Ayurvedic Herbs

KANTAKARI

Kanakari consists of mature, dried whole plant of Solanum surattense Burm. f., Syn. Solanum xanthocarpum Schrad . & Wendl , (Fam. Solanacem), perennial, very prickly diffused herb of waste land, found throughout India.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Vyaghri, Nidigdhika, Ksudra, Kantakarika, Dhavani, Nidigdha, Dusparsa
Assamese : Katvmdana, Kantakar
Bengali : Kantakari
English : Febrifuge plant
Gujrati : Bharingani
Hindi : Katai, Katali, Ringani, Bhatakataiya, Chhotikateri
Kannada : Nelagulla, Kiragulla
Kashmiri : Kath
Malayalam : Kantakari chunda
Marathi : Bhauringani, Kataringani
Oriya : Bhejibaugana, Ankarati, Chakada Bhoji
Punjabi : Kandiari
Tamil : Kandangatri, Kandankatri, Kandanghathiri
Telugu : Nelamulaka, Pinnamulaka, Mulaka, Chinnamulaka, Vakudu
Urdu : —

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Root-10-45 cm long, few mm to two cm in diameter, almost cylindrical and tapering, bearing a number of fine longitudinal and few transverse wrinkles with occasional scars or a few lenticels and small rootlets, transversely smoothened surface shows a thin bark and wide compact cylinder of wood, fracture, short, taste, bitter.

Stem-herbaceous, prickly with prominent nodes and internodes, green when fresh, young branches, covered with numerous hairs, mature ones glabrous, furrows more prominent in young stem appearing almost circular towards basal region, stem pieces 8-10 mm thick of variable length, external surface light green, when dry, surface yellowish green and smooth, transversely smoothened surface shows a very thin bark and prominent wood, centre shows a large and distinct, pith, mr ture and dry stem often with hollow pith, fracture short to slightly fibrous.

Leaves-petiolate, exstipulate, ovate–oblong or elliptic, sinuate or sub-pinnatifid, subacute hairy, 4-12.5 cm long and 2-7.5 cm wide, green, veins and midrib full with sharp prickles, odour and taste not distinct.

Flower– ebracteate, pedicellate, bisexual, pentamerous, regular, complete, bright blue or bluish purple, calyx-persistent, gamosepalous, tube short, globose, linear-lanceolate, acute, hairy, 0.5-1 .3 cm long and densely prickly, corollagamopetalous, lobes deltoid, acute, hairy, 1-2 cm long and purple in colour, stamens 5, epipetalous, basifixed, filament short 1-1.5 mm long, anther, oblong lanceolate, 0.7-0.8 cm long, ovary superior, ovoid, glabrous, bilocular with axile placentation having numerous ovules.

Fruit-Berry globular, measuring 0.8-1 cm in diameter, surrounded by persistent calyx at base unripe fruits variegated with green and white strips, ripe fruit shows different yellow and white shades.

Seeds-circular, flat, numerous, embedded in a fleshy mesocarp about 0. 2 cm in diameter, glabrous taste, bitter and acrid.

b) Microscopic

Root– transverse section of mature root shows cork composing of 3-6 layers of thinwalled, rectangular and tangentially elongated cells, cork cambium single layered followed by 6-15 layers of thin-walled, tangentially elongated to oval or circular parenchymatous cells, stone cells either single or in groups of 2-20 or even more present in this region, secondary phloem composed of sieve elements and phloem parenchyma traversed by medullary rays, stone cells present in singles or in groups of 2-20 or more in outer, and middle phloem regions, phloem rays 1-4 cells wide and 2-22 cells high, cambium 3-5 layered of thin-walled rectangular cells, xylem composed of vessels, tracheids, fibre trachieds, parenchyma and transversed by medullary rays, all elements being lignified, vessels and tracheids with bordered pits, fibres with a few simple pits, xylem parenchyama rectangular or lightly elongated with simple pits and rarely with reticulate thickening, xylem rays 1-3 cells wide and 1-20 cells high, microsphenoidal crystals of calcium oxalate as sandy masses and simple starch grains present in secondary cortex, phloem and medullary rays.

Stem-transverse section of mature stem, 1.5-2 cm thick consists of 6-12 layers of cork of thin- walled somewhat rectangular cells, epidermis remains intact for a long time, secondary cortex consists of 7-11 layers of parenchymatous cells, some cells thickened and lignified forming stone cells primary cortex remains intact even in quite mature stage but later gets crushed, pericyclic fibre, occur singly or in small groups of 2-3, secondary phloem consists of sieve elements, parenchyama, a few fibres, stone cells and traversed by phloem rays, fibres found scattered in singles or in small groups in outer and middle phloem region, inner phloem devoid of fibres, stone cells present in singles or in small groups of 2-4, phloem rays, 1-2 or rarely 3 cells wide, cambium composed of 2-3 layers, xylem consists of vessels, tracheids, parenchyma, fibres and traversed by xylem rays, vessels vary grea tly in shape and size and show bordered pits, tracheids elongated with irregular walls and bordered pits, fibres much elongated, thick-walled and lignified with tapering and pointed ends, some having truncated ends or bifurcated at one or both ends with a few simple pits, trancheids fibres smaller than fibres, with both ends tapering and have reticulate thickening, xylem parenchyma cubical to rectangular with simple or bordered pits or reticulate thickening, xylem rays conspicuous by their pitted thickenings, longer size and radial elongation of cells, 1-2 or rarely 3 cells wide and 2-25 cells high, internal phloem composed of sieve elements and parenchyma, forming more or less continuous band and embedded in perimedullary zone, a few phloem fibres similar to those of outer phloem region also present, central region occupied by a large pith, microsphenoidal crystals of calcium oxalate as sandy masses and simple starch grains present in cortex, secondary cortex, phloem, medullary rays and pith cells.

Leaves-Petiole-transverse section of petiole shows circular to wavy outlines, epidermis single layered, covered externally by a thick cuticle, hypodermis consists of 3-4 layers of
collenchymatous, cells, one large-crescent-shaped, bicollateral, central vascular bundle and two small lateral bundles present, rest of tissue of petiole composed of polygonal, angular, thin-walled, parenchymatous cells, epidermis shows mostly stellate and rarely urn to tricellular hairs.

Midrib-transverse section of midrib shows a biconvex structure, epidermis on either side covered externally by a thick cuticle, below epidermis 3-4 layers of collenchyma present, stele composed of crescent-shaped, bicollateral, central vacscular bundle and two small lateral vascular bundles, rest of tissue composed of thin-walled, parenchyma, some stellate hair present on epidermis.

Lamina-transverse section shows dorsiventral structure, epidermis on either side, wavy in outline, covered externally by a thick cuticle, on upper side mesophyll composed of a single layered palisade and 4-6 layers of loosely arranged spongy parenchyma, some stellate hairs (4-8 armed) present on both sides of epidermis, anisocytic stomata present on both surfaces, vein-islet number 46-80 on lower epidermis (mean 63), 61-80 on upper epidermis (mean 70), stomatal index 20-25 (mean 22.5) on lower epidermis, 14-24 (mean 19) on upper epidermis, palisade ratio 1.7-4 (mean 2 .85).

