Ayurvedic Herbs

DURVA (Whole Plant)

Durva consists of dried whole plant of Cynodon dactylon (Linn.) Pers. (Fam. Poacem), an elegant, tenacious, perennial, creeping grass growing throughout the country and ascending to 2440 m.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Sataparva, Satavalli, Niladurva
Assamese : Ushb
Bengali : Doorva, Neel Doorva
English : Creeping Cynodon, Dhub Grass
Gujrati : Dhro, Khaddhro, Leelodhro, Neeladhro
Hindi : Doob, Neelee Doob
Kannada : Garikai-Hallu, Garike, Garik Hallu
Kashmiri : —
Malayalam : Karuk, Karukappullu
Marathi : Harlee, Neel durva, Haryali
Oriya : —
Punjabi : Dubea
Tamil : Arukampillu
Telugu : Doolu, Harvali, Garichgaddi
Urdu : Doob Ghas

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Root -Fibrous, cylindrical, upto 4 mm thick, minute hair-like roots arise from the main roots; cream coloured.

Stem -Slender, prostrate, upto 1.0 mm thick, jointed, leafy, very smooth, yellowish green in colour.

Leaf – 2 to 10 cm long and 1.25 to 3 mm wide, narrowly linear or lanceolate, finely acute more or less glaucous, soft, smooth, usually conspicuously distichous in the barren shoots and at the base of the stems; sheath light, glabrous or sometimes bearded, ligule a very fine ciliate rim.

b) Microscopic

Root – Mature root shows epiblema or piliferous layer composed of a single layer of thin-walled, radially elongated to cubical cells; hypodermis composed of 1 or 2 layered, thin-walled, tangentially elongated to irregular shaped cells; cortex differentiated into two zones,. 1 or 2 layers of smaller, thin-walled, polygonal, lignified sclerenchymatous and 4 to 6 layers of larger thin-walled, elongated parenchymatous cells; endodermis quite distinct, single layered, thick-walled, tangentially elongated cells; pericycle 1 or 2 layers composed of thin-walled sclerenchymatous cells; vascular bundles consisting of xylem and phloem, arranged in a ring on different radials; xylem exarch, having usual elements; centre occupied by wide pith, composed of oval to rounded thick-walled parenchymatous cells containing numerous simple, round to oval or angular starch grains measuring 4 to 16 n in dia., and compound starch grains having 2 to 4 components

Stem – Oval in outline with a little depression on one side, shows a cuticularised epidermis single layered, having lignified walls; hypodermis 1 or 2 layers, sclerenchymatous; cortex composed of 3 to 5 layers of round to oval thin walled parenchymatous cells; endodermis not distinct; pericycle present in the form of continuous ring of 2 to 5 layers of sclerenchymatous fibres; vascular bundle collateral, closed and scattered throughout the ground mass of parenchyma, each surrounded by sclerenchymatous sheath; vessels simple, spiral, scalariform, and annular; medullary rays not distinct; fibres short, thick walled, having narrow lumen and pointed tips; starch grains simple and compound having 2 to 4 components, present in cortex and ground tissue, simple grains measuring 4 to 16 n in dia.

Leaf – Lamina shows nearly square to oval epidermis having irregularly cutinised outer wall, bulliform cells present on the dorsal side which are grouped together and lie at the bottom of a well defined groove in between the veins; these are thin walled and lack chlorophyll, extend deep into the mesophyll; mesophyll not differentiated into palisade and spongy parenchyma; row of vascular bundles nearly alike, except that the median bundle is larger; bundle sheath single, and consists of thin-walled more or less isodiametric parenchyma cells containing chloroplast; mesophyll tissue broken by 1 or 2 thin-walled colourless cells which extend from bundle sheath to the thin walled parenchymatous band of stereome near upper and lower epidermis.

Powder – Yellowish-green; simple pitted, scalariform, annular and spiral, vessels; short lignified, thick walled, pointed fibres, paracytic stomata; epidermis in surface view, of elongated, rectangular long cells and nearly square small cells having sinuous walls; simple and compound starch grains, measuring 4 to 16 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 4.5 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 9.5 per cent, Appendix 2.2.7.

T.L.C.

T.L.C. of alcoholic extract of the drug on Silica gel ‘G’ plate using Toluene: Ethylacetate (90 : 10) shows in visible light five spots at Rf. 0.1 (green), 0.40 (yellow), 0.45 (green), 0.51 (yellow) and 0.57 (green). On exposure to Iodine vapour six spots appear at Rf. 0.22, 0.40, 0.45, 0.51, 0.57 and 0.64 (all yellow in colour). On spraying with 5% Methanolic-Sulphuric acid reagent and heating the plate at 105oC for ten minutes six spots appear at Rf. 0.22, 0.40, 0.45, 0.51 (all grey), 0.57 (green) and 0.64 (grey).

CONSTITUENTS – Phenolic Phytotoxins (Ferulic, Syringic, P-coumaric, Vanillic, PHydroxybenzoic and O-Hydroxyphenil acetic acid)

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Madhura, Tikta, Kasaya
Guna : Laghu
Virya : Sita
Vipaka : Madhura
Karma : Kaphahara, Pittahara, Sramsana, Rucya

THERAPEUTIC USES – Atisara, Chardi, Daha, Jvara, Raktapitta, Trsa, Murccha, Visarpa, Taktavikara, Tvaka Roga, Kaphaja Jvara, Vataja Jvara, Nasagata Taktapitta

DOSE – Svarasa 10-20 ml.

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GAMBHARI (Stem Bark)

Gambhari consists of dried stem bark of Gmelina arborea Linn. (Fam. Verbenacem), a large deciduous tree, mostly found in southern peninsula and upto Kashmir

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Kasmari, Kasmarya, Sriparni
Assamese : Gamari
Bengali : Gamar
English : Candhar Tree
Gujrati : Shivani hannu, Shewan
Hindi : Gambhar Khambhari
Kannada : Shivani, Shivanigida
Kashmiri : —
Malayalam : Kumizhu, Kumbil, Kumpil, Kumizhin
Marathi : Shivan
Oriya : Gambhari
Punjabi : Gumhar, Kumhar
Tamil : Nilakumizh
Telugu : Peggumudu, Peggumaddi
Urdu : —

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Mature stem bark 0.2 to 0.7 cm thick, channelled pieces, ribbed, quilled at some places; outer surface yellowish-brown in colour and rough due to some longitudinal and horizontal cracks, inner surface fairly smooth and reddish-brown to black in colour; fracture, short; odour and taste not distinct.

b) Microscopic

Shows a wide zone of cork consisting of rectangular, thick-walled, lignified cells; cork cambium 1 or 2 layers, filled with reddish-brown contents; secondary cortex consists of 2 or 3 layers, tangentially elongated, elliptical, thin-walled, parenchymatous cells; secondary phloem composed of sieve elements, parenchyma and phloem rays; parenchyma rectangular to polygonal, phloem rays 1 to 7 cells wide, 3 to 16 cells high; rays 4 or 5 cells wide and 8 to 10 cells high more common; stone cells oval to elliptical, lignified, pitted, with wide lumen; stone cells and lysigenous cavities present throughout phloem.

Powder – Reddish-brown; shows fragments of cork cells, thick-walled, elliptical, lignified, pitted stone cells with wide lumen.

IDENTITY, PURITY AND STRENGTH

Foreign matter Not more than 1 per cent, Appendix 2.2.2.
Total Ash Not more than 11 per cent, Appendix 2.2.3.
Acid-insoluble ash Not more than 0.3 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 23 per cent, Appendix 2.2.7.

T.L.C.

T.L.C. of alcoholic extract of the drug on Silica gel ‘G’ plate using Chloroform Methanol (95:5) shows under U.V. (366 nm) no fluorescent spot. On exposure to Iodine vapour two spots appear at Rf. 0.20 and 0.60 (both yellow).

CONSTITUENTS – Alkaloids, in traces.

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Madhura, Katu, Tikta
Guna : Guru
Virya : Usna
Vipaka : Katu
Karma : Dipana, Kaphahara, Medhya, Sothahara, Pacana, Bhedana, Visahara, Daha, Prasamana

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Candnasava

THERAPEUTIC USES – Sula, Sotha, Arsa, Bhrama, Jvara, Raktapitta, Trsa

DOSE – 3-5 gm.

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IKSU (Root Stock)

Iksu consists of root stock of Saccharum officinarum Linn. (Fam. Poacem), a plant generally cultivated in all hotter parts of the country for extraction of sugar.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Asipatra, Bhurirasa, Dirghacchada, Gudamula, Trnarasa
Assamese : Kuhiyare
Bengali : Akh, Ganna
English : Sugar-cane
Gujrati : Sheradi
Hindi : Ganna, Ikh
Kannada : Ikshu, Kabbu
Kashmiri : —
Malayalam : Karimpu
Marathi : Us
Oriya : —
Punjabi : Ganna
Tamil : Karumbu Ver
Telugu : Cheraku, Cheruku
Urdu : Ganna, Naishkar

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Drug occurs in form of root stock with attached yellowish-brown stem portion, having 10 to 15 cm long, numerous grey to blackish-brown fibrous roots; solid, jointed, more or less cylindrical, 2 to 2.5 cm thick and varying in length, rough; fracture, splintery; odour and taste, not distinct.

b) Microscopic

Root Stock – Shows single layered epidermis followed by 3 to 4 layers of oval to elliptical, lignified, thick-walled more or less radially elongated, sclerenchymatous cells; cortex consists of upper 12 to 15 layers oval to polygonal, thin-walled and lower 5 layers, elliptical, parenchymatous cells; endodermis single layered; pericycle 3 or 4 layers, sclerenchymatous; fibro-vascular bundle, covered with sclerenchymatous sheath, scattered throughout the ground mass of parenchymatous cells.

