Berberis vulgaris - Daruharidra

Berberis vulgaris, Barberry

Berberis vulgaris also known as Common barberry, European barberry or simply barberry is a shrub in the genus Berberis. It is native to the Himalayas in India and in Nepal. It is also naturally found in the wet zone of Sri Lanka.

Uses

Cancer, Malarea, Gallbladder pain, Gallstones, Jaundice, Stomach ulcer, Mouth bacterial dysentery.

Parts Used

Stem, Roots, Fruits.

Chemical Composition

Extracts from the inner stem bark of Berberis vulgaris were analyzed for their antioxidant activity using the 1,1-dipheny-2-picrylhydrazyl method and compared with ascorbic acid and butylated hydroxytoluene.

Common names

Language	Common name
Kannada	Bagisutrum, Doddamaradarsina, Gantarishina
Hindi	Khepacho, Rasaunt, Rasaut, Rasvat, Zarishk
Malayalam	Kasturimanjal, Maradarisina
Tamil	Mullukkala, Ucikkala, Usikkala
Telugu	Daruharidra, Kasthoori pushpa
Marathi	NA
Gujarathi	NA
Punjabi	NA
Kashmiri	NA
Sanskrit	Daruharidra, Darunisa, Darurajani
English	Chitra

Properties

Reference: Dravya - Substance, Rasa - Taste, Guna - Qualities, Veerya - Potency, Vipaka - Post-digesion effect, Karma - Pharmacological activity, Prabhava - Therepeutics.

Habit

Herb

Identification

Leaf

Kind	Shape	Feature
Simple	Oval	Leavesare 0.75-2 in. (2-5 cm) long, 0.25-0.75 in. (1-2 cm) wide, serrate and occur in clusters of 2-5. Each cluster of leaves is subtended by a short, three-branched spine

Flower

Type	Size	Color and composition	Stamen	More information
Unisexual	Less than 0.25 in. (6 mm) wide	Yellow	5-20	Flowering occurs in May to June and The flowers have an unpleasant odor

Fruit

Type	Size	Mass	Appearance	Seeds	More information
Ellipsoids	0.3 in. (10 mm)7–10 mm (0.28–0.4 in.) long pome	Contain 1-3 small black seeds. The fruit is dispersed by birds and other wildlife	With hooked hairs		{{{6}}}

List of Ayurvedic medicine in which the herb is used

• Madhumehantak churna
• Navkarshik churna
• Daruhaldi powder

Mode of Propagation

Seeds, Cuttings.

How to plant/cultivate

Seeds from ripe fruit can be sowed, cold stratification may be required. Prefers a warm moist loamy soil but it is by no means fastidious, succeeding in thin, dry and shallow soils. Prefers a light rich rather dry soil according to another repor

Kind of soil needed

Prefers a warm moist loamy soil but it is by no means fastidious, succeeding in thin, dry and shallow soils.

Commonly seen growing in areas

Abandoned Field, Coastal Grassland, Early Successional Forest.

Photo Gallery

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  Leaves

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  Buds

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  Branch

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  Flowers

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  Fruits

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  Seeds

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  Berry cut in half length wise

External Links

• Berberis Vulgaris (Barberry) Plant Images & Medicinal Uses
• Pharmacological and therapeutic effects of Berberis vulgaris and its active constituent, berberine
• Pharmacological and therapeutic effects of Berberis vulgaris and its active constituent, berberine
• Pharmacological and therapeutic effects of Berberis vulgaris and its active constituent
• Studies on the Dual Cytotoxicity and Antioxidant Properties of Berberis vulgaris