Indian Barberry is the medicinal plant which is also called daruharidra and usually available in the Himalaya and other parts. Rasaut is prepared from the plant of 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 used as an aid for heart and liver. It possess febrifugal, immuno-stimulating, hypotensive, antiinflammatory, antiprotozoal, antimicrobial, antiarrhythmic and anticholinergic properties. From the ancient times, it is used in ayurvedic medicines. The fruits are an excellent source of Vitamin C. The root and bark are a great source of isoquinoline alkaloids and berberine. It is used to make dye for clothes, leathers and cottons. The roots are used to prepare alcoholic drinks.
| Name | Indian Barberry |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Berberis aristata |
| Native | Native to Himalayas in India and Nepal. The plant is mostly found in Himalayas, Bhutan, Sri Lanka and in the hilly areas of Nepal. |
| Common/English Name | Indian Barberry, Nepal Barberry, Tree Turmeric, Darlahad, Ophthalmic barberry, Berberis aristata, Berberis coriaria, Berberis chitria, Bérbero Indio, Darhahed, Chitra, Daruhaldi, Darhald, Darurajani, Daruharidra, Darvi, Hint Amberparisi, Épine-Vinette Aristée, Indian Lycium, Indian Ophthalmic Barberry, Ophthalmic , Nepalese Barberry |
| Name in Other Languages | Sanskrit: Katamkateri; Bengali: Daruharidra; English: Indian Berberry; Gujrati: Daruharidra; Hindi: Daruhaldi; Kannada: Maradarishana; Malayalam: Maramannal; Marathi: Daruhalad; Oriya: Daruharidra; Punjabi: Sumalou; Tamil: Gangeti; Telgu: Manupasupu; Urdu: Darhald |
| Plant Growth Habit | Erect, glabrous, spinescent, evergreen shrub |
| Growing Climate | Temperate |
| Soil | Dry, moist |
| Plant Size | Height: 2 and 3 meters |
| Bark | Outside: Yellow-brown bark Inside: Dark yellow |
| Stem | Rectangular, squarish, thin walled, yellow |
| Leaf | Length: 4.9 cm; Broad: 1.8 cm, deep green, simple, pinnate, toothed, obovate-elliptic, subacute-obtuse |
| Flowering Season | April-May |
| Flower | Yellow, hermaphroditic, Diameter: 12.5 millimeters |
| Fruit shape & size | Length: 7 millimeters, Diameter: 4 millimeters; oblong-ovoid or ovoid |
| Fruit weight | 227 milligrams, Volume: 237 microliters |
| Fruit color | Aconite violet |
| Flesh color | Plum purple |
| Fruit Taste | Succulent, acidic, sweet |
| Seed | 2-5 seeds, yellow-pink |
| Seed size | 25 mg, Volume: 29 microliters |
| Fruit Season | May and June |
| Health Benefits |
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| Traditional uses |
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| Precautions |
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| How to Eat |
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