AYURVEDIC DRUGS

Avipattikar Churna - Wonder Ayurvedic Formulation Series

2014-01-02T01:57:00.001-08:00

It is an Ayurvedic Powder formulation used for Hyperacidity and Heart Burn.It gives relief from sour and bitter eructions, nausea & constipation.

FORMULATION :

Name	Latin Name	Part	Proportion
Shunthi	Zingiber officinale	Root	1 part
Haritakı	Terminalia chebula	Fruit Pulp	1 part
Pippalı	Piper longum	Fruit	1 part
Bibhitakı	Terminalia belerica	Fruit pulp	1 part
Amalakı	Emblica officinalis	Fruit Pulp	1 part
Maricha	Piper nigrum	Fruit	1 part
Nagarmotha/Musta	Cyperus rotundus	Rhizome	1 part
Bida(Salt)	Sodii chloridum		1 part
Vidanga	Embelia ribes	Fruit	1 part
Ela	Elettaria cardamomum	Seed	1 part
Talishpatra/Tamalpatra	Cinnamomum tamala	Dried Leaves	1 part
Lavanga	Syzygium aromaticum	Dried Flower Bud	1 part
Nishoth/Trivrut	Operculina turpethum	Root	44 part
Sharkara	Saccharum officinalis		66 part

INDICATIONS :

Gastritis (Due to its pittasanana property)
Indigestion, Anorexia (Due to its dipana and pachana property)
Abdominal Pain
Flatulence (Due to its vataanulomana property)
Nausea,Hiccup, Bleaching, Vomiting (due to its vataanulomana property)
Constipation (Due to its virechana/mild laxative property)
Hepatic disorders
Alcoholism
Beside the above indication, it can be used in many other disorders along with the combination with other rasaushadh(herbo-mineral preparation)

Flatulence

DOSAGE :3-6 gram twice a day with luke warm water or milk or coconut water.

PRECAUTION :

It should be taken under supervision of ayurveda physician.
Pregnant women should be careful to use this.
As, it contains sugar diabetes patient shouldnot use it.
Preparation with abnormal odour, colour and morphology shouldnot be used as they may be contaminated by fungus and yeast.

Triphala Wonder Formulation Series

2013-12-30T21:58:00.001-08:00

Triphala is an ayurvedic herbals formulation which consisting of equal parts of three myrobalans, taken without seeds.

Haritaki - Harad - Terminalia chebula - Yellow Myrobalan or Chebulic Myrobalan - हरीतकी

Bibhitaki - Baheda - Terminalia belerica - Beleric or bastard myrobalan - विभितक

Amalaki - Amla - Emblica officinalis (syn. Phyllanthus emblica). Indian gooseberry - आमला

MEDICINAL USE :

In traditional Ayurvedic medicine, Triphala is used for:

gastrointestinal tract cleansing
improvement of digestion
relief of gas
immune system stimulation
relief of constipation
treatment of diabetes
treatment of eye disease

RASAYAN AND TRIPHALA :

ACTIVE CONSTIUENTS :

Gallic acid
Chebulagic acid
Chebulinic acid

ORGANIC TRIPHALA :

NATURAL COLON CLEANSER :

REFERENCES :

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triphala

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amalaki

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beleric

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haritaki

http://www.triphalapowderbenefits.com/

Banafsha

2011-03-31T22:10:00.001-07:00

Synonyms : Sweet violet
Biological Source : It consists of dried aerial parts from Viola odorata Linn., belonging to family Violaceae.
Geographical Source : Sweet violet is indigenous to India and found in Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh (Chamba) and Kumaon hills.
The drug benafsha in the market is avilable in different forms, which constitute various aerial parts of plant.
1. Kashmiri banafsha - Aerial parts like stems, leaves and flowers.
2. Gul-i-benfsha - Only dried flowers.
3. Berg benafsha - Aerial parts without flowers.
Chemical Constituents : The leaves are found to contain an essential oil, alkaloid and a colouring matter. It has a very agreeable flavour and is used for high grade perfumes. Th root stocks contain saponins, a glycoside of methyl salicylate responsible for expoctorant property, an essential oil and alkaloid odoratine. Flowers contain a substance known as violine, volatile oil, rutin and cyanin. It contains 0.1% concentrate responsible for highly pleasant odour of the drug.
Uses : The herb is used as expectorant, diaphoretic and antipyretic. The herb shows antibacterial and antifungal activities, and hence used in the treatment of eczema. It is used in the form of sarbat. The flowers are emollient, demulcent and are said to relieve pain due to cancerous frowth. The leaves in large doses and seeds are cathartic. Violin is an emetic.

Bimbi

2011-03-31T21:40:00.001-07:00

Botanical name : Coccinia grandis (Linn.) Voigt
Family : Cucurbitaceae.
Sanskrit Synonyms :Bimbi, Bimbika
Ayurvedic Properties :
Rasa : Kashaya, Madhura, Tikta
Guna : Guru
Virya : Seeta
Distribution: Throughout India cultivated as well as growing wild.
Plant Description :
A perennial tendril climber leaves deltoid or sub rotund, palmately lobed; flowers white and unisexual; fruits ovoid or oblong berries, bright scarlet red when ripe. Seeds ovoid, compressed and grey colored.
Medicinal Properties :
Plant pacifies vitiated kapha, pitta, constipation, burning sensation, leucorrhea, skin disease, fever, asthma, cough and jaundice.
Part Used : Root, Fruit, Leaves.

Gandhpuro Tail_Gaultheria Oil

2011-03-31T21:33:00.001-07:00

Synonyms : Betula oil, Sweet birch oil, Oil of Wintergreen, Tea berry oil.

Biological Source : Gaultheria oil is obtined by distillation from the leaves of the Gaultheria procumbens Linn., family Ericaceae.

Geographical Source : The plant is found throughout the Eastern United States of America and Canada.

Cultivation and Processing : Gaultheria is a shrub like perennial with slender creeping subterranean stems and branches. It is an evergreen plant of 5 to 15 cm height, with white axillary flowers, and bright red globular aromatic berries.

The oil is also obtained from the birch bark i.e. the bark of the plant Betula lenta Linn., family Betulaceae.

In India, it is obtained from the leaves of Gaultheria fragratissima Wall, family Ericaceae found growing in Khasia hills, Western ghats, Nilgiris and near Travancore at an altitude of 1600 meters.

Description :
Colour : colourless or pale yellow liquid.
Odour : characteristic, aromatic and strong.
Taste : sweet, aromatic, pungent.
Solubility : slightly soluble in water, soluble in six parts of 70% alcohol.

Standards :
Specific gravity : 1.180-1.187
Optical rotation : 0 to -1'
Refractive Index : 1.537 - 1.539
Ester content : Not less than 98.0% w/v, calculated as methyl salicylate.

Chemical Constituents :
The drug yields about 1.5% of oil.
The oil contains more tha 98% of methyl selicylate, formed by the hydrolysis of glycoside in presence of water by the natuarlly occurring enzyme gaultherase. Additionally, the oil also contains an ester that splits into ethanolic alcohol and an acid.

Ethanolic alcohol (n-heptyl alcohol) and its ester show characteristic odour due to which natural gaultheria oil can be distinguished from synthetic methyl salicylate.

Chemical Tests

(1) To 5 ml oil, add 5.0% solution of vanillin in 90% alcohol, 2 ml alcohol and shake. A blood red colour is produced.
(2) Gaultheria oil is obtained from betula bark or from synthetic source are optically inactive, while natural oil is slightly laevo rotatory.

Uses :

It is used as a counter-irritant and in the treatment of rhuematism. It is used as very effective vermicide against hook worms.
Gaultheria oil can be used internally also.
It is employed as a flavouring agent for candies and also in perfumery.
It should be stored in well closed containers away from light and cool place.

Storage :
Keep in well closed, well filled containers.

Kokilaksha

2011-03-15T08:14:00.001-07:00

Botanical Source : Seeds and whole plant of Astercantha longifolia synonym Hygrophilia auriculate.
Family : Acanthaceae.

Sanskrit Synonyms :

The Sanskrit word 'kokilaksa' literally means an eye of the cuckoo. The flowers of this plant resemble in the color of cuckoo’s eyes, hence the name.
It has several synonyms in Ayurvedic texts like iksura, srngali, vajrakantaka, picchila, vajra, kokila etc.

Classification : Shukra sodhaka (that purifies seminal fluids)- Charak Samhita.

Botanical Description :

Kokilaksa grows throughout India, in plains, especially in marshy places.
It is an erect, annual, growing 1-1.5 meters in height. The stems are sub quadrangular and numerous.
The leaves are in verticals of 6 at a node, two very large, 10-15 cm in length and 1-2 cm in breadth, bearing 3 straight, sharp yellow spines in each axil. They are lanceolate, tapering at both ends.
The flowers are bluish purple in color in axils of leaves, amidst spines.
The fruits, oblong compressed capsules, with 4-8 seeds inside.
The seeds are slimy to taste.
The plant flowers during October to December. White flowered variety of kokilaksa is found rarely.

Chemical Composition :

The whole plantcontains lupeol, stigmasterol, an isoflavone glycoside, an alkaloid and small quantities of uncharacterized bases. From the seeds isolation of asterol I, II, III, and IV, asteracanthine and asteracanthicine have been reported. Also, amino acids histidine, lysine and phenyl-alanine have been detected in the seeds.
The fresh flowers contain apigenin – 7 – 0 – glucoside. From the plant collected from Saharanpur, lupeol, betulin and stigmasterol isolated; betulin was found to be absent in aerial parts and stigmasterol in roots.

