Ayurvedic Herbs

KHATMI(Seed)

Khatmi seeds or Tukhm-e-khatmi, consist of dried seeds of Althma officinalis Linn. (Fam. Malvacem), a perennial, uniformly downy herb occurring in Kashmir region.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Khatmi
Assamese : —
Bengali : —
English : Marsh Mallow
Gujrati : —
Hindi : Khatmi bija
Kannada : —
Kashmiri : —
Malayalam : —
Marathi : Khatmi
Oriya : —
Punjabi : —
Tamil : Khatmi
Telugu : Khatmi
Urdu : Bajrul Khitmi, Khatmee, Tukhma-e-Khatmee

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

The seeds are small to moderate size, approximately 6 mm, usually brownishblack, reniform, rugose, hairy at margins; become mucilagenous when soaked in water.

b) Microscopic

T.S. shows testa – an outer multicellular layer comprising of outer most thick walled epidermis with multicellular, 2 to 6 armed stellate and some unicellular hairs, longest being near the micropyle; this is followed by 4 to 10 layers of parenchymatous cells several with rosette crystals of calcium oxalate, interrupted by schizogenous mucilage canals; the inner epidermis of testa is also thick walled. Tegmen two layered; outer tegmen – 4 to 6 cells deep, lignified 2 to 6 armed stellate hairs present also on it, this easily detached from the inner tegmen; inner tegmen – 4 to 6 cells deep, the outer being a row of palisade-like malphighian cells followed by a slightly thick walled, nonlignified two layered hypodermis of cells with their inner periclinal walls concave (i); 2 to 3 layered parenchymatous mesophyll; the inner epidermis is a layer of thin walled cells with rod like lignified thickening scattered on the anticlinal walls; endosperm cells filled with starch grains which are polygonal to rounded, 5 to 20 n m in size, hilum circular or showing a 2 to 5 rayed cleft, lamellm indistinct; ovule campylotropous; seeds of Althma rosea do not show the type of hairs present in A. officinalis, but have mostly unicellular hairs.

Powder – Powder brownish-black in colour, odourless, mucilaginous and sweetish in taste; shows elongated thick walled ridged malphighian cells; in surface view they are hexagonal showing wall thickenings; patches of parenchyma with mucilage and starch grains, polygonal to rounded, 5 to 20 n m, hilum circular, or with a 2 to 5 rayed cleft, lamellm indistinct; rosette crystals of calcium oxalate and stellate hairs; a small amount of powder on microscopic slide turns maroon with 50 % H2SO4 and black with 1NNaOH in amylacetate. When treated with 1% ruthenium red, powder becomes pink in colour showing the presence of mucilage.

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 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 18 per cent, Appendix 2.2.7.

T.L.C.

T.L.C. of the methanolic extract on precoated silica gel ‘G’ plate (0.2 mm thick) using toluene : ethyl acetate : methanol (85 : 15 : 0.5) shows under UV (366 nm) blue fluorescent at Rf. 0.18, 0.33 and 0.67. On spraying with Anisaldehyde-Sulphuric acid and heating the plate for ten minutes at 120oC, spots appear at Rf. 0.10 (grey), 0.18 (grey), 0.32 (green), 0.37 (navy blue), 0.57 (greyish blue) and 0.67 (greyish blue).

CONSTITUENTS – Glucose, sucrose, galactose & mannose, linoleic acid; isobutylalcohol, limonene, phellandrene, γ- toluerldehyde, citral, terpeneol, β- sitosterol.

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Madhura
Guna : Guru, Picchila, Snigdha
Virya : Sita
Vipaka : Madhura
Karma : Mutrala, Pittahara, Vatahara, Vedanasthapana, Slesma Kala Snehakara, Slesma Saraka

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Gojihvadi Kvatha Curna

THERAPEUTIC USES – Kasa, Mutrakrcchra, Pratisyaya, Mutradaha, Kantharoga.

DOSE – 3-6 g.

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KHUBKALAN (Seed)

Khubkalan is the seed of Sisymbrium irio Linn. (Fam. Brassicacem), an annual or biennial herb found in Kashmir, Punjab and Haryana and from Rajasthan to U.P. especially on moist soil.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : —
Assamese : —
Bengali : —
English : Hedge-Mustard, London Rocket
Gujrati : —
Hindi : Khub Kalaan, Khaaksee
Kannada : —
Kashmiri : —
Malayalam : —
Marathi : Ranteekhee
Oriya : —
Punjabi : Janglisarson, Maktrusa, Maktaroosaa
Tamil : —
Telugu : Jeevakamu
Urdu : Khubakalan

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Seeds more or less ellipsoid, minute, size about a mm, orangish-brown, mucilaginous with warty surface; odour, pungent like mustard oil and taste like bitter mustard oil.

b) Microscopic

T.S. of seed shows seed coat with six layers, outermost a single layer of epidermis of rectangular, flattened and thin walled cells ranging from 30 to 50 n in length containing colourless, concentrically striated mucilage; a two-cell deep layer of parenchymatous cells, a single row of sclerenchymatous cells with their radial and inner tangential walls thickened, a single-cell layer of pigment, a single cell layer of aleurone grains, followed by crushed parenchymatous cells; cotyledons contain aleurone grains and oil globules; embryo folded; starch absent.

Powder – Brown, with pungent mustard oil smell, shows oil globules; aleurone grains containing crystalloids, globoids and sclerenchymatous cells; with ruthenium red mucilage turns pink.

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 1 per cent, Appendix 2.2.4.
Alcohol-soluble extractive Not less than 22 per cent, Appendix 2.2.6.
Water-soluble extractive Not less than 14 per cent, Appendix 2.2.7.
Fixed oil Not less than 20 per cent, Appendix 2.2.8

T.L.C.

T.L.C. of the methanolic extract on silica gel ‘G’ plate (0.2 mm thick) using butanol : acetic acid : methanol (60:10:20) shows under UV (254 nm) green spots at Rf. 0.07, 0.17, 0.23, 0.29, 0.55 and 0.87. After spraying with anisaldehyde-sulphuric acid reagent and heating the plate at 105oC for ten minutes spots appear at Rf. 0.05 (green), 0.09 (green), 0.13 (light green), 0.21 (dark green), 0.28 (purple), 0.40 (purple), 0.76 (light purple) and 0.93 (dark purple). After spraying with Dragendorff’s reagent, one spot appears at Rf. 0.24 (bright orange).

CONSTITUENTS – Fixed oil and Isorhamnetin.

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Katu
Guna : Guru, Picchila, Snigdha
Virya : Usna
Vipaka : Katu
Karma : Balya, Vatahara, Kaphahar, Svedakara, Sothahara

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Gojihvadi Kvatha Curna

THERAPEUTIC USES – Svasa, Jvara, Kasa, Vatajanya Vikara, Svarabheda, Daurbalya, Kaphavikara.

DOSE – 3-6 g.

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KODRAVAH (Grain)

Kodravah consists of dehusked and well-matured caryopsis of Paspalum scrobiculatum Linn. (Fam. Poacem), an annual grass 60 to 90 cm tall, cultivated in the plains of India for its grains; newly gathered grains with husks are poisonous; husks are removed prior to use or powdering.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Koradusah, Koradusakah
Assamese : —
Bengali : Kodo aadhaan
English : Kodo Millet
Gujrati : Kodro, Kodaraa
Hindi : Kodon, Kodava, Kododhaam
Kannada : Harak, Harike
Kashmiri : —
Malayalam : Varaku
Marathi : Kodra, Harik, Kodru
Oriya : Kodua
Punjabi : Kodon, Kodra
Tamil : Varagu
Telugu : Arikelu, Kiraruga
Urdu : Kodon

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Grain oval to rounded in shape, plano-convex and up to about 4 mm in length; pericarp brown, adherent to seeds, can be removed by rubbing; as seen under hand lens, on the convex side of caryopsis, there is one central line, and on the plane surface, three lines; inside pericarp is a shiny brown seed; seeds possess three prominent ridges on the convex side and in between these ridges, fine striations are present; plane side of the seed shows finely striated oval central depression, apical side pointed.

b) Microscopic

T.S. shows thick pericarp composed of 6 to 10 layers of cells; outermost layer elongated with outer and inner walls lignified; below this, cells have thickened walls, and a much-reduced lumen; testa not well defined and composed of crushed cells; cells of scutellum irregular in shape and usually contain oil droplets; outer cells of endosperm contain aleurone grains; endosperm cells thin walled, polygonal, large and fully packed with penta to hexagonal starch grains, usually 8 to 20 n.

Powder – Brown, fine, free flowing, characterized by the presence of characteristic thick walled, pericarp cells, penta to hexagonal starch grains, which are isolated, or in 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 3 per cent, Appendix 2.2.6.
Water-soluble extractive Not less than 2 per cent, Appendix 2.2.7.

T.L.C.

T.L.C. of ethanol extract on silica gel ‘G’ plate using Chloroform : Methanol (95:05) shows five spots at Rf 0.25, 0.38, 0.55, 0.67 and 0.89 on spraying with 10% alcoholic sulphuric acid and heating the plate for 15 minutes at 110oC.

