Indian Medicine

ASANA

Asana consists of heart-wood of Pterocarpus marsupium Roxb. (Fam. Leguminosae), a moderate to large sized, deciduous tree, upto 30 m high and 2.5 m in girth, with straight clear bole, found mostly throughout Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh Bihar and Orissa.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Bijaka, Pitasara, Asanaka, Bijasara
Assamese : Aajar
Bengali : Piyasala, Pitasala
English : Indian Kino Tree
Gujrati : Biyo
Hindi : Vijayasara, Bija
Kannada : Bijasara, Asana
Kashmiri : Lal Chandeur
Malayalam : Venga
Marathi : Bibala
Oriya : Piashala
Punjabi : Chandan Lal, Channanlal
Tamil : Vengai
Telugu : Yegi, Vegisa
Urdu : Bijasar

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Drug occurs as irregular pieces in variable size and thickness, golden yellowishbrown with darker streaks, on soaking In water gives yellow colour solution with blue fluorescence strong, tough, very hard, moderately heavy, fracture, difficult to break but brittle, taste, astringent.

b) Microscopic

Transverse section shows alternating bands of larger and smaller polygonal cells consisting of tracheids, fibre tracheids, xylem parenchyma and traversed by xylem rays, numerous xylem vessels distributed throughout, in singles or in groups of 2-3, showing tyloses filled with tannin, in isolated preparations, vessels, drum or barrel shaped with well-marked perforation rims and bordered pits, tracheids numerous, long, thick-walled with tapering ends and simple pits, fibre tracheids elongated, thick-walled with narrow lumen and simple pits, xylem parenchyma rectangular with simple pits, paratracheal, surrounding vessels, xylem rays uni-to-biseriate, 3-5-7 cells high, prismatic crystals of calcium oxalate present in crystal fibres, starch absent.

Powder: Brown to chocolate colour, under microscope shows vessels with bordered pits, fibre tracheids, tracheids, fragments of xylem rays and few crystal fibres, starch absent.

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

CONSTITUENTS – Alkaloids and resin.

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Katu, Tikta, Kasaya
Guna : Laghu, Ruksa
Virya : Usna
Vipaka : Katu
Karma : Kushaghna, Rasayana, Kaphapittasamaka; Galadosaghna, Kesya,
Tvaccya, Stambhana, Raktasodhana

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Nyagrodhadi Curna, Asanavilvadi Taila

THERAPEUTIC USES – Krmiroga, Kustha, Prameha, Pandu, Medodosa

DOSE – 50-100 g of the drug for decoction.

Goto Main Page

ARKA (Leaf)

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

SYNONYMS

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

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

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

b) Microscopic

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

IDENTITY, PURITY AND STRENGTH

Foreign matter Not more than 2 per cent, Appendix 2.2.2.
Total Ash Not more than 21 per cent, Appendix 2.2.3.
Acid-insoluble ash Not more than 5 per cent, Appendix 2.2.4.
Alcohol-soluble extractive Not less than 5 per cent, Appendix 2.2.6.
Water-soluble extractive Not less than 24 per cent, Appendix 2.2.7.

CONSTITUENTS – Glycoside (Calotropin).

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

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

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Arkalavana

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

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

Goto Main Page

ARKA (Root)

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

SYNONYMS

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

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

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

b) Microscopic

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

IDENTITY, PURITY AND STRENGTH

Foreign matter Not more than 2 per cent, Appendix 2.2.2.
Total Ash Not more than 4 per cent, Appendix 2.2.3.
Acid-insoluble ash Not more than 1 per cent, Appendix 2.2.4.
Alcohol-soluble extractive Not less than 2 per cent, Appendix 2.2.6.
Water-soluble extractive Not less than 8 per cent, Appendix 2.2.7.

CONSTITUENTS – Glycosides (calotropin).

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

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

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Mahavisagarbha Taila, Dhanvantara Ghrta

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

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

Goto Main Page

DHANYAKA

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

SYNONYMS

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

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

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

b) Microscopic

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

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

IDENTITY, PURITY AND STRENGTH

Foreign matter Not more than 2 per cent, Appendix 2.2.2.
Total Ash Not more than 6 per cent, Appendix 2.2.3.
Acid-insoluble ash Not more than 1.5 per cent, Appendix 2.2.4.
Alcohol-soluble extractive Not less than 10 per cent, Appendix 2.2.6.
Water-soluble extractive Not less than 19 per cent, Appendix 2.2.7.
Volatile oil Not less than 0.3 per cent, Appendix 2.2.10

CONSTITUENTS – Essential oil (coriandrol).

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

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

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Dhanyapancaka kvatha Curna

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

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

Goto Main Page

ARAGVADHA

Aragvadha consists of pulp obtained from fruits (devoid of seeds, septa and pieces of pericarp) of Cassia fistula Linn. (Pam.Leguminosae), a moderate sized deciduous tree, common throughout India as wild or cultivated plant, fruits collected when ripe.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Krtamala, Vyadhighata, Sampaka, Nrpadruma
Assamese : Sonaroo
Bengali : Sondala
English : Indian Laburnum, Purging cassia
Gujrati : Garamala, Garamalo
Hindi : Amaltas
Kannada : Aragvadha, Kakke, Kakke-gida, Kakkernara, Kakkedai, Rajataru
Kashmiri : Kriyangal Phali
Malayalam : Konna, Kritamalam
Marathi : Bahava, Garamala, Amaltas
Oriya : Sunari
Punjabi : Amaltas
Tamil : Sarakonrai, Sarak konnai, Sarak kondi, Sharakkonrai
Telugu : Rela
Urdu : Khiyar Shambar