Ayurvedic Properties :

Kokilaksa is sweet and bitter in taste, sweet in the post digestive effect and has cold potency.
It possesses oily and slimy attributes.
It alleviates vata and pitta doshas and aggravates the kapha doshas.
It is aphrodisiac and helps to prevent premature ejaculation. It is used in the diseases like urinary stones, rheumatoid arthritis, edema, thirst and gout.

Medicinal Uses :

Externally, the warmed paste of kokilaksa, dhupa and guggulu is applied on swollen painful joints.
Internally, the plant is used in vast range of diseases. In vata diseases like nervine debility, gout and rheumatoid arthritis, the seeds are used with great benefit.
The seeds are keen stimulant to male genital system and are beneficial for the treatment of sexual debility, premature ejaculation, erectile failure and oligospermia.
To prevent nocturnal emissions, the seeds of Kokilaksa and Lajjalu (Mimosa pudica) along with shatavari (Aparagus racemosus) and Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) roots, powdered together, are given along with milk, sugar and cardamom.
The seeds bestow excellent results in urinary ailments like dysuria, urinary calculi and cystitis.
In anasarca, generalized as swelling all over the body, the decoction of roots or panchanga ksara works well, when given along with cow’s urine.
The leaves help to promote bile secretions and stimulate liver, hence, benevolent in hepatitis and liver diseases. The ksara is the best panacea for ascites and urinary stones.
The whole plant juice reduces the burning sensation and quenches the thirst.

Part Used :

The seeds, roots, ksara and the whole plant are used for medicinal purpose.

Classical Formulations :

Poustik Churna
Kokilaksha Kshar

INGUDI

2010-12-14T06:50:00.001-08:00

Ayurvedic Classification

Charak Samhita: Phala Varga.
Sushruta Sanhita: Taila Varga, Sirovirechan, Sleshma sanshamana varga, vaman varga.

SYNONYMS

Kantaki vriksha, Kantak, Tiktak, Taila phala, Taila beej, Deergha kanta, Putrajivaka (fruit), Visha kanta, Puti gandha, Puti kantak, Puti patra, Korak vruksha, Jyotismati, Mahirudra

Vernacular names

Hindi – hingot, hingan, inguja.
Bengali – hingon.
Marathi – hingan.
Gujarati – Ingorio.
Kannada – ingalgida.
Telagu – gara, gari.
Tamil – nanjunda.
English – Delil.

BOTANICAL ASPECT

Balanites agialida. Balanites roxburghii Planch. (Fam. Zygophyllaceae.)—The fruit of this plant is used medicinally in India. It contains a principle closely resembling saponin. The ripe seed yield about 50 per cent. of a fixed oil, which is used for burning.The unripe fruit is anthelmintic and purgative.

Multibranched, spiny shrub or tree up to 10 m tall. Crown spherical, in one or several distinct masses. Trunk short and often branching from near the base. Bark dark brown to grey, deeply fissured. Branches armed with stout yellow or green thorns up to 8 cm long. Leaves with two separate leaflets; leaflets obovate, asymmetric, 2.5-6 cm long, bright green, leathery, with fine hairs when young. Flowers in fascicles in the leaf axils, fragrant, yellowish-green.

Fruit and seed description

Fruit: a rather long, narrow drupe, 2.5-7 cm long,1.5-4 cm in diameter. Young fruits green and tormentose, turning yellow and glabrous when mature. Pulp bitter-sweet and edible. Seed: the pyrene (stone) is 1.5-3 cm long, light brown, fibrous and extremely hard. It makes up50-60% of the fruit. There are 500-1500 dry, clean seeds per kg.

Flowering and fruiting habit

Flowers are small, inconspicuous, hermaphroditic and pollinated by insects. The species has, especially in the equatorial zone, a pronounced diffuse flowering and fruiting habit; flowers and fruits occur during a prolonged season although a peak is always encountered.

Harvest

Fruits are harvested when they turn yellow and the flesh becomes soft and sweet.
In areas with abundant hornbills, fruits will not persist long on the tree.
Discharged stones can be collected under the trees, but they are often prone to insect (seed borer) attack.
Consequently, usually only a fraction of the fruits can be collected.
Due to the prolonged fruiting season several collections may be necessary.
The fruits are collected by spreading a tarpaulin under the tree and shaking the branches until the fruits are released.
Climbing is inconvenient because of the long branches thorns.
A mature tree may yield up to 10,000 fruits per year which equals about 100-150 kg, or 55-80 kg of seed.
Usually a smaller amount is harvestable due to the prolonged fruiting season and predation.
Seeds may also be obtained from fruits that are being processed for other purposes.

Habitat

It is found in dry regions. Mostly found in Rajasthan, Gujarat, Sikkim, Bihar and Burma. Also seen in Kanpur, Khandesh, South India, Madhya Pradesh.

Part used

Various parts are used in different texts such as

Twak (bark).
Phala (fruit).
Beej (seed).
Phala majja ( fruit pulp).
Seed oil.
Kshar.

Chemical constituents

Seeds kernels contain saponin, a tetraglucoside of a saponin, Acid hydrolysis gives Nitrogenin, it is an active haemolytic agent. Plant: diosgenin and yamogenin; Root: steroidal sapogenin, diosgenin, yamogenin; Stem-bark: steroidal sapogenin, nitrogen glucoside, sesquiterpene, balanitol, bergapten; Leaf: 6 diosgenin glucosides; Fruit: steroidal sapogenin, yamogenin, 5 diosgenin glycerides, 6 diosgenin glucosides, diosgenin, balanitisins A, B, C, D & E; Seed: a saponin of diosgenin, non-edible fatty oil.

Rasa Panchak

Rasa – tikta,madhur, kashaya.

Guna – snigdha, ruksha.
Veerya – ushna.
Vipak – katu.
Dosh karma – kapha-vatahara.
Prabhav – krimighna.

USES

Ayurvedic aspect:

Bark and fruit pulp is having kaphaghna, krimighna, kusthaghna and virechak property.
Unripe fruit is strong purgative.
Fruit pulp is given in kapha vikar.
Oil is applied on wounds and burning wounds.

Modern aspect:

The fruits have been used in the treatment of liver and spleen diseases.
The roots are used for abdominal pains and as a purgative.
Gum from the wood is mixed with maize meal to treat chest complaints.

FRUIT

The fruit-pulp though bitter, is edible.
It produces fruit even in dry years which makes it a highly appreciated food source in dry areas.
Pounded fruits make a refreshing drink which becomes alcoholic if left to ferment.

GENERAL PURPOSE

Wood

B. aegyptiaca has fine-grained dense and heavy heartwood.
It is easily worked and takes a good polish.
Although valued for furniture it may be twisted and difficult to saw.
The wood is durable and resistant to insects making it good for tool handles and domestic items such as spoons.

Formulations

Loha rasayana
Kalyanaka lavan
Mahanilini ghrit

Dose

Phala majja: 5 -10 rati.
Beej churna: 4 -10 rati.
Twak kwath: 2- 4 tola.
Beej tail: 5- 20 drops.

Antifertility efficacy of the plant Balanites roxburghii (balanitaceae) in female rats

Abstract Petroleum ether, chloroform, ethanol, and distilled water extracts of the fruits of the plant Balanites Roxburghii (Balanitaceae) were tested for antifertility activity in female albino rats at a dose of 300 and 600 mg/kg body weight orally. Among these, the ethanol extract was found to be most effective in causing significant abortifacient activity. The antifertility activity was found to be dose dependent and reversible on withdrawal of the treatment.
Phytochemical screening of the ethanol extract showed positive tests for the presence of alkaloids, glycosides, saponins, flavones, and phenolic compounds. The histological studies of the uterus and ovary were carried out to confirm the estrogenic activity. Acute toxicity studies of the crude extracts in mice revealed the non-toxic nature of the crude extracts.

SHALLAKI

2010-12-14T06:18:00.001-08:00

Botanical Source

Boswellia serrata roxb.

Family

Burseraceae

Ayurvedic Classification

Gana (class)

Purish viranjaniya (ch. Su 4/15)
Kashaya skandha (ch. Vi. 8/144)
Shiro virechana ( ch. Vi. 8/151)
Rodhradi (su. Su. 38/8)
Eladi (su. Su. 38/13)
Kashaya skandh (su. Su. 42/13)

Synonyms

Shallaki, sallaki, sallaka, sugandha, mukhmoda, gajabhakshya, raj priya, surabhi rasa, nag vadhu, vasa, suvaha, ashwmutri, kunduru, kumbha, kunduruki, hridya, susrava, gandha vira etc.

Regional / Vernacular name

Sanskrit à Shallaki

Gujarati à Saledo, Dhupedo

Hindi à Salai

Marathi à Salai

Malayalam à Salai

Tamil à Pamragisamvrani

Telugu à Pamragi samvrani

Kannada à Madee

Punjabi à Salhee

Sinhali à Kundrikan

Bangali à Kundura, salai

Arabic à Luban

Urdu à Loban

English à Indian olibanun , Benzoin tree

Latin à Proropis serrata

Persian à Kundur

Part used

Kunduru (shallaki Niryasa i.e. gum resin).

