Medicinal Plants Herbs Flowers

NIMBA (Stem Bark)

Nimba (stem bark) consists of stem bark of Azadirachta indica A. Juss. Syn. Melia azadirachta Linn. (Fam. Meliacem); a moderate sized to fairly large, evergreen tree, attaining a height of 12-15 m with stout trunk and spreading branches, occurring throughout the country upto an elevation of 900 m.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Arista, Picumarda
Assamese : Mahanim
Bengali : Nim, Nimgacha
English : Margosa Trees
Gujrati : Kadvo Limbdo
Hindi : Nim, Nimb
Kannada : Bevu, Kahibevu, Nimba, Oilevevu
Kashmiri : —
Malayalam : Veppu, Aruveppu
Marathi : Balantanimba, Kadunimb, Limba
Oriya : Nimba
Punjabi : Nim, Nimba, Bakam
Tamil : Veppai, Vembu
Telugu : Vemu, Vepa
Urdu : Neem

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Bark varies much in thickness according to age and parts of tree from where it is taken; extemal surface rough, fissured and rusty-grey; laminated inner surface yellowish and foliaceous, fracture, fibrous; odour, characteristic; taste, bitter

b) Microscopic

Stem Bark -Shows outer exfoliating pieces hard, woody, considerably thick in older barks; almost entirely dead elements of secondary phloem, alternating with discontinuous tangential bands of compressed cork tissue, former composed of several layers of stone cells occurring in regularly arranged groups together with collapsed phloem elements filled with brown contents; in between the successive zones of cork tissue 3-5 layers of fibre groups with intervening thin-walled and often collapsed phloem elements present; each zone of cork tissue consists of several layers of regular, thinwalled cells occasionally with a few compressed rows of thick-walled cells towards outer surface; within exfoliating portion a number of layers of newly formed cork composed of thin walled, rectangular cells and one or two layers of cork cambium, below which a wide zone of secondary phloem present; secondary cortex absent in most cases; secondary phloem commonly composed of well-developed fibre bundles traversed by 2-4 seriate phloem rays and transversely separated by bands of parenchymatous tissue of phloem; phloem elements of outer bark mostly collapsed; a few fairly large secretory cavities also occur in phloem; most of phloem parenchyma contain starch grains and prismatic crystals of calcium oxalate; starch grains, simple, round with central hilum,measuring 2.75-5 n structure of bark varies considerably according to gradual formation of secondary cork bands.

Powder – Reddish-brown; shows numerous prismatic crystals of calcium oxalate, phloem fibres with narrow lumen and pointed ends; cork cells, stone cells mostly in groups, lignified rectangular to polygonal, having wide lumen and distinct striations, simple starch grains, measuring 2.75-5 n in diameter.

IDENTITY, PURITY AND STRENGTH

Foreign matter Not more than 2 per cent, Appendix 2.2.2.
Total Ash Not more than 7 per cent, Appendix 2.2.3.
Acid-insoluble ash Not more than 1.5 per cent, Appendix 2.2.4.
Alcohol-soluble extractive Not less than 6 per cent, Appendix 2.2.6.
Water-soluble extractive Not less than 5 per cent, Appendix 2.2.7.

T.L.C.

T.L.C. of alcoholic extract of the drug on Silica gel ‘G’ plate using Chloroform :
Ethylacetate; Formic acid (5:4: I:) shows under U.V. (366nm) three fluorescent zones at Rf. 0.72 (blue), 0.86 (blue), and 0.90 (green). On spraying with 5% Methanolic Phosphomolybdic acid reagent and heating the plate for about ten minutes at 105°C four spots appear at Rf. 0.20, 0.45, 0.63 and 0.90 (all blue).

CONSTITUENTS – Bitter principles Nimbin and Nimbiol

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Tikta
Guna : Laghu, Ruksa
Virya : Sita
Vipaka : Katu
Karma : Kandughna, Kaphahara, Pittahara, Visaghna, Vranasodhanakara, Hrdayavidahasantikara

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Sudarsana Curna., Nimbadi Kvatha Curna, Nimbadi Curna, Pancanimba Curna, Pancatikta Guggulu Ghrta, Pathyadi Kvatha (Sadanga) Curna

THERAPEUTIC USES – Daha, Jvara, Krmiroga, Kandu, Kustha, Prameha, Rakta Pitta, Vrana

DOSE – 2-4 g. of the drug in powder form.
Decoction should be used externally.

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KOKILAKSA (Whole Plant)

Kokilaksa consists of dried whole plant of Asteracantha longifolla Nees. Syn. Hygrophila spinosa T.Anders (Fam.Acanthacem); a spiny, stout, annual herb, common in water logged places throughout the country.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Iksura, Iksuraka, Kokilaksi
Assamese : —
Bengali : Kuliyakhara, Kulekhade
English : —
Gujrati : Ekharo
Hindi : Talmakhana
Kannada : Kolavali, Kolarind, Kolavankal
Kashmiri : —
Malayalam : –, Culli, Nirchulli, Vayalculli
Marathi : Talikhana, Kalsunda
Oriya : —
Punjabi : —
Tamil : Golmidi, Kettu, Nirguvireru, Nerugobbi
Telugu : —
Urdu : Talmakhana

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Root – Mostly adventitious, whitish to brown; no characteristic odour and taste.

Stem – Usually unbranched, fasciculate, sub-quadrangular, swollen at nodes, covered with long hairs which are numerous at the nodes, externally greyish-brown, creamishbrown in cut surfaces; no characteristic odour and taste.

Leaf – Greenish-brown, 1-7 cm long, 0.5-1 cm wide, subsessile, lanceolate, acute, entire and hairy.

Flower – Yellowish-brown, usually occurring in apparent whorls of eight (in 4 pairs) at each node; bracts about 2.5 cm long, with long white hairs; calyx 4-partite, upper sepal 1.6-2 cm long, broader than the other three, which are 1.3 cm long, all linear-lanceolate, coarsely hairy on the back and with hyaline ciliate margins; corolla 3.2 cm long, widely 2 lipped, tube 1.6 cm long, abruptly swollen at top; stamens 4, didynamous, second pair larger; filament quite glabrous; anthers two celled, subequal, glabrous; ovary two celled with 4 ovules in each cell; style filiform, pubescent; stigma simple, involute with a fissure on upper side.

Fruit – Two celled, linear-oblong, compressed, capsule about 0.8 cm long, pointed, 4- seeded.

Seed – Ovate, flat or compressed, truncate at the base, 0.2-0.25 cm long and 0.1 – 0.15 cm wide, hairy but appearing smooth; when soaked in water immediately get coated with mucilage, light brown; taste slightly bitter and odour not distinct.

b) Microscopic

Root – Root shows a single layered epidermis of thin-walled, rectangular to cubical, parenchymatous cells having unicellular hairs; secondary cortex composed of round to oval or oblong, thin-walled cells having large intercellular spaces; most of these cells divided longitudinally and transversely with walls forming 4-6 or more chambers; size of these cells and intercellular spaces gradually reduce towards the inner region, where these cells are mostly radially elongated, arranged in radial rows, a few thick-walled cells found scattered singly throughout secondary cortex; secondary phloem narrow consisting of small, thin-walled, polygonal cells; phloem fibres thick-walled, occur in groups of 2-6 or singles, scattered throughout the phloem region; secondary xylem forms continuous ring; vessels angular, broader towards centre, arranged radially having spiral thickenings, surrounded by thick-walled parenchyma and xylem fibres; fibre walls uniformly thickened; multi and uniseriate medullary rays occur from primary xylem region upto secondary cortex; ray cells thin walled, radially elongated in xylem region, circular to transversely elongated in phloem region.

Stem – Shows somewhat sub-quadrangular outline; cork consists of 5-10 rows of rectangular, radially arranged, moderately thick-walled, brownish cells; collenchyma 4-8 layered consisting of isodiametric cells; a few thick-walled, isolated cells found scattered in this zone; cortical cells thin-walled, round, oblong, variable in size, with a number of large air cavities; a special feature of these cells is the formation of tangential and radial walls within the cell dividing it into 4-5 or more parts; most of cells contain numerous acicular crystals of calcium oxalate; endodermis single layered, composed of transversely elongate, thin-walled cells; phloem narrow, consisting of round to polygonal cells, peripheral ones larger, inner cells smaller; fibres thick-walled, single or in groups of 2-3, some cells contain calcium oxalate crystals similar to those found in cortical cells; xylem present in a ring; vessels with spiral thickenings, arranged radially; fibres elongated with wide lumen and pointed tips, medullary rays uni to multi seriate extend upto secondary cortex; ray cells thin-walled, radially elongated in secondary xylem, transversely elongated in secondary phloem; pith large, composed of polygonal, thin-walled parenchymatous cells, having small intercellular spaces; a few cells contain calcium oxalate crystals similar to those found in secondary cortex.

Leaf Midrib – Shows concavo-convex outline; epidermis on either surface covered with thick cuticle; collenchyma 2-5 layered; stele composed of small strands of xylem and phloem having some groups of fibre; rest of tissues composed of thin-walled, parenchymatous cells, a few of them containing acicular crystals of calcium oxalate ; cystolith present beneath upper and above the lower epidermal cells.

Lamina – Shows epidermis single layered on either surface, composed of thin-walled, parenchymatous, tangentially elongated cells, covered with thick cuticle; stomata diacytic, 1-5 celled hairs present on both surfaces; palisade 1-2 layered; spongy parenchyma composed of 3-5 layered, loosely arranged cells traversed by a number of veins; palisade ratio 6.25-15.75; stomatal index 17.24-30.78; vein islet number 17-42.

Fruit – Shows single layered epidermis covered with striated cuticle followed by 5-10 layered, thick-walled, oval to hexagonal, lignified, sclerenchymatous cells.

Seed – Shows hairy testa composed of thin-walled, tangentially elongated cells covered with pigmented cuticle; embryo composed of oval to polygonal, thin-walled, parenchymatous cells containing oil globules.

Powder – Light brown; shows aseptate, elongated fibres; vessels with simple pits and spiral thickening; palisade, acicular crystals of calcium oxalate, unicellular hairs and globules.

IDENTITY, PURITY AND STRENGTH

Foreign matter Not more than 2 per cent, Appendix 2.2.2.
Total Ash Not more than 9 per cent, Appendix 2.2.3.
Acid-insoluble ash Not more than 1 per cent, Appendix 2.2.4.
Alcohol-soluble extractive Not less than 4 per cent, Appendix 2.2.6.
Water-soluble extractive Not less than 20 per cent, Appendix 2.2.7.

