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.
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.
The plant is rich in minerals and other phytochemical constituents such as:
Sodium
Sulphur
Calcium
Copper
Lead
Manganese
Potassium
Phytic acid
Cellulose
Cardioactive glycosides
Vitamins
Carbohydrates
Proteins
Fibre content
Lipids
For the treatment of:
Internal wounds
Jaundice
Ophthalmia
Piles
Colic
Jaundice
Pustules
Blindness
Anticoccidial
Expectorant
Diaphoretic
Throat pain
Gingivitis
Extremely effective in healing skin and scalp conditions