CONSTITUENTS – Hydrocarcons hentriacontanol, hentriacontanone; sterols such as β- sitosterol, campestrol.

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Madhura, Kasaya
Guna : Laghu, Ruksa
Virya : Sita
Vipaka : Katu
Karma : Grahi, Kaphahara, Pittahara, Lekhana, Visaghana

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Nadivranahara Aturyadi Lepa, Nadivranahara turyadi Taila.

THERAPEUTIC USES – Nadivrana, Prameha, Raktapitta, Vrana, Atisthaulya, Annadravasula, Medovrddhi, Jalodara

DOSE – 50-100 g.

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KSIRAKAKOLI (Bulb)

Ksirakakoli consists of the dried whole bulb of Fritillaria roylei Hook. (Fam. Liliacem), a glabrous herb 6-24 m in height, found in Western temperate Himalayas from Kumaon to Kashmir at an altitude of 2500-4000 m; processed by boiling.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Sukla, Ksirvallika
Assamese : —
Bengali : —
English : Fritillary
Gujrati : —
Hindi : Kshira, Kakoli
Kannada : —
Kashmiri : —
Malayalam : —
Marathi : Kshira, Kakoli
Oriya : —
Punjabi : —
Tamil : Kshira, Kakoli
Telugu : Kshira, Kakoli
Urdu : —

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Whole bulbs are hard, conical 1.5 to 2.5 in width and 3 to 3.5 cm in length, transluscent with slight longitudinal ridges, covered with hard membranous scales arranged in a concentric manner and breaking readily with a short fracture; cut surface white to creamish-yellow and starchy; scars of adventitious roots seen; odour, pleasant; taste, bitter.

b) Microscopic

T.S. of bulb shows concentric layers of scale leaves; axis of bulb show three concentric layers of scale leaves, with an outer and inner epidermis consisting of single layered parenchymatous cells with mucilage; cuticle of both epidermis is slightly wavy and horny, mesophyll consists of 6 to 9 layered hexagonal parenchyma cells; starch grains gelatinised; raphides ranging from 100 to 230 n in length are also present in the mesophyll; surface view of upper epidermis show compactly arranged rectangular, elongated thin walled cells.

Powder– Powder creamish with pleasant smell; raphides present; powder treated with ruthenium red, mucilage turns bright pink.

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 4 per cent, Appendix 2.2.6.
Water-soluble extractive Not less than 14 per cent, Appendix 2.2.7.

T.L.C.

T.L.C of the methanolic extract on silica gel ‘G’ plate (0.2 mm thick) using butanol : acetic acid : water (6:1:2) shows under UV (366 nm) spots at Rf. 0.11, 0.18, 0.29, 0.33, 0.37, 0.45, 0.49, 0.62 and 0.93 (all fluorescent blue) under UV 254 nm spots at Rf. 0.33, 0.37, 0.62 and 0.93 (all green). After spraying with Dragendorff’s reagent orange spots appear at Rf. 0.33 and 0.37.

CONSTITUENTS – Alkaloids Kashimirine (imperialine), peimine, Peimisine, Propeimine, Peimiphine and Peimitidine.

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Madhura
Guna : Guru, Snigdha
Virya : Sita
Vipaka : Madhura
Karma : Pittahara, Rasayana, Vatahara, Vrsya, Brmhana, Sukravardhaka, Stanyajanna, Kaphakara, Trsahara, Basti Visodhani, Visaghna

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Dasamularista, Sivagutika, Brhataphala, Ghrta, Brhat-Guduci Taila, Brhatmasa Taila, Manasamitra Vatika, Rasaraja Rasa

THERAPEUTIC USES – Sosa, Daha, Hrdroga, Jvara, Kasa, Ksaya, Raktadosa, Raktapitta, Raktaroga, Svasa, Vaatarakta, Yoni Vyapad, Vatavyadhi, Vatapittaruja

DOSE – 3-5 g in the powder form.

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KSHIRAVIDARI (Root)

Kshiravidari is the dried root of Ipomoea digitata Linn. syn. Ipomoea paniculata (Linn.) R. Br. (Fam. Convolvulacem); a perennial climber, distributed throughout the warm and moist regions of India.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Iksugandha, Iksuvalli, Payasvini, Dirghakanda
Assamese : —
Bengali : Bhuh Kumdaa, Bhooi Kumhdaa
English : Giant potato
Gujrati : Vidaaree Kand
Hindi : Vidaaree Kanda, Bhuh Kumdaa, Bhui Kumbhadaa
Kannada : Nelkumbal, Naadakumbala
Kashmiri : —
Malayalam : Paalmutakku
Marathi : Bhui Kohalaa
Oriya : Bhuin Kakhaaru
Punjabi : —
Tamil : Nilappuchani, Paalmudamgi
Telugu : Paalagummudu, Nelagummudu
Urdu : —

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

The root consists of thick pieces of different sizes, usually 2 to 8 mm in diameter; outer surface brownish and rough due to the presence of longitudinal fissures, ridges and numerous circular lenticels; core light brown and fibrous; fracture, fibrous, odourless and sweetish in taste.

b) Microscopic

Root- Root shows 6 to 9 layers of thin walled cork cells, externally covered by rhytidoma; phelloderm composed of 8 to10 layers of cells, thin walled and filled with starch grains, individual starch grain rounded to irregular in shape, variable in size measuring about 13 to 24 nm, with distinct centric hilum; rosettes of calcium oxalate present; secondary phloem consists of companion cells, sieve tube elements and phloem parenchyma, traversed by uni- or biseriate medullary ray; numerous resin ducts and starch grains occur in the secondary phloem; secondary xylem consists of xylem parenchyma, xylem vessels, xylem fibres and tracheids; vessels large in size and numerous.

Powder– Light to dark brown, fine to coarse texture; simple and compound starch grains of variable size, crystals of calcium oxalate in prismatic and cluster form; pitted vessels; tracheids; parenchymatous cells with simple pits and long fibres with wide lumen and pointed ends.

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 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 8 per cent, Appendix 2.2.7.

T.L.C.

T.L.C. of the alcoholic extract of dried root powder on Silica gel ‘G’ plate (0.2 mm thick) using Petroleum ether: Diethyl ether: Glacial acetic acid (8: 2: 0.1) under UV light (365 nm) shows two fluorescent zones at Rf. 0.24 and 0.42 (both green). On spraying with Vanillin-Sulphuric acid reagent and heating the plate for 15 minutes at 105oC, three spots appear at Rf. 0.18, 0.55 and 0.95 (all black).

CONSTITUENTS – Glycosides, steroids, tannins and fixed oil.

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Madhura, Tikta, Kasaya
Guna : Guru, Snigdha
Virya : Sita
Vipaka : Madhura
Karma : Brmhana, Balya, Rasayana, Svarya, Vatahara, Vrsya, Varnya, Atimutrala, Stanyajanana, Jivaniya

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Sivagutika

THERAPEUTIC USES – Raktavikara, Vrana, Stanyavikara, Pittaja Sula, Mahavatavyadhi, Mutraroga, Bhagna

DOSE – 5 – 10 g.

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KULANJANA (Rhizome)

Kulanjana consists of dried rhizome of Alpinia galanga Willd. (Fam. Zingiberacem), a plant upto about 2.0 m high bearing perennial rhizome, growing in eastern Himalayas and southwest India.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Sugandhmula, Malaya, Vaca, Sthulagranthih, Mahabhari Vaca, Rasna (South)
Assamese : Khulanjaana
Bengali : Kulanjan, Kurachi Vach
English : Greater galangal, Javagalangal
Gujrati : Kulinjan Jaanu, Kolinjan
Hindi : Kulanjan, Kulinjan
Kannada : Doddarasagadde, Dhoomraasmi
Kashmiri : —
Malayalam : Aratta, Ciffaratta
Marathi : Kulinlan, Koshta Kulinjan, Mothe Kolanjan
Oriya : —
Punjabi : —
Tamil : Arattai, Sittarattai
Telugu : Dumparaastramu
Urdu : —

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Root – The roots are adventitious, in groups, fibrous, persistent in dried rhizomes, about 0.5 to 2 cm long and 0.1 to 0.2 cm in diameter and yellowish-brown in colour.

Rhizome – Rhizome cylindrical, branched, 2 to 8 cm in diameter, longitudinally ridged with prominent rounded warts (remnants of roots) marked with fine annulations; scaly leaves arranged circularly; externally reddish-brown, internally orange yellow in colour; fracture, hard and fibrous; fracture, surface rough; odour, pleasant and aromatic; spicy and sweet in taste.

b) Microscopic

Root – T.S. of root circular in outline, single layered epidermis with barrel shaped cells having unicellular root hairs, hypodermis 3 or 4 cells deep and sclerenchymatous, cortex parenchymatous, many cells deep, with well developed intercellular spaces; endodermis showing prominent casparian strips and ‘v’ shaped thickening, followed by many celled sclerenchymatous pericycle; xylem and phloem in separate radial strands; centre occupied with a parenchymatous pith.