CONSTITUENTS – Alkaloids

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Madhura, Amla, Tikta
Guna : Picchila, Snigdha
Virya : Sita
Vipaka : Madhura
Karma : Balya, Mutrala, Rucya, Vajikara, Vrsya, Santarpana

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Panaviraladi Bhasma (Ksara).

THERAPEUTIC USES – Trsna, Amavata Sotha, Vatarakta.

DOSE – 3 -6 g. of the drug in powder form.

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PALASA (Stem Bark)

Palasa consists of dried stem bark of Butea monosperma (Lam.) Kuntze (Fam. Fabacem); a medium sized tree with somewhat crooked trunk, 12 – 15 m high with irregular branches, commonly found throughout the greater part of the country upto about 915 m, except in very arid parts.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Kimsuka, Raktapuspaka
Assamese : —
Bengali : Palash Gachha, Palash, Palas
English : Bastard peak
Gujrati : Kesudo, Khakharo, Khakhapado
Hindi : Dhak, Tesu
Kannada : Muttug, Muttuga, Muttala
Kashmiri : —
Malayalam : Plasu, Camata, Plas, Chama Tha
Marathi : Palas
Oriya : —
Punjabi : Palash, Dhak, Tesu
Tamil : Purasu, Paras
Telugu : Moduga, Modugu, Chettu
Urdu : Dhak, Palaspapda

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Mature stem bark, 0.5 – 1 cm thick, greyish to pale brown, curved, rough due to presence of rhytidoma, and scattered dark brown spots of exudate; rhytidoma 0.2 cm thick usually peels off, exposing light brown surface, exfoliation of cork and presence of shallow longitudinal and transverse fissures; fracture, laminated in outer part and fibrous in inner part; internal surface rough, pale brown; taste, slightly astringent.

b) Microscopic

Stem Bark -Mature bark shows rhytidoma consisting of alternating layers of cork, secondary cortex and phloem tissue; cork cells, thin-walled, 5-10 or more layered, rectangular, dark-brown; secondary cortical cells round and irregular in outline, dark brown, moderately thick-walled; tanniniferous cells, often in groups, having brown colour, sometimes containing mucilage and other materials found scattered in this zone; beneath this zone regular cork consisting of 4-12 rows of radially arranged, rectangular cells followed by a zone of 2 – 4 layers of sclereids; secondary phloem consisting of sieve tubes, companion cells, phloem parenchyma, phloem fibres, crystal fibres, traversed by phloem rays; in outer and middle phloem regions phloem tissues get crushed and form tangential bands of ceratenchyma; phloem fibres arranged in tangential bands alternating with sieve tubes and phloem parenchyma; most of fibre groups contain prismatic crystals of calcium oxalate forming crystal sheath; in macerated preparation phloem fibres appear thick-walled lignified elongated with tapering or bifurcated ends; crystal fibres divided into a number of chambers containing a prismatic crystal of calcium oxalate in each chamber; phloem rays multiseriate 4 – 12 cells wide, 7 – 50 cells in height, straight; prismatic crystals of calcium oxalate found scattered in the secondary phloem tissues and phloem rays; starch grains simple or compound having 2 – 3 components, measuring 2.75 – 13.75 n in dia., found scattered in phloem parenchyma and phloem ray cells abundantly; tanniniferous cells and secretory cavities also occur in secondary phloem.

Powder – Reddish-brown; shows numerous prismatic crystals of calcium oxalate, starch grains simple and compound with 2 – 3 components measuring 3-14 n in dia., dark brown coloured cells, sclereids mostly in groups, thin-walled cork cells, numerous crystal fibres in group or singles

IDENTITY, PURITY AND STRENGTH

Foreign matter Not more than 2 per cent, Appendix 2.2.2.
Total Ash Not more than 12 per cent, Appendix 2.2.3.
Acid-insoluble ash Not more than 1.5 per cent, Appendix 2.2.4.
Alcohol-soluble extractive Not less than 10 per cent, Appendix 2.2.6.
Water-soluble extractive Not less than 14 per cent, Appendix 2.2.7.

T.L.C.

T.L.C. of alcoholic extract of the drug on Silica gel ‘G’ plate using Toluene :
Ethylacetate (90: 10) under U.V. (366 nm) shows four fluorescent zones at Rf. 0.10, 0.18, 0.48, 0.65 (all blue). On exposure to Iodine vapour three spots appear at Rf. 0.10, 0.48 and 0.67 (all yellow). On spraying with Vanillin-Sulphuric acid reagent and heating the plate for about ten minutes at 105°C three spots appear at Rf. 0.10, 0.48 and 0.67 (all violet).

CONSTITUENTS – Kinotannic acid and Gallic acid.

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Katu, Tikta, Kasaya
Guna : Sara, Snigdha
Virya : Usna
Vipaka : Katu
Karma : Vrsya, Kaphavatasamaka, Agnidipaka, Saraka

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Palasa Ksara, Nyagrodhadi Kvatha Curna, Mahanarayana Taila.

THERAPEUTIC USES – Arsa, Grahani, Gulma, Vrana, Krmiroga.

DOSE – 5-10 g. of the drug in powder form for decoction.

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KOKILAKSA (Root)

Kokilaksa consists of dried root of Asteracantha longifolia Nees. Syn. Hygrophila spinosa T. Anders (Fam.Acanthacem); a spiny, stout, annual herb, common in water logged places throughout the country.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Iksura, Iksuraka, Kokilaksi, Culli
Assamese : –, Kulekhara
Bengali : —
English : —
Gujrati : Ekharo
Hindi : Talmakhana
Kannada : Nirmulli, Kolavulike, Kolavankm
Kashmiri : —
Malayalam : Vayalculli, Nirchulli
Marathi : Talimakhana
Oriya : Koillekha, Koilrekha
Punjabi : —
Tamil : Nirmulle
Telugu : Talmakhana, Nerugobbi, Golmidi
Urdu : Talmakhana

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Roots mostly adventitions, branches on nodes, whitish to brownish; no characteristic odour and taste.

b) Microscopic

Root-Appears circular in outline, epidermis consists of rectangular to cubical, thinwalled cells; a few epidermal cells elongated to form unicellular hairs, below epidermis 3-4 compactly arranged rows of thin-walled polygonal cells of secondary cortex; secodnary cortex composed of-rounded to oval or oblong, thin-walled cells having conspicuously large intercellular spaces, most of these cells divided longitudinally and transversely with walls forming 4-6 or more chambers, the size of these cells, and the intercellular spaces gradually reduce towards inner region of secondary cortex; a few thick-walled cells found scattered singly throughout secondary cortex, inner most row of thin-walled cells of secodnary cortex comparatively smaller in size, slightly transversely elongated; secondary phloem narrow, consisting of small, thin-walled, polygonal cells, phloem fibres thick-walled occur in groups or as single cells, scattered throughout the phloem region, each group composed of 2-6 cells; secondary xylem forms continuous ring; xylem vessels usually arranged in radial rows, angular, broader towards centre, having spiral thickening, surrounded by thick-walled xylem parenchyma and xylem fibres; fibre walls uniformly thickened; multiseriate medullary rays occur from primary xylem region upto secondary cortex; uniseriate rays also present in xylem and extend upto the secondary cortex; ray cells thin-walled, radially elongated in the xylem region, rounded to transversely elongated in phloem region.

Powder – Light brown to ash coloured; shows fragments of pitted, lignified fibres; vessels with spiral thickening, unicellular hairs and a few groups of parenchymatous cells.

IDENTITY, PURITY AND STRENGTH

Foreign matter Not more than 2 per cent, Appendix 2.2.2.
Total Ash Not more than 12 per cent, Appendix 2.2.3.
Acid-insoluble ash Not more than 1 per cent, Appendix 2.2.4.
Alcohol-soluble extractive Not less than 4 per cent, Appendix 2.2.6.
Water-soluble extractive Not less than 8 per cent, Appendix 2.2.7.

CONSTITUENTS – Essential oil

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Madhura, Amla, Tikta
Guna : Picchila, Snigdha
Virya : Sita
Vipaka : Madhura
Karma : Kaphahara, Mutrala, Vatahara, Vrsya

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Rasnairandadi Kvatha Curna, Vastyamayantaka Ghrta.

THERAPEUTIC USES – Amavata Sotha, Asmari, Vatarakta, Pittatisara

DOSE – 3 -6 g. of the drug for decoction.

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PARIBHADRA (Stem Bark)

Paribhadra consists of the dried stem bark of Erythrina indica Lam. (Fam. Fabacem); medium sized, quick growing tree, distributed widely in deciduous forests throughout India, also grown in gardens as an ornamental plant and as a support for black pepper vine.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Paribhadraka, Kantakimsuka
Assamese : —
Bengali : Pattemadar
English : Coral tree
Gujrati : Panderavo
Hindi : Pharahada, Pangara
Kannada : Hongar, Halivanadamar
Kashmiri : —
Malayalam : Murrikku
Marathi : Pangara
Oriya : —
Punjabi : —
Tamil : Kalyanamurongai, Mulmurumgai
Telugu : Badisa, Varifamu
Urdu : —

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Mature dried stem bark about 0.5-2.0 cm thick, smooth, exfoliating in narrow strips; outer surface yellowish to yellowish-grey, lenticels found at short intervals longitudinal lines on the outer surface, yellowish to cream coloured; whole bark differentiated into outer non-fibrous and inner fibrous zones, outer bark breaks readily with a short fracture, inner bark fibrous.

b) Microscopic

Stem Bark – Mature bark shows stratified and lignified cork of about 2-9 or more alternating bands of narrow tangentially elongated compressed, yellowish coloured cells and of wider cells in 3-25 or more layers, tangentially elongated to squarish, radially arranged and thin-walled; a few cells contain prismatic crystals of calcium oxalate; secondary cortex consists of large, somewhat tangentially elongated to polygonal, parenchymatous cells, a few cells contain prismatic crystals of calcium oxalate, stone cells occur in singles or in groups which are circular, elongated or rectangular in shape, parenchymatous cells surrounding stone cells groups, contain large crystals of calcium oxalate; secondary phloem consisting of sieve tubes with their companion cells, phloem fibres and phloem parenchyma traversed by phloem rays; phloem fibres, mostly arranged in tangential strips alternating with the regular thin-walled phloem elements, sieve elements in outer and middle regions of phloem mostly get collapsed and crushed and form many tangential strips of ceratenchyma between the tangential groups of phloem fibres;fibres large, thick-walled with narrow lumen; crystal fibres numerous, septate and each chamber contains a single prismatic crystals of calcium oxalate; phloem parenchyma thin-walled, a few of them contains crystals of calcium oxalate similar to those found in the secondary cortex and crystal fibres; phloem rays numerous and mostly multiseriate running almost straight in the inner phloem region but bent towards left or right in the outer phloem region; ray cells thin-walled, radially elongated in the inner region and slightly tangentially elongated towards outer region in transverse section.