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Fruit, a many celled, indehiscent pod, 35-60 cm long and 18-25 mm diameter, nearly straight and sub cylindrical, chocolate-brown to almost black in colour, pod surface smooth to naked eye, but under lens showing minute transverse fissures, both dorsal and ventral sutures evident, but not prominent, short stalk attached to base of fruit and rounded distal end mucronate, pericarp thin, hard and woody, fruit initially divided by transverse septa about 5 mm, apart, each containing a single seed attached to ventral suture by a long dark, thread-like funicle about 8-12 by 6-8 mm, circular to oval, flattened, reddish-brown, smooth, extremely hard and with a distinct dark brown line extending from micropyle to base, seed initially embedded in a black viscid pulp consisting of black, thin, shining, circular disc like masses having central depression of seed on both surfaces or as broken pieces adhered with each other, when dipped in water makes yellow solution which darkness to brownish-yellow to dark brown, on keeping, pulp fills the cell but shrinks on drying and adheres to both sides of testa, seeds often lye loose in their segments, odour faint, sickly, taste, sweet.

IDENTITY, PURITY AND STRENGTH

Foreign matter Not more than 2 per cent, Appendix 2.2.2.
Total Ash Not more than 6 per cent, Appendix 2.2.3.
Acid-insoluble ash Not more than 1 per cent, Appendix 2.2.4.
Alcohol-soluble extractive Not less than 15 per cent, Appendix 2.2.6.
Water-soluble extractive Not less than 46 per cent, Appendix 2.2.7.

CONSTITUENTS – Sugar, mucilage, pectin and anthraquinone.

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Madhura, Tikta
Guna : Guru
Virya : Usna
Vipaka : Madhura
Karma : Recana

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Aragvadhadi Kvatha Curna

THERAPEUTIC USES – Sula, Gulma, Vibandha, Udavarta, Udararoga, Hrdroga, Prameha

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

Note:– The market material contains seeds, septa etc., which form the foreign Matter andshould be separated before use.

Goto Main Page

CITRAKA

Citraka consists of dried mature root of Plumbago zeylanica Linn. (Fam. Plumbaginaceae) , a large perennial sub-scandent shrub, found throughout India in wile state and occasionally cultivated in gardens.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Agni, Vahni, Jvalanakhya, Krsanu, Huasa, Dahana, Hutabhuk, Sikhi
Assamese : Agiyachit, Agnachit
Bengali : Chita
English : Lead war
Gujrati : Chitrakmula
Hindi : Chira, Chitra
Kannada : Chitramula, Vahni, Bilichitramoola
Kashmiri : Chitra, Shatranja
Malayalam : Vellakeduveli, Thumpokkoduveli
Marathi : Chitraka
Oriya : Chitamula, Chitoparu
Punjabi : Chitra
Tamil : Chitramoolam, Kodiveli
Telugu : Chitramulam
Urdu : Sheetraj Hindi, Cheetah

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Roots 30 cm or more in length, 6 mm or more in diameter as also as short stout pieces, including root stocks reddish to deep brown, scars of rootlets present, bark thin and brown, internal structure striated, odour, disagreeable, taste, acrid.

b) Microscopic

Transverse section of root shows outer most tissue of cork consisting of 5 -7 row, of cubical to rectangular dark brown cells, secondary cortex consists of 2-3 rows of thinwalled
rectangular, light brown cells, most of the cortex cells contain starch grains, secondary cortex followed by a wide zone of cortex, composed of large polygonal to tangentially elongated parenchymatous cells varying in size and shape, containing starch grains and some cells with yellow contents, fibres scattered singly or in groups of 2-6, phloem a narrow zone of polygonal, thin-walled cells, consisting of usual elements and phloem fibres, similar to cortical zone, phloem fibres usually in groups of 2-5 or more but occasionally occurring singly, lignified with pointed ends and narrow lumen, similar in shape and size to those of secondary cortex, cambium indistinct, xylem light yellow to whitish, vessels radially arranged with pitted thickenings, medullary rays straight, 1-6 seriate, cells radially elongated starch filled with starch grains, stone cells absent.

IDENTITY, PURITY AND STRENGTH

Foreign matter Not more than 3 per cent, Appendix 2.2.2.
Total Ash Not more than 3 per cent, Appendix 2.2.3.
Acid-insoluble ash Not more than 1 per cent, Appendix 2.2.4.
Alcohol-soluble extractive Not less than 12 per cent, Appendix 2.2.6.
Water-soluble extractive Not less than 12 per cent, Appendix 2.2.7.

CONSTITUENTS – Plumbagin.

