DURVA (Root)
Durva consists of dried fibrous roots of Cynodon dactylon (Linn.) Pers. (Fam. Poaceae); an elegant, hard, perennial, creeping grass growing throughout the country and ascending to 2440 m.
SYNONYMS
Sansk. : Satavirya
Assam. : —
Beng. : Durva
Eng. : Creeping Cynodon, Conch Grass
Guj. : Khadodhro, Lilidhro, Dhro
Hindi. : Doob
Kan. : Garike Hullu
Kash. : —
Mal. : Koruka Pullu
Mar. : Doorva, Hariyalee, Harlee
Ori. : —
Punj. : Dubada
Tam. : Aruvam Pullu
Tel. : Garika, Pacchgaddi
Urdu. : Doob Ghas, Doob
DESCRIPTION
a) Macroscopic
Roots fibrous, cylindrical, upto 4 mm thick, minute hair-like roots arise from the main roots; cream coloured.
b) Microscopic
Mature root shows epiblema or piliferous layer composed of single layered, thinwalled, radially elongated to cubical cells; hypodermis composed of 1-2 layered, thinwalled, tangentially elongated to irregular shaped cells; cortex differentiated into two zones, 1 or 2 layers of smaller, thin-walled, polygonal, lignified sclerenchymatous and 4-6 layers of thin-walled, elongated parenchymatous cells being larger; endodermis quite distinct being single layered, thick-walled, tangentially elongated cells; pericycle 1-2 layers composed of thin-walled sclerenchymatous cells; vascular bundles consisting of xylem and phloem, arranged in a ring on different radials; xylem exarch, having usual elements; centre occupied by wide pith, composed of oval to rounded thick-walled parenchymatous cells containing numerous simple, round to oval or angular starch grains measuring 4-16 μ in dia., and compound starch grains having 2-4 components.
Powder – Cream coloured; fragments of xylem vessels with pitted walls, thick-walled lignified sclerenchymatous cells and numerous simple round to oval or angular starch grains measuring 4-16 μ in dia., and compound starch grains having 2-4 components.
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 3 Per cent, Appendix 2.2.4
Alcohol-soluble extractive Not less than 1 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 the alcoholic extract on Silica gel ‘G’ plate using n-Butanol : Acetic acid: Water (4:1:5) shows under UV (366 nm) three fluorescent zones at Rf 0.70, 0.89 (both blue) and 0.92 (pink). On exposure to Iodine vapour six spots appear at Rf 0.22, 0.30, 0.37, 0.80, 0.89 and 0.92 (all yellow) On spraying with 5% Methanolic-Sulphuric acid reagent and heating the plate at 105°C for ten minutes six spots appear at Rf 0.22, 0.30, 0.37, 0.80, 0.89, 0.92 (all grey).
CONSTITUENTS – Phenolic Phytotoxins and Flavonoids.
PROPERTIES AND ACTION
Rasa : Madhura, Tikta, Kasaya
Guna : Laghu
Virya : Sita
Vipaka : Madhura
Karma : Kaphapittasamaka, Raktapittanasaka, Dahaghna, Atisaraghna, Sramahara, Trptikara
IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Balasvagandha Laksadi Taila, Madhuyastyadi Taila, Marma Gutika, Manasa Mitra Vataka, Candrakala Rasa
THERAPEUTIC USES – Raktapitta, Trsnaroga, Daharoga, Visarpa, Tvakaroga, Arocaka, Duhsvapna, Bhutaroga, Raktapitta, Chardi, Murccha, Raktapradara, Mutra Daha
DOSE – 5-10 ml. (Svarasa).
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