Powder – Crearnish-yellow; shows stratified cork, pieces of phloem fibres, stone cells and prismatic crystals of calcium oxalate.

IDENTITY, PURITY AND STRENGTH

Foreign matter Not more than 2 per cent, Appendix 2.2.2.
Total Ash Not more than 13 per cent, Appendix 2.2.3.
Acid-insoluble ash Not more than 1 per cent, Appendix 2.2.4.
Alcohol-soluble extractive Not less than 2.5 per cent, Appendix 2.2.6.
Water-soluble extractive Not less than 7 per cent, Appendix 2.2.7.

CONSTITUENTS – Alkaloids and Resins

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Katu, Tikta
Guna : Sara
Virya : Usna
Vipaka : Katu
Karma : Krmighna, Kaphahara, Medohara, Vatahara

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Abhaya Lavana, Nyagrodhadi Curna, Narayana Taila

THERAPEUTIC USES – Sotha, Krmiroga, Karnaroga.

DOSE – 6-12 g. of the drug in powder form.
12-24 g of the drug for decoction.

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KOKILAKSA (Seed)

Kokilaksa consists of dried seed of Asteracantha longifolia Nees. Syn. Hygrophila spinosa T. Anders. (Fam. Acanthacem); a spiny, stout, annual herb, common in water logged places throughout the country.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Iksura, Iksuraka, Kokilaksi
Assamese : —
Bengali : Daruharidra
English : Indian Berberry
Gujrati : Daruharidra, Daruhuladur
Hindi : Darhald, Daruhaldi
Kannada : Daruhaladi, Maradarishana, Maradarishina
Kashmiri : —
Malayalam : Maramannal, Maramanjnal
Marathi : Daruhalad
Oriya : Daruhalidi, Daruharidra
Punjabi : Sumalu
Tamil : Gangeti, Varatiu manjal
Telugu : Manupasupu
Urdu : Darhald

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Ovate, flat or compressed, truncate at the base, 2-3 mm long and 1-2 mm wide, white, hairy but appearing smooth, when soaked in water immediately get coated with mucilage, light yellowish-brown; taste, slightly bitter and odour not distinct.

b) Microscopic

Seed – Shows hairy testa composed of thin-walled, tangentially elongated cells covered externally with pigmented cuticle layer; embryo composed of oval to polygonal, thinwalled, parenchymatous cells; oil globules present in this region.

Powder – Greyish-brown; shows hairs and oil globules. Swelling Index – 8 -10. Introduce the accurately weighed seeds into a 25 ml glass-stoppered measuring cylinder. The length of the graduated portion of the cylinder should be 125 mm; the internal diameter 16 mm subdivided in 0.2 ml and marked from 0 to 25 ml in upwards direction. Add 25 ml of water, and shake the mixture thoroughly at intervals of every 10 minutes for 1 hour. Allow to stand for 3 hours at room temperature. Measure the volume in ml occupied by the seeds, including any sticky mucilage. Carry out simultaneously not less than 3 determination and calculate the mean value of the individual determinations, related to 1 g of seeds.

IDENTITY, PURITY AND STRENGTH

Foreign matter Not more than 2 per cent, Appendix 2.2.2.
Total Ash Not more than 15 per cent, Appendix 2.2.3.
Acid-insoluble ash Not more than 8 per cent, Appendix 2.2.4.
Alcohol-soluble extractive Not less than 10 per cent, Appendix 2.2.6.

T.L.C.

T.L.C. of alcoholic extract of the drug on Silica gel ‘G’ plate using Toluene:
Ethylacetate (95 : 5) shows under U.V. (366 nm) five fluorescent zones at Rf. 0.24 (red), 0.41 (light blue), 0.55 (light blue), 0.76 (sky blue) and 0.93 (sky blue). On exposure to Iodine vapour seven spots appear at Rf. 0.03, 0.17, 0.24, 0.31, 0.38, 0.52 and 0.72 (all yellow). On spraying with 5% Ethanolic-Sulphuric acid reagent and on heating the plate for fifteen minutes at 105° C eight spots appear at Rf. 0.03 (light brown), 0.10 (light brown), 0.17 (light brown), 0.24 (dark brown), 0.31 (dark brown), 0.38 (light brown), 0.52 (dark brown) and 0.72 (dark brown).

CONSTITUENTS – An yellow semi-drying oil, enzymes like Diastase, Lipase, Protease and an Alkaloid.

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Madhura
Guna : Picchila, Snigdha
Virya : Sita
Vipaka : Madhura
Karma : Balya, Kaphahara, Santarpana, Vrsya, Ruchya

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Vastyamayantaka Ghrta., Yakrt Sulavinasini Vatika

THERAPEUTIC USES – Sotha, Vatarakta, Pittasmari.

DOSE – 3 -6 g. of the drug in powder form.

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PIPPALIMULA (Stem)

Pippalimula consists of dried, cut, stem pieces of Piper longum Linn. (Fam. Piperacem); a slender, aromatic, creeping and perennial herb; native of the hotter parts of the counrty and found wild as well as cultivated extensively in Bengal and southern states.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Magadhi, Granthika, Pippalika
Assamese : —
Bengali : Pipulmul
English : Piper root
Gujrati : Gantoda, Ganthoda
Hindi : Piparamula
Kannada : Modikaddi, Hippali, Tippali, Modi
Kashmiri : —
Malayalam : Kattuthippaliver, Tippaliveru
Marathi : Pimplimula
Oriya : Pippalimula, Bana Pippalimula
Punjabi : Pippalimula, Magha
Tamil : Kanda Tippili, Ambinadi Desavaram
Telugu : Modi, Madikatta
Urdu : Filfil Daraz

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Drug available in cut pieces, having distinct internodes and swollen nodes with a number of small rootlets and root scars; stout, cylindrical, 0.2-0.6 cm thick, reddish brown to grey; odour, aromatic; taste, pungent.

b) Microscopic

Stem – Shows a single layered epidermis followed by a continuous ring of collenchymatous and round to oval thin-walled, parenchymatous cells; vascular bundles show peripheral and medullary arrangment, separated from each other by a wavy strip of sclerenchyma forming a ring, enclosing pith; bundles collateral and arranged in rings, having sclerenchymatous sheath of pericyclic cap over phloem; xylem wedge-shaped; starch grains simple and compound having 2-7 components, round to oval, measuring 3-14 n in dia., present abundantly throughout the section.

Powder – Reddish-brown to crearnish-grey; under microscope shows scalariform vessels, aseptate fibres, simple and compound starch grains measuring 3-14 n in diameter.

IDENTITY, PURITY AND STRENGTH

Foreign matter Not more than 2 per cent, Appendix 2.2.2.
Total Ash Not more than 5.5 per cent, Appendix 2.2.3.
Acid-insoluble ash Not more than 0.2 per cent, Appendix 2.2.4.
Alcohol-soluble extractive Not less than 4.0 per cent, Appendix 2.2.6.
Water-soluble extractive Not less than 12 per cent, Appendix 2.2.7.

T.L.C.

T.L.C. of alcoholic extract of the drug on Silica gel ‘G’ plate using Toluene:
Ethylacetate (9:1) shows under U.V. light eight spots at Rf. 0.04 (yellow), 0.12 (light green), 0.25 (green), 0.31 (light green), 0.36 (light green),0.53 (light green), 0.65 (green) and 0.97 (blue). On exposure to Iodine vapour five spots appear at Rf. 0.13, 0.25, 0.40, 0.89, 0.93 (all yellow). On spraying with Dragendorff reagent two orange coloured spots appear at Rf. 0.13 & 0.25.

CONSTITUENTS – Alkaloids (Piperine, Piperlongumine, Piperlonguminine etc), Essential Oils.

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Katu
Guna : Laghu, Ruksa
Virya : Usna
Vipaka : Katu
Karma : Dipana, Kaphahara, Pacana, Rucya, Vatahara, Vatanulomana, Vulaprasamana

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Pancakola Curna, Dasamula Taila, Dasam ulapancakoladi Kvatha Curna, Dasamulastapalaka Ghrta.

THERAPEUTIC USES – Anaha, Gulma, Krmiroga, Udararoga, Vataroga

DOSE – 0.5 – 1g. of the drug in powder form.

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KOZUPPA (Whole Plant)

Kozuppa consists of dried whole plant of Portulaca oleracea Linn. (Fam. Portulacacem); an annual succulent, prostrate herb, 50 cm long, found throughout the country, ascending upto an altitude of 1500 m in the Himalayas.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Lonika, Loni, Ghotika.
Assamese : —
Bengali : Baraloniya, Badanuni, Baranunia
English : Garden Purslane, Common Indian Purslane
Gujrati : Luni, Loni, Moti Luni
Hindi : Khursa, Kulfa, Badi Lona
Kannada : Dudagorai, Doddagoni Soppu, Lonika, Loni
Kashmiri : —
Malayalam : Koricchira, Kozhuppa, Kozuppa, Kozuppaccira
Marathi : Kurfah, Ghola
Oriya : —
Punjabi : Lonak, Chhotalunia, Khurfa, Kwfa
Tamil : Pasalai, Pulikkirai, Paruppukkeerai, Kozhuppu
Telugu : Pappukura, Peddapavila Kura, Payilikura, Pavilikura
Urdu : Khurfa

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Root – Cylindrical, small, oblique, surface smooth, brownish-grey; secondary roots, less in number, root hairs abundant in upper region, fracture, short.

Stem – Almost cylindrical, swollen at the nodes, ribbed, branched, 0.1 to 0.2 cm in diameter, fracture, short; odour, characteristic.

Leaf – Simple, sub-sessile, cuneiform, rounded and truncate at the apex; 0.3 to 2.5 cm long and 0.1 to 0.6 cm wide, oblong, spathulate, smooth and greenish-brown.

Flower – A few, bright yellow, at terminal heads, sometimes in axillary clusters of 2-6, subtended by an involucre, 3-4 leaves; sepal 0.25-0.4 cm long; petals obovate, 0.5 cm long, very delicate and soon falling off; stamens 8-12; style 5-6 fid, 0.35-0.4 cm long.

Fruit – An ovoid capsule, 0.3 cm long, dehiscing above the base.