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Katu
Guna : Laghu, Ruksa, Tiksna
Virya : Usna
Vipaka : Katu
Karma : Sothahara, Dipana, Grahi, Pacana, Kaphavatahara, Arsohara, Sulahara

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Citrakadi Vati, Citrakaharitaki, Citrakadi Curna

THERAPEUTIC USES – Agnimandya, Grahani Roga, Arsa, Udara Sula, Gudasotha

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

Note – Sodhana of this drug is to be done before use as described in the appendix

Goto Main Page

AMALAKI (Dried)

Amalaki consists of pericarp of dried mature fruits of Emblica officinalis Gaertn. Syn. Phyllanthus emblica Linn. (Fam. Euphorbiaceae); mostly collected in winter season after ripening and in Kashmir in summer, a small or medium sized tree, found both in natural state in mixed deciduous forests of the country ascending to 1300 m on hills; cultivated in gardens, homeyards or grown as a road side tree.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Amrtaphala, Amalaka, Dhatriphala
Assamese : Amlakhi, Amlakhu, Amlaku
Bengali : Amla, Dhatri
English : Emblic Myrobalan
Gujrati : Ambala, Amala
Hindi : Amla, Aonla
Kannada : Nellikayi, Bela nelli, pottadenollikayi
Kashmiri : Amli, Embali
Malayalam : Nellikka
Marathi : Anvala, Avalkathi
Oriya : Ainla, Anala
Punjabi : Aula, amla
Tamil : Nellikkai, nelli
Telugu : Usirika
Urdu : Amla, Amlaj

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Drug consists of curled pieces of pericarp of dried fruit occuring either as separated single segment; 1-2 cm long or united as 3 or 4 segments; bulk colour grey to black, pieces showing, a broad, highly shrivelled and wrinkled external convex surface to somewhat concave, transversely wrinkled lateral surface, external surface show s a few whitish specks, occasionally some pieces show a portion of stony testa (which should be removed before processing); texture rough, cartilaginous, tough; taste, sour and astringent.

b) Microscopic

Transverse section of fruit shows epicarp consisting of a single layered epidermis cell appearing tabular and poygonal in surface view; cuticle present; mesocarp cells tangentially elongated parenchymatous and crushed differentiated roughly into peripheral 8 or 9 layers of tangentially elongated smaller cells, rest consisting of mostly isodiametric larger cells with walls showing irregular thickenings; ramified vascular elements occasionally present; stone cells present either isolated or in small groups towards endocarp ; pitted vascular fibres, walls appearing serrated due to the pit canals, leading into lumen.

Powder: Fine powder shows epidermis with uniformly thickened straight walled isodiametric parenchyma cells with irregular thickened walls, occasionally short fibres and tracheids.

IDENTITY, PURITY AND STRENGTH

Foreign matter Not more than 3 per cent, Appendix 2.2.2.
(Including seed and seed coat)
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 40 per cent, Appendix 2.2.6.
Water-soluble extractive Not less than 50 per cent, Appendix 2.2.7.

CONSTITUENTS – Ascorbic acid and gallotannins.

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Madhura, Amla, Katu, Tikta, Kasaya
Guna : Laghu, Ruksa
Virya : Sita
Vipaka : Madhura
Karma : Caksusya, Rasayana, Tridosajit, Vrsya

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Cyavanaprasa, Dhatri Lauha, Dhatryadi Ghrta, Triphala Curna

THERAPEUTIC USES – Raktapitta, Amlapitta, Premeha, Daha

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

Goto Main Page

CANDRASURA

Candrasura consists of dried seeds of Lepidium sativum Linn. (Fam. Cruciferae) a small erect, annual herb, about 15-45 cm high, cultivated throughout India.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Candrika
Assamese : Halim
Bengali : Chand Shura, Halim
English : Common Cress
Gujrati : Aseriya, Aseliyo
Hindi : Chansur
Kannada : Allibija, Kapila
Kashmiri : Alian
Malayalam : Asali
Marathi : Ahaliva, Haliv
Oriya : Chandasara, Chandasura
Punjabi : Holan, Taratej
Tamil : Allivirai
Telugu : Adityalu, Aadalu
Urdu : Halim

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Seeds, small, oval-shaped, pointed and triangular at one end, smooth, about 2-3 mm long, 1-1.5 mm wide, reddish brown, a furrow present on both surfaces extending upto two thirds downward, a slight wing like extension present on both the edges of seed, when soaked in water seed coat swells and gets covered with a transparent, colourless mucilage, taste, mucilaginous.

b) Microscopic

Powder-Cream-yellow with a number of reddish-brown fragments of seed coats, under microscope shows pieces of seed coat, some showing red colouring matter and others with uniformly thick walls, endosperm oily.

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 0.5 per cent, Appendix 2.2.4.
Alcohol-soluble extractive Not less than 13 per cent, Appendix 2.2.6.

CONSTITUENTS – Alkaloids, essential oil, fixed oil and mucilage.

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Katu, Tikta
Guna : Laghu, Ruksa, Ùiksna
Virya : Usna
Vipaka : Katu
Karma : Balapustivivardhana, Vataslesmahrt.

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Kasturyadi (Vayu) Gutika

THERAPEUTIC USES – Atisara, Hikka, Vatarakta

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

Goto Main Page

AMALAKI(Fresh Fruit)

Amalaki consists of fresh fruit pulp of Emblica officinalis Gaertn. (Fam.Euphorbiaceae); a small or medium sized tree, found in mixed deciduous forests, ascending to 1300 m on hills and cultivated in gardens and homeyards.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Amalaka, Amrtaphala, Dhatriphala
Assamese : Amlaku, Amlakhi, Amlakhu
Bengali : Amla, Dhatri
English : Emblic Myrobalan
Gujrati : Ambala, Amala
Hindi : Amla, Aonla
Kannada : Nellikayi
Kashmiri : Embali, Amli
Malayalam : Nellikka
Marathi : Anvala, Avalkathi
Oriya : Anala, Ainla
Punjabi : Aula, Amla
Tamil : Nellikkai, Nelli
Telugu : Usirika
Urdu : Amla, Amlaj