Historical Aspects

Shallaki has not been mentioned in the vedic literatures but it has been explained in charaka samhita, Sushruta samhita & Other samhitas and Nighantus of Ayurveda.

Acharya Charak has advised its use in the treatment of Shvasa, Kasa, Hikka (ch.ch.- 17/117), Vatavyadhi (Bala Taila – Ch. Chi. 28/156) and Gulma – Ashmari (ch.chi. 26/64-65) He has also used in Dhoomvarti (ch. Su. 5/20-24)

Acharya Sushruta has prescribed has it in the treatment of Puadansha (su.chi. 19/14), pittabhishyanda ( su. ut. 10/4), pakvatisara (su.ut. 40/19), Raktatisara (su. ut. 40/22) and Shvasa – Hikka (su. ut. 51/12)

Acharya Bhela has recommended it in the treatment of Vata-vyadhi (Rasna Taila and Mulaka Taila – Bh. Chi 26)

Acharya Harita has also used it in the treatment of Vatavyadhi (kalka, kwatha & Mahabala taila – Ha. Sam. 3^rd sthana/chapter-23)

Shallaki has been described in the Chakradatta, particularly in the treatment of vata vyadhi (Prasarani taila, kalka paka and Maha sugandha Taila – Vata vyadhi chikitsa)

Plant description

The tree of sallaki is 8 to 10 meters high. Bark is thin and it peels off easily from its stem. Leaves resemble neem leaves.

Flowers – are small, scented and white in colour. Ovary is tripartite.

Fruit – Contains single seed. Gum oozes on peeling the skin. It turns milky on rubbing with water. Five different types of gum are used in Unani system of medicine.

Geographical source

A moderate or large branching tree with a bole 12-15' in height and 3-5' in girth.

Generally found in dry hilly areas. About 10 species of genus Boswellia occur in tropical parts of Asia & Africa.

It is common in most parts of the central provinces,the Deccan, Bihar, orissa, Rajputana, Central India, Eastern states and north Gujarat, but not found in Bengal, Assam and Burma.

Two varieties are usually distinguished var. serrata with serrate and pubescent leaves and var. Glabra with entire, glabrous leaves. (Wealth of India: 1,208)

Tapping

The tree, on tapping exudes an oleo-gum resin which is known as "Kunduru" or "sallai guggulu" or "Indian olibanum".

Tapping period for kunduru is extends from November to June or July.

The tapping of boswellia gum for industrial purposes has not met with much success, because of very variable yield.

Generally trees over 30" in girth, and also those damaged by borers yield the gum in some quantity, while some trees do not exude any. Dwarfed and suppressed trees or very old trees give poor yield.

Tapping doses not injury to the tree and the method of tapping influences yield.

One method, which is reported to have met with some success, consists in shaving off a thin band of bark (6" in width), 2-2.5" from the base of the tree and freshening it every 4^th or 5^th day.

The gum exudes usually after first freshening.

Pearson and Puran singh (Indian for rec 1919, 6, Vi) found the average annual yield of gum per tree to be about 2 lb., but according to trotter (1940, 285) the over all yield from large areas of forests is too small to be economical (wealth of India, 1/208).

Types of Kunduru

Acc. To it's shape and colour kunduru has been divided into 5 types, in the Unani system of medicine:

Nara Kunduru
Mada kunduru
Gola (Round)
KIshor kunduru
Dukraka kunduru

Properties of Kunduru (Boswellia gum)

The properties of kunduru (Indian olibanum) can be broadly dealt with under three groups;

Physical properties
Chemical properties
Pharmacological and therapeutic properties

(1) Physical properties

Colour :- The fresh exudtion of boswellia serrata resembled Canada balsam in colour and consistency. It hardens slowly, retaining its golden colour and transparency.

Odour :- The odour is that of olibanum, but fainter and more tevebin thinate. It burns readily and diffuses an agreeable odour (Dymock, warden and Hooper, I/303)

Touch :- Smooth

Taste :- The taste of the kunduru is mainly bitter and astringent.

(2) Chemical properties

Composition: - Acc. To Bull. Imp. Inst., London, 1919, 17,159, Indian olibanum has the following average composition.

Moisture: - 10-11%

Vol. oil: - 8-9%, the oil is usually pale yellow and has an agreeable odour. It is very similar to Turpentine oil.

Resin: - 55-57%

The resin varies in colour from transparent golden brown to dark brown or dark greensh brown. It is very brittle, with a vitreous fracture and resembles colophony in odour and is tasteless.

Gum :- 20-23%

Hydrolysis of the pure gum of B, serrata yields mainly pentoses (65% as arabino se) with high proportion of arabinose.

Galactose and xylose are present only insmall quantities (Malandkar, J.Indian Inst. Sci, 1925, 8A, 240)

The gum also contains oxidizing and diastatic enzymes and 3.303% of total nitrogen (fowler and malandkar, ib, 221)

Insoluble matter :- 4 – 5%

The shalaki (kunduru) was analysed in the modern Pharmaceutical. Chemistry laboratory of I.P.G.T. and R.A. and the report thus obtained is as under:

- Loss on drying at 110°C 5.2% w/w

- Ash value 2.25% w/w

- Water soluble extractive 23.1% w/w

- Alcohol soluble extractive 95% w/w

(3) Pharmacological and therapeutic properties

Rasa Madhur, Katu, Tikta

Guna Tikhsna

Veerya Sheeta

Vipaka Katu

Karma Vata and Kapha Rogahara, Svedajanana, Tvachya, pradar a – Jvara – Grihapida, Malinata and mukharoga nas haka (ya. Tri. Acharya).

Rakta shodhaka, Tvachya, Varnaropana, Jvara – Mukharoga - Vataroga – kapharoga – Rakta vikar – Grinapida – Alakshmi Raktatisara and Jantu nashaka (Arya bhishak)

Dosha prabhav : Vata kaphaghna

Bahya karma : Shothahara, vedanashtapana, Durgandhanashana, jantughna, Varna shodhana, varnaropana and chakshushya.

Abhyantara karma: Dipana, Pachana, Grahi, Purishaviram janiya, Raktastambhana, Kaphanissarak, svedajanana, Vedana sthapan.

Formulation

Himalaya shallaki, Trutiyadi churna

Chemical constituents

Voletile oil is composed of Sequiterpende, alcohos, anisaldehyde, d-α-thujone, α-pinene, d-α-phellandrende and phenolic compounds.

Similar to turpentine oil, this oil is soluble in colophony & dammer, but more volatile in nature. Gum is mainly composed of arabinose with small amounts of xylose and galactose. Gum als conatins oxidizing and diastatic enzyes. The highly brittle resin is soluble in various organic solvents. It softens between 65-72°C and melts between 73-78°C. Resin is mainly employed in preparation of varnishes.

Indian olibanum contains β-boswellic acid in resin portion, Volatile oil contains P-cymene, α-limonene, terpinolene, α-thujone, α-thujone, α-phellandrene, α-terpiol, bornyl acetate, and methyl chacicol. A diterpene alcohol viz. serratol has been reported from gum resin.

Uses

Indian olibanum is mainly used in treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. It is known to regain integrity of vessels in joints from damage or spasm. It is also used in preparation of licence and as a fixative in perfumes.

According to Wealth of India

A tree up to 10m in height with crowded, imparipinate, 20cm long leaves, pale green, pedicellate, 4 cm long flowrs, beny, winged, 1.5 Χ 0.5 cm drugs and compressed seeds, found in Andhra Pradesh. The tree is recommended for social forestry and a forestation I Andhra Pradesh. [Fl Nallamalais, 86; Hemadri, Bull Med-Ethno – Bot Res. 1990, 12, 73]

B. serrata roxb. Ex Colebs Nitrogen & phosphorus increase the height of seedlings after 30days of their application. Increasing leaves of phosphorus significantly increased the height of seedlings at all stages of growth; maximum height being recorded at a combination of 100kg p/ha & 25 kg N/ha. The tree is used in Pune & neighboring districts for reclaiming barren hillocks (Med Arom plant Abstr, 1944, 16, 674; Ghate & Vartuk, Indian J for , 1988, 11, 199]

Diseases & Pests

Wood borers are reported to cause severe losses to the stored wood. The pests can be contoled by spraying BHC at fortnightly interval. They can also be controlled by debarking and proper drying or by placement of logs in a single row but not in conact with one another on skids and by proper stacking. [ Med Arom plant Absin, 1994, 16, 3]

Oleo-Gum-resin

It is used for the treatment of cough, bronchitis, mouth sources, asthma, jaundice, convulsions, troubles of the testis, and menstrual and urinary disorers. In the form of an oily solution it has benfeficial effect on hair growth. Salai guugal is very effective in Osteoarthritis, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, soft tissue fibrositis and spondylitis without any side effects. The gum significantly increases the level of transminases in serum of rabbit. 3-keto-methyl- β-boswellic ester have been prepared, a pyrazaline derivative [C38H52N3O4, m p 145-47°] exhibited maximum anti-inflammatory activity. The gum is also used for lighting purposes [verghese, perfume flavou, 1988, 13(1), 1; Gupta et al, Indian Drugs, 1987, 25, 10; Rasheed at al, Hamdard, 1993, 36(4), 36; Rangari. Indian J pharm Sci, 1990, 52, 158; Maheshwari & singh, J Econ Bet Phytochem, 1991, 2/6]

The major components of the essential oil are: α-thujene, α-pinene, sabinene, δ-3-carene, α-phellandrene, limonene, α- and β-thujone and β-bourbonene. The essential oil affects spesmatogenesis in Dysdercus similes F. , There by acting as an effective insect growth regulator. The seed yields a fixed oil [Lawrence, perfume flavour, 1992, 17(3), 61; Rao & kaur, Curr Sci, 1989, 58, 822; Siddiqui et al, Hamdard, 1991, 34(1), 73]

Evolution (Nirukti)

Gajabhakshya It is eaten by elephants, so it is called gajabhakshya.

