Ayush

BRHATI (Root)

Brhati consists of dried root of Solanum indicum Linn. (Fam. Solanaceae); a very prickly, much branched perennial under shrub, upto 1.8 m high, mostly found throughout warmer parts of the country upto an elevation of 1500 m.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Sanhika
Assamese : Tilabhakuri
Bengali : Byakud
English : —
Gujrati : Umimuyaringani, Ubhibharingani, Ubhibhuyaringa
Hindi : Vanabharata, Badikateri
Kannada : Kirugullia, Heggulla, Gulla
Kashmiri : —
Malayalam : Cheru Vazhuthina, Putirichunda
Marathi : Dorli, Chichuriti, Dorale
Oriya : Dengabheji
Punjabi : Kandiarivaddi
Tamil : Chiru vazhuthalai, Papparamulli, Mullamkatti
Telugu : Tella Mulaka
Urdu : Kateli

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Root well developed, long, ribbed, woody, cylindrical, pale yellowish-brown, 1-2.5 cm in dia., a number of secondary roots and their branches present, surface rough due to presence of longitudinal striations and root scars, fracture, short and splintery; no distinct odour and taste.

b) Microscopic

Root – Shows thin cork composed of 5 – 15 layers of thin-walled, tangentially elongated, rectangular cells filled with yellowish-brown content; cork cambium single layered; secondary cortex composed of 5 – 9 layers of thin-walled, oval and tangentially elongated cells; stone cells present in singles or in groups of 2-5 or more in this region; secondary phloem composed of sieve elements, parenchyma and stone cells, traversed by phloem rays; phloem parenchyma much abundant, thin-walled; stone cells present in outer phloem region in singles or in groups of 2-5, varying greatly in shape and size; phloem rays 1-3 cells wide, isodiametric to slightly radially elongated in inner phloem region and radially elongated in outer phloem region, occasionally stone cells also found in medullary rays; wood occupies bulk of root and composed of vessels, tracheids, fibres and xylem parenchyma, traversed by xylem rays, all elements being lignified, vessels occur singly or in groups of 2-5 with simple pits; xylem fibres moderately thick-walled with simple pits and pointed ends found in adundance; xylem parenchyma have simple pits or reticulate thickening; xylem rays uni to biseriate, thick-walled, cells radially elongated and pitted, microsphenoidal crystals of calcium oxalate as sandy masses and simple starch grains present in some cells of secondary cortex, phloem and medullary rays; simple and rounded to oval starch grains, measuring 5.5 -11.6 n in diameter.

Powder – Cream coloured; shows groups of thin-walled, parenchymatous cells, aseptate fibres, vessels with simple pits, oval to elongated stone cells and simple, rounded to oval starch grains, measuring 5.5 – 11.6 n in diameter.

IDENTITY, PURITY AND STRENGTH

Foreign matter Not more than 2 per cent, Appendix 2.2.2.
Total Ash Not more than 6.5 per cent, Appendix 2.2.3.
Acid-insoluble ash Not more than 1 per cent, Appendix 2.2.4.
Alcohol-soluble extractive Not less than 3 per cent, Appendix 2.2.6.
Water-soluble extractive Not less than 4 per cent, Appendix 2.2.7.

CONSTITUENTS – Steroidal Alkaloids and Steroids

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Katu, Tikta
Guna : Laghu
Virya : Usna
Vipaka : Katu
Karma : Dipana, Hrdya, Kaphahara, Pacana, Vatahara, Grahi

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Dasamularista., Dasamula Ghrta

THERAPEUTIC USES – Sula, Svasa, Hrdroga, Jvara, Agnimadya.

DOSE – 10-20 g. of the drug for decoction.

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CAVYA (Stem)

Cavya consists of dried stem of Piper retrofractum Vahl. Syn. P. chaba Hunter non Blume., P. officinarum DC. (Fam. Piperaceae); a glabrous, fleshy climber, cultivated mainly in Southern India.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Cavika
Assamese : Chepaan
Bengali : Chei
English : Cubeb
Gujrati : Chavka, Chavaka
Hindi : Chavya
Kannada : Kadumenasinaballi, Chavya
Kashmiri : —
Malayalam : Kattumulaku, Kattumulakunveru
Marathi : Chavaka
Oriya : Chainkath
Punjabi : Chabak
Tamil : Chavyam, Chevuyam
Telugu : Chevyamu
Urdu : Peepal Chab, Kababah

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Drug consists of dried cut pieces of stem of variable length and usually 0.5-2.0 cm in width, cylindrical and somewhat twisted, greyish-brown, surface smooth with a few longitudinal wrinkles, nodes and internodes distinct, fracture, short; odour, peppery; taste, acrid.

b) Microscopic

Stem – Shows a thin cork consisting of 3-4 layers of rectangular, brownish cells; cork cambium not distinct; secondary cortex a wide zone, consisting of round, oval to rectangular, thin-walled, parenchymatous cells with prominent intercellular spaces; plenty of simple starch granules present; endodermis single layered; stelar region composed of five wedge-shaped vascular bundles alternating with wide medullary rays; phloem lies towards outer side and composed of sieve elements, parenchyma and phloem fibres occurring singly or in groups; xylem lies towards centre and composed of vessels, tracheid, fibres and xylem parenchyma; isolated vessels barrel-shaped with pitted and reticulate thickenings; fibres needle and spindle-shaped, medullary rays multi seriate, cells thin walled, filled with simple, round to oval, starch grains, measuring 3 – 14 n in diameter.

Powder – Greyish-brown; shows fragments of vessels, fibres and simple, round to oval starch grains, measuring 3-14 n in diameter.

IDENTITY, PURITY AND STRENGTH

Foreign matter Not more than 2 per cent, Appendix 2.2.2.
Total Ash Not more than 10 per cent, Appendix 2.2.3.
Acid-insoluble ash Not more than 1.5 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 6 per cent, Appendix 2.2.7.

CONSTITUENTS – Alkaloids, Glycosides and Steroids.

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Katu
Guna : Laghu, Ruksa, Tiksna
Virya : Usna
Vipaka : Katu
Karma : Bhedana, Dipana, Kaphahara, Pacana, Recana, Vatahara

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Pranada Gutika, Candramrta Rasa.

THERAPEUTIC USES – Arsa, Anaha, Gulma, Krimi, Udara Roga, Pliha Roga, Sulal

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

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DADIMA (Seed)

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

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Dadimacchada, Lohitapuspa, Dantabija
Assamese : —
Bengali : Ddima
English : Pomegranate
Gujrati : Dadama
Hindi : Anar
Kannada : Dalimba
Kashmiri : —
Malayalam : Matalam
Marathi : Dadimba
Oriya : —
Punjabi : Anar
Tamil : Madalai, Maadalai. Madalam
Telugu : Danimma
Urdu : Anar, Rumman

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Seeds brown, angular, wedge-shaped, 0.5-0.6 cm long, 0.1-0.2 cm wide; taste, sweetish-sour.

b) Microscopic

Seed – Shows testa consisting of thin-walled, parenchymatous cells followed by stony tegmen consisting of lignified, round, oval, triangular and rectangular, thick-walled stone cells having narrow and wide lumen; beneath this, reddish-brown pigmented layer present; endosperm absent; cotyledons coiled, consisting of oval to polygonal, thin walled, parenchymatous cells, containing a few oil globules; starch grains present in testa, round to oval, simple, measuring 3-17 n in diameter.

Powder – Reddish-brown; shows stone cells, oil globules, and a few simple round to oval starch grains measuring 3-17 n in diameter.

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.
Alcohol-soluble extractive Not less than 20 per cent, Appendix 2.2.6.
Water-soluble extractive Not less than 35 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:Ethylacetate : Formic acid (5:4:1) v/v three spots at Rf. 0.62, 0.87 (both grey) and 0.97 (pink) are seen in visible light. Under U.V. (366 nm) four fluorescent zones are visible at Rf. 0.12 (sky blue), 0.45 (sky blue), 0.62 (blue) & 0.87 (blue). On exposure to Iodine vapour three spots appear at Rf. 0.62, 0.87 & 0.97 (all yellow). On spraying with 5% Methanolic-Sulphuric acid reagent and heating the plate for about ten minutes at 110˚ C three spots appear at Rf. 0.62, 0.87 (both violet) & 0.97 (greyish blue).

CONSTITUENTS – Sugars, Vitamin C, Sitosterol, Ursolic acid, Protein, Fat and Mineral matters, Nicotinic acid, Pectin, Riboflavin, Thiamine, Delphinidin diglycoside, Aspartic, Citric, Ellagic, Gallic and Malic acids, Glutamine, Isoquercetin, Estrone and Punicic acid.