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Fruit, globose, 2.5-3.5 cm in diameter, fleshy, smooth with six prominant lines; greenish when tender, changing to light yellowish or pinkish colour when mature, with a few dark specks: taste, sour and astringent followed by delicately sweet taste.

b) Microscopic

Transverse section of mature fruit shows an epicarp consisting of single layer of epidermis and 2-4 layers of hypodermis; epidermal cell, tabular In shape, covered externally with a thick cuticle and appear in surface view as polygonal; hypodermal cells tangentially elongated, thick-walled, smaller in dimension than epidermal cells; mesocarp forms bulk of fruit, consisting of thin-walled parenchymatous cells with intercellular spaces, peripheral 6-9 layers smaller, ovoid or tangentially elongated while rest of cells larger in size, isodiametric
and radially elongated; several collateral fibrovascular bundles scattered throughout mesocarp consisting of xylem and phloem; xylem composed of tracheal elements, fibre tracheids and xylem fibres; tracheal elements show reticulate scalariform and spiral thickenings; xylem fibres elongated with narrow lumen and pointed end; mesocarp contains
large aggregates of numerous irregular silica crystals.

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 40 per cent, Appendix 2.2.6.
(On dried basis)
Water-soluble extractive Not less than 50 per cent, Appendix 2.2.7.
Moisture content Not less than 80 per cent, Appendix 2.2.9

CONSTITUENTS – Ascorbic acid and tannins.

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Madhura, Amla, Katu, Tikta, Kasaya
Guna : Laghu, Ruksa
Virya : Sita
Vipaka : Madhura
Karma : Tridosajit, Vrsya, Rasayana, Caksusya

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Cyavanaprasa.

THERAPEUTIC USES – Raktapitta; Amlapitta; Prameha; Daha

DOSE – 10-20 g of the drug.
5-10 ml of fresh juice.

Goto Main Page

BILVA

Bilva consists of pulp of entire, unripe or half ripe fruits of Aegle marmelos Carr. (Fam. Rutaceae), a tree, attaining a height of 12 m growing wild and also cultivated throughout the country, rind of fruit is removed and pulp is bruised and dried.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Sriphala
Assamese : Bael, Vael
Bengali : Bela, Bilva
English : Bengal Quince, Bael fruit
Gujrati : Bill, Bilum, Bilvaphal
Hindi : Bela, Sriphal, Bel
Kannada : Bilva
Kashmiri : Bel
Malayalam : Koovalam
Marathi : Bel, Baela
Oriya : Bela
Punjabi : Bil
Tamil : Vilvam
Telugu : Maredu
Urdu : Bel

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Fruit, sub-globose, 5-18 cm in diameter, externally greenish when young, yellowish-brown when ripe, rind about 1.5 mm-3 mm thick, hard and woody, surface smooth or slightly granular bearing a circular scar at the point of attachment with peduncle, carpels, 10-15, central, each containing several hairy seeds embedded in yellowishbrown, extremely sticky mucilage, seeds oblong, flat, woody, and having white hair, fresh pulp of ripe fruit, brown, of sticky shreads, dried pulp hard and pale to dark red in colour, frequently breaks away from the rind during drying, leaving a thin layer attached to it, odour, faintly aromatic, taste, mucilaginous and slightly astringent.

IDENTITY, PURITY AND STRENGTH

Total Ash Not more than 4 per cent, Appendix 2.2.3.
Acid-insoluble ash Not more than 1 per cent, Appendix 2.2.4.
Alcohol-soluble extractive Not less than 6 per cent, Appendix 2.2.6.
Water-soluble extractive Not less than 50 per cent, Appendix 2.2.7.

CONSTITUENTS – Marmalosin, tannins, mucilage, fatty oil and sugar.

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Katu, Tikta, Kasaya
Guna : Laghu, Ruksa
Virya : Usna
Vipaka : Katu
Karma : Balya, Dipana, Grahi, Pacana, Pittakrt, Vatakaphahara

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Bilvadi Leha, Brhatgangadhara Curna

THERAPEUTIC USES – Pravahika, Agnimandya, Grahaniroga

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

Goto Main Page

AJAMODA

Ajamoda consists of dried, aromatic fruits of Apium leptophyllum (Pers.) F. V. M. ex Benth. (Fam. Umbelliferae); an annual herb cultivated in Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka; collected by thrashing plants on a mat and dried in shade or in drying sheds.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Dipyaka
Assamese : Bonjamani, Bonajain, Yamani, Ajowan
Bengali : Randhuni, Banyamani
English : —
Gujrati : Bodi Ajamo, Ajamo
Hindi : Ajmuda, Ajmod
Kannada : Oma, Ajavana, Omakki
Kashmiri : Fakhazur, Banjuan
Malayalam : Ayamodakum, Omam
Marathi : Ajmoda, Oova
Oriya : Banajuani
Punjabi : Valjawain, Ajmod
Tamil : Omam
Telugu : Naranji vamu
Urdu : Ajmod

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Drug consists of small, ovoid fruit; bulk colour yellowish brown, mainly occur as entire cremocarps with pedicel attached or detached and bifid stylopod, free ends curved sometimes occurs as separate mericarps; cremocarps glabrous, ovoid to conical, about 1.5-3.0 mm long and 1.2-2.8 mm wide, yellow to yellowish green; separated mericarps broadly ovoid, more or less curved, dorsal surface convex with five equally distinct, longitudinal primary ridges; at the summit curved stylopodiurn, commissural surface flat, showing darker and light coloured longitudinal bands, former representing the position of vittae and vascular bundles ; odour; aromatic; taste, slightly bitter giving a sensation of warmth to tongue.

