KAMALA (Rhizome)
Kamala consists of dried rhizome with roots attached at nodes of Nelumbo nucifera Gmrtn. Syn. Nelumbium nelumbo Druce, N. speciosum Willd. (Fam. Nymphmacem); an aquatic herb, with stout creeping rhizome found in lakes and ponds throughout the warmer parts of the country, ascending upto 1000 m.
SYNONYMS
Sansk. : Padnakanda, Saluka, Ambhoruha
Assam. : Kamal Kakdi
Beng. : —
Eng. : Sacred Lotus
Guj. : Loda
Hindi. : Kamal Kand, Kamal Kakdi
Kan. : Tavare Kande
Kash. : —
Mal. : Tamara Kizangu
Mar. : Kamal Kand
Ori. : Padma
Punj. : Kaul, Bhein
Tam. : Tamardi Kizangu
Tel. : Tamara Gadda
Urdu. : Kanwal Kakdi
DESCRIPTION
a) Macroscopic
Drug occurs as cut pieces of rhizome with distinct nodes and internodes, cylindrical, 0.5-2.5 cm in dia., longitudinally marked with brown patches, smooth, yellowishwhite to yellowish-brown; root adventitious, less developed, 0.5-1 mm thick, attached to node of rhizome; dark brown.
b) Microscopic
Rhizome – Shows a single layered epidermis followed internally by 2-4 layered lignified cells; cortex differentiated into three regions; outer cortex consisting of a wide zone of isodiametric thin-walled cells of which outer 5-6 layers collenchymatous and rest parenchymatous, having intercellular spaces and groups of fibres; middle cortex mostly composed of air cavities traversed by trabeculm of thin-walled small and nearly isodiametric cells; inner cortex forming central core, consists of spherical cells enclosing large intercellular spaces; vascular strands consists of scattered closed vascular bundles surrounded by thick-walled, lignified sclerenchymatous fibres, resembling a monocotyledonous structure; vessels having spiral and spiro-reticulate thickening; phloem composed of sieve tubes and companion cells; air cavities large, elliptic or rounded, largest at middle cortex and smaller towards inner cortex; air cavities lined by thin-walled, elongated, parenchymatous epithelial cells; starch grains abundant, rounded to oval, mostly simple, rarely compound measuring 8-27 μ in dia., loaded in cells.
Root – Appears more or less circular in outline, epidermis consists of oval, thin-walled parenchymatous cells; cortex composed of 5-8 layers of oval to polygonal, thin-walled parenchymatous cells, vascular elements surrounded by slightly lignified endodermis; phloem cells, xylem fibres aseptate with blunt ends; vessels with spiral thickening, rounded to oval, poorly developed and consisting of usual elements; xylem composed of vessels, tracheids and parenchyma; vessels and tracheids have simple pits.
Powder -Light brown; shows groups of oval to elongated, parenchymatous cells, xylem fibres aseptate with blunt ends; vessels with spiral thickening, rounded to oval simple starch grains measuring 8-27 μ in dia.
IDENTITY, PURITY AND STRENGTH
Foreign matter Not more than 2 Per cent, Appendix 2.2.2
Total ash Not more than 14 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 1.5 Per cent, Appendix 2.2.6
Water-soluble extractive Not less than 6.5 Per cent, Appendix 2.2.7
T.L.C. –
T.L.C. of the alcoholic extract on Silica gel ‘G’ plate using Chloroform: Methanol (4:1) shows in visible light one spot at Rf. 0.97 (light yellow). Under U.V. (366 nm) seven fluorescent zones visible at Rf. 0.06 (blue), 0.13 (blue) 0.43 (blue) 0.55 (blue), 0.78 (blue) 0.91 (blue) and 0.98 (reddish). On exposure to Iodine vapour eight spots appear at Rf. 0.13, 0.31, 0.45, 0.64, 0.76, 0.86, 0.93 and 0.96 (all yellow). On spraying with 5% Methanolic-Sulphuric acid and heating the plate for about ten minutes at 110°C four spots appear at Rf. 0.10 (grey), 0.64 (brown), 0.76 (brown) and 0.96 (brown).
CONSTITUENTS – Starch and Reducing Sugars.
PROPERTIES AND ACTION
Rasa : Madhura, Lavana, Katu, Tikta, Kasaya
Guna : Guru, Ruksa
Virya : Sita
Vipaka : Madhura
Karma : Caksusya, Krmighna, Kaphahara, Pittahara, Rucya, Vrsya, Varnya, Visaghna, Visambhakara, Dahasamaka, Raktadustihara, Durjara, Stanyajanana, Sangrahi, Mutravirecaniya, Vatakara.
IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Guducyadi Modaka
THERAPEUTIC USES – Daha, Trsna, Chardi, Raktapitta, Murcha, Kasa, Vatagulma, Visarpa, Visphota, Mutrakrchra, Dansodbhava, Jvara, Bhrama, Sosa, Hrdroga
DOSE – 10-20 ml. of the drug in juice form.
5-10 g. of the drug in powder form.
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