Belonging to the Berberidaceae family, the Berberis lyceum is a highly-valued medicinal plant that has been rampantly used in folk and ancient medicine. Found in the Himalayan regions of Pakistan and India, this plant is known to cure a range of diseases and illnesses such as jaundice, diarrhoea, eye infections, rheumatism, etc. to name a few. Ethnic medicine used the root and stem-bark for its biologically active ingredient berberine. Growing to about 2 to 4 m in height, the Berberis lyceum is a semi-deciduous shrub with narrow and oblong leaves. Flowers grow in clusters and are bright yellow in colour.

Habitat

The plants grow in the sub-tropical and temperate forests at an altitude of about 700 to 2500 m. A self-fertile plant, it is also known to survive in nutritionally poor soils and even in heavy clay bases. Though it’s most suitable growing ground is a neutral and alkaline soil in a light woodland area that has no shade. It prefers both dry and moist soils. In severe winters the plant may suffer some damage.

Berberis lycium for hair growth

Extremely effective in healing skin and scalp conditions