Fruit-transverse section of mature fruit shows single layered epidermis, covered externally by a thin cuticle, 1-2 layers of collanchyma present below epidermis, mesocarp composed of thin-walled, oval to polygonal cells, some fibre., vascular bundles present scattered, seed consists of thick-walled radially elongated testa, narrow endosperm with embryo, some cells of endosperm contain oil globules.

Powder – Greenish, under microscope shows single or groups of stone cells, groups of aseptate fibre with tapering ends, pitted vessels, groups of spongy parenchyma, fragments of palisade tissue, anisocytic stomata, stellate hairs and simple, rounded to oval starch grains measuring 2.75-11 n in dia.

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 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 16 per cent, Appendix 2.2.7.

CONSTITUENTS – Glucoalkaloids and sterols.

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Katu, Tikta
Guna : Laghu, Ruksa
Virya : Usna
Vipaka : Katu
Karma : Sothahara, Dipana, Pacana, Amadosanasaka, Kanthya

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Kanakaryavaleha, Pancatiktaka Ghrta, Vyaghriharitaki

THERAPEUTIC USES – Aruci, Svasa, Jvara, Kasa, Pinasa, Svarabheda, Parsvasula

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

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KANYASARA

Kanyasara consists of dried juice of leaves of Aloe barbadensis Mill. Syn. Aloe vera Tourn.ex Linn, Aloe indica Royle. (Fam. Liliacem), shrub planted in many Indian gardens and found growing throughout India.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Kumarirasasambhava, Sahasara
Assamese : Musabhar, Machambar
Bengali : Ghritakalmi
English : Indian Aloe
Gujrati : Eliyo, Eariyo
Hindi : Musabhar, Elva
Kannada : Karibola, Lolesara satva, Lovalsara, Lolesara
Kashmiri : Musabbar, Siber
Malayalam : Chenninayakam
Marathi : Korphad
Oriya : Musabara
Punjabi : Kalasohaga, Mussabar, Alua
Tamil : Kattazhi, Satthukkathazhai
Telugu : Musambaram
Urdu : Musabbar, Ailiva, Siber

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Dark chocolate brown, to black, compact, irregular masses: surface dull, opaque with slightly vitreous appearance, odour, characteristic, taste, nauseous and bitter.

b) Microscopic

Powder when mounted in glycerin or lactophenol and examined under the microscope shows innumerable crystalline, yellowish-brown to chocolate coloured particles of varying size and shape.

IDENTITY, PURITY AND STRENGTHIdentification:

Mix 0.5 g with 50 ml of water, boil until nearly dissolved, cool, add 0.5 g of Kieselguhr and filter, to the filtrate apply the following tests-

(i) Heat 5 ml of filtrate with 0.2 g of Borax until dissolved, add a few drops of this solution to a test-tube nearly filled with Water, a green fluorescence is produced.
(ii) Mix 2 ml of filtrate with 2 ml of a freshly prepared solution of Bromine, a pale yellow precipitate is produced.

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 2 per cent, Appendix 2.2.4.
Alcohol-soluble extractive Not less than 80 per cent, Appendix 2.2.6.
Water-soluble extractive Not less than 60 per cent, Appendix 2.2.7.
Moisture content Not more than 10 per cent, Per cent of its weight when dried to constant weight at 105o C 2.2.9

CONSTITUENTS – Anthraquinone, glycoside

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Katu
Guna : Usna
Virya : Usna
Vipaka : Katu
Karma : Bhedi, Pittanirharana, Rajahpravartaka, Jvaranut.

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Rajahpravartini Vati, Cukkumtippalyadi Gutika

THERAPEUTIC USES – Jvara, Udararoga, Kastartava, Yakrdvikara

DOSE – 125 – 500 mg of the drug in powder form.

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KARANJA

Karanja consists of seeds of Pongamia pinnata (Linn.) Merr, Syn. Pongamia glabra vent.(Fam. Leguminosm),a medium sized glabrous tree with a short bole and spreading crown and found almost throughout India upto an altitude of 1200 m.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Karanjaka, Naktamala, Naktahva, Ghrtakaranja
Assamese : Korach
Bengali : Nata Karanja, Dahara Karanja
English : Smooth leaved pongamia
Gujrati : Kanajo, Karanji
Hindi : Dithouri, Karuaini
Kannada : Honge, Hulagilu
Kashmiri : Kath
Malayalam : Avittal, Ungu, Unu, Pungu
Marathi : Karanja
Oriya : Karnja
Punjabi : Karanj
Tamil : Pungan, Pongana
Telugu : Lamiga, Kanuga
Urdu : Karanj

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Seed usually one and rarely two, elliptic or reniform in shape, 1.7-2.0 cm long and 1.2-1.8 cm broad, wrinkled with reddish leathery testa, micropylar end of cotyledons slightly depressed while other side semi-circular in shape.

b) Microscopic

Transverse section of seed shows, testa composed of a layer of palisade like outer epidermis, filled with brown pigment, covered externally with a thick cuticle, a layer of large, thin walled, somewhat rectangular cells, 2-4 layers of thick-walled parenchyma cells, a few rows of cells with small inter-cellular spaces, 2-3 layers of thick-walled elongated cells, a few layers of spongy parenchyma having large inter-cellular spaces, a number of parenchyma cells containing brown pigment, cotyledons composed of outer layer of epidermis with cylindrical cells, externally covered with thin cuticle, epidermis followed by rectangular to polygonal cells of mesophyll, filled with globules, also present scattered in this region.

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 0.1 per cent, Appendix 2.2.4.
Alcohol-soluble extractive Not less than 23 per cent, Appendix 2.2.6.
Water-soluble extractive Not less than 13 per cent, Appendix 2.2.7.

CONSTITUENTS – Fixed oil, flavones and traces of essential oil.

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Katu, Tikta
Guna : Tiksna
Virya : Usna
Vipaka : Katu
Karma : Krmijit, Kushaghna, Kaphavataghna, Vranasodhana

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Aragvadhadi Kvath Curna, Pathyadilepa

THERAPEUTIC USES – Vrana, Krmi, Kustha.

DOSE – 0.25 g of the drug in powder form.
5-10 g of the drug for decoction.