Rhizome – T.S. of young rhizome circular in outline; epidermal cells small and angular, thick cuticle present, rhizome differentiated into a wide cortex and a central cylinder, both regions having irregularly scattered vascular bundles, each vascular bundle with a prominent fibrous sheath; inner limit of cortex marked by rectangular parenchymatous cells; stele with irregular, closely placed vascular bundles towards periphery, root traces present, schizogenous canals and oil cells with suberized walls found in cortex and in central region; most of the parenchymatous cells filled with starch grains which are ellipsoidal to ovoid, sometimes beaked, simple, 10 to 64 nm, hilum eccentric, circular or crescent shaped at the broad end, the narrow beak-like end become black when stained with dil. iodine water and chlor-zinc iodide but the remaining part become light blue or brown. Macerated prepration shows vessels 95 to 710 nm long and 19 to 190 nm broad, tracheidal fibres 68 to 920 nm long and 19 to 30 nm broad.

Powder – Powder is orange brown in colour, spicy and sweet in taste, shows parenchymatous cells containing starch (as described under microscopy of rhizome), oil cells, schizogenous canals, vessels with scalariform and reticulate thickenings and tracheidal fibres.

IDENTIFICATION TEST –
One drop of an extract of 1 g dried powdered material with ethanol placed on filter paper and observed under UV light does not show fluorescence; (distinction from ‘lesser galangal’ Alpinia officinarum which gives bluish fluorescence).

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 6 per cent, Appendix 2.2.6.
Water-soluble extractive Not less than 13 per cent, Appendix 2.2.7.
Starch Not less than 22 per cent, Appendix 2.2.13.
Essential oil Not less than 0.4 per cent, Appendix 2.2.10.

T.L.C.

T.L.C. of the methanolic extract on precoated silica gel ‘G’ plates (0.2 mm thick) using toluene : ethyl acetate : methanol (80:20:0.4) shows under UV (366 nm) blue fluorescent zones of yellow, green and blue at Rf. 0.15, 0.25, 0.69 respectively. On spraying with anisaldehyde-sulphuric acid reagent and heating the plate for ten minutes at 120oC, spots appear at Rf. 0.15 (greyish green), 0.35 (violet), 0.48 (greyish green), 0.63 (greyish green), 0.69 (green) and 0.91 (violet).

CONSTITUENTS – Essential oil, containing α – pinene, β – pinene, limonene, cineol, terpinen – 4 – ol and α – terpineol.

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Katu, Tikta
Guna : Guru
Virya : Usna
Vipaka : Katu
Karma : Hrdya, Kanthya, Kaphahara, Rucya, Svarya, Vatahara, Visaghna, Pacani, Mukha Sodhaka

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Brahmi Vati, Rasnadikasaya, Rasnadarvadi Kasaya, Rasnapancakam, Rasna Saptakam, Rasnasunthyadi Kasaya, Rasnairandadi Kasaya

THERAPEUTIC USES – Sopha, Svasa, Hikka, Pratisyaya, Vatavyadhi, Udararoga, Kampa, Vismajvara, Kaphajakasa, Asti, Mahakustha., Vataja Sula

DOSE – 1-3 g powder.

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KUMBHIKAH(Seed)

Kumbhikah consists of dried seed of Careya arborea Roxb. (Fam. Lecythidacem), a medium sized deciduous tree attaining a height of 9 to 18 m. occurring throughout India upto an altitude of 1,500 m.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Svadupuspa, Vitapi, Sthala Kumbhi, Romasa
Assamese : —
Bengali : Kumbhi
English : Kumbi
Gujrati : —
Hindi : Sthala Kumbhi
Kannada : Daddala, Gudda, Daddippe
Kashmiri : —
Malayalam : Pezuntol
Marathi : Kumbhaa
Oriya : —
Punjabi : —
Tamil : Kumbi
Telugu : Dudippi
Urdu : —

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Seeds, exalbuminous, dark brown, oval ellipsoid, 1.5 to 2 cm long, upto one cm or slightly above in width; indehiscent; testa hard and wrinkled; odour, pleasant; taste, astringent.

b) Microscopic

Testa sclerenchymatous followed by a zone of collapsed cells of outer integument, inner integument lined by cuticle on both sides; outer layers of both integuments filled with dark brown material; cotyledons of many layered, thin walled, polygonal parenchymatous cells, filled abundantly with starch grains and occasionally with oil.

Powder – Creamish-yellow to light-brown, shows fragments of cotyledon cells; scattered stone cells of testa, abundant starch grains, simple and round, about 5 n.

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 7 per cent, Appendix 2.2.6.
Water-soluble extractive Not less than 15 per cent, Appendix 2.2.7.

T.L.C.

T.L.C. of the hexane extract on precoated silica gel ‘G’ plate (0.2 mm thick) using petroleum ether : diethyl ether : acetic acid (9:1:0.1) shows spots at Rf. 0.14 (purple), 0.26 (brown), 0.32 (light pink), 0.44 (pink) and 0.77 (purple) on spraying with vanillinsulphuric acid reagent and heating the plate at 105oC for about ten minutes.

CONSTITUENTS – Saponins (five sapogenols- careyagenol A, B, C, D & E); sterols, α- spinosterol and α-spinosterone.

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Katu, Kasaya
Guna : Ruksa
Virya : Usna
Vipaka : Katu
Karma : Grahi, Kaphahara, Vatahara, Vrana Ropana

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Marma Gutika

THERAPEUTIC USES – Krmi, Kustha, Nadivrana, Prameha, Visaroga, Vrana, Vatika Kasa, Pakvatisara

DOSE – 2-6 g powder.

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LATAKARANJA (Seed)

Latakaranja consists of seed of Cmsalpinia bonduc (Linn.) Roxb. (Fam. Cmsalpiniacem), an extensive, shrubby, wild, perennial climber distributed throughout tropical parts of India.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Kuberaksa, Kantaki Karanja
Assamese : —
Bengali : Kaantaa Karanjaa, Naataa, Naataa Karanjaa
English : Bonduc Nut, Fever Nut
Gujrati : Kaanchakaa, Kaanka
Hindi : Karanja, Karanjuaa, Kaantaa Karanj
Kannada : Gajjike Kaayi, Gajkai
Kashmiri : —
Malayalam : Kalamchikuru, Kaalanchi, Kazhinch – Kai
Marathi : Saagar gotaa, Gajarghotaa, Gaajagaa
Oriya : Kotokolejaa
Punjabi : —
Tamil : Kajha shikke, Kalichchikkaai
Telugu : Gachchakaay
Urdu : Akitmakit

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Seeds globose or rounded, smooth, shiny, 1.2 to 2.5 cm in diameter; slightly flattened on one side due to close pressing of adjacent seeds; hilum and micropyle close together; hilum surrounded by a dark area around 4 mm in diameter, usually with a whitish or yellowish remnant of funiculus; micropyle near the periphery of the dark area; seed coat greenish-grey to bluish-grey, lineate, shiny; 100 seeds weigh from 225 to 250 g.

b) Microscopic

Testa shows an outer single row of radially elongated, very narrow, transluscent, compactly arranged cells forming a palisade layer (Malpighian layer) passing through which is the ‘linea lucida’. These cells appear hexagonal in surface view and possess thick walls (rich in pectin as evident from Chloro-zinc Iodine Test); a sub-epidermal zone of 2 or 3 layers of thick walled bearer cells present, followed by multiple rows of osteosclereids, which progressively increase in size, elongate laterally and have more intercellular spaces towards the inner side; the outer few layers of these osteosclereids contain a brown substance; laterally elongated vascular tissues present in the lower region of this zone. The cells inner to vascular elements gradually compacted and rounded towards the inner margin; cotyledons show an outer single layer of epidermis made of small, isodiametric cells, and inner parenchymatous ground tissue cells rich in fixed oil, and having empty cavities uniformly distributed in them.

Powder – Colour light yellow through mustard to brown, coarse and free-flowing; bitter in taste and possessing tamarind -like odour. Parts of vessels showing scalariform thickenings and groups of narrow, palisade cells with light line are present; groups of cells of height from 150 to 250 n the sub-epidermal layers of seed coat having 10 to 12 n, squarish bearer cells and upto 150 n long osteosclereids; cotyledon cells (upto 35 n) showing fixed oil when mounted in Sudan III.

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 1 per cent, Appendix 2.2.4.
Alcohol-soluble extractive Not less than 26 per cent, Appendix 2.2.6.
Water-soluble extractive Not less than 4.0 per cent, Appendix 2.2.7.

T.L.C.

T.L.C. of the alcoholic extract on precoated silica gel ‘G’ plate (0.2 mm thick) using toluene: ethylacetate : acetic acid (5:4.5:0.5), shows under U.V. (366 nm) spots at Rf. 0.13 (Light Blue), 0.28 (Dark Blue), 0.63 (Pink), 0.92 (Pink); on spraying with anisaldehyde- sulphuric acid reagent and heating the plate for ten minutes at 110o C spots appear at Rf 0.30(Brown), 0.64 (Bluish Purple), 0.72 (Purple), 0.80 (Purple), 0.89 (Grey). T.L.C. of the hexane extract on precoated silica gel ‘G’ plate 0.2 mm thick using chloroform: ethylacetate (98:2), on spraying with anisaldehyde- sulphuric acid reagent and heating the plate for ten minutes at 110o C spots appear at Rf 0.03 (Yellow), 0.11 (Greenish Blue), 0.21 (Greenish Yellow), 0.33 (Greenish Blue), 0.43 (Pale yellow), 0.55 (Greenish Blue).