Suvaha Fragrance is spread all over.

Surabhi Its aroma is very beautiful.

Rasa Because of palatable taste.

Maherana

Kunduraki:-

Sallaki:-

Bahustrava More gum is secreted from the tree.

Part use

Gum

Rasa Panchak

Rasa Madhur, Tikta, Katu.

Veerya Sheeta

Vipak Madhur, Katu

Doshaghnata Kapha, Vata

Uses

Acc. To Sushruta

Decoction of bark of shallaki with Triphala is used for wound waching.
Anjan of Shallaki swarasa is used in Pittabhishyand.
The mixture of shallaki bark powder, sugar, & honey is lick to cure the Diarrhoea.
The bark of shallaki is cooked in milk & then to it add honey. This is useful to cure Raktatisar.
Smoke shallaki is useful for Asthmatic patient.

According to Charak

Shallaki bark powder, honey & Ghrit is given in Asthma.

Guna (property)

Shallaki is kashay, tikta, madhur, sheet veerya, Purish viranjaniya, Raktavikar, kapha, vata, Asha & Vrana Nashak properties.
Flowers & Fruits are having Kapha, Vata, Arsha, Kushtha & Aruchihar property.
Kunduru is having Shirovirechana, Vataroga, Kapharoga, twakvikar(skin disorder), pradar, jwrahar, stransan & rakta shodhak property.

Modern Aspects

The properties of Kunduru is having similar property that of Guggulu & Bola, so it is used similarly as Guggulu & Bola.

According to Dr. Vaman Desai,

Kunduru, guugulu, saubhagya, khadirasar & Gandhak Malahar are the best fro the wound of Pramehapidika.

The kunduru , Ahiphena(opium), Dhatura, Parasik Yavani, Beladona like Vedanashamak (analgesic) drugs are mixed & lepa is prepared & spread on cloth & prpare a pattika & this pattika is used in Parshvashoola etc. paining parts as a pain relief.

In Jirnakasa & puyameha the drink of Kunduru, badam, mishri, & water is give good effect.

When Kunduru is triturised in water, the water is become milky white.

Dose:- 1/8 tola to ¼ tola

According to Indian material medica

Action:- Resin is of a bitter balsamic odour when burnst & is used as refrigerant, diuretic, "aromatic, demulcent, alternative" emmenagogue and ecbolic, Oil called "Olibene", is stimulant.

Uses: - The fragrant resin is largely consumer as incense in houses especially during religious ceremonies; as astringent in the form of ointment it is usefulin chronic ulcers, diseased bones, buboe etc. in which it promotes absorption.

The resin rubbed in coconut oil or lemon juice is application ulcerations.

The gum is used in rheumatic and nervous diseases, scrofulous affections, urinary disorders and in skin disease, generally combined with aromatics mixed withy ghee it is prescribed in gonorrhea and in syphilitic cases; with coconut oil is applied to sores and it stimulants the growth of hair; internally it acts as stimulant expectorant in pulmonary diseases in bronchitis etc. mixed with gum acacia it is used as corrective fro foul breath.

The oil in 10 to 20 minim doses is useful in gonorrhea taken in demulcent drinks. Dose of the gum resin is from 5 to 40 grains used in aphthae, placenta previa, and amenorrhea, for nipples, gonorrhea and ringworm. As a slight hepatic stimulant it is used in jaundice not caused by mechanical obstruction and also in some chronic cases of diarrhoea, dysentery, dyspepsia and hemorrhoids.

Quantitative Standards

Foreign matter:- Not more than 2%
Ash :- Not more than 2%
Acid – insoluble ash:- Not morethan 0.5%
Ethanol – soluble extractive – Not less than 56%
Water soluble extractive – Not less than 22%
Vol. oil – Not less than 4.5%

Adulterants/substitutes

Large round or club shaped golden tears from B. casterii Birdw and B. frerean Birdw impored from countries of the Gulf and North Africa, sold in the Indian market by the name Kundur. The oleo gum resin of B. serratea is also adulterated with moina gum from Garuga pinnata Roxb.

Indian material medica

Sans: - Shallaki, H. & Bengali – Luban.

Constituents – Essential oil.

Action- Diaphoretic, diuretic, emmenagogue.

According to "Vaidya Gopalji kunvarji thakur" in "Aushadhi vigyana" part-7 ………

The gum of shallaki is done with another medicine & aromatic things.
Mainly it is used extendly in skin diseases
Bark decoction is used in wound washin
In diarrhoea Bark powder is given with "Sarkara"
In Raktatisar bark decoction is boiled with milk & then given.
The powder of Tankan, Gandhak, Shallaki & Khadir is mixed & make ointment in Tila taila. This ointment is gives quick results in old wounds.

According to Vaidya V.M. Gogte

Kula:- Guggulu kula

Family:- Burseraceae

Lantin name:- Boswellia = after Dr.Boswel, Edinburgh; Serrata = Saw toothed or B. thurifera yielding Frankincense or B. glara (hairless).

English name: - Benzoin, Indian olibanum

Sanskrit name:- shallaki, Gajabhakshya, Suvaha, Surabhi, Rasa, Maharuna, Kunduraki, vallaki, Bahustrava (Its gum is called gandhabirogja or Kunduruka)

Botanical Description

The tree shallaki is 8 to 10 meters high. Bark is thin and it peels off easily from its stem. Leaves resemble neem leaves.

Flowers- are small, scented and white in colour ovary is tripartate.

Fruit: – Contains single seed Gum oozes on peeling the skin. It turns milky on rubbing with water. Five different types of gum are used in Unani system of medicine.

Habitat

Maharashtra (Eastern part), Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, South India, Nepal, Marathwasa & Himalaya.

Ayurvedic Properties

Rasa – Tikta

Guna – Laghu, Ruksha

Veerya – Sheeta

Vipak – Katu

Uses:-

Useful in disorders caused by kaphapitta. Paste is applied in rheumatoid arthritis and cervical adenitis; ointment is used in chronic ulcers. In eye diseases, it is used by mixing with honey. It is an appetizer and digestive, therefore useful in bad breath, loss of appetite, diarrhoea, dysentery, It is used in chronic cough in the form of smoking colour of the stool is resoted to normal due to its action on pitta. Also useful in gonorrhea.

Strotogamitva

Dosha :- Kaphaghna, Pittaghna

Dhatu :- Meda, shukra, Mansa

Mala :- Purish(diarrohea, dysentery), astringent, urine (dysuria), sweda (stimulates sweating)

Organs :- Joints, Respiratory tract

Reviews on "INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS" volume-4

Ethno botanical Studies

Parts of the tree are used in epilepsy & as antidote to snake bite; as blood purifier, expectorant, stimulant, and diuretic, ant dysenteric, in cough, leucorrhoea and fever and urinary troubles.
The flowers are used as an anti-pyretic and in common cold.
The fruits are used in hemorrhoids and leucoderma.
The leaves are used as a anti-inflammatory.
The resin is used in small pox, lungs and pulmonary disease.
Gum is used as a diaphoretic, diuretic, astringent, nervous system disease, rhumetism, skin disease, sores, in cold cough, applied on skin to cure fungal infection, as antidiarrhoeal, antidysenteric, for wound healing in scorpion stings, as antipyretic, anti diabetic and in leucorrhoea, bronchitis and blood disorders.
The bark is used for wound healing , for body-ache, as antidiarrhoeal, antidysenteric, antiseptic, antiulcerogenic, in skin disease, haemorrhoids, cough, biliousness, for blood purification, dysurea, headache, as a antidote to snake bite, in pus formation in mouth, toothache, eye inflmmation, as haemostatic, suppurative.
The wood is used as rubefacient.

According to Raj nighantu

The names of kunduruka (Gandhviroja)

Kundurak, Saurashtra, Shikhari, Kunduruka, Kunduka, Tikshna, Gopurak, Bahugandha, Palinda and Bhishan – These are the 10 synonyms of Gandhviroja.

The Guna of Kunduraka

Kunduraka having a madhur, tikshna rasa & is useful in Kapha janya disorders, Pittaj Roga, also in Shaman karma of daha and it causes cooling effect in the body by drinking and application on skin. Also used in Pradar roga.

UDUMBAR

2010-12-12T22:05:00.001-08:00

Botanical Name

Ficus glomerata Roxb.

Family

Moraceae

Classification

Charaka Samhita - Mutrasamgrahaniya, Kashaayaskandha

Sushruta Samhita - Nyagrodhaadi

Bhaava Prakaasha - Panchavalkala, Ksheerivruksha

Synonyms

Udumbara, Jantuphala, Yagyaanga, Hemadugdhaka, Sadaaphala, Pushpashunya, Apushpaphala, Krumivruksha.

Vernacular Names

Hindi : Gular;

Gujarati: Umbaro, Umarado;

Telugu : Ati;

Bengali : Yagnadumbur;

Marathi : Umbar;

English : Cluster fig, Country fig.

