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Jaundice Berry

Botanical Name: Berberis vulgaris

Indian Name: Ambarbaris

Description and Composition

Jaundice berry or Maider berry is an erect thorny shrub with dark brown bark and yellow wood. It has stalked, thin and egg-shaped leaves in bunches of 1O, with yellow flowers and red, oblong berries.

The bark contains many active alkaloids, like berberine, oxyacanthine, and columbamine which are all antibacterial. Berberine also has antiviral properties. Tannin, resin, fat and starch are other constituents of the herb.

Healing Power and Curative Properties

The bark of its stem and root are tonic. They induces active movement of the bowels, increase the secretion and discharge of urine and reduce fever due to antibilious and antiseptic properties.

Liver Disorders

Jaundice berry is particularly useful as a bitter tonic in jaundice and other liver disorders. The pulverized bark is given several times a day in doses of quarter teaspoon. Alternatively, the fluid extract can be given in 2 or 4 gram doses.

High Blood Pressure

The herb is highly beneficial in the treatment of high blood pressure. Research has shown that it dilates the arteries thereby lowering blood pressure.

Scurvy

The leaves of the plant are antiscorbutic or anti-scurvy. A decoction of the leaves as well as the juice of the berry can be given with beneficial results in scurvy.

Fevers

The berries contain citric and malic acids useful in arresting secretion or bleeding and in promoting the flow of bile. Their juice can be given in inflammatory and malignant fevers, especially typhus and typhoid, in doses of 2 to 4 grams.

Menstrual Disorders

The herb is useful in menstrual disorders such as painful periods and excessive loss of blood. It has also been found beneficial during labour.

Precaution: This herb should not be used during pregnancy as the alkaloid berberine stimulates the uterus, and may cause abortion.

Other Uses

A Purgative: Jaundice berry acts as an effective purgative when taken in large doses of more than one fourth of a teaspoon of pulverized bark or 4 gram doses of the fluid extract.

Yakrit Plihantak Churna is a herbal mixture of rare herbs to improve liver function. It helps the liver in clearing away the toxins. It regenerates the liver cells and prevents liver failure. It is useful in liver cirrhosis, jaundice, liver damage due to alcohol, toxins and infection. The herb Katuki increases the bile production whereas Makoye, Bhringraj and Kalmegh improve liver function. Punarnava and Bhumi amla regenerate liver cells and are useful in liver enlargement and inflammation. Giloy is immunomodulator and corrects liver metabolism. The combination of herbs is a wonderful remedy for all liver problems.*

Herbs in Yakrit-Plihantak Churna: Yakritplihantak Churna is purely a herbal formulation without any chemicals added into it. The ingredients are frequently used in Ayurvedic system of medicine since 5,000 B.C. without any side effects.Read more

Dosage and Methods of Administraton

1/2 to 1 teaspoonful twice daily, with plain water or fruit juice, after meals.

Yakrit Plihantak Churna