CONSTITUENTS – Seeds contain bitter substance phytosterenin, bonducin, saponin, phytosterol, fixed oil, starch and sucrose. Seeds also contain α, β, γ, δ and ζ cmsalpins.

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Tikta, Kasaya
Guna : Laghu, Ruksa
Virya : Usna
Vipaka : Katu
Karma : Dipana, Artavajanana, Kaphahara, Pittahara, Vatahara, Vedanasthapaka, Vranaropana

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Aragvadhadi Kvatha Curna, Kuberaksdi Vati

THERAPEUTIC USES – Sula, Sotha, Arsa, Svasa, Chardi, Amavata, Gulma, Kasa, Kustha, Meha, Sandhivata, Tvakroga, Vatavikara, Visamajvara, Vrana, Sutikajvara, Udarasula, Raktatisara, Agnimandya, Pravahika, Yakrtpliharoga, Krmi.

DOSE – 1-3 g.

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LAVALIPHALA (Fruit)

Lavaliphala consists of dried fruit of Phyllanthus acidus (Linn.) Skeels syn. Cicca acida Linn. Merrill (Fam. Euphorbiacem), a small or medium sized tree cultivated in gardens, and also grown as a roadside tree.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Sugandhamula, Lavali, Panduh, Komala Valkala
Assamese : —
Bengali : Noyaal, Harphal
English : Star gooseberry, Country gooseberry
Gujrati : Khaati Aawala, Raay aamali
Hindi : Harfaarevadi, Lavali
Kannada : Karinelli
Kashmiri : —
Malayalam : —
Marathi : Raaya-aawal
Oriya : —
Punjabi : —
Tamil : Arinelli
Telugu : Raachayusarike
Urdu : —

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Brownish green, globose, 1.5 to 1.8 cm dia obscurely 6 to 8 grooved, depressed at both ends; pieces show a highly shrivelled and wrinkled external surface, texture rough; odour characteristic; taste, acidic, followed by a delicately sweet taste; seed globose, 0.8 to 1.2 cm dia.

b) Microscopic

T.S. of mature fruit shows the epicarp with a single layer of tabular epidermis, covered by a thin cuticle; numerous sunken stomata scattered on the epidermis; epidermal cells in surface view polygonal in shape with corner thickenings; mesocarp consists of 8 to 10 layers of polygonal cells and 6 to 8 layers of radially elongated large, rather thick walled parenchyma cells, most of which contain yellow pigments (mesocarp of Emblica officinalis consists of mostly large polygonal cells with corner thickenings and have a very few pigment cells); prisms of calcium oxalate crystal and starch grains present in a few epidermal cells and also in a few parenchyma cells; many of the cells contain yellow pigments; ramified vascular bundles scattered throughout the mesocarp consist of xylem and phloem, xylem composed of tracheids and fibres; testa have palisade like epidermis composed of tightly packed sclereids with pits.

Powder – Shows pieces of isodiametric-parenchymatous cells with yellow or brown colour pigment; prismatic crystals of calcium oxalate; fibres; sclereids with pits; starch grains are fairly abundant, small and simple.

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 0.5 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 15 per cent, Appendix 2.2.7.

T.L.C.

T.L.C. of the alcoholic extract on precoated silica gel ‘G’ (E. Merck grade) plate using Chloroform : Methanol : Formic acid (95 : 0.5 : 0.1) shows under UV (366 nm) three fluorescent zones at Rf. 0.14 (green), 0.28 (green) and 0.83 (green). On spraying with Anisaldehyde-Sulphuric acid reagent and heating the plate for five minutes at 105oC six spots appear at Rf. 0.14 (orange), 0.17 (violet), 0.51 (orange), 0.66 (purple), 0.76 (violet) and 0.91 (purple).

CONSTITUENTS – Triterpenoids (β- amyrin, Phyllanthol) and Gallic acid.

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Madhura, Amla, Kasaya
Guna : Guru, Ruksa, Vasada
Virya : Sita
Vipaka : Madhura
Karma : Grahi, Hrdya, Kaphahara, Pittahara, Vatakara, Rakta Stambhana, Rucikara

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Draksasava

THERAPEUTIC USES – Asmari, Arsa, Aruci

DOSE – 10-20 g.

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MADHULIKA (Root)

The drug consists of dried root of Eleusine corocana (L.) Gmrtn. (Fam. Poacem), an erect, stout, annual grass, cultivated throughout India.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Ragi, Madhuli, Markatahastatrna
Assamese : —
Bengali : Marua
English : Finger Millet, Ragi
Gujrati : Naagali-Baavato
Hindi : Manduaa, Makaraa, Raagi
Kannada : Raagi
Kashmiri : —
Malayalam : Muttari, Raagi
Marathi : Naachnee
Oriya : —
Punjabi : Kodra, Madua, Koda
Tamil : Raagi, Kejhavaragu(siddha)
Telugu : Raagulu, Tagidelu
Urdu : —

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Root fibrous, well branched, upto 25 cm long, 3.5 mm in thickness, gradually tapering, creamy white, rough and dirty; root hairs present, fracture, brittle, fibrous, centre hollow; taste, earthen; no odour.

b) Microscopic

T.S. shows epiblema consisting of two layers, the cells of the outer layer giving rise to root hairs; the inner layer called rhizodermis has slightly thicker walled hexagonal cells, followed by a cortex traversed by trabeculm, giving rise to large air spaces; endodermis characterized by the presence of casparian strips on the radial walls, followed by a single layered pericycle of fibre and stone cells; stone cells circular, with radial canals, and a narrow or wide lumen; phloem and xylem patches present below this layer arranged radially; pith cells somewhat circular and parenchymatous.

Powder – Shows under the microscope, tracheids measuring between 115 and 285 n in length and between 13 and 40 n in breadth, circular pits present on the surface; vessels elongated, cross wall perforation plates simple; elongated pits present on the walls of vessel; thin walled parenchymatous cells and circular stone cells present.

IDENTITY, PURITY AND STRENGTH

Foreign matter Not more than 2.5 per cent, Appendix 2.2.2.
Total Ash Not more than 5.5 per cent, Appendix 2.2.3.
Acid-insoluble ash Not more than 1.3 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 8 per cent, Appendix 2.2.7.

T.L.C.

T.L.C. of methanolic extract of the drug on precoated silica gel G plate, using methanol – chloroform (3 : 7) and on spraying with 10% sulphuric acid in ethyl alcohol followed by heating the plate for five minute at 110oC, three spots appeared at Rf. 0.82 (Pink colour) comparable to the spot of sitosterol glucoside, 0.23 (Blackish grey), 0.15 (Blackish grey).

CONSTITUENTS – Flavonoids, orientin, isoorientin, vitexin, isovitexin, violanthin, lucenin-1, tricin, keto acids; polysaccharide and the free sugars, β-sitosterol glucoside.

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Madhura, Tikta, Kasaya
Guna : Laghu
Virya : Sita
Vipaka : Madhura
Karma : Pittahara, Vrsya, Tridosasamaka, Raktadosahara, Rasayana

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Amlapittantaka Modaka, Amrta Guggulu, Asvagandhadi Leha, Kusthadi Kvatha, Katutumbyadi Taila

THERAPEUTIC USES – Svasa, Kasa, Trsna, Karapada Daha, Vrkkasmari, Jvaropdrava

DOSE – 5-10 g.

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MAHAMEDA (Rhizome and Root)

Mahameda consists of dried rhizome and root of Polygonatum cirrhifolium Royle (Fam. Liliacem), a herb found in the temperate Himalayas.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Mahameda, Vasucchidra, Tridanti, Devamani
Assamese : —
Bengali : —
English : Mahameda
Gujrati : —
Hindi : Mahameda, Devarigaala
Kannada : Mahamedha
Kashmiri : —
Malayalam : Mahameda
Marathi : —
Oriya : —
Punjabi : —
Tamil : Mahameda
Telugu : Mahameda
Urdu : —

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Rhizome dirty brown in colour, 2 to 8 cm long and about 2.5 to 3 cm broad, having longitudinal markings on the surface and rough with irregular wrinkles; fracture, short and smooth; odour, distinct; taste, sweet with a slight bitter after-taste.

b) Microscopic

Rhizome : T.S. shows a single layered cuticularized epidermis having actinocytic stomata followed by ground parenchymatous cortex of polygonal to isodiametric cells in which vascular bundles are scattered; in cortical cells starch grains, numerous idioblasts with raphides, and druses of calcium oxalate present; numerous round cavities present in the cortical region; endodermis between cortex and inner core absent; vascular bundles unevenly scattered, amphivasal; xylem elements represented by tracheids and xylem parenchyma; phloem composed of sieve tubes, companion cells and phloem parenchyma.