Root – Shows single layered epidermis of thin-walled, rectangular cells, followed by a layer of hypodermis of thin-walled, rectangular cells, outer cortex composed of 2 or 3 layers of thick-walled, polygonal to circular, sclerenchymatous cells filled with dark brown or blackish pigment, inner cortex composed of large mrenchymatous cells; endodermis composed of barrel-shaped, thin-walled cells, enclosing a layer of pericycle consisting of rectangular cells having inner wall thickened, and vascular tissue; xylem and phloem form an equal number of separate bundles. arranged in a ring; centre occupied by a large pith, composed of circular to oval, parenchymatous, thin-walled cells.

Powder – Blackish in colour; shows sclerenchymatous cells of cortex, xylem vessels and fibres, groups of spindle-shaped, elongated, epidermal cells in surface view.

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 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 7 per cent, Appendix 2.2.7.

T.L.C.

T.L.C. of alcoholic extract on Silica Gel ‘G’ using n-Butanol : Acetic acid : Water (4:1:5) shows under visible light two spots at Rf. 0.80 and 0.96 (both grey). Under U.V.(366 nm) four fluorescent zones are visible at Rf. 0.67 (light blue). 0.80 (dark blue). 0.86 (light blue) and 0.96 (dark blue). On exposure to Iodine vapour several spots appear out of which three spots are conspicuous at Rf. 0.30. 0.80 and 0.96 (all yellow). On spraying with 5% Methanolic- Sulphuric acid reagent and heating the plate for ten minutes at 110oC several spots appear out of which three are conspicuous at Rf. 0.10. 0.86 and 0.96 (all grey).

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Madhura
Guna : Guru, Sara, Snigdha
Virya : Sita
Vipaka : Madhura
Karma : Balya, Pittahara, Brmhana, Vrsya, Vatasamaka, Kaphakara, Mutrala

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Trnapancamula Kvatha, Sukumara Ghrta, Brahma Rasayana

THERAPEUTIC USES – Raktapitta, Visarpa, Mutrakrccra, Ojoksya, Nasa Rakta srava, Grahani, Pandu, Ksataja Kasa

DOSE – 15-30 gm in decoction form.

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ADHAKI (Seed)

Adhaki consists of dried seed of Cajanus cajan Linn. (Fam. Fabacem), an erect shrub 1.5 to 3 m high, cultivated nearly throughout the country as a pulse crop.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Tuvari
Assamese : Ruharmah
Bengali : Arhar
English : Pigeon Pea
Gujrati : Tuver
Hindi : Arhar
Kannada : Togari
Kashmiri : —
Malayalam : Thuvara
Marathi : Toor
Oriya : Harada, Kandulagachha
Punjabi : Arhar
Tamil : Adagi Tuvari, Thuvarai, Tuvarai
Telugu : Kandulu
Urdu : Arhar

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Seed rounded to oval, 0.4 to 0.7 cm dia., having a white hilum; varying in colour from yellow and red to brown; odour and taste not distinct.

b) Microscopic

Seed coat shows single layered, radially elongated, palisade-like, thin-walled cells, covered externally by striated cuticle and internally supported by a single layered bearer cells, followed by 8 to 10 layers of tangentially elongated, elliptical, thin-walled, parenchymatous cells; cotyledon composed of oval to polygonal, thin-walled, parenchymatous cells most of them containing groups of simple, rounded to oval starch grains, measuring 5 to 36 n in dia. Powder- Light brown; seed coat in surface view shows polygonal, thin-walled cells with intercellular spaces; groups of oval to polygonal, parenchymatous cells, and rounded to oval starch grains measuring 5 to 36 n in dia.

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 0.5 per cent, Appendix 2.2.4.
Protein content Not less than 20 per cent – (as determined by following method)

Method:
Determination of Total Nitrogen:-
Place an appropriate amount of the substance, accurately weighed, in a 500 ml Kjeldahl’s flask of hard glass. The material to be tested, if solid or semi-solid, may be wrapped in a sheet of nitrogen free filter paper for convenience in transferring it into the flask. Add 10 g of powdered potassium sulphate, 0.5 g of powdered copper sulphate and 30 ml of nitrogen free sulphuric acid. Incline the flask at an angle of about 45° and gently heat the mixture, keeping the temperature below the boiling point of the mixture until frothing has ceased. Increase the heat until the acid boils and continue the heating for four hrs until the solution acquires a clear greenish colour. Allow the mixture to cool, add 150 ml of water, thoroughly mix the contents of the flask and cool again. Add cautiously, so as to cause the solution to flow down inside the flask to form a layer under the acid solution, 100 ml of a 30 % w/v solution of sodium hydroxide in water. Add a few pieces of granulated zinc, and connect the flask by means of kjeldahl connecting bulb with a condenser, the delivery tube from which dips beneath the surface of a mixture of 30 ml of 0.5 N HCl or 0.5 N H2S04 and 25 ml of water contained in an Erlenmeyer flask or a wide mouthed bottle of about 500 ml capacity. Mix the contents of the flask by gentle rotation, and distil until about two thirds of the contents of the flask have distilled over. Add about 3 drops of solution of methyl red to the contents of the receiving vessel and determine the excess of acid by titration with 0.5 N sodium hydroxide. Repeat the experiment with the same quantities of reagents and in the same manner, but omitting the substance under test. The difference between the two titrations represent the acid required to neutralize the ammonia. Each ml of 0.5 N hydrochloric acid or 0.5 N Sulphuric acid is equivalent to 0.007004 g of N. When the nitrogen content of the substance under test is known to be low, 0.5 N hydrochloric or 0.5 N sulphuric acid may be replaced by 0.1N hydrochloric acid or 0.1 N sulphuric acid and 0.1 N sodium hydroxide should then be used in titrating the excess acid. Each ml of 0.1 N hydrochloric acid or 0.1 N sulphuric acid is equivalent to 0.001401 g of N

Total Protein =Total Nitrogen X 6.25.

T.L.C.
T.L.C. of alcoholic extract of the drug on Silica gel ‘G’ using Toluene: Ethyl acetate (90: 10) shows under U.V. (366 nm) four fluorescent zones at Rf. 0.11, 0.23, 0.30 and 0.40 (all blue). On exposure to Iodine vapour three spots appear at Rf. 0.23, 0.30 and 0.96 (all yellow).

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Madhura, Kasaya
Guna : Laghu, Ruksa
Virya : Sita
Vipaka : Katu
Karma : Kaphahara, Medohara, Pittakara, Sangrahi, Vatakara, Varnya, Visapaha, Stanyavrddhi

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Kankayana Gutika

THERAPEUTIC USES – Kana Atisthaulya, Raktavikara, Raktapitta, Visaroga, Sthaulya, Medoroga, Arsa

DOSE – As directed by the physician

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KADALI (Flower)

Kadali consists of dried flower of Musa paradisiaca Linn. (Fam. Musacem), a monoecious herb, cultivated widely in the country in most of the states.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Mouca, Varana, Ambusara
Assamese : Kal, Talha
Bengali : Kela, Kala, Kanch Kala
English : Banana
Gujrati : Kela
Hindi : Kela
Kannada : Bale gadde, Kadubale, Kattebale, Kadali
Kashmiri : —
Malayalam : Kadali, Ksetrak
Marathi : Kel, Kela
Oriya : Kadali, Kadila
Punjabi : Kela
Tamil : Vazhai, Pazham
Telugu : Arati chettu
Urdu : Kela (Mouz)

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Flower -Inflorescence spike, drug occurs in cut and crumpled pieces, 2.5 to 4.0 cm long sessile, unisexual; calyx and corolla present; calyx 2.5 to 4 cm long crumpled, tubular spathaceous, dark brown having ridges and furrows; corolla 1.5 to 2.5 cm long, connate, crumpled, boat-shaped creamish-yellow, membranous, toothed at apex; stamens 5 + 1 rudimentary, 0.8 to 1.2 cm long dark brown; filament erect, strongly filiform; anthers linear, bithecous; carpels 3, syncarpous, ovary inferior, trilocular, each with several ovules; axile placentation; style 3.0 to 4.5 cm long light brown, filiform; stigma capitate or sub globose, 3 or 4 lobed, greyish-brown; taste arid odour not characteristic.

b) Microscopic

Calyx– Shows thin-walled, single layered, upper and lower epidermis, followed by thin walled, parenchymatous mesophyll, embedding vascular bundle, having usual elements surrounded by some large, thin-walled, specialised cells containing oleo-resin ducts, tannin cells and a few oil globules.

Corolla -Shows thin-walled, striated single layered epidermis on either surface and oval to polygonal in surface view; mesophyll 2 or 3 layered consisting of thin-walled, parenchymatous cells; numerous prismatic crystals of calcium oxalate present in mesophyll.