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KARAVIRA

Karavira consists of dried leaves of Nerium indicum Mill. Syn. Nerium odorum Soland (Fam.Apocynacem), a large evergreen woody shrub with milky Juice, found throughout the year in upper Gangetic plains, Himalayas, from Nepal to Kashmir upto 2000 m. Central and Southern India, also cultivated near temples and gardens.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Hayamaraka, Harapriya, Asvamara.
Assamese : Karbira, Karavi, Karvir
Bengali : Karavi, Kalkephul
English : Indian Oleander
Gujrati : Kanera, Karena, Karen
Hindi : Kaner
Kannada : Kanagalu, Kanagile
Kashmiri : Gandeela, Gandula
Malayalam : Kanave eram, Arali, Kattalari
Marathi : Kanher
Oriya : Kaniara, Kaniar
Punjabi : Kaner
Tamil : Arali, Alari, Aatrulari
Telugu : Ganneru
Urdu : Kaner

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Leaves exstipulate, linear, lanceolate, 10-20 cm long and upto 2.5 cm wide, thick, dark green and shining above and dotted beneath, venation unicostate, reticulate with midrib being stout and the secondary veins arising in very large number, running parallel, stomata anamocytic.

b) Microscopic

Petiole-transverse section of petiole shows a single layer of epidermis covered externally by thick cuticle, epidermal cells elongate to form unicellular, non-lignified and nonglandular hairs, a wide zone of cortex, composed of 4-7 layers of collenchymatous cells and a Wide zone of parenchyma follows the epidermis, parenchymatous cells thinwalled,
more or less isodiametric with intercellular spaces, some cells contain rosette crystals of calcium oxalate, petiole receives three vascular bundles from stem, central one large and crescent shaped while other two much smaller and somewhat circular present on each side of central vascular bundle, phloem present on upper side and xylem on lower Side With usual elements.

Lamina-transverse section of lamina shows an isobilateral structure, upper epidermis composed of penta or hexagonal parenchymatous cells, externally covered with thick cuticle, below upper epidermis. 2-3 layers of hypodermis present, palisada 3-4 layered composed of elongated and compactly arranged cells, vascular strands also seen in between palisade and spongy parenchyma, spongy parenchyma filled with chlorophyll, towards lower surface 2-3 layered palisade, below which parenchyma and lower epidermis present, lower epidermis also coated with the cuticle externally, in lower surface many pits possessing stomata, unicellular, non-glandular and non-lignified trichomes, rosette crystals of calcium oxalate present throughout lamina, average palisade ratio 4: 1.

Midrib-transverse section of midrib shows epidermis composed of a layer of cells, externally covered with cuticle, some epidermal cells on upper and lower sides form unicellular hairs, between epidermis and parenchyma 2-4 rows of thick-walled cells, more prominent towards lower side, some parenchymatous cells contain rosette crystals of calcium oxalate, laticifers found scattered singly or in groups of 2 in this region, beneath the vascular bundle a sn ip of fibres present, vascular bundle ‘U’ shaped, xylem being towards lower side and phloem towards the upper consists of tracheids, vessels and parenchyma, vessels with end-openings, rarely with side openings tracheids many with spiral, annular or reticulate thickenings on their walls.

IDENTITY, PURITY AND STRENGTH

Foreign matter Not more than 12 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 20 per cent, Appendix 2.2.6.
Water-soluble extractive Not less than 20 per cent, Appendix 2.2.7.

CONSTITUENTS – Cardiac glucoside (oleandrin).

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Katu, Tikta, Kasaya
Guna : Laghu, Ruksa, Tiksna
Virya : Usna
Vipaka : Katu
Karma : Svasahara, Caksusya, Krmighna, Kandughna, Kushaghna, Vranapaha, Jvarapaha

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Kasisadi Taila

THERAPEUTIC USES – Hrdroga, Jvara, Krmiroga, Kandu, Kustha, Netraroga, Vrana,Tamakasvasa

DOSE – 30-125 mg of the drug in powder form.
*Dose should not exceed the higher limit.

NOTE-Sodhana of this drug is to be done before use as described in the appendix.

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GUGGULU

Guggulu consists of exudate of Commiphora wightii (Arn.) Bhand, Syn. Balsamodendron mukul Hook. ex Stocks Commiphora mukul Engl.), {Fam. Burseracem), a small perennial tree or shrub upto 1.2-1.8 m high, occuring in rocky tracts of Rajasthan, Gujarat , exudate is collected during winter season by making the incisions in the bark or in summer, falling from the bark itself.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Pura, Mahisaksa, Kausika, Palankasa
Assamese : Guggul
Bengali : Guggula
English : Gum-gugul, Indian Bdellium
Gujrati : Gugal, Guggal, Gugar
Hindi : Guggul
Kannada : Kanthagana, Guggala, Mahishaksha guggulu, Guggulugida, Guggulu
Guggal
Kashmiri : Guggul Dhoop, Kanth Gan
Malayalam : Gulgulu, Guggulu
Marathi : Guggul, Mahishaksh
Oriya : Guggulu
Punjabi : Guggal
Tamil : Mahisaksi Guggalu
Telugu : Makishakshi guggulu, Guggipannu
Urdu : Muqil (Shihappu)

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Drug occurs in vermicular or stalactitic pieces of pale yellow or brown coloured mass, makes milky emulsion in hot water and readily burns, when fresh viscid and golden coloured, odour, aromtic, taste., bitter and astringent.

b) Microscopic

IDENTITY, PURITY AND STRENGTH

Foreign matter Not more than 4 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 27 per cent, Appendix 2.2.6.
Water-soluble extractive Not less than 53 per cent, Appendix 2.2.7.
Volatile oil Not less than 1 per cent, Appendix 2.2.10

CONSTITUENTS – Essential oil, gum, resin, steroids.

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Katu, Tikta, Kasaya
Guna : Laghu, Sara, Vasada
Virya : Usna
Vipaka : Katu
Karma : Balya, Rasayana, Varnya, Vatabalasajit, Bhagnasandhanakrt, Medohara

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Vatari Guggulu, Yogaraja Guggulu, Simhanada Guggulu, Kaisora Guggulu, Mahayogaraja Guggulu, Candraprabha Vati

THERAPEUTIC USES – Amavata, Kustha, Prameha, Vatavyadi, Granthi, Sopha, Gandamala, Medoroga

DOSE – 2-4 g of the drug.

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GUNJA

Gunja consists of seeds of Abrus precatorius Linn. (Fam. Leguminosm): a climber met with all along Himalayas ascending to 900 m, spreading throughout plains, flowering
in August-September, and fruits ripen during winter.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Raktika, Kakananti
Assamese : Rati
Bengali : Kunch, Shonkainch
English : Jequirity
Gujrati : Rati, Chanothee
Hindi : Ratti, Ghungchi
Kannada : Galuganji, Gulagunjee
Kashmiri : Kath
Malayalam : Kunni, Cuvanna Kunni
Marathi : Gunja
Oriya : Kainch
Punjabi : Ratti
Tamil : Kuntri, Kunrimani, Kundamani
Telugu : Guriginja, Gurivinda
Urdu : Ghongcha, Ratti

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Characterised by smooth, glossy surface and bright scarlet colour with black patch hilum, ovoid or sub-globular, 5-8 mm long, 4-5 mm broad.

b) Microscopic

Transverse section of seed shows testa about 75 μ thick, greater parts being formed by epidermis, composed of radially, much elongated cells, arranged irregularly and measure 45-50 μ in length, Inner region of thin testa consists of collapsed cells forming a hyaline layer about 25 μ thick, endodermis composed of thick-walled cellulosic parenchyma, isodiametric cells larger towards inside, walls mainly of hemicellulose and swell considerably in water, outer one or two layers of cells of endodermis (pseudoepidermis) formed of rather smaller cells, walls of which swell to less extent in water.