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Madhura, Madura Amla : Madhura, Amla
Guna : Laghu, Snigdha, Madura Amla : Laghu
Virya : Usna, Madura Amla : —
Vipaka : Madhura, Madura Amla : —
Karma : Sukrala, Grahi, Hrdya, Kanthya, Medhya, Pittahara, Vatahara, Kaphahara, Tarpana, Mukhagandhahara, Balya.

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Dadimastaka Curna, Dadima Ghrta, Dadhika Ghrta, Bhaskara Lavana, Sukra Matrka Vati.

THERAPEUTIC USES – Daha, Trsna, Jvara

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

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DARUHARIDRA (Stem)

Daruharidra consists of dried stem of Berberis aristata DC. (Fam. Berberidaceae); an erect, spinous, deciduous shrub, usually 1.8-3.6 m in height found in the Himalayan ranges at an elevation of 1000-3000 m, and in the Nilgiri hills in South India.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Katamkateri, Darvi
Assamese : —
Bengali : Daruharidra
English : Indian Berberry
Gujrati : Daruharidra, Daruhuladur
Hindi : Daruhaldi, Darhald
Kannada : Maradarishana, Maradarishina, Daruhaladi
Kashmiri : —
Malayalam : Maramannal, Maramanjal
Marathi : Daruhalad
Oriya : Daruharidra, Daruhalidi
Punjabi : Sumalu
Tamil : Gangeti, Varatiu manjal
Telugu : Manupasupu
Urdu : Darhald

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Drug available in pieces of variable length and thickness, bark about 0.4 – 0.8 cm thick, pale yellowish-brown, soft, closely and rather deeply furrowed, rough, brittle, xylem portion yellow, more or less hard, radiate with xylem rays, pith mostly absent, when present small, yellowish-brown when dried, fracture short in bark region, splintery in xylem; taste, bitter.

b) Microscopic

Stem -Shows rhytidoma with cork consisting of 3-45 rectangular and squarish, yellow coloured, thin-walled cells, arranged radially; sieve elements irregular in shape, thin walled, a few cells containing yellowish-brown contents; phloem fibres arranged in tangential rows, consisting of 1-4 cells, each fibre short thick-walled, spindle-shaped, lignified having wide lumen; half inner portion of rhytidoma traversed by secondary phloem rays; phloem rays run obliquely consisting of radially elongated parenchymatous cells, almost all phloem ray cells having single prismatic crystals of calcium oxalate, a few cells of rhytidoma also contain prismatic crystals of calcium oxalate; stone cells also found scattered in phloem ray cells in groups, rarely single, mostly elongated, a few rounded, arranged radially, some of which contain a single prism of calcium oxalate crystals; secondary phloem, a broad zone, consisting of sieve elements and phloem fibres, traversed by multi seriate phloem rays; sieve elements arranged in tangential bands and tangentially compressed cells alternating with single to five rows of phloem fibres, phloem fibres short, lignified, thick-walled having pointed ends; secondary xylem broad consisting of xylem vessels, tracheids, xylem fibres and traversed by multi seriate xylem rays; xylem vessels numerous, small to medium sized, distributed throughout xylem region in groups or in singles, groups of vessels usually arranged radially; isolated vessels cylindrical with rounded or projected at one or both ends with spiral thickening; xylem fibres numerous, lignified, large, thick-walled with wide lumen, and pointed tips; xylem rays quite distinct, straight, multiseriate, consisting of radially arranged rectangular cells, each ray 30-53 cells high, 8-12 cells wide, a few ray cells
containing brown contents.

Powder – Yellow; shows mostly fragments of cork cells, sieve elements, yellow coloured phloem fibres entire or in pieces, stone cells in singles or in groups, numerous prismatic crystals of calcium oxalate, xylem vessels having spiral thickening, thick-walled, lignified xylem fibres and ray cells.

IDENTITY, PURITY AND STRENGTH

Foreign matter Not more than 2 per cent, Appendix 2.2.2.
Total Ash Not more than 14 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 6 per cent, Appendix 2.2.6.
Water-soluble extractive Not less than 8 per cent, Appendix 2.2.7.

CONSTITUENTS – Alkaloids

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Tikta
Guna : Ruksa
Virya : Usna
Vipaka : —
Karma : Stanya Sodhana, Stanya Dosahara, Dosa Pacana

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Bhrngaraja Taila, Asvagandhadyarista, Khadiradi Gutika, Khadirarista, Jatyadi Taila, Triphala Ghrta.

THERAPEUTIC USES – Kandu, Medoroga, Mukharoga, Vrana, Amatisara, Urustambha, Kapharoga, Karnaroga, Netraroga, Meha.

DOSE – 5-10 ml of the drug in Kvatha form.

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DRONAPUSPI (Whole Plant)

Dronapuspi consists of dried whole plant of Leucas cephalotes Spreng. (Fam. Lamiaceae), an annual, erect, scaberulous, stout herb, about 0.6-0.9 m in high, found on the Himalayas at an altitude of 600-1800 m and on waste lands throughout the country.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Katumba
Assamese : Dronaphool
Bengali : Bholghasiya
English : —
Gujrati : Kubo
Hindi : Guma
Kannada : Tumbe
Kashmiri : —
Malayalam : Tumba
Marathi : Tumba
Oriya : Gaisha
Punjabi : Gomobati, Gumma, Mal-bheda
Tamil : Tumbai
Telugu : Tummi
Urdu : —

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Root – Cylindrical, zig-zag, smooth, long with numerous wiry, fine rootlets, size variable, fracture, fibrous; taste, characteristic.

Stem – Light greenish-yellow, surface rough, hairy, quadrangular with four prominent furrows, upto 4 mm thick, nodes and internodes distinct; taste, slightly bitter.

Leaf – Yellowish-green, 3-9 cm long, 1-2.5 cm wide, ovate or ovate- lanceolate, subacute, more or less pubescent, crenate, serrate; taste, pungent.

Inflorescence – Sessile, white, crowded in dense, globose, about 2-3.5 cm across, surrounded by numerous foliaceous bracts, thin, lanceolate, acute, ciliate, 1.2-1.5 cm long and 0.3-0.35 cm wide; calyx, tubular, slightly curved, 1-2.25 cm long, glabrous in lower part, hairy on upper part, 10 dentate with a villous throat; corolla, white, 1.7-2 cm long, bilipped, upper lip about 4 mm long, wooly, lower lip nearly twice as long as upper one; lateral lobes small.

Fruit – Schizocarpic carcerule, nutlets 3 mm smooth, brown.

Seed – 0.3 cm long and 0.1 cm wide, oblong, trigonous, smooth, dark brown.

b) Microscopic

Root – Shows a single layered epidermis composed of rectangular, thin-walled cells; secondary cortex consists of thin-walled,tangentially elongated, parenchymatous cells; secondary phloem consists of sieve elements and phloem parenchyma; secondary xylem consists of vessels, tracheids, fibres and xylem parenchyma; vessels long with spurs, vessels and tracheids have simple pits, xylem fibres much elongated with pointed ends and have moderately thick walls, some having simple pits; medullary rays 1-2 seriate, upto 8 cells high.

Stem – Shows squarish outline with four ridges and furrows, consists of a single layered epidermis, composed of oval to rectangular, thin-walled cells having a number of uni to tricellular trichomes; secondary cortex 5-9 layered, consisting of 3-5 layers of circular, oval or irregular collenchymatous cells at the ridge and 2-4 layers of thin-walled, tangentially elongated, parenchymatous cells; endoderm is single layered, consisting of barrel shaped, thin-walled cells; pericycle single layered of thin-walled cells comparatively smaller than the cells of endodermis, a few pericyclic cells converted into pericyclic fibres; phloem very narrow consisting of usual elements; xylem consists of vessels, tracheids, fibres and large amount of xylem parenchyma; vessels mostly cylindrical with simple pits and spiral thickening; tracheids and xylem parenchyma have simple pits on their walls; pith wide consisting of circular to oval, thin-walled, parenchymatous cells.

Leaf– Petiole – shows a single layered epidermis, uni to tricellular trichomes with pointed ends, cortex consisting of single layered, round to angular collenchyma; parenchyma consists of thin-walled cells containing prismatic crystals of calcium oxalate, vascular bundles 4, 2 smaller located towards each comer and 2 larger in centre.

Midrib – shows epidermis on either side with uni to tricellular trichomes, followed by 1-2 layers collenchyma towards lower surface, 3-4 layers towards upper surface, followed by round to oval parenchyma, 4 – 7 layered;vascular bundle arc-shaped, present in centre.

Lamina – shows epidermis on either side with uni to tricellular trichomes rarely on upper surface; palisade single layered; spongy parenchyma 3-5 layered, irregular, thin-walled cells; a few veins present in this region; stomata diacytic, present on both surfaces; stomatal index 16.6-40.5 on lower surface, 16.6-30.7 on upper surface; palisade ratio 7-9.

