Ayurvedic Herbs

KULATTHA

Kulattha consists of dry seeds of Vigna unquiculata (Linn.) Walp. Syn. Dolichos biflorus Linn. (Fam Leguminosm); an annual branched, sub-erect or twining, downy or glabrescent; herb; cultivated all over India.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Khalva, Vardhipatraka
Assamese : —
Bengali : Kulattha, Kalaya
English : Horse gram
Gujrati : Kalathi, Kulathi
Hindi : Kulathi, Kurathi
Kannada : Huruli, Hurali
Kashmiri : Kath
Malayalam : Mudiraa
Marathi : Kulitha
Oriya : —
Punjabi : Lodhar
Tamil : Kollu, Kaanam
Telugu : Ulavalu
Urdu : Kulthi

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Seeds, hard, surface smooth, ellipsoid, flattened, greyish to reddish brown, 4-6 mm long and 4 mm wide, micropyle prominent, taste, somewhat astringent.

b) Microscopic

Transverse section of seed shows testa consisting of a single layer of columnar, thin-walled, parenchymatous, palisade like cells covered with a thin cuticle followed by single layer of rectangular to square bearer cells and 3-4 layers of thin-walled rectangular parenchymatous cells, more wide at micropyler region, cotyledon consisting of single layer of upper and lower epidermis covered with a thin cuticle, epidermal cells thin-walled, rectangular and parenchymatous followed by mesophyll, consisting of angular parenchymatous cells, filled with numerous simple starch grains and protein bodies also present.

Powder-Whitish in colour, under microscope shows broken pieces of testa, parenchymatous cells and starch

IDENTITY, PURITY AND STRENGTH

Foreign matter Not more than Nil per cent, Appendix 2.2.2.
Total Ash Not more than 5 per cent, Appendix 2.2.3.
Acid-insoluble ash Not more than 1 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.

CONSTITUENTS – An enzyme (urease) and oil.

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Kasaya
Guna : Laghu, Sara
Virya : Usna
Vipaka : Katu
Karma : Vidahi; Svedasangrahaka, Krmihara, Kaphavatahara.

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Saptasara Kvatha Curna, Dhanvantara Taila

THERAPEUTIC USES – Asmari, Nasartava

DOSE – 12 g of the drug in powder form for decoction.

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KUSTHA

Kustha consists of dried roots of Saussurea lappa C.B. Clarke (Fam. Compositm), a tall, robust, perennial herb with thick roots, found in Kashmir at an altitude of 2500-3600 m, roots collected in September-October.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Amaya, Pakala
Assamese : Kud, Kur
Bengali : Kudo
English : —
Gujrati : —
Hindi : Kutha
Kannada : Changal Kustha
Kashmiri : Kuth
Malayalam : Kottam
Marathi : Upleta, Kustha
Oriya : Kudha
Punjabi : Kuth
Tamil : Goshtam, Kosbtham, Kottam
Telugu : Changalva Koshtu
Urdu : Qust

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Drug greyish to dull brown, thick, stout, fusiform to cylindrical, 7-15 cm long, 1.0-5.5 cm broad, thicker roots with collapsed centre, occasionally ridged, wrinkles longitudinal and anastomosed, rootlets rarely present, cut surface shows two regions, outer periderm ring thin, inner porous woody portion lighter in colour showing fine radial striations and often the central portion collapsed, fracture, short, horny, odour, strong, characteristically aromatic, taste, slightly bitter.

b) Microscopic

Transverse section of thin root shows thin periderm, followed by broad zone of phloem and still broader zone of xylem traversed by wide medullary rays, cork, 3-5 layered wide secondary cortical cells polygonal, mostly elongated, secondary phloem consists of mostly storage parenchyma, small groups of sieve tubes and companion cells and often phloem fibres, bast fibres thick-walled, lignified, upto 350 n in length, with many simple pits associated with fibre, tracheids and parenchyma, wood fibres smaller than bast fibres, with wider lumen and obtusely tapering ends, meduallary rays multi seriate and wider in phloem region, resin canals found throughout as large cavities, some roots possess a central cylinder of sclerenchyma, while others have parenchymatous centre with scattered xylem elements, in older roots, wood parenchyma collapses and takes a spongy appearance in the centre of root, inulin present in storage parenchyma. Powder-Deep brown or rusty, under microscope irregular bits of yellow, brown or orange-red fragments of resins and oils associated with thin-walled parenchymatous cells, broken bits of xylem vessels with scalariform, reticulate thickening and horizontal end walls.

IDENTITY, PURITY AND STRENGTH

Foreign matter Not more than 2 per cent, Appendix 2.2.2.
Total Ash Not more than 4 per cent, Appendix 2.2.3.
Acid-insoluble ash Not more than 1 per cent, Appendix 2.2.4.
Alcohol-soluble extractive Not less than 12 per cent, Appendix 2.2.6.
Water-soluble extractive Not less than 20 per cent, Appendix 2.2.7.

CONSTITUENTS – Essential oil, alkaloid (saussurine) and bitter resin.

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Katu, Tikta
Guna : Laghu
Virya : Usna
Vipaka : Katu
Karma : Kaphavatajit, Raktasodhaka, Varnya, Sukrala

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Kttoamacukkadi Taila.

THERAPEUTIC USES – Svasa, Kasa, Kustha, Vatarakta, Visarpa

DOSE – 0.2-1.0 of the drug in powder form.

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KUTAJA

Kutaja consists of dried stem bark of Holarrhena antidysenterica (Roth) A. DC. (Fam. Apocynacem): a small to medium sized tree, found throughout India, drug collected from 8-12 years old tree during the middle of rainy season (July to September) and again at the end of winter season by hewing and peeling and separated from attached wood.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Kalinga, Sakra, Vatsaka
Assamese : Dudhkuri
Bengali : Kurchi
English : Ester tree, Conessi bark
Gujrati : Kuda, Kadachhal, Kudo
Hindi : Kurchi, Kuraiya
Kannada : Kodasige, Halagattigida, Halagatti Mara
Kashmiri : Kogad
Malayalam : Kutakappala
Marathi : Pandhra Kuda
Oriya : Kurei, Keruan
Punjabi : Kurasukk, Kura
Tamil : Kudasapalai
Telugu : Kodisapala, Palakodisa
Urdu : Kurchi

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Small recurved pieces of varying sizes and thickness, outer surface buff to brownish longitudinally wrinkled and bearing horizontal lenticels, inner surface brownish, rough and scaly fracture short and granular, taste, acrid and bitter.

b) Microscopic

Transverse section of dried stem bark shows cork consisting of 4-12 rows of tangentially elongated cells, radial 15- 45 n tangential 30-60 n cork cambium consists of a row of thin walled tangentially elongated cells, secondary cortex usually wide, parenchymatous, interspersed with strands of stone cells, stone cell rectangular to oval, with numerous pits often containing prismatic crystals of calcium oxalate, non-lignified pericyclic fibres upto 52 mm thick, present in bark, secondary phloem wide consisting of sieve-tubes, companion cells, phloem parenchyma and stone cells, stone cells arranged in tangential rows in concentric manner associated with crystal sheath containing prisms of calcium oxalate, medullary rays mostly bi or triseriate rarely uniseriate becoming wide toward, outer part and consist of thin-walled, radially elongated, parenchymatous cells, medullary ray cells near stone cells become sclerosed.

IDENTITY, PURITY AND STRENGTH

Water-soluble extractive Not less than 10 per cent, Appendix 2.2.7.
Foreign matter Not more than 2 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 per cent, Appendix 2.2.4.
Alcohol-soluble extractive Not less than 18 per cent, Appendix 2.2.6.

