VARSABHU (Root)
Varsabhu consists of dried root of Trianthema portulacastrum Linn. Syn. T. monogyna Linn., T. obcordata Roxb. (Fam. Aizoacem), a prostrate, glabrous, typically post monsoon annual herb, found almost throughout the country as a weed in cultivated and waste lands.
SYNONYMS
Sanskrit : Sveta Mula, Sothaghni, Vrsoheev
Assamese : —
Bengali : Sabuni
English : Hoase Purslane
Gujrati : —
Hindi : Saphed Punamava, Bish Kharpra, Pathar
Kannada : Muchchugane, Sihi Punarnava
Kashmiri : —
Malayalam : Thazhuthama, Jamizhama
Marathi : Sweta Punarnava
Oriya : Sweta Puruni, Gothapurni
Punjabi : Sanaya
Tamil : Saranai, Mukuruttai
Telugu : Galijeru
Urdu : Bish Khapra
DESCRIPTION
a) Macroscopic
Root mostly twisted, consisting of tap root, 8 to 21 cm long, about 0.5 cm thick, with several lateral rootlets, external surface light greyish-yellow; fracture, short; no characteristic odour and taste.
b) Microscopic
Mature root shows anamolous secondary growth; cork 5 to 8 layered; secondary cortex narrow zone consisting of round to polygonal, tangentially elongated, thinwalled, parenchymatous cells, a few cells containing groups of prismatic crystals of calcium oxalate; below secondary cortex five concentric bands of vascular tissue; vessels of varying sizes occurring alongwith xylem fibres and phloem; phloem composed of thin walled cells having intercellular spaces a few cells containing prismatic crystals of calcium oxalate; a few rows of polygonal, thin walled, parenchymatous cells occur in rings; medullary rays prominent in middle of the cortical region and in the second or third vascular bundle ring; centre mostly occupied by a single vascular bundle strand with two isolated groups of phloem.
IDENTITY, PURITY AND STRENGTH
Foreign matter Not more than 2 per cent, Appendix 2.2.2.
Total Ash Not more than 11 per cent, Appendix 2.2.3.
Acid-insoluble ash Not more than 2 per cent, Appendix 2.2.4.
Alcohol-soluble extractive Not less than 2 per cent, Appendix 2.2.6.
Water-soluble extractive Not less than 11 per cent, Appendix 2.2.7.
T.L.C.
T.L.C. of alcoholic extract on Silica gel ‘G’ plate using Acetone: Water: Cone. Ammonia (90 : 78 : 3) shows under U.V. (366 nm) three conspicuous fluorescent zones at Rf. 0.20, 0.33 and 0.91 (all sky blue). On exposure to Iodine vapour one conspicuous spot appears at Rf. 0.11 (yellow). On spraying with Dragendorff reagent one spot appears at Rf. 0.11 (yellow).
CONSTITUENTS – Glycoside
PROPERTIES AND ACTION
Rasa : Madhura, Katu, Tikta, Kasaya
Guna : Laghu, Ruksa
Virya : Usna
Vipaka : Katu
Karma : Bhedana, Dipana, Hrdya, Kaphahara, Rucya, Vatahara, Mutrala
IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Suskamaulaka Taila, Kumaryasava, Dhanvatara Ghrta, Sukumaraka Ghrta, Punarnavadyarista
THERAPEUTIC USES – Sopha, Agnimandya, Arsa, Gulma, Hrdroga, Jvara, Pandu, Udara Roga, Garavisa, Vasti Sula, Urahksta, Yakrta Evam Pliha Roga
DOSE – 2-5 gm of the drug in powder form.
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