Root : T.S. shows a single layered epiblema, cells polygonal, bearing simple unicellular root hairs; a single layered hypodermis, cells larger, hexagonal, slightly thick walled; a broad cortex, cells thin walled and of varying shapes and sizes with very small intercellular spaces, and containing circular starch grains measuring between 10 to 40 n in diameter; idioblasts with raphides present; endodermis single layered, characterized by the presence of casparian strips on their radial walls; pericycle single layered; stele exarch, polyarch, xylem consist of tracheids, vessels with simple perforation plate and reticulate thickenings, and xylem parenchyma; phloem consist of sieve tubes, companion cells and phloem parenchyma; small pith present in centre with parenchymatous cells.

Powder : Dark brown; under microscope shows epidermal cells with actinocytic stomata and cortical cells in surface view; starch grains ovoid with concentric striation, either singly or in groups; raphides and druses present; tracheids elongated with pointed ends, wall slightly wavy towards tips, thickenings reticulate; vessels with simple, cross wall perforation, thickenings reticulate.

IDENTITY, PURITY AND STRENGTH

Foreign matter Not more than 3 per cent, Appendix 2.2.2.
Total Ash Not more than 3.5 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 4.5 per cent, Appendix 2.2.6.
Water-soluble extractive Not less than 70 per cent, Appendix 2.2.7.

T.L.C.

T.L.C. of methanolic extract of the roots/rhizome on a precoated silica gel G plate, using methanol : chloroform (3 : 7). On spraying with 10% sulphuric acid in ethyl alcohol and heating the plate for about 5 minute at 110oC, two spots appear at Rf. 0.42 and 0.30 showing blackish grey fluorescent were found comparable to the spots of glucose and sucrose respectively.

CONSTITUENTS – Glucose, Sucrose

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Madhura
Guna : Guru, Snigdha
Virya : Sita
Vipaka : Madhura
Karma : Sukravardhaka, Brmhana, Jivaniya, Pittahara, Stanyajanna, Vatahara, Vrsya, Kaphavardhaka, Rucya

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Asoka Ghrta, Sivagutika, Amrtaprasa Ghrta, Dasam ularista, Dhanvantara Taila, Brhatmasa Taila, Mahanarayana Taila, Vasacandanadi Taila

THERAPEUTIC USES – Balaroga, Daha, Jvara, Kamala, Ksaya, Raktapitta, Raktavikara, Ksata ksina

DOSE – 3-6 g.

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MADHUSNUHI (Tuberous Root)

Madhusnuhi consists of tuberous root of Smilax china Linn. (Fam. Liliacem), a deciduous climber with sparsely prickled or unarmed stem. It is imported from China and Japan.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Dvipantara Vaca
Assamese : —
Bengali : Chopcheenee, Kumarika, Shukchin
English : China root
Gujrati : Chopcheenee
Hindi : Chopcheenee
Kannada : —
Kashmiri : —
Malayalam : China Pairu
Marathi : Chopcheenee
Oriya : —
Punjabi : —
Tamil : Parangichekkai
Telugu : Pirngichekka
Urdu : —

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Tubers about 6 to 12 cm long, 2 to 4 cm wide, rough, irregular, cylindrical, curved, slightly tapering with brownish or blackish scars; externally brownish-yellow in colour, and internally brown in colour; fracture, hard; odour not characteristic; taste, slightly bitter.

b) Microscopic

Cortex shows several layers of thin-walled, polygonal, elongated mucilaginous parenchymatous cells, a few cells containing raphides of calcium oxalate; endodermis not distinguished; ground tissue having several vascular bundles consisting of usual elements; fibres long and aseptate; numerous simple and compound starch grains, measuring 16 to 38 n in dia. with 2 to more than 9 components mostly spherical to ovoid, having hilum in centre.

Powder : Shows light brown, fragments of mucilaginous parenchymatous cells of cortex fibres and vessels with reticulate thickening; a few scattered needles of calcium oxalate from raphides; numerous simple and compound starch grains measuring 16 to 38 n in dia. with 2 to more than 9 components, mostly spherical to ovoid having hilum in centre.

IDENTITY, PURITY AND STRENGTH

Foreign matter Not more than 2 per cent, Appendix 2.2.2.
Total Ash Not more than 0.6 per cent, Appendix 2.2.3.
Acid-insoluble ash Not more than 0.006per cent, Appendix 2.2.4.
Alcohol-soluble extractive Not less than 0.8 per cent, Appendix 2.2.6.
Water-soluble extractive Not less than 5 per cent, Appendix 2.2.7.

T.L.C.

T.L.C. of the alcoholic extract on precoated Silica gel ‘G’ plate (0.2 mm thick) using Toluene : Ethyl acetate : Methanol (10 : 10 : 4) as mobile phase and on spraying with Anisaldehyde-Sulphuric acid reagent and heating the plate at 105oC for ten minutes ten spots appear at Rf. 0.09 (dark green), 0.17 (violet), 0.21 (dirty yellow), 0.26 (grey), 0.32 (yellow), 0.48, 0.55 and 0.58 (all violet), 0.73 (greenish blue) and 0.77 (violet).

CONSTITUENTS – Saponins, sarsaponin and parallin, which yield isomeric sapogenins, sarsapogenin and smilogenin. It also contains sitosterol and stigmasterol in the free form and as glucosides.

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Tikta
Guna : Laghu, Ruksa
Virya : Usna
Vipaka : Katu
Karma : Sothahara, Sukrasodhaka, Dipana, Mutrala, Raktasodhaka, Rasayana, Tridosahara, Vrsya, Vedanasthapana, Nadibalya, Anulomana, Svedajanana

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Madhusnuhi Rasayana, Copacinyadi Curna

THERAPEUTIC USES – Sula, Apasmara, Adhmana, Gandamala, Krmi, Kustha, Puyameha, Sandhivata, Unmada, Vibandha, Sukravikara, Vatavyadi, Phiranga, Kampavata

DOSE – 3-6 g powder.

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KATTRNA (Whole Plant)

Kattrna consists of the whole plant of Cymbopogon citratus (DC.) Stapf syn: Andropogon citratus DC. (Fam. Poacem), a tall tufted perennial grass cultivated in various parts of India.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Bhutrnah, Jambiratrnah, Guhybija, Bhutika
Assamese : —
Bengali : Gandhatrun, Gandhabenaa
English : Lemon grass
Gujrati : Lilichaa
Hindi : Gandhatrun, Harichaaya
Kannada : Majjigahullu
Kashmiri : —
Malayalam : Chennanampullu, Incippullu, Vasanappullu
Marathi : Hirvaa Chahaa, Olaa Chahaa, Paatichahaa
Oriya : —
Punjabi : Gandhatrun, Sharbaan
Tamil : Vasanaipillu
Telugu : Nimmagaddi, Vasana gaddi
Urdu : —

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Root – Fibrous, adventitious, 5 to 10 mm in length, 0.2 to 0.7 mm in thickness.

Rhizome – Irregular, dark brown in colour, narrow internodes present 4 to 9 cm in length, 1.5 to 2 cm in diameter.

Stem – Pale yellow, hollow, 4 to 10 cm in length, 1 to 3 cm in diameter.

Leaf – Leaves glaucous, linear, parallel veined, about 90 cm in length, 2 to 3 cm in width, conspicuous midrib present, apex pointed, margin entire, with sheathing base and a ligule at its base; lemon odour, taste bitter.

b) Microscopic

Root – Epiblema or piliferous layer uniseriate with compact tabular cells; unicellular root hairs present; beneath epidermis 1 to 3 layered exodermis of cells with thick walls present; cortex cells with intercellular spaces; barrel shaped cells of endodermis and several layered sclerified pericycle; vascular tissue with alternating strands of xylem and phloem, xylem exarch; pith parenchymatous with intercellular spaces.

Rhizome – T.S. shows outer epidermal layer of rectangular parenchymatous cells followed by 5 to 7 layered sclerenchymatous hypodermis; lysigenous cavities present in the hypodermis; below the hypodermis, a broad zone of ground tissue consisting of thin walled parenchymatous cells with small intercellular spaces; vascular bundles scattered in the ground tissue; concentric, amphivasal, enclosed by sclerenchymatous sheath; rosette shaped calcium oxalate crystals present in the cortex.

Stem – T.S. shows thick cuticle followed by uniseriate epidermis and a cortex several layers deep; scattered concentric, amphivasal vascular bundles present in the ground tissue, with the larger ones towards centre, and smaller ones towards periphery; cortical bundles present.

Leaf –
Midrib – T.S. shows an upper and lower epidermis consisting of a single layer of cells with stomata and trichomes; regularly distributed sclerenchymatous patches present adjacent to both epidermis; ground tissue consist of non-uniform angular cells with intercellular spaces; vascular bundles surrounded by one or two layered bundle sheath and parenchymatous cells storing starch; phloem towards the lower epidermis and xylem towards the upper epidermis; phloem has sieve-tubes and companion cells; xylem consists of pitted metaxylem vessels which are oval in shape; tracheids present, xylem parenchyma scanty.