Powder – Dull yellow; shows groups of round to polygonal parenchymatous cells, pitted and spiral vessels, aseptate fibres, uni to tricellular trichomes and diacytic stomata.

IDENTITY, PURITY AND STRENGTH

Foreign matter Not more than 2 per cent, Appendix 2.2.2.
Total Ash Not more than 17 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 14 per cent, Appendix 2.2.7.

CONSTITUENTS – Alkaloid, Glycoside, β -Sitosterol and Flavonoid.

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Madhura, Lavana, Katu
Guna : Guru, Ruksa, Tiksna
Virya : Usna
Vipaka : Madhura
Karma : Kaphahara, Pittakara, Vatakara, Bhedani, Rucya

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Plihari Vatika, Gorocanadi Vati.

THERAPEUTIC USES – Sotha, Kasa, Kamala, Tamaka Svasa, Agnimandya, Visamajvara

DOSE – 1-3 g of the drug in powder form.5-10 ml of the drug in juice form.

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AKARAKARABHA (Root)

Akarakarabha consists of dried roots of Anacyclus pyrethrum DC. (Fam. Asteraceae); an annual, hairy herb with numerous spreading prostrate or ascending branched stems.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Akallaka
Assamese : —
Bengali : Akarakara
English : Pellitory
Gujrati : Akkalkaro, Akkalgaro
Hindi : Akalkara
Kannada : Akkallakara, Akallakara, Akalakarabha, Akkallaka Hommugulu
Kashmiri : —
Malayalam : Akikaruka, Akravu
Marathi : Akkalakara, Akkalakada
Oriya : Akarakara
Punjabi : Akarakarabh, Akarakara
Tamil : Akkaraka, Akkarakaram
Telugu : Akkalakarra
Urdu : Aqaraqarha

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Roots tough, cylindrical, 7-15 cm in length, tapering slightly at both ends, with a few hairy rootlets and occasionally topped by bristly remains of leaves, external surface rough, brown, shrivelled, bark upto 3 mm thick, not easily separable, odour, slightly aromatic, taste, characteristically astringent and pungent, on chewing gives tingling sensation to tongue and lips and causes excessive flow of saliva.

b) Microscopic

Root – Mature root shows cork consisting of tabular cells, many of which developed as sclerenchyma; a few innercork cells contain rosette crystals of calcium oxalate; secondary cortex consisting of isodiametric or tangentially, elongated, thin-walled, parenchymatous cells; a few sclerenchymatous cells also found scattered in secondary cortex; secondary phloem consisting of usual elements, cambium 2-5 layered, secondary xylem very wide consisting of xylem vessels, tracheids and xylem parenchyma; vessels pitted, more or less in groups distributed throughout xylem, more and wider vessels found towards peripery, xylem fibres thick-walled, 1.37-28.8 μ in width, 53.2 – 231 μ in length having narrow lumen, medullary rays numerous, running straight, bi to tri and multiseriate, uniseriate rays very rare, starting from primary xylem and reaching upto secondary cortex; ray cells thick-walled, radially elongated, inulin present in cells of secondary cortex, secondary phloem and medullary rays; oleo-resinous schizogenous glands found scattered in secondary cortex, secondary phloem and medullary rays; calcium oxalate crystals in rosette form present in secondary cortex, secondary phloem, secondary xylem and medullary ray cells.

Powder – Ash coloured; shows vessels having scalariform thickening, rosette crystals of calcium oxalate and fragments of sclerenchyma; also gives positive tests for inulin.

IDENTITY, PURITY AND STRENGTH

Foreign matter Not more than 2 percent, Appendix 2.2.2.
Total Ash Not more than 10 percent, Appendix 2.2.3.
Acid-insoluble ash Not more than 2 percent, Appendix 2.2.4.
Alcohol-soluble extractive Not less than 8 percent, Appendix 2.2.6.
Water-soluble extractive Not More than 22 percent, Appendix 2.2.7.

CONSTITUENTS – Volatile oil and Alkaloid (Pyrethrin).

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Katu
Guna : Ruksa, Tiksna
Virya : Usna
Vipaka : Katu
Karma : Vatahara, Pittahara, Kaphahara, Sukrala, Vajikara, Svedakara, Dipana, Buddhivardhaka, Balakarka

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Kumaryasava, Kasturyadi (Vayu) Gutika, Nagavallabha Rasa

THERAPEUTIC USES – Pratisyaya, Sotha, Ajirna, Kasa, Svasa, Grdhrasi, Paksaghata, Udararoga, Nastartava, Sularoga, Dantasula

DOSE – 0.5 -1 g. of the drug in powder form.

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ERVARU (Seed)

Ervaru consists of seeds of Cucumis melo var. utilissimus Duthie & Fuller Syn. C.utilissimus Roxb. (Fam. Cucurbitaceae), an annual creeping herb, cultivated in many parts
of the country, especially in upper India and particularly in Uttar Pradesh and Punjab.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Bahukanda, Brhatphala, Hastipani. Hastipani, Karkati.
Assamese : —
Bengali : Kakur, Karikuda
English : Snake Cucumber
Gujrati : Kakadi
Hindi : Karkri, Kakadi
Kannada : Saute
Kashmiri : —
Malayalam : Kamkadi, Vellarika
Marathi : Kakadi, Valnka
Oriya : —
Punjabi : Kakri
Tamil : Kakkarikkay, Vellarikkai
Telugu : Dosakaya
Urdu : Kakari

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Seed compressed, more or less ellipsoid, 0.7-10 cm long, 0.3-0.4 cm wide, surface smooth, glossy, creamish-yellow; taste, sweetish oily.

b) Microscopic

Seed -Shows seed coat consisting of a layer of round to oval stone cells, lignified with distinct lumen and striations, followed by a narrow zone of endosperm consisting of cellulosic, thin-walled, rounded and tangentially elongated, parenchymatous cells, containing a few oil globules and aleurone grains; cotyledons two, straight, consisting of single layered epidermal cells, covered with thick cuticle, mesophyll cells thinwalled, radially elongated to squarish, parenchymatous, containing numerous oil globules and aleurone grains.

Powder – Creamish-yellow and oily; shows stone cells, mesophyll cells and numerous oil globules and aleurone grains.

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 10 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 alcoholic extract of the drug on Silica gel ‘G’ plate using Toluene :
Ethylacetate (90:10) shows one fluorescent zone at Rf.0.91 (blue) under U.V. (366 mm). On exposure to Iodine vapour ten spots appear at Rf. 0.19, 0.26, 0.35, 0.51, 0.58, 0.64, 0.77,0.83,0.91 and 0.97 (all yellow) .On spraying with 5% Methanolic Phosphomolybdic acid reagent and on heating the plate for fifteen minutes at 105°C ten spots appear at Rf. 0.19, 0.26, 0.35, 0.51, 0.58, 0.64, 0.77, 0.83, 0.91 and 0.97 (all grey).

CONSTITUENTS – Oil & Sugars.

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Madhura, Tikta
Guna : Guru, Ruksa
Virya : Sita
Vipaka : Madhura
Karma : Bhedi, Dipana, Kaphakara, Pittahara, Rucya, Vatakara, Raktadosakara, Grahi

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Dadhika Ghrta.

THERAPEUTIC USES – Daha, Gulma, Jvara, Raktapitta, Trsna, Asmari, Mutrakrcchra

DOSE – 3-6 g. of seeds.

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AKSODA (Cotyledon)

Aksoda consists of dried cotyledons of Juglans regia Linn. (Fam. Juglandaceae); a large deciduous, monoecious tree with tomentose shoots, found throughout the Himalayas upto an altitude of 900-3300 m.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Aksota, Sailabhava, Karparala
Assamese : Akalbasing
Bengali : Aakharotu
English : Walnut
Gujrati : Akharoda
Hindi : Akharot
Kannada : Akrod pappu
Kashmiri : —
Malayalam : Akrottu
Marathi : Akrod
Oriya : Akhrot
Punjabi : Akharota
Tamil : Akrotu
Telugu : Akrotu
Urdu : Akhrot

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Cotyledons available in 2-3 cm long, slightly curved, coriaceous, irregularly corrugated, broken pieces, creamish-brown, odour, not distinct; taste, oily sweet.

b) Microscopic

Cotyledon – Shows 1-2 layered, radially elongated, thin-walled, parenchymatous cells, raised stomata with more or less curved guard cells, followed by more or less compressed, collapsed, paranchymatous cells having vascular bundles; under this, indistinct tangentially elongated cells present; endosperm mostly single layered; cotyledons consisting of a wide zone of oval to polygonal, thin-walled, parenchymatous cells, small aleurone grains and fat present in endosperm and cotyledons.

Powder – Cream coloured, shows groups of cells of cotyledon, abundance of round oil globules and rarely vessels.