Habitat

This tree is found throughout in India.

Botanical Description

Habit : Tall evergreen, spreading trees, up to 20 meters height, with few, short, aerial roots; banches smooth.

Bark : Grayish or blackish brown.

Leaf : 5-15 X 2.5-6.5, ovate to ovate-oblong, obtuse or acute, Petiole upto 3cm, long, glabrous; dark green.

Fruit : Achenes reddish brown, obovoid.

Chemical constituents

Bark contains around 14% of tannin, tetracyclic triterpene, leucoanthocyanins, lupeol, stigmasterol, β-sitosterol etc.

Ayurvedic Properties (Rasa Panchaka)

Rasa : Kashaaya

Guna : Laghu, Ruksha

Veerya : Sheeta

Vipaaka : Katu

Doshakarma : Kapha-Pitta shaamaka

Karma

Shothahara, Garbhaashayashothahara, Vedanaasthaapana, Mutrasamgrahaniya, Varnya, Raktapittashaamaka, Vranaropaka, Shukrastambhana, Stambhaka, Daahaprashamana.

Rogaghnata/ Indiactions

Prameha, Shotha, Pradara, Vedanaa, Vranavikruti, Raktaatisaara, Daaharoga, Pravaahikaa, Raktapitta, Grahani, Dantobheda, Shukrdourbalya.

Therapeutic Uses

The drug Udumbara is mutrasangrhaniya, stambhana and vranaropana; it is used in prameha, raktapitta and vrana. Bark is astringent and
decoction of bark is used as a wash for wounds; it is also given in prameha roga, raktaatisaara, pravaahikaa and grahani. The bark decoction is also given as uttar basti in pradara, swetapradara. The bark and fruit are taken in raktapitta.

Externally decoction, latex and paste of young shoots are used in ailments of ulceration, inflammation, pain and discoloration. Its bark is potent anti-oxidant, anthelmintic and also having anti inflammatory activities.

Parts Used

Twak (Bark), Ksheera (Latex), Moola (Roots), Praroha (Arial roots), Phala (Fruit).

Dose

Churna/ Powder : 3 to 6 g

Kwatha/ Decoction : 50 to 100 ml

Ksheera/ Latex : 5 to 10 drops

Formulations

Udumbara saara, Udumbaraadi leha, Udumbaraadi taila, Udumbara chandana yoga, Panchavalkala kwatha etc.

VIDARI BHED

2010-12-11T02:57:00.001-08:00

Botanical Name

Ipomoea digitata Linn. / I.paniculata (Linn.) R.Br.

English Names

Aligator Yam, Giant Potato, Milky Yam

Sanskrit Name

Vidari Bhed

History

The early Sanskrit writers mentioned it under the names 'Vidari' and 'Bhumi-Kushmanda'. In the Nighantas, it has several synonyms. It was part of the composition of several diuretic and demulcent mixtures. In the Konkan region of India, the root was peeled, cut in to small pieces and dried for use as an aphrodisiac. The 'Susruta' gave several prescriptions for its use as an aphrodisiac.

Habitat

It is found in India in the east including Bihar, Orissa, West Bengal, Assam, and the west coast from Konkan to Kerala. It grows mostly in moist areas, monsoon forests and in coastal tracts. The plant is also grown for ornamental purposes and trained against trellises and pillars.

Morphology

Description (Habit) An extensive perennial climber with large, ovoid and tuberous roots. The leaves are large, palmately 5-7 lobed, ovate, lanceolate, acute or acuminate, glabrous and with prominent nerves beneath. Flowers are widely campanulate and few to many in the axillary corymbose cymes. Corolla is purple and campanulate-infundibuliform. Ovary 4-celled. Capsules are small and ovoid. Seeds 4 in each fruit, black and woolly.

Principal Constituents

b -sitosterol was identified¹. Taraxerol and sitosterol were also identified².

Pharmacology

It showed stimulant as well as depressant actions on different organ systems³.

Toxicology

There is no adverse effect reported on the use of this plant.

Indications

The root has alterative, aphrodisiac, tonic, stimulant properties and used in male infertility and inflammations.

References

Indian J. Appl. Chem., 1964, 27, 155.
Phytochemistry, 1972, 11, 2621.
Indian J. Med. Sci., 1969, 23, 479
.

YASTIMADHU

2010-12-10T08:55:00.001-08:00

Ayurvedic Classification

Acc. to Charak : - Kanthya, Jivaniya, Varnya,Snehopag, Chardinigrahan, Kandughan.
Acc. to Sushruta : - Kakolyadi, Sarivadi, Anjanadi.

Botanical Name

Glycyrrhiza glabra Linn.

Family

Leguminoceae.

Synonyms

Madhuka, Yashti, Atirasa, Saumya, Shoshapaha, Jalaja, Madhuparni.

Vernacular names

English : Liquorice,

Hindi : Mulethi,

Bengali : Yashtimadhu,

Gujarati : Jethimadha,

Kannad. : Madhuka,

Malyalam : Irattimadhuam,

Marathi : Jesthamadh,

Punjabi : Mulathi,

Tamil : Athimadhuram,

Telugu : Athimadhuramu,

Assamiya : Yestmadhu,

Urdu : Mulethi.

Distribution

It is distributed in sub-tropical and warm temperate regions of the world, chiefly in Mediterranean countries, South Europe, Asia Minor, Egypt, Turkisthan, Iran,Siberia, Persia, Arab countries and Afganisthan. In India, it is reported to be cultivated in Baramulla, Sri nagar, Jammu, Dehradun, Delhi and South India.

Botanical discription

Habit : Tall perennial shrub up to 50 cm or more, erect.

Leaves : Compound, leaflets 4-5 pairs, oblong to elliptic-lanceolate, acute obtuse.

Inflorescences : Racemose, loose,shorter then the leaves or little longer.

Flower : 1 cm long.

Fruit : Pods, oblong-linear, 1-3, cm long, flattened, more or less densely echinate, glandular , many seeded or abbreviated and 2-3 seeded.

Chemical constituents

Glycyrrhizine, prenylated biaurone, licoagrone, 7- acetoxy-2-methyl isoflavone, 7-methoxy-2- methylisoflavone and 7-hydroxy-2-methyl isoflavone, 4-methyl coumarine, liqcoumarine, isoflavone, glyzaglabrin, quercitin, quercitin-3- glucoside, kaempferol, astragalin, liquirigenin and isoliquiritigenin(root).

Ayurvedic properties

Rasa : Madhur.

Guna : Guru, snigdha.

Veerya : Sheeta.

Vipak : Madhur.

Doshganata : Vatapittashamak.

Rogaghanta : - Kasa, Swasa, Hikka, Kantha,Raktapitta, Varnavikara, Kandu, Prameha, Mutrakrucchra, Raktavikar, Pandu.

Pharmacological Activites

Smooth muscle depressant, anti-microbial, hypolipidamic, antiviral, heptoprotective, antiulcer, antipyretic, antioxidant.

Part uses

Root.

Dose

1-2 g Powder.

Formulations

Yashtyadi Churna, Yashtimadhuvadya Taila, Kalyanavaleha, Angamardprashman Kashaya, Brihat Ashwagandha Ghrita, Brihatchchhagaladya Ghrita, Shatavaryadi Ghrita, Narika Churna, Guduchyadi Taila, Pippalyadi Taila, Vyaghri Taila, Vridhihara lepa.

HARIDRA

2010-12-10T08:43:00.001-08:00

Ayurvedic Classification

Acc. to Charaka : - Kushthaghana,Kandughana,Vishghna, Shirovirechan.
Acc. to Sushruta : - Haridradi,Mustadi ,Shelshmasanshaman.

Botanical name

Curcuma longa Linn.

Family

Zingiberaceae.

Synonyms

Harita ,Jayanti ,Kanchani ,Nisha ,Yoshitpriya.

Vernacular names

English : Indian saffron,

Hindi : Haldi,

Bengali : Haldi,

Gujarati : Haldar,

Kannad. : Arishina,

Malyalam : Manjal,

Marathi : Halad,

Punjabi : Haldi,

Tamil : Manjal,

Telugu : Pasupu,

Assamiya : Haldhi,

Urdu : Haldi.

Distribution

Extensively cultivated all over India. Believed to be indigenous in Bihar.

Botanical description

Habit : Perennial, aromatic, rhizomatous, tall herbs, Root stock;large ,ovoid with sessile cylindric tubers, orange coloured inside.

Leaves : Redial, very large, in tufts up to 1.2 m. or more long as blade, oblong lanceolate, base tapering, ligulate, prominent, mid-rib.

Inflorescences : spike, 0-15 cm.

Flowers : Hermaphrodite, zygomorphic, epigynous peduncle; 15cm or more, crowned by coma tinged with pink enlarged bracts, lover bracts;ovate, membranous.

Calyx : 3 sepals, gamosepalous, shirt cylindrical, minutely toothed.

Corolla : 3 petals, gamopetalous, tube funnal shaped, lobes usually ovate or oblong, upper lobe longer and some what concave.

Androceium : 6 stamens ,in 2 whorls of 3 each ,inner whorl;1 perfact stamen filament of perfact stamen ;broad ,grooved ,short. Auther ; 2-locular.