Lamina – T.S. shows a cuticle, an upper and lower epidermis composed of single layer of cells with bulliform cells, stomata and bristly trichomes; mesophyll with only spongy parenchyma; the narrow guard cells of the stomata are associated with subsidiary cells. Small silica cells filled with silica, solidified into bodies of various shapes, and cells with suberised walls called cork cells occur in pairs which alternate with elongated epidermal cells; lower epidermis with oval shaped stomata arranged in a parallel manner.

Powder – Powder green in colour with strong lemon odour and bitter taste, shows oil cells, fibres, rosette shaped calcium oxalate crystals, pitted and reticulate vessels, pitted and scalariform vessels, surface view of epidermis with stomata, trichome, cork cells, bristle and silica cells.

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 6 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 12 per cent, Appendix 2.2.7.

T.L.C.

T.L.C. of essential oil extracted by Clevenger apparatus on silica gel ‘G’ plate (0.2 mm thick) using toluene : ethyl acetate (93:7) shows under UV (254 nm) spots at Rf. 0.07 (light green) and 0.47 (dark green). After spraying with anisaldehyde-sulphuric acid reagent spots appear at Rf. 0.05 (blue), 0.08 (bluish yellow), 0.19 (dark blue), 0.47 (blue), 0.52 (pink), 0.60 (light pink), 0.70 (purple) and 0.74 (purple).

CONSTITUENTS – Essential oil containing citral as major component besides geraniol and other terpenes.

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Katu, Tikta
Guna : Laghu, Ruksa, Tiksna
Virya : Usna
Vipaka : Katu
Karma : Caksusya, Dipana, Kaphahara, Stanyajanana, Vatahara, Visaghna, Sitaprasamana, Recana, Mukhasodhana, Avrsya, Rucikaraka, Vamihara

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Masabaladi Kvatha Curna

THERAPEUTIC USES – Svasa, Bhutabadha, Daha, Dadru, Kasa, Krmi, Kustha, Udara, Arocaka, Santapa, Vami, Grahabadha, Udarda.

DOSE – 3-6 g.

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MEDASAKAH (Stem Bark)

Medasakah consists of stem bark of Litsea chinensis Lam. syn. L. glutinosa (Lour.) C.B. Robins, L. sebifera Pers. (Fam. Lauracem), an evergreen shrub or tree, upto 25 m in height and about 1.5 m in girth with a clean bole, found throughout India, ascending upto an altitude of 1350 m in outer Himalayas.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Medasakah
Assamese : —
Bengali : Kukurchite
English : —
Gujrati : Meda Lakdee
Hindi : Maida Lakdee
Kannada : —
Kashmiri : —
Malayalam : —
Marathi : Meda Lakdee
Oriya : —
Punjabi : Medasaka
Tamil : Medalakavi
Telugu : Meda
Urdu : —

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Pieces of bark 1.5 to1.6 cm in length; 0.1 to 0.5 cm in width; external surface rough, corky, greenish – yellow to yellowish – brown; internal surface smooth, longitudinally striated, dark brown to black; fracture, short and uneven.

b) Microscopic

T.S. shows broad zone of cork, 5 to 8 layered; secondary cortex consisting of patches of sclereids, fibres, parenchyma, occasionally containing rhomboidal crystals of calcium oxalate, abundant starch grains, cells containing tannins and mucilage; starch grains spherical to oval, single or in groups, simple or compound, measuring from 1.5 to 8 n; fibres long, lignified with tapering ends, measuring from 370 to 630 n in length and 23 to 35 n in width.

Powder – Light brown in colour, odour strong, bitter and mucilaginous showing cork tissue, starch grains, sclereids, fibres, cells containing tannins and mucilage; sclereids round to oblong, laterally compressed, with narrow lumen, and showing radiating pit canals.

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 1 per cent, Appendix 2.2.4.
Alcohol-soluble extractive Not less than 5 per cent, Appendix 2.2.6.

T.L.C.

T.L.C. of the alcoholic extract on silica gel ‘G’ plate (0.2 mm thick) using chloroform: methanol: acetic acid (80:20:2) shows Under UV (254 nm) three spots at Rf. 0.07 (brown), 0.15 and 0.23 (both violet). Under UV (366 nm) two fluorescent spots appear at Rf. 0.68 (pink) and 0.89 (blue). On exposure to iodine vapour five spots appear at Rf. 0.15, 0.20, 0.23, 0.30 and 0.82 (all yellowish brown). On spraying with 5% ferric chloride solution four spots appear at Rf. 0.07 (violet), 0.15 (blue), 0.23 and 0.30 (both faint green).

CONSTITUENTS – Alkaloids (Laurotetaline, actinodaphine, boldine, norboldine, sebiferine and litseferine).

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Katu, Tikta, Kasaya
Guna : Laghu, Snigdha
Virya : Usna
Vipaka : Katu
Karma : Dipana, Kaphahara, Stambhana, Vatahara, Bhagnaprasadhaka

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Asthisandhanaka Lepa

THERAPEUTIC USES – Sula, Agnimandya, Sotha, Atisara, Vatavikara, Raktasrava, Asthibhanga

DOSE – 5-10 g powder.

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KEBUKA (Rhizome)

Kebuka consists of the dried rhizome of Costus speciosus (Koerning ex Retz.) Smith. (Fam. Zingiberacem), a herb commonly found in sub-Himalayan tract extending between Kangra to Arunachal Pradesh and also in Western Ghats.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Kemhuka, Kebuka, Kemuka, Kembu
Assamese : —
Bengali : Kevu
English : —
Gujrati : —
Hindi : Kebu, Kemuk, Kemuaa
Kannada : Chenglavaa-Koshtu, Changalvakoshtu
Kashmiri : —
Malayalam : Channakkilannu, Channakkuvva
Marathi : Pevaa
Oriya : —
Punjabi : —
Tamil : Koshtam
Telugu : Chenglavaa-Koshtu
Urdu : —

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Tuberous rhizome, horizontally branched, 4 to 6 cm long and 2 to 3 cm thick; outer surface grey to dark brown, longitudinal wrinkles and small circular leaf scars on upper surface; numerous nipple-shaped buds present throughout its length; numerous slender roots occurs along with rhizome, possesses rootlets which makes it slightly rough; fracture, short fibrous and hard, odourless and tasteless.

b) Microscopic

Rhizome- Rhizome consists of 6 to 10 layers of stratified cork cells, followed by ground tissue; 10 to 12 layers of cortex below the cork layers are more compactly arranged than the remaining layers; cells of the cortex filled with sac-shaped starch grains; starch grain measuring about 35 to 68 n m long and 26 to 38 n m wide, hilum eccentric, striations not visible; endodermis well marked. A large number of vascular bundles scattered throughout the ground tissue, but within the endodermis vascular bundles are closer to each other; each bundle has xylem almost surrounded by phloem; sclerenchymatous, fibrous sheath surrounds each of the vascular bundles; clusters of calcium oxalate found in some cells of the ground tissue.

Powder– Light to dark brown, easily flowable with fine to coarse texture; crystals of calcium oxalate prismatic and clusters; granules of sac-shaped starch are mostly simple but rarely compound form also found; thick walled fibres, both simple and septa, several show marks and adjacent cells appressed against them; tips blunt in shorter, and pointed in longer fibres; vessels both pitted and reticulate.

IDENTITY, PURITY AND STRENGTH

Foreign matter Not more than 2 per cent, Appendix 2.2.2.
Total Ash Not more than 20 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 3 per cent, Appendix 2.2.6.
Water-soluble extractive Not less than 12 per cent, Appendix 2.2.7.

T.L.C.

T.L.C. of the alcoholic extract on Silica gel ‘G’ plate using Chloroform : Glacial acetic acid : Methanol : Water (5:2:2:1) shows under UV light (365 nm) a fluorescent zone at Rf. 0.95 (greenish yellow). On sparying with Anisaldehyde-Sulphuric acid reagent and heating the plate for ten minutes at 105oC, nine spots appear at Rf. 0.11, 0.22, 0.33, 0.49, 0.59, 0.72, 0.79, 0.87 (all green) and 0.95 (blue)

CONSTITUENTS – Steroidal Saponins such as (Tigogenin and diosgenin).

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Madhura
Guna : Laghu, Ruksa
Virya : Sita
Vipaka : Katu
Karma : Pacana, Garbhasaya Sankocaka, Grahi, Hrdya, Krmighna, Kaphahara, Pittahara, Raktasodhaka, Dipana

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Krmighna Kvatha Curna

THERAPEUTIC USES – Agnimandya, Slipada, Arsa, Grahani, Jvara, Kamala, Kasa, Kusta, Prameha, Raktavikara, Kaphapittaja Vikara, Krmiroga, Svitra, Kaphaja, Mutrakrcchra

DOSE – 3-6 g (after purification).