IDENTITY, PURITY AND STRENGTH

Foreign matter Not more than 2 per cent, Appendix 2.2.2.
Total Ash Not more than 3 per cent, Appendix 2.2.3.
Acid-insoluble ash Not more than 0.5 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 15 per cent, Appendix 2.2.7.

CONSTITUENTS – An albuminous substance (abrine and abralin).

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Tikta, Kasaya
Guna : Laghu, Ruksa, Tiksna
Virya : Usna
Vipaka : Katu
Karma : Kesya, Vranapaha, Vatapittajvarapaha, Kandughna, Garbhanirodhaka

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Mrtasanjivani Gutika, Guμjabhadra Rasa

THERAPEUTIC USES – Kustha, Vrana, Vatavyadhi, Indralupta

DOSE – 60-180 mg of the drug in powder form*.

Note: Sodhana of this drug is to be done before use as described in the Appendix.
* The dose should not exceed the higher limits.

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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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GUDUCI

Guduci consists of dried, matured pieces of stem of Tinospora cordifolia (Willd.) Miers. (Fam, Menispermacem), a perennial climber found throughout Tropical India, drug collected during summer preferably in the month of May, drug is used in fresh form also.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Amrtavalli, Amrta, Madhuparni, Guducika, Chinnobhava
Assamese : Siddhilata, Amarlata
Bengali : Gulancha
English : —
Gujrati : Galac, Garo
Hindi : Giloe, Gurcha
Kannada : Amrutaballi
Kashmiri : Amrita, Gilo
Malayalam : Chittamrutu
Marathi : Gulvel
Oriya : Guluchi
Punjabi : Gilo
Tamil : Seendal, Seendil kodi
Telugu : Thippateega
Urdu : Gilo

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Drug occurs in pieces of varying thickness ranging from 0.6-5 cm in diameter, young stems green with smooth surfaces and swelling at nodes, older ones show a light brown surface marked with warty protuberances due to circular lenticels, transversely smoothened surface shows a radial structure with conspicuous medullary rays traversing porous tissues, taste bitter.

b) Microscopic

Transverse section of stem shows outer-most layer of cork, differentiating into outer zone of thick-walled brownish and compressed cells, inner zone of thin walled colourless, tangentially arranged 3-4 rows of cells, cork broken at some places due to opening of lenticels, followed by 5 or more rows of secondary cortex of which the cells of outer rows smaller than the inner one, just within the opening of lenticels, groups of sclereids consisting of 2-10 cells found in secondary cortex region, outer zone of cortex consists of 3–5 rows of irregularly arranged, tangentially elongated chlorenchymatous cells, cortical cells situated towards inner side, polygonal in shape and filled with plenty of starch grains, simple, ovoid, or irregularly ovoid-elliptical, occasionally compound of 2-4 components, several secretory cells, found scattered in the cortex, pericyclic fibres lignified with wide lumen and pointed ends, associated with a large number of crystal fibres containing a single prism in each chamber, vascular zone composed of 10-12 or more wedge-shaped strips of xylem, externally surrounded by semi-circular strips of phloem, alternating, with wide medullary rays, phloem consists of sieve tube, companion cells and phloem parenchyma of polygonal or tangentially elongated cells, some of them contain cryste1s of calcium oxalate, cambium composed of one to two layers of tangentially elongated cells in each vascular bundle, xylem consists of vessels, tracheids, parenchyma and fibres, in primary xylem, vessels comparatively narrow devoid of tyloses, secondary xylem elements thick-walled, lignified, vessels cylindrical in shape bearing bordered pits on their walls some large vessels possess several tyloses and often contain transverse septa, meduallry rays 15-20 or more cells wide containing rounded, hemispherical, oblong, ovoid, with faintly marked concentric striations and central hilum appearing like a point, starch grains of 5.5-11.20 μ in diameter and 6-11.28 μ in length, pith composed of large, thin-walled cells mostly containing starch grains.

IDENTITY, PURITY AND STRENGTH

For dried drug –
Foreign matter Not more than 2 per cent, Appendix 2.2.2.
Total ash Not more than 16 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 3 per cent, Appendix 2.2.6.
Water-soluble extractive Not less than 11 per cent, Appendix 2.2.7
For fresh drug
Foreign matter Nil Appendix 2.2.2.
Moisture content 75 per cent, Appendix 2.2.9.

CONSTITUENTS – Terpenoids and alkaloids.

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Tikta, Kasaya
Guna : Laghu
Virya : Usna
Vipaka : Madhura
Karma : Balya, Dipana, Rasayana, Sangrahi, Tridosasamaka, Raktasodhaka, Jvaraghna

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Amrtarisa, Amrtottara Kvatha Curna, Guduci Taila, Guducyadi Curna, Guduci Sattva, Chinnobhavadi Kvatha Curna

THERAPEUTIC USES – Jvara, Kustha, Pandu, Prameha, Vatarakta, Kamala

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

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JATAMAMSI

Jatamamsi consists of dried rhizome of Nardostachys jatamansi DC.(Fam. Valerianacem) , an errect perennial herb, 10-60 cm high growing at an altitude of 3000-5000 m on the sub-alpine Himalayan tracts.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Mamsi, Jaa, Jaila
Assamese : Jatamansi, Jatamangshi
Bengali : Jatamamsi
English : Nardus root
Gujrati : Baalchad, Kalichad
Hindi : Balchara
Kannada : Bhootajata, Ganagila maste
Kashmiri : Bhutijata
Malayalam : Manchi, Jatamanchi
Marathi : Jatamansi
Oriya : Jatamansi
Punjabi : Billilotan, Balchhar, Chharguddi
Tamil : Jatamanji
Telugu : Jatamams
Urdu : Sumbul-ut-teeb

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Dried rhizome dark brown, 2.5-7.5 cm long, cylindrical, covered with reddishbrown fibres forming a net work, which are skeletons of sheathing leaf bases, fracture, brittle, internal colour reddish-brown, colour, strongly aromatic, taste, acrid, slightly bitter.

b) Microscopic

Transverse section of rhizome shows cork consisting of 2-5 layers of cells filled with oil globules, cortex characterised by the presence of schizogenous canals, phloem in form of patches of small cells, cambium ring distinct and continuous, xylem consists of vessles, scattered individually or in rows of two or three vessels, with scalariform thickening, older rhizomes show one or more stellate shaped rings of interxylary and medullary cork, completely or incompletely separating the rhizome into four to nine vascular strands by joining outer cork, each separated strand encircled by a few layers of cork cell consisting of an outer cortex zone followed by two or more functional vascular bundles, tissues in between the strands usually non-functional except for the cork cells which act as storage organ for oil globule.