Gynoceium : Style; passing through groove of fertile stamen, filiform, bi-lipped, stigma;bi-lipped, lips cilicate. ovary;trilocular, many ovules on axile placentaton.

Fruit : Capsule; dehiscent, globose, membranous, 3 – valved.

Seed : Ovoid, oblong, usually axillate.

Chemical constituents

Essential oil resin, alkaloid, curcumin, aromatic , turmeric oil, termerol, turpenoids, curcumone.

Ayurvedic properties

Rasa : Katu,Tikta.

Guna : Ruksha

Veerya : Ushna.

Vipak : Katu

Dosh Karma : Kapha-Pittanut, Krmighan, Kushaghan, Pramehanasaka.

Roghanta : - Kandu,Raktavikar,Prameha roga,Kaphaja,Ka Swasa,Dehadorgandhya,Abhighataja Vedana- sitha.

Pharmacological

Activies : - Antibacterial, cholagogue insecticidal, anti fungal, anti-inflammatory, antoprotozoal, antihistaminic.

Part uses : - Rhizome.

Dose : - Powder – 1-3gm.

Formulation: - Haridra Khanda, Haridra Kwatha, Chandraprabha vati, Sudarsana Churna.

RASUANT

2010-12-10T07:49:00.001-08:00

botanical source

It is dried aqueous extract of Berberis aristata.

English Name : Indian Barberry

Arabic Name : Huzuz, Darhald (Root), Zarishk (Berries)

Chinese Name : Huang lian

French Name : Epine-vinette d’lnde

German Name : Indischer Berberitze

Hindi Name : Rasaut, Darhald (Root),Zarishk (Berries)

Persian Name : Filzahrah (Root), Zarishk (Berries)

Urdu Name : Darhald

Uses

Useful in Following diseases : Anaemia, Biliousness, Blood Impurities, Bronchitis, Constipation, Convalescence, Cough, Diarrhoea, Dysentery, Fevers, Gastritis, General Debility, Heartburn, Hepatitis, Hepatomegaly, Hypertension, Indigestion, Jaundice, Leucorrhoea, Liver Dysfunction, Malaria, Menorrhagia, Neuralgia, Persistent Infection due to Low Immunity, Pharyngitis, Piles, Rheumatism, Sinusitis, Sore Throat, Spleen Dysfunction, Splenomegaly, Ulcers, Varicose Veins, Vitamin C Deficiency, Weakness of Eyesight.

Used externally for pimples, boils and oriental sores, unhealthy ulcers, Abrasions and ulceration of the skin. (Nadkarni.Vol.I P-188).
Contains Berberine- a broaed spectrum antibiotic for bacteria and protozoa. Bark of stem and root considered antiseptic. CRC-Duke’s. P-78.
Antipruritic. Promotes sweating,wound-healer,rich in berberine, Useful both internally and externally. Externally for wound –dressing,unhealthy wounds, abrasions and ulcerations of the skin. (Paranjape. P 66-67).
Charaka has categorized Berberis Aristata as arsoghana ( Anti-hemorrhoidal) and handinghana ( Anti – Pruritic ). Susruta mentions its as a ropana – wound- healer. Externally – the wounds are dressed with the medicated oil of the decoction of daruharidra ( Called Rasanjana / Rasaunt) it reduces the pruritus also. The paste applied on painful and swollen parts effectively mitigates the symptoms. Extremely valuable in bleeding piles. ( Paranjape – P 66-67).
In bleeding piles it is administered( internally ) in doses of 5 to 15 grains with butter. Its solution ( 1 m 32 ) is used as a wash for piles. Its ointment made with camphor and butter is applied to pimples and boils… applied locally to inflammatory swellings and as a couyruim for the eyes in conjunctivitis. (Nadkarni vol I. P88).
Tonic, stomachic, astringent, antiperiodic, diaphoretic, antipyretic and altertive. Used in fevers ( remittent, intermittent and malarial). Locally in eye troubles. In rheumatism as a blood purifier. In liver spleen bilious problems. In congestions of the abdominal and pelvic cavities and rheumatism. Also in gastric and duodenal ulcers. (Nadkarni, Vol I, Pages 187-191).
Internally, daruharidra is useful in a vast range of diseases. The properties like cholegogue, hepato- stimulant and astringent are useful in treating anorexia, dysentery, hepatitis and liver disorders. As a blood purifer. In reducing swellings. In obesity, diabetes and uterine inflammations. In fevers and as a general tonic and debility, especially due to fevers. (Paranjape Pages 66-67).
Barberry has been used by Amerindians, for kidney ailments, rheumatisms, sores & ulcers. It has been recommended for arthritis, fever, gout, lumbago, rheumatism, stomatitis and ulcers etc. Also in inflammations, biliary colics dysruria, neuralgias, sacral pain, side pains and vaginismus. It contains goodly amounts of berberine- a broad spectrum antibiotic for bacteria and protozoa. ( Dukes . Page 78 ).
A bitter tonic. It effectively reduces uterine inflammations hence is valuable medicament for leucorrhoea and menorrhagia. It also helps in healing the ulcers of the cervix. (Paranjape Pages 66-67).

KASNI

2010-10-25T03:24:00.000-07:00

KASNI

Botanical Source : Whole plant of Cichorium intubus and C. endive.
Family : Asteraceae
Common Names :
     English Name : Endive/ Chicory
     Hindi : Kasni
     Sanskrit Name : Kasni
     Arabic Name : Hinduba

Botanical Description :

Habitat : In India plant is found in the northwestern regions like Kashmir and Punjab and in area of south India. In western countries is now a days cultivated with the name endive. It is cultivated in completely black outed area to make leaf soft and pale in appearance. This plant has it origin in Europe and now has spread all over world.

Morphology : It is a bushy perennial plant that attains a height of 1 to 3 feet. The stem has edges having hard branches. Leaves are sphere shaped having a bitter taste. Flowers are of blue of lavender color having a diameter of 1 to 1 ½ inch, which is bit thicker at the center. Fruit is angular, having light color. Root is like a tail of a cow and is fleshy having brownish color from outside and white color from inside. It has a length of 2 ½ feet and has a bitter taste. The other related species that is cultivates is Cichorium endivia. It is generally found in cultivated lands and gardens.

Chemical Constituents : Their seed contains oil. Roots has sticky substance which is about 7.5 %, glucose 1.1 %, bitter substance 4 %, fat 0.6 %, cellulose, insulin and resins etc. ash contains more of potassium. It also contains colorless potassium glycosides, cichorin and lactucina and intybin. There is very peculiar smell when the root is roasted and is very often used as coffee.

Properties :
   Guna (properties) - Laghu (light) and Ruksh (dry)
   Rasa (taste) - Tikta (bitter)
   Veerya (potency) - Ushna (hot)

Actions :

Indication : Head ache, Indigestion, Hypertension, Urticaria, Gouty arthritis, Burning sensation, Insomnia, Jaundice, Dehydration, Liver related disorders, Dysurea, Blood impurity, Menstrual disturbances, Chronic fever, General body weakness.

Pharmacology : It is kapha and pitta suppressant. It is relaxant and induces sleep. It acts as pain reliever and anti inflammatory agent. It works as appetizer, liver stimulant and increases digestive powers. It acts as blood purifier and provides strength to heart. It is a diuretic. Its roots reduce menstrual disturbances. It has good effect in lowering down the burning sensations in the body. It also helps in lowering the blood pressure. It decreases the raised body temperature in fevers.

Part Used : Roots, leaves and seeds.
Formulations :
References :

Meshashringi

2010-08-08T08:59:00.001-07:00

Botanical Source : Gymnema sylvestre

Family : Asclepiadaceae

Common Names :

Hindi- Gurmar;

Marathi- Kavali, Vakundai;

Bengali – Merasingi

Tamil- Cheru.

Sanskrit Synonyms : Vishaani, Mashunaashini, Ajashringi, Vartika, Chakshushya, Putrashreni, Meshavalli, Sarpadanshtra.

Botanical Description:

G. sylvestre is a large, woody and mush branched climber distributed in the dry forests throughout India up to an altitude of 600m. It is mostly found in Deccan peninsula and occasionally cultivated as medicinal plant.

Leaves are simple, opposite, elliptic or ovate and more or less pubescent on both sides.

Flowers are small yellow, umbellate cymes; actinomorphic.

Fruits- paired, terete, rigid;

Seeds- numersous, narrowly ovoid- oblong.

Chemical Constituents :

Leaves contains no. of pentacyclic triterpenic acid glycosides, the major components being gymnemic acid which yield glucoronic acid on hydrolysis. Leaves also contain tartaric acid, resin, carbohydrates and albumin.

Quercitol, calcium oxalate and pigments.

Also anthraquinones.

Ayurvedic Properties :

Rasa : Kashaya, Tikta

Guna : Laghu, Ruksha

Veerya : Ushna

Vipaaka : Katu

Doshakarma : Kaphavaatashaamaka

Actions : Appetiser, hepatic stimulant.

Used as astringent, tonic, stomachic and refrigerant.

External Applications : Leaves mixed with castor oil useful in glandular swelling, hepatitis and splenic disorders (enlargement); roots are used for application in snake bite.

Internal Applications :

Gymnema leaves and gymnemic acid is used as an antidiabetic agent. Its vernacular name 'Gulmar' meaning 'Sugar destroying' accounts for its property of obolishing the taste of sugar. Gymnema anaesthetises the sweet taste buds- the effect last for several hours.