IDENTITY, PURITY AND STRENGTH

Foreign matter Not more than 5 percent, Appendix 2.2.2.
Total Ash Not more than 2 percent, Appendix 2.2.3.
Acid-insoluble ash Not more than 0.5 percent, Appendix 2.2.4.
Alcohol-soluble extractive Not less than 10.0 percent, Appendix 2.2.6.
Water-soluble extractive Not less than 7.0 percent, Appendix 2.2.7.

CONSTITUENTS – Walnut oil and Tannin.

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Madhura
Guna : Guru, Sara, Snigdha
Virya : Usna
Vipaka : Madhura
Karma : Vatahara, Kaphakara, Brnhana, Sukral, Balya, Vrsya, Vistambhi, Hrdya

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Amrtaprasa Ghrta.

THERAPEUTIC USES – Ksata, Ksaya, Vataroga.

DOSE – 10 – 25 g.

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GAJAPIPPALI (Fruit)

Gajapippali consists of dried, transversely cut pieces of mature female spadix of Scindapsus officinalis Schoott. (Fam. Araceae); a large epiphytic climber, found all along the sub-Himalayan tract between an altitude of 330-1000 m in West Bengal, Orissa, Andhra Pradesh and the Andaman Islands.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Gajakrsna, Hastipipali
Assamese : —
Bengali : Gajapeepal
English : —
Gujrati : Motopeepar
Hindi : Gajapeepal
Kannada : Adkebeeluvalli
Kashmiri : —
Malayalam : Attipali
Marathi : Gajapipalee
Oriya : —
Punjabi : Gajapeepal
Tamil : Anaitippalee
Telugu : Enugopippal
Urdu : —

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Fruit – Occurs in transversely cut circular pieces of about 2.0-3.0 cm in diameter and 2.0-3.5 cm thick, brownish-grey, rough and scaly, cut surface has a central core, surrounded by fruits enclosing the seed covered partly by aril; odour and taste not distinct.

Seed – Kidney-shaped, 0.3-0.4 cm wide, 0.4-0.6 cm long, smooth, shiny, greyish-brown with a dent, odour and taste not disticnt.

b) Microscopic

Fruit – Shows more or less loosely arranged, thin-walled, parenchymatous cells having more or less isodiametric cells filled with brown content and numerous acicular crystals of calcium oxalate.

Seed – Shows a single layered, oval to polygonal, thin-walled testa followed by 2-3 layered, thick-walled, oval to polygonal, non-lignified, sclereid-like cells having wide lumen and concentric striations; 2-4 layered, oval to polygonal, thick-walled, lignified stone cells having very narrow lumen, pitted and with concentric striations; thin-walled, irregular parenchymatous cells containing oil globules and aleurone grains.

Powder – Dark brown; shows lignified, oval to polygonal stone cells having lumen and striations; numerous needle-like acicular crystals of calcium oxalate, measuring 120-130 n in length and oil globules.

IDENTITY, PURITY AND STRENGTH

Foreign matter Not more than 2 per cent, Appendix 2.2.2.
Total Ash Not more than 14 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 3 per cent, Appendix 2.2.6.
Water-soluble extractive Not less than 11 per cent, Appendix 2.2.7.

T.L.C.

T.L.C. of alcoholic extract of drug on Silica gel ‘G’ plate using Chloroform :
Methanol (1:1) shows two spots at Rf. 0.65 and 0.73 (both light yellow) in visible light Under U.V. (366 nm) four fluorescent zones at Rf. 0.27, 0.65, 0.73 and 0.93 (all blue) are visible. On exposure to Iodine vapour five spots appear at Rf. 0.20, 0.27, 0.65, 0.73 and 0.93 (all yellow). On spraying with 5% Methanolic-Sulphuric acid reagent and heating the plate for ten minutes at 1l0°C. Three spots appear at Rf. 0.65, 0.73 (both light brown) and 0.93 (brown).

CONSTITUENTS – Glucosides viz. Scindapsin A & Scindapsin B, Sugars & Fixed Oil.

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Katu
Guna : Ruksa
Virya : Usna
Vipaka : Katu
Karma : Dipana, Kanthya, Kaphahara, Vatahara, Agnivardhaka, Malavisosana, Stanya, Varnya

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Sivagutika, Punarnavasava, Mahayogaraja Guggulu, Prasarini Taila, Candraprabha vati.

THERAPEUTIC USES – Atisara, Svasa, Krmiroga, Kanha Roga.

DOSE – 2-3 g. in extract (Phant) form.

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AMRATA (Stem Bark)

Amrata consists of dried stem bark of Spondias pinnata Linn. f. Kurz. Syn. S. mangifera Willd.; S. acuminata Roxb. non Gamble (Fam. Anacardiaceae); a small aromatic, deciduous tree, upto 27 m high and 2.5 m in girth, found wild or cultivated almost throughout the country and in the Andamans ascending upto an altitude of 1500 m in the Himalayas.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Amrataka, Markatamra
Assamese : —
Bengali : Amada, Amra
English : Indian Hog Plum, Wild Mango
Gujrati : Ambeda, Ambado, Ranamba, Jangali Ambo, Ranambo
Hindi : Ambada, Amra, Jangli Aam
Kannada : Ambate, Amvara
Kashmiri : —
Malayalam : Mampusli, Ambalam, Ambazham, Mampuiti, Ampozham
Njettikuzhiyan mavu.
Marathi : Ambado
Oriya : —
Punjabi : Amada
Tamil : Mambulichi Amputtai, Ambadam
Telugu : Amratakamu, Anbalamu, Adavimamidi
Urdu : Jangli Aam

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Drug occurs in the form of 2-7 cm long cut pieces, curved, thin, external surface smooth, grey having lenticels, internal surface reddish-yellow; fracture, laminated.

b) Microscopic

Stem Bark– Mature bark shows cork as a wide zone of 15-25 rows, consisting of tangentially elongated, radially arranged, thin-walled cells, a few outer cells exfoliated; secondary cortex consisting of tangentially elongated, parenchymatous cells, which are thick-walled towards periphery, first followed by a zone of compactly arranged cells filled with rosette and prismatic crystals of calcium oxalate and next by another wider zone of compactly arranged stone cells; rest of the cells following the stone cell zone are thin-walled, tangentially elongated, parenchymatous, with reddish-brown contents, and also rosette crystals of calcium oxalate; simple, round to oval starch grains measuring 2.75-14 μ in dia., a few prismatic crystals present in this zone; secondary phloem consisting of usual elements, phloem fibres arranged in tangential bands, thick-walled, lignified, alternating with the patches of phloem fibres, prominent lysogenous cavities are present, surrounded by a number of tannin sacs; phloem parenchyma consisting of thin walled cells, containing rosette crystals and starch grains, similar to those found scattered in secondary cortex.

Powder – Light brown; shows cork cells, stone cells, phloem fibres measuring 800-1000 μ in length and 14-28 μ in width, rosette and prismatic crystals of calcium oxalate and numerous rounded to oval starch grains, measuring 3-14 μ in diameter.

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 3 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 of the drug on Silica Gel ‘G’ using n-Butanol : Acetic acid: Water (4:1 :5) shows three spots at Rf. 0.33, 0.40 and 0.87 (all greyish brown). Under U.V. (366 nm) one fluorescent zone is visible at Rf. 0.96. On spraying with 5% Methanolic-Phosphomolybdic acid reagent and heating the plate for about ten minutes at 110°C three spots appear at Rf. 0.33.(greyish brown), 0.87 (blue) and 0.96 (blue).

CONSTITUENTS – Tannin and Starch

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Amla, Kasaya
Guna : Guru, Sara
Virya : Usna
Vipaka : —
Karma : Kaphakara, Vatahara, Pittakara, Rucikrt, Kanthya, Amadosahara Hrdya, Vahnikara

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Dadhika Ghrta.

THERAPEUTIC USES – Ksata, Ksaya, Raktapitta, Daha

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

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GAMBHARI (Fruit)

Gambhari consists of dried fruit of Gmelina arborea Roxb. (Fam. Verbenaceae), an unarmed tree, found scattered in deciduous forests throughout the greater part of the country upto an altitude of 500 m, planted in gardens and also as an avenue tree.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Kasmari, Kasmarya, Pitakarohini, Sriparni, Bhadraparni
Assamese : Gomari
Bengali : Gamargachha, Gambar
English : —
Gujrati : Seevan
Hindi : Gambhari
Kannada : Seevani, Shivani, Hannu
Kashmiri : —
Malayalam : Kumbil, Kumizhu
Marathi : Sivan
Oriya : Gambhari, Bhodroparnni
Punjabi : Khambhari
Tamil : Perunkurmizh, Komizhpazham
Telugu : Gumaditeku
Urdu : Gambhari

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Fruit – A drupe, ovoid, crinkled, black, 1.5-2.0 cm long, sometimes with portion of attached pedicel, two seeded, sometimes one seeded; taste, sweetish sour.

