Medicinal Plants Herbs Flowers

KUSMANDA (Fruit)

Kusmanda consists of the dried piece of fruits of Benincasa hispida (Thunb.) Cogn. (Fam. Cucurbitacem), an extensive trailing or climbing herb cultivated throughout the plains of India and on the hills upto 1200 m altitude, as a vegetable.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Puspaphalam, Brihatphalam
Assamese : Kumra
Bengali : Chal Kumra
English : White guard melon
Gujrati : Safed Kohalu, Bhuru, Kohalu, Bhuru Kolu
Hindi : Kushmand, Petha
Kannada : Boodi Humbala
Kashmiri : —
Malayalam : Kumbalanga
Marathi : Kohala
Oriya : Kakharu, Panikakharu
Punjabi : Petha
Tamil : Pooshanikkai
Telugu : Boodida Gummadi
Urdu : Petha

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Drug occurs in deformed, compressed, cut pieces of various sizes; epicarp cream coloured with light yellowish to brownish mesocarp; taste, slightly acidic.

b) Microscopic

Mature fruit shows cuticularised epicarp consisting of single layered, squarish or slightly tangentially elongated cells of epidermis, outer tangential walls of epidermis thickened and cuticularised; a few epidermal cells divide periclinally and become 2 or 3 layered; mesocarp has a heterogenous structure consisting of multilayered hypodermis composed of tangentially elongated, thin-walled, parenchymatous cells; immediately within this is a zone of thick-walled, multilayered, lignified sclereids with the outer one to three layers thicker than the inner 2 to 6 or more layers; beneath this zone, thinwalled tangentially elongated, parenchymatous cells present, their size gradually increasing from those at periphery to those inside of mesocarp, the latter becoming circular having conspicuous intercellular spaces; vascular bundles poorly developed, bicollateral, found scattered throughout mesocarp.

Powder – Dirty brown; shows numerous fragments of thin-walled, tangentially elongated and circular parenchymatous cells, numerous sclereids in groups and singles and a few fragments of xylem vessels having spiral thickenings.

IDENTITY, PURITY AND STRENGTH

Foreign matter Not more than 1 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 10 per cent, Appendix 2.2.6.
Water-soluble extractive Not less than 24 per cent, Appendix 2.2.7.

T.L.C.

T.L.C. of alcoholic extract on Silica gel ‘G’ plate using Benzene: Ethylacetate (9:1) shows under U.V. (366nm) two fluorescent zones at Rf. 0.71 and 0.79 (both violet). On exposure to Iodine vapour eight spots appear at Rf. 0.07, 0.18, 0.28, 0.40, 0.50, 0.59, 0.71 and 0.79 (all yellow). On spraying with Vanillin-Sulphuric acid reagent and heating the plate at 105oC for ten minute six spots appear at Rf. 0.07, 0.18, 0.40, 0.50, 071 and 0.79 (all violet).

CONSTITUENTS – Fatty Oil

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Madhura, Amla
Guna : Laghu
Virya : Sita
Vipaka : Madhura
Karma : Balya, Dipana, Hrdya, Vrsya, Bastisodhaka, Mehana, Tridosahara, Jirnanga Pusti Prada, Bastisodhaka, Sramsana, Arocakahara, Vatapittajit

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Vastyamayantaka Ghrta, Kusmandaka Rasayana, Dhatryadi Ghrta

THERAPEUTIC USES – Mutraghata, Mutrakrcchra, Prameha, Trsna, Asmari, Manasa Vikara, Malabandha

DOSE – 5-10 gm.

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MADAYANTI (Leaf)

Madayanti consists of dried leaves of Lawsonia inermis Linn. (Fam. Lythracem); a small, elegant bush with fragrant flowers, cultivated and naturalised all over the country.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Nil Madayantika
Assamese : —
Bengali : Mehadi
English : Henna
Gujrati : Mendi
Hindi : Mehandi
Kannada : Goranta, Korate, Madarangi
Kashmiri : —
Malayalam : Mailanelu
Marathi : Mendi
Oriya : —
Punjabi : Mehndi
Tamil : Marudum
Telugu : Gorinta
Urdu : Mehendi, Hina

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Leaves simple, 2 to 3 cm in length, 1 to 1.5 cm in width, greenish-brown to dull green; entire, lanceolate; apex mucronate, base tapering, petiole short and glabrous; odour, aromatic when crushed; taste, sweet, mucilaginous and slightly astringent.

b) Microscopic

Petiole -shows concavo-convex outline; epidermis consisting of single layered cells covered by thick, striated cuticle; below epidermis 2 to 4 layered collenchyma and 3 to 4 layered parenchyma having intercellular spaces; pericycle 2 to 4 layered, stele bicollatera1; cambium a thin strip present between xylem and phloem; phloem consisting of usual elements; xylem mostly composed of tracheids and vessels.

Midrib -shows upper and lower epidermis covered externally by thick and striated cuticle; epidermis followed by 2 to 4 layers of collenchymatous cells, circular in shape with angular thickening; beneath which are 3 or 4 layers of parenchymatous cells, isodiametric with intercellular spaces; stele crescent-shaped, consisting of usual elements traversed by medullary rays; phloem fibres seen in the phloem region; a few parenchymatous cells contain rosette and prismatic crystals of calcium oxalate.

Lamina – shows upper and lower epidermis composed of tangentially elongated cells covered externally by a thick striated cuticle; some large epidermal cells form mucilage sacs projecting into adjacent palisade zone; anomocytic stomata distributed on both surfaces; mesophyll composed of 1 to 3 layers of palisade tissue and 2 to 4 layers of spongy parenchyma; palisade cells filled with chloroplasts, spongy parenchyma oval to circular in shape, oil globules present in palisade and spongy parenchyma; rosette and prismatic crystals of calcium oxalate also present in spongy parenchyma; mesophyll traversed by vascular strands composed of xylem surrounded by phloem with a patch of sclerenchymatous fibres on abaxial side; average stomatal index 10 to 15 and 15 to 18 in upper and lower surface the respectively; palisade ratio 5 to 8 on both surfaces; vein islet number 30 to 45.

Powder – Dark brown; shows fragments of thin-walled, parenchyma cells, wavy thinwalled epidermal cells in surface view, anomocytic stomata, rosette and prismatic crystals of calcium oxalate, a few oil globules, and vessels showing spiral thickenings.

IDENTITY, PURITY AND STRENGTH

Foreign matter Not more than 2 per cent, Appendix 2.2.2.
Total Ash Not more than 11 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 18 per cent, Appendix 2.2.6.
Water-soluble extractive Not less than 25 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 the visible light three spots at Rf. 0.35, 0.60 and 0.63 (all grey). Under U.V. (366 nm) seven spots appear at Rf. 0.18, 0.26, 0.35, (all violet), 0.39, 0.61, 0.68 (all reddish violet) and 0.73 (violet). On spraying with 5% Methanolic Sulphuric acid regent and heating the plate at 105oC for ten minutes five grey colour spots appear at Rf. 0.09, 0.41, 0.61, 0.70 and 0.95.

CONSTITUENTS – Glycosides, colouring matter (Lawsone), Hennotannic acid, Essential Oil containing β-Ionone.

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Tikta, Kasaya
Guna : Laghu, Ruksa
Virya : Sita
Vipaka : Katu
Karma : Kaphasamaka, Pittasamaka

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Madayanyadi Curna

THERAPEUTIC USES – Bhrama, Jvara, Kandu, Kustha, Raktapitta, Kamala, Raktapittahara, Mutrakrcchra, Vrana.

DOSE – 5-10ml (Svarasa)

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MAHANIMBA (Stem Bark)

Mahanimba consists of dried stem bark of Melia azedarachta Linn. (Fam. Meliacem), a moderate sized deciduous tree, 9 to 12 m high with a cylindrical bole, naturalized throughout the country and occurring wild in the sub-Himalayan tracts upto 1800 m.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Ramyaka, Dreka
Assamese : Khammaga
Bengali : Ghoranim
English : Persian Lilac
Gujrati : Bakan Limado, Bakai Nimbu
Hindi : Bakain, Drek
Kannada : Kadu bevu
Kashmiri : —
Malayalam : Malaveppu
Marathi : Bakana Nimb
Oriya : —
Punjabi : Dharek, Bakain, Drek
Tamil : Malaivembu
Telugu : Turakavepa
Urdu : Neem

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Bark comparatively thin, about 0.2 to 0.6 cm thick; outer surface black and rough being slightly fissured and exfoliating in small slightly woody pieces light and dark-grey to greyish-black in colour; inner bark made up of creamy layer alternating with whitish ones; fracture, fibrous; taste, extremely bitter.

b) Microscopic

Mature bark shows outer zone of rhytidoma, formed of alternating strips of dark brown cork cells and dead secondary phloem; cork cells compressed, almost rectangular and many layered; secondary phloem multilayered and compressed; cork cambium and secondary cortex almost absent; beneath rhytidoma a wide zone of secondary phloem present, with sieve tubes with compound sieve plates, and with groups of fibres; phloem parenchyma oval to irregular, thin-walled, colourless with intercellular spaces; phloem rays 2 to 5 cells wide; rosette and prismatic crystals of calcium oxalate present in phloem parenchyma and ray cells; a few very small, simple, round to oval, starch grains measuring 5 to 11 n in dia., having 2 or 3 components.

Powder – Greyish-yellow; shows fragment of cork cells, phloem fibres, rosette and prismatic crystals of calcium oxalate and small, simple round to oval, starch grains measuring 5 to 11 n in dia.

IDENTITY, PURITY AND STRENGTH

Foreign matter Not more than 1 per cent, Appendix 2.2.2.
Total Ash Not more than 11 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 6 per cent, Appendix 2.2.6.
Water-soluble extractive Not less than 7 per cent, Appendix 2.2.7.

T.L.C.

T.L.C. of alcoholic extract on Silica gel ‘G’ plate using Chloroform: Methanol (9: 1) under U.V. (366 nm) shows eight fluorescent zones at Rf. 0.10, 0.26, 0.34, 0.50, 0.68, 0.76, 0.86 (all blue) and 0.95 (bluish green). On exposure to Iodine vapour nine spots appear at Rf. 0.10, 0.18, 0.26, 0.34, 0.50, 0.64, 0.76, 0.86 and 0.95 (all yellow). On spraying with Dragendorff reagent followed by 5% Methanolic-Sulphuric acid reagent two spots appear at Rf. 0.26 and 0.95 (both orange).