ASSAY

Assay- Kutaja contains not less than 2 per cent of total alkloids when assayed by the following method:weigh accurately about 5 g in powder (No. 85 seive) and moisten with 10 ml of an Alcohol-chloroform mixture (1 :3) containing 2 per cent of Ammonia solution for 15 minutes. Pack the mixture in a small glass percolator surrounded by a jacket of hot water kept at 50o. Macerate with more of the alkaline Alcohol-chloroform mixture for an hour and collect 25 ml of percolate in a receiver containing 1 g of Oxalic acid dissolved in 5 ml of alcohol. Stop the percolation add l0 ml of the alcoholchloroform mixture containing 1 per cent w/v of Sodium Hydroxide and macerate for fifteen minutes. Continue the percolation adding further quantities of the alcoholchloroform mixture until the alkaloids are completely extracted. Mix the percolate well and extract by shaking with five 20 ml portions of 2 N Hydrochloric acid. Combine the acid extracts and make alkaline with dilute Ammonia Solution. Extract with four 10 ml portions of Chloroform, add 1 ml of 0.5 N Sodium Hydroxide, and extract again with Chloroform. Wash each Chloroform extract with the same two 10 ml portions of water contained in different separators. Combine the Chloroform extracts, add 20 ml of O.IN Sulphuric Acid and shake well for 5 Minutes. Transfer the acid Liquid to a conical flask, wash the Chloroform extract with two 20 ml portions of water and add the washing to the acid liquid in the conical flask. Titrate the excess of acid with 0.1N Sodium Hydroxide using the mixed 3 indicator. Each ml of 0.1N Sulphuric Acid is equivalent to 0.01657g of total alkaloids of Kutaja.

CONSTITUENTS – Conessine and related alkaloids.

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Tikta, Kasaya
Guna : Laghu, Ruksa
Virya : Sita
Vipaka : Katu
Karma : Dipana, Sangrahi, Kaphapittasamaka

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Kutajarisa, Kutajavaleha, Kutajaghana Vati

THERAPEUTIC USES – Arsa, Atisara, Kustha, Pravahika, Trsna, Jvaratisara

DOSE – 20-30 g of the drug for decoction.

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LAVANGA

Lavanga is the dried flower bud of Syzygium aromaticum (Linn.) Merr. & L.M. Perry Syn. Eugenia aromatica Kuntze, Eugenia caryophyllata Thunb. (Fam. Myrtacem), a tree. cultivated in many parts of the. world and also to a considerable extent in South India: flower buds collected twice a year, In the months of October and February when they change colour from green to crimson, dried carefully and separated from their peduncles.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Devapuspa
Assamese : Lavang, Lan, Long
Bengali : Lavang
English : Clove
Gujrati : Lavang, Laving
Hindi : Lavanga, Laung
Kannada : Lavanga
Kashmiri : Rung
Malayalam : Karampu, Karayarnpoovu, Grampu
Marathi : Lavang
Oriya : Labanga
Punjabi : Laung, Long
Tamil : Kirambu, Lavangam
Telugu : Lavangalu
Urdu : Qarnful, Laung

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Flower bud measuring 10-17.5 mm in length, dark brown or dusty red, consisting of a sub-cylindrical, slightly flattened, four sided hypanthium, readily exuding oil when pressed hypanthium containing in its upper portion a two celled inferior ovary with numerous ovules attached to a axile placenta, surmounted by four thick, divergent sepals and covered by unopened corolla consisting of four membranous imbricate petals, frequently detached, enclosing numerous incurved stamens and one erect-style, odour, strongly aromatic, taste, pungent, aromatic followed by slight tingling of the tongue.

b) Microscopic

Transverse section of hypanthium shows epidermis and calyx teeth composed of straight walled cells, With thick cuticle having large anomocytic stomata, hypanthium tissue spongy, clusters of calcium oxalate crystals varying in size from 6-20 n in diameter, small number of stone cells and prismatic crystals of calcium oxalate present in stalk, stamens, each with an oil gland in the apex of the connective, triangularly centricular pollen grains, 15-20 n in diameter anther walls showing a typical fibrous layer, schizolysigenous glands found in all parts of clove, occasional isolate pericyclic fibres present.

Power-Dark brown, fragments of parenchyma showing large oval, schizolysigenous oil cavities, spiral tracheids and a few rather thick-walled, spindle shaped fibres, calcium oxalate crystals in rosette aggregates, 10-15 n in diameter, fragments of anther walls with characteristic reticulated cells pollen grains numerous, tetrahedral, 15-20n. in diameter.

IDENTITY, PURITY AND STRENGTH

Foreign matter Not more than 2 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 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 9 per cent, Appendix 2.2.7.
Volatile oil Not less than 15 per cent, Appendix 2.2.10

CONSTITUENTS – Essential oils (eugenalacetate and caryophyllene).

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Katu, Tikta
Guna : Laghu, Tiksna
Virya : Sita
Vipaka : Katu
Karma : Sulahara, Dipana, Kasahara, Kaphapittasamaka, Pacana, Rucya

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Lavangadi Vati, Lavangadi Curna

THERAPEUTIC USES – Amlapitta, Svasa, Chardi, Adhmana, Hikka, Kasa, Ksaya, Trsna

DOSE – 0.5-2.0 g of the drug in powder form.

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LODHRA

Lodhra consists of dried stem bark of Symplocos racemosa Roxb. (Fam. Symplocacem): an evergreen tree, 6-8.5 m tall, found abundantly in plains and lower hills throughout India.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Rodhra, Paittka Lodhra, Sabara Lodhra, Tirita.
Assamese : Mugam
Bengali : Lodha, Lodhra
English : Symplocos bark
Gujrati : Lodhaz
Hindi : Lodha
Kannada : Lodhra
Kashmiri : Kath
Malayalam : Pachotti
Marathi : Lodha, Lodhra
Oriya : —
Punjabi : Lodhar
Tamil : Vellilathi, Vellilothram
Telugu : Lodhuga
Urdu : Lodh, Lodhpathani

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Mature stem bark occurs in channelled or curved pieces, few fiat pieces also occur in thickness upto 1cm, outer surface uneven and rough due to fissures and cracks, grayish brown to grey externally, pale to whitish-brown internally, fracture short and granular in cortical region and somewhat fibrous in inner region, taste, astringent and feebly bitter.

b) Microscopic

Transverse section of mature bark shows a wide cork of thin-walled, rectangular cells arranged in radial rows, cork cambium 1-3 layered, secondary cortex consists of thin-walled, oval and tangentially elongated parenchymatous cells towards outer side and rounded cells towards inner side, a number of stone cells, in singles or in groups present, scattered throughout the region having highly thickened walls with distinct pits, prismatic and cluster crystals of calcium oxalate, and starch grains, mostly simple present in a number of cortical cells, secondary phloem wide consisting of sieve elements, phloem parenchyma, phloem fibres and stone cells, phloem parenchyama thin- walled, oval to rectangular, containing prismatic crystals of calcium oxalate scattered in phloem parenchyma, phloem fibres lignified and present in singles or in groups, crystals not present in fibres, isolated fibres spindle shaped with pointed ends, groups of stone cells as rounded patches distributed throughout phloem region, medullary rays uni to multiseriate consisting of rectangular cells having brown colouring matter in some cells, broader medullary rays dialating towards outer phloem region, a number of phloem cells also contain starch grains, mostly arranged in groups, rarely solitary, simple and rounded.

Powder-Greyish-brown, under microscope shows fragments of cork, stone cells, fibres, prismatic and cluster crystals of calcium oxalate and starch grains.

IDENTITY, PURITY AND STRENGTH

Foreign matter Not more than Nil per cent, Appendix 2.2.2.
Total Ash Not more than 12 per cent, Appendix 2.2.3.
Acid-insoluble ash Not more than 1 per cent, Appendix 2.2.4.
Alcohol-soluble extractive Not less than 9 per cent, Appendix 2.2.6.
Water-soluble extractive Not less than 15 per cent, Appendix 2.2.7.

CONSTITUENTS – Alkaloids (loturine and colloturine) and red colouring matter.

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Kasaya
Guna : Laghu
Virya : Sita
Vipaka : Katu
Karma : Caksusya, Grahi, Kaphapittanut

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Rodharasava (Lodhrasava ), Pusyanuga Curna, Brhat Gangadhara Curna

THERAPEUTIC USES – Sotha, Atisara, Netraroga, Raktapitta, Pradara

DOSE – 3-5 g of the drug in powder form.
20-30 g of the drug in for decoction.