Androecium – Filament shows single layered epidermis, followed by ground tissues consisting of oval to polygonal, thin-walled, parenchymatous cells having crescent shaped vascular bundles and oleo-resin cells; anther lobe shows two layered wall, 4 to 6 celled tapetum; pollen grains spherical measuring 26 to 47 n in diam., smooth, yellowish-brown, having clear, thick-walled, pigmented exine, thin-walled, colourless intine.

Gynoecium-Ovary shows single layered, cuticularised epidermis followed by ground tissue consisting of oval, polygonal, thin-walled, parenchymatous cells embedding a few thickened pitted cells; stigma consists of 6 chambers having single layered epidermis.

Powder – Brown, shows fragments of straight walled, polygonal, thin walled epidermal, cells, simple pitted cells, vessels with spiral thickening, anisocytic stomata, a few prismatic crystals of calcium oxalate, spherical, smooth, yellowish-brown pollen grains, having clear exine and intine and measuring 26 to 47 n in dia., a few oil globules, and oleoresin cells; a few simple, oval or irregular starch grains measuring upto 65 n in length and 35 n in width.

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 1 per cent, Appendix 2.2.4.
Alcohol-soluble extractive Not less than 3 per cent, Appendix 2.2.6.
Water-soluble extractive Not less than 18 per cent, Appendix 2.2.7.

T.L.C.

T.L.C. of alcoholic extract of the drug on Silica gel ‘G’ using Toluene: Ethylacetate (9 :1) shows under U.V. (366 nm) six fluorescent zones at Rf. 0.09 (blue), 0.23 (grey), 0.31 (blue), 0.36 (violet), 0.66 (blue) and 0.97 (violet). On exposure to Iodine vapour five spots appear at Rf. 0.23, 0.31, 0.33, 0.66 and 0.97 (all yellow). On spraying with Vanillin-Sulphuric acid reagent and heating the plate at 105oC for ten minutes four spots appear at Rf. 0.09, 0.23, 0.66 and 0.97 (all blue).

CONSTITUENTS – Saponins, Tannins, reducing and non-reducing Sugars, Sterols and Triterpenes.

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Madhura, Tikta, Kasaya
Guna : Dipana, Mrdu, Grahi
Virya : Usna
Vipaka : Madhura
Karma : Balya, Vrsya, Pittanasaka, Ruca, Kaphaghna, Sthambhaka

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Hemanatha Rasa

THERAPEUTIC USES – Krmi, Raktapitta, Svasa Roga, Pradara

DOSE – 10-20 gm.

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AGARU (Heart Wood)

Agaru consists of dried heart wood of Aquilaria agallocha Roxb. (Fam. Thymelacacem), a large evergreen tree, distributed in North East part of the country.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Aguru, Lauha, Krmija
Assamese : Agaru
Bengali : Agaru, Agarkashtha, Agar Chandan
English : Eagle Wood
Gujrati : Agar
Hindi : Agar
Kannada : Krishna Agaru
Kashmiri : —
Malayalam : Akil
Marathi : Agar
Oriya : —
Punjabi : Ooda, ooda, pharsi
Tamil : Akil kattai
Telugu : Agaru
Urdu : Ood Hindi, Agar

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Drug available in cut pieces, dark brown to nearly black; fracture, hard; no characteristic smell and taste.

b) Microscopic

Shows mostly uniseriate sometimes biseriate xylem rays; vessels isolated having simple pitted thickening and filled with dark brown contents; xylem fibres short having narrow lumen occupying a major portion of wood; xylem parenchyma less in number and simple pitted; included phloem tissues in pockets partially disorganised, leaving large circular or oval holes, containing collapsed and broken tissues.

Powder – Dark brown; shows numerous aseptate fibres, simple pitted vessels with dark brown contents.

IDENTITY, PURITY AND STRENGTH

Foreign matter Not more than 1 per cent, Appendix 2.2.2.
Total Ash Not more than 13 per cent, Appendix 2.2.3.
Acid-insoluble ash Not more than 0.5 per cent, Appendix 2.2.4.
Alcohol-soluble extractive Not less than 1 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 using Toluene: Ethylacetate (9:1) shows in visible light two spots at Rf. 0.17 and 0.27 (both light brown). Under U.V. (366 nm) five fluorescent zones appear at Rf. 0.17, 0.27, 0.36, 0.57 and 0.80 (all blue). On exposure to Iodine vapour eight spots appear at Rf. 0.05, 0.11, 0.15, 0.24, 0.33, 0.57, 0.73 and 0.80 (all yellow). On spraying with Vanillin-Sulphuric acid reagent and after heating the plate for ten minutes at 105°C five spots appear at Rf. 0.13, 0.18, 0.25, 0.37 and 0.59 (all violet).

CONSTITUENTS – Essential Oil

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Katu, Tikta
Guna : Laghu, Snigdha, Tiksna
Virya : Usna
Vipaka : Katu
Karma : Sirovir®cana, Kaphahara, Pittalam, Tvacya, Vatahara

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Madhukasava, Mrdvikasava, Karpuradyarka, Cyavanaprasa Aval®ha, Anu Taila, Candanadi Taila, Khadiradi Gutika, Svasahara Kasaya Curna, Guducyadi Taila

THERAPEUTIC USES – Aksir°ga, Svasa, Karna R°ga, Kustha, Visa

DOSE – 1-3g

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KARCURA (Rhizome)

Karcura consists of dried pieces of rhizome of Curcuma zedoaria Rose, (Fam. Zingiberacem), a large perennial herb with underground tuberous root-stock, growing wildly in eastern Himalayas and in moist deciduous forests of the central region of Karnataka; also cultivated throughout the country.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Kaccura, Dravida
Assamese : Katuri
Bengali : Sali, Ekangi, Sari, Kachura
English : Zedoary
Gujrati : Kachuro, Shatakachuro
Hindi : Kacura
Kannada : Kachora
Kashmiri : —
Malayalam : Kachalam
Marathi : Kachora
Oriya : Kachoramu, Gandha Sunthi, Karchura
Punjabi : Kachur
Tamil : Kichili, Kizhangu, Kitchiliki Zhangu, Padam Kizhangu
Telugu : Kachoramu, Kichili Gadda
Urdu : Zarambad

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Drug occurs as whole or longitudinally and tangentially cut pieces; the whole drug 2 to 6 cm long, cylindrical; transversely cut pieces 2 to 3.5 cm in dia., surface rough due to longitudinal wrinkles and occasional protuberances; nodes and internodes distinct, a few pieces bear thin root and root scars at places; colour externally greyishbuff and internally cream; odour, camphoraceous; taste, slightly bitter.

b) Microscopic

Shows a thin zone of cork composed of 4 to 7 layers of thin-walled, tangentially elongated, rectangular cells, sometimes epidermis intact with cork having uniseriate covering trichomes; ground tissue consist of thin-walled, circular, oval or polygonal, parenchymatous cells, mostly filled with simple starch grains but some cells also contain yellow oleo-resin; stelar region demarked from cortex by somewhat collapsed cells of endodermis and consists of rounded and oval to polygonal cells mostly filled with starch grains but some having yellow masses of oleo-resin; vascular bundles closed and collateral, distributed throughout cortical and stelar region, consisting of a few xylem and phloem elements; vascular bundles found in the form of a ring in the cortical region and in the stelar region, just below endodermis; most of the vascular bundles in rest of the stelar region smaller in size and scattered; number of vessels in each bundle varies from 2 to 10, bundle with single vessels being very rare; starch grains round to oval, a few with slight projection at one end striations distinct, numerous; hilum cleft, indistinct at the narrow end, 20 to 70 n in length and 15 to 35 n in width.

Powder – Greyish-yellow; aromatic; shows fragments of cork, oleo-resin cells, simple circular to oval, abundant starch grains measuring 20 to 70 n in length and 15 to 35 n in width.

IDENTITY, PURITY AND STRENGTH

Foreign matter Not more than 2 per cent, Appendix 2.2.2.
Total Ash Not more than 7 per cent, Appendix 2.2.3.
Acid-insoluble ash Not more than 2 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.
Volatile oil Not less than 2 per cent, Appendix 2.2.10

T.L.C.

T.L.C. of alcoholic extract on Silica gel ‘G’ plate using Toluene Ethylacetate (93 : 7) v/v shows under U.V. (366 nm) five fluorescent zones at Rf. 0.25, 0.47, 0.76 (all light blue), 0.83 (blue) and 0.97 (light blue). On exposure to Iodine vapour eight spots appear at Rf. 0.25, 0.34, 0.47, 0.58, 0.67, 0.76, 0.83 and 0.97 (all yellow). On spraying with Vanillin-Sulphuric acid reagent and heating the plate for ten minutes at 110oC eight spots appear at Rf. 0.25 (violet), 0.34 (light violet), 0.47 (violet), 0.58 (violet), 0.67 (light brown), 0.76 (bluish grey), 0.83 (violet) and 0.97 (light brown).

CONSTITUENTS – Essential Oil and Resin.

