KUSA (Root Stock)
Kusa consists of dried root stock of Desmostachya bipinnata Stapf. (Fam. Poacem); a tall, tufted, perennial grass, 30-150 cm high, found throughout the country in hot and dry places.
SYNONYMS
Sansk. : Yagyabhusana, Sucyagra
Assam. : Kush
Beng. : Kush
Eng. : Saved Gram
Guj. : Dabb
Hindi. : Kush
Kan. : Darbha Hullu
Kash. : —
Mal. : Darbha, Darbhapullu
Mar. : Darbha
Ori. : Kusha
Punj. : Kush, Dale
Tam. : Darbaipul
Tel. : Darbhagaddi
Urdu. : —
DESCRIPTION
a) Macroscopic
Drug occurs in 6-20 cm long, 0.3-0.5 cm thick cut pieces, almost cylindrical; internodes smooth, stout, mostly covered with shining sheath, having distinct nodes; brownish-yellow; a few thin, fibrous, ash coloured roots arise at nodes; fracture, short.
b) Microscopic
Root stock shows single layered epidermis, covered with striated cuticle; hypodermis composed of 3-5 layered, circular to polygonal, sclerenchymatous cells; cortex consisting of 5-9 layered, circular parenchymatous cells with small intercellular spaces; a few collateral vascular bundles found scattered in this zone, followed by 5-8 layered, discontinuous sclerenchymatous ring; ground tissue composed of continuous mass of slightly thick-walled, non-lignified, parenchymatous cells; numerous, collateral, vascular bundles found scattered in this zone and each covered by sclerenchymatous sheath; xylem vessels simple pitted; starch grains simple round to oval, with centric hilum, measuring 8-14 μ in dia., and compound having two components, found scattered in hypodermis, cortex and ground tissues.
Powder – Yellowish-brown; shows fragments of circular to polygonal sclerenchymatous cells with distinct lumen and striations; long, pointed fibres; simple pitted xylem vessels; starch grains simple round to oval with centric hilum measuring 8-14 μ. in dia. and compound having two components.
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 7 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 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 U.V. (366 nm) seven fluorescent zones at Rf. 0.06, 0.15, 0.24, 0.36, 0.64, 0.83 and 0.94 (all blue). On exposure to Iodine vapour twelve spots appear at Rf. 0.06, 0.15, 0.24, 0.36, 0.47, 0.55, 0.64, 0.70, 0.76, 0.83, 0.90 and 0.94 (all yellow). On spraying with 5% Methanolic-Sulphuric acid reagent and heating the plate for about ten minutes at 105°C eight spots appear at Rf. 0.15, 0.24, 0.36, 0.64, 0.76, 0.83, 0.90 and 0.94 (all grey).
CONSTITUENTS – Terpenes.
PROPERTIES AND ACTION
Rasa : Madhura, Kasaya
Guna : Laghu
Virya : Sita
Vipaka : Madhura
Karma : Mutrala, Kaphapittahara
IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Karpuradyarka, Sukumara Ghrta, Asmarihara Kasaya Curna, Trnapancamula Kvatha Curna, Mutravirecaniya Kasaya Curna, Stanyajanana Kasaya Curna
THERAPEUTIC USES – Mutrakrcchra, Visarpa, Daha, Asmari, Trsna, Bastiroga, Pradararoga, Raktapitta
DOSE – 50-100 g. of powder for decoction.
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