Realising the medicinal and commercial potential of tree turmeric, the Kerala Agricultural University (KAU) has taken up conservation-oriented research work on the flowering, fruit setting, seed viability, and dormancy of this endangered species. The university has developed a germination technology to produce seedlings of tree turmeric (maramanjal).
Key Features of Tree-Turmeric
Some features of tree turmeric are as follows:
* Tree turmeric (Berberis aristata) is a shrub belonging to the family Berberidaceae and the genus Berberis. In South India, oscinium fenestratum is traded as substitute for B. aristata in the name of Daruharidra and native to Western Ghats as ‘tree turmeric’. Both the varieties possess the alkaloid ‘berberine’, which has anti-inflammatory properties.
* The root and stem of tree turmeric have excellent antibiotic and antiseptic properties.
* It is native to the natural evergreen forests of South India.
* Highlands with relatively high humidity and shade are ideal for its growth.
* Its root and stem are widely used in Ayurvedic, Unani, Sidha, and traditional medicinal preparations for the treatment of diabetes, wounds, ulcers, jaundice, and skin diseases.
* Berberin is its active ingredient, which gives it the medicinal properties.
* It is one of the largest trading medicinal plants from the tropical forests. But about 80 per cent of it has almost been lost in South India.