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Katu, Tikta
Guna : Laghu, Tiksna
Virya : Usna
Vipaka : Katu
Karma : Dipana, Kaphahara, Rucya, Vatahara, Mukhavaisadyakara

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Karpuradyarka, Karcuradi Curna (Karcuradi Lepa), Sutasekara Rasa

THERAPEUTIC USES – Arsa, Hikka, Jvara, Kasa, Krmi, Kustha, Vrna, Svasa, Gulma, Pliha, Galaganda

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

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AKLARI (Endosperm)

Aklari consists of dried endosperm of Lodoicea maldivica Pers. Syn. L. seychel larum Labill. (Fam. Arecacem), a tall, dioecious palm with straight, smooth, annulated trunk, 18 to 30 m high and 0.3 m dia, growing on all types of soils from the sandy shore to the arid mountain top and also cultivated in India.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Samudra Narikela
Assamese : —
Bengali : Narikel, Jora Narikel
English : Double coconut
Gujrati : Dorai Nareal
Hindi : Dari yai Nariyal
Kannada : Joditengu
Kashmiri : —
Malayalam : Aklari
Marathi : Dariyacha Naral
Oriya : Samudra Narikela
Punjabi : Dariyai Nariyal
Tamil : Thunga, Kadal Thengai
Telugu : Samudra Tenkaya Kohari
Urdu : Narjeel Daryme

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Drug occurs in varying sizes, about 2.0 cm thick; very hard having much the appearance and texture of vegetable ivory; outer surface moderately rough to smooth, dark brown in colour; inner surface rough, dirty white in colour with number of small tooth-like projections, when soaked in water it softens a little and can be split into thin fibrous bundles; fracture, very hard; odour and taste not characteristic.

b) Microscopic

Testa shows 4 to 6 layers of polygonal, tangentially elongated, lignified, thickwalled cells filled with reddish-brown contents, followed by a wide zone of oval to polygonal, thick-walled cells; endosperm consists of spindle-shaped cells with thick walls having a central lumen with club-shaped canals extending to the cell wall; a few simple starch grains present in endosperm measuring 13 to 18 n in dia., and small minute aleurone grains; oil globules present throughout the region.

Powder – Dirty brown; shows thick-walled, elongated, spindle-shaped endosperm cells, moderately thick-walled, polygonal, slightly wavy cells of testa in surface view, a few of them containing oil globules and small minute aleurone grains and simple starch grains measuring 13 to 18 n in dia.

IDENTITY, PURITY AND STRENGTH

Foreign matter Not more than 2 per cent, Appendix 2.2.2.
Total Ash Not more than 2 per cent, Appendix 2.2.3.
Acid-insoluble ash Not more than 0.4 per cent, Appendix 2.2.4.
Alcohol-soluble extractive Not less than 0.3 per cent, Appendix 2.2.6.
Water-soluble extractive Not less than 4 per cent, Appendix 2.2.7.

T.L.C.

T.L.C. of alcoholic extract on Silica gel ‘G’ plate using n-Butanol : Acetic acid: Water (4:1:5) v/v shows under UV (366 nm) one fluorescent zone at Rf. 0.94 (blue). On exposure to Iodine vapour four spots appear at Rf. 0.40, 0.60, 0.77 and 0.94 (all yellow). On spraying with 60% Methanolic-Sulphuric acid reagent and heating the plate at 120°C for ten minutes two spots appear at Rf. 0.31 (brown) and 0.94 (dark brown).

CONSTITUENTS – Sugars and Sterols.

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Madhura, Katu
Guna : Laghu
Virya : Usna
Vipaka : Katu
Karma : Kaphahara, Vatahara, Hrdya, Visaghna, Trsnanigrahana, Sitaprasamana, Agnidiptikara

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Gorocanadi Vati, Mrtasanjivani Gutika, Javahara Mohara

THERAPEUTIC USES – Visucika, Hrdroga, Sita Jvara

DOSE – 5-10 gm of the drug in the powder form

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KASTURILATIKA (Seed)

Kasturilatka consists of seed of Hibiscus abelmoschus Linn. Syn. Abelmoschus moschatus Medik (Fam. Malvacem), an evergreen shrub about 1.22 m in height cultivated
in hotter parts of India.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : —
Assamese : —
Bengali : Latakasturi
English : —
Gujrati : Bhindo, Bhinda
Hindi : —
Kannada : Kasturi Kande, Kadu Kastuar
Kashmiri : —
Malayalam : Kattu Kasthuri, Kasturi Kanda
Marathi : Kasturbhendi
Oriya : —
Punjabi : Mushak Dana, Lata Kasturi
Tamil : Kasturi-vendai
Telugu : Kasturi Benda
Urdu : —

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Seeds greyish-brown and blackish, not velvety to touch, kidney-shaped, slightly compressed with shallow depressions on both sides, marked with minute parallel ridges and furrows; hilum small and distinct; odour, musk-like; no taste.

b) Microscopic

Shows two integuments, outer integument forms ridges and furrows; epidermis consists of single layered tangentially elongated cells, followed by 1 to 3 layers of thinwalled tangentially elongated cells in the region of furrows; 1 to 4 rows of rounded, thick-walled cells containing yellowish-brown masses with 1 or 2 of the upper most rows thin-walled, tangentially elongated and pointed cells present in the region of ridges; inner integument represented by palisade like cells, containing some granular masses followed by thin and thick-walled parenchyma; the thick-walled being 4 to 8 layered, compactly arranged, tangentially elongated, having reddish-brown contents, followed by the thin-walled and colourless cells; 8 to 12 layers of cells large, isodiametric to oval; a single layer of tangentially elongated cells present; cotyledons two, consisting of single layered cubical to irregular cells of epidermis covered by cuticle and followed by a single layered palisade like cells; the rest of the cotyledons consists of 4 to 6 rows of thin-walled, isodiametric cells filled with granular masses; lower epidermis composed of a single layer of cells covered with cuticle.

Powder – Greyish-brown; shows brown coloured parenchyma cells, rounded, thick walled cells, a few palisade cells and polygonal and straight walls epidermal cells in surface view

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 10 per cent, Appendix 2.2.6.
Water-soluble extractive Not less than 9 per cent, Appendix 2.2.7.
Fixed Oil Not less than 10 per cent, Appendix 2.2.8

T.L.C.

T.L.C. of the alcoholic extract on Silica gel ‘G’ plate using Toluene: Ethylacetate (9: 1) under UV (366 nm) shows two fluorescent zones at Rf. 0.36 and 0.93 (both blue). On exposure to Iodine vapour five spots appear at Rf. 0.19, 0.31, 0.53, 0.71 and 0.93 (all yellow). On spraying with 5% Methanolic-Sulphuric acid reagent and heating the plate for about ten minutes at 110oC five spots appear at Rf. 0.19, 0.31, 0.53, 0.71 and 0.93 (all grey). On spraying with 5% Vanillin-Sulphuric acid reagent and heating the plate for ten minutes at 110oC five spots appear at Rf. 0.19, 0.31, 0.53, 0.71 and 0.93 (all grey).

CONSTITUENTS – Fixed Oil and Volatile Oils

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Madhura, Katu, Tikta
Guna : Laghu
Virya : Sita
Vipaka : Madhura
Karma : Caksusya, Kaphahara, Vrsya, Cedini, Mukhadaurgandhyanasaka, Vasti Visodhani

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Karpuradyarka

THERAPEUTIC USES – Trsna, Mukha Roga, Vasti Roga

DOSE – 2-4 gm of the drug in powder form.

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APARAJITA (Leaf)

Aparajita consists of dried leaf of Clitoria ternatea Linn. (Fam. Fabacem), a perennial twining climber common all over the tropical parts of country being cultivated and also found wild, growing over hedges and thickets

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Girikarnika
Assamese : —
Bengali : Aparajita
English : Winged-leaved clitoria
Gujrati : Garnee
Hindi : Aparajita, Koyal
Kannada : Girikarnike
Kashmiri : —
Malayalam : Shankhpushpam
Marathi : Gokarnee
Oriya : Aparajita
Punjabi : Aparajita
Tamil : Kakkanam
Telugu : Dintena, Sankupushpam
Urdu : —

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Drug generally occurs in the form of leaves and leaflets, rachis broken with or without intact leaflets; leaflet with small petiolule, ovate or elliptic oblong, rarely roundish, obtuse, entire, glabrous or with a few short appressed hairs, subcoriaceous, base obtuse or acute; 2.5 to 5.0 cm long, 1.8 to 3.0 cm wide, yellowish-green; no odour or taste.

b) Microscopic

Rachis– shows single layered epidermis externally covered with thick, smooth cuticle; uni to tricellular, hooked hair with warty cuticle, found on epidermis of either side; vascular bundle crescent shaped consisting of xylem and phloem; pericycle present in the form of broken ring; rest of the tissues between epidermis and pericycle composed of oval to polygonal, thin-walled, 3 to 5 layered, parenchymatous cells.

Leaflet – shows dorsiventral structure; both upper and lower epidermis consists of single layered cells, covered externally with thick cuticle; some epidermal cells of both surfaces elongate outwards forming uni to tri-cellular warty hairs, basal cells smaller and apical cells longer; palisade single layered; palisade ratio 3 or 4; spongy parenchyma 4 or 5 layered with intercellular spaces and containing a few prismatic crystals of calcium oxalate; stomata paracytic, present on both surfaces; stomatal index 58 to 64 on lower surface, 31 to 42 on upper surface; vein islet number 22 to 24; veinlet terminal number 34 to 37 per sq. mm.