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MADANA

Madana consists of dried fruit of Xeromphis spinosa (Thunb) Keay, Syn Randia dumetorum Lam. (Fam. Rubiacem), a deciduous thorny shrub or a small, tree, reaching a
height upto 9 m and girth about a metre, branches numerous, thick and horizontal, found in sub-Himalayan tracts extending eastwards in Sikkim upto 1200 m and southwards to
Peninsular India.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Madani
Assamese : Mmn
Bengali : Mainaphal, Mayanaphal
English : Emetic nut
Gujrati : Mindhal, Mindhol, Mindhar
Hindi : Manphal
Kannada : Mangarikai, Karigidda, Madanaphala Maggrekai, Kari, Maggare Kayi
Kashmiri : Madanfal
Malayalam : Malankara, Malamkarakka
Marathi : Gal, Galphala, Giephala, Madanphala
Oriya : Mmna, Madana
Punjabi : Mindhal, Rara, Manphal
Tamil : Marukkarai
Telugu : Mranga Kaya, Monga Kaya
Urdu : Mainphal, Jauz-ul-Qai

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Fruit, 1.8-4.5 cm long, globose or broadly ovoid, longitudinally ribbed or smooth yellowish-brown, crowned with persistent calyx-limb, fruit, contains numerous seeds, 0.4-0.6 cm long, compressed, smooth, brown and very hard.

b) Microscopic

Fruit-trasnverse section shows epicarp consisting of single layered epidermis, sometimes obliterated in surface view, epidermal cells thin-walled and polygonal, mesocarp, broad zone consisting of thin-walled, parenchyamatous cells, some cells contain reddish-brown content, a number of vascular bundles found embedded in this zone, endocarp stony consisting of light yellow polygonal, sclerenchymatous cells of variable shape and size.

Seed-transverse section shows a seed coat, consisting of single layered, rounded to oval epidermal cells, a few layers of yellowish-brown pigmented cells, endosperm forms bulk of seed consisting of large oval and irregular shaped parenchymatous cells, albumen horny, transluscent, cells of outermost layer smaller in size.

Powder-Reddish brown, under microscope shows numerous, large, irregular, reddish brown cells sclereids of variable shape and size, pieces of xylem vessels with reticulate thickenings, thin- walled, crushed parenchymatous cells and yellow-orange pieces of seed coat

IDENTITY, PURITY AND STRENGTH

Foreign matter Not more than 2 per cent, Appendix 2.2.2.
Total Ash Not more than 6 per cent, Appendix 2.2.3.
Acid-insoluble ash Not more than 0.25 per cent, Appendix 2.2.4.
Alcohol-soluble extractive Not less than 19 per cent, Appendix 2.2.6.
Water-soluble extractive Not less than 16 per cent, Appendix 2.2.7.

CONSTITUENTS – Essential oil, saponin, tannin and resin.

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Madhura, Tikta
Guna : Laghu, Ruksa
Virya : Usna
Vipaka : Katu
Karma : Vamana, Lekhana

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Pippalyadi Taila.

THERAPEUTIC USES – Gulma, Kustha, Vidradhi, Slesmajvara, Pratisyaya

DOSE – 0.5 -1.0 g of the drug in powder form for decoction.
3-6 g of the drug for induction of vomiting.

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MISREYA

Misreya consists of dried ripe fruits of Foeniculum vulgare Mill (Fam. Umbelliferm) , an erect, glabrous, aromatic herb, 1-2 m high, cultivated extensively throughout India upto 1830 m and also sometimes found wild, fruits ripen in September, stems cut with sickles and put up in loose sheaves to dry in sun, when dry, fruits are beaten out in a cloth in sun, cleaned by winnowing and collected.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Misi, Misi, Madhurika
Assamese : Guvamuri
Bengali : Marui, Panmauri
English : Fannel Fruit
Gujrati : Variyali
Hindi : Saunf
Kannada : Badisompu, Doddasompu
Kashmiri : Sanuf, Badnai
Malayalam : Kattusatakuppa, Parinjmragum
Marathi : Badishop
Oriya : Panamadhuri
Punjabi : Saunf
Tamil : Shombu
Telugu : Sopu
Urdu : Saunf

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Fruits, usually entire with pedicel attached, mericarps, upto about 10 mm long and 4 mm broad, five sided with a wider commissural surface, tapering lightly towards base and apex, crowned with a conical stylopod, glabrous, greenish or yellowish-brown with five paler prominent primary ridges , endosperm, orthospermous.

b) Microscopic

Transverse section of fruit shows pericarp with outer epidermis of quadrangular to polygonal cells with smooth cuticle and a few stomata, trichomes, absent vittm, 4 dorsal and 2 commissural extending with length of each mericarp, intercostal with an epithelium of brown cells and volatile oil in cavity, mesocarp, with much reticulate lignified parenchyma, costm, 5 in each mericarp, each with 1vascular strand having inner xylem strand and 2 lateral phloem strands separated by a bundle of fibres inner epidermis of very narrow, thin-walled cells arranged parallel to one another in groups of 5-7, many of these groups with longer axis of their cells at angle with those of adjacent groups (Parquetry arrangement), endosperm consists of thick-walled, cellulosic parenchyma containing much fixed oil, micro-rosette crystals of calcium oxalate, and numerous aleurone grains upto 5 n in diameter, carpophore with very thick-walled sclerenchyma in two strands, often unsplit with two strands very close to each Other.

IDENTITY, PURITY AND STRENGTH

Foreign matter Not more than 2 per cent, Appendix 2.2.2.
Total Ash Not more than 12 per cent, Appendix 2.2.3.
Acid-insoluble ash Not more than 15 per cent, Appendix 2.2.4.
Alcohol-soluble extractive Not less than 4 per cent, Appendix 2.2.6.
Water-soluble extractive Not less than 1 per cent, Appendix 2.2.7.
Volatile oil Not less than 1.4 per centv/w, Appendix 2.2.10

CONSTITUENTS – Essential oil and fixed oil.

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Madhura, Katu, Tikta
Guna : Laghu, Ruksa
Virya : Sita
Vipaka : Madhura
Karma : Anulomana, Balya, Dipana, Vatapittahara, Amadosahara

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Misreyarka, Pancasakara Curna

THERAPEUTIC USES – Sula, Agnimandya, Kasa, Pravahika, Raktadosa, Arsas

DOSE – 3-6 g. of the drug in powder form.

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NYAGRODHA

Nyagrodha consists of dried mature stem bark of Ficus bengalensis Linn. (Fam. Moracem) , a large branching tree with numerous mrial roots occurring all over India.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Vata
Assamese : Vat, Ahat, Vatgach
Bengali : Bot
English : Banyan tree
Gujrati : Vad, Vadalo
Hindi : Badra, Bargad, Bada
Kannada : Aala, Aladamara, Vata
Kashmiri : Bad
Malayalam : Peraal
Marathi : Vml
Oriya : Bata, Bara
Punjabi : Bhaur
Tamil : Aalamaram, Aalam
Telugu : Marri
Urdu : Bargad, Bad

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Mature stern bark grey with thin, closely adhered ashy white, light bluish-green or grey patches, bark fiat or slightly curve, thickness varies with age of tree : externally rough due to presence of horizontal furrows and lenticels, mostly circular and prominent, fracture short in outer two thirds of bark while inner portion shows a fibrous fracture taste, astringent

b) Microscopic

Transverse section of mature bark shows compressed cork tissue and dead elements of secondary cortex consisting of mostly stone cells and thin-walled, compressed elements of cortex cork cells rectangular, thick-walled and containing brownish content, secondary cortex wide, forming more than half of thickness of bark, composed of large groups of stone cells and parenchymatous cells, stone cells vary in shape, parenchymatous cells thin-walled and somewhat cubical to oval few in number and occur between groups of stone cells, some of cells contain prismatic crystals of calcium oxalate, starch grains and tannin, secondary phloem composed of a few sieve elements parenchyma, fibres, stone cells and latex tube alternating with medullary rays, sieve elements compressed in .outer region of bark while intact m inner region, few thick-walled phloem parenchyma occurring in between patches of phloem fibres and stone cells, stone cells similar to those present in secondary cortex, some phloem cells contain prismatic calcium oxalate crystals also, present in fibres forming crystal fibres, medullary rays 2-5 seriate, composed of thick-walled, circular to oval cells few cells also converted into stone cells and some have pitted walls, also containing plenty of starch grains, mostly rounded, rarely oval or semi-lunar in shape, simple as well as compound type, compound starch grains consist of 2-3 components, cambium composed of a few layers of small, rectangular, thin-walled cells.