CONSTITUENTS – Tannins and Alkaloids.

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Katu, Tikta, Kasaya
Guna : Ruksa
Virya : Sita
Vipaka : Katu
Karma : Grahi, Kaphajita, Pittajita, Rakta Vikarajita, Dahanasaka, Pittakaphahara, Raktadahahara

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Brhanmanjisadi Kvatha Curna, Maha Visagarbha Taila.

THERAPEUTIC USES – Arsa, Bhrama, Chardi, Gulma, Kustha, Prameha, Svasa, Hrllasa, Musika Visa, Visuci, Visamajvara.

DOSE – 5-10 gm.

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MANDUKAPARNI (Whole Plant)

Mandukaparni consists of dried whole plant of Centella asiatica (Linn.) Urban. Syn. Hydrocotyle asiatica Linn. (Fam. Apiacem), a prostrate, faintly aromatic, stoloniferous perennial herb, commonly found as a weed in crop fields and other waste places throughout India upto an altitude of 600 m.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Manduki, Darduracchada
Assamese : Manimuni
Bengali : Jholkhuri, Thalkuri, Thankuni
English : Indian Pennywort
Gujrati : Khodabrahmi, Khadbhrammi
Hindi : Brahma Manduki, Brahmi
Kannada : Ondelaga, Brahmi soppu
Kashmiri : —
Malayalam : Kodangal
Marathi : Karivana
Oriya : —
Punjabi : Brahmi
Tamil : Vallarai
Telugu : Saraswati Aku, Vauari
Urdu : Brahmi

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Small creeping herb with slender stem, rooting at nodes giving rise to thin, brownish-grey, roots of about 2.5 to 6.0 cm in length; leaves 1 to 3 from each node, orbicular-reniform, crenate, base cordate, petioles channelled with adnate stipules; flowers fascicled umbels each carrying 3 or 4 flowers, short stalked; fruits cremocarp, ovoid, with laterally compressed seeds.

b) Microscopic

Root – Shows wavy outline, consisting of 3 to 5 layered, rectangular, cork cells having exfoliated cells, followed by 3 or 4 layers of parenchyma cells containing oval to round, simple, starch grains measuring 8 to 16 n in dia., having centric hilum and microsphenoidal crystals of calcium oxalate; secondary cortex composed of thin-walled, oval to polygonal, parenchymatous cells; secretory cells present, scattered towards periphery region; secondary phloem and secondary xylem consisting of usual elements; vessels lignified with reticulate and spiral thickening; pith nearly obliterated.

Stem – More or less concave-convex outline, shows single layered epidermis composed of round to cubical cells covered by striated cuticle; below this 2 or 3 layers of collenchymatous cells, followed by 6 to 8 layers of thin-walled, isodiametric, parenchymatous cells with intercellular spaces present; vascular bundles collateral, open, arranged in a ring, capped by patches of sclerenchyma and traversed by wide medullary rays; vessels with spiral thickening present, resin duct present in parenchymatous cells of cortex and generally one in between vascular bundles; pith of isodiametric, parenchyma with intercellular spaces.

Leaf-
Petiole – shows a characteristic outline due to two projections adjacent to ventral groove; epidermis single layered, cells cubical covered by a thick cuticle; inner walls of epidermal cells adjoining the cortex much thickened; hairs absent; collenchyma 2 or 3 layered, absent on the projections, a broad zone of more or less rounded parenchyma cells present with intercellular spaces, and a few containing rosette crystals of calcium oxalate; resin canal present on dorsal side of each vascular bundle except in the vascular bundles occurring projecting arms; vascular bundles seven in number, two of which less developed and present in projections.

Midrib – show a single layered epidermis, 2 or 3 layered collenchyma on both surfaces, 4 or 5 layered parenchyma, mostly devoid of chloroplasts; central zone occupied by vascular bundles differentiated into xylem towards ventral side and phloem towards dorsal side; phloem consisting of sieve tubes, companion cells and phloem parenchyma; xylem consisting of radial rows of vessels with xylem parenchyma in between.

Lamina -shows an epidermis of tangentially elongated cells on both surfaces, larger on the upper surface, covered by striated cuticle; mesophyll differentiated into 2 or 3 layers of palisade cells, 5 to 7 layers of loosely arranged, somewhat isodiametric spongy parenchyma; rosette crystals of calcium oxalate present in a few cells; stomata more on the lower surface, anisocytic in general, but anomocytic type also occurs on both surfaces, palisade ratio 3 to 5, stomatal index on upper surface, 9 to 12, and lower surface 11 to 17.

Fruit – Shows several ridges in outline; epicarp consists of single layered epidermis covered externally with thick cuticle; mesocarp consists of polygonal, thin walled parenchymatous cells having patches of sclerenchymatous cells on both lateral side; each ridge having a vittm and patch of sclerenchyma; endocarp consists of columnar shaped sclereids arranged in wavy layers; endosperm and embryo composed of oval to polygonal, thin-walled parenchymatous cells.

Powder – Green to greenish-brown, shows fragments of epidermal cells polygonal in surface view with stomata, palisade cells, vessels with spiral, reticulate and annular thickening; microsphenoidal and rosette crystals of calcium oxalate; simple, oval to round starch grains measuring 8 to 16 n in dia.

IDENTITY, PURITY AND STRENGTH

Foreign matter Not more than 2 per cent, Appendix 2.2.2.
Total Ash Not more than 17 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 20 per cent, Appendix 2.2.7.

T.L.C.

T.L.C. of alcoholic extract on Silica gel ‘G’ plate using Chloroform : Methanol (80 :20) shows under U.V. (366 nm) two fluorescent zones at Rf. 0.72 and 0.85 (both blue). On exposure to Iodine vapour six spots appear at Rf. 0.08, 0.16, 0.32, 0.72, 0.85 and 0.96 (all yellow). On spraying with Vanillin-Sulphuric acid reagent and heating the plate at 105oC for ten minutes seven spots appear at Rf. 0.08 (grey), 0.16 (blue), 0.23 (grey), 0.32 (violet), 0.72, 0.85 (both violet) and 0.96 (violet).

CONSTITUENTS – Glycosides – Saponin Glycosides

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Madhura, Katu, Tikta, Kasaya
Guna : Laghu, Sara
Virya : Sita
Vipaka : Madhura
Karma : Balya, Dipana, Hrdya, Kaphapittahara, Medhya, Varnya, Visaghna, Svarya, Rasayana, Ayusya, Smrtiprada

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Brahma Rasayana

THERAPEUTIC USES – Sotha, Aruci, Jvara, Kasa, Kandu, Kustha, Pra Raktapitta, Meha, Svasa, Pandu, Raktadosa

DOSE – 3-6 gm.

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MAYYAKU (Gall)

Mayakku consists of dried galls found on Quercus infectoria Olivo (Fam. Fagacem), a small tree or shrub, 2 to 5 m high, native of Greece, Asia Minor, Syria and Iran. The galls are excrescences on the twigs, resulting from insect attack of the growing, rudimentary leaves; they are imported into India.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Mayaphala
Assamese : Aphsa
Bengali : Majoophal, Majuphal
English : Oak-Gall
Gujrati : Muajoophal, Mayfal
Hindi : Maajoophal, Majuphal
Kannada : Machikaai, Mapalakam
Kashmiri : —
Malayalam : Majakaanee, Mashikkay
Marathi : Maayaphal
Oriya : Mayakku
Punjabi : Maju
Tamil : Machakaai, Masikki, Mussikki
Telugu : Machikaaya
Urdu : Mazu, Mazuphal

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Galls spherical or pear-shaped, hard and brittle 1.2 to 2.5 cm in diameter having a short basal stalk and numerous rounded projections on the upper part of the gall; they usually sink in water; surface, smooth, rather shining, bluish-green, olive green or white brown, a few galls show the escape route of insect, in the form of a small rounded hole leading to a cylindrical canal which passes to the centre of the gall; taste, astringent, followed by sweetness; average weight of ten galls picked at random should not be less than 2.5 g.

b) Microscopic

Gall shows outer most zone of small thin-walled parenchymatous cells, irregular in shape; a ring of large, oval-shaped sclerenchymatous cells and a small inner zone of thick-walled parenchymatous cells present near the central cavity; outer zone of the parenchyma differentiated into three type of cells; uppermost small, irregular, thinwalled, middle large, oval, and inner long parenchymatous cells, all having intercellular spaces; vascular bundles irregularly distributed in this region, consisting of small patches of xylem and phloem; vessels with spiral and reticulate thickening; around the central cavity, a ring of sclerenchyma of great variation in shape and size, present, with rectangular, ovoid, elongated, small sclereids, having heavily thickened striated walls with numerous pits, lumen large, usually filled with dense brown material, large sclereids are much elongated; a few rosette crystals of calcium oxalate in outer and middle region and prismatic crystals in inner parenchymatous cells present; starch grains simple and compound with central hilum, compound grains consisting of 2 to 5 or sometimes more components, simple grains round to oval, measuring upto 25 n in dia, present abundantly in innermost zone of parenchyma.

Powder – Cream colour; shows fragments of palisade-like thin-walled and oval to polygonal, thin-walled parenchymatous cells; sclereids with thickened and striated walls with numerous pits and vessels with reticulate and spiral thickening; simple, round to oval starch grains, measuring upto 25 n in dia.

IDENTITY, PURITY AND STRENGTH

Foreign matter Nil Appendix 2.2.2
Total Ash Not more than 2 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 60 per cent, Appendix 2.2.6.
Water-soluble extractive Not less than 55 per cent, Appendix 2.2.7.
Total Tannin content Not less than 50 per cent,
when determined by the following method:

ASSAY

Approximately 2 gms. of powdered fruit, accurately weighed, was refluxed twice for two hrs. with alcohol (95%) on a water bath and filtered. The extract was concentrated almost to dryness, the residue was taken up in 50 ml of water in a separating funnel and extracted four times with 20 ml of solvent ether, collecting the upper ethereal layer in each case in a separating funnel. The combined ethereal layer was extracted twice with 10 ml of water and aqueous extract was combined with original aqueous extract. The combined aqueous extract was saturated with sodium chloride and shaken with successive quantities of 25, 20, 20, 15 ml of ethyl acetate until complete extraction of the tannins was effected (tested by Ferric chloride reagent). The combined ethylacetate layer containing the tannins was filtered through a cotton plug (previously soaked with ethyl acetate). The filter was washed with 5 ml of ethylacetate and mixed with the original filtrate. The solvent was then distilled on a water bath and when the volume was reduced to about 10 ml, it was quantitatively transferred to a tared glass dish, the solvent removed on a boiling water bath and residue dried to constant weight at 90ºC. The residue gives the weight of the tannins present in the drug.