Powder – Yellowish-green; shows groups of spongy parenchyma, palisade cells, fibres, xylem vessels with spiral thickenings, fragments of hairs with or without warty cuticle, wavy thin-walled, epidermal cells with paracytic stomata in surface view.

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 4 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 alcoholic extract of the drug on Silica gel “G” plate using n-Butanol : Acetic Acid: Water (4:1:5) shows under UV (366 nm) three spots at Rf. 0.34 (violet). 0.59 (blue) 0.93 (red). On exposure to Iodine vapour three spots appear at Rf. 0.29. 0.54 and 0.93 (all yellow). On spraying with 5% Methanolic-Sulphuric acid reagent and heating the plate at 105°C for ten minutes three spots appear at Rf. 0.25 (brown), 0.35 (grey). and 0.59 (yellow).

CONSTITUENTS – Glycosides – Flavonal glycosides and Resin glycosides

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Katu, Tikta, Kasaya
Guna : Laghu
Virya : Sita
Vipaka : Katu
Karma : Medhya, Kanthya, Caksusya, Pittopadravanasini, Tridosa Samaka, Visapaha, Garahaghni

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Vata Raktantaka Rasa

THERAPEUTIC USES – Sula, Sotha, Ardhavabhedaka, Bhrama, Daha, Amadosa, Graha Badha, Jvara, Kasa, Kustha, Mautradosa, Raktatisara, Svasa, Unmada, Visa, Vrana, Vamana.

DOSE – Root powder 1-3gSeed powder 1-3 gLeaf powder 2-5 g

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KATAKA (Seed)

Kataka consists of dried seed of Strychnos potatorum Linn. f.(Fam. Loganiacem), a tall tree occurring plentifully in deciduous forests in most of the parts of the country upto 400m.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Nirmali, Payah Prasadisa
Assamese : —
Bengali : Nirmali
English : Clearing nut
Gujrati : Nirmali
Hindi : Chillikavi
Kannada : Katakam, Tetramabaral
Kashmiri : —
Malayalam : Katakam
Marathi : Nirmal
Oriya : —
Punjabi : Nirmali
Tamil : Kottai
Telugu : Chilla
Urdu : —

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Seed upto 8 mm dia., circular, bluntly lenticular, shiny with short, appressed silky hairs; cream-white in colour with a slightly prominent ridge round the border, no bitterness, (Seeds of Strychnos nux-vomica bitter).

b) Microscopic

Shows testa, consistmg of 2 or 3 layers, thick-walled, elongated, lignified sclerenchymatous cells covered with numerous, cylindrical, unicellular, lignified, trichomes having basal portion ramified; outer endosperm composed of 3 to 8 layers of thick-walled, elongated palisade-like cells arranged in rows, an inner endosperm composed of thin-walled, oval to polygonal, parenchymatous cells having numerous small aleurone grains and oil globules. (In seed of Strychnos nux-vomica base of trichome is pitted, bulbous, ramified with a projection normally elongated and thick-walled).

Powder – Creamish-yellow and oily; shows fragments of testa, trichomes, endosperm cells and oil globules.

IDENTITY, PURITY AND STRENGTH

Foreign matter Not more than 2 per cent, Appendix 2.2.2.
Total Ash Not more than 2 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 1 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 Silica gel ‘G” plate using Toluene: Ethylacetate : Diethylamine (70:20: 1 0). On spraying with Dragendorff reagent with tartaric acid two spots appear at Rf. 0.38 (orange and corresponding to that of Brucine) and at Rf. 0.55 (faint orange and corresponding to that of Strychnine).

CONSTITUENTS – Alkaloids.

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Madhura, Tikta, Kasaya
Guna : Sita, Guru
Virya : Usna
Vipaka : Madhura
Karma : Caksusya, Vatahara, Slesmahara, Vicaghna, Pittala, Asu Drstiprasadakrt (Kasyapa), Jala Prasadakara

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Dasamularista, Niruryadi Gutika

THERAPEUTIC USES – Aruci, Krmi, Prameha, Mutrakrcchra, Mutrasmari, Trsna, Sula. Netraroga, Sarkara Meha, Rakta Abhisyanda, Vrscika Visa, Apasmara

DOSE – 3-6 gm.

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ATMAGUPTA (Root)

Atmagupta consists of dried root of Mucuna prurita Hook. Syn. M. pruriens (L.) DC. (Fam. Fabacem), a herbaceous twining annual found wild almost all over the country and in Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Kapikacchu, Markai, Kandura, Sukasimbi, Kapiprabha
Assamese : —
Bengali : Aalkushee, Alkusa
English : Cowhage, Cowitch
Gujrati : Kaucha, Kavach
Hindi : Kevanch, Kaunch, Khujanee
Kannada : Nasukunnee, Nasuganni, Nayisonanguballi
Kashmiri : —
Malayalam : Shoriyanam, Naykkorana, Naykkuran
Marathi : Khajkuhilee
Oriya : Baikhujnee
Punjabi : Aalkushee, Kavanch
Tamil : Punaik-Kalee, Punaikkalee, Punaippidukkam
Telugu : Piliyadugu, Pillee adugu
Urdu : Kaunch

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Root long, 7 mm or more in thickness, hard, having lateral roots, dark brown to black; fracture, fibrous; odour and taste not distinct.

b) Microscopic

Root shows a narrow cork consisting of 4 or 5 rows of tangentially elongated cells; secondary cortex narrow consisting of 2 to 5 rows of thin-walled, parenchymatous cells, a few containing brownish contents; secondary phloem wide, forming bulk of the bark in the form of long, radial strips that are conical due to the medullary rays funneling out in the phloem region; phloem fibres are arranged in groups or occasionally single; phloem rays uni to biseriate; cambium distinct 1 or 2 layered; secondary xylem very wide composed of usual elements, vessels large as well as small, surrounded by xylem parenchyma and fibres; medullary rays in the xylem also mostly uniseriate, somewhat wavy, consisting of radially elongated thin-walled cells.

Powder – Grey to dark brown; shows fragments of cork, fibres singly or groups and xylem vessels.

IDENTITY, PURITY AND STRENGTH

Foreign matter Not more than 1 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 4 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 Silica gel ‘G’ plate using n-Butanol : Acetic acid: Water (4:1:5) shows under UV (366 nm) four fluorescent zones at Rf. 0.33, 0.51, 0.66 and 0.86 (all blue). On exposure to Iodine vapour seven spots appear at Rf. 0.10, 0.20, 0.38, 0.48, 0.59, 0.77 and 0.86 (all yellow). On spraying with Ninhydrin and on heating the plate at 110o C for ten minutes four conspicuous spots appear at Rf. 0.38, 0.48, 0.59 and 0.86 (all light pink).

CONSTITUENTS – Choline

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Tikta, Kasaya
Guna : Guru, Snigdha
Virya : Sita
Vipaka : Katu
Karma : Kaphahara, Pittahara, Vrsya, Brmhana, Balya, Y°nisamkirnakara, Vajikarana

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – (No Formulations)

THERAPEUTIC USES – Sita Pitta, Krsata, Pakvatisara, Raktapitta, Vatavyadhi, Yoni Sithilata, Dusta Vrana, Kustha

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

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BILVA (Stem Bark)

Bilva consists of dried stem bark of mgle marmelos Corr. (Fam. Rutacem), an armed, medium sized tree occurring in the plains and upto 1000 m in the hills as well as cultivated throughout the country, particularly in sacred groves.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Sriphala
Assamese : Bml, Vml
Bengali : Bela, Bilva
English : Bengal Quince, Bml
Gujrati : Bill, Bilum
Hindi : Bela, Sriphal, Bel
Kannada : Bilva
Kashmiri : —
Malayalam : Koovalam
Marathi : Bel, Bmla
Oriya : Bela
Punjabi : Bil
Tamil : Vilvam
Telugu : Maredu
Urdu : Belgiri, (Bml)

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Bark occurs as pieces of about 0.5 to 1 cm thick, flat or channelled; surface rough and warty due to a number of lenticels, ridges and furrows; fracture tough, gritty in outer and fibrous in inner region; odour and taste, not characteristic.

b) Microscopic

Cork stratified, tangentially elongated, lignified, with four to eight bands alternating with smaller cells of 2 to 16 layers and larger cells of 2 to 20 layers; secondary cortex wide, consisting of parenchyma, and a large number of groups of, or some times single, thick walled, lignified, stone cells showing transverse striations due to radiating canals; smaller ones 16 to 64 n wide and 48 to 160 n long and larger ones 32 to 110 n wide and 160 to 640 n long; secondary phloem consisting of fibres, sieve elements and crystal fibre, traversed by phloem rays; phloem fibres long, tapering, sharply pointed to blunt; fibre groups arranged in rings; phloem rays uni to triseriate, biseriate rays being more common, uniseriate rays 3 to 6 cells high, while biseriate rays 6 to 25 cells high.

Powder – Yellowish; fragments of rectangular elongated, lignified cork cells; pieces of fibres with pointed or blunt ends; sieve elements and crystals fibre pieces; uni to biseriate phloem rays; lignified, thick-walled stone cells in groups or singly, with narrow lumen showing striations and measuring 16 to 640 n in dia.