Seed -Numerous, reniform, black, minute, 0.06-0.07 cm across, dark brown.

b) Microscopic

Root – Shows 5-15 layers of cork, inner half filled with reddish-brown contents; secondary cortex composed of thin-walled, oval cells, having intercellular spaces; pericycle fibre present in patches; secondary phloem consists of sieve tubes and parenchymatous cells; secondary xylem composed of vessels, tracheids and parenchyma; vessels, solitary or in groups of 2-5, arranged in radial rows, having simple pits and spiral thickening; tracheids, thick-walled with wide lumen; parenchyma abundant; simple as well as compound starch grains measuring 6-14 n in dia., having 2-3 components present in secondary cortex, phloem, xylem parenchyma and ray cells.

Stem – Wavy in outline, shows 5-10 layers of thin walled cork, with reddish-brown content in a few cells; secondary cortex consists of 2-3 layers of collenchymatous and 3-4 layers of parenchymatous cells with intercellular spaces; pericycle present as patches of pericyclic fibres; secondary phloem mostly composed of sieve tubes and parenchyma cells; secondary xylem consists of vessels, tracheids and parenchyma; vassels having simple pits and spiral thickening; tracheids thick-walled with wide lumen; parenchyma abundant and thick-walled; rosette crystals of calcium oxalate and starch grains present in secodnary cortex, phloem and xylem parenchyma, ray cells and pith.

Leaf Midrib – shows a collateral vascular bundle surrounded by a sheath of palisade cells; rest of the tissues between vascular bundle and epidermal cells composed of thin walled, oval, parenchymatous cells; stomata paracytic type; rosette crystals of calcium oxalate and starch grains simple, as well as compound, measuring 6-14 n , present in mesophyll cells.

Lamina – shows a single layered upper and lower epidermis, covered externally with a thick cuticle; paracytic stomata present on both surfaces; palisade single layered; spongy parenchyma cells more or less isodiametric and loosely arranged.

Powder – Greyish-brown; shows groups of oval to polygonal, thin-walled, parenchymatous cells, pitted and spiral vessels, fragments of cork cells, rosette crystals of calcium oxalate and starch grains, simple as well as compound, measuring 6-14 n in dia. having 2-3 components.

IDENTITY, PURITY AND STRENGTH

Foreign matter Not more than 5 per cent, Appendix 2.2.2.
Total Ash Not more than 30 per cent, Appendix 2.2.3.
Acid-insoluble ash Not more than 5 per cent, Appendix 2.2.4.
Alcohol-soluble extractive Not less than 3 per cent, Appendix 2.2.6.
Water-soluble extractive Not less than 19 per cent, Appendix 2.2.7.

T.L.C.

T.L.C. of alcoholic extract of the drug on Silica Gel ‘G’ plate using Toluene :
Ethylacetate (9:1) shows six spots at Rf. 0.08, 0.10, (both green), 0.41, 0.52 (both faint green), 0.68 (yellow) and 0.76 (green) in visible light. Under U.V. (366 nm) six fluorescent zones are visible at Rf. 0.08, 0.10, 0.41, 0.52, 0.68 and 0.76 (all pinkish red). On exposure to Iodine vapour six spots appear at Rf. 0.10, 0.50, 0.61, 0.68, 0.76 and 0.98 (all yellow)

CONSTITUENTS – Protein, Carbohydrates, Vitamin C and Mucilage

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Amla
Guna : Guru, Ruksa, Sara
Virya : Usna
Vipaka : Amla
Karma : Kaphahara, Pittakara, Vatahara, Caksusya, Vanidosahara

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Marma Gutika.

THERAPEUTIC USES – Agnimandya., Sotha, Arsa, Gulma, Prameha, Vrana

DOSE – 3 – 6 g. of the drug in powder form.

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LAJJALU (Whole Plant)

Lajjalu consists of dried whole plant of Mimosa pudica Linn. (Fam. Fabacem); a diffused undershrub, sensitive to touch, 25-50 cm high, found nearly throught hotter and moist regions of the country.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Samanga, Varakranta, Namaskari
Assamese : Lajubilata, Adamalati
Bengali : Lajaka, Lajjavanti
English : Touch-me-not
Gujrati : Risamani, Lajavanti, Lajamani
Hindi : Chhuimui, Lajauni
Kannada : Muttidasenui, Machikegida, Lajjavati
Kashmiri : —
Malayalam : Thotta Vati
Marathi : Lajalu
Oriya : Lajakuri
Punjabi : Lajan
Tamil : Thottavadi, Tottalchurungi
Telugu : Mudugudamara
Urdu : Chhuimui

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Root – Cylindrical, tapering, rependant , with secondary and tertiary branches, varying in length, upto 2 cm thick, surface more or less rough or longitudinally wrinkled; greyish brown to brown, cut surface of pieces pale yellow; fracture hard, woody, bark fibrous; odour, distinct; taste, slightly astringent.

Stem – Cylindrical, upto 2.5 cm in dia; sparsely prickly, covered with long,week bristles longitudinally grooved, external surface light brown, internal cut surface grey, bark fibrous; easily separable from wood.

Leaf – Digitately compound with one or two pairs of sessile, hairy pinnm, alternate, petiolate, stipulate, linear lanceolate; leaflets 10-20 pairs, 0.6-1.2 cm long, 0.3-0.4 cm broad, sessile, obliquely narrow or linear oblong; obliquely rounded at base, acute, nearly glabrous; yellowish-green.

Flower – Pink, in globose head, peduncles prickly; calyx very small; corolla pink, lobes 4, ovate oblong; stamens 4, much exserted; ovary sessile; ovules numerous.

Fruit – Lomentum, simple, dry, 1-1.6 cm long, 0.4-0.5 cm broad with indehisced segments and persistent sutures having 2-5 seeds with yellowish, spreading bristle at sutures, 0.3 cm long, glabrous, straw coloured.

Seed – Compressed, oval-elliptic, brown to grey, 0.3 long, 2.5 mm broad having a central ring on each face.

b) Microscopic

Root – Mature root shows cork 5-12 layered, tangentially elongated cells, a few outer layers crushed or exfoliated; secondary cortex consisting of 6-10 layered, tangentially elongated thin-walled cells; secondary phloem compossed of sieves elements, fibres, crystal fibres and phloem parenchyma traversed by phloem rays, phloem fibres single or in groups, arranged in tangential bands; crystal fibres thick-walled, 3-25 chambered, each with single or 2-4 prismatic crystals of calcium oxalate; phloem rays uni to multiseriate, 2-3 seriate more common; secondary xylem consists of usual elements traversed by xylem rays; vessels scattered throughout secondary xylem having bordered pits and reticulate thickenings; crystal fibres containing one or rarely 2-4 prismatic crystals of calcium oxalate in each chamber; parenchyma, thick-walled, scattered throughout secondary xylem; xylem rays uni to bi-seriate, rarely multiseriate, wider towards secondary phloem and narrower towards centre; starch grains, prismatic crystals of calcium oxalate and tannin present in secondary cortex, phloem and xylem rays and parenchyma; starch grains both simple and compound having 2-3 components, rounded to oval measuring 6-20 n and 16-28 n in dia. respectively.

Stem – Mature stem shows 4-8 layered, exfoliated cork of tangentially elongated cells filled with reddish-brown contents; secondary cortex wide, consisting of large, moderately thick-walled, tangentially elongated to oval, parenchymatous cells, filled with reddish-brown contents, a few cells containing prismatic crystals of calcium oxalate, a number of lignified, fibres single or in groups, scattered throughout; secondary phloem consisting of usual elements, 2-5 transversely arranged strips of fibres occur alternating with narrow strips of sieve elements and parenchyma, crystal fibres elongated, thick-walled, containing single crystal of calcium oxalate in each chamber; phloem rays thick-walled, radially elongated; secondary xylem composed of usual elements traversed by xylem rays; vessels drum-shaped with spiral thickenings, tracheids pitted with pointed ends, fibres of two types, shorter with wide lumen and longer with narrow lumen; xylem rays radially elongated, thick-walled, 1-6 cells wide and 3-30 cells high; pith consisting of polygonal, parenchymatous cells with intercellular spaces.

Leaf– Petiole – shows single layered epidermis with thick cuticle; cortex 4-7 layered of thin walled, parenchymatous cells; pericycle arranged in a ring; 4 central vascular bundles present with two smaller vascular bundles arranged laterally, one in each wing.

Midrib – shows single layered epidermis, covered with thin-cuticle; upper epidermis followed by a single layered palisade, spongy parenchyma single layered, pericycle same as in petiole; vascular bundle single.

Lamina – shows epidermis on both surfaces, palisade single layered; spongy parenchyma, 3-5 layers consisting of circular cells; rosette crystals and a few veins present in spongy parenchyma.

Fruit – Shows single layered epidermis with a few non-glandular, branched, shaggy hairs; mesocarp of 5-6 layers of thin-walled, parenchymatous cells; some amphicribral vascular bundles found scattered in this region; endocarp of thick-walled, lignified cells followed by single layered, thin-walled, parenchymatous cells

Seed – Shows single layered radially elongated cells; followed by 5-6 layered angular cells filled with dark brown contents; endosperm consists of angular or elongated cells, a few containing prismatic crystals of calcium oxalate; cotyledons consists of thin-walled cells, a few cells containing rosette crystals of calcium oxalate; embryo straight with short and thick radicle.

Powder – Reddish-brown; shows, reticulate, pitted vessels, prismatic and rosette crystals of calcium oxalate, fibres, crystal fibres, yellow or brown parenchymatous cells, palisade cells non glandular, branched, shaggy hairs, single and compound starch grains, measuring 6-25 n in dia. with 2 – 3 components

IDENTITY, PURITY AND STRENGTH

Foreign matter Not more than 2 per cent, Appendix 2.2.2.
Total Ash Not more than 10 per cent, Appendix 2.2.3.
Acid-insoluble ash Not more than 5 per cent, Appendix 2.2.4.
Alcohol-soluble extractive Not less than 9 per cent, Appendix 2.2.6.
Water-soluble extractive Not less than 9 per cent, Appendix 2.2.7.

T.L.C.

T.L.C. of alcoholic extract of the drug on Silica Gel ‘G’ plate using n-Butanol :
Acetic acid: Water: (4:1:5) Under U.V. (366 nm) four fluorescent zones appear at Rf. 0.35, 0.62, 0.69 (all blue) and 0.81 (bluish-pink). On exposure to Iodine vapour two spots appear at Rf. 0.35 and 0.94 (both yellow) On spraying with Dragendorff reagent followed by 5% Methanolic Sulphuric acid reagent one spot appears at Rf. 0.35 (orange).