IDENTITY, PURITY AND STRENGTH

Foreign matter Not more than 2 per cent, Appendix 2.2.2.
Total Ash Not more than 8 per cent, Appendix 2.2.3.
Acid-insoluble ash Not more than 3 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 8 per cent, Appendix 2.2.7.

CONSTITUENTS – Tannins, glycosides and flavonoids.

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Kasaya
Guna : Guru, Ruksa
Virya : Sita
Vipaka : Katu
Karma : Dahaghna, Mutrasangrahaniya, Stambhana, Varnya, Vranapaha, Kaphapittajita, Yonidosahrt

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Nyagrodhadi Curna, Nyagrodhadi Kvatha Curna

THERAPEUTIC USES – Daha, Prameha, Raktapitta, Trsna, Visarpa, Vrana, Yonidosa

DOSE – 3-6 g of the drug in powder form.

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PASANABHEDA

Pasanabheda consists of rhizomes of Bergenia ciliata (Haw.) Sternb., Syn. Bergenia ligulata (Wall.) Engl. (Fam. Saxifragacem), a small perennial herb found throughout temperate Himalayas from Bhutan to Kashmir at an altitude between 2000-3000 m and in Khasia hills upto 1200 m altitude.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Asmabhedaka, Silabheda
Assamese : Patharkuchi
Bengali : Patharkuchi, Himasagara, Patrankur
English : —
Gujrati : Pashanbheda, Pakhanbheda
Hindi : Pakhanabheda, Silphara, Patharcua, Pakhanabhed, Silpbheda
Kannada : Alepgaya, Pahanbhedi, Hittaga, Pasanaberu, Hittulaka
Kashmiri : Pashanbhed
Malayalam : Kallurvanchi, Kallurvanni, Kallorvanchi
Marathi : Pashanbheda
Oriya : Pasanbhedi, Pashanabheda
Punjabi : Kachalu, Pashanbhed
Tamil : Sirupilai
Telugu : Kondapindi
Urdu : —

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Rhizome, solid, barrel shaped, cylindrical, 1.5-3 cm long and 1-2 cm in diameter with small roots, ridges, furrows and root scars distinct, tranversely cut surface shows outer ring of brown coloured cork, short middle cortex, vascular bundles and large central pith, odour, aromatic, taste, astringent.

b) Microscopic

Transverse section of rhizome shows cork divided into two zones, outer a few layers of slightly compressed and brown coloured cells, inner zone multilayered consisting of thin-walled tangentially elongatd and colourless cells, followed by a single layered cork cambium and 2-3 layers of secondary cortex composed of thick-walled, tangentially elongated, rectangular cells with intercellular spaces, some cells contain rosette crystals of calcium oxalate and simple starch grains cortex a narrow-zone of parenchymatous cells containing a number of simple starch grains, most of cortical cells also contain large rosette crystals of calcium oxalate, endoderm is and pericycle absent. vascular bundles, arranged in a ring, collateral, conjoint and open, phloem tissues cornposed of sieve elements and parenchyma, in outer region found as compressed masses while in inner region intact. a number of rosette crystals of calcium oxalate also found as crystal fibres, cambium present as continuous ring composed of 2-3 layers of thinwalled, tangentially elongated cells, xylem consist of fibres, tracheids, vessels and parenchyma, with centre occupied by large pith composed of circular to oval, parenchymatous cells, varying in size and containing starch grains with crystals of calcium oxalate similar to those found in cortical region.

IDENTITY, PURITY AND STRENGTH

Foreign matter Not more than 2 per cent, Appendix 2.2.2.
Total Ash Not more than 13 per cent, Appendix 2.2.3.
Acid-insoluble ash Not more than 0.5 per cent, Appendix 2.2.4.
Alcohol-soluble extractive Not less than 9 per cent, Appendix 2.2.6.
Water-soluble extractive Not less than 15 per cent, Appendix 2.2.7.

CONSTITUENTS – Tannic acid, gallic acid and glucose

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Tikta, Kasaya
Guna : Laghu
Virya : Sita
Vipaka : Katu
Karma : Bhedana, Vastisodhana, Asmarighna, Mutravirecaniya

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Asmarihara Kasaya Curna, Mutravirecaniya Kasaya Curna

THERAPEUTIC USES – Asmari, Meha, Mutrakicchra

DOSE – 3-6 g of the drug in powder form.
20-30 g of the drug for decoction.

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KARKATASHRINGI

Karkatashringi consists of gall-like excrescences formed by insects on the leaves, petioles and branches of the plant Pistacia chinensia Burgo, Pistacia integerrima Stew. ex Brandis, Rhus succedanea Linn. (Fam. Anacardiacem) during autumn season, growing on the steps of Western Himalayas from Indus to Kumaon at an altitude of 350-2400 m, often cultivated in Punjab plains.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Srngi, Visani, Karkata
Assamese : Kakiasrngi
Bengali : Kankda Shringi
English : Crab’s claw
Gujrati : Kakada shing, Kakada singi
Hindi : Kakadasingi, Kakarasingi, Gheekadava
Kannada : Kakadasingi, Karkatakasringi
Kashmiri : Kakkar, Kamaladina
Malayalam : Karkatasringi
Marathi : Kakadshingi
Oriya : Kakadashrungi, Kakadashringi
Punjabi : Kakar, Kakarsingi
Tamil : Karkata singi
Telugu : Kakarsingi, Karkatakashrungi
Urdu : Kakrasinghi

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Dried galls hard, hollow, horn-like, thin-walled, generally cylindrical, tapering at both the ends, greyish brown externally and reddish brown internally, size varies from 2.5-30.0 cm or more, each gall contains numerous dead insects, odour, terebinthine, taste of powdered galls, strongly astringent and slightly bitter.

b) Microscopic

Transverse section of gall shows the collapsed epidermis on both the sides, epidermal cells thin-walled, tangentially elongated, ground tissues thin-walled and oval or circular, the outer two layers tangentially elongated while between vascular bundles radially elongated, outer few layers and some of cells of ground tissue filled with yellowish brown contents, vascular bundle scattered throughout the ground tissues in two rows, consist of phloem accompanied by a large tannin sac in each vascular bundle.

Powder-Powder greyish brown, under microscope, shows orange yellow colour isolated or associated fragments of xylem vessels and ground tissues.

IDENTITY, PURITY AND STRENGTH

Foreign matter Not more than 2 per cent, Appendix 2.2.2.
Total Ash Not more than 7 per cent, Appendix 2.2.3.
Acid-insoluble ash Not more than 0.2 per cent, Appendix 2.2.4.
Alcohol-soluble extractive Not less than 30 per cent, Appendix 2.2.6.
Water-soluble extractive Not less than 30 per cent, Appendix 2.2.7.

CONSTITUENTS – Essential oil, tannins and resinous matters.

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Tikta, Kasaya
Guna : Guru
Virya : Usna
Vipaka : Katu
Karma : Kasahara, Kaphavatahara, Urdhvavatajit, Hikkanigrahana

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Balacaturbhadrika Curna

THERAPEUTIC USES – Aruci, Svasa, Chardi, Hikka, Jvara, Kasa, Ksaya

DOSE – 3-6 g of the drug in powder form.

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PATHA

Paha consists of roots of Cissampelos pareira Linn. (Fam. Menisperrnacem), an extensively spreading, glabrous to softy pubescent, perennial climbing shrub with nodose stem, common in warm and dry regions of tropical and sub-tropical parts of India upto an altitude of about 1500 m.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Ambashtaki
Assamese : Tuprilata
Bengali : Akanadi,Patha
English : Velvet leaf
Gujrati : Kalipath, Karondhium, Karondium, Venivel, Karedhium
Hindi : Patha, Padh, Akanadi
Kannada : Pahadavela, Agalushunthi
Kashmiri : Pad
Malayalam : Patha
Marathi : Pashadvel, Paharrel, Pahadavel, Padali
Oriya : Kanabindhi, Patha
Punjabi : Patha
Tamil : Vatta tiruppi
Telugu : Adivibankatiga, chiru boddi, Boddi tiga
Urdu : —

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Roots, cylindrical, often tortuous, 1-1.5 cm in diameter, light brown to yellowish in colour, surface rough and at places rugged due to transverse wrinkles, cracks and fissures, fracture short and splintery, odour, faint aromatic, taste, bitter.

b) Microscopic

Transvarse section of root shows, 6-10 layers of thin-walled, rectangular cork cells secondary cortex, 1-3 layered of oval to tangentially elongated cells, discontinuous ring consisting of 2-3 rows of stone cells and group of phloem fibres, stone cells variable in shape with simple pits, vascular strands as radiating strips usually 8-12 of xylem and phloem some reaching up to the centre, phloem consists of small strands of sieve elements and parenchyma just below the ring of stone cells, xylem consists of vessels, tracheids, fibres and xylem parenchyma, vessels and tracheids show simple pits on the walls, xylem parenchyma usually thick-walled and lignified but due to delignification patches of thin-walled parenchyma appear in the xylem region., medullary rays 1-3 seriate appear to be very wide at a number of places due to addition of delignified xylem parenchymatous cells, ray cells thin-walled, a few lignified and thick-walled while some show reticulate thickening, plenty of starch grains present in some of ray cells.

