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 10, with yellow flowers and red, oblong berries.
The bark contains many active alkaloids, like berberine, oxyacanthine, and columbine 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 induce 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 jute 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 labor.
Precaution: this herb should not be used during pregnancy as the alkaloid berberine stimulates the uterus and may cause abortion.
Other Uses: 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.