CONSTITUENTS – Alkaloid

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Tikta, Kasaya
Guna : Laghu, Ruksa
Virya : Sita
Vipaka : Katu
Karma : Grahi, Kaphahara, Pittahara

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Samangadi Curna, Kutajavaleha, Pusyanuga Curna, Brhat Gangadhara Curna.

THERAPEUTIC USES – Sopha, Atisara, Svasa, Daha, Kustha, Vrana, Yoniroga, Raktapita

DOSE – 10-20 g of the drug for decoction.

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MADHUKA (Flower)

Madhuka consists of flower usually without stalk or calyx of Madhuca indica J.F.Gmel. Syn. M. latifolia (Roxb.) Macbride, Bassia latifolia Roxb. (Fam. Sapotacem) ; a medium sized deciduous tree occurs in mixed deciduous forests throughout India, and also cultivated.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Gudapuspa
Assamese : Mahua, Mahuwa
Bengali : Mahuwa
English : The Indian Butter tree, Mahawash tree
Gujrati : Mahudo, Mahuwa
Hindi : Mahuwa
Kannada : Hippegida, Halippe, Hippe, Hippenara, Madhuka, Ippa, Eppimara
Kashmiri : —
Malayalam : Irippa, Ilippa, Iluppa, Eluppa
Marathi : Mohda
Oriya : Mahula
Punjabi : Maua, Mahua
Tamil : Katiluppai, Kattu Iluppai, Iluppi
Telugu : lppa Puvvu
Urdu : Mahuva

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Drug consists of mostly corolla and androecium; corolla fleshy, reddish-brown, tabular, lobes 7-14 (usually 8-9), ovate lanceolate, short, erect 0.5-2 cm long; stamen 20-30 (usually 24-26), epipetalous and arranged in two series; anther sub-sessile, epipetalous, basifixed, lanceolate, pointed at tip and hairy at the back with prominent dark brown connective strand; taste, sweet.

b) Microscopic

Corolla – Petal shows a single layered epidermis, followed by thin-walled, irregularly shaped parenchymatous cells; vascular bundles found scattered in parenchymatous tissues.

Androecium – Anther shows 4 pollen chambers and prominent cells of connective tissue in the centre of the chambers; epidermis single layered covered with thin cuticle; a few  unicellular hairs present on one side; endothecium composed of radially elongated, oval shaped, lignified cells; tapetum not distinct; pollen grains single or in groups, spherical, with clear exine and intine walls scattered in the pollen sac, a few cells of the vascular bundles are seen embedded in the connective tissues.

Powder – Dark brown; shows fragments of epidermal cells, unicellular hairs; round, brown pollen grains with clear exine and intine walls.

IDENTITY, PURITY AND STRENGTH

Foreign matter Not more than 2 per cent, Appendix 2.2.2.
Total Ash Not more than 5 per cent, Appendix 2.2.3.
Acid-insoluble ash Not more than 0.5 per cent, Appendix 2.2.4.
Alcohol-soluble extractive Not less than 25 per cent, Appendix 2.2.6.
Water-soluble extractive Not less than 70 per cent, Appendix 2.2.7.
Moisture content Not more than 10 per cent, Appendix 2.2.9

CONSTITUENTS – Sugars

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Madhura
Guna : Guru
Virya : Sita
Vipaka : Madhura
Karma : Sukrala, Balya, Pittakara, Vatahara, Sramahara, Ahrdya.

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Madhukasava, Drakasadi Kvatha Curna, Eladi Modaka.

THERAPEUTIC USES – Svasa, Daha, Ksata, Ksaya, Trsna, Srama

DOSE – 10 – 15 g. of the drug.

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MATSYAKSI (Whole Plant)

Matsyaksi consists of dried whole plant of Alternanthera sessilis (Linn.) R. Br., Syn, A. triandra Lam., A. denticulata R. Br., A. nodiflora R. Br., A. repens Gmel., non Link. (Fam. Amaranthacem); a small prostrate or ascending herb with several spreading branches growing throughout the warmer parts ofthe country and frequently found in wet places especially around tanks and ponds.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Matsyagandha, Bahli, Matsyaduni, Gandali, Gartkalambuka
Assamese : —
Bengali : Sanchesak, Salincha Sak
English : —
Gujrati : Jalajambo
Hindi : Gudari Sag
Kannada : Honagonne soppu
Kashmiri : —
Malayalam : Kozuppa, Ponnankanni
Marathi : Kanchari
Oriya : Matsagandha, Salincha Saaga
Punjabi : —
Tamil : Ponnangkanni
Telugu : Ponnaganti Koora
Urdu : —–

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Root – Cylindrical, 0.1-0.6 cm diameter, cream to grey, numerous roots arising from the main tap root as lateral rootlets; fracture, short; no characteristic odour and taste.

Stem – Herbaceous, weak, mostly cylindrical occasionally sub-quadrangular at the apical region, with spreading branches from the base; yellowish-brown to light-brown; nodes and internodes distinct, internodes 0.5-5 cm long, often rooting at lower nodes; fracture, short; no characteristic odour and taste.

Leaf – 1.3-7.5 cm long, 0.3-2 cm wide, sometimes reaching 10 cm long, 2.5 cm wide, sessile, linear-oblong, or elliptic, obtuse or subacute; no characteristic odour and taste.

Flower – Flower in small axillary sessile heads, white often tinged with pink, bracteoles 1.2 cm long, ovate, scarious; perianth 2.5-3 mm long, sepals ovate, acute, thin, ovary obcordate, compressed, style very short, capitellate; no characteristic odour and taste.

Fruit – Utricle, 1.5 mm long, orbicular, compressed with thickened margins; no characteristic odour and taste.

b) Microscopic

Root – Shows circular outline consisting of 5-7 layered, thin-walled tangentially elongated and squarish, radially arranged cork cells; secondary cortex narrow, consistig of thin-walled, round or oval, parenchymatous cells; vascualr bundles radially arranged, numerous, consisting of thin-walled cells; xylem tissues lignified; conjunctive tissue between bundles consisting of oval, thin-walled, parenchymatous cells; anomalous secondary growth occurs in the form of succession of rings of vascular bundles which are bicollateral, open and exarch; in the pith there are two larger vascular bundles composed of xylem and phloem; pith consisting of thin-walled, round to oval, isodiametric, parenchymatous cells.

Stem – Shows single layered epidermis consisting of round or oval, thin-walled cells covered with striated cuticle; cortex 6-10 layered consisting of thin-walled oval to round, parenchymatous cells and rosette crystals of calcium oxalate measuring 55-77 n in diameter; vascualr bundles arranged in a ring, with anomalous secondary growth; with are conjoint, bicollateral, open and endarch phloem narrow consisting of thinwalled cells traversed by phloem rays; xylem consisting of usual elements traversed by xylem rays; there are two vascular bundles sittuated in the peripheral region of pith, each bundle consisting of xylem and phloem; pith distinct, composed of thin-walled, round to oval parenchymatous cells with intercellular spaces, a few parenchymatous cells contain rosette crystals of calcium oxalate.

Leaf 

Midrib – shows single layered epidermis on both surfaces, covered wtith striated cuticle; collenchymatous cells, 2-4 layered towards ventral side forming 1-2 small patches, 1-2 layered towards dorsal side; parenchymatous cells, thin-walled round or oval, isodiametic cells, a few of them containing rosette crystals of calcium oxalate; vascular bundles three, each consisting of xylem and phloem, present in the centre.

Lamina – dorsiventral; shows wavy or undulate, irregular, single layered, tabular epidermis cells present on both surfaces; stomata paracytic, more on ventral side and less on dorsal side; palisade 2-3 layers; spongy parenchyma 3-4 layered of oval or irregular loosely arranged cells; a few of them containing rosette crystals of calcium oxalate; stomatal index 22-26 in lower surface and 12-20 upper surface; palisade ratio 3-5; vein-islet number 6-12 and veinlet termination number 8-10.

Powder – Olive green; shows fragments of parenchymatous cells, wavy or undulate irregular epidermal cells in surface view, paracytic stomata, palisade cells and xylem vessels with pitted and reticulate thickening and rosette crystals of calcium oxalate.

IDENTITY, PURITY AND STRENGTH

Foreign matter Not more than 2 per cent, Appendix 2.2.2.
Total Ash Not more than 10 per cent, Appendix 2.2.3.
Acid-insoluble ash Not more than 4.5 per cent, Appendix 2.2.4.
Alcohol-soluble extractive Not less than 3 per cent, Appendix 2.2.6.
Water-soluble extractive Not less than 19 per cent, Appendix 2.2.7.

T.L.C.

T.L.C. of alcoholic extract of the drug on Silica Gel ‘G’ plate using Toluene :
Ethylacetate (9:1) shows in visible light three spots at Rf. 0.16, 0.33 and 0.44 (all green). Under U.V. (366 nm) five fluorescent zones visible at Rf. 0.16, 0.33, 0.44, 0.54 and 0.68 (all red). On exposure to Iodine vapour eight spots appear at Rf. 0.18, 0.25, 0.35, 0.44, 0.59, 0.81, 0.94 and 0.96 (all yellow).

CONSTITUENTS – Sugar, Saponins & Sterols

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Madhura, Tikta, Kasaya
Guna : Laghu
Virya : Sita
Vipaka : Katu
Karma : Grahi, Kaphahara, Vatahara, Pitthara

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Traikantaka Ghrta.

THERAPEUTIC USES – Kustha, Pittavikara., Raktavikara

DOSE – 2 -3 g. of the drug in powder form.

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METHI (Seed)

Methi consists of seeds of Trigonella foenum-grmcum Linn. (Fam. Fabacem); an aromatic, 30-60 cm tall, annual herb, cultivated throughout the country.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Methini
Assamese : —
Bengali : —
English : Fenugreek
Gujrati : Methi
Hindi : Methi
Kannada : Menthe, Mente
Kashmiri : —
Malayalam : Uluva
Marathi : Methi
Oriya : —
Punjabi : Methi
Tamil : Mendium, Ventaiyam
Telugu : Mentulu
Urdu : Methi

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Seed oblong, rhomboidal with deep furrow running obliquely from one side, dividing seed into a larger and smaller part, 0.2-0.5 cm long, 0.15-0.35 cm broad, smooth, very hard; dull yellow; seed becomes mucilaginous when soaked in water; odour, pleasant; taste, bitter.

b) Microscopic

Seed – Seed shows a layer of thick- walled, columnar palisade, covered externally with thick cuticle; cells flat at base, mostly pointed but a few flattened at apex, supported internally by a tangentially wide bearer cells having radial rib-like thickenings; followed by 4-5 layers of tangentially elongated, thin-walled, parenchymatous cells; endosperm consists of a layer of thick-walled cells containing aleurone grains, several layers of thin walled, mucilaginous cells, varying in size, long axis radially elongated in outer region and tangentially elongated in inner region; cotyledons consists of 3-4 layers of palisade cells varying in size with long axis and a few layers of rudimentary spongy tissue; rudimentary vascular tissue situated in spongy mesophyll; cells of cotyledon contain aleurone grains and oil globules.