IDENTITY, PURITY AND STRENGTH

Foreign matter Not more than 2 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 per cent, Appendix 2.2.4.
Alcohol-soluble extractive Not less than 11 per cent, Appendix 2.2.6.
Water-soluble extractive Not less than 13 per cent, Appendix 2.2.7.

CONSTITUENTS – Alkaloids, saponin and quarternary ammonium bases, flavonol and sterol.

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Katu, Tikta
Guna : Laghu, Tiksna
Virya : Usna
Vipaka : Katu
Karma : Bhagnasandhanakrt, Grahi, Raktasodhaka, Visaghna, Tridosasamana, Stanyasodhana

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Brhatgangadhara Curna, Pusyanuga Curna, Pradarantaka Lauha, Sarasvata Ghrta, Stanyasodhana Kasaya Curna

THERAPEUTIC USES – Sularoga, Atisara, Chardi, Jvara, Kandu, Kustha, Stanyadusti

DOSE – 3-6 g of the drug in powder form.

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KARPASA

Karpasa consists of seeds (devoid of lint) of Gossypium herbaceum Linn. (Fam. Malvacem) , an annual or perennial shrub, 0.6-2.4m high, extensively cultivated in India.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Tundakesi
Assamese : Karpasa, Tula
Bengali : Bona, Kapasia
English : Cotton plant seed
Gujrati : —
Hindi : Kapasa, Binaula
Kannada : Hati, Arale
Kashmiri : Kath
Malayalam : Karpasi, Panji Karpasam
Marathi : Sarki
Oriya : —
Punjabi : Lodhar
Tamil : Parutti kkoottam
Telugu : Patti ginga
Urdu : Pambadana, Habb-ul-Qutn

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Seed, dark brown, ovoid, 0.3-0.6 cm diameter, minute, shallow longitudinal grooves arise from funicular region of seed, taste, slightly bitter.

b) Microscopic

Transverse section of mature seed shows, two integuments forming seed coat, outer integument differentiated into epidermis, a wide zone of parenchyma and a hyaline layer, epidermis single layered, some trichomes arise from epidermis and form lint and fuzz hairs, lint hairs elongated with thin wall and wide lumen, fuzz hairs thick-walled with narrow lumen, parenchymetous zone consists of 4-8 layers of reddish-brown cells, a few vascular bundles embedded in this zone, hyaline layer consisting of 2-3 layers of tangentially elongated, cubical, thick-walled cells, inner integument composed of palisade and parenchyma, palisade cells compactly arranged and colourless, parenchyma many layered of tangentially elongated cells with deep reddish-brown contents, cotyledons thin, large and folded, upper epidermis of cotyledon, single layered, externally covered with cuticle followed by 1 or 2 layered palisade like cells of mesophyll, beneath this zone, mesophyll cells show elongated to rounded structure without inter-cellular spaces, lower epidermis single layered, cubical or oval, covered with cuticle, some lysigenous glands filled with yellowish-brown contents also found scattered in mesophyll region, starch and calcium oxalate crystals absent. Powder- Brown under microscope shows palisade cells, thin-walled mesophyll cells, deep brown contents and hairs, pieces of testa and fuzz intact.

IDENTITY, PURITY AND STRENGTH

Foreign matter Not more than 2 per cent, Appendix 2.2.2.
Total Ash Not more than 5 per cent, Appendix 2.2.3.
Acid-insoluble ash Not more than 0.1 per cent, Appendix 2.2.4.
Alcohol-soluble extractive Not less than 14 per cent, Appendix 2.2.6.
Water-soluble extractive Not less than 8 per cent, Appendix 2.2.7.

CONSTITUENTS – Fixed oil, resin and sterols.

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Madhura
Guna : Guru, Snigdha
Virya : Sita
Vipaka : Madhura
Karma : Hrdya, Vrsya, Stanyajanana, Kaphakara

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Karpasashvadi Taila

THERAPEUTIC USES – Daha, Srama, Bhranti, Murccha, Stanyaksya

DOSE – 3-6 g of he drug in powder form.

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PUGA

Puga consists of dried ripe seed of Areca catechu Linn. (Fam. Palmm), a graceful, slender, stemmed, perennial palm, trunk reaching a height of about 25 m cultivated in the coastal regions of Southern India, Bengal and Assam upto an altitude of 1000 m.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Kramuka, Ghona
Assamese : Tamol, Tamul
Bengali : Supari
English : Areca nut, Betle nut
Gujrati : Sopari
Hindi : Supari, Chr alia
Kannada : Adiks
Kashmiri : Supari, Spari
Malayalam : Adakku, Pakku
Marathi : Supari, Pophal
Oriya : Gua
Punjabi : Supari, Spari
Tamil : Kamugu, Pakku, Pakhumaram
Telugu : Paka chekka, Vakka
Urdu : Fufal, Choalia

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Ovoid, externally pale, reddish-brown to light yellowish-brown, marked with a net work of paler lines, frequently with adhering portions of silvery brittle endocarp and adhering fibres of mesocorp at base of seed, seed hard with ruminate endosperm of brownish tissue alternating with whitish tissue, odour, characteristic, taste, astringent.

b) Microscopic

Transverse section of seed shows a seed coat consisting of several rows of cells, tangentially elongated, with inner walls more or less thickened, whitish cell of endosperm tissue with thick porous walls containing oil globules and aleuronic grains, brown peri sperm tissue with thick walled cells and delicate trachem. Powder-Reddish brown to light brown, under microscope shows fragments of endosperm tissue with porous walls, irregularly thickened and small stone cells of seed coat, a few aleurone grains and oil globules and a few delicate trachem, starch absent.

IDENTITY, PURITY AND STRENGTH

Foreign matter Not more than 1 per cent, Appendix 2.2.2.
Total Ash Not more than 3 per cent, Appendix 2.2.3.
Acid-insoluble ash Not more than 0.4 per cent, Appendix 2.2.4.
Alcohol-soluble extractive Not less than 19 per cent, Appendix 2.2.6.
Water-soluble extractive Not less than 10 per cent, Appendix 2.2.7.

CONSTITUENTS – Alkaloid (arecoline) tannins and fats.

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Kasaya
Guna : Guru, Ruksa
Virya : Sita
Vipaka : Katu
Karma : Prabhava: Mohakrt, Dipana, Kaphapittajit, Kledanasana, Malabhedi, Mukhsodhana, Vikasi

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Pugakhanda

THERAPEUTIC USES – Aruci, Mukhavikara, Yonisaithilya, Svetapradara

DOSE – 1-2 g of the drug in powder form.

