krishnacandana :

Adultrants:

In North India, different species of Berberis viz., B. aristata DC., B. asiatica Roxb., B. lycium Royle, B. vulgaris L., supposed to possess more or less similar properties are being used as daruharidra. The physicians of South India use Coscinium fenestratum as the source, which is often adulterated with all the above species, Mahonia leschenaultii (Wall. ex Wight & Arn.) Takeda ex Gamble, Berberis tinctoria Lesch., Anamirta cocculus (L.) Wight & Arn. (Mooss, 1983; Menon, 2003; Anonymous, 2005) and also vice versa.

Commercial value:

There is speculation that C. fenestratum might also have found a modern use in the illegal drug market industry

Requirement and Market Price

Annual requirement of Coscinium fenestratum in the traditional medicine sector of Sri Lanka is 54 ton (IUCN, 2001) and that of Kerala state in India is 143 ton.

Retail market price: Rs. 60/- per kg of dried stem

Intellectual Property Rights

An US Patent 20060018978 was recorded on the use of Coscinium fenestratum in a pharmaceutical product. Its aim was to develop a pharmaceutical product of medicinal herbal origin for maintaining good health in a healthy person as well as in diabetic patient (http://www.freshpatents.com).

Dr Mohamed Rifas

A dual country licensed Ayurveda Physician, currently working in Dubai as Head of Ayurveda and Yoga department. He also works as visiting doctor for Dr Hassan Ayurveda Brain and Spine Specialty Hospital. He is specialized in joint issues, brain and spine related issues and gastrointestinal issues with respect to anxiety.
Doctor profile: Click here