Seed – Seed ovate, 0.5-1 cm long, 0.4-0.6 cm wide, light yellow, surface smooth, seed coat thin, papery; taste, oily.

b) Microscopic

Fruit – Shows pericarp differentiated into single layered epicarp, multilayered, fleshy mesocarp, hard and stony endocarp: epicarp consisting of single layered, thin-walled cells; mesocarp a wide zone consisting of isodiametric, thin-walled, parenchymatous cells; endocarp consisting of multilayered sclerenchymatous cells.

Seed – Shows outer integument consisting of 3-5 rows of crushed, parenchymatous cells followed by inner integument consisting of 2-3 rows of thin-walled, tangentially elongated, parenchymatous cells; cotyledons consisting of single layered, radially elongated epidermal cells; mesophyll consisting of thin-walled cells, filled with oil globules and aleurone grains.

Powder – Blackish-brown; shows stone cells, oil globules and aleurone grains.

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 0.4 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 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 Chloroform :
Methanol (4 : 1) shows one spot at Rf. 0.98 (yellow) in visible light. Under U.V. (366 nm) five fluorescent zones appear at Rf. 0.03, 0.12, 0.22, 0.94 and 0.98 (all blue). On exposure to Iodine vapour eight spots appear at Rf. 0.03, 0.08, 0.18, 0.26, 0.42, 0.52, 0.93 and 0.98 (all yellow). On spraying with Dragendorff reagent followed by 5% Ethanolic -Sulphuric acid reagent one spot appears at Rf. 0.98 (orange).

CONSTITUENTS – Butyric acid, Tartaric acid, Alkaloid, Resin and Saccharine.

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Madhura, Amla, Kasaya
Guna : Guru, Sara, Snigdha
Virya : Sita
Vipaka : Madhura
Karma : Sukrala, Hrdya, Kesya, Medhya, Pittahara, Rasayana, Vatahara, Brmhana

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Arvindasava, Draksadi Kvatha Curna.

THERAPEUTIC USES – Daha, Hrdroga., Ksata, Ksaya, Mutrakrcchra, Trsna, Rakta Pitta

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

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APAMARGA (Whole Plant)

Apamarga consists of dried whole plant of Achyranthes aspera Linn. (Fam. Amaranthaceae); a stiff, erect, 0.3-0.9 m high herb, found commonly as a weed throughout India up to 900 m.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Mayura, Mayuraka, Pratyakpuspa, Kharamanjar, Sikhari
Assamese : —
Bengali : Apamg
English : Prickly Chaff Flower
Gujrati : Aghedo
Hindi : Chirchita, Latjira
Kannada : Uttarani
Kashmiri : —
Malayalam : Katalati
Marathi : Aghada
Oriya : —
Punjabi : Puthakanda
Tamil : Nayuruvi
Telugu : Uttarenu
Urdu : Chirchita

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Root – Cylindrical tap root, slightly ribbed, 0.1-1.0 cm in thickness, gradually tapering, rough due to presence of some root scars, secondary and tertiary roots present, yellowish-brown; odour, not distinct.

Stem – 0.3 – 0.5 cm in cut pieces, yellowish-brown, erect, branched, cylindrical, hairy, solid, hollow when dry.

Leaf – Simple, subsessile, exstipulate, opposite, decussate, wavy margin, obovate, slightly acuminate and pubescent due to the presence of thick coat of long simple hairs.

Flower – Arranged in inflorescence of long spikes, greenish-white, numerous, sessile, bracteate with two bracteoles, one spine lipped, bisexual, actinomorphic, hypogynous; perianth segments 5,free, membranous, contorted or quincuncial, stamens 5, opposite, the perianth lobes, connate forming a membranous tube-like structure, alternating with truncate and fimbriate staminodes, filament short; anther, two celled, dorsifixed; gynoecium bicarpellary, syncarpous; ovary superior, unilocular with single ovule; style, single; stigma, capitate.

Fruit – An indehiscent dry utricle enclosed within persistent, perianth and bracteoles, Seed – Sub-cylindric, truncate at the apex, round at the base, endospermic, brown.

b) Microscopic

Root – Mature root shows 3-8 layered, rectangular, tangentially elongated, thin-walled cork cells; secondary cortex consisting of 6-9 layers, oval to rectangular, thin-walled, parenchymatous cells having a few scattered single or groups of stone cells; followed by 4-6 discontinuous rings of anomalous secondary thickening composed of vascular tissues; small patches of sieve tubes distinct in phloem parenchyma, demarcating the xylem rings; xylem composed of usual elements; vessels simple pitted; medullary rays 1-3 cells wide; small prismatic crystals of calcium oxalate present in cortical region and numerous in medullary rays.

Stem – Young stem shows 6-10 prominent ridges, which diminish downwards upto the base where it becomes almost cylindrical; epidermis single layered, covered by thick cuticle having uniseriate, 2-5 celled, covering trichomes and glandular with globular head, 3-4 celled stalk; cortex 6-10 layered, composed of parenchymatous cells, most of them containing rosette crystals of calcium oxalate; in the ridges cortex collenchymatous; vascular bundles lie facing each ridge capped by pericyclic fibres; transverse section of mature stem shows lignified, thin-walled cork cells; pericycle a discontinuous ring of lignified fibres; vascular tissues show anomalous secondary growth having 4-6 incomplete rings of xylem and phloem; secondary phloem consisting of usual elements form incomplete rings; cambial strip present between secondary xylem and phloem; secondary xylem consisting of usual elements, fibres being absent; vessels annular, spiral, scalariform and pitted, fibres pitted, elongated, lignified; pith wide consisting of oval to polygonal, parenchymatous cells; two medullary bundles, either separate throughout or found in some cases, present in pith; micro-sphenoidal silica crystals present in some epidermal, cortical and pith cells.

Leaf-Petiole – Shows crescent-shaped outline, having single-layered epidermis with thickcuticle; ground tissues consisting of thin-walled, parenchymatous cells containing rosette crystals of calcium oxalate; 4-5 vascular bundle situated in mid region. Midrib – Shows a single layered epidermis, on both surfaces; epidermis followed by 4-5 layered collenchyma on upper side and 2-3 layered on lower side; ground tissue consisting of thin-walled, parenchymatous cells having a number of vascular bundles; each vascular bundle shows below the xylem vessels, thin layers of cambium, followed by phloem and a pericycle represented by 2-3 layers of thick-walled, non-lignified cells; rosette crystals of calcium oxalate found scattered in ground tissues.

Lamina – Shows single layered, tangentially elongated epidermis cells covered with thick cuticle having covering trichomes which are similar to those of stem found on both surfaces; mesophyll differentiated into palisade and spongy parenchyma; palisade 2-4 layered of thick parenchyma larger, slightly elongated in upper, while smaller and rectangular in lower surface; spongy parenchyma 3-5 layers thick, more or less isodiametic parenchymatous cells; idioblast containing large rosette crystals of calcium oxalate distributed in palisade and spongy parenchyma cells; stomata anisocytic and anomoacytic in both surface; stomatal index 4.5-9.0 on upper surface, 9.0-20.0 on lower surface; palisade ratio 7.0-11; vein islet number 7-13 per sq. mm.

Powder – Light yellow; shows fragments of elongated, rectangular, thin-walled epidermal cells, aseptate fibres, vessels with annular, spiral, scalariform and pitted thickening, uniseriate hair with bulbous base, rosette and prismatic crystals of calcium oxalate.

IDENTITY, PURITY AND STRENGTH

Foreign matter Not more than 2 per cent, Appendix 2.2.2.
Total Ash Not more than 17 per cent, Appendix 2.2.3.
Acid-insoluble ash Not more than 5 per cent, Appendix 2.2.4.
Alcohol-soluble extractive Not less than 2 per cent, Appendix 2.2.6.
Water-soluble extractive Not less than 12 per cent, Appendix 2.2.7.

CONSTITUENTS – Saponins

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Katu, Tikta
Guna : Sara, Tiksna
Virya : Usna
Vipaka : Katu
Karma : Dipana, Kaphahara, Vatahara, Medohara, Chedana, Pacana, Vamaka, Sirovirecana

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Apamargaksara, Apamargaksara Taila, Abhaya Lavana, Gudapippali, Jyotismati Taila

THERAPEUTIC USES – Sula, Udara Roga, Apaci, Arsa, Kandu, Medoroga

DOSE – 20-50 g. of the drug for decoction.

