GOJIHVA (Aerial Part)
Gojihva consists of dried leaf and stem portion of Onosma bracteatum Wall. (Fam. Boraginaceae); a perennial, hirsute or hispid herb, sparsely distributed in North Western Himalayas from Kashmir to Kumaon at altitudes of 3,500-4,500 m.
SYNONYMS
Sansk. : Darvipatra, Vrsajihva, Kharaparnini
Assam. : —
Beng. : Gojika Sak, Gojialata, Dadisha
Eng. : —
Guj. : Bhonpathari, Galajibhi
Hindi. : Gaujaban, Gojiya
Kan. : Shankha Huli, Aakalanalige, Gojaba
Mal. : Kozhuppu
Mar. : Govjaban, Paatharee
Ori. : Kharsan, Kharaptra
Punj. : Kazban
Tam. : Kharaptra, Dharviptra, Kozha
Tel. : Yeddunaluka
Urdu. : Gaozaban
DESCRIPTION
a) Macroscopic
Stem – Cut pieces available in 5-9 cm long and 3.2 to 4.7 cm in dia., flattened, erect, stout; rough due to white, hard, hispid hairs and cicatrices, and longitudinal wrinkles; colour greenish-yellow; fracture, short; odour and taste not characteristic.
Leaf – Lanceolate to ovate-lanceolate, 12-30 cm long, 1.5-3.5 cm broad, acuminate tubercle-based hispid hairs present on both surfaces; greenish to light yellow on top and white beneath.
b) Microscopic
Stem – shows single-layered epidermis, covered with thick cuticle, some epidermal cells elongate to form long, warty, tubercle-based unicellular hairs, cortex differentiated in two zones, 5-7 layered outer collenchyrna, 3-4 layered inner parenchymatous cells, consisting of thin-walled, round to oval cells; phloem composed of usual elements; phloem fibres absent; xylem consisting of usual elements, vessels mostly solitary or rarely 2-3 in groups having spiral thickening, and fibres and tracheids having blunt tips and simple pits; xylem ray not distinct: pith consisting of round, thin-walled, parenchymatous cells.
Leaf –
Midrib -single layered epidermis with thick cuticle and long warty, tubercle-based unicellular hairs present on both surfaces followed by 5-7 layers of collenchymatous and 3-4 layers parenchymatous cortical cells; vascular bundle situated centrally.
Lamina – isobilateral, single layered epidermis on either surface covered with thick cuticle, long warty, tubercle-based, simple, unicellular hairs present on both surfaces; palisade 2 layered, spongy parenchyma 8-10 layered, stomata paracytic
Powder – Greenish-brown; shows groups of oval to polygonal, thin-walled straight epidermal cells; spiral vessels; a few fibres entire or in pieces, elongated with blunt tips; long warty, tubercle-based unicellular hairs and a few paracytic stomata.
IDENTITY, PURITY AND STRENGTH
Foreign matter Not more than 2 Appendix 2.2.2
Total ash Not more than 26 Appendix 2.2.3
Acid-insoluble ash Not more than 4 Appendix 2.2.4
Alcohol-soluble extractive Not less than 1 Appendix 2.2.6
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 in visible light six spots at Rf. 0.38 (yellow), 0.55 (grey), 0.62, 0.69 (both yellow), 0.76 (grey) and 0.99 (green). Under UV (366 nm) six fluorescent zones at Rf. 0.30 (pale blue), 0.55 (violet), 0.62, 0.69 (both yellow), 0.76 (green) and 0.99 (red). On exposure to Iodine vapour eight spots appear at Rf. 0.29, 0.38, 0.46 (all yellow), 0.56 (grey), 0.62, 0.66 (both yellow), 0.76 and 0.99 (both grey). On spraying with Vanillin-Sulphuric acid reagent and heating the plate at 105°C for ten minutes, six spots appear at Rf. 0.29, 0.56, 0.62, 0.66, 0.76 and 0.99 (all violet).
CONSTITUENTS – Tannin and Sugars.
PROPERTIES AND ACTION
Rasa : Madhura, Tikta, Kasaya
Guna : Laghu
Virya : Sita
Vipaka : Madhura
Karma : Grahi, Hrdya, Kaphahara, Pittahara, Vatala
IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Manasa Mitra Vataka, Gojihvadi Kvatha
THERAPEUTIC USES – Raktapitta, Kustha, Jvara, Svasa, Kasa, Aruci, Prameha, Raktavikara,Vrana, Danta Roga
DOSE – 3-6 g. of the drug in powder form.
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