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KASERU

Kaseru consists of rhizome of Scirpus kysoor Roxb. (Fam. Cyperacem), a weed commonly found on the margins of ponds and swampy places throughout India.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Kaseruka
Assamese : Kaheru
Bengali : Keshura
English : Water chestnut
Gujrati : Kasela, Kasola
Hindi : Kaseru
Kannada : Kasure gadd, Kaseruva, Kothigadde
Kashmiri : Kath
Malayalam : Kazhi Muthanga
Marathi : Kasara, Kachera, Kachora
Oriya : Kasaru Kawda, Kasaru Kanda
Punjabi : Kaseru
Tamil : Gundatigagaddi
Telugu : Guntatungagaddi
Urdu : Kaseru

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Rhizomes, oval to cylindrical, often branched having a number of transverse rings, black coloured roots and rounded scars, black externally and cream coloured internally, odour, aromatic, taste, bitter.

b) Microscopic

Tranverse section of rhizome shows epidermis of collapsed and brown coloured cells: hypodermis, 4-8 cells with thick brown cell walls, followed by a wide zone of cortical ground tissue of oval to rounded, thin-walled, parenchymatous cells, filled with oval to spherical starch grains, encircled by sclerenchymatous sheath, vascular bundles, found scattered throughout cortical ground tissue, endodermis consists of brown coloured cells with heavy thickenings on thier walls, enclosing a wide central stelar ground tissue with a number of scattered vascular bundles of closed, collateral type, encircled by sclerenchymatous sheath, stelar ground tissues of rounded to oval, thinwalled and parenchymatous cells, containing oval to spherical starch grains, a number of secretory cell with orange-brown contents found throughout cortical and stelar ground tissue.

Powder– Light brown, under microscope shows abundant round to oval starch grains and orange-yellow pigments, fragments of xylem vessels with annular thickenings and thinwalled, parenchymatous tissue.

IDENTITY, PURITY AND STRENGTH

Foreign matter Not more than 2 per cent, Appendix 2.2.2.
Total Ash Not more than 8 per cent, Appendix 2.2.3.
Acid-insoluble ash Not more than 3 per cent, Appendix 2.2.4.
Alcohol-soluble extractive Not less than 4 per cent, Appendix 2.2.6.
Water-soluble extractive Not less than 9 per cent, Appendix 2.2.7.

CONSTITUENTS – Starch, saponins, sugars and progesterone.

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Madhura, Kasaya
Guna : Guru
Virya : Sita
Vipaka : Madhura
Karma : Caksusya, Grahi, Pittaghna, Dahaghna, Sukrakara, Stanyakara, Rucikara.

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Saubhagyasunhti

THERAPEUTIC USES – Aruci, Atisara, Daha, Daurbalya, Netraroga, Sukraksya, Stanyaksaya

DOSE – 5-10 g of the drug in powder form.

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PUNARNAVA

Punarnava consists of dried, matured whole plant of Boerhaavia diffusa Linn. (Fam Nyctaginacem), trailing herb found throughout India and collected after rainy season, herb is diffusely branched with stout root stock and many long slender, prostrate or ascending branches.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Kahtilla, Sophaghni, Sothaghni, Varsabhu
Assamese : Ranga Punarnabha
Bengali : Rakta punarnava
English : Horse Purslene, Hog Weed
Gujrati : Dholisaturdi, Motosatodo
Hindi : Gadapurna, Lalpunarnava
Kannada : Sanadika, Kommeberu, Komma
Kashmiri : Vanjula Punarnava
Malayalam : Chuvanna Tazhutawa
Marathi : Ghetuli, Vasuchimuli, Satodimula, Punarnava, Khaparkhuti
Oriya : Lalapuiruni, Nalipuruni
Punjabi : ltcit (Ial), Khattan
Tamil : Mukurattai (Shihappu)
Telugu : Atikamamidi, Erra galijeru

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Stem-greenishpurple, stiff, slender, cylindrical, swollen at nodes, minutely pubescent or n early glabrous, prostrate divericately branched, branches from common stalk, often more than a metre long.

Root– wel developed, fairly long, somewhat tortuous, cylindrical, 0.2-1.5 cm in diameter, yellowish brown to brown coloured, surface soft to touch but rough due to minute longitudinal striations and root scars, fracture, short, no distinct odour, taste, slightly bitter.

Leaves-opposite in unequal pairs, larger ones 25-37 mm long and smaller ones 12-18 mm long ovate-oblong or suborbicular, apex rounded or slightly pointed, base subcordate or rounded, green and glabrous above, whitish below, margin entire or subundulate, dorsal side pinkish in certain cases, thick in texture, petioles nearly as long as the blade, slender.

Flowers-very small, pink coloured, nearly sessile or shortly stalked, 10-25 cm, in small umbells, arranged on slender long stalks, 4-10 corymb, axillary and in terminal panicles, bracteoles, small, acute, perianth tube constricted above the ovary, lower part greenish, ovoid, ribbed, upper part pink, funnel-shaped, 3 mm long, tube 5 lobed, stamen 2-3.

Fruit-one seeded nut, 6 mm long clavate, rounded, broadly and bluntly 5 ribbed, viscidly glandular.

b) Microscopic

Stem-Transverse section of stem shows epidermal layer containing multi cellular, uniserite glandular trichome consisting of 9-12 stalked cells and an ellipsoidal head, 150-220 n long, cortex consists of 1-2 layers of parenchyma, endodermis indistinct, pericycle 1-2 layered, thick-walled often containing scattered isolated fibres, stele consisting of many small vascular bundles often joined together in a ring and many big vascular bundles scattered in the ground tissue, intra fascicular cambium present.

Root-transverse section of mature root shows a cork composed of thin-walled tangentially elongated cells with brown walls in the outer few layers, cork cambium of 1-2 layers of thin walled cells secondary cortex consists of 2-3 layers of parenchymatous cells followed by cortex composed of 5-12 layers of thin-walled, oval to polygonal cells, several concentric bands of xylem tissue alternating with wide zone of parenchymatous tissue present below cortical regions, number of bands vary according to thickness of root and composed of vessels, tracheids and fibres, vessels mostly found in groups of 2-8 in radial rows, having simple pits and reticulate thickening, tracheids, small, thickwalled with simple pits, fibres aseptate, elongated, thick-walled, spindle shaped with pointed ends, phloem occurs as hemispherical or crescentic patches outside each group of xylem vessels and composed of sieve elements and parenchyma, broad zone of parenchymatous tissue, in between two successive rings of xylem elements composed of thin-walled more or less rectangular cells arranged in radial rows, central regions of root occupied by primary vascular bundles, numerous raphides of calcium oxalate, in single or in group present in cortical region and parenchymatous tissue in between xylem tissue, starch grains simple and compound having 2-4 components found in abundence in most of cells of cortex, xylem elements in parenchymatous tissue between xylem elements, simple starch grains mostly rounded in shape and measure 2.75-11 n in diameter.

Leaves-Transverse section of leaf shows anomocytic stomata on both sides, numerous, a few short hairs, 3-4 celled, present on the margin and on veins, palisade one layered, spongy parenchyma 2-4 layered with small air spaces, idioblasts containing raphides, occasionally cluster crystal of calcium oxalate and orange-red resinous matter present in mesophyll. Palisade ratio 3.5-6.5, stomatal index 11-16, vein islet number 9-15.

IDENTITY, PURITY AND STRENGTH

Foreign matter Not more than 2 per cent, Appendix 2.2.2.
Total Ash Not more than 15 per cent, Appendix 2.2.3.
Acid-insoluble ash Not more than 6 per cent, Appendix 2.2.4.
Alcohol-soluble extractive Not less than 1 per cent, Appendix 2.2.6.
Water-soluble extractive Not less than 4 per cent, Appendix 2.2.7.

ASSAY

Assay-Contains not less than 0.1 per cent of total alkaloids, when assayed by the following methods, Take accurately about 100 g of the drug (60 mesh powder) and moisten with dilute solution of Ammonia. Extract continuously in a soxhlet apparatus for 18 hours with 95 per cent Alcohol. Remove the alcohol by distillation. Extract the residue with five 25 ml
portions of 1 N Hydrochloric acid till complete extraction of the alkaloid is effected. Transfer the mixed acid solutions into a separating funnel and wash with 5 ml of Chloroform, runoff the Chloroform layer. Make the acid solution distinctly alkaline with Ammonia and shake with five 25 ml portions of Chloroform or till complete extraction of alkaloids is effected. Wash the combined chloroform extracts with two portions each of 5 ml of water. Filter the chloroform layer in tared flask and evaporate to dryness. Add to the residue 5 ml of Alcohol, evaporate to dryness, repeat the process once again and weigh the residue to constant weight in a vacuum desiccator.

CONSTITUENTS – Alkaloid (Punarnavine).

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Madhura, Tikta, Kasaya
Guna : Ruksa
Virya : Usna
Vipaka : Madhura
Karma : Anulomana, Sothahara, Mutrala, Vataslesmahara

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Punarnavasaka Kvatha Curna, Punarnavasava, Punarnavadi Mandura, Sukumara Ghrta, Sothaghna Lepa

THERAPEUTIC USES – Sotha, Pandu

DOSE – 20-30 g of the drug for decoction.