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MEDASAKAH (Wood)

Medasakah consists of wood of Litsea chinensis Lam. syn. L. glutinosa (Lour.) C.B. Robins, L. sebifera Pers. (Fam. Lauracem), an evergreen shrub or tree, upto 25 m in height and about 1.5 m in girth with a clean bole, found throughout India, ascending upto an altitude of 1350 m in outer Himalayas.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Medasakah
Assamese : —
Bengali : Kukurchite
English : —
Gujrati : Meda Lakadee
Hindi : Meda Lakadee
Kannada : —
Kashmiri : —
Malayalam : —
Marathi : Meda Lakadee, —
Oriya : —
Punjabi : Medalakavi
Tamil : Meda
Telugu : Jeevakamu

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Wood – Thick and thin pieces of wood, 14 to 21 cm in length and 0.5 to 2 cm in width; yellowish-white; surface rough with very fine longitudinal striations; fracture, hard, fibrous.

b) Microscopic

T.S. shows vessels, either single or in groups of 2 or 3; xylem fibres arranged in radial rows with thick walls; medullary rays prominent, uni to tetraseriate, radially elongated, upto 30 cells in height as seen in tangential section and containing abundant spherical to oval starch grains, single or in groups, simple or compound, measuring from 3 to 9 n; fibres long, linear, lignified with blunt ends, measuring in length from 530 to 1060 n and from 13 to 24 n in width.

Powder – Pale yellowish-brown, having characteristic odour, slightly bitter in taste; shows fragments of lignified fibres, starch grains, bordered pitted vessels and some vessels showing scalariform thickenings on their secondary wall.

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 1 per cent, Appendix 2.2.4.
Alcohol-soluble extractive Not less than 1.5 per cent, Appendix 2.2.6.
Water-soluble extractive Not less than 2 per cent, Appendix 2.2.7.

T.L.C.

T.L.C. of the alcoholic extract on silica gel ‘G’ plate (0.2 mm thick) using chloroform : methanol (80:20) shows under UV (254 nm) three spots at Rf. 0.10 (violet), 0.29 (faint brown) and 0.52 (yellowish green). Under UV (366 nm) three fluorescent spots appear at Rf. 0.29 (brown), 0.52 (yellow) and 0.68 (blue). On exposure to iodine vapour eight spots appear at Rf. 0.10 (brown), 0.13, 0.16, 0.24, 0.29, 0.52, 0.68 and 0.74 (all yellowish brown). On spraying with 10% methanolic-sulphuric acid and heating the plate at 110oC for ten minutes ten spots appear at Rf. 0.10, 0.16 (both brown), 0.26 (grey), 0.31 (brown), 0.40 (purple), 0.44, 0.52, 0.57 (all brown), 0.68 (purple) and 0.77 (brown).

CONSTITUENTS – Alkaloids (Laurotetanine, actinodaphine, boldine, norboldine).

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Katu, Tikta, Kasaya
Guna : Laghu, Snigdha
Virya : Usna
Vipaka : Katu
Karma : Dipana, Kaphahara, Vatahara, Stambhana

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Aileyaka Taila (Citrakadi Taila), Vataghna Lepa (Cintamani Rasa)

THERAPEUTIC USES – Sula, Agnimandya, Sotha, Atisara, Raktasrava, Vatavikara

DOSE – 1 to 3 g powder.

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KHAKHASA (Seed)

Khakhasa consists of seed of Papaver somniferum Linn. (Fam. Papaveracem), a glaucous erect annual herb cultivated under State control in certain areas of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Khasatilah, Aphukam, Khakhastilah, Khakhasah
Assamese : —
Bengali : Aaphim, Postadaanaa, Postabeej
English : Opium, Poppy Seeds
Gujrati : Khaskhas
Hindi : Apheem, Postadaanaa, Khaskhas, Khasabija
Kannada : Gasgase, Aapheen, Aphini
Kashmiri : —
Malayalam : Avin, Karappu, Kashkash, Aalan
Marathi : Khaskhas
Oriya : Aapu
Punjabi : —
Tamil : Kasakash, Posttakkaai, Avinee
Telugu : Gasgashaalu, Nallamandu
Urdu : Apheem

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Seeds are small, about 1.0 to 1.15 mm long, round to reniform or kidney shaped, generally dirty white, occasionally found mingled with a few brownish or greyish coloured seeds; surface coarsely reticulated, larger network enclosing within, numerous irregular smaller reticulations; hilum and micropyle are situated in the notch on the lateral side near the smaller end; seeds are inodorous and oily in taste.

b) Microscopic

Testa is composed of 5 distinct cell layers, outermost layer of epidermal cells corresponding to the surface reticulations; the next layer consists of polygonal or elongated cells containing minute microsphenoidal crystals of calcium oxalate and below there is a single layer of thick walled unlignified elongated cells; this layer is followed by a single layer of thin walled cells; testa is limited internally by a single layer or elongated palisade like cells with reticulately thickened walls; central portion of the seed is occupied by polygonal parenchymatous cells of endosperm containing abundant oil drops and aleurone grains; embryo is slightly curved, radicle rod like, bearing 2, or rarely 3, cotyledonary leaves, embedded in the oily endosperm; contents of the cotyledon are similar to those of endosperm.

Powder – Light brown, coarse, not free flowing, clot or ball forming, under microscope exhibits large fatty oil droplets, characteristic penta to hexagonal testa cells, endosperm and reticulate layer cells; cells containing characteristic crystal and fibres also present.

IDENTITY, PURITY AND STRENGTH

Foreign matter Not more than 1 per cent, Appendix 2.2.2.
Total Ash Not more than 8 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 7 per cent, Appendix 2.2.6.
Water-soluble extractive Not less than 13 per cent, Appendix 2.2.7.
Fixed oil Not less than 19 per cent, Appendix 2.2.8

T.L.C.

T.L.C. of hexane extract on silica gel 60 F 254 plate using Toluene : Acetone (93:07) shows five spots at Rf 0.25, 0.39, 0.50, 0.76 and 0.83 on spraying with Vanillin- Sulphuric acid reagent and heating the plate for 15 minutes at 110oC.

CONSTITUENTS – Fixed oil containing esters of linoleic, palmitic, oleic acids.

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Madhura
Guna : Guru
Virya : Sita
Vipaka : Madhura
Karma : Balya, Stambhana, Vatahara, Vrsya, Vedanasthapana, Rucya, Varnya

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Abhyadi Gutika, Abhrakadi Vati, Asvani Kumar Rasa

THERAPEUTIC USES – Atisara, Kasa

DOSE – 5-10 g

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MESASRNGI (Leaf)

Mesasrngi consists of dried leaf of Gymnema sylvestre R.Br. (Fam. Asclepiadacem), a large woody, much branched, climber, with pubescent young parts, found throughout India in dry forests upto 600 m.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Madhunasini, Ajasrngi
Assamese : —
Bengali : Medhasingi
English : Periploca of the wood
Gujrati : Kaavalee, Medhasinge
Hindi : Gudmaar, Medhaa Singee
Kannada : Kadhasige
Kashmiri : —
Malayalam : Cakkarakkolli, Madhunaashini
Marathi : Kaavalee, Medhaashingi
Oriya : —
Punjabi : —
Tamil : Shirukurum Kaay, Shakkaraikkolli
Telugu : Podapatro
Urdu : —

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Leaf simple, opposite, elliptical or ovate, petiolate, petiole 6 to 12 mm long and pubescent; lamina 3 to 6 cm long and 1 to 3 cm broad; acute or shortly acuminate; more or less pubescent on both sides, base rounded or cordate, venation reticulate; odour, unpleasant; taste, bitter and acrid.

b) Microscopic

Leaf –
Petiole – Nearly semi circular in outline having a deep furrow, shows a single layered epidermis covered with thick cuticle; multicellular uniseriate trichomes present; cortex composed of 3 or 4 layers of collenchyma and 3 or 4 layers of thin walled parenchymatous cells with intercellular spaces; vascular bundle bicollateral, conjoint and 3 in number, one central larger and crescent shaped and 2 lateral and smaller in size; a few rosette crystals of calcium oxalate present in cortical region.

Midrib – Epidermis and trichome as in petiole; epidermis followed by 2 or 3 layers of collenchyma adjacent to the lower surface; vascular bundle crescent shaped, bicollateral, conjoint and situated in centre; rest of the tissue between collenchyma and vascular bundles consisting of polygonal thin-walled parenchymatous cells with intercellular spaces, a few having rosette crystals of calcium oxalate.

Lamina – Shows dorsiventral structure; epidermis and trichome as in petiole and midrib; trichome cylindrical, consists of 3 to 6 cells nearly similar in width and variable in length, terminal cells blunt, most of them curved inwards from the leaf surface; palisade 1 or 2 layers; spongy parenchyma irregular, arranged with distinct intercellular spaces, rosette crystals of calcium oxalate present in this region; stomata paracytic, present only on lower surface; palisade ratio 7 or 8; stomatal index 20 to 25, vein islet number 7 to 10 per sq. mm.

Powder – Light green; under microscope shows epidermal cells having nearly straight wall, and paracytic stomata in surface view; rosette crystals of calcium oxalate; broken pieces of trichomes and spiral vessels.

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 2 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 28 per cent, Appendix 2.2.7.

T.L.C.

