Rasa (Taste)
Tikta, Kashaya
The primary taste perceived on the tongue.
Daruharidra (Indian Barberry)
Daruharidra is a thorny evergreen shrub found in the Himalayan regions of India, especially in hilly areas.
Medicinal Plant
Daruharidra (Indian Barberry)
Berberis aristata · Berberidaceae
Daruharidra is a thorny evergreen shrub found in the Himalayan regions of India, especially in hilly areas.
Scientific Name
Berberis aristata
Family
Berberidaceae
Hindi Name
Daruhaldi
Used Part
Mool(Root), Kaand(Stem), Chaal(Bark),
Botanical Description
About the Daruharidra Plant
Morphology and field-identification notes as documented in our Dravyaguna library.
Daruharidra is a thorny evergreen shrub found in the Himalayan regions of India, especially in hilly areas. Stem is hard, woody, yellow from inside. Branches are spiny with sharp thorns. Leaves are simple, leathery, toothed and arranged in clusters. Flowers are yellow in colour and appear in drooping racemes. Fruits are small, oval berries, red or purple when ripe.
Ayurvedic Properties
Rasa Panchaka — Classical Properties
The five-fold framework Ayurveda uses to describe a drug — Rasa, Guna, Vipaka, Veerya and its effect on the doshas.
Guna (Qualities)
Laghu, Ruksha
Physical and energetic attributes of the dravya.
Vipaka (Post-digestive Effect)
Katu
Taste that emerges after complete digestion.
Dosha Karma (Action on Doshas)
KaphaPitta Shamak
Effect on Vata, Pitta and Kapha doshas.
Veerya (Potency)
Ushna
Heating (ushna) or cooling (sheeta) energy.
Ayurvedic Actions (Karma)
Kandughna, Kushthaghna, Vranashodhana, Vranaropana, Jwaraghna, Pramehahara, Raktashodhaka, Vishaghna, Shothahara.
Modern Phytochemistry
Chemistry & Pharmacology
How modern science maps onto the classical understanding of this dravya.
Pharmacological Action
What the Science Says
Antimicrobial, Anti-inflammatory, Antidiabetic, Antioxidant, Hepatoprotective, Antipyretic, Wound healing, Antidiarrheal
Phytoconstituents
Active Compounds
Berberine, Berbamine, Oxyacanthine, Palmatine, Columbamine.
Therapeutic Usage
Clinical Applications of Daruharidra
Classical Ayurvedic indications drawn directly from the Dravyaguna tradition — paired with the preparations recommended in shastra.
01
Decoction of Daruharidra is used in eye disorders and conjunctivitis.
02
Paste of Daruharidra is applied over wounds and skin diseases.
03
Daruharidra churna with honey is useful in Prameha (Diabetes).
04
It is used in jaundice and liver disorders due to its hepatoprotective action.
05
Useful in itching, ulcers and inflammatory conditions.
Always consult a qualified Ayurvedic physician before using any herb therapeutically. Dose, anupana and Prakriti-specific suitability matter.
Yoga / Kalpana
Classical Formulations
Common Ayurvedic preparations where Daruharidra is a key ingredient.
- Daruharidradi Kwatha, Haridrakhanda, Chandraprabha Vati, Punarnava mandura, Darvyadi Kwatha.
Shastra Pramana
Classical Reference
दार्वी दारुहरिद्रा च पर्जन्या पर्जनीति च |कटङ्कटेरी पीता च भवेत्सैव पचम्पचा ||१७५||सैव कालीयकः प्रोक्तस्तथा कालेयकोऽपि च |पीतद्रुश्च हरिद्रुश्च पीतदारु च पीतकम् ||१७६||दार्वी निशागुणा किन्तु नेत्रकर्णास्यरोगनुत् ||१७७|| ॥- भावप्रकाश निघण्टु, हरीतक्यादि वर्ग