder, splenomegaly, stomatitis, cystic swellings, fistula and general debility.

Rasanjan is a special type of preparation prepared from Berberis Aristata. It is used in bleeding disorders, wounds, inflammation, intermittent fever, hic-cough, asthma, poisoning. In folklore, rasanjana is used in infections of eyelids and chronic ophthalmia, ulcers, periodic fever, diarrhea, jaundice and skin problems. Its watery solution is also used for washing piles, oriental sores and glandular swellings.

13. Therapeutic Uses

External Uses

Eye Disorders – Decoction of Berberis Aristata mixed with processed milk, honey and Berberis Aristata and little Himalayan salt should be advised for washing eyes.

Soft Chancre – Paste of Rasanjana, Shirish, and Haritaki mixed with madhu should be applied.

Internal Uses

Mouth Disease – The dried extract of Berberis Aristata, Rasanjana mixed with honey and gairika is effective in mouth disease.

Skin Disease – Bark decoction of Berberis Aristata, Khadira and neem is used to alleviate kustha or decoction of Berberis Aristata and Rasanjana is used in all forms like oral intake, for bathing, rubbing and dusting.

Leucorrhea – Decoction of Berberis Aristata mixed with honey should be used.

Diabetes – Daily intake of Berberis Aristata and amla juice mixed with honey.

Dysuria - Berberis Aristata with Amla swaras mixed with honey should be used.

Menorrhagia - Take 13-25 grams of Berberis Aristata root powder with water, which helps to treat Menorrhagia.

Piles - Take 30-40 grams of Berberis Aristata root powder with water, which helps to treat piles.

14. Official Part Used

Stem, Root, Fruit

15. General Doses

• Decoction – 50 to 100ml
• Rasanjana – 1 to 3g
• Fruit – 5 to 10g

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16. Berberis Aristata Usage for Health Aliments

Berberis Aristata Detox Tea Recipe

This herbal tea is very helpful to detox the body and secretes the toxins from the body, here is the recipe.

Ingredients

• Berberis Aristata Root Powder – 1 tsp
• Ginger Powder – ½ tsp
• Honey – ½ tsp (optional)
• Nutmeg Powder – ¼ tsp
• Holy Basil Leaf Powder – ½ tsp
• Terminalia Bellirica Powder – ½ tsp
• Water – 1 ½ cup

Method

• Take a pan and boil water, then add all the ingredients except honey.
• Boil for 2-3 minutes.
• Strain in a cup with the help of a tea filter.
• Add honey and drink hot.

Berberis Aristata Herbal Face Pack

This face pack is beneficial for treating acne, pimples, and scars.

Ingredients

• Berberis Aristata Root Powder – 1 tsp
• Neem Leaf Powder – 1 tsp
• Rose Petals Powder – ½ tsp
• Honey – ½ tsp
• Orange Peel Powder – 1 tsp

Method

• Take a bowl and add all the ingredients, mix them well and make a paste with the help of water.
• Clean face and apply the pack on face.
• Keep the pack for 10-15 minutes, then wash it with normal water.
• If you have sensitive skin, then try a small patch first.