IDENTITY, PURITY AND STRENGTH

Identification-

Shake about 2 g of the powder with 5 ml of Alcohol (80 per cent) for ten minutes and filter, Place one drop of the filtrate on a filter paper, dry and examine under ultra-violet light, a bright, bluish-white fluorescene is visible.

IDENTITY, PURITY AND STRENGTH

Foreign matter Not more than 5 per cent, Appendix 2.2.2.
Total Ash Not more than 9 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 2 per cent, Appendix 2.2.6.
Water-soluble extractive Not less than 5 per cent, Appendix 2.2.7.
Volatile oil Not less than 0.1 per cent, Appendix 2.2.10

CONSTITUENTS – Essential oil and resinuous matter.

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Tikta, Kasaya
Guna : Laghu
Virya : Sita
Vipaka : Katu
Karma : Medhya, Tridosanut, Varnya, Nidrajanana, Kushaghna.

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Jatamamsyarka

THERAPEUTIC USES – Daha, Kustha, Visarpa, Manasaroga, Anidra

DOSE – 2-3 g of the drug in powder form.
5-10 g of the drug for decoction.

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GOKSURA (Fruit)

Goksura consists of dried, ripe, entire fruit of Tribulus terrestris Linn. (Fam Zygopyllaceae), an annual, rarely pernnial common weed of the pasture lands, road sides and other waste places, chiefly in hot, dry and sandy regions, grows throughout India as prostrate herb and upto 3,000 m in Kashmir.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Svadamstra, Goksuraka, Traikantaka, Trikatna
Assamese : Gokhurkata, Gokshura
Bengali : Gokhri, Gokshura
English : Caltrops fruit
Gujrati : Bethagokharu, Mithagokhru, Nanagokharu
Hindi : Gokhru
Kannada : Neggilamullu, Neggilu, Sannaneggilu
Kashmiri : Pakhda, Michikand
Malayalam : Nerinjil
Marathi : Gokharu, Sarate
Oriya : Gokhyura, Gukhura
Punjabi : Bhakhra, Gokhru
Tamil : Nerinjil, Nerunjil
Telugu : Palleru Kaya
Urdu : Khar-e-Khasak Khurd

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Fruit stalked, light or greenish yellow, five ribbed or angled, more or less spherical in structure and covered with short stiff or pubescent hairs, 1 cm in diameter with five pairs, of prominent short stiff spines, pointed downwards, about 0.5 cm in length, tips of spines almost meet in pairs whole together forming pentagonal framework around fruit, ripe fruit separates into five segment, of each cocci and each appears as single-fruit, each coccus semi-lunar or plano-convex in structure one chambered, armed with a pair of spines, starting from its middle, containing four or more seeds, taste, slightly astringent.

b) Microscopic

Transverse section of fruit shows small epidermal cells of each coccus rectangular, unicellular trichomes in abundance, mesocarp 6-10 layers of large parenchymatous cells, rosette of calcium oxalate crystals abundantly present, mesocarp followed by 3-4 compact layers of small cells containing prismatic 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 15 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 6 per cent, Appendix 2.2.6.
Water-soluble extractive Not less than 10 per cent, Appendix 2.2.7.

CONSTITUENTS – Potassium nitrate, sterols, sapogenin with pyroketone ring (diosgenin), gitogenin and hecogenins.

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Madhura
Guna : Guru, Snigdha
Virya : Sita
Vipaka : Madhura
Karma : Brmhana, Vatanut, Vrsya, Asmarihara, Vastisodhana

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Goksuradi Guggulu, Traikanaka Ghrta, Draksadi Cruna

THERAPEUTIC USES – Sularoga, Arsa, Svasa, Daurbalya, Hrdroga, Kasa, Mutrakrcchra, Asmari, Prameha

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

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JATIPHALA

Jatiphala consists of the endosperm of dried seeds (kernels of fruits) of Myristica fragrans Houtt. (Fam. Myristicacem), dioecious or occasionally monoecious aromatic tree, about 10-20 m high, found mostly in Tamil Nadu and to some extent in Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Assam.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Jatisasya, Jatiphala
Assamese : Jaiphal, Kanivish
Bengali : Jaiphala, Jaitri
English : Nutmeg
Gujrati : Jaiphala, Jayfar
Hindi : Jaiphal
Kannada : Jadikai, Jaykai, Jaidikai
Kashmiri : Jafal
Malayalam : Jatika
Marathi : Jaiphal
Oriya : Jaiphal
Punjabi : Jaiphal
Tamil : Sathikkai, Jathikkai, Jatikkai, Jadhikai, Jadhikkai
Telugu : Jajikaya
Urdu : Jauzbuwa, Jaiphal

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Seed ellipsoid, 20-30 mm long and about 20 mm broad, externally greenishbrown sometimes marked with small irregular dark brown patches or minute dark points and lines slightly furrowed reticulately, a small light-coloured area at one end indicating the position of the radicle a groove running along the line of raphe to the darker chalaza at the opposite end, surrounded by a thin layer of peri sperm with infoldings appearing as dark ruminations in the abundant greyish-brown endosperm, embryo, in an irregular cavity, small with two widely spreading crumpled cotyledons and a small radicle odour, strong and aromatic, taste, pungent and aromatic.

b) Microscopic

Transverse section of endosperm shows peripheral perisperm, of several layers of strongly, flattened polyhederal cells with brown contents, or containing prismatic crystals, inner layer of perisperm of thin-walled parenchyma about 40 n thick, infolding into the tissue of the endosperm to form the ruminations containing numerous, very largeoil cells with brown cell walls, vascular strands, in the peripheral region, numerous small spiral vessels, large celled, endosperm, parenchymatous With occasional tannin idioblasts with thin brown walls, containing numerous simple, rounded and compound starch grains, with upto about 10 components usually 2-8 individual grains, upto 20 n in diameter present, most of the cells with crystalline fat and often a large aleurone grain in each cell, containing a rhombic protein crystal upto 12 n and small aleurone grains with less regular crystalloids, embryo, of shrivelled and collapsed parenchyma.

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 0.5 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 7 per cent, Appendix 2.2.7.
Ether soluble extractive Not less than 25 per cent, Appendix 2.2.8
Volatile oil Not less than 5 per cent, Appendix 2.2.10

CONSTITUENTS – Essential oil and fixed oil.