T.L.C.

T.L.C. of the alcoholic extract on Silica gel ‘G’ using Chloroform: Ethylacetate : Formic acid (5:4:1) shows in visible light three spots at Rf. 0.60, 0.69 & 0.78 (all grey). Under U.V. (366 nm) three fluorescent zones are visible at Rf. 0.60, 0.69 & 0.78 (all grey). On exposure to Iodine vapour five spots appear at Rf. 0.60, 0.69, 0.78, 0.84 & 0.96 (all yellow). On spraying with Ferric chloride reagent four spots appear at Rf. 0.13, 0.60, 0.69 & 0.78 (all greyish blue).

CONSTITUENTS – Tannic Acid, Starch and Sugars

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

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

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Madayantyadi Curna

THERAPEUTIC USES – Arsa, Atisara, Grahani, Mukha Roga, Pravahika, Danta Roga, Yoni Kanda, Sveta Pradara

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

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MUDGAPARNI (Whole Plant)

Mudgaparni consists of dried whole plant of Vigna trilobata (L.) Verde. Syn. Phaseolus trilobus Ait. (Fam. Fabacem), a prostrate or twining perennial herb, found wild, but also occasionally cultivated throughout the country as a forage crop.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Suryaparni, Saha
Assamese : —
Bengali : Muganee
English : —
Gujrati : Janglee Maga
Hindi : Janglee Mung
Kannada : Abaregid
Kashmiri : —
Malayalam : Kattuppayaru
Marathi : Ranmug
Oriya : —
Punjabi : Mugvan
Tamil : Kattuppayaru, Panippayavu
Telugu : Pilla pesara
Urdu : —

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Root – Occurs in 2.5 to 15.0 cm long, 0.1 or 0.2 cm thick; cylindrical pieces, external surface brownish-grey, rough due to secondary roots; fracture, fibrous.

Stem – Occurs in 12.0 to 55.0 cm long, 0.1 or 0.2 cm thick pieces, more or less cylindrical, grooved, slender, glabrous, pale green; fracture, fibrous

Leaf – Leaves alternate, pinnately trifoliate, petioled; leaflets palmately 3-lobed; 1.3 to 2.5 cm long; mid lobe large, obovate spathulate, lateral lobe oblique and small, margin ciliate, apiculate, pale green in colour.

Flower – Sessile or very shortly pedicelled; small, yellow with conspicuous persistent bracts and bracteole; calyx, gamosepalous, campanulate, 1 or 2 mm long, pale yellow, five toothed; corolla papilionaceous.

Fruit – A pod; 2.5 to 6 or 7 cm long, 3 mm thick; greyish-black; linear or rarely oblong, torose, subcylindrical, smooth glabrous, recurved or reflexed, 6 to 12 seeded.

Seed – Grey, smooth, with 2 punctate, shortly linear hilum and without strophiole.

b) Microscopic

Root – Shows a wavy outline, having single layered epidermis, consisting of thick walled, parenchymatous cells, covered by thick cuticle; secondary cortex composed of 3 to 6 layered, thin-walled, oval to polygonal, parenchymatous cells; peri cyclic fibres are present in a discontinuous ring; vascular bundles arranged in a ring; secondary phloem composed of thin-walled cells with brownish contents; secondary xylem consisting of usual elements; radially arranged, lignified, vessels with pitted or reticulate thickening, followed by pith consisting of thin-walled, oval to polygonal, parenchymatous cells.

Stem – Shows a more or less wavy outline; epidermis single layered consisting of thin walled, parenchymatous cells; secondary cortex consisting of 2 to 5 layers collenchyrnatous and 1 or 2 layers of parenchymatous thin walled cells; peri cycle present in form of a discontinuous ring; vascular bundles arranged in a ring; secondary phloem consisting of compactly arranged, thick-walled cells, having usual elements traversed by phloem rays; secondary xylem composed of usual elements; lignified vessels radially arranged, showing pitted and spiral thickenings; crystal fibres absent; xylem fibres moderately thick walled with narrow lumen and blunt tips, central region occupied by pith consisting of thin-walled, circular, parenchymatous cells.

Leaf-
Midrib – shows single layered epidermis having a few unicellular, pointed hairs on both surfaces, 6 or 7 layers, polygonal collenchyma cells on upper and 5 or 6 layers, thick walled, collenchyma on lower surface; a single layered thick-walled, lignified polygonal, sclerenchymatous cells present on either side of ‘C’ shaped vascular bundle having usual elements.

Lamina – isobilateral, shows single layered, elongated, baloon-shaped, thin-walled,epidermis cells on both surfaces, a few unicellular hairs similar as in midrib present on both surfaces; stomata paracytic, present on both surfaces; palisade 2 or 3 layered on upper epidermis, 1 or 2 layered on lower epidermis; palisade ratio 6 or 7 on lower surface, 7 or 8 on upper surface; vein islet number 34 to 45; veinlet termination number 20 to 33; stomatal index, 30 to 36 per sq. mm on lower surfaces, 20 to 27 per sq. mm on upper surface.

Seed – Shows testa consisting of 2 or 3 layered, thick-walled, elongated, lignified stone cells having striations and narrow lumen; cotyledon composed of oval to polygonal, thin walled, parenchymatous cells.

Powder – Light greyish-green; shows fragments of parenchyma, unicellular pointed broken hairs; lignified, simple pitted, reticulate or spiral vessels; paracytic stomata, epidermal cells in surface view with wavy outline.

IDENTITY, PURITY AND STRENGTH

Foreign matter Not more than 2 per cent, Appendix 2.2.2.
Total Ash Not more than 11.5 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 3 per cent, Appendix 2.2.6.
Water-soluble extractive Not less than 11 per cent, Appendix 2.2.7.

T.L.C.

T.L.C. of alcoholic extract on Silica Gel ‘G’ using n-Butanol : Acetic acid: Water (4:1:5) shows under UV (366 nm) five fluorescent zones at Rf. 0.35, 0.42, 0.58, 0.70 and 0.82 (all blue). On exposure to Iodine vapour six spots appear at Rf. 0.30, 0.42, 0.50, 0.58,0.70 and 0.82 (all yellow). On spraying with 5% Methanolic-Sulphuric acid reagent and on heating the plate for ten munutes at 105o C five spots appear at Rf. 0.30, 0.42, 0.58, 0.70 and 0.82 (all yellow).

CONSTITUENTS – Sterols.

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Madhura, Tikta
Guna : Laghu, Ruksa
Virya : Sita
Vipaka : Madhura
Karma : Pittahara, Sukrala, Caksusya, Kaphahara, Rasayana, Visaghna, Sukradosahara, Garbhasthapana

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Mahanarayana Taila, Amrtaprasa Ghrta, Asoka Ghrta, Vidaryadi Ghrta, Dhanvantara Taila, Brahma Rasayana, Bala Taila, Ratnagiri Rasa

THERAPEUTIC USES – Jvara, Kasa, Krmi, Ksaya, Kustha, Pradara, Vatarakta, Daha, Pitta Daha, Musika Visa, Ksata Sotha, Madya Trsna.

DOSE – 3-5 gm.

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MUNDITAKA (Whole Plant)

Munditaka consists of dried whole plant of Sphmranthus indicus Linn. (Fam. Asteracem), an aromatic, much branched herb, 30 to 60 cm high found abundantly in damp places throughout the country, ascending to an altitude of 1,500 m.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Mundi, Sravani, Bhumikadamba
Assamese : Kamadarus
Bengali : Surmuriya, Mudmudiya
English : —
Gujrati : Gorakhmundi
Hindi : Mundi, Gorakhmundi
Kannada : Mudukattanagida, Karande
Kashmiri : —
Malayalam : Manni
Marathi : Mundi, Gorakhmundi
Oriya : Bhuikadam
Punjabi : Gorakhmunda
Tamil : Karandai
Telugu : Bodasarumu Badataramu
Urdu : Mundi

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Root – Pieces 5 to 15 cm long and 0.3 to 0.5 cm thick, a few branching; smooth, slender, somewhat laterally flattened, greyish-brown; fracture, short; odour not characteristic; taste, slightly bitter.

Stem – Pieces 10 to 30 cm long, 0.2 to 0.4 cm thick, branched, cylindrical or somewhat flattened with toothed wings, rough due to longitudinal wrinkles, externally brownish black to brownish-green, internally creamish-grey; fracture, fibrous; odour nil, taste, bitter.

Leaf – Sessile, decurrent, 2 to 7 cm long, 1 to 1.5 cm wide, obovate-oblong, narrowed at the base, dentate or serrate, hairy, greenish-brown; odourless; taste, bitter.

Flower – Globose, head about 1.5 cm long and about one cm in diameter; purplish-brown with linear involucral bracts which are shorter than the head and ciliate at apex; peduncle with toothed wings; outer female flowers 12 to 16, inner bisexual 2 or 3, corolla of female 2 toothed, ovary, inferior, carpels 2, style – arms connate.

Fruit – Achene, smooth, stalked.

b) Microscopic

Root – Epidermis single layered, rectangular; secondary cortex composed of oval to tangentially elongated, thin-walled, parenchymatous cells having mrenchyma; secondary phloem composed of thin-walled, oval to polygonal cells, a large number of groups of lignified phloem fibres found scattered in this zone; central portion occupied by lignified, secondary xylem having usual elements; vessels simple pitted; starch grains simple, round to oval with concentric striations and distinct hilum. measuring 13 to 27 n in dia., present in secondary cortex.

Stem – Epidermis single layered covered with thick cuticle; cortex consisting of 4 to 6 layers of oval to polygonal, thin-walled, parenchymatous cells; endodermis single layers of barrel-shaped cells; pericyclic fibres, lignified arranged in discontinuous ring; secondary phloem narrow, having usual elements; groups of cellulosic fibres found scattered in this zone; secondary xylem composed of usual elements; vessels with spiral thickening or simple pitted; pith very wide composed of oval to polygonal, thin-walled, parenchymatous cells.

Leaf-
Midrib – epidermis single layered, followed by 4 to 6 layered collenchyma and 3 or 4 layered parenchyma cells present on both surfaces; trichomes both non-glandular and glandular, present on both surfaces, glandular trichomes 2 or 3 cells high, uni or biseriate stalk, having a multicellular head; non-glandular trichomes uniseriate with 2 to 5 cells, vascular bundle 3 or 4, situated centrally having usual elements.