Powder – Yellow; shows groups of palisade parenchymatous cells, aleurone grains, oil globules, endosperm and epidermal cells of testa.

IDENTITY, PURITY AND STRENGTH

Foreign matter Not more than 2 per cent, Appendix 2.2.2.
Total Ash Not more than 4 per cent, Appendix 2.2.3.
Acid-insoluble ash Not more than 0.5 per cent, Appendix 2.2.4.
Alcohol-soluble extractive Not less than 5 per cent, Appendix 2.2.6.

CONSTITUENTS – Alkaloid, Sapogenins and Mucilage.

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Tikta
Guna : Snigdha
Virya : Usna
Vipaka : Katu
Karma : Dipana, Kaphahara, Rucya, Vatahara

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Mustakarista, Mrtasanjivani Sura.

THERAPEUTIC USES – Grahani, Jvara, Prameha, Aruci

DOSE – 3-6 g. of the drug in powder form.

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MULAKA (Whole Plant)

Mulaka consists of fresh whole plant of Raphanus sativus Linn. (Fam. Brassicacem); an annual or biennial bristly herb, cultivated throughout the country upto an altitude of 3,000 m in the Himalayas and other hilly regions.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : —
Assamese : —
Bengali : Mula
English : Radish
Gujrati : Mulo
Hindi : Muli
Kannada : Moolangi
Kashmiri : —
Malayalam : Mullanki
Marathi : Mula
Oriya : Mula, Rakhyasmula
Punjabi : Mulaka, Muli, Mula
Tamil : Mullangi
Telugu : Mullangi
Urdu : Muli

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Root – Root cylindrical, variable size and thickness, having a few longitudinal striations; light greyish-brown externally and faint yellowish internally; odour, not distinct; taste, slightly pungent.

Stem – Slender, hollow, cylindrical, compressed, smooth with branches arising at node and show longitudinal striations on drying; 0.1-1.0 cm in dia., yellowish-green.

Leaf – Lower leaves hairy, petiole 5-5.3 cm long, lyrate, coarsely toothed; upper most leaves simple, sub-linear but narrowed at the base; bright green.

Flower – Flower in long terminal raceme, bisexual, regular, complete 1-2 cm long, pedicel with scattered hairs; seplas 6.5-10 cm long, oblong, sometimes brown red; petals 1.7-2.2 cm long, blade obovate, sub-marginate at the apex, white or lilac with yellow or purple vein; stamen 6 in two whorls, two outer smaller and four inner longer; ovary superior, green or brown-purple, 10-12 ovuled; style about 4 mm long, 1-2 chambered.

Fruit – Siliqua, erect, cylindrical, 3-9 cm long and 0.8- 1.4 cm thick, continuous or more or less constricted, longitudinally sulcatus, greenish-yellow, occasionally pale purple.

Seed – Reddish-brown; irregularly globose, sometimes flattened, 2-4 mm long, 2 mm wide; surface generally smooth and sometimes wrinkled and grooved at micropylar end; taste, oily.

b) Microscopic

Root – shows 3-10 layered tangentially elongated, radially arranged, cork cells; secondary cortex composed of wide zone of oval to polygonal, elliptical, thin-walled, parenchymatous cells; secondary phloem mostly composed of sieve elements and parenchyma, traversed by phloem rays; secondary xylem mostly consisting of vessels and parenchyma, traversed by xylem rays; vessels mostly solitary or 2-3 in group; medullary rays four to many cells wide; starch grains simple and compound having 2-4 components, solitary or ingroups, round to oval,measuring 6-14 n in dia. present in cortex, phloem, xylem parenchyma and ray cells.

Stem – Shows single layered epidermis with thick cuticle; cortex consists of 5-12 layers with intercellular spaces; endodermis at some places, single layered; pericycle occurs as crescent shaped groups of peri cyclic fibres; vessels solitary or 2-4 in groups, in macerated preparation show borderd pits and spiral thickening; tracheids and fibres aseptate with pointed ends; medullary rays 1-3 cells wide; pith a wide zone of polygonal, parenchymatous cells; starch grains simple, round to oval, measuring 3-6 n in dia. present in cortex and phloem.

Leaf–
Petiole – appears nearly circular in outline with two lateral wings; epidermis single layered, covered with thick cuticle; hairs unicellular, present only on upper side; cortex 6-12 layers of oval to polygonal, thin-walled, parenchymatous cells; collateral vascular bundles arranged in a ring.

Midrib – appears biconvex in outline; epidermis on both side covered with thin cuticle; epidermis followed by 6- 12 layers of parenchymatous cortex on both sides; vascular bundle three in number, one central and two lateral.

Lamina – dorsiventral; epidermis on either surface with thin-cuticle; palisade 2-3 layers; spongy parenchyma 4-5 layers; anisocytic stomata present on both surfaces.

Fruit – Shows a single layered epidermis, covered with a thin-cuticle; epidermis followed by a wide zone of oval to polygonal, tangentially elongated, parenchymatous cells in which a few vascular bundles are embedded.

Seed – Seed coat consists of single layered epidermis of nearly rectanglular cells, covered with thin, straight cuticle; epidermis followed by integument of radially elongated, reddish-brown, of columnar cells; beneath integument 2-3 layers of compressed, thinwalled, parenchymatous cells present; endosperm and embryo consists of oval to polygonal, thin-walled, parenchymatous cells, containing aleurone grains and oil globules.

Powder – Yellowish-green; shows aseptate fibres, spiral vessels, oil globules and round to oval starch grains, measuring 3-14 n diameter.

IDENTITY, PURITY AND STRENGTH

Foreign matter Not more than 2 per cent, Appendix 2.2.2.
Total Ash Not more than 18 per cent, Appendix 2.2.3.
Acid-insoluble ash Not more than 1 per cent, Appendix 2.2.4.
Alcohol-soluble extractive Not less than 30 per cent, Appendix 2.2.6.
Water-soluble extractive Not less than 22 per cent, Appendix 2.2.7.

CONSTITUENTS – Glucoside, Volatile oil (containing butyl crotonyl isothiocyanate sulphide) with a typical radish odour

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Katu, Tikta
Guna : Laghu, Tiksna
Virya : Usna
Vipaka : Katu
Karma : Dipana, Hrdya, Kaphahara, Pacana, Pittahara, Rucya, Svarya, Vatahara

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Mulakaksara, Gandhaka Vati, Hajarulayahuda Bhasma

THERAPEUTIC USES – Agnimandya, Arsa, Gulma, Pinasa, Udavarta.

DOSE – 20 – 40 ml. of the drug in juice form.

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MULAKA (Root)

Mulaka consists of fresh root of Raphanus sativus Linn. (Fam. Brassicacem); an annual or biennial bristly herb, cultivated throughout the country upto an altitude of 3,000 m in the Himalayas and other hilly regions.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Salamarkataka, Visra, Saleya, Marusambhava
Assamese : Mula
Bengali : Mula
English : Radish
Gujrati : Mulo, Mula
Hindi : Muli
Kannada : Moolangi, Moclangi gadde, Mullangi, Mugunigadde
Kashmiri : —
Malayalam : Mullanki
Marathi : Mula
Oriya : Mula, Rakhyasmula
Punjabi : Mula, Mulaka, Muli
Tamil : Mullangi
Telugu : Mullangi
Urdu : Muli

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Root fleshy, fusiform, cylindrical, having a few lateral fibrous roots, variable in size, usually 25-40 cm in length, sometime cultivated species 75-90 cm in length and 50-60 cm in girth; white in colour; taste, slightly or strongly pungent, rarely sweet.

IDENTITY, PURITY AND STRENGTH

Foreign matter Not more than 2 per cent, Appendix 2.2.2.
Total Ash Not more than 24 per cent, Appendix 2.2.3.
Acid-insoluble ash Not more than 2 per cent, Appendix 2.2.4.
Alcohol-soluble extractive Not less than 36 per cent, Appendix 2.2.6.
Water-soluble extractive Not less than 33 per cent, Appendix 2.2.7.

T.L.C.

T.LC. of alcoholic extract of drug on Silica gel ‘G’ plate using Benzene: Ethylacetate (9: 1) Under U.V. (366 nm) two fluorescent zones appear at Rf. 0.04 & 0.09 (both blue). On exposure to Iodine vapour five spots appear at Rf 0.04. 0.09, 0.34, 0.49 & 0.69 (all yellow). On spraying with Vanillin-Sulphuric acid reagent and heating the plate for ten minutes at 110° C three spots appear at Rf. 0.04, 0.09 & 0.47 (all violet)

CONSTITUENTS – Glucoside, Methylmercaptan and Volatile Oil.

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Katu, Tikta
Guna : Laghu, Tiksna
Virya : Usna
Vipaka : Katu
Karma : Dipana, Hrdya, Kaphahara, Pacana, Pittahara, Rucya, Svarya, Vatahara

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Candanabalalaksadi Taila, Mulaka Ksara

THERAPEUTIC USES – Agnimandya, Arsa, Svasa, Gulma, Jvara, Kasa, Netraroga, Pinasa, Galaroga, Vrana, Dadru, Udavarta

DOSE – 15-30 ml. of the drug in the juice form

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MURA (Root)

Mura consists of dried root of Selinum candollei DC. Syn. S. tenuifolium Wall. ex DC. (Fam. Apiacem ); a perennial herb, 0.6 – 2.4 m tall, found commonly in the Himalayas from Kashmir to Nepal at an altitude of 1800 – 42000 m.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Surabhi, Daitya, Gandhakuti, Gandhavati
Assamese : —
Bengali : Musamansi
English : —
Gujrati : —
Hindi : Mura
Kannada : Halukoratige, Haggoratige
Kashmiri : —
Malayalam : Muramanchi
Marathi : Mura
Oriya : Muramansi
Punjabi : —
Tamil : Mural
Telugu : Mura
Urdu : —

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Roots occur in broken and cylindrical pieces, 6-12 cm long and 0.3 – 1.5 cm thick with stem portions attached and covered with leaf sheaths, roots rough due to longitudinal striations and root scars; colour, dull brown; odour, aromatic; taste, slightly bitter.

b) Microscopic

Root – Shows 10 – 25 layers of cork cells consisting of radially elongated, rectangular cells, outer cork cells filled with dark brown contents, inner cells thin-walled, tangentially elongated; cork cambium consisting of 1-2 layered tangentially elongated, thin-walled cells; secondary cortex composed of rounded, parenchymatous cells with intercellular spaces; secondary phloem shows wide zone, consisting of sieve elements and parenchyma, traversed by phloem rays; cambium 2-4 layered, consisting of tangentially elongated, thin-walled cells; secondary xylem consisting of vessels, fibres and parenchyma, traversed by xylem rays; vessels solitary or in groups of 2-6 or more having spiral thickenings; fibres aseptate, short with blunt ends; xylem rays 2-5 cells wide, composed of radially arranged, somewhat oval cells; starch grains simple, round to oval, measuring 7-55 n in dia., present in secondary cortex, secondary phloem, xylem parenchyma, xylem and phloem rays; secretory canals numerous, distributed throughout secondary cortex, secondary phloem, secondary xylem and medullary rays; secretory canals lined by varying number of epithelial cells and filled with yellowish contents.

