Roots and bark of plant are used. It is popularly used as a topical medication for several skin affections like psoriasis, acne and fungal infections. Controlled studies have failed to show any effectiveness or that is similar to placebo. It contains Berberine that may be a cause of gastritis, nephritis, phototoxicity and severe jaundice by displacement of albumin-linked bilirubin: it places a risk of kernicterus to newborns, which is greater in cases of 6-Glucose-PD deficiency.