IDENTITY, PURITY AND STRENGTH

Foreign matter Not more than 1 per cent, Appendix 2.2.2.
Total Ash Not more than 10 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 per cent, Appendix 2.2.6.
Water-soluble extractive Not less than 9 per cent, Appendix 2.2.7.

T.L.C.

T.L.C. of alcoholic extract on Silica gel ‘G’ plate using Toluene: Ethyl acetate (95:5) shows under U.V. (366 nm) five fluorescent spots at Rf. 0.07 (greenish blue), 0.14 (greenish blue), 0.25, 0.39 and 0.67 (all blue). On exposure to Iodine vapour three spots appear at Rf. 0.14, 0.25 and 0.97 (all yellow). On spraying with Dragendorff reagent one spot appears at Rf. 0.25 (orange).

CONSTITUENTS – Coumarins and Sterols.

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Madhura, Tikta, Kasaya
Guna : Laghu, Ruksa, Tiksna
Virya : Usna
Vipaka : Katu
Karma : Kaphahara, Pittakara, Vatahara, Dipaniya, Sangrahi, Visaghna

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Anu Taila, Pusyanuga Curna, Grahani Mihira Taila, Sudarsana Curna, Candnadi Taila

THERAPEUTIC USES – Sula, Medoroga, Vatavyadhi, Chardi, Sotha, Atisara, Raktatisara, Kuksisula, Amasula, Arsa, Grahaniroga, Madhumeha, Pravahika

DOSE – 15-30 ml

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CAMPAKA (Flower)

Campaka consists of dried buds and flowers, including calyx, of Michelia champaca Linn. (Fam. Magnoliacem), a tall, ever green tree, usually upto 30 m in height and 3.5 m in girth with a straight trunk, found in eastern Himalayas, North-East India and Western Ghats; it is planted throughout India in gardens and near temples.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Campeya, Hamapuspa
Assamese : —
Bengali : Champaka, Champa
English : Golden Champa
Gujrati : Raichampo, Pilo Champo
Hindi : Champa
Kannada : Sampige
Kashmiri : —
Malayalam : Campakappuv
Marathi : Sonachanpha
Oriya : —
Punjabi : Champa
Tamil : Sampagi
Telugu : Chattu Sampangi
Urdu : Champa

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Drug consists of broken pieces of pedicel, sepal, petal, anthers, gynophore (torus), flowers solitary, fragrant, crumbled, blackish-brown in colour; sepal brown, linear, acute; petal dark brown, oblong; stamens numerous; anther linear, adnate, introrse; gynophore, 2.5-4 cm long; curved style with beak-shaped simple stigma.

b) Microscopic

Pedicel -Shows ridges and furrows in outline with a single layered epidermis having a few unicellular hairs; cortex composed of a wide zone of collapsed, thin-walled, parenchymatous cells having a few oil globules; collateral vascular bundle and secretory cells are present; pith consisting of thin-walled, oval to polygonal, parenchymatous cells; irregular, elongated, lignified stone cells isolated or in groups, having narrow lumen and pits, found in cortex and pith.

Sepal – Single layered epidermis, slightly sinuous in surface view, present on both  surfaces, a few unicellular hairs are in outer surface; ground tissue composed of thinwalled, oval to polygonal, parenchymatous cells having a few prismatic crystals of calcium oxalate; a few vascular bundles present in ground tissue.

Petal -Epidermis single layered of rectangular cells, slightly sinuous in surface view, present on both surfaces; a few fibro-vascular bundles present in ground tissue along with a few cluster crystals of calcium oxalate.

Powder – Dark-brown; shows fragments of parenchymatous cells, broken unicellular hairs, vessels with spiral thickening, a few prismatic and cluster crystals of calcium oxalate; a few irregular shaped, elongated, lignified, stone cells with narrow lumen in singles or groups; fairly large circular to spherical, brown coloured, numerous smooth pollen grains measuring 67-82 n in dia. having clear exine and intine and a few oil globules.

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 1.5 per cent, Appendix 2.2.4.
Alcohol-soluble extractive Not less than 9 per cent, Appendix 2.2.6.
Water-soluble extractive Not less than 12 per cent, Appendix 2.2.7.

T.L.C.

T.L.C. of alcoholic extract on Silica gel ‘G’ using Toluene: Ethylacetate (9:1) shows under UV (366 nm) one fluorescent spot at Rf. 0.92 (blue). On exposure to Iodine vapour nine spots appear at Rf. 0.20, 0.25, 0.35, 0.40, 0.51, 0.57, 0.77, 0.88 and 0.92 (all yellow). On spraying with Vanillin-Sulphuric acid reagent and on heating the plate for ten minutes at 105°C seven spots appear at Rf. 0.20, 0.25, 0.40, 0.51, 0.57, 0.77 and 0.92 (light violet).

CONSTITUENTS – Volatile Oil

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Katu, Tikta, Kasaya
Guna : Laghu, Ruksa
Virya : Sita
Vipaka : Katu
Karma : Hrdya, Pittajit, Kaphapittasra Nasaka, Visaghna

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Candanabalalaksadi Taila, Baladhatryadi Taila

THERAPEUTIC USES – Vrana, Krmi, Mutrakrchra, Vatarakta, Kustha, Kandu

DOSE – Puspa Curna 1-3 gm

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CINCA (Fruit Pulp)

Cinca consists of fruit pulp without seeds of Tamarindus indica Linn. (Fam. Fabacem), a moderate sized to large evergreen tree upto 24 m in height and 7 m in girth, cultivated throughout India, or self sown in waste places and in forest lands; also planted as avenue trees

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Amlika, Tintidika
Assamese : Tamar, Teteli
Bengali : Tetula, Tentul, Ambli
English : Tamarind Tree
Gujrati : Anvali
Hindi : Imli
Kannada : Hunisemale
Kashmiri : —
Malayalam : Puli, Amlam
Marathi : Chinch
Oriya : Koina, Omlika
Punjabi : Imli, Amli
Tamil : Puli, Aanvilam
Telugu : Chint, Chinta
Urdu : Imli

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Fruit pulp occurs as a reddish-brown, moist, sticky mass, in which yellowishbrown fibres are readily seen; odour, pleasant; taste, sweetish and acidic.

b) Microscopic

Fruit pulp consists of thin-walled, elongated to polygonal, parenchymatous cells of considerable size, traversed by a number of long fibro-vascular bundles and having a very few small starch granules, and numerous 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 4 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 46 per cent, Appendix 2.2.6.
Water-soluble extractive Not less than 59 per cent, Appendix 2.2.7.

T.L.C.

T.L.C. of alcoholic extract on Silica Gel ‘G’ using n-Butanol : Acetic acid : Water (5:1:4) shows under U.V. (366 nm) two spots at Rf. 0.27 and 0.46 (both yellowish blue). On exposure to Iodine vapour five spots appear at Rf. 0.27, 0.46, 0.57, 0.65 and 0.87 (all yellow). On spraying with 5% Methanolic-Sulphuric acid reagent and heating the plate at 105°C for ten minutes five spots appear at Rf. 0.46, 0.57. 0.65, 0.71 and 0.87 (all grey)

CONSTITUENTS – Inorganic acids, Sugars, Saponin and bitter principle – Tamarindinca

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Madhura, Amla, Kasaya
Guna : Guru, Ruksa, Sara
Virya : Usna
Vipaka : Amla
Karma : Kaphavatanut, Dipana, Bastisuddhikara, Bhedi, Vistambhi, Dipana, Hrdya

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Sankha Dravaka, Sankhavati

THERAPEUTIC USES – Udararoga, Agnimandya, Arocaka, Paktisula, Trsa, Klama, Srama, Bhranti, Karnasula, Nadivrana

DOSE – 4-10 g of the drug

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DADIMA (Fresh Fruit)

Dadima consists of fresh fruit of Punica granatum Linn. (Fam. Punicacem), a large deciduous shrub or a small tree; found growing wild in the valley and outer hills of Himalayas, between 900 and 1800 m and cultivated in many parts of the country.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Dantabija, Lohitapuspa
Assamese : Dalim
Bengali : Dadima, Dalimgach, Dalim
English : Pomenagrate
Gujrati : Dadam, Dadam phala
Hindi : Anar, Anar-ke-per
Kannada : Dalimba, Dalimbe haonu
Kashmiri : —
Malayalam : Mathalam
Marathi : Dalimba
Oriya : Dalimba
Punjabi : Anar
Tamil : Madulam Pazham
Telugu : Dadimbakaya, Dadimma
Urdu : Anar

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Fruit a balausta, globose, 4 to 8 cm diam; depressed, bluntly 5 to 8 angled and tipped with persistent calyx alongwith withered stamens; coriaceous, smooth; yellowish brown or red; odour, not distinct; carpel four to five, with papery, thin-walled, fused in 2 whorls, seeds numerous, compressed with a whitish-pink or bright red, transparent, fleshy testa; taste, sour to sweet; seed appears hard, angular, white to buff with an astringent taste.