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KETAKI

Ketaki consists of dried, underground roots of Pandanus tectorius Soland.ex Parkinson (Fam. Pandanacem), a densely branched shrub, rarely erect found along the coast of India and Andaman Island and sometimes cultivated in gardens also.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Sucikapuspa
Assamese : Katki
Bengali : Katki
English : Screw pine
Gujrati : Kevado
Hindi : Kevada
Kannada : Kadajlmudu, Talehuvu
Kashmiri : —-
Malayalam : Pookaitha
Marathi : Kewda
Oriya : Ketaki, Kia
Punjabi : Keora
Tamil : Tazhai
Telugu : Mogali
Urdu : —-

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Root pieces, 2-6 cm long, 0.3-2 cm in diameter, cylindrical, rusty or yellowishbrown, to grey, surface smooth except for protuberances at certain places, papery cork, surface uneven, easily peelable exposing a fibrous surface, fracture, usually unbreakable.

b) Microscopic

Transverse section of mature root shows a wide zone of stratified cork, exfoliating at places, consisting of rectangular, thin-walled, tangentially elongated, radially arranged cells, upper few layers filled with reddish-brown contents, remaining cells colourless, cortex, a wide zone of rounded cells with fibre groups towards central and middle region, cells obliterated at places, endodermis barrel-shaped, slightly thickwalled , pericycle and phloem not distinct, xylem forms bulk of root consisting of vessels, fibres and parenchyma, medullary rays not distinct, vessels show annular or pitted thickening, fibres thick-walled, elongated having a few simple pits. Powder-Yellowish-brown, under microscope shows fragments of corks, xylem vessels and fibres.

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 9 per cent, Appendix 2.2.6.
Water-soluble extractive Not less than 16 per cent, Appendix 2.2.7.

CONSTITUENTS – Essential oil.

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Madhura, Katu, Tikta
Guna : Laghu
Virya : Usna
Vipaka : Katu
Karma : Balya, Kesya, Rasayana, Varnya, Daurgandhyanasana, Dardhyakara, Saukhyakara, Kaphapaha, Caksusya.

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Triphaladi Taila

THERAPEUTIC USES – Gulma, Netraroga, Kapharoga.

DOSE – 20-30 g of the drug for decoction.

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SAPTAPARNA

Saptaparna consists of stem bark of Alstonia scholaris (Llnn.) R. Br. (Fam. Apocynacem), a tall evergreen tree, found in the Sub-Himalayan tracts ascending to 900 m from Jammu eastwards and western peninsula mostly in deciduous forests.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Saptacchada, Saptaparni, Saptahva
Assamese : Chatiyan
Bengali : Chatin
English : Dita
Gujrati : Saptaparna, Satvana
Hindi : Chhativan, Satawana
Kannada : Maddale, Hale, Eleyalaga
Kashmiri : Kath
Malayalam : Daivaphal, Ezilampala
Marathi : Satveen
Oriya : Chbatiana, Chatiana
Punjabi : Sathi, Satanna
Tamil : Ezilampalai
Telugu : Edakula Ponna
Urdu : —

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Bark occurs in channelled or occasionally quilled pieces, 3-4mm thick from branches and cut or broken irregularly into curved or flat pieces, about 7 mm thick from stem, externally younger bark dark grey to brown, older bark very rough, uneven and much fissured transversely and longitudinally, both marked with numerous rounded or transversely elongated, grey to whitish brown lenticels, internally brownish-buff to dark greyish-brown, somewhat striated and indented, fracture, short and smooth, fractured surface shows a narrow, inner portion traversed by numerous, fine, medullary rays and a varying spongy outer portion

b) Microscopic

Transverse section of bark shows a multi-layered, thick and thin-walled cork, a broad zone of secondary cortex composed of thin-walled, parenchymatous cells, including many rounded latex cavities, scattered throughout tissue, containing numerous rhombic to polygonal calcium oxalate crystals, numerous stone cells forming a noncontinuous layer of 4-8 cells, irregular, rounded to linear, fibre-like, blunt at both ends, internal to secondary cortex a secondary phloem cells containing many sieve tubes, cork cells brick shaped to almost square in transverse and longitudinal sections and polygonal in surface view, cork cambium forms a region of two rows of cells identical to cork cells, situated in between cork and secondary cortex, secondary phloem cells smaller in dimension than cortical cells consisting of phloem parenchyma, many sieve tubes and companion cells, fibres absent.

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 3 per cent, Appendix 2.2.4.
Alcohol-soluble extractive Not less than 4 per cent, Appendix 2.2.6.
Water-soluble extractive Not less than 12 per cent, Appendix 2.2.7.

ASSAY

Assay-Contains not less than 0.2 per cent of total alkaloids when assayed by the following method:-
Take 25 g in No. 60 mesh powder. Transfer to a continuous extraction apparatus and extract with 90 per cent Alcohol for 4 hours (at least 3 extractions are essential). Remove the solvent and transfer to a separating funnel with the help of a little water and 5 ml of 95 per cent Alcohol. Add about 15 ml of Water and 2 ml of solution of 20 percent Sodium Hydroxide to make the solution alkaline and extract with successive quantities of Chloroform till the extraction of alkaloid is complete. Shake the combined Chloroform extract with successive quantities of a mixture of 4 volumes of 0.2 N Sulphuric Acid and 1 volume of Alcohol until complete extraction of alkaloid is effected. Wash the mixed acid solution twice with 10 ml portion of Chloroform and then twice with 10 ml portion of Ether. Wash the combined Chloroform and Ether solution with 20 ml of 0.1 N Sulphuric acid. Transfer this washed acid extract to the original acid extract, make distinctly alkaline with solution of Sodium Hydroxide and shake with successive portions of chloroform till the extraction of the alkaloids is complete. Wash the combined chloroform solution with about 5 ml of water. Remove most of the chloroform and transfer the remainder to a small open dish. When the removal of chloroform is almost complete on water bath, add about 2 ml Dehydrated Alcohol and evaporate to dryness. Dry at 100o to constant weight and weigh as total alkaloids.

CONSTITUENTS – Alkaloids (echitamine, ditamine and echitamidine).

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Tikta, Kasaya
Guna : Sara, Snigdha
Virya : Usna
Vipaka : Katu
Karma : Anulomana, Dipana, Jvaraghna, Kushaghna, Raktasodhaka, Tridosaghna

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Amrtarisa, Aragvadhadi Kvatha Curna, Vajraka Taila.

THERAPEUTIC USES – Sula, Gulma, Jvara, Krmiroga, Kustha, Sandrameha

DOSE – 20-30 g of the drug for decoction.

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HARIDRA

Haridra consists of the dried and cured rhizomes of Curcuma longa Linn. (Fam. Zingiberacem), a perennial herb extensively cultivated in all parts of the country, crop is harvested after 9-10 months when lower leaves turn yellow rhizomes carefully dug up with hand-picks between October-April and cured by boiling and dried.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Rajani, Nisa, Nisi, Ratri, Ksanada, Dosa
Assamese : Haldhi, Haladhi
Bengali : Halud, Haldi
English : Turmeric
Gujrati : Haldar
Hindi : Haldi, Hardi
Kannada : Arishina
Kashmiri : Ledar, Ladhir
Malayalam : Manjal
Marathi : Halad
Oriya : Haladi
Punjabi : Haldi, Haldar
Tamil : Manjal
Telugu : Pasupu
Urdu : Haldi

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Rhizomes ovate, oblong or pyriform (round turmeric) or cylindrical, often short branched (long turmeric), former about half as broad as long, latter 2-5 cm long and about 1-1.8 cm thick, externally yellowish to yellowish-brown with root scars and annulations of leaf bases, fracture horny, fractured surface orange to reddish brown, central cylinder twice as broad as cortex: odour and taste characteristic.

b) Microscopic

Transverse section of rhizome shows epidermis with thick-walled, cubical cells of various dimensions, cortex characterised by the presence of mostly thin-walled rounded parenchyma cells scattered collateral vascular bundles, a few layers of cork developed under epidermis and scattered oleo-resin cells with brownish contents; cork generally composed of 4-6 layers of thin-walled, brick-shaped parenchyma, cells of ground tissue contain starch grains of 4-15 n in diameter, oil cell with suberised walls containing either orange-yellow globules of volatile oil or amorphous resinous matter, vessels mainly spirally thickened, a few reticulate and annular.