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Katu, Tikta
Guna : Laghu, Tiksna
Virya : Usna
Vipaka : Katu
Karma : Dipana, Grahi, Vrsya, Mukhakledanasaka, Mukhadaurgandhyanasaka, Kaphavatapana

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Jatiphaladi Curna

THERAPEUTIC USES – Atisara, Svasa, Chardi, Kasa, Pinasa, Grahani, Mukharoga, Sukrameha

DOSE – 0.5 – 1.0 g of the drug in powder form.

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GOKSURA (Root)

Goksura consists of root of Tribulus terrestris Linn. (Fam. Zygophyllacease): an annual prostrate herb, rarely perennial common weed of the pasture lands, road sides and other waste land, chiefly growing in hot, dry and sandy regions throughout India and upto 3,000 m in Kashmir.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Goksuraka, Trikatna, Svadamstra, Traikantaka
Assamese : Gokshura, Gukhurkata
Bengali : Gokshura, Gokhri
English : Caltrops root
Gujrati : Be tha gokharu, Nana gokharu, Mithogokharu
Hindi : Gokhru
Kannada : Sannanaggilu, Neggilamullu, Neggilu
Kashmiri : Michirkand, Pakhda
Malayalam : Nerinjil
Marathi : Sarate, Gokharu
Oriya : Gukhura, Gokhyura
Punjabi : Bhakhra, Gokhru
Tamil : Nerinjil, Nerunjil
Telugu : Palleruveru
Urdu : Khar-e-Khasak Khurd

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Drug consists of root, 7-18 cm long and 0.3-0.7 cm in diameter, slender, cylindrical, fibrous, frequently branched bearing a number of small rootlets, tough, woody and yellow to light brown in colour, surface becomes rough due to presence of small nodules, fracture fibrous, odour aromatic, taste, sweetish and astringent.

b) Microscopic

Transverse section of primary roots show a layer of epidermis followed by 4-5 layers of thin-walled parenchymatous cortex, endodermis distinct, pericycle enclosing diarch stele, in mature root, cork 4-6 layered, cork cambium single layered followed by 6-14 layers of thin-walled parenchymatous cells with varying number of fibres, distributed throughout, some secondary cortex cells show secondary wall formation and reticulate thickening, fibres found in groups resembling those of phloem, secondary phloem divided into two zones, outer zone characterised by presence of numerous phloem fibres with a few sieve tubes slightly collapsed, inner zone frequently parenchymatous, devoid of fibres often showing sieve tubes and companion cells, phloem rays distinct, few cells get converted into fibres in outer region, cambium 3-5 layered, wood composed of vessels, tracheids , parenchyma and fibres and traversed by medullary rays, vessels scattered, arranged in singles or doubles towards inner side, in groups of three to four on outer side having bordered pits, tracheids long, narrow with simple pits, xylem parenchyma rectangular or slightly elongated with simple pits and reticulate thickening, xylem fibres few, trachieds elongated with simple pits, medullary rays heterogenous, 1-4 cells wide, starch grains and rosette crystals of calcium oxalate present in secondary cortex, phloem and medullary rays cells, few prismatic crystals also present in xylem ray cells.

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 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 10 per cent, Appendix 2.2.7.

CONSTITUENTS – Alkaloids and saponins.

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Madhura
Guna : Guru, Snigdha
Virya : Sita
Vipaka : Madhura
Karma : Mutrala, Vrsya, Vatanut, Brmhana

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Sahacaradi Taila, Dasamula Kvatha Curna, Dasam ulakautraya Kvatha Curna, Dasam ulapancakoladi Kvatha Curna

THERAPEUTIC USES – Svasa, Hrdroga, Kasa, Vataroga, Sularoga, Mutrakrcchra, Asamari

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

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KAMPILLA

Kampilla consists of glands and hairs of fruit of Mallotus philippinensis Muell . Arg. (Fam. Euphorbiacem), a very common perennial shrub or small tree found in outer Himalayas ascending to 1500 m, mature fruits collected in February-March, reddish brown powder collected in cloth by shaking and rubbing the fruits with hands.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Rajanaka, Kampillaka
Assamese : Lochan
Bengali : Kamlagudi
English : Kamala
Gujrati : Kapilo
Hindi : Kabila
Kannada : Kapila, Chandrahettu, Kapilathettu
Kashmiri : Kameelak
Malayalam : Kampippala, Kampipalu
Marathi : Shendri, Kapila
Oriya : Kamalagundi
Punjabi : Kamila
Tamil : Kamala, Kampila
Telugu : Kampillamu
Urdu : Kamila

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Fine, granular powder, dull-red or madder-red coloured, floating on water.

b) Microscopic

Under microscope glands appear depressed and globular, containing deep-red coloured resin, secreted by many club shaped cell radiating from a common centre, a number of stellate trichomes present, trichomes thick-walled, branching lignified with smooth margins, yellow coloured, arranged in small radiating groups.

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 4 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 1.0 per cent, Appendix 2.2.7.

CONSTITUENTS – Resinous colouring matter (rottlerin).

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Katu
Guna : Laghu, Ruksa, Tiksna
Virya : Usna
Vipaka : Katu
Karma : Krmighna, Vranapaha, Virecana

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Dhanvantara Ghrta, Misraka Sneha.

THERAPEUTIC USES – Adhmana, Gulma, Krmiroga, Vibandha, Vrana

DOSE – 0.5-1.0 g of the drug in powder form.

Note– Sodhana of this drug is to be done before use, as described in Appendix.

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GAMBHARI

Gambhari consists of dried, mature root and root bark of Gmelina arborea Roxb. (Fam. Verbenaceae) , tree about 18 m high, with a clear bole of 6-9 m and a girth of 1.5-2.1 m, found in the lower Himalayas, the Nilgiris and the East and West Coasts of India.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Kasmari, Kasmarya
Assamese : Gamari
Bengali : Gambhar, Gamar
English : Candhar Tree
Gujrati : Shivan
Hindi : Gambhar, Khambhari
Kannada : Shivanigida, Shivani
Kashmiri : Kashmari
Malayalam : Kumizhu, Kumpil
Marathi : Shivan
Oriya : Gambhari
Punjabi : Gumhar, Kumhar
Tamil : Kumishan, Kumizhan
Telugu : Peggummudu, Peggummadi
Urdu : —

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Root – Occurs in pieces with secondary and tertiary branches, root pieces nearly cylindrical with uneven surface, greyish brown, fracture somewhat tough in bark, brittle and predominant in woody portion. Root bark-mature root bark when fresh, yellowish in colour, dry pieces curved and channelled, thinner ones forming single quills, external surface rugged due to presence of vertical cracks, ridges, fissures and numerous lenticels, fracture short and granular, taste, mucilaginous, sweetish with slight bitterness.

b) Microscopic

Root-transverse section of root shows 6-8 layers of cork cells, secondary cortex, including primary and secondary phloem about two third consisting of wood, cork brownish, cells arranged in tangential direction and broken at places towards upper layers, cortex characterised by the presence of thin-walled parenchymatous cells with starch grains , resin ducts present in abundance throughout cortex, scattered stone cells fibre like or elongated common, fibres present, occurring mostly in singles, cells of cortex also contain rosette crystals of calcium oxalate and oil globules, primary phloem characterised by the presence of sieve tubes with companion cells, phloem parenchyma, soft bast fibres and ray cells, phloem fibres occur singly and scattered cortical cells 40-70 n by 25-35 n and bast fibres, 300-1000 n by 10-15 n development of cork takes place in second or third layer of primary cortex, wood consists of simple pitted wood parenchyma and medullary rays, wood cells mainly composed of vessels and tracheids and inner wood consists of a major portion of fibres together with a few vessels, vessels numerous and form almost a ring near the periphery of xylem cylinder and somewhat spares, being scattered in groups or singly nearer the central region, lumen of vessels somewhat large, dimensions of vessels 130-250 n by 50-100 n and those of the tracheids 175-300 n by 30-50 n wood fibres abundant and with simple pits , cambium distinct, medullary rays generally 1-2 celled thick with abundant starch grains cells oblong to rectangular.