b) Microscopic

Transverse section of fruit shows mericarps with four large vittae on dorsal surface, two on commissural surface and four primary ridges on dorsal surface; 3-5 secondary oil canals present under each primary ridge and also between ridges; carpophore present on commissural surface; epicarp cells with thin striated cuticle, outer walls drawn into papillae; stomata, anomocytic type upto 35 μ in diameter; mesocarp consists of polygonal paranchyma,: with thickened and lignified cells, measuring 30-62-95μ. in diameter with oval to round pits; collateral vascular bundles lie beneath epicarp; tracheids 25-203-388 μ in length with spiral, scalariform or reticulate thickenings; xylem parenchyma lignified, elongated with elliptical pits, measuring 52-118-176 by 13-30-44 μ large secondary vittac towards endosperm measure upto 123μ in width and towards periphery the smallest vittae measuring 184μ in diameter.

Powder-Shows moderately thick-walled cell of epicarp exhibiting characteristic striations and occasional presence of stoma, fragments of trichomes and glandular hairs, reticulate parenchymatous cells of mesocarp, fragments of yellowish-brown vittae; fragments of endosperm thick-walled polygonal cells containing aleurone grain and micro rosette crystals of calcium oxalate.

IDENTITY, PURITY AND STRENGTH

Foreign matter (Including fStalk) Not more than 5 per cent, Appendix 2.2.2.
Total Ash Not more than 14 per cent, Appendix 2.2.3.
Acid-insoluble ash Not more than 14 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 3 per cent, Appendix 2.2.7.
Volatile oil Not less than 2 per cent v/w, Appendix 2.2.10

CONSTITUENTS – Essential oil and fixed oil.

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Katu, Tikta
Guna : Laghu, Ruksa
Virya : Usna
Vipaka : Katu
Karma : Dipana, Vidahi, Kaphavatajit, Rucikrt, Krmijit, Sulaghna

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Ajamodarka, Ajamodadi Curna.

THERAPEUTIC USES – Gulma, Aruci, Adhmana, Hikka, Chardi Krmi Roga, Sula

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

Note: Trachyspermum roxburghianum (DC) Sprague Syn. Carum roxburghianum Benth. Hook.f. is the common market substitute.

Goto Main Page

BIBHITAKA

Bibhitaka consists of pericarp of dried ripe fruits of Terntinalia belerica Roxb. (Fam. Combretaceae), a large deciduous tree, 10-12 m or more high, commonly found in plain and forests upto 900 m elevation, fruits ripen towards November.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Vibhita, Aksa, Aksaka
Assamese : Bhomora, Bhomra, Bhaira
Bengali : Bayada, Baheda
English : Beleric Myrobalan
Gujrati : Bahedan
Hindi : Bahera
Kannada : Tare kai, Shanti Kayi
Kashmiri : Babelo, Balali
Malayalam : Tannikka
Marathi : Baheda
Oriya : Baheda
Punjabi : Bahera
Tamil : Thanrikkai
Telugu : Thanikkaya
Urdu : Bahera

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Fruit nearly spherical to ovoid, 2.5-4.0 cm in diameter, fresh ripe fruits slightly silvery or with whitish shiny pubescent surface, mature fruits grey or grayish brown with slightly wrinkled appearance, rind of fruit shows variation in thickness from 3-5 mm, taste, astringent.

b) Microscopic

Transverse section of fruit shows an outer epicarp consisting of a layer of epidermis, most of epidermal cells elongate to form hair like protuberance with swollen base, composed of a zone of parenchymatous cells, slightly tangentially elongated and irregularly arranged, intermingled with stone cells of varying shape and size, elongated stone cells found towards periphery and spherical in the inner zone of mesocarp in groups of 3-10, mesocarp traversed in various directions by numerous vascular strands, bundles collateral, endarch, simple starch grains and some stone cells found in most of mesocarp cells, few peripheral layers devoid of starch grains, rosettes of calcium oxalate and stone cells present in parenchymatous cells, endosperm composed of stone cells running longitudinally as well as transversely.

IDENTITY, PURITY AND STRENGTH

Foreign matter Not more than 2 per cent, Appendix 2.2.2.
Total Ash Not more than 7 per cent, Appendix 2.2.3.
Acid-insoluble ash Not more than 1 per cent, Appendix 2.2.4.
Alcohol-soluble extractive Not less than 8 per cent, Appendix 2.2.6.
Water-soluble extractive Not less than 35 per cent, Appendix 2.2.7.

CONSTITUENTS – Gallic acid, tannic acid and glycosides.