Lamina – epidermis single layered having numerous non-glandular and glandular trichomes similar to those present in midrib; mesophyll composed of oval to polygonal thin walled parenchymatous cells and not differentiated into palisade and spongy parenchyma cells, anisocytic stomata present on both surfaces; stomatal index 32 to 38 on lower surfaces, 20 to 29 on upper surfaces; stomatal number 47 to 54 per sq. mm on lower surfaces, 15 to 22 per sq. mm on upper surfaces; vein islet number 20 to 26.

Powder – Greyish-yellow; shows fragments of thin-walled, oval to polygonal mrenchyma cells; thin-walled, sinuous, elongated epidermal cells; small pieces of glandular trichomes; a few anisocytic stomata; vessels with spiral and pitted thickening; fibres short, thick walled, lignified with wide lumen and blunt tips having simple pits; oval to round, elliptic, simple starch grains with centric hilum and striations, measuring 13 to 27 n in diameter.

IDENTITY, PURITY AND STRENGTH

Foreign matter Not more than 2 per cent, Appendix 2.2.2.
Total Ash Not more than 23 per cent, Appendix 2.2.3.
Acid-insoluble ash Not more than 9 per cent, Appendix 2.2.4.
Alcohol-soluble extractive Not less than 2 per cent, Appendix 2.2.6.
Water-soluble extractive Not less than 6 per cent, Appendix 2.2.7.

T.L.C.

T.L.C. of alcoholic extract of the drug on Silica gel ‘G’ using Toluene .: Ethylacetate (9:1) shows under U.V. (366 nm) two fluorescent spots at Rf. 0.54 and 0.76 both green. On exposure to Iodine vapour one spot appears at Rf. 0.44 (brown). On spraying with 5% Methanolic-Sulphuric acid reagent and heating the plate for 10 minutes at 105oC five spots appear at Rf. 0.20 (violet), 0.25 (blue), 0.44, 0.54 and 0.59 (all violet).

CONSTITUENTS – Essential Oil, Sterols and Alkaloids

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Madhura, Katu, Tikta, Kasaya
Guna : Laghu
Virya : Usna
Vipaka : Katu
Karma : Medhya, Rasayana, Rucya, Svarya, Vatahara, Visaghna, Kaphapittanuta

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Ratnagiri Rasa, Mundi Arka, Vatagajankusa Rasa, Nava Ratnraya Mrganka Rasa

THERAPEUTIC USES – Apasmara, Chardi, Kasa, Mutrakrcchra, Pandu, Prameha, Vatarakta, Apau, Krmi Roga, Yoni Roga, Amatisara, Slipada, Pliharoga, Medoroga, Guda Roga

DOSE – 10-20 ml Svarasa

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NYAGRODHA JATA (Aerial Root)

Nyagrodha Jata consists of dried Aerial of Ficus bengalensis Linn. (Fam. Moracem), a very large tree with spreading branches, occurring throughout the country, and also planted on road sides and in gardens.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Vata Jata, Bahupada
Assamese : —
Bengali : Bar, Bot
English : Banyan Tree
Gujrati : Vad Vadavai
Hindi : Baragada jata, Valajatta
Kannada : Alada Chirugu
Kashmiri : —
Malayalam : Peralveru
Marathi : Vada Paranika
Oriya : Bara gachha
Punjabi : Bardajattu
Tamil : Alamvizhuthu
Telugu : Peddamatti, Marri Udalu
Urdu : Bargad

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Drug occurs in cut pieces, 4 to 8 cm long, 0.1 to 1.2 cm thick, cylindrical, unbranched or branched; rough due to longitudinal and transverse cracks and transverse rows of lenticels; external surface grey; cut surface reddish-brown; fracture, fibrous in bark portion and tough and short in wood portion.

b) Microscopic

Aerial root shows cork consisting of 4 to 6 or more rows of narrow, tangentially elongated cells; secondary cortex consisting of a zone of 4 or 5 rows of stone cells, followed by wide zone of thin-walled parenchymatous cells, filled with reddish-brown contents; a number of large groups of stone cells, oval to elliptical, elongated, thickwalled, with wide lumen and clear pit canals found scattered throughout secondary cortex; secondary phloem a wide zone consisting of sieve tubes, phloem fibres and phloem parenchyma, traversed by phloem rays; phloem fibres numerous, arranged in tangential bands alternating with sieve elements; secondary xylem very wide consisting of pitted xylem vessels, fibres and xylem parenchyma, all elements being lignified; vessels single or in groups, xylem parenchyma numerous, xylem fibres numerous, thickwalled with blunt tips and wide lumen; xylem rays numerous, uni to tetraseriate.

Powder – Reddish-brown; shows oval to elliptical, elongated, thick-walled stone cells with wide lumen and clear pit canals; fibres, thick-walled with blunt tips and wide lumen; xylem vessels showing pitted thickening.

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 3 per cent, Appendix 2.2.6.
Water-soluble extractive Not less than 4 per cent, Appendix 2.2.7.

T.L.C.

T.L.C of alcoholic extract on Silica gel ‘G’ using Toluene: Ethyl acetate (7:3) shows under U.V. (366 nm) three fluorescent zones at Rf. 0.34 (sky blue), 0.63 (sky blue) and 0.78 (blue). On spraying with 10% Methanolic-Sulphuric acid regent and on heating the plate for about ten minute at 105oC three spots appear at Rf. 0.63 (grey), 0.78 (brownish grey) and 0.96 (brown).

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Madhura, Kasaya
Guna : Guru, Ruksa
Virya : Sita
Vipaka : Madhura
Karma : Grahi, Sthambhaka, Pittahara, Kaphahara, Varna, Bhaghnasandhanakara, Sodhana, Ropana, Kesya

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Kumkumadi Taila, Rasa Sindhura, Abhraka Bhasma (Marana), Svarna Sindhura, Naga Bhasma, Vanga Bhasma (Jaranartha), Taila Moorchana

THERAPEUTIC USES – Daha, Visarpa, Rakta Pitta, Trsna, Yoniroga, Medoroga, Bhagandara

DOSE – 2-5 gm of the drug in powder form.

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NIMBU (Fresh Fruit)

Nimbu consists of fresh fruit of Citrus limon (Linn.) Burm. f. Syn. C. medica var. limonum (Fam. Rutacem); a straggling bush or small tree, 3 to 4 m high with thorny branches, cultivated in many parts of the country in orchards.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Jambira, Maha Nimbu
Assamese : —
Bengali : Patinebu, Kagghinebu, Baranebu
English : The lemon of India, Lemon
Gujrati : Limbu
Hindi : Nimbu, Bara Nimbu, Pakari Nimbu
Kannada : Nimbe, Lime hannu, Nimbe hannu
Kashmiri : —
Malayalam : Cherunakaram, Vadukappulinarakam
Marathi : Nimbu
Oriya : —
Punjabi : Nimbu
Tamil : Elumichai, Elumichangai, Elumicchai, Cherunaranka
Telugu : Pedda Nimma, Jambira, Nimmu, Bijapuram
Urdu : Limu, Neebu

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Fruit a berry, hesperidium, yellow when ripe, ovoid or globose, 5 to 10 cm long; external surface even or rugged showing openings of oil glands; usually with 9 mammillate extremity and thin rind; transversely cut surface shows thin rind and an inwardly grown endocarp forming 10 to 12 segments, each containing 2 or 3 seeds with pulp formed by succulent hairs; juice acidic.

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Amla
Guna : Laghu
Virya : Usna
Vipaka : Amla
Karma : Dipana, Kaphahara, Pittakara, Vatahara, Pacana

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Varisosana Rasa, Vasanta Malati Rasa, Vanga Bhasma, Kasisa Bhasma, Gandhaka Vati, Sankha Vati, Ajirnakanaka Rasa, Kalakuta Rasa, Mahasankha Vati, Nasika Curna

THERAPEUTIC USES – Agnimandya, Aruci, Chardi, Krmi, Trsa, Vibandha, Vatika Sula, Udara Roga, Visucika

DOSE – 6-12 gm of the drug in juice form.

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NIRGUNDI (Root)

Nirgundi consists of dried root of Vitex negundo Linn. (Fam. Verbenacem), a large aromatic shrub or sometimes a small tree, upto 4.5 m in height, common throughout the country ascending to an altitude of 1500 m in the lower Himalayas.It is common in waste places around village, river bank, moist localities and deciduous forests.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : —
Assamese : Aslak
Bengali : Nirgundi, Nishinda
English : Five leaved chaste, Indian Privet
Gujrati : Nagod
Hindi : Nirgundi
Kannada : Lakkigida, Nekkigida, Lakkimara
Kashmiri : —
Malayalam : Indranee
Marathi : Lingad, Nigad
Oriya : —
Punjabi : Sambhalu
Tamil : Karuno chchil
Telugu : Nallavavilli
Urdu : Sambhalu

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Roots cylindrical, hard, tough with irregular fractures; external surface rough due to longitudinal, narrow, cracks and small rootlets; cut surface shows cork region greyishbrown, middle region greyish-white, and xylem region cream coloured; bark thin, easily separates from wood; wood hard, forming major part of root.

b) Microscopic

Root shows 10 to 18 or more tangential rows of rectangular to cubicular, moderately thick-walled cork cells with a few rows of radially arranged cork cells also being present, inner 3 to 5 rows of cork cells thin-walled; cork cambium consists of single row of squarish to transversely elongated cells; secondarycortex composed of 4 to 12 rows of rectangular to elongated cells, some contain starch grains; numerous, small groups of stone cells found scattered in this zone; stone cells vary in shape and size; secondary phloem consists of sieve tubes with companion cells, fibres and phloem parenchyma traversed by phloem rays; distal portion of phloem conical, due to dilating phloem rays; each band of phloem composed of thin-walled, phloem tissues alternating with transverse strips of thick-walled phloem fibres; a few tangential strips of obliterated phloem tissues also present in outer-phloem region; each fibre group composed of 6 to 60 or more thick-walled, long and short fibres, short fibres comparatively thick-walled, a few fibres show forked tips; inner zone of phloem
composed of intact, thin-walled, phloem tissues mainly sieve tubes, companion cells and phloem parenchyma; cambium composed of one, or sometimes two, rows of cells; central major part of root consists of xylem; vessels varying in size, scattered throughout xylem region, either in small groups of 2 to 4 or singly; a few xylem vessels show tail on one or both the ends; xylem fibres long, having thick-walls and pointed tips; xylem parenchyma contains starch grains similar to those found in cortical region; medullary rays are uni-to triseriate, almost straight, extend from pith to cork, medullary rays in xylem region radial while in phloem region they dilate; cells contain starch grain, simple and compound, oval to circular, having 4 components and measuring 8 to 12 n in dia.