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Madhura, Amla, Kasaya
Guna : Laghu, Snigdha
Virya : Usna
Vipaka : Madhura
Karma : Balya, Dipana, Hrdya, Kaphahara, Medhya, Pittahara, Vatahara, Pacana, Rucya, Mukhagandhahara, Sramahara, Sukrala, Tarpaka, Varcovibandhaniya, Grathi

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Dadhika Ghrta, Dadimastaka Curna, Bhaskaralavana Curna, Brhacchagaladya Grta

THERAPEUTIC USES – Arocaka, Atisara, Daha, Amavata, Jvara, Kasa, Raktapitta, Trsna

DOSE – 15-30 ml.

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DADIMA (Fruit Rind)

Dadima consists of dried fruit rind (pericarp) of Punica granatum Linn. (Fam. Punicacem), a large deciduous shrub or a small tree, found wild in the warm valleys of the outer hills of Himalayas between 900 to 1800 m and also cultivated in many parts of the country.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Lohitapuspa, Dantabija
Assamese : Dalim
Bengali : Dadima, Dalim, Dalimgach
English : Pomenagrate
Gujrati : Dadam, Dadam phala
Hindi : Anar, Anar-ke-per
Kannada : Dalimba, Dalimbe haonu
Kashmiri : —
Malayalam : Mathalam
Marathi : Dalimba
Oriya : Dalimba
Punjabi : Anar
Tamil : Madulam Pazham
Telugu : Dadimbakaya, Dadimma
Urdu : Anar

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Drug occurs in 0.1 to 0.5 cm thick, more or less concave, salver- shaped pieces, some pieces showing residual carpel walls and some having persistent toothed calyx tube alongwith withered stamens, styles and a few seeds; coriaceous, tough and nearly smooth; brown to reddish-brown externally and brownish-yellow internally; bearing impressions left by seeds; fracture, short; odour not distinct; taste, astringent.

b) Microscopic

Epicarp single layered covered with thick cuticle; mesocarp consists of a wide zone of oval to polygonal thin walled parenchymatous cells; a few fibro-vascular bundles, tanniniferous vessels, secretory canals, oil globules, single and a number of groups of round or oval to elongated stone cells, simple and compound starch grains having 2 or 3 components with concentric striations and central hilum, and rosette crystals of calcium oxalate present in mesocarp.

Powder – Yellowish-brown; shows single or groups of stone cells; oval to polygonal, parenchymatous cells in surface view; vessels with scalariform thickening, tanniniferous vessels and a few rosette crystals of calcium oxalate and rounded to oval starch grains, measuring 3 to 5 n in dia.

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 0.4 per cent, Appendix 2.2.4.
Alcohol-soluble extractive Not less than 9 per cent, Appendix 2.2.6.
Water-soluble extractive Not less than 20 per cent, Appendix 2.2.7.

T.L.C.

T.L.C of alcoholic extract on Silica gel ‘G’ plate using Chloroform: Ethylacetate : Formic acid (5:4:1) shows in visible light one spot at Rf. 0.74 (bluish grey). Under U.V. (366 nm) one fluorescent zone is visible at Rf. 0.74 (dark blue). On exposure to Iodine vapour two spots appear at 0.74 (dirty yellow) and 0.95 (yellow). On spraying with 10% aqueous Ferric chloride reagent one spot appears at Rf. 0.74.(blue). On spraying with 5% Mathanolic-Sulphuric Acid and heating the plate for ten minutes at 110°C two spots appear at Rf. 0.74 (brownish grey) and 0.95 (violet)

CONSTITUENTS – Tannic acid, Sugar and Gum

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Amla, Kasaya
Guna : Laghu, Snigdha
Virya : Anusna
Vipaka : Katu
Karma : Grahi, Vata Kaphahara, Vranaropaka

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Khadiradi Gutika, Mrtasanjivani Sura, Kalyanaka Ghrta, Maaricadi Gutika, Nilikadya Taila

THERAPEUTIC USES – Daha, Jvara, Kasa, Pravahika, Raktapitta, Raktavikara, Kantharoga, Mukhadaurgandha, Aruci, Amlapitta, Atisara

DOSE – Powder 3-6 g

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DADIMA (Leaf)

Dadima consists of dried leaf of Punica granatum Linn. (Fam. Punicacem), a small deciduous shrub or small tree, found wild in the warm valleys of the outer hills of Himalayas between 900 to 1800 m and also cultivated in many parts of the country.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Lohitapuspa, Dantabija
Assamese : Dalim
Bengali : Dadima, Dalim, Dalimgach
English : Pomenagrate
Gujrati : Dadam, Dadam phala
Hindi : Anar, Anar-ke-per
Kannada : Dalimba, Dalimbe haonu
Kashmiri : —
Malayalam : Mathalam
Marathi : Dalimba
Oriya : Dalimba
Punjabi : Anar
Tamil : Madulam Pazham
Telugu : Dadimbakaya, Dadimma
Urdu : Anar

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Leaves 2 to 8 cm long, 0.7 to 2.0 cm broad, oblong, lanceolate, acute, entire, glabrous, greyish-green to yellowish-green.

b) Microscopic

Leaf-
Petiole – shows single layered epidermis covered by thin cuticle, epidermis followed by 2 or 3 layered collenchymatous hyodermis; single, bicollateral, crescent-shaped, vascular bundle situated in centre; rest of the tissues between vascular bundle and hypodermis consists of 3 layers or more, oval to polygonal, thin-walled, parenchymatous cells, some having rosette and a few prismatic crystals of calcium oxalate.

Midrib -shows single layered epidermis covered by a thin cuticle, epidermis followed by 2 or 3 layers of round to angular collenchymatous cells; beneath collenchyma 3 or 4 layers of parenchyma present, some containing a few rosette and prismatic crystals of calcium oxalate, simple and compound starch grains, consisting of 2 or 3 components, round to oval shaped, measuring 5.5 to 8.5 n in dia.; vascular bundle situated centrally, similar to that of petiole.

Lamina -shows epidermis on both surfaces, single layered; palisade single layered; spongy parenchyma 3 or 4 layered; idioblast containing very large solitary crystal of calcium oxalate; a few small solitary calcium oxalate crystals also present in spongy parenchyma; palisade ratio 4 to 6; stomatal index 12 to 25; anomocytic stomata, present only on lower surface.

Powder – Greyish-green; shows spiral vessels, palisade and spongy parenchyma cells, rosette and prismatic crystals of calcium oxalate; fragments of upper and lower epidermis with beaded straight walled and sinuous walled respectively in surface view, simple, round to oval, starch grain measuring 5.5 to 8.5 n in dia., and co5mpound starch grains having 2 or 3 components.

IDENTITY, PURITY AND STRENGTH

Foreign matter Not more than 2 per cent, Appendix 2.2.2.
Total Ash Not more than 10.5 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 12 per cent, Appendix 2.2.6.
Water-soluble extractive Not less than 25 per cent, Appendix 2.2.7.

T.L.C.

T.L.C. of alcoholic extract of the drug on Silica gel ‘G’ plate using Benzene: Ethylacetate (9: 1) v/v shows in visible light four spots at Rf. 0.06 (light green), 0.48(light green), 0.68 (light green) and 0.79 (green). Under U.V. (366 nm) four fluorescent  zones visible at Rf. 0.06, 0.14, 0.54 and 0.94 (all blue). On exposure to Iodine vapour nine spots appear at Rf. 0.02, 0.09, 0.38, 0.62, 0.66, 0.76, 0.87, 0.91 and 0.97 (all yellow). On spraying with 5% Methanolic-Phosphomolybdic acid reagent and heating the plate at 105oC for ten minutes nine spots appear at Rf. 0.06, 0.10, 0.33, 0.41, 0.54, 0.62, 0.79, 0.89 and 0.97 (all grey).

CONSTITUENTS – Tannins and β-Sitosterol

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Kasaya, Tikta
Guna : Laghu
Virya : Sita
Vipaka : Katu Karma : Dipana, Kaphahara, Rucya

THERAPEUTIC USES – Aruci, Atisara, Jvara, Kasa, Krmi, Pravahika, Raktapitta, Agnimandya, Mukhapaka

DOSE – Patra Svarasa : 5-10 ml.
Patra Kalka : 5-10 g.

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DEVADARU (Heart Wood)

Devadaru consists of dried heart wood of Cedrus deodara (Roxb.) Loud. (Fam. Pinacem), a very large and tall ever green tree, upto 75m in height and ranging from 2.4 to 3.6 m in girth, occasionally even upto 13.5 m in girth, found in North Western Himalayas from Kashmir to Garhwal, between 1200 to 3000 m and also cultivated in Kumaon.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Bhadradaru, Surabhuruha, Amaradaru, Devakastha, Daru, Suradaru, Amarataru
Assamese : Shajar Tuljeen
Bengali : Devdaroo
English : Deodar, Himalayan Cedar
Gujrati : Devdar, Teliyo Devdar
Hindi : Devdar, Devdaroo
Kannada : Deevdar
Kashmiri : —
Malayalam : Devtaram
Marathi : Devdar, Telya Dedaroo
Oriya : —
Punjabi : Diyar, Dewdar
Tamil : Devdaroo
Telugu : Devdari Chettu, Devdaree
Urdu : Deodar

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Wood moderately hard, light yellowish-brown to brown; wood splits readily longitudinally; annual rings well marked; medullary rays appear as whitish lines; resin canals, if present, arranged in long tangential rows, showing up as dark, narrow line on the radial surface of the wood pieces; odour, aromatic; taste, not distinct.

b) Microscopic

Mature wood almost entirely of narrow, quadrangular or rarely five or six sided tracheids, having very thick-wall with pits and a narrow lumen; xylem rays very fine, numerous and run straight throughout the region, uniseriate and 2 to 16 cells high in tangential section; vessels absent.

