PHALGU (Fruit)
Phalgu consists of dried fruits of Ficus hispida Linn. f. (Fam. Moracem); a moderate sized tree or shrub, distributed throughout the outer Himalayan range from Chenab eastwards to Bengal, Central and South India and Andaman Islands.
SYNONYMS
Sansk. : Kakodumbur, Malayu, Malpu
Assam. : Khoskadumar, Tanvardi, Teenbarree
Beng. : Kakdumur, Kathdumur, Kakadumbar
Eng. : Wild Fig, Devil Fig
Guj. : Tedumbaro, Dhedadambaro, Dhedhumbro
Hindi. : Konea-dumbar, Kathumar
Kan. : Kadaatti, Arjeeru Hamu, Anjeeru, Onagida, Hanna, Adane
Kash. : —
Mal. : Peyatti, Kattatti, Erumanakku, Parakasimi
Mar. : Rambal, Kalodumbar, Bhuiumbar
Ori. : Dimiri, Ani Dambura
Punj. : Rumbal
Tam. : Peyatti
Tel. : Brahma medi, Kakimedi
Urdu. : Kath Gular
DESCRIPTION
a) Macroscopic
Dried syconus fruit, ovoid with a central circular hole and short stalk, 1-2 cm in dia., wrinkled; greyish-brown; seeds less than 1 mm in dia. and yellowish-brown in colour, odour and taste not characteristic. ‘
b) Microscopic
Fruit shows a sinlge layered epidermis, covered with thick cuticle having a few unicellular trichomes, epidermis, followed by 4-6 layers of hexagonal to polygonal, collenchymatous cells, a few cells contain rosette crystals of calcium oxalate; mesocarp composed of large, oval to polygonal, thick-walled parenchymatous cells, a few vascular vessels showing spiral thickening.
Powder – Greyish-brown; shows groups of oval to polygonal, thin-walled cells of mesocarp and endosperm, fragments of polyhedral, thick-walled epidermal cells in surface view, spiral vessels and abundant unicellular trichomes.
IDENTITY, PURITY AND STRENGTH
Foreign matter Not more than 1 Per cent, Appendix 2.2.2
Total ash Not more than 13 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 12 Per cent, Appendix 2.2.7
T.L.C. –
T.L.C. of the alcoholic extract of the drug on Silica gel ‘G’ plate using n-Butanol :
Acetic acid: water (4:1:5) shows under U.V. (366 nm) two fluorescent zones at Rf 0.36 and 0.92 (both blue). On exposure to Iodine vapour four spots appear at Rf. 0.20, 0.36, 0.41 and 0.92 (all yellow). On spraying with 5% Methanolic-Sulphuric acid reagent and heating the plate for ten minutes at 105°C two spots appear at Rf. 0.20 (grey) and 0.92 (brown).
CONSTITUENTS – Tannins and Saponins,
PROPERTIES AND ACTION
Rasa : Madhura, Amla, Katu, Tikta, Kasaya
Guna : Guru, Snigdha
Virya : Sita
Vipaka : Madhura
Karma : Grahi, Kaphahara, Vatahara Pittahara, Mansakara, Sukrakara, Mala Stambhana, Trptikaraka, Brmihana, Vistambhi
IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Citrakadi Taila
THERAPEUTIC USES – Vrana, Sveta Kusta, Pandu, Arsa, Kamala, Atisara, Daha, Ksata, Visaroga, Tvakaroga, Raktavikara, Kandu, Kustha, Sopha, Raktapitta, Vatapittajaroga
DOSE – 10-20 g.
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