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Berberis aristata
An erect spiny shrub, ranging between 2 and 3 metres in height wood, hard and yellow; bark, yellow to brown from outside and deep yellow from inside, removable in longitudinal strips by hand.
The dried stem, root bark and wood are alterative, antiperiodic, deobstruent, diaphoretic, laxative, ophthalmic and tonic (bitter). An infusion is used in the treatment of malaria, eye complaints, skin diseases, menorrhagia, diarrhoea and jaundice. Berberine, universally present in rhizomes of Berberis species, has marked antibacterial effects. Since it is not appreciably absorbed by the body, it is used orally in the treatment of various enteric infections, especially bacterial dysentery.
The roots of are yellowish brown, cylindrical, more or less knotty, hard and tough. With the bark intact they are cut into pieces of varying length and a maximum diameter of 45 mm. The bark is internally dark brown and soft, breaking away with away into a powdery mass. The herb in powdered form is bright yellow with a slight odour and a bitter taste.