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GANGERU (Stem bark)

Gangeru consists of dried stem bark of Grewia tenax (Forsk.) Aschers & Schwf., Syn. Grewia populifolia Vahl, (Fam. Tiliacem), a shrub 0.6-1.0 m high, occurring in North Western and central part of the country and in Deccan Peninsula.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Gangeruki
Assamese : —
Bengali : Garakshachakule
English : —
Gujrati : Gangeti
Hindi : Gangeran
Kannada : Turuve
Kashmiri : —
Malayalam : Oorakam
Marathi : Gangeti
Oriya : Ghodaguli
Punjabi : Ganger
Tamil : Achchu
Telugu : Gangeruki
Urdu : Gangeran

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Drug occurs as cut pieces; 1.5-5 cm long, light yellow, channelled, fibrous; external surface smooth; fracture, fibrous; taste, mucilaginous.

b) Microscopic

Stem Bark – Shows a wide cork, consisting of 12-20 layered, rectangular, radially arranged cells, a few inner cells contain rectangular crystals of calcium oxalate; secondary cortex wide, consisting of tangentially elongated, thin-walled, parenchymatous cells, a few cortical cells towards cork also contain prismatic crystals of calcium oxalate; oval, elliptical, thick-walled, lignified cells with wide lumen and clear pit canals, moderately large in size, a few stone cells, found scattered in groups throughout secondary cortex and in a row towards inner cortical region; secondary phloem composed of sieve elements, parenchyma and numerous thick-walled, cellulosic fibres with wide lumen, blunt tips and moderately long in size, arranged in radial groups, traversed by wide phloem rays; a few ray cells contain prismatic crystals of calcium oxalate.

Powder – Light yellow and fibrous; under microscope shows phloem fibres in groups or singles, stone cells and 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 9 per cent, Appendix 2.2.3.
Acid-insoluble ash Not more than 1 per cent, Appendix 2.2.4.
Alcohol-soluble extractive Not less than 6 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 alcoholic extract of the drug on Silica gel ‘G’ plate using Toluene:
Ethylacetate (90 :10). Two spots are seen at Rf. 0.17, 0.35 (both light yellow) in visible light. Under U.V. (366 nm) six fluorescent zones visible at Rf. 0.08 (blue) 0.13 (blue), 0.29 (blue), 0.35 (dark blue), 0.55 (blue) & 0.64 (blue). On exposure to Iodine vapour ten spots appear at Rf. 0.08, 0.17, 0.27, 0.35, 0.41, 0.48, 0.55, 0.61, 0.68 & 0.88 (all yellow). On spraying with Anisaldehyde-Sulphuric acid reagent seven spots appear at Rf. 0.08 (violet). 0.17 (light violet), 0.27 (light violet), 0.35 (violet), 0.48 (violet), 0.68 (light violet) & 0.88 (light violet).

CONSTITUENTS – Sugar, Tannin and Sterols (Triacontan-l-ol, α-amyrin, β-amyrin etc.).

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Madhura, Amla, Katu, Tikta, Kasaya
Guna : Guru
Virya : Usna
Vipaka : Katu
Karma : Tridosahara, Sangrahaka

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Jirakadi Modaka.

THERAPEUTIC USES – Vrana, Pittavikara.

DOSE – 2-3 g. of the drug in powder form.

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APARAJITA (Root)

Aparajita consists of dried root of Clitoria ternatea Linn. (Fam. Fabaceae); a perennial climber with slender downy stem, found throughout the tropical regions of the country being cultivated in gardens every where and often also found growing over hedges and thickets.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Girikarnika, Visnukranta
Assamese : Aparajita
Bengali : Aparajita
English : Clitoria
Gujrati : Gokarni
Hindi : Aparajita
Kannada : Girikarnika Balli, Girikarnika
Kashmiri : —
Malayalam : Shankhapushapam
Marathi : Gokarna, Aparajita
Oriya : Aparajita
Punjabi : Koyal
Tamil : Kakkanam
Telugu : Dintena
Urdu : —

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Drug consisting of a stout tap root with a few tortuous branches, cylindrical, 1-5 mm in thickness, a few places show cracks due to presence of lenticels, colour, lightbrown, fracture, fibrous; taste, bitter.

b) Microscopic

Root – Shows 10-20 or more layers of rectangular, thin-walled, tangentially elongated exfoliating cork cells; secondary cortex consists of 10-12 rows of large, polygonal, thin walled cells filled with starch grains, a few cells contain prismatic crystals of calcium oxalate in this region; single or groups of 2-10 lignified cortical fibres, distributed in the lower half of the cortex; secondary phloem consists of usual elements; phloem fibres 2-8 in groups, a few solitary fibres also present, very long, thin-walled with narrow lumen and pointed tips; secondary xylem consists of usual elements; vessels pitted with oblong, bordered pits and have short conical tail at one end, mostly occur 2 or 3 in groups; xylem fibres similar to those of phloem fibres, a few showing slit-like pits; medullary rays 1-5 cells wide, oblong and pitted; xylem parenchyma irregular in shape and pitted walls; starch grains simple as well as compound having 2-6 components, single grains measuring 3-13 n in dia., found in secondary cortex, phloem and xylem parenchyma.

Powder – Yellowish-brown; shows simple and compound starch grains, measuring 3-13 n in dia., vessels with oblong bordered pits and fragments of fibres.

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 5 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 alcoholic extract of the drug on Silica gel ‘G’ using Chloroform:
Ethylacetate : Formic Acid (5:4:1) v/v shows one spot at Rf. 0.79 (dull yellow) in visible light. Under U.V. (366 nm) a spot is seen at Rf. 0.79 (blue). On exposure to Iodine vapour two spots appear at Rf. 0.54 and 0.79 (both yellow). On spraying with 10% aqueous solution of Ferric Chloride and heating the plate at 105° C for about fifteen minutes one spots appears at Rf. 0.79 (grey).

CONSTITUENTS – Tannin, Starch, Resin, Taraxerol & Taraxerone.

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Katu, Tikta, Kasaya
Guna : —
Virya : Sita
Vipaka : Katu
Karma : Kanthya, Kaphahara, Pittahara, Vatahara, Medhya, Visahara, Buddhiprada, Caksusya

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Misraka Sneha, Vataraktantaka Rasa

THERAPEUTIC USES – Sula, Sotha, Kustha, Mutraroga, Vrana

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

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ARDRAKA (Rhizome)

Ardraka consists of fresh rhizome of Zingiber officinale Rosc. (Fam. Zingiberaceae); a herbaceous rhizomatous perennial, reaching up to 90 cm in height, widely cultivated in India. Rhizomes are dug in January-February, buds and roots are removed and washed well.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Katubhadra, Srngavera
Assamese : —
Bengali : Ada
English : Ginger
Gujrati : Adu
Hindi : Adarakha
Kannada : Alla, Hasishunti
Kashmiri : —
Malayalam : Inchi
Marathi : Ardrak, Ale
Oriya : —
Punjabi : Adi, Adrak
Tamil : Injee, Allam, lakottai, Inji
Telugu : Allamu, Allam
Urdu : Adrak

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Drug occurs as entire rhizome or in pieces, rhizome laterally compressed bearing flattish ovate, oblique branches on upper side, each having a depressed scar at its apex, pieces 5-15 cm long, 1.5-6.5 cm wide (usually 3-4 cm) and 1-1.5 cm thick, fracture, short with projecting fibres, transversely cut surface shows a wide central stele having numerous greyish cut ends of fibres and yellow secreting cells; odour, gingery; taste, pungent

b) Microscopic

Rhizome – Shows a few layered, irregularly arranged, tangentially elongated, brown cells of outer cork and 6-12 rows of thin-walled, colourless, radially arranged cells of inner cork; secondary cortex consisting of hexagonal to polygonal, isodiametric, thin-walled, parenchymatous cells containing numerous circular to oval starch grains with striations and hilum at one end with clear concentric striations, measuring 5-25n in dia., idioblasts containing large yellowish to brownish globules of oleo-resin; walls of oil cells suberised; numerous closed, conjoint, collateral, cortical fibro-vascular bundles scattered throughout cortical zone, greater number occurring in inner cortical region, larger bundles consists of 2- 7 vessels, small cells of sieve tube, polygonal cells of parenchyma and group of fibres; vessels showing reticulate, scalariforrn and spiral thickening; fibres septate with a few oblique pores on their walls; endodermis single layered, free from starch; pericycle single layered enclosing central stele; stele consisting of thin-walled polygonal, isodiametric cells of parenchyma, filled with abundant starch grains, oleo-resin cells similar to those present in cortex; fibrovascular bundles of two types, those arranged along pericycle in a definite ring are smaller in size and devoid of fibres, vessels 2-5 in number, larger bundles found scattered throughout stele, composed of xylem, phloem, parenchyma and sheath of sclerenchyma.

Powder -Light yellow; shows thin-walled parenchymatous cells, septate fibres with oblique, elongated pits on their walls, reticulate and spiral vessels, oleo-resin cells abundent, single starch grains of varying shapes with eccentric hilum, measuring 5-25 n in diameter.