It is useful in skin disorders related to diabetes and other similar disorders.

Root has emetic properties used in cardiac failure.

Seeds or roots in the form of smoking are used to relieve common cold and breathlessness. It is very useful in diabetes and calculi.

A dose of 1-2 gm leaf powder with honey or cow's milk is given twice a day, it is useful in amnorrhoea, typhoid fever and general debility.

Part(s) Used : roots, leaves, seeds.

Dose : Leaf powder 3-6 gm; decoction 50-100ml.

Soorana

2010-08-08T08:56:00.003-07:00

Botanical Source
Amorphaphallus companulatus Family, Araceae.

Ayuvedic Classification

Common Names

Hindi- Jamikanda;

Sanskrit Synonyms

Ola, Kandoola, Arshoghna, Kandanaayaka

Botanical Description

Ayurvedic Properties

Rasa Katu, Kashaya

Guna Laghu, Teekshna, Ruksha

Veerya Ushna

Vipaaka Katu

Doshakarma Kaphavaatashaamaka

Actions

Arshoghna, Shothahara, Vedanasthapana, Ruchikara, Deepana, Paachana, Yakruta-uttejaka, Anulomana, Shoolaprashamana, Krimighna, Vrushya, Aartavajanana.

Uses/Indications

Parts Used

Tuber.

Dosage

Powder 3-6 gm.

Formulation

Classical

Soorana-modaka.

Patent/Brand Names

Safety

Contraindicated for the patients of Rakta-pitta.

Adverse effects

Mouth ulcers, Burning sensation, Kandu.

Antidote

Nimdu, Imali etc. sour substances.

References

Utangana

2010-08-08T08:56:00.001-07:00

Botanical Source

Blepharis endulis Family, Acanthaceae.

Ayuvedic Classification

Sanskrit Synonyms

Botanical Description

Ayurvedic Properties

Rasa : Madhura, Tikta

Guna : Guru, Snigdha, Pichhchila

Veerya : Ushna

Vipaaka : Madhura

Doshakarma Vaatashaamaka.

Actions

Shukrajanana, Shukrasthambhana, Kampttajaka, Mootrala, Mootrakruchchha.

Uses/Indications

Klaibya, Shukrakshaya.

Parts Used

Dosage

Formulation

Classical

Patent/Brand Names

Safety

References

Tila

2010-08-08T08:55:00.001-07:00

Botanical Source Seeds of the plant Sesamum indicum, Family- Pedaliaceae.

Ayuvedic Classification

Sanskrit Synonyms

Botanical Description

Types

On the basis of seed color it is three types:

Shweta (White) enriched with more oil.

Rakta (Red) Known as 'Ram-til'.

Krushna (Black) Best in properties so medicinally best.

Ayurvedic Properties

Rasa Madhura (Anurasa: Kashaya-Tikta)

Guna Snigdha

Veerya Ushna

Vipaaka Madhura

Doshakarma Kaphapittavardhaka

Actions

Yogavaahi, Snehana, Vedanasthapana, Sandhaneeya, Vruanashodhana, Vrunaropana, Keshya, Medhya, Deepana, Graahi, Shoolaprashamana, Vajeekarana, Aartavajanan, Stanyajanana, Balya, Vrushya.

Uses/Indications

Parts Used

Seeds, Oil.

Dosage

Seed powder 3-6 gm; Oil 10-20 ml.

Formulation

Tilaadi Gutika, Tilaadi Lepa, Tilaashtaka

Classical

Patent/Brand Names

Safety

References

Kaanchanaar

2010-08-08T08:54:00.001-07:00

Botanical Source

Root bark of the plant Bauhinia variegate
Linn. Belonging to the family Caesalpiniaceae.

Synonym : Phanera variegata (L.) Benth

Kula: Shimbikula; Upakula: Putikaranja

Varga/Classification

Charaka Samhita- Vamanopaga varga, Shaka varga; Susruta Samhita- Urdhvabhagahara,Pushpa varga, Kashayamadhura shaka varga.

Sanskrit Synonyms

Kanchanara, Gandari, Chamarika, Jugapatraka, Karbudara, Swalpakesari

Common Names

Assam . : Kanchan

Beng. : Rakta kanchana, Kanchan

Eng. : Mountain Ebony, Buddhist bauhinia, purple orchid tree, poor man's orchid, camle's foot tree

Guj. : Champakati, Champo kanchanar,Kochali

Hindi : Kanchanara, Kanchnal, Koil, Koliyar, kural, kaniar, guiar, Gurial, kandan, goriaava, barial

Kan. : Keyu mandar, Kanchavala, karalabhogi, bilimandar, kempu mandar, ayata, kanjivala

Mal. : Suvarna Mandaram, Kotapuli, Unna,

Mar. : Koral, Kanchan,Chamol, Kanaraj,

Ori. : Kanjara, Kanchana

Punj. : Kanchanal, Chitti kanchanal, Kulad, kosundara

Tam. : Mandarai, Sigappu mandarai, Vellaippuvatti, tirvatti,

Tel. : Devakanchan, Mandar, Mandari, adavimandara, kanjanamu

Nepali : Korialo, Jaki

Burm. : Bwaycheng, Bwechin

Oriya : Barara, Kosonaru, Kanjoni, Rongakonjono

Santhal : Zinjar, Jingya, Burujudare, Kouar

Urdu : Kachnal

Konkani : Kudo, Tembri, Kanchan, Kotra, Kachnal

Farasi : Kachnar

French : Abre de Saint Thomas

Botanical Description

Habit: A small to medium tree with hairy branches; height: 20-40 ft.; width: 10-20 ft.

Leaves: 4.5 – 15cm long, simple, alternate, bifid, broadly ovate, cordate at the base, as broad as or broader than long, cleft one-fourth to one-third way down, 9–15 nerved, lobes obtuse base cordate. Petiole : 2.5-3.8cm long.

Flowers^,: Bisexual, large, fragrant, variegated, white or red in short axillary or terminal few flowered, grey-pubiscent racemes or corymbs from leafless axils or terminating lateral branches; bracts and bracteoles detoid.

Calyx: 2 – 2.7cm long, pubescent, spathaceous, 5-toothed at apex.

Petals: 4-5cm long, obovate-oblong, clawed, the uppermost darker with purple veines.

Stamens: 5 fertile; staminodes absent.

Ovary : pubescent

Pods: Flat, hard, nearly smooth, 15-30 ˣ 1.8-2.5 cm, glabrous, variegated with reddish brown streaks.

Seed: 12-16, flat, orbicular and brown.

Bark: Gray with vertical cracks.

Wood : Grayish brown with irregular darker patches, moderately hard.

Habitat:.Found wild in the sub-Himalayan tract and outer Himalaya upto 1300 m.; in Punjab, dry deciduous forests, especially on rocky hiils throughout India. Common in Eastern, and South India, Assam, Sikkim, Chota Nagapur, Western Peninsula, Kumaon. Also distributed in Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Burma, Myanmar and China. Also cultivated largely as a garden and roadside ornamental.

Flowering and Fruiting season:

Flowering season: March – May (spring)

Fruiting season: April – June (Stage by beginning of summer).

Ayurvedic Properties

Bark

Rasa : Kasaya

Guna : Laghu, Ruksha

Veerya : Sheeta

Vipaka : Katu

Prabhava: Gandamalanashana

For Flower: -

Rasa : Madhur, Kasaya

Guna : Laghu, Ruksha

Veerya : Sheeta

Vipaka : Madhur

Karma

Gandmalanashana, Vrana shodhana-Vrana ropana,

Chemical constituent
STEM BARK :-
Major: Lupeol
Minor: 5,7-dihydroxy flavanone; 4'-O-α- L- rhamnopyranosyl; Beta-D-glucopyranoside; 5,7- dihydroxy and 5,7-dimethoxy flavanone; hentriacontane; octacosanol; sitosterol; stigmasterol; neringenin; 5,7-dimethylether; 4'-rhamnoglucoside; 5,7,3',4'-tetra hydroxy-3-methoxy-7-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl (1à3) -O-beta-galactopyranoside; 2,7-dimethoxy-3-methyl-9,10-dihydrophenanthrene; 1,4-dione named as bauhinione. Five flavonoids isolated from the different parts of Bauhinia variegata was identified as quercetin, rutin, apigenin and apigenin 7-O-glucoside.
ROOT:-
Flavonone; dihydrodibenzoxepin; flavonol glycoside ; 5, 7, 3', 4' – tetrahydroxy-3-methoxy-7-O—alpha- L- rhamnopyranosyl (1à3)- O-betagalactopyranoside; (2S)-5,7-dimethoxy-3',4',-methylenedioxyflavanone; 5,6,-dihydro-1,7,dihydroxy-3,4,-dimethoxy-2-methyldibenz [b,f] oxepin together with three known flavanoids.
FLOWERS:-
Quercitroside; isoquercitroside; rutoside; taxifoline rhamnoside; kaempferol; 3-glucoside; myricetol glycoside; apigenin; 7-O-glucoside; quercetrin; ascorbic acid; aspartic acid; glutamic acid; octadecanoic acid; keto acids; amino acid; tannins; cyaniding-3-glucoside; malvidin-3-glucoside; malvidin-3-diglucoside; peonidin-3-glucoside; peonidin-3-diglucoside; 3-galactoside; 3-rhamnoglucoside of kaempferol.

