Maramanjal (Coscinium fenestratum)

Maramanjal, jhar-haldi in Hindi, is tree turmeric, a woody climber of the Western Ghats and Sri Lanka whose stems are bright yellow inside from berberine. Cut stem pieces are sold as maramanjal and as a substitute for daruharidra, Indian barberry. Heavy harvesting from the wild has made it rare, and it is listed as threatened in India. Sri Lanka calls it venivel.

Botanical name: Coscinium fenestratum (Gaertn.) Colebr.
Family: Menispermaceae
Tamil: Maramanjal
Hindi: Jhar-haldi
Sanskrit: Dārvī
Parts used: Stem
Habit: Woody climber with yellow stems sold as tree turmeric
Last updated: 2026-10-27

How to recognise Maramanjal

It is a large woody climber with thick stems that twist around forest trees.

The leaves are large, heart-shaped and leathery, with the stalk attached slightly inside the edge.

Small, yellowish flowers grow in clusters on older stems.

The fruits are round, hairy, yellowish drupes.

Cut stems show a bright yellow, radiating pattern.

Traditional use of Maramanjal

Siddha

Maramanjal is used in Siddha preparations for skin, eyes and fevers.

Siddha practice

Herb trade

Stem pieces are sold as daruharidra in South India.

Indian herb trade

Dyeing

The yellow wood was used to dye cloth.

South Indian craft practice

Modern notes on Maramanjal

Its yellow colour comes from berberine, the same alkaloid as in barberry.

Overharvesting has made it rare in the Western Ghats, and it is a priority species for conservation.

Berberine interacts with many medicines and is unsafe for newborns.

Maramanjal safety

Do not give maramanjal or berberine products to infants, or use them in pregnancy. Ask a doctor before using with regular medicines.

Ecology and sourcing

It grows in wet evergreen forests of the Western Ghats and Sri Lanka.

It grows slowly and can take decades to reach harvestable size.

Birds eat its fruits.

Related plants

Also in Menispermaceae

Questions about Maramanjal

What is maramanjal?

The Tamil name for tree turmeric.

Is Maramanjal related to turmeric?

No. It is a moonseed-family climber.

Why is Maramanjal yellow?

It is rich in berberine.

Is Maramanjal endangered?

It is threatened by overharvesting.

Is Maramanjal the same as daruharidra?

It is sold as a substitute for it.

How is Maramanjal used in Sri Lanka?

Venivel stem is boiled into a bitter drink taken for colds and fevers.

Sources

Educational page about a plant. It is not medical advice, not a diagnosis, and not an offer to sell. Traditional use is historical. If you need care, ask a licensed clinician. Questions: hello@meevamed.com.