Mahonia napaulensis:-Barberry

Vernacular name:-Jharod

Family:-Berberidaceae

DOC:-05/03/2021

Location-HP Chamba

Synonyms: Mahonia napaulensis, Berberis leschenaultii, Mahonia manipurensis.

Flowering:-October-April

Occurence:-2000-2900Meter

Medicinal

The fruits are strongly antioxidant, diuretic and demulcent.They are used in the treatment of dysentery

A decoction of the bark is used as eye drops to treat inflammations of the eyes

A decoction of the root and stem is used in the treatment of dysentery, abscesses, conjunctival congestion, sore pain, periodontitis, acute pharyngolaryngitis, tuberculosis, and hemoptysis

Mahonia species have a long history of medicinal usage, with several members of the genus being commonly used in traditional medicine and also in modern herbalism. They are employed in the treatment of a wide range of conditions and have, in particular, been demonstrated to exert good efficacy in the clinical treatment of dysentery, internal and external haemorrhage, acne vulgaris and chronic pharyngitis amongst other diseases. Phytochemical research into this genus has resulted in the identification of more than 150 chemical constituents, amongst which alkaloids are predominant. The isolated compounds and crude extracts have been shown to exhibit a wide spectrum of in vitro and in vivo pharmacological effects, including antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, antioxidant, antimutagenic and analgesic properties

Berberine, an alkaloid that is universally present in the rhizomes and stems of Mahonia species, has been shown to have a marked antibacterial effectand is also used as a bitter tonic.Since it is not appreciably absorbed by the body, it can be used orally in the treatment of various enteric infections, especially bacterial dysentery.

Berberine has also shown antitumour activity

The plant should not be used with Glycyrrhiza species (Liquorice) because this nullifies the effects of the berberine

Other Uses

A yellow dye is obtained from the stem and leaves