Powder – Pale yellow; shows parenchymatous cells containing simple oval to round and compound starch grains with 4 components, measuring 8 to 12 n in dia; stone cells elongated, rectangular and squarish in shape with wide and narrow lumen, radiating canals and conspicuous striations; xylem vessels with pitted thickening, xylem and phloem fibres with thick walls.

IDENTITY, PURITY AND STRENGTH

Foreign matter Not more than 1 per cent, Appendix 2.2.2.
Total Ash Not more than 3 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 5 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 on Silica gel ‘G’ using Chloroform: Methanol (8:2) shows in visible light two spots at Rf. 0.14 and 0.95 (both yellow). Under U.V. (366 nm) six fluorescent zones are visible at Rf. 0.14 (dirty yellow), 0.14 (blue), 0.66 (blue), 0.82 (light blue), 0.90 (blue) and 0.95 (bluish green). On exposure to Iodine vapour five spots appear at Rf. 0.14, 0.04, 0.66, 0.82 and 0.95 (all yellow). On spraying with Dragendorff reagent followed by 5% Methanolic-Sulphuric acid reagent two spots appear at Rf. 0.03 and 0.95 (both orange).

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Katu, Tikta, Kasaya
Guna : Laghu, Ruksa
Virya : Usna (Nila), Sita
Vipaka : Katu
Karma : Vatahara, Pittavinasana, Kesya, Netrya, Slesmaha, Pidahara

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Mahavisagarbha Taila, Manasa Mitra Vaaka

THERAPEUTIC USES – Adhmana, Kasa, Krmi Roga, Kustha, Pradara, Sula Roga, Kandu, Slesmaja Jvara

DOSE – 10-20 ml.

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PALASA ( Flower)

Palasa consists of dried flower of Butea monosperma (Lam.) Kuntze, Syn. B. frondosa Koeing ex Roxb. (Fam. Fabacem), an erect deciduous tree 12 to 15 m high with crooked trunk and irregular branches, commonly found throughout the greater part of the country upto about 915 m altitude.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Kimsuka, Brahma Vrksa
Assamese : Palash
Bengali : Palas, Palash Gaccha
English : Flame of the Forest
Gujrati : Khakharo, Kesuda
Hindi : Dhak, Tesu, Paras
Kannada : Muttug, Muttulu
Kashmiri : —
Malayalam : Palashinsamatha
Marathi : Kakracha, Palas
Oriya : Porasu, Kijuko
Punjabi : Tesh
Tamil : Purasu
Telugu : Modyga Puvvu
Urdu : Dhak (Tesu)

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Drug available in about 3.0 to 4.5 cm long racemes of orange to yellow coloured flowers; bracts and bracteoles small, pedicels about twice as long as the calyx, densely brown-velvety; calyx 0.8 to 1.2 cm long, sepals 5, campanulate, densely velvety outside, clothed with silky hairs within; corolla about 2.0 to 7.0 cm long, petals 5, polypetalous, unequal keel, clothed outside with silky silvery hairs, orange or salmon coloured, keel semicircular, beaked, veined; stamens 10, diadelphous, anthers 2 celled; carpel superior unilocular; style one and stigma one.

b) Microscopic

Pedicel – Shows more or less wavy outline, single layered epidermis covered with thick cuticle, unicellular, 2 or 3 celled trichomes, followed by ground tissue consisting of 6 to 8 celled, thin-walled, oval to polygonal parenchymatous cells; endodermis single layered; vascular bundle radially arranged, collateral, consisting of usual elements.

Sepal – Shows single layered epidermal cells, uniseriate, multicellular trichomes and club shaped secretory ducts present on lower surface, epidermis followed by 3 or 4 layered, thin-walled, loosely arranged parenchymatous cells on both surfaces, thin walled, wavy epidermal cells showing on the surface view.

Petal – Shows single layered, thin-walled, epidermal cells, covered with numerous, unicellular, pointed trichomes and a few glandular hairs; thin-walled, capitate or cone shaped papillm present on both surface; mesophyll consisting of thin-walled, loosely arranged, parenchymatous cells; a large number of larger and smaller vein found scattered in this region, some of the cells contain a few of oil globules.

Powder – Yellowish-brown; shows fragments of parenchyma, epidermis with stomatal cells; numerous, pointed, multicellular trichomes and a few oil globules.

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 7 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 n-Butanol Acetic Acid: Water (4:1:5) shows in visible light six spots at Rf. 0.42 (light brown), 0.48 (brown), 0.58 (yellow), 0.82 (brown), 0.88 (yellow) and 0.96 (light brown). On spraying with phosphomolybdic acid reagent and heating the plate at 105oC for about ten minutes nine spots appear at Rf. 0.08 (blue), 0.19 (blue), 0.32 (blue), 0.42 (blue), 0.48 (yellow), 0.58 (blue), 0.82 (yellow), 0.88 (blue) and 0.96 (blue). On spraying with 5% Methanolic- Sulphuric acid reagent and heating the plate at 105oC for about fifteen minutes seven spots appear at Rf. 0.19 (light red), 0.32 (light red), 0.42 (light red), 0.58 (red), 0.82 (red), 0.88 (red) and 0.96 (grey).

CONSTITUENTS – Glycosides and Flavonoids

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Madhura, Katu, Tikta, Kasaya
Guna : Laghu, Ruksa, Sara
Virya : Sita
Vipaka : Madhura
Karma : Trsnasamaka, Dipana, Grahi, Kaphahara, Pittahara, Vatahara, Rakta Stambhana, Mutrala, Kustaghna, Sandhaniya, Dahaprasamana

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Kunkumadi Taila, Vanga Bhasma (Jarana(b))

THERAPEUTIC USES – Arsa, Daha, Grahani, Gulma, Krmi, Kustha, Meha, Mutrakrcchra, Raktapitta, Raktavikara, Trsa, Vata Rakta, Grathi, Pliharoga, Netrasula, Kandu

DOSE – 3-6 gm of drug in powder form.

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KHARJURA (Dried Fruit)

Kharjura consists of dried fruit, with seeds removed, of Phoenix dactylifera Linn. (Fam. Aracem ), a tall tree upto 36 m high, cultivated or occasionally self-sown in arid parts of the country.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Pinda Kharjura
Assamese : Tamar
Bengali : Sohara
English : Dried Dates
Gujrati : Kharek, Kharika
Hindi : Chuhara, Chohara
Kannada : Karinchula, Khajura
Kashmiri : —
Malayalam : Intappazham, Inthappana
Marathi : Kharika, Kharik Phala, Khajur, Kharik
Oriya : Kharjjuri, Khajur
Punjabi : Khajur
Tamil : Pericham, Karchuram, Perichehantay
Telugu : Kharjura, Kharjuramu
Urdu : Khurma (Khajoor)

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Fruit an oblong berry, 2.5 to 7.5 cm long, wrinkled, hard, reddish-brown, and sweet

b) Microscopic

Shows a wide pericarp consisting of a single layered epidermis covered with striated cuticle; below epidermis 3 to 5 layers of tangentially elongated, tabular, thin walled cells followed by a layer of stone cells with narrow lumen, thick walled, 28 to 55 n in dia., with clear striations; below this a wide zone of oval to elongated, thin-walled parenchymatous cells present; cells of outer 10 layers more elongated than the inner ones; some vascular bundles, groups of tanniniferous idioblasts and oil globules present scattered in this region.

Powder – Reddish-brown; shows groups of thin-walled parenchyma; stone cells, oil globules and tanniniferous idioblasts.

IDENTITY, PURITY AND STRENGTH

Foreign matter Not more than 2 per cent, Appendix 2.2.2.
Total Ash Not more than 3 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 20 per cent, Appendix 2.2.6.
Water-soluble extractive Not less than 74 per cent, Appendix 2.2.7.

T.L.C.

T.L.C. of alcoholic extract on Silica gel ‘G’ using n-Butanol : Acetic acid : Water (5:1:4) shows in visible light one spot at Rf. 0.12 (grey). On exposure to Iodine vapour two spots appear at Rf. 0.12 and 0.25 (both yellow). On spraying with 5% Methanolic- Sulphuric acid reagent four spots appear at Rf. 0.12, 0.25 (both black), 0.33 and 0.62 (both grey).

CONSTITUENTS – Sugars, Tannins and Vitamins.

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Madhura, Kasaya
Guna : Guru, Snigdha
Virya : Sita
Vipaka : Madhura
Karma : Balya, Hrdya, Kaphahara, Pittahara, Vatahara, Vrsya, Tarpana, Brmhana, Sukrala

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Draksadi Curna, Óladya Modaka, Eladi Gutika, Siva Gutika (Laghu)

THERAPEUTIC USES – Srama, Daha, Gulma, Hikka, Jvara, Kasa, Murccha, Prameha, Raktapitta, Svasa, Ksaya, Ksata Ksaya, Trsna, Madatyaya, Abhighata, Mukha, Pittasula, Vairasya

DOSE – 10-15 gm.

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PALASA (Gum)

Palasa consists of dried gum exuding from natural cracks and artificial incisions in the stem bark of Butea monosperma (Lam.) Kuntze Syn. B. frondosa Koen. ex Roxb. (Fam.
Fabacem), a medium sized tree with somewhat crooked trunk, 12 to 15 m high with irregular branches commonly found throughout greater parts of the country upto 915 m altitude.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Kimsuka, Triparna
Assamese : Palash
Bengali : Palas
English : Flame of forest, Bengal Kino
Gujrati : Khakharo, Kesudo
Hindi : Dhak, Palas, Teshu
Kannada : Mattuga, Muthuga
Kashmiri : —
Malayalam : Palashu
Marathi : Palas
Oriya : —
Punjabi : Dhak
Tamil : Purasu
Telugu : Moduga, Modugu
Urdu : Dhak (Tesu)

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Drug occurs in pieces, flattish, brittle, perfectly transparent, smooth and shining, ruby red to dark brown; buff coloured pieces of bark attached; no peculiar odour; taste, astringent.

b) Microscopic

Angular fragments, opaque in transmitted light; shows plants debris form thickwalled rectangular cork and polygonal, thin-walled cortex, and phloem parenchymatous cells, depved from the parent plant.

