Abstract

MAGICAL PLANT: A BERBERIS ARISTATA (TREE TURMERIC)

Avinash Rangaraju*, Shubhangi Kasbe, Swati Pethe and Rubina Shaikh

ABSTRACT

Herbal medicines play a vital role as primary healthcare providers worldwide, particularly in rural and remote regions. Plants have served as the foundation of traditional medicines worldwide for millennia, continually unveiling new remedies for humanity. They stand as one of the richest sources of compounds, offering a treasure trove of therapeutic potential. Berberis aristata holds a prominent position in Ayurveda, where it is utilized for various remedies. It serves as a tonic, alternative, demulcent, diaphoretic, and diuretic, addressing ailments such as diarrhea, jaundice, skin diseases, syphilis, chronic rheumatism, and urinary disorders. Scientific research corroborates its multifaceted biological functions, aligning with its traditional use in the East.
Phytochemical analyses reveal that Berberis aristata contains primarily yellow-colored alkaloids like Berberine, oxyberberine, berbamine, aromoline, protoberberine alkaloid karachine, palmatine, oxycanthine, and taxilamine, alongside tannins, sugar, and starch. Among these compounds, Berberine emerges as the primary constituent, exerting various pharmacological actions. Daruharidra, also known as Indian Barberry or Tree Turmeric, stands out as a medicinal plant of paramount importance within traditional Ayurvedic medicine. Daruharidra, also recognized as Berberis aristata, is a medicinal plant indigenous to the Himalayas and extensively distributed throughout India. For centuries, it has been a cornerstone of traditional Ayurvedic medicine, celebrated for its diverse therapeutic attributes. Within Ayurveda, Daruharidra is esteemed as a bitter herb possessing potent medicinal qualities.

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