T.L.C. of the alcoholic extract on Silica Gel ‘G’ plate using n-Hexane : Toluene : Ethylacetate (5:10:2) as mobile phase shows four fluorescent zones under U.V. (366 nm) at Rf. 0.24, 0.37 (both Red), 0.50 (blue) and 0.60 (Red). On spraying with Anisaldehyde- Sulphuric acid reagent and heating the plate at 110o for ten minutes seven spots appear at Rf. 0.29 (green), 0.37, 0.47 (both violet), 0.55 (pink), 0.60 (green), 0.66 (violet) and 0.93 (pink).

CONSTITUENTS – Triterpenoid saponins of gymnemic acid A, B, C and D with sugarresidues such as glucuronic acid, galacturonic acid, ferulic and angelic acids attached as carboxylic acids. Several isopropylene derivatives of gymnemagenin, a hexahydroterpene, gymnemagenin, gymnemic acid. The leaves also contain betaine, choline, gymnamine alkaloids, inositol, d-quercitol. Hydrocarbons such as nonacosane, hentriacontane, tritriacontane, pentatriacontane, phytin, resin, tartaric acid, formic acid, butyric acid, amino acids such as leucine, isoleucine, valine, alanine, γ-butyric acid.

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Tikta, Kasaya
Guna : Laghu, Ruksa
Virya : Usna
Vipaka : Katu
Karma : Caksusya, Dipana, Kaphahara, Vatahara, Visaghna, Sramasana

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Mahavisagarbha Taila, Ayaskrti, Nyagrodhadi Curna, Mrtasanji Vani Sura

THERAPEUTIC USES – Sula, Sopha, Arsa, Svasa, Hrdroga, Kasa, Krmi, Kustha, Netraroga, Prameha, Vrana, Dantakrmi

DOSE – 3-6 g.

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KHATMI(Root)

Khatmiconsists of the root of Althma officinalis Linn. (Fam. Malvacem) a perennial, uniformly downy herb, occurring in Kashmir region.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Khatmi
Assamese : —
Bengali : —
English : Marsh Mallow
Gujrati : —
Hindi : Khatmi
Kannada : —
Kashmiri : —
Malayalam : —
Marathi : Khatmi
Oriya : —
Punjabi : —
Tamil : Khatmi
Telugu : Khatmi
Urdu : Aslua Khitmi, Reshah-e-Khatmi

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Roots 0.2 to 3 cm in diameter, light brown in colour, strongly longitudinally furrowed, often spirally twisted; fracture, short, texture rough, internally yellowish white; odour, pleasant; taste, sweet and mucilaginous.

b) Microscopic

T.S. root circular in outline; cork 8 to 12 cells broad, radially arranged flattened cells; cortex broad, loosely arranged, parenchymatous, cells filled with mucilage; small patches of lignified fibres present; large number of schizogenous and lysigenous mucilage canals present; phloem well developed consisting of sieve tubes, companion cells and phloem parenchyma filled with mucilage; cambium 2 to 3 celled, xylem diffuse porous, made up of vessels, tracheids, fibres, and tracheidal fibres, vessels mostly solitary – filled with tyloses at some places, medullary rays 3 to 5 cells deep; rosette crystals of calcium oxalate present in cortical, phloem and xylem region; cells contain mucilage, stained red with 1% ruthenium red, and deep yellow with potassium hydroxide solution; most of the parenchymatous cells contain starch grains, polygonal to rounded, 5 to 20 nm, most grains less than 12 nm in diameter, simple, hilum circular or a 2 to 5 rayed cleft lamellm indistinct.

Powder – Powder white to light yellow, sweet in taste; under the microscope numerous fragments of parenchyma, the cells containing mucilage and starch grains polygonal to rounded, 5-20 nm, most grains less than 12 nm in diameter, simple, hilum circular or a 2-5 rayed cleft lamellm indistinct; occasionally small rosette crystals of calcium oxalate, group of sclerenchymatous cells, vessels measuring 113 to 262 nm long, fibres measuring 519 to 1038 nm long and 9 to 19 nm broad; mucilaginous canals; when treated with 50% HNO3 turns yellowish-orange and emits yellow fluorescence under UV 254 nm; with 50% KOH, it emits light yellow fluorescence under UV 254 nm, while with 1 N-NaOH in methanol orangeish brown colour is seen in day light.

IDENTITY, PURITY AND STRENGTH

Foreign matter Not more than 2 per cent, Appendix 2.2.2.
Moisture content Not more than 8 per cent, Appendix 2.2.9.
Total ash Not more than 7 per cent, Appendix 2.2.3.
Acid insoluble ash Not less than 1.5 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 21 per cent, Appendix 2.2.7

T.L.C.

T.L.C. of the methanolic extract on precoated silica gel ‘G’ plate (0.2 mm thick) using toluene : ethyl acetate : methanol (80 : 20 : 0.05) shows under UV (366 nm) fluorescent zones at Rf. 0.12, 0.27, 0.33, 0.82. On spraying with anisaldehyde-sulphuric acid and heating for ten minutes at 120oC, shows spots at Rf. 0.12, 0.18, 0.43, 0.47, 0.69 and 0.82.

CONSTITUENTS – Galacturonic acid, galactose, glucose, xylose & rhamnose,polysaccharide althma mucilage-O, asparaginene, betaine, lecithin and phytosterol, polysaccharides.

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Madhura
Guna : Guru, Picchila, Snigdha
Virya : Sita
Vipaka : Madhura
Karma : Mutrala, Pittahara, Vatahara, Vedanasthapana, Slesmasaraka, Kaphaghna

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Gojihvadi Kvatha Curna

THERAPEUTIC USES – Mutradaha, Daha, Kasa, Mutrakrcchra, Pratisyaya, Raktapitta, Mutrasayasotha, Kantharoga, Antrasotha

DOSE – 3 -6 g.

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MESASRNGI (Root)

Mesasrngi consists of root of Gymnema sylvestre R. Br. (Fam. Asclepiadacem), a large woody, climber, much branched, with pubescent young parts, found throughout India in dry forests upto 600 m.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Madhunasini, Ajasrngi
Assamese : —
Bengali : Medhasingi
English : Periploca of the woods
Gujrati : Kaavalee, Medhasinge
Hindi : Gudmaar, Medhaasingee
Kannada : Kadhasige
Kashmiri : —
Malayalam : Cakkarakkolli, Madhunaashini
Marathi : Kaavalee, Medhaashingi
Oriya : —
Punjabi : —
Tamil : Shakkaraikkolli, Shirukurumkaay
Telugu : Podapatro
Urdu : —

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Tap root branched, rough, longitudinally fissured, corky, soft and nodulose pieces, 2 to 7 cm long and 0.2 to 1.0 cm in thickness; external surface dark brown and cut surface showing a core cream in colour; fracture, splintery; odour, unpleasant; taste, bitter and acrid.

b) Microscopic

Root – Shows 5 to 20 rows of tangentially elongated and radially arranged cork cells; secondary cortex a wide zone consisting of oval to polygonal cells somewhat irregular in shape and moderately thick walled, filled with rosette crystals of calcium oxalate and a few simple or compound starch grains; secondary phloem composed of sieve tubes, companion cells and phloem parenchyma, with mostly large and a few small rosette crystals and starch grains; medullary rays prominent, uni or multi seriate, generally tetra seriate, extending from primary xylem to secondary phloem; groups of oval to elongated, thick walled, lignified sclereids with clear striations and narrow lumen present in cortex and phloem region; secondary xylem consists of usual lignified elements; vessels simple pitted, single or 2 to 7 in radial groups and dispersed throughout the xylem region; fibres long with tapering ends and wide lumen; primary xylem present diarch.

Powder – Light yellow; shows thick walled cork cells; polygonal, thin walled parenchymatous cells, simple pitted fibres and vessels; groups of sclereids, large and a few small rosette crystals of calcium oxalate, simple and compound starch grains, measuring 5 to 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 6 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 5 per cent, Appendix 2.2.6.
Water-soluble extractive Not less than 14 per cent, Appendix 2.2.7.

T.L.C.

T.L.C. of the alcoholic extract on Silica Gel ‘G’ plate using Toluene : Ethylacetate : Methanol (10:10:4) as mobile phase shows on spraying with Anisaldehyde-Sulphuric acid reagent and heating the plate at 110oC for ten minutes eight spots at Rf. 0.17 (brown), 0.25 (violet), 0.48 (grey), 0.57 (pink), 0.68, 0.80, 0.87 (violet) and 0.95 (pink).

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Tikta, Kasaya
Guna : Laghu, Ruksa
Virya : Usna
Vipaka : Katu
Karma : Dipana, Kaphahara, Mutrala, Vatahara, Sirovirecaka, Sramsana

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Nyagrodhadi Curna, Maha Visagarbha Taila, Mrtasanjivanisura

THERAPEUTIC USES – Svasa, Daha, Hrdroga, Kasa, Krmiroga, Kustha, Mutrakrcchra, Prameha, Raktavikara, Vrana, Visavikara, Aksisula, Vidrdhi, Vatahara.

DOSE – 50 – 100 ml decoction.
1 – 2 g powder.

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