Powder – Brown; shows groups of cork cells, parenchymatous cells, secretory canals, oil globules and simple starch grains, round to oval measuring 7-55 n in diameter.

IDENTITY, PURITY AND STRENGTH

Foreign matter Not more than 2 per cent, Appendix 2.2.2.
Total Ash Not more than 9 per cent, Appendix 2.2.3.
Acid-insoluble ash Not more than 3.5 per cent, Appendix 2.2.4.
Alcohol-soluble extractive Not less than 9 per cent, Appendix 2.2.6.
Water-soluble extractive Not less than 17 per cent, Appendix 2.2.7.

CONSTITUENTS – Dihydropyrano-coumarines (identified as Isopteryxin and Anomalin), Sucrose and Mannitol.

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Madhura, Katu, Tikta, Kasaya
Guna : Laghu
Virya : Sita
Vipaka : Madhura
Karma : Pittahara, Vatahara

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Arvindasava, Karpuradyarista

THERAPEUTIC USES – Svasa, Daha, Jvara, Bhrama, Murchha, Trsna

DOSE – 1-3 g. of the drug in powder form.

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MURVA (Root)

Murva consists of dried root of Marsdenia tenacissima Wight. & Am. (Fam. Asclepiadacem); a large stout, twining shrub, growing throughout the country

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Madhusrava, Madhurasa
Assamese : Murha
Bengali : —
English : —
Gujrati : Moravel
Hindi : Murva, Jartor
Kannada : Koratige Hambu, Kallu Shambu, Koratige, Halukaratige, Kadaluhaleballi
Kashmiri : —
Malayalam : Perumkurumba
Marathi : Morvel
Oriya : Murva, Murga
Punjabi : —
Tamil : Perunkurinjan
Telugu : Chagaveru
Urdu : Turbud Safed

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Root cylindrical, available in cut pieces of varying length and 0.5-3 cm thick, externally yellow to buff coloured with dark brown patches on the cork; prominent longitudinal ridges and furrows and transverse cracks present; bark easily separable from wood; fracture, short and granular in bark region and fibrous in wood; taste, slightly bitter; odour, indistinct.

b) Microscopic

Root – Shows a cork, composed of 15-25 layers of thin-walled, tangentially elongated, rectangular cells, some filled with reddish-brown contents; secondary cortex composed of an outer region of broken ring of stone cells of varying thickness, followed by wide zone of oval to polygonal parenchymatous cells; stone cells yellow in colour of variable shapes and size; secondary phloem composed of mostly parenchyma with small patches of sieve elements and small strands of stone cells, similar to those present in secondary cortex; resin cells present irregularly in this region; phloem fibres absent; phloem rays 1 – 3 cells wide; secondary xylem segmented and shows a wedge-shaped structure, consisting of small tangential, concentric bands of unlignified masses of parenchymatous tissue, separated by similar concentric band of lignified tissue, composed of vessels,tracheids, fibres, fibre tracheids and xylem parenchyma; in isolated preparation xylem vessels cylindrical with transverse articulations, vary in shape and size with borderd pits; fibres much elongated with mostly tapering ends and pitted walls; thick-walled and lignified parenchyma possess simple and bordered pits and scalariform thickening; xylem rays not distinctly marked where adjoining parenchyma is delignified; rosette and a few prismatic crystals of calcium oxalate and abundant starch grains, present in parenchymatous tissues; starch grains simple, elliptical to spherical with central hilum, 5.5-22 n dia., compound starch grains having 2-3 or rarely upto 6 components.

Powder – Light brown; shows a number of stone cells, fibres, tracheids, fibretracheids, vessels with pitted walls, fragments of cork, rosette and prismatic crystals of calcium oxalate, simple and compound starch grains, measuring 5.5 – 22 n in diameter.

IDENTITY, PURITY AND STRENGTH

Foreign matter Not more than 2 per cent, Appendix 2.2.2.
Total Ash Not more than 5 per cent, Appendix 2.2.3.
Acid-insoluble ash Not more than 0.5 per cent, Appendix 2.2.4.
Alcohol-soluble extractive Not less than 7 per cent, Appendix 2.2.6.
Water-soluble extractive Not less than 14 per cent, Appendix 2.2.7.

CONSTITUENTS – Resin

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Madhura, Tikta
Guna : Guru, Sara
Virya : Usna
Vipaka : Madhura
Karma : Kaphahara, Pittahara, Vatahara, Visaghna

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Aragvadhadi Kvatha Curna, Patoladi Kvatha Curna, Prameha Mihira Taila, Sudarsana Curna.

THERAPEUTIC USES – Arsa, Hrdroga, Jvara, Krmiroga, Kandu, Medoroga, Meha, Raktapitta, Mukha Sosa, Trsna.

DOSE – 2-6 g. of the drug in powder form.
10-20 g. of the drug for decoction.

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NAGAKESARA (Stamen)

Nagakesara consists of dried stamens of Mesua ferrea Linn. (Fam. Guttiferm); an evergreen tree, about 15-18 m high with short trunk, often buttressed at the base, occurring in the Himalayas from Nepal eastwards, Bengal, Assam, evergreen rain forests of North Kanara, Konkan, forests of Western Ghats and Andhra Pradesh.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Kesara, Nagapuspa, Naga, Hema, Gajakesara
Assamese : Negeshvar, Nahar
Bengali : Nageshvara, Nagesar
English : Cobras Saffron
Gujrati : Nagkesara, Sachunagkeshara, Nagchampa, Pilunagkesar,
Tamranagkesar
Hindi : Nagkesara, Pila Nagkesara
Kannada : Nagsampige, Nagakesari
Kashmiri : —
Malayalam : Nangaa, Nauga, Peri, Veluthapala, Nagppu, Nagappovu
Marathi : Nagkesara
Oriya : Nageswar
Punjabi : Nageswar
Tamil : Naugu, Naugaliral, Nagachampakam, Sirunagappu
Telugu : Nagachampakamu
Urdu : Narmushk, Nagkesar

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Stamen consists of anther, connective and filament; coppery or golden brown; filament united at base forming a fleshy ring; each stamen 0.9-1.9 cm long; anther about 0.5 cm long, linear, basifixed, containing pollen grains; filament 0.8 – 1.0 cm long; slender, filiform, more or less twisted, soft to touch, quite brittle; connective not visible with naked eye; odour, fragrant; taste, astringent.

b) Microscopic

Androecium – Anther shows golden-brown, longitudinally dehiscent anther wall, consisting of thin-walled, parenchymatous cells, pollen grains numerous in groups or in single, yellowish and thin-walled, many pollen grains having 1-3 minute, distinct protuberances on walls, thick-walled, exine and intine distinct.

Powder – Brown; shows elongated cells of filament, connective and numerous golden yellow pollen grains having 1-3 protuberances.

IDENTITY, PURITY AND STRENGTH

Foreign matter Not more than 2 per cent, Appendix 2.2.2.
Total Ash Not more than 6 per cent, Appendix 2.2.3.
Acid-insoluble ash Not more than 3 per cent, Appendix 2.2.4.
Alcohol-soluble extractive Not less than 15 per cent, Appendix 2.2.6.
Water-soluble extractive Not less than 12 per cent, Appendix 2.2.7.

CONSTITUENTS – Essential oil and Oleo-resin.

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Katu, Tikta, Kasaya
Guna : Ruksa, Laghu
Virya : Usna
Vipaka : Katu
Karma : Urdhajatrugatarogahara, Kaphahara, Varnya, Vastivatamayghna

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Candanabalalaksadi Taila, Kumaryasava, Nagakesaradi Curna.

THERAPEUTIC USES – Raktapitta, Vatarakta, Sopharoga, Vastiroga

DOSE – 1-3 g. of the drug in powder form.

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NILI (Leaf)

Nili (leaf) consists of dried leaf of Indigofera tinctoria Linn. (Fam. Fabacem); a shrub, 1.2- 1.8 m high, found throughout and widely cultivated in many parts of the country.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Nilika, Nilini, Rangapatri
Assamese : Nilbam
Bengali : Nil
English : Indigo
Gujrati : Gali, Galiparna
Hindi : Nili
Kannada : Karunili
Kashmiri : —
Malayalam : Neelamar
Marathi : Neel
Oriya : Nili, Nila
Punjabi : Neel
Tamil : Avuri
Telugu : Nili Chettu, Nili
Urdu : Neel

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Drug occurs mostly in the form of leaflets and broken pieces of rachis; leaflet 1– 2.5 cm long and 0.3-1.2 cm wide, oblong or oblanceolate with very short mucronate tip; pale green to greenish-black; no characteristic odour and taste.

b) Microscopic

Leaf–
Petiole – appears nearly circular in outline having two lateral wings; epidermis single layered covered externally with thin cuticle and followed internally by single layered collcnchymatous cells; pericycle present in the form of continuous or discontinuous ring, vascular bundles collateral and three in number, large one present in central and two smaller in lateral wings; pith composed of round to oval, thin-walled parenchymatous cells, a few prismatic crystals of calcium oxalate present in phloem and pith region.

Midrib – shows epidermis, cuticle and hair, similar as in petiole; beneath epidermis on lower side single or 2-3 layers of colienchyma on upper side present, both followed by 2- 3 layers of thin-walled parenchyma; vascular bundle single, collateral and crescent shaped.