Identification: It dissolves partially in boiling alcohol and freely, almost completely, in cold water, forming. a milky solution; when treated with 5% aqueous solution of perchloride of iron (Ferric chloride) it gives greyish-green precipitate and with lead acetate gives white precipitate.

Fluorescence: Colour of 5% aqueous solution light brown in day light and greyish green in U.V. light (366 nm); colour of 5% alcoholic solution reddish-brown in daylight, and light green in U.V. light (366 nm).

IDENTITY, PURITY AND STRENGTH

Foreign matter Not more than 2 per cent, Appendix 2.2.2.
Total Ash Not more than 3 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 69 per cent, Appendix 2.2.6.
Water-soluble extractive Not less than 63 per cent, Appendix 2.2.7.

T.L.C.

T.L.C. of the alcoholic extract on Silica gel ‘G’ plate using n-Butanol : Acetic acid: Water (5:1:4) shows in visible light six spots at Rf. 0.30, 0.42, 0.67, 0.74, 0.84 and 0.92 (all yellowish brown). Under U.V. (366 nm) three blue fluorescent zones are visible at Rf. 0.74, 0.84 and 0.92. On exposure to Iodine vapour eight spots appear at Rf. 0.07, 0.23, 0.30, 0.42, 0.67, 0.74, 0.84 and 0.92 (all yellow). On spraying with 5% MethanolicSulphuric acid reagent and heating the plate for about ten minutes at 110oC eight spots appear at Rf. 0.07, 0.23, 0.30, 0.42, 0.67, 0.74, 0.84 and 0.92 (all violet).

CONSTITUENTS – Anthocyanins and Tannins.

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Katu, Tikta, Kasaya
Guna : Sara, Snigdha
Virya : Usna
Vipaka : Katu
Karma : Slesmahara, Dipana, Vatahara, Vrsya, Bhagnasandhanakrt

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Bala Taila

THERAPEUTIC USES – Arsa, Grahani, Gulma, Krmi Roga, Gudaroga, Asthibhagna, Vrana, Pliha Roga.

DOSE – 0.5 to 1.5 gm.

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KHARJURA (Fresh Fruit)

Kharjura consists of ripe and mature fruit with seed removed, of Phoenix dactylifera Linn. (Fam. Aracem), a tall palm tree upto 36 m high, cultivated or occasionally self-sown in arid parts of the country

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Aharjura, Pinda Kharjrura
Assamese : —
Bengali : Khejur
English : Date
Gujrati : Khajur
Hindi : Khajur, Pinda, Khajur
Kannada : Kharjura, Pinda Kharajura
Kashmiri : —
Malayalam : Prantha Puzam
Marathi : Khajur
Oriya : Khejuri
Punjabi : Pinda Khajur
Tamil : Pericham Pazham
Telugu : Khajur pupandu
Urdu : Khurma (Khajoor)

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Fruit a berry, oval to oblong, compressed, of varying shapes; 2 to 3 cm long, smooth or slightly wrinkled, reddish-brown to yellowish-brown; pulp fleshy, sticky, soft, viscous; odour, not distinct; taste, sweet.

b) Microscopic

Fruit shows single layered epidermis with striated cuticle, containing heavily cutinized cells and having stomata; below epidermis, 4 or 5 layered tangentially elongated, thin-walled, parenchymatous hypodermis present, followed by a row of stone cells with narrow lumen, thick-walled, 28 to 55 n in dia., with clear striations; mesocarp differentiated into two zones, outer consisting of thin-walled parenchyma cells with scattered tannin, and oil globules, inner consisting of collapsed, crushed and disorganized cells appearing as loose, shining, ‘fibrous’ mass, representing the so called “rag.” scattered sclerosed cells also occur in this region; endocarp composed of single layered inner epidermis together with underlying compact tissues.

IDENTITY, PURITY AND STRENGTH

Foreign matter Not more than 1 per cent, Appendix 2.2.2.
Total Ash Not more than 3 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 20 per cent, Appendix 2.2.6.
Water-soluble extractive Not less than 65 per cent, Appendix 2.2.7.

T.L.C.

T.L.C. of alcoholic extract on Silica Gel ‘G’ using n-Butanol : Acetic acid : Water (5:1:4) shows in visible light one spot at Rf. 0.12 (grey). On exposure to Iodine vapour two spots appear at Rf. 0.12 and 0.25 (both yellow). On spraying with 5% Methanolic- Sulphuric acid reagent four spots appear at Rf. 0.12, 0.25 (both black), 0.33 and 0.62 (both grey).

CONSTITUENTS – Sugars, Protein and Vitamins

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Madhura, Kasaya
Guna : Guru, Snigdha
Virya : Sita
Vipaka : Madhura
Karma : Balya, Hrdya, Kaphahara, Pittahara, Tarpaka, Vatahara, Mamsavardhaka, Sukrakara, Rucikara, Kosthagata Vayunasaka, Vamaka, Ksudha Sramahara

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Draksadi Curna, Óladya Modaka, Óladi Gutika, Siva Gutika (Lagu)

THERAPEUTIC USES – Abhighata, Daha, Kasa, Madatyaya, Raktapitta, Svasa, Trsa, Ksata Ksaya, Jvaratisara, Murccha

DOSE – 10-50 gm.

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PALASA (Seed)

Palasa consists of dried seed of Butea monosperma (Lam.) Kuntze, Syn. B. frondosa Koen. ex Roxb. (Fam. Fabacem), a medium sized tree with a somewhat crooked trunk, 12 to 15 m high with irregular branches, commonly found throughout the greater part of the country upto about 915 m altitude.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Brahma Vrksa, Kimsuka, Rakta Puspaka, Ksara Sresa
Assamese : —
Bengali : Palash Gachha
English : Bengal Kinotree
Gujrati : Kesudo, Khakharo
Hindi : Dhak, Palash
Kannada : Muttuga
Kashmiri : —
Malayalam : Palashu
Marathi : Palash
Oriya : —
Punjabi : Dhak, Palash, Tesoo, Kesoo
Tamil : Purashu
Telugu : Moduga mada
Urdu : Dhak (Tesu)

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Seed flat, kidney-shaped, 2.5 to 4 cm long, 1 to 3 cm wide, dark reddish-brown, thin, glossy; hilum clear, situated near middle of concave edge ‘of seed; odour, faint; taste, slightly acrid and bitter.

b) Microscopic

Shows a wide zone of testa, consisting of a layer of palisade cells, a row of bearer cells and many layers of parenchymatous cells; palisade cells compactly arranged, columnar shaped and covered with thick cuticle, followed by a single row of bearer cells; parenchymatous layers consisting of many rows of cells, filled with reddish-brown contents; a number of vascular bundles occur in a row, in middle region of parenchymatous zone; cotyledons consists of a single layered epidermis, composed of square to oval cells, covered with cuticle; mesophyll cells bear hyaline walls, oval to irregular shaped with small intercellular spaces; simple, oval to round, starch grains with concentric striations, and centric hilum, compound grains having 2 to 4 components measuring 8 to 16 n in dia., present in cotyledons.

Powder – Cream or grey; shows fragments of testa, bearer cells, numerous simple oval to round starch grains with concentric striations and a centric hilum, and also compound starch grains having 2 to 4 components, measuring 8 to 16 n in diameter.

IDENTITY, PURITY AND STRENGTH

Foreign matter Not more than 1 per cent, Appendix 2.2.2.
Total Ash Not more than 7 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 9 per cent, Appendix 2.2.6.
Water-soluble extractive Not less than 25 per cent, Appendix 2.2.7.
Hexane soluble extractive Not less than 15 per cent. (By soxhlet extraction)

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 (366 nm) three fluorescent at Rf. 0.41, 0.49 to 0.65 (elongated and light blue) and 0.91 (blue). On exposure to Iodine vapour six spots appear at Rf. 0.04, 0.19, 0.28, 0.41, 0.49 to 0.65 (elongated) and 0.91 (all yellow). On spraying with Vanillin-Sulphuric acid reagent and heating the plate for about ten minutes at 110oC six spots appear at Rf. 0.04, 0.19, 0.28, 0.41, elongated spot (0.49-0.65) and 0.91 (all violet). On spraying with Dragendorff reagent followed by 5% Methanolic- Sulphuric acid reagent three spots appear at Rf. 0.41, 0.49 to 0.65 (elongated) and 0.91 (all light orange).

CONSTITUENTS – Fixed Oil, Enzymes and small quantities of Resins and Alkaloids.

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Katu, Tikta, Kasaya
Guna : Sara, Snigdha
Virya : Usna
Vipaka : Katu
Karma : Dipana, Kaphahara, Pittahara, Sangrahi, Vatahara, Vrsya, Asthisandhanaka

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Ayaskrti, Krmimudgara Rasa, Khrimikuthara Rasa, Palasa Bija Curna, Palasa Arka

THERAPEUTIC USES – Arsa, Grahani, Gulma, Kandu, Prameha, Vrana, Krmiroga, Basti Roga, Pliha Roga, Dadru, Tvak Roga, Timira Roga, Netrabhisyanda, Garbhadhananivaranartha.

DOSE – 3 gm of the drug in powder form.

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KRSNASARIVA (Root)

Krsnasariva consists of dried roots of Cryptolepis buchanani Roem. & Schult. (Fam. Asclepiadacem), a perennial, much branched climber with milky juice, found throughout the country from Western Kashmir to Assam, ascending to 1200 m in the Himalayas and in south upto Kerala.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Jambu Patra, Syama, Krsnavalli, Krsnamuli
Assamese : —
Bengali : Shyamalata, Krishna Saarivaa
English : —
Gujrati : —
Hindi : Kaleesar, Kalee Anantmool
Kannada : Karccumbu
Kashmiri : —
Malayalam : Kalipalvalli
Marathi : Mothi Kawalee, Kallee Kawalee
Oriya : —
Punjabi : —
Tamil : —
Telugu : Naltig, Adavipalatige, Rokallipala
Urdu : —

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Roots vary in length and are 1 to 1.5 cm thick; slender, cylindrical, dark brown or blackish; rough due to fine longitudinal ridges and wrinkles running sinuously lengthwise; thicker roots show a few transverse cracks, fissures and longitudinal wrinkles with remnants of rootlets and a few lenticels; cork easily peelable; fracture, short and fibrous; odour, slightly aromatic; taste, sweet and astringent.

b) Microscopic

Shows thin cork consisting of 4 to 14 layers of thin-walled, rectangular to tangentially elongated cells, arranged radially; cork cambium single layered, followed by a wide zone of secondary cortex composed of polyhedral, oval to tangentially elongated cells having fibres in single or in groups of two to ten; fibres long, thick-walled but very occasionally appear also as elongated stone cells; secondary phloem wide consisting of sieve elements, phloem parenchyma, fibres and a few crysta1 fibres, and traversed by phloem rays; phloem fibres occur in small groups or rarely in singles, somewhat similar in shape to those of secondary cortex with comparatively thicker walls; crystal fibres elongated, thick-walled and divided into chambers, usually 7 to 17 in number, each chamber containing a prismatic crysta1 of calcium oxalate; medullary rays urn-to triseriate; cambium 2 to 4 layered; secondary xylem composed of vessels, tracheids, fibre-tracheids, fibres and parenchyma and traversed by xylem rays; vessels with bordered pits, and filled with tyloses; tracheids long and narrow having bordered pits, and moderately thick-walls; xylem parenchyma usually rectangular in shape with pitted walls but some of the pits become T or Y shaped with reticulate thickening; xylem elements thick-walled and lignified; simple and compound starch grains found in abundance in all parenchymatous cells simple being elliptical to oval, measuring 3 to 19 n in dia., with central hilum and compound with 2 or 3 components.

