Daruharidra (tree turmeric / Indian barberry)
Berberis aristata
Edible plantPhoto credit: L. Shyamal
Safety information
Safety information
Toxicity: Berberine generally tolerated but causes GI upset; important pregnancy/neonatal hazard (kernicterus risk).
Contraindications: Pregnancy and breastfeeding — avoid (berberine crosses placenta, displaces bilirubin -> kernicterus risk in neonates; uterine-stimulant reputation); neonates/infants — avoid.
Interactions: Berberine inhibits CYP3A4, CYP2D6 and P-glycoprotein -> raises levels of many drugs (cyclosporine, statins, midazolam); additive with antidiabetics/antihypertensives; caution with anticoagulants.
Pregnancy & breastfeeding: Avoid in pregnancy and lactation/neonates — kernicterus risk.
Evidence level
Supported by clinical trials in humans.
Preparations
powder · root
Part used: root
powder · root/stem bark
Part used: root/stem bark
extract (rasaut) · root/stem bark
Part used: root/stem bark
eye-wash (traditional) · root/stem bark
Part used: root/stem bark
pill · root/stem bark
Part used: root/stem bark
decoction · root
Part used: root
Traditional use: skin disease, eye inflammation, infections, diabetes, liver complaints
Proposed mechanism: isoquinoline alkaloid berberine — activates AMPK, improves insulin sensitivity, lowers LDL, antimicrobial/anti-inflammatory; supported by human meta-analyses (largely berberine)
concentrated aqueous extract (Rasanjana) · root
Part used: root
Traditional use: eye washes
decoction · root/stem bark
Part used: root/stem bark
Traditional use: jaundice/liver heat, eye inflammation (conjunctivitis), diarrhoea/dysentery, skin and hot/infective complaints
Proposed mechanism: isoquinoline alkaloids — berberine (principal yellow marker), palmatine, jatrorrhizine, berbamine — antimicrobial, antidiarrhoeal, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, glucose/lipid-lowering
Associated conditions
Edibility
Edible parts: Barberry fruits of related species are edible, but the medicinal part here (berberine-rich root/bark) is NOT a food.
Toxic lookalike warning
Do not confuse turmeric-yellow barberry root with culinary turmeric (Curcuma longa).
Nutritional notes
Root not a food; some related fruits are vitamin-C-rich.
Healing traditions
Sources (5)
- Shadin 2026, PLoS One (PMID 42213651)
- Adhikari et al. 2019, Medicines (Basel) (PMID 31234605)
- Singh 2025, J Med Case Rep (PMID 41272908)
- Raghuvanshi et al. 2021, Plants (Basel) (PMID 33504029)
- Awari 2024, Foods (PMID 39272566)