Barberry

(S) Daruharidra, wood turmeric, owing to its similar properties to turmeric

Part Used: root

Energetics: bitter, astringent/heating/pungent PK- V+

Tissues: plasma, blood, fat

Systems: circulatory, digestive

Actions: bitter tonic, alterative, antipyretic, laxative, anthelmintic, bacteriocidal, amoebicidal

Indications: fever (remittent and intermittent), enlargement of liver and spleen, conjunctivitis, acne, boils, chronic dysentery (amoebic, bacillary), jaundice, hepatitis, diabetes

Precautions: high vata, tissue deficiency

Preparation: decoction, powder (250 mg to 1 g), medicated ghee, paste

BARBERRY is a bitter herb with a special heating potency (prabhava), which is its special property to destroy Ama or toxins in the body. Generally speaking, it can be treated like other bitter herbs, with its Pitta-reducing and Vata-increasing attributes. However, in this respect it is less likely to aggravate Vata (particularly when combined with turmeric) than other such herbs.

Barberry is specific for cleansing the liver and regulating its function. For reducing Ama or fat in the body, it is combined with turmeric. With twice the amount of turmeric it can be used in diabetes. For controlling Pitta it can be used with other bitter tonics like golden seal or nimb leaves.