IDENTITY, PURITY AND STRENGTH

Foreign matter Not more than 0.5 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.
Water-soluble extractive Not less than 2 per cent, Appendix 2.2.7.
Moisture content Not more than 90 per cent, Appendix 2.2.9

T.L.C.

T.L.C. of alcoholic extract of drug on Silica gel ‘G’ plate using Benzene: Ethyl acetate (9: 1) in visible light four spots are seen at Rf 0.16, 0.35, 0.63 & 0.69 (all light yellow). Under U.V. (366 nm) three fluorescent zones appear at Rf. 0.16 (blue), 0.63 (grey) & 0.69 (grey). On exposure to Iodine vapour eleven spots appear at Rf. 0.03, 0.08, 0.13, 0.16, 0.35, 0.47, 0.63, 0.69, 0.76, 0.83 & 0.92 (all yellow). On spraying with Vanillin Sulphuric acid reagent & heating the plate for ten minutes at 110°C eight spots appear at Rf. 0.08 (violet), 0.l6 (brownish violet), 0.35 (light violet), 0.47 (light violet), 0.63 (light violet), 0.69 (light violet), 0.76 (violet) & 0.92 (violet). CONSTITUENTS – Volatile Oil containing Cineole zingiberol, and sesquiterpene like zingiberene, bisobolene and sesqui phellandrene, gingerosol in the oleo-resin.

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Katu
Guna : Guru, Ruksa, Tiksna
Virya : Usna
Vipaka : Madhura
Karma : Dipana, Hrdya, Kaphahara, Vatahara, Rocana, Bhedana, Svarya, Vrsaya.

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Ardraka Khandavaleha, Sarasvatarista.

THERAPEUTIC USES – Sula, Vibandha, Anaha, Sopha, Kantharoga.

DOSE – 2-3 ml of the drug in juice form with honey.

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ARIMEDA (Stem Bark)

Arimeda consists of dried stem bark of Acacia leucophloea Willd. (Fam. Fabaceae); a moderate-sized deciduous tree, upto 3 m in height, characteristic of dry regions, found in the plains of Punjab and in the dry forest tracts throughout the country.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Irimeda, Vidkhadir
Assamese : —
Bengali : Guyababla, Sadabala
English : —
Gujrati : Haramibaval, Pilobaval, Haribaval
Hindi : Arimeda
Kannada : —
Kashmiri : —
Malayalam : Karivelam, Velvelam, Velvelakam
Marathi : Pandal Babal
Oriya : Arimeda
Punjabi : —
Tamil : Velvelam
Telugu : —
Urdu : Guar babool

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Mature bark 0.5-1 cm thick, hard, rough, incurved, exfoliating in irregular scales, externally yellowish-grey or almost black and longitudinally fissured, internally light brown to reddish-brown, internal surface longitudinally striated and fibrous, fracture, fibrous; odour and taste, not distinct.

b) Microscopic

Stem Bark -Mature bark shows dead tissues of rhytidoma consisting of cork cells, thinwalled cortical cells, stone cells and phloem cells, traversed by multiseriate medullary rays; cork consisting of 4-8 layers of thin-walled, square to rectangular cells, followed by numerous groups of sclereids of various shapes and sizes; secondary phloem wide, consisting of sieve elements, parenchyma, fibres and crystal fibres, all traversed by medullary rays; sieve elements get collapsed in outer and middle region forming tangential bands of ceratenchyma; phloem parenchyma thin-walled some cells contain prismatic crystals of calcium oxalate; phloem fibres thin-walled, lignified, with tapering ends, arranged in more or less concentric bands forming tangential strips alternating with-thinwalled phloem elements; crystal fibres elongated, thick-walled having numerous chambers containing a prismatic crystals of calcium oxalate in each chamber; medullary rays multiseriate dilating towards outer side, composed of thin-walled, radially elongated cells.

Powder – Reddish-brown; shows groups of cork cells, sclereid, fibres, crystal fibres and prismatic crystals of calcium oxalate.

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 per cent, Appendix 2.2.4.
Alcohol-soluble extractive Not less than 14 per cent, Appendix 2.2.6.
Water-soluble extractive Not less than 13 per cent, Appendix 2.2.7.

T.L.C.

T.LC. of alcoholic extract of drug on Silica gel ‘G’ plate using Chloroform:
Ethylacetate : Formic Acid (54: 1) only one spot at Rf 0.69 (grey) is seen in visible light. Under UV (366 nm) two fluorescent zones appear at Rf.0.78 and 0.91 (both blue).On exposure to Iodine vapour a yellow coloured tailing appears from Rf.0 to 0.39 and a spot at Rf. 0.91 (yellow). On spraying with 10% aqueous Ferric Chloride solution a bluish grey coloured tailing appears from Rf. 0 to 0.39 and a spot at Rf. 0.91 (bluish grey)

CONSTITUENTS – n-Hexacosanol, β -Amyrin, β-Sitosterol and Tannin.

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Tikta, Kasaya
Guna : Usna
Virya : Usna
Vipaka : Katu
Karma : Kaphasosaka, Medasosaka, Visanasana

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Khadiradi Gutika (Mukharoga), Arimedadi Taila (For external use i.e. Kavalagraha and Nasya)

THERAPEUTIC USES – Sopha, Kasa, Kandu, Kustha, Meha, Mukharoga, Visajavrana, Atisara, Visarpa, Pandu, Dantaroga, Krmi, Udardapra Samana

DOSE – 40 g for decoction.3-5 g in powder form.

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ARJUNA (Stem Bark)

Arjuna consists of the stem bark of Terminalia arjuna W.& A. (Fam. Combretaceae); a large deciduous tree, commonly found throughout the greater parts of the country.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Kakubha, Partha, Svetavaha
Assamese : Arjun
Bengali : Arjuna
English : —
Gujrati : Sadad, Arjuna, Sajada
Hindi : Arjuna
Kannada : Matti, Bilimatti, Neermatti, Mathichakke, Kudare Kivimase
Kashmiri : —
Malayalam : Nirmasuthu, Vellamaruthi, Kellemasuthu, Mattimora, Torematti
Marathi : Arjuna, Sadada
Oriya : Arjuna
Punjabi : Arjon
Tamil : Marudam
Telugu : Maddi
Urdu : Arjun

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Bark available in pieces, flat, curved, recurved, channelled to half quilled, 0.2-1.5 cm thick, market samples upto 10 cm in length and upto 7 cm in width, outer surface somewhat smooth and grey, inner surface somewhat fibrous and pinkish, transversely cut smoothened bark shows pinkish surface, fracture, short in inner and laminated in outer part; taste, bitter and astringent.

b) Microscopic

Stem Bark -Mature bark shows cork consisting of 9-10 layers of tangentially elongated cells, a few outer layers filled with brown colouring matter; cork cambium and secondary cortex not distinct and medullary rays observed traversing almost upto outer bark; secondary phloem occupies a wide zone, consisting of sieve tubes, companion cells, phloem parenchyma and phloem fibres, traversed by phloem rays, usually uniseriate but biseriate rays also occasionally seen; in the middle and outer phloem region, sieve tubes get collapsed and form ceratenchyma; phloem fibres distributed in rows and present in groups of 2-10; rosette crystals of calcium oxalate measuring 80-180 n in dia., present in most of the phloem parenchyma, alternating with fibres; idioblasts consisting of large cells having aggregates of prismatic and rhomboidal crystals of calcium oxalate in row throughout the zone, measuring 260-600 n in dia., starch grains, mostly simple, compound of 2-3 components, sometimes upto 5 components, round to oval, elliptical, measuring 5-13 n in dia., distributed throughout the tissue (absent in T.alata); in a tangential section the uniseriate phloem rays 2-10 cells high and biseriate, 4-12 cells high; in longitudinal section rosette crystals of calcium oxalate found in the form of strands in phloem parenchyma.

Powder – Reddish-brown; shows fragments of cork cells, uniseriate phloem rays, fibres, a number of rosette crystals of calcium oxalate, a few rhomboidal crystals, starch grains
simple and compound, round to oval, elliptic, having 2-3 components with concentric striations and small narrow hilum, measuring 5-13 n in diameter.

IDENTITY, PURITY AND STRENGTH

Foreign matter Not more than 2 per cent, Appendix 2.2.2.
Total Ash Not more than 25 per cent, Appendix 2.2.3.
Acid-insoluble ash Not more than 1 per cent, Appendix 2.2.4.
Alcohol-soluble extractive Not less than 20 per cent, Appendix 2.2.6.
Water-soluble extractive Not less than 20 per cent, Appendix 2.2.7.

