Berberis lycium ROYLE

English Name : Berberis

Family : Berberidaceae

Origin : Western Himalayas

Description

An evergreen shrub growing to 3 m at a medium rate with oblanceolate, acute to sub-acuminate mostly entire leaves, small pale yellow flowers in 20-flowered racemes and ovoid black berries.

Habitat
Western Himalayas and Kashmir and wastelands near cultivation throughout valleys of India.

Parts Used : Root and its bark

Herb Effects
Aperient, carminative, febrifuge, ophthalmic, antiprotozoal, antiviral, anticancer, stimulates the cardiovascular system, respiration and alleviates spasms (root).

Active Ingredients
Berberine, berbenine, berberieinine, umbellatine, sindamine, punjabine and gilgitine (root)

Medicinal Use
Diarrhea, jaundice and skin diseases (root bark juice); eye diseases (root); sporadic fever (root bark decoction); menorrhagia, chronic diarrhoea and piles.

Dosage
Fluid extract: 2 mils (30 minims).
Tincture: 2 to 4 mils (1/2 to 1 fluid drachm).

Reference