Importance, Medicinal properties and Benefits of Daruharidra in Ayurveda

2022-01-27 00:00:00

Daruharidra, also known as Indian barberry, turmeric etc. is a juicy berry, often eaten as a fresh fruit. Daruharidra is an effective medicinal plant which is known by different names in various places. Its botanical name is Berberis aristata Dc. which is related to the species Berberidaceae. It is cultivated mostly for edible fruits. Its trees are mostly found in the Himalayan region of India and Nepal. In India, Daruharidra is mainly found at an altitude of 6-10 thousand meters above sea level, in places like Bihar, Nilgiri hills and Himachal Pradesh etc.

 

Daruharidra is a shrubby tree with a smooth and evergreen bush. The length of the tree is 2 to 3 meters. A yellowish (bitter) element is found in the bark of its root called berberine. Many medicinal properties are found in Daruhaldi. For this reason, in Ayurveda, Daruharidra is considered as a great medicine. It is helpful in many diseases ranging from skin disorders to relieving pain.

 

 

Importance of Daruharidra in Ayurveda

 

According to Ayurveda, Daruharidra is bitter in taste, hot in nature and has kapha balancing properties. It helps in the skin defects, ear, eye, oral, uterine diseases and is beneficial for the heart. It proves beneficial in fever, infections, leprosy, piles, cough, inflammation and tooth worms. Daruhaldi has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antitumor, antiseptic, antiviral, cardioprotective, hepatoprotective and nephroprotective properties.

 

Being hot in nature, Daruharidra makes the digestive system healthy. Many nutrients and minerals like protein, iron, fiber, calcium, copper, niacin, vitamin-E, potassium, magnesium and zinc are found in abundance in Daruharidra which protect the body from many problems. In Ayurvedic texts, Daruharidra has been named as Darvi, Parjanya, Parjani, Peeta, Pitadru, Pitad, Chitra, Sumlu etc.

 

 

Medicinal properties of Daruharidra

 

 

Effective in reducing inflammation

 

Daruharidra has anti-granuloma and anti-inflammatory properties which are helpful in preventing inflammation. Research done on barberry shows that daruharidra helps in treating inflammatory diseases. It provides relief to the patients of Osteoporosis. Barberry is also used in the treatment of inflammation caused by rheumatoid arthritis and arthritis.

 

 

For the treatment of diarrhea

 

Research on daruharidra shows that it has hepatoprotective, cardiovascular, antispasmodic and anti-microbial properties. Hence it is used in diarrhea. Grinding daruharidra and mixing it with honey provides relief in diarrhea. Apart from this, it is also beneficial for children to take honeydew powder for the treatment of stomach-related infections or diarrhea.

 

 

Helpful in the treatment of diabetes

 

Barberry has the property of balancing the level of insulin and is very beneficial for diabetic patients. Apart from insulin, Daruharidra also regulates the level of glucose in the body. Therefore, including the fruit of Daruharidra in the diet is good for people with diabetes.

 

 

Anti-carcinogenic properties

 

According to Ayurveda, Daruhaldi has sufficient properties to fight cancer. The elements present in it extract DNA from cancer cells and also reduce the side effects of chemotherapy.

 

 

For the treatment of piles

 

Daruharidra is a good remedy to treat bloody piles due to its anti-inflammatory properties which helps in reducing swelling on any part of the body. Taking barberry powder with butter daily is beneficial in piles.

 

 

Helpful in purifying the blood

 

Natural blood purifier properties are found in Daruharidra which helps in removing impurities (toxins) from the body. Apart from this, immunity can also be boosted by the use of Daruharidra.

 

 

Antibacterial, antifungal and anti-microbial properties

 

Various researches done on Daruharidra show that it inhibits the growth of many types of bacteria, pathogenic fungi and parasites.

 

 

Anthelmintic properties

 

Daruhaldi is also known as Krimihara or Kriminashak (killer of intestinal worms). Kwath (decoction) of turmeric has anthelmintic properties. In the rural areas of Nepal, the powder or paste of daruharidra is boiled in water with salt and its juice is consumed as an anthelmintic medicine.

 

 

As an immunity booster

 

According to experts, the use of daruharidra increases the immunity of the body. A substance called lipo-polysaccharide (endotoxin) is found in barberry which contains anti-bacterial, antiviral and antifungal agents that helps to boost immunity. Apart from this, curcumin, an important component of barberry, is rich in anti-inflammatory properties as well as acts as an immunomodulatory agent.

 

 

Benefits of Daruharidra

 

 

Beneficial in fever

 

Drinking a decoction prepared from the root of barberry every morning and evening provides relief in fever.

 

 

Helpful in eye infection

 

Mixing the powder of Daruharidra with curd, butter, lime (any one thing) and applying it on the upper area of ​​the eyes, effectively cures eye infection.

 

 

For teeth and gum problems

 

Drinking a decoction of daruharidra containing honey in the morning and evening provides quick relief in the diseases of teeth and gums.

 

 

Relieves diarrhea

 

Make a powder by grinding equal quantities of barberry root and dry ginger. Now take 1 teaspoon of this powder daily 3 times a day. Doing this provides relief in diarrhea.

 

 

Reduces pain & inflammation

 

Applying a paste made from Daruharidra on the inflamed area 2-3 times reduces swelling and provides relief in pain.

 

 

For wounds

 

Applying its paste on wounds helps in quick healing due to the present of antiseptic properties.

 

 

For boils

 

Applying a paste mixed with camphor, butter and barberry on boils is beneficial.

 

 

Relieves leucorrhoea

 

Mix equal quantities of barberry and cinnamon in honey and grind it. Now taking one spoonful of the mixed powder thrice a day provides relief in leucorrhoea (white vaginal discharge in women).

 

 

Side effects of Daruharidra

 

• Excessive consumption of daruharidra can cause problems like diarrhea, abdominal cramps and nausea.
• Pregnant women and women planning pregnancy should use barberry according to the advice of a doctor.
• If you are taking any special type of medicines, then definitely consult a doctor before using Daruharidra.