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Kasaya
Guna : Laghu, Ruksa
Virya : Usna
Vipaka : Madhura
Karma : Caksusya, Kesya, Kaphapittajit, Bhedaka, Krminasana, Kasahara

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Triphala Curna, Triphaladi Taila, Lavanagadi Vati

THERAPEUTIC USES – Chardi, Kasa, Krmiroga, Vibandha, Svarabheda, Netraroga

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

Goto Main Page

BAKUCI

Bakuci consists of dry ripe fruits of Psoralea corylifolia Linn. (Fam. Leguminosae), an erect, 0.3-1.8 m high annual herb, distributed throughout India, found commonly in Uttar Pradesh, Bengal and Maharashtra.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Avalguja, Somaraji
Assamese : Habucha
Bengali : Bakuchi, Somraji, Hakucha Veeja
English : —
Gujrati : Bavachi
Hindi : Babchi, Bavachi, Bakuchi
Kannada : Bauchige, Bhavantibeeja, Bhavanchigid, Baukuchi
Kashmiri : Babchi
Malayalam : Karkokil
Marathi : Bawchi
Oriya : Bakuchi
Punjabi : Babchi, Bavchi
Tamil : Karpokarisi, Karpogalarisi, Karbogalarisi
Telugu : Bavanchalu
Urdu : Babchi

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Fruits, dark chocolate to almost black with pericarp adhering to the seed-coat, 3-4.5 mm long, 2-3 mm broad, ovoid-oblong or bean shaped, some what compressed, glabrous rounded or mucronate, closely pitted, seeds campylotropous, nonendospermous, oily and free from starch, odourless, but when chewed smell of a pungent essential oil felt, taste, bitter, unpleasant and acrid.

b) Microscopic

Transverse section of fruit shows periocarp witb prominent ridges and depressions, consisting of collapsed parenchyma and large secretory glands containing oleo-resinous matter testa, an outer layer of palisade epidermis, layer of bearer cells which are much thickened in the inner tangential and basal radial walls and 2-3 layers of parenchyma, cotyledons of polyhedral parenchyma and three layers of palisade cells on the adaxial side.

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

CONSTITUENTS – Essential oil, fixed oil, Psoralen , psoralidin, isopsoralen and bakuchiol.

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Katu, Tikta
Guna : Ruksa
Virya : Sita
Vipaka : Katu
Karma : Grahi, Slesmasrapittanut, Vranapaha, Hrdya.

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Somaraji Taila, Avalgujadi Lepa

THERAPEUTIC USES – Jvara, Krmiroga, Kustha, Meha, Svitra

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

Goto Main Page

BABBULA

Babbula consists of dried mature stem bark of Acacia nilotica (Linn.) Willd. ex. Del. sp. indica (Benth.) Brenan, Syn. Acacia arabica Willd. (Fam. Leguminosae) , a moderate sized, spiny, evergreen tree found throughout India.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Bavari, Kinkirata
Assamese : Babala
Bengali : Babla
English : Babula tree, Indian gum arabic tree
Gujrati : Baval, Kaloabaval
Hindi : Babula, Babura, Kikar
Kannada : Sharmeeruka, Kari Jail, Kari gobli, Pulai Jali
Kashmiri : Sak
Malayalam : Velutha Karuvelan
Marathi : Babhul, Babhula
Oriya : Babula, Babala
Punjabi : Kikkar
Tamil : Karuvelan, Karuvel
Telugu : Nallatumma, Thumma
Urdu : —

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Bark hard, dark brown or black, deeply fissured transversely and longitudinally, inner surface, reddish brown, longitudinally striated and fibrous, breaks with difficulty and exhibits a fibrous fracture, taste, astringent.

b) Microscopic

Transverse section of mature bark shows, 15-25 layered, thin-walled, slightly flattened mostly rectangular, brown coloured cork cells, a few lenticels formed by rupturing of cork cells, secondary cortical cells ovate to elongated, many tanniferous stone cel1s, variable in shape and size present in large groups, secondary phloem consists of sieve tubes, companion cells, fibres, crystal fibres and phloem parenchyma phloem fibres in many groups and thick-walled, phloem tissues filled with reddish or brown contents present, crystal fibres thick-walled, elongated, divided by transverse septa into segments, each contain a prismatic crystal of calcium oxalate, medullary rays uni to-multi- seriate run almost straight, ray cells elongated to polygonal, 20-24 cells high and 2-5 cells wide, crystals of calcium oxalate found scattered amongst the stone cell”cel1s of secondary cortex and phloem parenchyma.

Powder-Powder as such reddish brown coloured, under microscope many prismatic crystals of calcium oxalate, stone cells, both with narrow and wide lumen and striations and crystal fibres seen.

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 2 per cent, Appendix 2.2.4.
Alcohol-soluble extractive Not less than 6 per cent, Appendix 2.2.6.
Water-soluble extractive Not less than 4 per cent, Appendix 2.2.7.

CONSTITUENTS – Tannins and gum.

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Kasaya
Guna : Guru, Ruksa, Vasada
Virya : Sita
Vipaka : Katu
Karma : Grahi, Kaphahara, Visaghna.

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Mrtasaμjivani Sura, Babbularista

THERAPEUTIC USES – Kasa, Krmiroga, Kustha, Atisara

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

Goto Main Page

ATIVISA

Ativisa consists of dried, tuberous roots of Aconitum heterophyllum Wall. ex. Royle (Fam, Ranunculaceae), a perennial herb, native of western Himalayas and found in Garhwal, Kumaon and Kashmir at altitude between 2,500-4,000 m.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Aruna, Ghunapriya, Visa.
Assamese : Aatich
Bengali : Ataicha
English : Atis Root
Gujrati : Ativishni Kali, Ativikhani Kali
Hindi : Atis
Kannada : Ativisha, Athihage
Kashmiri : Kath
Malayalam : Atividayam, Ativitayam
Marathi : Ativisha
Oriya : Atushi
Punjabi : Atisa, Atees
Tamil : Atividayam
Telugu : Ativasa
Urdu : Atees