Powder – Light grey; shows fragments of cork cells, vessels having bordered pits, tracheids, fibres, prismatic crystals of calcium oxalate, starch grains numerous, simple and compound, elliptical to oval, measuring 3 to 19 n in dia., with central hilum and compound with 2 or 3 components.

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 1.5 per cent, Appendix 2.2.4.
Alcohol-soluble extractive Not less than 8 per cent, Appendix 2.2.6.
Water-soluble extractive Not less than 7 per cent, Appendix 2.2.7.

T.L.C.

T.L.C. of alcoholic extract on Silica gel ‘G’ plate using Chloroform: Methanol (90 : 10) shows under U.V. (366 nm) ten fluorescent zones at Rf. 0.05, 0.10, 0.22, 0.30 (all blue), 0.39 (yellow), 0.49, 0.60, 0.72, 0.80 (all blue) and 0.88 (violet). On exposure to Iodine vapour nine spots appear at Rf. 0.09, 0.17, 0.26, 0.35, 0.43, 0.61, 0.74, 0.88 and 0.96 (all yellow). On spraying with Vanillin-Sulphuric acid reagent and heating the plate for about ten minutes at 110oC eight spots appear at Rf. 0.09, 0.17 (both gery), 0.26 (blue), 0.35, 0.43, 0.49, 0.61 and 0.96 (all violet).

CONSTITUENTS – Alkaloids.

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Madhura, Tikta
Guna : Guru, Snigdha
Virya : Sita
Vipaka : Madhura
Karma : Tridosahara, Trsnahara, Ama Visaghna, Sukrakara, Visaghna, Kaphanasaka, Sangrahi, Rakta Vikara Nasaka, Rucya

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Candanadi Taila, Satavari Guda, Kalyanaka Gra, Triphala Ghrta, Brhata Phala Ghrta, MahaKalyanaka Ghrta, Maha Tiktaka Ghrta, Maha Pancagavya Ghrta, Vastyamayantaka Ghrta, Brhatcchagalyadi Ghrta

THERAPEUTIC USES – Agnimandya, Aruci, Atisara, Jvara, Ksaya, Kustha, Pradara, Prameha, Raktapitta, Svasa, Kasa, Mukha Daurgandhya, Kandu, Vata Rakta, Dehadurgandha

DOSE – 5-10 gm.

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PARPATA (Whole Plant)

Parpata consists of dried whole plant of Fumaria parviflora Lam. (Fam. Fumaracem), a pale green, branched, annual, diffuse herb, about 60 em high, distributed as a weed of cultivated fields over the greater parts of the country, and also commonly growing on road sides during cold season.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Varatika, Suksmapatra
Assamese : Shahtaraj
Bengali : Vanshulpha, Bansulpha
English : —
Gujrati : Pittapapada, Pitpapado, Pittapapado
Hindi : Pittapapada, Dhamgajra, Pittapapara
Kannada : Kallu Sabbasige, Parpatu, Chaturasigide
Kashmiri : —
Malayalam : —
Marathi : Pittapapada, Shatara, Parpat
Oriya : —
Punjabi : Shahtara, Pittapapara
Tamil : Tura, Tusa
Telugu : Parpatakamu
Urdu : Parpata

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Root – Buff or cream coloured, branched, about 3 mm thick, cylindrical; taste, bitter.

Stem – Light green, smooth, diffused, hollow, about 2 to 4 mm thick; taste, bitter and slightly acrid.

Leaf – Compound, pinnatifid, 5 to 7 cm long, divided into narrow segments; segments 5 mm long and about 1 mm broad, linear or oblong, more or less glaucous, acute or subacute; petiole, very thin, 2.5 to 4.0 cm long; taste, bitter.

Flower – Racemes with 10 to 15 flowers, peduncle upto 3 mm, pedicels about 2 mm, flowers about 7 mm long, bract much longer than the pedicels; sepals 2, white, minute, about 0.5 mm long, triangular ovate, acuminate; corolla in 2 whorls with very small 4 petals, each about 4 mm long; inner petals with a purple or green tip; outer petals with narrow spur, without purple spots stamens 3+3 , staminal sheath subulate above, about 4 mm long, stigma 2 lipped.

Fruit – Capsule, 2 mm long and slightly broader, subrotund, obovate, obtuse or subtruncate, obscurely apiculate, rugose when dry; nutlets globose, upto 2 mm long, single seeded.

b) Microscopic

Root – Root shows single layered epidermis, followed by 5 or 6 layers of cortex consisting of thin-walled, rectangular, parenchymatous cells, outer I or 2 layers irregular and brown in colour; endodermis not distinct; secondary phloem very narrow and consisting of 2 or 3 rows with usual elements; central core shows a wide zone of xylem and consists of usual elements; vessels mostly solitary having reticulate and spiral thickening, medullary ray less developed and mostly uniseriate; fibres moderately long, thick-walled, having narrow lumen and blunt tips.

Stem – Stem shows a pentagonal outline, having prominent angles composed of collenchymatous cells; epidermis single layered of thin-walled, oblong, rectangular cells, covered with thin cuticle; cortex narrow, composed of 2 to 4 layers of chlorenchymatous cells endodermis not distinct; vascular bundles collateral, 5 or 6 arranged in a ring; each vascular bundle capped by a group of sclerenchymatous cells; phloem consists of usual elements; xylem consists of vessels, tracheids, fibres and xylem parenchyma; vessels much elongated, having reticulate, annular or spiral thickening or simple pits; xylem fibres narrow elongated with pointed ends having a few simple pits; centre either hollow or occupied by narrow pith consisting of thinwalled, parenchymatous cells.

Leaf
Petiole – V -shaped outline; single layer epidermis consisting of thin-walled, parenchymatous cells followed by ground tissue composed of thick-walled round, oval or polygonal, parenchymatous cells, outer cells smaller than inner; collenchymatous cells present at corners; three vascular bundle scattered in ground tissue, one central and two in wings; vascular bundle consists of phloem and xylem, phloem capped with fibrous sheath, lower epidermis single layered.

Lamina – Shows single layer epidermis’ on either side, consistmg of thin-walled, rectangular, oval-shaped, parenchymatous cells; mesophyll composed of oval to polygonal thin-walled parenchymatous cells, filled with green pigment and not differentiated into palisade and spongy parenchyma; vascular bundles scattered throughout the mesophyll; stomata anomocytic, present on both surfaces.

Powder – Light greenish-brown; shows fragments of parenchyma; tracheids, fibres, and vessels having simple pits and spiral thickenings; anomocytic stomata and wavy walled epidermal cells in surface view.

IDENTITY, PURITY AND STRENGTH

Foreign matter Not more than 2 per cent, Appendix 2.2.2.
Total Ash Not more than 30 per cent, Appendix 2.2.3.
Acid-insoluble ash Not more than 10 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 29 per cent, Appendix 2.2.7.

T.L.C.

T.L.C. of the alcoholic extract on Silica gel ‘G’ plate using Chloroform : Methanol (8:2) shows under visible light one spot at Rf. 0.93 (green). Under U.V. (366 nm) eight fluorescent zones are visible at Rf. 0.07 (blue), 0.13 (blue), 0.29 (light blue), 0.50 (light pink), 0.60 (light yellow), 0.67 (yellow), 0.79 (blue) and 0.93 pink). On exposure to Iodine vapour twelve spots appear at Rf. 0.07, 0.10, 0.13, 0.19, 0.29, 0.50, 0.60,0.67,0.74,0.79,0.86 and 0.93 (all yellow). On spraying with Dragendorff reagent followed by 5% Methanolic-Sulphuric acid reagent one spot appears at Rf. 0.07 (orange).

CONSTITUENTS – Alkaloids, Tannins, Sugars and salt of Potassium

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Tikta
Guna : Laghu
Virya : Sita
Vipaka : Katu
Karma : Kaphahara, Pittahara, Samgrahi, Raktadosahara, Rocaka

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Pacanamrta Kvatha Curna, Tiktaka Ghrta, Mahatiktaka Ghrta, Nalpamaradi Taila, Bhrihatmanjisadi Kvatha Curna, Patoladi Ghrta, Parpatadi Kvatha, Sadangapaniya, Brhata Garbha, Cintamani Rasa

THERAPEUTIC USES – Bhrama, Chardi, Daha, Jvara, Raktapitta, Raktavikara, Trsa, Mada, Glani

DOSE – 1-3 gm.