Lamina – shows dorsiventral structure; epidermis, cuticle and hair, similar as in petiole and midrib; palisade 2-3 layers; spongy parenchyma 2-4 layered, a few patches of veins scattered between palisade and spongy parenchyma, prismatic crystals of calcium oxalate rarely present in me sophyll cells; paracytic stomata and hair present on both surfaces but abundant in lower surface

Powder – Greenish-grey; shows groups of mesophyll cells, aseptate fibres, pitted vessels, unicellular hairs and rarely prismatic crystals of calcium oxalate.

IDENTITY, PURITY AND STRENGTH

Foreign matter Not more than 2 per cent, Appendix 2.2.2.
Total Ash Not more than 10 per cent, Appendix 2.2.3.
Acid-insoluble ash Not more than 2 per cent, Appendix 2.2.4.
Alcohol-soluble extractive Not less than 7.5 per cent, Appendix 2.2.6.
Water-soluble extractive Not less than 25 per cent, Appendix 2.2.7.

CONSTITUENTS – Glycoside (Indican).

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Katu, Tikta
Guna : Sara
Virya : Usna
Vipaka : Katu
Karma : Kaphahara, Kesya, Vatahara, Recani

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Nili Bhrngadi Taila, Mahapancagavya Ghrta

THERAPEUTIC USES – Amavata, Gulma, Jvara, Kasa, Krimiroga., Pliharoga, Udavarta., Udararoga, Vatarakta., Visavikara

DOSE – 50-100 g. of decoction.

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INDRAVARUNI (Leaf)

Indravaruni consists of dried leaves of Citrullus colocynthis Schrad. (Fam. Cucurbitacem); an annual or perennial, wild herb with prostrate or climbing stem, occurring throughout the country.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Satakratulata, Eandri, Gavaksi, Indravarunika, Indravalli
Assamese : Nantiyah
Bengali : Rahhalasa, Makhal
English : Colocynth, Bitter Apple
Gujrati : Indrayana, Indrayanoa, Insbak
Hindi : Indrayana
Kannada : Havumekke Kayi, Havamikke
Kashmiri : —
Malayalam : Kattu vellari, Kadu Indrayan, Peykommuti
Marathi : Indrayana, Kodu indrayan
Oriya : Gothkakudi, Mahakal
Punjabi : Tumma, Jamtumma
Tamil : Peyakkumutti, Peytumatti, Peyththumatti, Peykhumutti, Verittumatti
Telugu : Chedupuchcha
Urdu : Hanzal, Indrayan

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Leaves very variable, 3.6-6.3 cm long, 2.5-5.0 cm wide, pinnately lobed in outline, generally 3 lobed, sometimes 3-7 lobed, middle lobe largest, each lobe deeply pinnatifid; petiole 1.3-2.5 cm long, entire leaf densely hirsute; taste, very bitter.

b) Microscopic

Leaf– Petiole – shows ridged outline; epidermis single layered consisting of oval to rounded cells, covered with thick cuticle; hairs uniseriate, 2-4 celled, present on both surfaces; cortex consisting of 3-7 layers, round collenchymatous cells, followed by a single layered endodermis; pith consisting of thin-walled, isodiametric, parenchymatous cells; vascular bundles generally eight, arranged in discontinuous ring, bicollateral, each bundle surrounded by semilunar patches of sclerenchymatous cells towards endodermis.

Midrib – shows single layered epidermis, covered with cuticle on both surface; hair present on both surfaces, uniseriate, consisting of 2-3 cells, apical cells being pointed or blunt; cortex consisting of 2-3 layers of collenchymatous cells on dorsal side, followed by thin-walled, parenchymatous cells; vascular bundles present, two well developed, one smaller and other larger, conjoint, bicollateral, composed of xylem and phloem.

Lamina -shows single layered epidermis covered with cuticle, hairs similar to those of midrib and present on both surfaces, but more abundant on lower surface; palisade single layered, spongy parenchyma generally 5-8 layered, composed of thin walled, almost isodiametric cells, filled with chlorophyll contents and traversed by a number of veins, vein islet number 29-38 per sq. mm; palisade ratio 2.75-3.75; stomata anomocytic present on both surfaces, stomatal index on upper surface 12.5-28.5 and on lower surface 25.0 -31.2.

Powder – Coarse, olive green; shows entire or broken pieces of hairs; epidermal cells polygonal, moderately thick-walled, 27.5-49.5n long and 19-27 n wide; spongy parenchyma cells, anomocytic type of stomata and xylem vessels.

IDENTITY, PURITY AND STRENGTH

Foreign matter Not more than 2 per cent, Appendix 2.2.2.
Total Ash Not more than 18 per cent, Appendix 2.2.3.
Acid-insoluble ash Not more than 6 per cent, Appendix 2.2.4.
Alcohol-soluble extractive Not less than 7 per cent, Appendix 2.2.6.
Water-soluble extractive Not less than 18 per cent, Appendix 2.2.7.

T.L.C.

T.L.C. of alcoholic extract of the drug on Silica gel ‘G’ plate using n-Butanol :Acetic acid: Water (4:1:5) shows under U.V. (366 nm) five fluorescent zones at Rf. 0.46, 0.61, 0.75, 0.94 (all green) and 0.97 (red). On spraying with 5% Methanolic- Sulphuric acid reagent and on heating the plate for ten minutes at 105°C four spots appear at Rf. 0.61 (green), 0.75 (green), 0.83 (grey) and 0.94 (grey).

CONSTITUENTS – Colocynthin, traces of an Alkaloid and Flavonoids.

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Katu, Tikta
Guna : Laghu, Sara
Virya : Usna
Vipaka : Katu
Karma : Kaphahara, Pittahara, Recana

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Nili Bhrngadi Taila

THERAPEUTIC USES – Kesapata, Palita, Kustharoga.

DOSE – For external use only

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KANUKA (Rhizome)

Kauka consists of the dried rhizome with root of Picrorhiza kurroa Royle ex Benth. (Fam. Scrophulariacem); a perennial, more or less hairy herb common on the northwestern Himalayas from Kashmir to Sikkim. Rhizome is cut into small pieces.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Tikta, Tiktarohini, Kaurohini, Kavi, Sutiktaka, Kauka, Rohini.
Assamese : Katki, Kutki
Bengali : —
English : Hellebore
Gujrati : Kadu, Katu
Hindi : Kutki
Kannada : Katuka rohini, katuka rohini
Kashmiri : —
Malayalam : Kaduk rohini, Katuka rohini
Marathi : Kutki, Kalikutki
Oriya : Katuki
Punjabi : Karru, kaur
Tamil : Katuka rohini, Katuku rohini, Kadugurohini
Telugu : Karukarohini
Urdu : Kutki

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Rhizome – 2.5-8 cm long and 4-8 mm thick, subcylindrical, straight or slightly curved, externally greyish-brown, surface rough due to longitudinal wrinkles, circular scars of roots and bud scales and sometimes roots attached, tip ends in a growing bud surrounded by tufted crown of leaves, at places cork exfoliates exposing dark cortex; fracture, short; odour, pleasant; taste, bitter. .

Root – Thin, cylindrical, 5-10 cm long, 0.05-0.1 cm in diameter, straight or slightly curved with a few longitudinal wrinkles and dotted scars, mostly attached with rhizomes, dusty grey, fracture, short, inner surface black with whitish xylem; odour, pleasant; taste, bitter.

b) Microscopic

Rhizome – Shows 20-25 layers of cork consisting of tangentially elongated, suberised cells; cork cambium 1-2 layered; cortex single layered or absent, primary cortex persists in some cases, one or two small vascular bundles present in cortex; vascular bundles surrounded by single layered endodermis of thick-walled cells; secondary phloem composed of phloem parenchyma and a few scattered fibres; cambium 2-4 layered; secondary xylem consists of vessels, tracheids, xylem fibres and xylem parenchyma, vessels vary in shape and size having transverse oblique articulation; tracheids long, thick-walled, lignified, more or less cylindrical with blunt tapering ends; xylem parenchyma thin-walled and polygonal in shape; centre occupied by a small pith consisting of thin-walled cells; simple round to oval, starch grains, measuring 25-104 n in dia., abundantly found in all cells.

Root -Young root shows single layered epidermis, some epidermal cells elongate forming unicellular hairs; hypodermis single layered; cortex 8-14 layered; consisting of oval to polygonal, thick-walled, parenchymatous cells; primary stele tetrach to heptarch, enclosed by single layered pericycle and single layered, thick-walled cells of endodermis; mature root shows 4-15 layers of cork, 1-2 layers of cork cambium; secondary phloem poorly developed; secondary xylem consisting of vessels, tracheids, parenchyma and fibres; vessels have varying shape and size, some cylindrical with taillike, tapering ends, some drum shaped with perforation on end walls or lateral walls; tracheids cylindrical with tapering pointed ends; fibres aseptate, thick-walled, lignified with tapering blunt chisel-like pointed ends.

Powder – Dusty grey; shows groups of fragments of cork cells, thick-walled, parenchyma, pitted vessels and aseptate fibres, simple round to oval, starch grains, measuring 25 – 104 n in diameter.

IDENTITY, PURITY AND STRENGTH

Foreign matter Not more than 2 per cent, Appendix 2.2.2.
Total Ash Not more than 7 per cent, Appendix 2.2.3.
Acid-insoluble ash Not more than 1 per cent, Appendix 2.2.4.
Alcohol-soluble extractive Not less than 10 per cent, Appendix 2.2.6.
Water-soluble extractive Not less than 20 per cent, Appendix 2.2.7.

T.L.C.

T.L.C. of alcoholic extract of the drug on Silica gel ‘G’ plate using Chloroform:
Methanol (95 : 5) shows under U.V. light (366 nm) three fluorescent zones at Rf. 0.05 (blue), 0.30 (blue) and 0.35 (green). On exposure to Iodine vapour nine spots appear at Rf. 0.10, 0.17, 0.21, 0.30, 0.37, 0.41, 0.62, 0.72 and 0.84 (all yellow). On spraying with 5% methanolic sulphuric acid reagent and heating the plate for about ten minutes at 105°C seven spots appear at Rf. 0.05, 0.10, 0.17, 0.21, 0.30, 0.41 and 0.84 (all brownish grey).

CONSTITUENTS – Glucoside (Picrorhizin).

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Katu, Tikta
Guna : Laghu
Virya : Usna
Vipaka : Katu
Karma : Hrdya, Pittahara, Dipani, Bhedini, Jvarahara

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Arogyavardhini Gutika, Tiktaka Ghrta, Sarvajvarahara Lauha, Mahatikataka Ghrta.

THERAPEUTIC USES – Svasa, Daha, Jvara, Kamala, Kustha, Visamajvara, Arocaka.

DOSE – 1 – 3 g. of the drug in powder form.

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