Identification-

1) On the addition of Concentrated Sulphuric acid or a mixture of Concentrated Sulphuric acid and alcohol to the powdered drug, a deep crimson colour is produced.
2) A piece of filter paper is impregnated with an alcoholic extract of the powder, dried, and then moistened with a solution of Boric acid slightly acidified with Hydrochloric acid, dried again, the filter paper assumes a pink or brownish red colour which becomes deep blue or greenish-black on the addition of alkali.

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 1 per cent, Appendix 2.2.4.
Alcohol-soluble extractive Not less than 8 per cent, Appendix 2.2.6.
Water-soluble extractive Not less than 12 per cent, Appendix 2.2.7.
Volatile oil Not less than 4 per cent, Appendix 2.2.10

CONSTITUENTS – Essential oil and a colouring matter (curcumin).

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Katu, Tikta
Guna : Ruksa
Virya : Usna
Vipaka : Katu
Karma : Krmighna, Kushaghna, Varnya, Visaghna, Kaphapittanut, Pramehanasaka

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Haridra Khanda

THERAPEUTIC USES – Pandu, Prameha, Vrana, Visavikara, Kustha, Tvagroga, Sitapitta, Pinasa

DOSE – 1-3 g of the drug in powder form.

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HARITAKI

Haritaki consists of the pericarp of mature fruits of Terminalia chebula Retz. (Fam. Combretacem), a moderate sized or large tree found throughout India, chiefly in deciduous forests and areas of light rainfall, but occasionally also in slightly moist forests, upto about 1500 m elevation, throughout India, flowers appear from April, August and fruits ripen from October-January.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Abhaya, Kayastha, Siva, Pathya, Vijaya (Not Bhanga)
Assamese : Shilikha
Bengali : Haritaki
English : Myrobalan
Gujrati : Hirdo, Himaja, Pulo-harda
Hindi : Harre, Harad, Harar
Kannada : Alalekai
Kashmiri : Halela
Malayalam : Katukka
Marathi : Hirda, Haritaki, Harda, Hireda
Oriya : Harida
Punjabi : Halela, Harar
Tamil : Kadukkai
Telugu : Karaka, Karakkaya
Urdu : Halela

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Intact fruit yellowish-brown, ovoid, 20-35 mm long, 13-25 mm wide, wrinkled and ribbed longitudinally, pericarp fibrous, 3-4 mm thick, non-adherent to the seed, taste, astringent.
b) Microscopic Transverse section of pericarp shows epicarp consisting of one layer of epidermal cells inner tangential and upper portions of radial wall thick, mesocarp, 2-3 layers of collenchyma, followed by a broad zone of parenchyma in which fibres and sc1ereids in group and vascular bundles scattered, fibres with peg like out growth and simple pitted walls, sclereids of various shapes and sizes but mostly elongated, tannins and raphides in parenchyma, endocarp consists of thick-walled sclereids of various shapes and sizes,
mostly elongated, epidermal surface view reveal polygonal cells, uniformly thickwalled, several of them divided into two by a thin septa, starch grains simple rounded or oval in shape, measuring 2-7 n in diameter, found in plenty in almost all cells of mesocarp.

Powder– Brownish in colour, under microscope shows a few fibres, vessels with simple pits and groups of sclereids.

IDENTITY, PURITY AND STRENGTH

Foreign matter Not more than 1 per cent, Appendix 2.2.2.
Total Ash Not more than 5 per cent, Appendix 2.2.3.
Acid-insoluble ash Not more than 5 per cent, Appendix 2.2.4.
Alcohol-soluble extractive Not less than 40 per cent, Appendix 2.2.6.
Water-soluble extractive Not less than 60 per cent, Appendix 2.2.7.

CONSTITUENTS – Tannins, anthraquinones and polyphenolic compounds.

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Madhura, Amla, Katu, Tikta, Kasaya
Guna : Laghu, Ruksa
Virya : Usna
Vipaka : Madhura
Karma : Caksusya, Dipana, Hrdya, Medhya, Sarvadosaprasamana, Rasayana, Anulomana

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Triphala Curna, Triphaladi Taila, Abhayarista, Agastya Haritaki Rasayana, Citraka Haritaki, Danti Haritaki, Dasamula Haritaki, Brahma Rasayana, Abhaya Lavana, Pathyadi Lepa

THERAPEUTIC USES – Sotha, Arsa, Aruci, Hrdroga, Kasa, Pandu, Prameha, Udavarta, Vibandha, Jirnajvara, Visamajvara, Siroroga, Tamaka Svasa, Gulma, Udararoga

DOSE – 3-6 g of the drug in powder form.

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HINGU

Hingu consists of oleo-gum-resin obtained from rhizomes and roots of Ferula foetida Regel., Ferula narthex Bioss,and other species of Ferula (Fam. Umbelliferm), a perennial herb, occurring in Persia and Afghanistan, resin collected after making incisions at the upper part of tap root of more than five year old plants by scrapping in March, April, just before flowering, whole process repeated many times, after one or two days or after a few weeks when it gets hardened.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Ramaha, Sahasravedhi
Assamese : Hin
Bengali : Hing
English : Asfoetida
Gujrati : Hing, Vagharni
Hindi : Hing, Hingda
Kannada : Hing, Ingu
Kashmiri : Eng
Malayalam : Kayam
Marathi : Hing, Hira, Hing
Oriya : Hengu, Hingu
Punjabi : Hing
Tamil : Perungayam
Telugu : Inguva
Urdu : Hitleet, Hing

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Rounded, flattened or masses of agglutinated tears, greyish-white to dull yellow, mostly 12-25 mm in diameter, freshly exposed surface, yellowish and translucent or milky white, opaque, slowly becoming pink, red, finally reddish brown, odour, strong, characteristic and persistent, taste, bitter and acrid.

IDENTITY, PURITY AND STRENGTH

Identification

(I) Freshly broken surface when touched with sulphuric acid a bright red or reddishbrown colour is produced, changing to violet when acid washed off with water.
(II) Boil 0.2 g with 2 ml Hydrochloric acid for about 1 minute, cool, dilute with an equal volume of water, and filter into 3 ml of dilute solution of Ammonia, fluorescence is produced.

Absence of colophony resin:-Triturate 1 g with 10 ml of Light Petroleum (b.p. 40o-60o) for 2 minutes, filter into a test tube and add to the filtrate 10 ml of a fresh 0.5 per cent w/v aqueous solution of copper acetate, shake well and allow the liquids to separate, petroleum layer does not show any green colour, indicating absence of colophony resin.

IDENTITY, PURITY AND STRENGTH

Foreign matter Not more than 2 per cent, Appendix 2.2.2.
Total Ash Not more than 15 per cent, Appendix 2.2.3.
Acid-insoluble ash Not more than 3 per cent, Appendix 2.2.4.
Alcohol-soluble extractive Not less than 50 per cent, Appendix 2.2.6.
Water-soluble extractive Not less than 50 per cent, Appendix 2.2.7.

ASSAY

Place about 5 g accurately weighed, in a small beaker furnished with a glass rod, and tared add 50 ml of Alcohol (90 per cent), and boil gently. Filter the hot solution through a tared filter paper and boil the residue with further quantities of Alcohol (90 per cent); unitl all soluble matter is removed, using the glass rod to disintegrate the soluble matter. Wash the filter paper with hot alcohol (90 per cent) transfer the paper to the beaker, dry the 100o, and weigh. The- residue weighs not more than 50 per cent of the original sample taken.

CONSTITUENTS – Essential oil, gum and resin.

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Katu
Guna : Tiksna
Virya : Usna
Vipaka : Katu
Karma : Anulomana, Dipana, Hrdya, Krmighna, Pacana, Rucya, Vatakaphaprasamana

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Hingvastaka Curna, Hingvadi Curna, Hinguvacadu Curna

THERAPEUTIC USES – Sularoga, Adhmana, Gulma, Hrdroga, Krmiroga, Udararoga, Agnimandya, Anaha

DOSE – 125-500 mg of the drug.

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