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KUNDURU (Exudate)

Kunduru consists of exudate of Boswellia serrata Roxb. (Fam. Burseracem), a moderate sized, deciduous tree, upto 18 m in height and upto 2.4 m in girth, commonly found in the dry forests from Punjab to West Bengal and in peninsular India.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Sallaki
Assamese : Sallaki
Bengali : Luban, Salai, Salgai
English : —
Gujrati : Shaledum, Saleda, Saladi, Gugal, Saledhi
Hindi : Salai, Labana
Kannada : Madimar, Chilakdupa, Tallaki, Maddi
Kashmiri : Kunturukkam, Samprani
Malayalam : —
Marathi : Salai cha dink
Oriya : —
Punjabi : Salai Gonda
Tamil : Parangi Sambrani
Telugu : Parangi sambrani, Anduga, Kondagugi tamu
Urdu : Kundur

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Drug occurs in stalactitic, transparent, tears forming agglomerates of various shapes and sizes, brownish-yellow, upto 5 cm long, 2 cm thick, fragrant, fracture brittle; fractured surface waxy and translucent; burns readily and emanates an agreeable characteristic, balsamic resinous odour; taste, aromatic and agreeable.

b) Microscopic

Debris of fibres, rectangular cork cells, very few yellowish oil globules and numerous, small or large, oval to round or rhomboidal crystalline fragments present. Identification – Trituration with water forms an emulsion; when immersed in alcohol (90%) a tear of’ Kunduru is not altered much in form but becomes almost opaque and white; when a drop of con. H2S04 is added on a freshly fractured surface, it becomes cherry red which, when washed with water changes to a white emulsion, then turn to a buff colour.
Fluorescence Test – Brownish-yellow colour in day light; aqueous extract under U.V. light (366 nm) light green and in (254 nm) shows dark blue colour; alcoholic extract under U.V. light (366 nm) is colourless and in (254 nm) shows light green colour.

IDENTITY, PURITY AND STRENGTH

Foreign matter Not more than 5 per cent, Appendix 2.2.2.
Total Ash Not more than 10 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 45 per cent, Appendix 2.2.6.
Water-soluble extractive Not less than 28 per cent, Appendix 2.2.7.

T.L.C.

T.L.C. of alcoholic extract on Silica Gel ‘G’ using Toluene : Ethylacetate (9: 1) shows under U.V. (366nm) four fluorescent zones at Rf. 0.23 (light blue), 0.79 (light blue), 0.91 (blue) and 0.96 (blue). On exposure to Iodine vapour nine spots appear at Rf. 0.08, 0.23, 0.29, 0.41, 0.47, 0.55, 0.82, 0.91 and 0.96 (all yellow). On spraying with Vanillin Sulphuric acid reagent and heating the plate for ten minutes at 110oC tailing with four conspicuous spots appear at Rf. 0.23, 0.55, 0.79 and 0.91 (all violet).

CONSTITUENTS – Oleo-gum-resins.

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Madhura, Katu, Tikta
Guna : Guru, Snigdha, Tiksna
Virya : Usna
Vipaka : Madhura
Karma : Balya, Kaphahara, Vatahara, Kaphapittahara, Rakta Stambhahar, Svedahara

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Karpuradyarka, Jirakadi Modaka, Bala Tila, Bala Guducyadi Taila

THERAPEUTIC USES – Jvara, Pradara, Svasa, Pittabhisyanda, Sarkarameha, Vrsana Sula, Mukharoga, Uka

DOSE – 1-3 gm.

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PATALAI (Stem Bark)

Patalai consists of dried stem bark of Stereospermum chelonoides (L.f.) DC. (Fam. Bignoniacem), a large deciduous tree upto 18 m high and about 1.8 m in girth with a clear bole of about 9 m, found throughout the moist parts of the country.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Patala, Khrisnavrna, Madhudui, Tamrapuspi
Assamese : —
Bengali : Paarul
English : Trumpet Flower Tree, Yellow Snake Tree
Gujrati : Paadal
Hindi : Paraal, Paatar, Paadree, Paadhal
Kannada : Rude, Kalludi, Kaala-adri
Kashmiri : —
Malayalam : Puppaatiri, Paatiri
Marathi : Paadal
Oriya : Patudi
Punjabi : Paadal
Tamil : Paadiri, Pumpaadiri, Paadari
Telugu : Kokkosa, Kaligottu
Urdu : —

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Drug occurs in cut pieces of varying sizes, upto 0.8 cm thick, slightly recurved and very slightly channelled; external surface rough due to ridges, fissures and lenticels; dull brown; when cut across it shows lamellations due to presence of concentric bands of phloem fibres; fracture, tough and short with inner lamellm occasionally peeling off; taste, not characteristic.

b) Microscopic

Cork consisting of about 8 to 22 layers of tangentially elongated, thin-walled, lignified, rectangular cells; cork cambium single layered of narrow cells; secondary cortex very wide, composed of tangentially elongated, thick-walled, polyhedral, isodiametric, parenchymatous cells with intercellular spaces having numerous, mostly groups of stone cells of various sizes, fairly large, thick-walled, lignified, oval to polygonal upto 180 n long and upto 90 n wide, pitted with clear striations and with wide lumen; secondary phloem composed of ceratenchyma, phloem parenchyma, fibres and rays cells; ceratenchyma present in the form of thick-walled tangential strips between two obliquely running rays; phloem fibres mostly in groups arranged in concentric manner; phloem rays mostly multi seriate, fairly large, 2 to 4 cells wide, a few uniseriate rays also occur; micro sphenoidal crystals of calcium oxalate present in phloem parenchyma and ray cells.

Powder – Brown; fragments of thin-walled, rectangular cork cells; single or groups of lignifed, thick-walled, oval to polygonal stone cells upto 180 n long and upto 90 n wide, having clear striations with wide lumen and pits; fibres with small tapering and pointed ends; pieces of phloem parenchyma cells and a few microsphenoidal 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 8 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 12.5 per cent, Appendix 2.2.6.
Water-soluble extractive Not less than 25 per cent, Appendix 2.2.7.

T.L.C.

T.L.C. of the alcoholic extract on Silica gel ‘G’ plate using n-Butanol : Glacial Acetic acid : Water (4: 1 :5) shows under U.V. (366 nm) two fluorescent spots at Rf. 0.48 and 0.81 (both blue). On exposure to Iodine vapour four spots appear at Rf. 0.36, 0.48, 0.60 and 0.81 (all yellow). On spraying with 5% Methanolic-Sulphuric acid reagent and heating the plate at 105oC for ten minutes six spots appear at Rf. 0.16, 0.36, 0.54, 0.64, 0.81 and 0.89 (all black).

CONSTITUENTS – Gum and a bitter substance.

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Madhura, Katu, Tikta, Kasaya
Guna : Guru, Visada
Virya : Usna
Vipaka : Katu
Karma : Dipana, Hrdya, Raktadosahara, Visaghna, Tridosahara, Trsaghna, Rasayana, Adhodagadosahara

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Amrtarista, Dantyadyarista, Dasamularista, Indukanta Ghrta

THERAPEUTIC USES – Arocaka, Adhmana, Hikka, Svasa, Vrana, Svayathu, Sanipata, Vami, Dagdhavrana, Mutraghata, Sotha.

DOSE – 3-6 gm in powder form.10-30 gm for decoction in dividing dose.

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KUNKUMA (Style and Stigma)

Kunkuma consists of dried style and stigma from the flowers of Crocus sativus Linn. (Fam. Iridacem), a small bulbous perennial, 15 to 25 cm high and cultivated by corms in the Kashmir valley, specially in the Pampor plateau, at about 1600 m.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Kesara, Ghusina, Kasmira, Rakta
Assamese : Kumkum
Bengali : Jafran
English : Saffron
Gujrati : Keshar, Kesar
Hindi : Keshar, Keshara
Kannada : Kunkuma, Kesari
Kashmiri : —
Malayalam : Kunkuma Puvu
Marathi : Keshar
Oriya : —
Punjabi : Kesar, Keshar
Tamil : Kungumapuvu
Telugu : Kunkuma Puvvu
Urdu : Zafran

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Yellowish style, broken or intact along with trifid stigma; stigma is dark red or reddish-brown, cornucopia shaped, with fimbriate margin, and about 25 mm long; broken style are very thin, upto about 10 mm ong; odour, strongly aromatic; taste, slightly bitter.

b) Microscopic

Stigma composed mostly of elongated, thin-walled, parenchyma cells containing colouring matter; at the upper end numerous cylindrical papillm or trichomes up to 150 microns long present; pollen grains, a few, spherical, nearly smooth, from 40 to 120 microns in dia; occasionally germinated and exhibiting pollen tubes.

Powder – Pale reddish-brown; aromatic, shows elongated, thin-walled, parenchymatous cells, unicellular trichomes, a few spherical, smooth, pollen grains measuring 40 to 120n in dia. and xylem vessels with annular and spiral thickenings.

IDENTITY, PURITY AND STRENGTH

Identification

i. When sprinked on sulphuric acid, the stigmas turn blue immediately, gradually changing to purple and finally purplish red.
ii. Stamens of safflower and florets of marigold should be absent; should be free from artificially dyed corn silk or fibres.

Organic dyes:

i. Digest about 0.1 g in 10 ml of water for 15 minutes with frequent shaking, filter and add 1 g of decolorising charcoal to the filtrate; shake and allow to stand for 10 minutes; filter; the fitrate is colourless.
ii. Macerate 10 mg in 5 ml of alcohol (95 per cent) or methanol; a distinct greenish yellow colour is imparted to the liquid; with corresponding quantities of Kunkuma in ether or chloroform the solvents remain almost colourless; so also with xylene, benzene or carbon tetrachloride. Absence of Fixed oil or glycerin: Press between clear filter paper, the paper does not display translucent oily spots.

Foreign organic matter – Not more than 2 per cent. Styles not more than 10 per cent. Loss on drying: Loses not more than 14 per cent of its weight, when dried at 100oC.
Ash: Not more than 7.5 per cent.
Acid-insoluble ash: Not more than 1 per cent.

Assay: Weigh accurately 0.1 g in moderately fine powder and macerate at room temperature in 100 ml of water for 3 hours with frequent shaking. Filter immediately, adding sufficient water through the filter to make 100 ml. Dilute 10 ml of this filtrate, accurately measured, to 100 ml with water. Immediately compare the colour of this solution in Nessler tubes or in a colorimeter, with the colour of N/100 potassium dichromate. The colour of the solution approximates that of the N /100 potassium dichromate, and the strength of the colour is not less that of an equal depth in mm of the N /100 potassium dichromate.

CONSTITUENTS – Essential Oils, Bitter Glycoside, Picrocrocin and Crocin

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Katu, Tikta
Guna : Snigdha
Virya : Usna
Vipaka : Katu
Karma : Vatahara, Varnya, Visaghna, Slesmahara, Rasayana, Jantuhara

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Karpuradyarka, Balarka Rasa, Yakuti, Kunkumadya Taila, Mahanarayana Taila, Pusyanuga Curna

THERAPEUTIC USES – Chardi, Kasa, Vrana, Vyanga, Siroroga, Drsti Roga, Kantha Roga, Sidhma, Mutrasotha, Udavartta, Mutraghata, Suryavartta, Ardhava Bhedaka.

DOSE – 25-50 mg.

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