Powder – Brownish-yellow in colour and oily, shows entire or fragments of tracheids and xylem ray cells.

IDENTITY, PURITY AND STRENGTH

Foreign matter Not more than 1 per cent, Appendix 2.2.2.
Total Ash Not more than 2 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 1.5 per cent, Appendix 2.2.7.

T.L.C.

T.L.C. of alcoholic extract on Silica gel ‘G’ using Toluene: Ethylacetate (9:1) shows under U.V. (366 nm) six fluorescent zones at Rf. 0.11. 0.18. 0.32. 0.46, 0.65 and 0.75 (all blue). On exposure to Iodine vapour seven spots appear at Rf. 0.14. 0.42. 0.51, 0.67, 0.78, 0.84 and 0.92 (all yellow). On spraying with Methanolic-Sulphuric acid reagent and on heating the plate for ten minutes at 105oC eight spots appear at Rf. 0.10 (violet), 0.18 (violet), 0.52 (grey), 0.64 (violet), 0.71 (violet). 0.78 (violet). 0.89 (violet), 0.92 (green).

CONSTITUENTS – Terpenoids, Flavonoids and Glycosides.

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Tikta
Guna : Laghu, Snigdha
Virya : Usna
Vipaka : Katu
Karma : Kaphahara, Vatahara, Dustavrana Sodhaka

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Khadirarista, Dasamularista, Devadarvarista, Mrtasanjivanisura, Karpuradyarka, Pramehamihira Taila, Candanadi Curna, Sudarsana Curna, Narayana Taila, Pradarantaka Lauha, Vataraktanaka Lauha, Mahavisagarbha Taila

THERAPEUTIC USES – Sotha, Jvara, Krmi, Kandu, Pinasa, Vibandha, Adhmana, Tandra, Hikka, Prameha, Kasa, Kustha, Amavata, Raktavikara, Sutikaroga

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

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DHATTURA (Whole Plant)

Dhattura consists of dried whole plant of Datura metel Linn. Syn. D. fastuosa L.; (Fam. Solanacem), occurring wild throughout the country.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Kanaka, Unmatta, Dhustura
Assamese : Dhatura
Bengali : Dhatura
English : White Thorn Apple
Gujrati : Dhanturo
Hindi : —
Kannada : Ummatti, Madagunaki, Dathura
Kashmiri : —
Malayalam : Umman, Ummatt, Ummattu
Marathi : Dhotra
Oriya : Dudura
Punjabi : Dhatura
Tamil : Umattai
Telugu : Tella-ummettha
Urdu : Dhatura

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Root – Cylindrical with lateral branches, brown coloured, rough due to fissures and root scars; fracture, splintery; odour, not characteristic; taste, bitter.

Stem – Dichotomously branched, cylindrical, blackish-dark to purple colour, internode very short; fracture, short; odour, not characteristic; taste, bitter.

Leaf – Petiolate, pubescent; 6 to 11 cm long, 2 to 8 cm broad; ovate, acute, repand and dentate, but sometimes entire, base unequal, odour, not characteristic; taste, bitter.

Flower – Stalked, stalk finely pubescent, calyx upto 10 cm long, tubular, lobes acuminate; corolla purple or purple tinged outside, upto 15 cm long, usually double, sometime triple (3 whorls), funnel-shaped, lobes 5 for each whorl; stamen -5, epipetalous with-connivent anthers, anther 10 to 12 mm long; gynoecium-bicarpellary, carpels placed obliquely in relation to mother axis, placentation axile, placenta swollen, ovule numerous.

Fruit – Capsule, ovate to obovate with persistent reflexed calyx; about 4 cm long, 3 cm wide, covered with short, stout, spines; taste, bitter and acrid.

Seed – Light brown, reniform, compressed, flattened, 0.4 to 0.5 cm long, and 0.4 cm wide, foveate, surface finely pitted; taste, bitter and acrid (warning -poisonous).

b) Microscopic

Root – Shows 4 to 7 layers of thin-walled, rectangular cork cells; secondary cortex composed of 3 to 4 layers, thin-walled, parenchymatous, tangentially elongated cells; secondary phloem composed of usual elements, traversed by phloem rays; secondary xylem composed of usual elements; vessels two types with spiral thickening or with bordered pits; xylem rays 1 to 4 cells wide; sandy microsphenoidal crystal of calcium oxalate scattered in the secondary cortex and phloem parenchyma.

Stem – Shows a single layered, epidermis covered by striated, thick cuticle having a few unicellular trichomes, followed by 2 or 3 layered, ruptured, rectangular cork cells; secondary cortex consisting of 4 to 7 layered, collenchymatous and 2 to 5 layered parenchymatous cells; endodermis distinct, containing starch grains; pericycle consists of 1 or 2 layers of parenchyma and pericyclic fibres in singles or groups of 2 or 3 or more; secondary phloem composed of sieve elements and parenchyma but no fibres; secondary xylem composed of vessels, tracheids, fibres and parenchyma; vessels with spiral thickening and pits; sandy crystals of calcium oxalate are found scattered in secondary cortex and phloem parenchyma; starch grains oval to rounded, simple, measuring 3 to 7 n in dia., present in secondary cortex and phloem parenchyma.

Leaf
Petiole – shows plano-convex outline, cuticularised single layered epidermis, followed by cortex composed of 7 or 8 rows of round to polygonal, thick-walled, collenchyma cells and 2 or 3 rows of thin-walled, round to polygonal, parenchyma cells; vascular bundles bicollateral in a discontinuous ring, number of sandy microsphenoidal, a few rosette and prismatic crystals of calcium oxalate present in cortex and pith region.

Midrib – shows similar structure to that of petiole; collenchyma well developed in basal region and poorly in middle and upper region; cortex and endodermal cells containing simple and compound, oval to round, mostly eccentric starch grains measuring 2 to 4 n in dia. with 2 or 3 components; cortical cells large hexagonal to round, without any crystals.

Lamina – shows cuticularised single layered epidermal cells bearing both glandular and non-glandular trichomes on both surfaces; non-glandular trichomes uniseriate, mostly multicellular; a few unicellular trichomes with warty surface; glandular trichomes short, stalked with multicellular, globose head; mesophyll differentiated into palisade parenchyma of single layer and spongy parenchyma of 6 to 8 layers, having numerous rosette and a few micro sphenoidal crystals of calcium oxalate; stomata anisocytic, present on both surfaces; stomatal index 16 to 17 on upper surface, 17 to 23 on lower surface; palisade ratio 5 to 6; vein islet number 19 to 22 per sq. mm.

Seed – Shows an outline with bulges at 3 places, single layered epidermis with elongated cells; seed coat consists of thick-walled, lignified, sclerenchymatous cells, forming club shaped structure, followed by 3 to 5 layered, more or less tangentially elongated, parenchymatous cells; endosperm composed of polygonal, thin-walled, parenchymatous cells filled with aleurone grains and abundant oil gloubles, embryo more or less curved.

Powder – Greyish-brown; shows fragments of both glandular and non-glandular trichomes; glandular trichomes short stalked with multicellular globose heads; non glandular trichomes unbranched, long, mostly multicellular, a few unicellular trichomes with warty surfaces; anisocytic stomata, vessels with spiral thickening, a few sandy micro sphenoidal and rosette crystals of calcium oxalate; simple, oval to round starch grains measuring 2 to 7 n in dia., and compound starch grains with 2 or 3 components.

IDENTITY, PURITY AND STRENGTH

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 4 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 15 per cent, Appendix 2.2.7.

T.L.C.

T.L.C. of alcoholic extract on Silica gel ‘G’ plate using Chloroform: Methanol (80:20) shows under U.V. (366 nm) three fluorescent zones at Rf. 0.65 (blue), 0.67 (pink) and 0.98 (pink). On exposure to Iodine vapour nine spots appear at Rf. 0.07, 0.15, 0.37, 0.48, 0.61, 0.67, 0.83, 0.89 and 0.98 (all yellow). On spraying with Dragendorff reagent followed by sodium nitrite solution, two spots appear at Rf. 0.11 and 0.98 (both orange yellow).

CONSTITUENTS – Alkaloids (Hyoscine) and two withanolide Glucosides (Dhaturametelin A & B)

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Madhura, Katu, Tikta, Kasaya
Guna : Guru, Tiksna
Virya : Usna
Vipaka : Katu
Karma : Kaphahara, Varnya, Madakari, Agni Vrddhikara, Jangama Visahara

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Kanakasava, Ekangavira Rasa, Puspadhanva Rasa, Tribhuvana Kirti Rasa, Sri Jayamangala Rasa, Laghu Visagarbha Taila, Visatinduka Taila, Dhattura Taila

THERAPEUTIC USES – Svasa, Jvara, Krmi, Kandu, Kasa, Kustha, Unmada, Vrna, Mutrakrccha, Tvaka Dosa, Yika Liksa, Alarka Visa, Karma, Nadi, Indralupta, Padadaha, Sthanusthita Pida

DOSE – 100 – 200 mg.

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