PHALGU (Root)
Phalgu consists of dried root 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. : Kadatti, 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
Roots 4 -17 cm long, 1.0-2.5 cm thick, almost cylindrical, occasionally somewhat compressed at places, external surface brown to dark brown with deep, elliptical cracks and tangentially arranged rows of lenticels; fracture, splintery.
b) Microscopic
Root shows 5-10 layers of cork, consisting of thin-walled, compressed cells, outer layers exfoliating; secondary cortex a wide zone consisting of irregularly arranged, tangentially elongated, thin-walled, parenchymatous cells, some of which contain rosette crystals of calcium oxalate and dark red coloured contents; secondary phloem consisting of usual elements, comprising of thin-walled cells; cellulosic phloem fibres found scattered throughout secondary phloem in singles and in groups of 2-3; a few phloem parenchyma and phloem ray cells contain rosette crystals of calcium oxalate; secondary xylem situated centrally, consisting of usual elements, all being lignified; xylem vessels numerous, equally distributed throughout secondary xylem region, in singles as well as in groups of 2-6, xylem rays numerous, straight and 1-5 cells wide.
Powder – Yellowish-brown; shows cellulosic phloem fibres, xylem vessels in broken pieces with pitted thickenings and rosette crystals of calcium oxalate.
IDENTITY, PURITY AND STRENGTH
Foreign matter Not more than 1 Per cent, Appendix 2.2.2
Total ash Not more than 7 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 6 Per cent, Appendix 2.2.6
Water-soluble extractive Not less than 6 Per cent, Appendix 2.2.7
T.L.C. –
T.L.C. of the alcoholic extract on Silica gel ‘G’ plate using Toluene: Ethylacetate (9 : 1) on exposure to Iodine vapour shows six spots at Rf. 0.05, 0.15, 0.30, 0.34, 0.92 and 0.98 (all yellow). On spraying with Dragendorff reagent followed by 5% aqueous Sodium Nitrite solution four spots appear at Rf. 0.30, 0.34, 0.92 and 0.98 (all light brown).
CONSTITUENTS – Alkaloids.
PROPERTIES AND ACTION
Rasa : Tikta, Kasaya
Guna : Sita, Guru
Virya : Sita
Vipaka : Madhura
Karma : Kaphahara, Pittahara, Malastambhaka
IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Mahapancagavya Ghrta
THERAPEUTIC USES – Svitra, Kandu, Kustha, Vrana, Raktapitta, Sopha, Pandu, Raktavikara, Kamala, Arsa.
DOSE – 1-3 g. of the drug in powder form.
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