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 0.3 per cent, Appendix 2.2.4.
Alcohol-soluble extractive Not less than 7 per cent, Appendix 2.2.6.
Water-soluble extractive Not less than 20 per cent, Appendix 2.2.7.

CONSTITUENTS – Alkaloids and lignans (arboreal, isoarboreal and related lignans).

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Tikta, Kasaya
Guna : Guru
Virya : Usna
Vipaka : Katu
Karma : Sothahara, Bhedana, Dipana, Pacana, Tridosajit, Visaghna, Medhya, Jvarahara.

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Dasamularisa, Dasamulaharitaki, Dasamula Ghrta, Dasamula Sapalaka Ghrta

THERAPEUTIC USES – Sotha, Daha, Jvara, Trsna, Arsa

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

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KANCANARA

Kancanara consists of the dried, stem bark of Bauhinia variegata Blume (Fam. Leguminosm): a medium sized tree occurring in sub-Himalayan tract extending eastwards to Assam, Eastern, Central and South India.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Kancanaraka
Assamese : Kancan, Kanchan
Bengali : Kanchana, Rakta Kanchana
English : Mountain Ebony
Gujrati : Champakati, Kanchnar, Kachnar
Hindi : Kachanar, Kanchanar, Kachnar
Kannada : Keyumandar, Kanchavala
Kashmiri : Kalad
Malayalam : Chuvanna Mandharam
Marathi : Kanchana, Raktakancana
Oriya : Kachana, Kaniara
Punjabi : Kanchnar
Tamil : Sigappu mandarai, Sihappu mantarai
Telugu : Deva Kanchanam
Urdu : —

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Bark, dark brown, sometimes with silvery patches, rough, compact, exfoliating in woody strips and scales, outer surface with small transverse and longitudinal cracks, internal surface white, taste, astringent

b) Microscopic

Transverse section of mature stem bark shows a wide stratified cork, outer cork composed of thin-wailed, slightly compressed, yellow brown cells followed by a number of layers of brown coloured cells, inner cork composed of transversely elongated orange brown cells, cork interrupted at certain places due to formation of rhytidoma, some secondary cortex composed or 15 or more rows or transversely elongated to circular, thin-walled, parenchymatous cells, some secondary cortex cells contain orange brown contents: groups of stone cells found scattered in this region occasionally arranged in 1-7 or more tangential rows, pericyclic fibres, thick-walled with narrow lumen, scattered in secondary cortex in singles or in groups, secondary phloem consists of sieve tubes, companion cells, phloem parenchyma and fibres traversed by funnel shaped medullary rays , phloem fibres arranged in radial rows throughout phloem region, prismatic and rhomboidal crystals or calcium, oxalate abundantly found in phloem and secondary cortex regions, very rarely found in cork cells, cluster crystals also present in secondary cortex and secondary phloem, crystal fibres also found in secondary phloem. Powder – pinkish, under microscope showing abundant crystals of calcium oxalate, sc1ercids in singles or in groups with wide lumen, bits of fibres, cork and secondary cortex cells, containing coloured content, and numerous crystal 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 0.2 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 6 per cent, Appendix 2.2.7.

CONSTITUENTS – Tannins.

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Kasaya
Guna : Laghu, Ruksa
Virya : Sita
Vipaka : Katu
Karma : Dipana, Grahi, Tridosahara, Gandavrddhihara

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Kancanaraguggulu

THERAPEUTIC USES – Apaci, Gandamala, Krmiroga, Vrana, Gudabhramsa

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

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ARKA (Leaf)

Arka consists of dried leaves of Calotropis procera (Ait.) R.Br. (Fam. Asclepiadaceae), found wild more or less throughout India.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Bhanu, Ravi, Tapana
Assamese : Akan, Akand
Bengali : Akanda, Akone
English : Madar Tree
Gujrati : Aakado
Hindi : Aak, Akavana, Madar
Kannada : Ekka, Ekkadagida, Ekkegida
Kashmiri : Acka
Malayalam : Erikku
Marathi : Rui
Oriya : Arakha
Punjabi : Ak
Tamil : Erukku, Vellerukku
Telugu : Jilledu
Urdu : Aak, Madar

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Sub-sessile, 6-15 cm by 4.5-8 cm, broadly ovate, ovate-oblong, elliptic or obovate acute, pubescent when young and glabrous on both sides on maturity.

b) Microscopic

Midrib-transverse section through midrib shows an upper and lower single layered epidermis externally covered with thick, striated cuticle, few epidermal cells on both surfaces of leaf elongated to form un i-seriate, 2-3 celled trichomes, epidermal cells cubical and radially elongated, epidermis followed by 3-8 layered collenchyma on both lower and upper surfaces, parenchymatous cells thin-walled, isodiametric to circular with intercellular spaces present in ground tissue, stele crescent shaped composed of bicollateral and open vascular bundle, xylem consists mostly of vessels and tracheids, a strip of cambium present between xylem and phloem tissues, laticifers also present in the phloem and parenchymatous zone. Lamina-dorsiventral with mesophyll differentiated into a palisade and spongy tissue, upper and lower epidermis covered externally with a thick, striated cuticle, below upper epidermis three rows of elongated, closely arranged palisade parenchyma present, spongy parenchyma tissues almost radially elongated with intercellular spaces, central cells irregular in shape, laticifers and vascular bundles also present scattered in this region

IDENTITY, PURITY AND STRENGTH

Foreign matter Not more than 2 per cent, Appendix 2.2.2.
Total Ash Not more than 21 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 5 per cent, Appendix 2.2.6.
Water-soluble extractive Not less than 24 per cent, Appendix 2.2.7.

CONSTITUENTS – Glycoside (Calotropin).