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Roots, ovoid-conical, tapering downwards to a print, 2.0-7.5 cm long, 0.4-1.6 cm or more thick at its upper extremity, gradually decreasing in thickness towards tapering end, externally light ash-grey, white or grey-brown, while internally starch white, external surface wrinkled marked with scars of fallen rootlet and with a rosette of scaly rudimentary leaves on top: fracture, short, starchy, showing uniform white surface, marked towards centre by 4-7 concentrically arranged yellowish-brown dots, corresponding to end of fibrovascular bundles traversing root longitudinally taste, bitter with no tingling sensation.

b) Microscopic

Transverse section of mature root shows, single layered epidermis consisting of light brown tabular cells rupturing on formation of cork, cork consists of 5-10 rows of tangentially elongated, thin-walled cells, cork cambium single layered consisting of tangentially elongated, thin-walled cells, cortex much wider consisting of tangentially elongated or rounded, thin-walled parenchymatous cells with intercellular spaces, cells fully packed with both simple as well as compound starch grains, compound starch gains composed of 2-4 components of spherical body, endodermis distinct composed of barrelshaped cells, elements of vascular bundles poorly developed, vascular bundles, arranged in a ring, inter-fascicular cambium present in form of a ring composed of few layered thin-walled cells, central core consisting of thin-walled parenchymatous cells, possessing starch grains similar to those found in cortical cells. Powder- Ash coloured to light brown, under microscope shows abundant simple and compound starch grains and parenchymatous cells.

IDENTITY, PURITY AND STRENGTH

Foreign matter Not more than 2 per cent, Appendix 2.2.2.
Total Ash Not more than 4 per cent, Appendix 2.2.3.
Acid-insoluble ash Not more than 1 per cent, Appendix 2.2.4.
Alcohol-soluble extractive Not less than 6 per cent, Appendix 2.2.6.
Water-soluble extractive Not less than 24 per cent, Appendix 2.2.7.

CONSTITUENTS – Alkaloids (atisine, dihydroatisine, hetisined and heteratisine).

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Katu, Tikta
Guna : Laghu, Ruksa
Virya : Usna
Vipaka : Katu
Karma : Dipana, Pacana, Sangrahika, Kaphapittahara.

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Mahavisagarbha Taila, Rodhrasava, Siva Guika, Lakasminarayana Rasa, Rasnairandadi Kvatha Curna, Sudarsana Curna, Paμcatikta Guggulu Ghrta, Bala Chaturbhadrika Curna

THERAPEUTIC USES – Krmiroga, Jvara, Kasa, Chardi, Amatisara

DOSE – 0.6-2.0 g of the drug in powder form.

Goto Main Page

ATIBALA

Atibala consists of root of Abutilon indicum (Linn.) Sweet (Fam. Malvaceae), a hairy herb or under-shrub 1.0-1.5 m high, annual or more often perennial with golden yellow flowers, flowering mostly throughout the year found abundantly throughout the hotter parts of India, as a common weed on road sides and other waste places in plains and hills, upto an elevation of 600 m.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Kankatika, Rsyaprokta
Assamese : Jayavandha, Jayapateri
Bengali : Badela
English : Indian Mallow
Gujrati : Kansaki, Khapat
Hindi : Kanghi
Kannada : Shrimudrigida, Mudragida, Turube
Kashmiri : Kath
Malayalam : Uram, Katuvan, Urubam, Urabam, Vankuruntott, Oorpam, Tutti
Marathi : Chakrabhendi, Petari, Mudra
Oriya : Pedipidika
Punjabi : Kangi, Kangibooti
Tamil : Tutti, Thuthi
Telugu : Tutturubenda
Urdu : —

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Tap roots, fairly long with a number of lateral branches, 1.5-2 cm in diameter, light brown, outer surface smooth with dot like lenticels, bark thin and can be easily peeled off, odour, feeble, taste, astringent and bitter.

b) Microscopic

Transverse section of root shows a thin cork of 4-7 or more tangentially elongated rectangular cells, cork cambium, single layered, and at the lenticel regions followed by 2-3 layers of secondary cortex of thin-walled, almost cubical or rectangular cells, containing small clusters of calcium oxalate in most of cells, phellogen followed by 3-4 layers of thin-walled cells of cortex, some cells of cortex which are above the conical strands of bast, crushed, small starch grains, 6-9 μ in diameter, present in some of the cells , phloem forms the major portions of bark and present as conical strands with their bases towards the wood and with dilate distal ends of the primary medullary ray in between them, fibres, present in groups of 10-12 in these conical strands, in tangential rows, alternating with thin-walled phloem elements, towards wood fibre groups, element in between the fibres mostly consists of phloem parenchyma, Some cells contain cluster crystals of calcium oxalate and a few others have starch grains, some phloem cells towards periphery appear compressed and crushed, inner to phloem, a cambium present, consisting of 1-2 rows of narrow, thin-walled rectangular cells, wood composed of vessels, wood fibres, wood parenchyma and medullary rays vessels vary in diameter and arranged in radial groups of 2-4, also occur in singles, some cells show tyloses formation, parenchyma thick-walled and slightly wider than fibre cells, but less thickened, single or rarely compound starch grains present, tetrarch bundle or primary xylem present at the centre of wood, medullary rays uni or biseriate widen much towards distal ends, most of the ray cells contain starch grains and some contain cluster of calcium oxalate, starch grains present in wood larger than those of bark region, a few ray cells at centre of the root contain rhomboidal crystals.

