A Review on the Pharmacognosy and Pharmacology of the Herbals Traded as ‘daruharidra’

Daruharidra (Berberis aristata DC) has been used in ayurveda and traditional Chinese medicine for more than 3000 years. It is a red-listed endemic medicinal plant species of conservation concern and has become very important in recent years due to its rarity and huge demand in the medicinal plant sector. However, many other species such as Berberis asiatica Roxb., Berberis lycium Royle., Cosinium fenestratum (Gaertn.) Coleb and Morinda umbellate L. are recommended as ayurvedic substitutes of Daruharidra and traded in the market. In ayurveda, it has been reported to be diaphoretic and diuretic; used as a tonic and also in the preparations of formulations for treating eye diseases, jaundice and skin diseases, diarrhoea, syphilis, chronic rheumatism, urinary disorders etc. From time to time, a number of reports on the various pharmacognosical and pharmacological properties of original Daruharidra (B.aristata) and its substitutes have been reported. This review analyses traditional medicinal usage, and pharmacognosical and pharmacological investigations done on the endangered medicinal herb Daruharidra and its substitutes.