CONSTITUENTS – Tannins

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Kasaya
Guna : Ruksa
Virya : Sita
Vipaka : Katu
Karma : Bhagnasandhanakara, Hrdya, Kaphahara, Pittahara, Vrananasana, Vyanga Hara

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Parthadyarista, Nagarjunabhra Rasa, Arjuna Ghrta.

THERAPEUTIC USES – Medoroga, Vrana, Hrdroga, Ksataksaya, Prameha, Trsa, Vyanga.

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

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BHALLATAKA (Fruit)

Bhallataka consists of mature fruit of Semecarpus anacardium Linn. (Fam. Anacardiaceae), a medium sized tree found in moist deciduous forests all over the country.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Aruskara, Bhallata
Assamese : Bhelaguti
Bengali : Bhela
English : Marking Nut
Gujrati : Bhilam
Hindi : Bhilawa
Kannada : Bhallataka
Kashmiri : —
Malayalam : Chera
Marathi : Bibba
Oriya : Bhollataki, Bholai
Punjabi : Bhilawa
Tamil : Tatamkottai, Scramkotati
Telugu : Nallajidi, Nallajidiginga
Urdu : Baladur, Bhilavan

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Fruit laterally flattened, drupaceous, dark brown, nut 2.5-3 cm long, obliquely ovoid, smooth, shining with residual receptacle.

b) Microscopic

Fruit – Pericarp differentiated into epicarp, mesocarp and endocarp; in longitudinal section pericarp shows outer epicarp consisting of single layer of epidermal cells which are elongated radially and lignified, characteristic glands found in pericarp which exude oil globules and arise as small protuberances in epicarp and due to pressure exerted by cells of mesocarp, some of epidermal cells and cuticle rupture and oil globules exude from oil glands; mesocarp a very broad zone, 30-40 layers thick, composed mostly of parenchymatous cells having lysigenous cavities and fibro-vascular bundles, below epidermis a few outer cells of parenchyma smaller as compared to rest; rosette crystals of calcium oxalate found scattered in parenchymatous cells, some cells get dissolved and form lysigenous cavities which increase in size with maturity of fruit, cavities do not have any special lining and contain an acrid and irritant yellowish oily secretion; endocarp consists of two distinct layers, innermost prismatic, very much elongated radial walls, being highly thickened, outer layer shorter and thinner than prismatic layer but cells similar to the former; number of mesocarp parenchyma contain rosette crystals of calcium oxalate and oil drops in oil glands; lysigenous cavities of mesocarp contain oily vesicating substance, insoluble in water and soluble in alcohol, ether, chloroform.

Powder – Dark-brown; shows rosette crystals of calcium oxalate and oil globules.

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 11 per cent, Appendix 2.2.6.
Water-soluble extractive Not less than 5 per cent, Appendix 2.2.7.

CONSTITUENTS – A Tarry Oil containing Anacardic Acid, Non-Volatile Alcohol (Cardol).

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Madhura, Katu, Tikta, Kasaya
Guna : Laghu, Snigdha, Tiksna
Virya : Usna
Vipaka : Madhura
Karma : Dipana, Kaphahara, Pacana, Vatahara, Chedi, Bhedi, Medhya

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Amrta Bhallataka Leha, Sanjivani Vati., Bhallataka Rasayana, Bhallatakadi Modaka

THERAPEUTIC USES – Arsa, Anaha, Grahani, Gulma, Krimi, Kustha.

DOSE – 1.2 g. of the drug in Ksirapaka form.

Note – For Bhallataka sodhan see A.F.I., Part-I

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UPAKUNCIKA

Upakuncika consists of seeds of Nigella sativa Linn. (Fam. Ranunculacem), a small herb, 45 -60 cm high, mostly cultivated in Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Bihar and Assam.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Sthulajiraka, Upakunci, Susavi
Assamese : —
Bengali : Mota Kalajira, Kalajira
English : Small Fennel, Nigella Seed
Gujrati : Kalonji jeeru, Kalounji
Hindi : Kalaunji, Mangaraila
Kannada : Karijirige
Kashmiri : Kath
Malayalam : Karinjirakam
Marathi : Kalaunji jire, Kalejire
Oriya : —
Punjabi : Kalvanji
Tamil : Karunjeerakam, Karunjiragam
Telugu : Peddajila karra
Urdu : Kalongi

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Seeds, flattened, oblong, angular, rugulose tubercular, small, funnel shaped, 0.2 cm. long and 0.1 cm. wide, black, odour, slightly aromatic, taste, bitter.

b) Microscopic

Transverse section of seed shows single layer of epidermis consisting of elliptical, thick-walled cells covered externally by a papillose cuticle, filled with reddish-brown content, epidermis followed by 2-4 layers of thick-walled, tangentially elongated, parenchymatous cells, followed by a pigmented layer composed of tangentially elongated, cylindrical thick-walled cells filled with reddish-brown pigment, below pigmented layer, parenchyma composed of thick-walled rectangular, radially elongated cells, present in a layer, endosperm consists of moderately thick-walled, rectangular to polygonal cells, a few filled with oil globules, embryo embedded in endosperm.

Powder-Black, oily to touch, under microscope show, groups of parenchyma, 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 6 per cent, Appendix 2.2.3.
Acid-insoluble ash Not more than 0.2 per cent, Appendix 2.2.4.
Alcohol-soluble extractive Not less than 20 per cent, Appendix 2.2.6.
Water-soluble extractive Not less than 15 per cent, Appendix 2.2.7.

CONSTITUENTS – Essential oil, fixed oil, resin, saponin and tannin.

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Katu, Tikta
Guna : Laghu, Ruksa
Virya : Usna
Vipaka : Katu
Karma : Caksusya, Dipana, Hrdya, Krmighna, Medhya, Pacana, Pittala, Rucya, Sangrahi, Vatakaphapaha, Garbhasayavisodhana

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Narayana Curna, Kankayana Gutika

THERAPEUTIC USES – Atisara, Adhmana, Gulma, Krmiroga

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

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VARUNA

Varuna consists of dried stem bark of Cratmva nurvala Buch-Ham (Fam. Capparidacem), a small wild or cultivated tree found throughout the year in India, often found along streams, also in dry, deep boulder formation in Sub-Himalayan tracts.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Varana
Assamese : —
Bengali : Varuna
English : Three leaved caper
Gujrati : Vayvarno, Varano
Hindi : Baruna, Barna
Kannada : Bipatri, Mattamavu, Neervalamara
Kashmiri : Kath
Malayalam : Neermatalam
Marathi : Vayavarna, Haravarna, Varon
Oriya : Baryno
Punjabi : Barna, Barnahi
Tamil : Maralingam
Telugu : Bilvarani
Urdu : —

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Thickness or bark varies, usually 1-1.5 cm according to the age and portion of the plant from where the bark is removed, outer surface, greyish to greyish-brown with ashgrey patches, at places, surface rough due to a number of lenticels, shallow fissures and a few vertical or longitudinal ridges, inner most surface smooth and cream white in colour, fracture tough and short, odour, indistinct, taste, slightly bitter.

b) Microscopic

Transverse section of mature stem bark shows, an outer cork composed of thinwalled, rectangular and tangentially elongated cells, phellogen single layered, thinwalled, tangentially elongated cells followed by a wide secondary cortex, consisting of thin-walled, polygonal to tangentially elongated cells with a number of starch grains, starch grains mostly simple, occasionally compound with 2-3 components also present’, large number of stone cells in groups of two or more, found scattered in secondary cortex, single stone cells not very common, stone cells vary in size and shape, being circular to rectangular or elongated with pits and striations on their walls, stone cells distributed somewhat in concentric bands in phloem region except in inner region of phloem which is devoid of stone cells, secondary phloem comparatively a wide zone, consisting of sieve tubes, companion cells, parenchyma and groups of stone cells, alternating with medullary rays, sieve elements found compressed forming ceratenchyma in outer phloem region, whereas in inner region of phloem, intact, medullary rays mostly multiseriate composed of thin-walled, radially elongated cells, tangentially elongated towards outer periphery, a number of starch grains similar to secondary cortex also present in phloem and ray cells, few rhomboidal crystals of calcium oxalate also found in this region, inner most layer is cambium.

IDENTITY, PURITY AND STRENGTH

Foreign matter Not more than 2 per cent, Appendix 2.2.2.
Total Ash Not more than 13 per cent, Appendix 2.2.3.
Acid-insoluble ash Not more than 1 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 8 per cent, Appendix 2.2.7.

CONSTITUENTS – Saponin and tannin.

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Tikta, Kasaya
Guna : Laghu, Ruksa
Virya : Usna
Vipaka : Katu
Karma : Bhedi, Dipana, Vataslesmahara

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Varunadi Kvatha Curna

THERAPEUTIC USES – Asmari, Gulma, Mutrakrcchra, Vidradhi

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

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