IDENTITY, PURITY AND STRENGTH

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

CONSTITUENTS – Asparagin.

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Madhura
Guna : Snigdha
Virya : Sita
Vipaka : Madhura
Karma : Balya, Vatahara, Vrsya, Grahi

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Bala Taila, Narayana Taila, Mahanarayana Taila

THERAPEUTIC USES – Raktapitta, Vatarakta, Meha

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

Goto Main Page

ATASI

Atasi consists of dried, ripe seeds of Linum usitatissimum Linn. (Fam. Linaceae), an erect annual herb, 0.6-1.2 m high, extensively cultivated throughout the plains of India upto an altitude of 800 m, capsule ripen by end of June, dried seeds separated from capsule by thrashing.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Uma, Ksuma
Assamese : Tisi, Tusi
Bengali : Masina, Atasi
English : Linseed
Gujrati : Alshi, Arasi
Hindi : Alsi
Kannada : Agasebeeja, Semeagare, Agasi
Kashmiri : Alsi
Malayalam : Agastha, Agasi, Cheru charm
Marathi : Atshi
Oriya : Atushi
Punjabi : Ali
Tamil : Ali, Virai
Telugu : Avisa
Urdu : Alsi, Katan

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Seed small, brown, glossy with minutely pitted surface, about 4-6 mm long and 2-2.5 mm in maximum width, elongated-ovoid, flattened, rounded at one end and obliquely pointed at the other, near which on one edge, a light depression enclosing hilum and micropyle, embryo consisting of two yellowish-white, flattened planoconvex cotyledons and a radicle, nearly fills the seed and completely surrounded by a thin, whitish endosperm, both endosperm and embryo oily, testa mucilaginous when soaked in water, odour, characteristic, taste, oily when chewed.

b) Microscopic

Transverse section of seed shows testa consists of isodiametric cells with mucilaginous outer walls, collenchymatous cells of middle layer of seed coat cylindrical, single layered, yellowish brown, longitudinally elongated, about 120-190μ long and 14-17 μ wide, thick, lignified and with pitted walls, single layer of flattened polygonal pigment cells with reddish-brown contents, aleurone grains in the cotyledons, upto 20 μ in diameter, each with globoid and crystalloid, abundant globule of fixed oil and occasional starch grains present.

IDENTITY, PURITY AND STRENGTH

Foreign matter Not more than 1 per cent, Appendix 2.2.2.
Total Ash Not more than 5 per cent, Appendix 2.2.3.
Acid-insoluble ash Not more than 2 per cent, Appendix 2.2.4.
Alcohol-soluble extractive Not less than 30 per cent, Appendix 2.2.6.
Water-soluble extractive Not less than 15 per cent, Appendix 2.2.7.
Fixed oil Not less than 25 per cent, Appendix 2.2.8

CONSTITUENTS – Fixed oil, mucilage and protein.

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Madhura, Tikta
Guna : Guru, Snigdha
Virya : Usna
Vipaka : Katu
Karma : Vataghna, Acaksusya

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Sarsapadi Taila

THERAPEUTIC USES – Krmiroga, Kustha, Prameha, Siroroga

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

Goto Main Page

AJAGANDHA

Ajagandha consists of the seeds of Cleome gynandra Linn. Syn. Gynandropsis gynandra (Linn.) Briquet (Fam. Capparidaceae); a strong smelling, somewhat foetid herb, 0.6 – 1 m high, found abundantly throughout warmer parts of India.

SYNONYMS

Sanskrit : Pasugandha
Assamese : Bhutmulla
Bengali : Hurhuria, Shulte
English : Dog Mustard
Gujrati : Talvani, Dhelitalavan
Hindi : Hulhul, Hurhur, Kavalia
Kannada : Naram bele Soppu, Nayeetulasi
Kashmiri : Gandi Buti
Malayalam : Atunari vela
Marathi : Tilvan, Bhatvan, Mabli, Tilavana, Tilvant
Oriya : Anasorisia, anasorisa
Punjabi : Bugra
Tamil : Nal valai, Nal velai
Telugu : Vaminta, Vayinta
Urdu : —

DESCRIPTION

a) Macroscopic

Seeds, small, 1-2 mm in diameter, kidney shaped, surface rough, dark brown or black.

b) Microscopic

Dark brown, oily; under microscope shows a number of fragments of epidermis of testa consisting of thin-walled, polygonal cells; groups of cells, resembling like stone cells, reddish-brown with non-lignified walls; a large number of oval, rounded or irregularly shaped protein bodies; starch and crystals absent.

IDENTITY, PURITY AND STRENGTH

Foreign matter Not more than 2 per cent, Appendix 2.2.2.
Total Ash Not more than 7 per cent, Appendix 2.2.3.
Acid-insoluble ash Not more than 0.4 per cent, Appendix 2.2.4.
Alcohol-soluble extractive Not less than 16 per cent, Appendix 2.2.6.
Water-soluble extractive Not less than 7 per cent, Appendix 2.2.7.

CONSTITUENTS  – Fixed oil, essential oil and oleoresin.

PROPERTIES AND ACTION

Rasa : Katu
Guna : Laghu, Ruksa
Virya : Sita
Vipaka : Katu
Karma : Sulaghni, Dipana, Hrdya, Pittala, Vatahara

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Narayana Curna

THERAPEUTIC USES – Gulma, Ashtila, Krmiroga, Kandu, Karnaroga.

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

Goto Main Page