Tree Turmeric (Berberis aristata), also known as Daruharidra, has a long history of use in traditional Ayurvedic and Unani medicine for the management of liver disorders, including hepatitis. The plant contains several alkaloids, most notably berberine, which is credited with a variety of pharmacological activities in both traditional and modern contexts. Classical Ayurvedic texts describe formulations containing Tree Turmeric as supportive in "kamala" (jaundice), a condition corresponding to hepatitis-like symptoms. The traditional rationale is based on its "pitta-reducing" and "liver-protective" (hepatoprotective) properties.

Modern scientific studies provide some preliminary support for these uses. In vitro and animal models have shown that berberine and extracts from Berberis aristata can exert hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects. However, clinical evidence in humans, especially rigorous randomized controlled trials specifically for hepatitis, is limited or lacking. As such, while there is a strong traditional basis for its use in hepatitis, and some mechanistic and preclinical support, the evidence is not robust enough for a higher rating. Caution is warranted, and more clinical research is needed to establish efficacy and safety in hepatitis patients.