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Katu, Tikta
Guna : Laghu, Sara, Snigdha
Virya : Usna
Vipaka : Katu
Karma : Bhedana, Dipana, Krmighna, Visaghna, Vranahara, Vatahrt, Sopha, Svasahara

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Arkalavana

THERAPEUTIC USES – Svasa, Gulma, Krmiroga, Kandu, Kustha, Vrana, Sotha, Slesmodara Roga, Pliharoga, Arsa

DOSE – 250-750 mg of the drug in powder form.

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ARKA (Root)

Arka consists of dried roots of Calotropis procera (Ait.) R. Br. (Fam. Asclepiadaceae) found wild more or less throughout India.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Ravi, Bhanu, Tapana
Assamese : Akand, Akan
Bengali : Akanda, Akone
English : Madar Tree
Gujrati : Aakado
Hindi : Aak, Madar, Akavana
Kannada : Ekka, Ekkadagida, Ekkegida
Kashmiri : Acka
Malayalam : Erikku
Marathi : Rui
Oriya : Arakha
Punjabi : Ak
Tamil : Vellerukku, Erukku
Telugu : Jilledu
Urdu : Madar, Aak

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Root-rough, fissured longitudinally, corky and soft, externally yellowish-grey while internally white, central core cream coloured, bark easily separated from xylem, odour, characteristic: taste, bitter and acrid.

b) Microscopic

Transverse section of root shows outer most cork tissue consisting of 4-8 rows of tangentially elongated and radially arranged cells followed by 3-6 rows of moderately thick-walled, irregular cells of secondary cortex devoid of calcium oxalate crystals and starch grains, cortex composed of large polyhedral parenchymatous cells containing abundant rounded starch grains, some cortical cells contain rosette crystals of calcium oxalate, scattered laticifer cells with brown contents, phloem consists of sieve elements and phloem parenchyama, sieve tubes thick-walled, cells more prominent towards inner region of phloem traversed by uni to tetraseriate medullary rays, phloem cells contain crystals of calcium oxalate, starch grains and laticifers similar to these found in cortex: cambium present just within the phloem consisting of 2-5 rows of thin-walled, tangentially elongated cells xylem forms the central part of root composed of vessels. tracheids, fibres and xylem parenchyma, vessels present throughout xylem region and arranged radially in groups of 2-7, sometime single vessels also occur, usually cylindrical having bordered pits on their walls, xylem fibres long, lignified with wide lumen, tapering on ends and have simple pits on walls, medullary rays 1-4 seriate and triseriate in outer region and uni or biseriate in inner region: cells of medullary rays radially elongated, filled with starch similar to those present in cortical cells.

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 2 per cent, Appendix 2.2.6.
Water-soluble extractive Not less than 8 per cent, Appendix 2.2.7.

CONSTITUENTS – Glycosides (calotropin).

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Katu, Tikta
Guna : Laghu
Virya : Usna
Vipaka : Katu
Karma : Dipana, Kaphavatahrt, Bhedana, Krmighna, Vranahara, Visaghna, Kushaghna

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Mahavisagarbha Taila, Dhanvantara Ghrta

THERAPEUTIC USES – Gulma, Krmiroga, Kan•u, Kustha, Udararoga, Vrana, Svasa

DOSE – 1-3 g of the drug for decoction.

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DHANYAKA

Dhanyaka consists of dried ripe fruits of Coriandrum sativum Linn. (Fam. Umbelliferae) , a slender, glabrous, branched, annual herb, cultivated all over India, 30-90 cm high, giving characteristic aroma when rubbed, crop matures in 2-3 months after sowing, herb is pulled out with roots, after drying, fruits threashed out and dried in sun, winnowed, and stored in bags.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Dhanika, Dhanya, Vitunnaka, Kustumburu
Assamese : Dhaniya
Bengali : Dhane, Dhania
English : Coriander fruit
Gujrati : Dhana
Hindi : Dhaniya
Kannada : Havija, Kothambari bija
Kashmiri : Dhaniwal, Dhanawal
Malayalam : Malli, Kothampatayari
Marathi : Dhane, Kothimbir
Oriya : Dhania
Punjabi : Dhania
Tamil : Kottamatli virai, Dhaniya
Telugu : Dhaniyalu
Urdu : Kishneez

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Fruit globular, mericarps usually united by their margins forming a cremocarp about 2-4 mm in diameter, uniformly brownish-yellow or brown, glabrous, sometimes crowned by the remains of sepals and styles, primary ridges 10, wavy and slightly inconspicuous secondary ridges 8, straight, and more prominent, endosperm coelospermous , odour, aromatic, taste, spicy and characteristic.

b) Microscopic

Transverse section of fruit shows pericarp with outer epidermis, when present with slightly thickened anticlinal wall, a few stomata, many cells with small prisms of calcium oxalate, trichomes absent, outer layer of mesocarp parenchymatous with inner cells in wavy longitudinal rows and degenerated vittae as tangentially flattened cavities, middle layer of mesocarp sclerenchymatous forming a thick layer of fusiform, pitted cells in very sinuous rows, layers often crossing at right angles with definite longitudinal strands in the secondary ridges, sinuous primary costae with some spiral vessel: inner cells of mesocarp, large, hexagonal with rather thin, lignified walls, inner epidermis of very narrow thin-walled cells slightly sinuous anticlinal wall showing parquetry arrangement, two or rarely more, normal vittae occurring on commissural side of each mesocarp containing volatile oil, endosperm of thick-walled cellulosic parenchyma containing much fixed oil, numerous aleurone grains, about 4-8 in diameter containing micro-rosettes of calcium oxalate , split carpophore passing at apex of each mericarp into raphe, adjacent to which a large cavity and on inner side of this a flattened vascular strand, carpophore consisting of fibres surrounded by spiral vessels.

Powder– Fawn to brown, epidermal cells of pericarp when present, slightly thick-walled and many containing small prism of calcium oxalate, parenchymatous cells of mesocarp without reticulate thickening, masses of sclerenchymatous cells of mesocarp in sinuous rows, often crossing at right angles, large tubular hexagonal rather thin-walled sclerenchymatous cells of endocarp, cells of inner epidermis with slightly sinnous anticlinal walls, thick-walled polygonal parenchymatous cells of endosperm, containing
fixed oil and numerous small aleurone grains, micro-rosettes of calcium oxalate.

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 1.5 per cent, Appendix 2.2.4.
Alcohol-soluble extractive Not less than 10 per cent, Appendix 2.2.6.
Water-soluble extractive Not less than 19 per cent, Appendix 2.2.7.
Volatile oil Not less than 0.3 per cent, Appendix 2.2.10

CONSTITUENTS – Essential oil (coriandrol).

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Madhura, Katu, Tikta, Kasaya
Guna : Laghu, Snigdha
Virya : Usna
Vipaka : Madhura
Karma : Caksusya, Dipana, Grahi, Hrdya., Pacana, Tridosanut, Mutrala

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Dhanyapancaka kvatha Curna

THERAPEUTIC USES – Atisara, Chardi, Daha, Jvara, Trsna, Ajirna

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

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