SEED:-

Carbohydrayes; proteins; amino acids; ascorbic acid; flavonoids; alkaloids leucoanthocyanines; aspartic acid; glutamic acid;arginine; glycine; alanine; histidine; isoleucine; lysine; methionine; phenylalanine; proline; serine; threonine; tyrosine; valine; 5-hydroxy 7, 3', 4', 5',-tetra-methoxyflavone; 5-O-beta-D-xylopyranosyl – (1à2)- alpha- L- rhamnopyranoside.
- LEAVES: - reducing sugars, vitamin C (146 mg %)

Rogaghnata :-

Galaganda, Gandamala, Granthishotha, Vrana, Lasika, Granthi-Arbuda, Kustha, Charmavikara, Dadru, Mukhapaka, Atisara, Pravahika, Arsha, Gudabhramsha, Parikartika, Krimi, Vibandha, Rakta-pitta, Prameha, Rakta pradara, Medoroga.
- Bahya (External):- Vranashodhana, Vranaropana, Kushthaghna,Shothahara
- Abhyantar(Internal):- Stambhaka, Grahi, Arshoghna, Kushthaghna, Shothahara, Stambhana, Krimighna, Vamaka, Rakta stambhana, Lasikagranthishothahara, Kasahara, Mutrasangrahaniya, Artavasravahrasaka, Lekhana-Medapanayana
Uses: -
- The bark is used for dying and tanning.
- From the inner portion of bark a fibre is prepared.
- The flower buds are eaten as a potherb or pickled.
- The foliage is given to cattle as fodder.
- The leaves are used for preparation of bidis.
- The wood is used for the agricultural implements.
- Wood is moderately good fuel wood.

THERAPEUTIC UTILITIES OF THE PLANT:-
- The decoction of bark added with sunthi powder is given in gandamala.
- Decoction of bark added with three myrobalans or triphala(Terminalia chebula, Terminalia belerica and Embelica officinalis) and pippali churna(fruits powder of Piper longum Linn.) is recommended in gandamala as well as galaganda(goiter).
- Bark is pounded in rice water (tandulodaka) and given to patient of gandamala.
- The bark is astringent, tonic and anthelmintic. It is also used for ulcers and leprosy. A decoction of the bark is taken for dysentery. It is used to give tone and vitality to body. It is used against tuberculosis and skin ailments.
- Dried buds are used in haemorrhoids.
- The dried buds are used for the treatment of diarrhoea, dysentery, worms, piles and tumours.
- A decoction of the buds is given in cough, piles, haematuria and menorrhagia.
- Gum is useful in pravahika and arsha.
- The infusion of the leaves is used as a laxative and for cure of diarrhoea, dysentery and piles.
- Decoction of flower-buds is given to treat cough, piles and menorrhagia.
- An extract of its buds, flowers and barks is considered as a strong antibacterial.
SYSTEM WISE:-
External uses : It helps in wound cleaning and healing properties,. It cures skin disorders and inflammations.
The bark ground in a paste is useful in lymphadenitis. Decoction made from its bark, pods of babool (Acacia) tree and flowers of pomegranate is used for gargles in oral disorders. Decoction is used for fomentation in rectal prolapsed.
Leaves ground in paste are applied over the wound. Paste of the seeds is applied in migraine.

Paste of bark is applied on Gandamala.

Internal uses:

Digestive system :
- It has astringent and anthelmintic properties but it causes vomiting in excess dose. It enhances emetic action when used in conjuction with emetic drugs.
- Being sweet, flowers are mild laxative. Gulakand prepared from the flowers is used in constipation.
- Having astringent Property it is useful in diarrhoea, dysentery, rectal prolapse, haemorrhoids, and helminthiasis.
Circulatory system :
- Paste of stem bark, roots and flowers is used in haemorrhagic disorders.
- It acts as haemostatic and reduces the inflammation of the lymph nodes(lymphadenitis).
Respiratory system :
- Used in cough.
Urinary system :
- Controls polyurea in diabetes.
Reproductive system :
- In menorrhagia, it acts as a haemostatic by astringent property.
Skin :
- Used in skin diseases.
- Mixture of Kanchanara bark, rice water, and ginger is effective in osteoporosis(asthikshata).
Satmikaran :-

Because of ruksha property, it is fat reducing. Used in lipid disorders.
Dosha karma :-

Kaphashamaka by ruksha, laghu and tikta properties. Pittashamaka by sheeta veerya.
Dhatu karma:-

Rakta,meda(lymphadenitis), menorrhagia, haemorrhagic disorders
Mala karma :-

Purisha(stops diarrhea and prolapsed.)
Part used :-
Stem Bark, Flowers, Flower buds, Gum, Fruit, Root, Leaf
Dose:-
- Bark Churna : 3-6 gm
- Bark Kwatha : 40-80 ml
- Flower Swarasa : 10-20 ml
- For Decoction : 20-30 gm
- Formulations:-
  - Asava and arista :
    Usirasava, chandanasava, Vidangarista, Kanchanararishta
  - Bhasma : Kanchara drava
  - Guggulu : Kanchanara Guggulu, triphaladi guggulu, Vyoshadi guggulu
  - Guti : Kanchana gutika
  - Kvatha : Kanchanaradi kvath
  - Rasayoga : Gandamala kandan rasa
  - Sneha: Ajamodadhya tail, chandanadya taila,Amrita ghrita, Mahamayura ghrita
  - Kanchanara Ghana
  - Gulakanda Kanchanara.
- Trade and commerce :-
  
  Retail market price : Stem bark – Rs. 150 per kg
- Storage and Preservation:- Collected bark completely dried and stored in airtight jars, keep in dry place.
- Self life Period:- Bark - 3 to 6 month.
- Standardization :-
  
  Kanchanara twaka are available in small cut flat pieces, edges blunted and the centre portion grooved, the surface of the bark brownish ash coloured and rough in touch with longitudinal striations.
- Adultration:- The commercial samples are often adulterated with the stem having brown colour.
- Substitutes :-

Bauhinia purpurea
Bauhinia tomentosa
Bauhinia racemosa

Cultivation and Propagation:-
The ornamental plant is propagated with seeds, strump planting and branch cuttings. Seeds are sown in March-April. The seedlings are then transplanted in July-August. Their germination require onset of monsoon. The seeds are soen in pockets of good soil and thereafter protected from damage. Watering is required during the dry spells. Since the plants grow rapidly, light pruning and thinning during the growth period is necessary.
In vitro regeration of B. variegata was reported in nodal explants from mature trees. Optimal shooting was obtained on MS media suppmented with 13.3 microM BA within 15-20 days. Single shoots with 3-4 nodes initiated root ing when transferred to MS with 4.9 microM IBA within 45 days.
Light
: Full sun-light shade
Moisture: Keep moist during summer months, water less frequently in winter. Needs very good drainage.

Research works:

The alcoholic extract of B.variegata (bark) showed CNS activity. Besides producing hypothermia in mice, it is also responded to amphetamine test.(Bhakuni et al., 1969).
The alcoholic extract of B.racemosa (bark) was found to have anti-cancer activity against human epidermal carcinoma of the nasopharynx in tissue culture. (Dhar et al., 1968).
The clinical studies have revealed that preparations of stem bark of Kanchanara enhance the effect of anti-tuberculous drugs used in cases of tubercular cervical lymphadenitis.(Dixit, 1967)
Its used in the treatment of experimental goitre in rats has been reported.( Veena et al., 1975).

Evaluation of the immunomodulatory activity of ethanolic extract of the stem bark of Bauhinia variegata Linn⁶⁰

Shallaki

2010-08-08T08:50:00.001-07:00

Botanical Source
Boswellia serrata Family, Burseraceae.

Ayuvedic Classification

Pureeshvirajneeya, Kshayaskanda, Sirovirechana (Charaka);

Rodhraadi, Elaadi, Kashayaskanda (Sushruta).

Common Names

Eng.- Indian olibanum tree; Hindi- Salai.

Sanskrit Synonyms

Susrava, Gajabhkshya.

Botanical Description

Ayurvedic Properties

Rasa Kashaya, Tikta, Madhura.

Guna Laghu, Ruksha.

Veerya Ushna

Vipaaka Katu

Doshakarma Kaphapittashaamaka.

Actions

Shothahara, Vedanaasthaapana, Durgandhanaashana, Jantughna, Vrunashodhana, Vrunaropana, Chakshshya, Medhya.

Oleo- gum resin Hrudya, Raktasthambhana, Jwaraghna.

Uses/Indications

Parts Used

Bark, Oleogum resin (Kunduru)

Dosage

Decoction 50-100 ml; Oleo-gum resin 1-3gm.

Formulation.

Classical

Patent/Brand Names

Safety

Substitutes & Adulterants

Imported oleo-gum resin comes in India is found to be of Boswellia floribunda.

References

Arjuna

2010-07-12T13:24:00.001-07:00

Botanical Source

Stem bark of plant Terminalia arjuna W. &A. belonging to family Combretaceae.

Common Names

Hindi- Arjuna; Gujarati- Saadalo.

Sanskrit Synonyms

Veeravruksha, Dhavala, Kakubh, Paarth, Swetavah.

Botanical Description

Chemical Constituents

Tannins, sitosterol, ellagic acid; fridelin and arjunitin glycosides.

Ayurvedic Properties

Rasa : Kashaya

Guna : Laghu, Ruksha

Veerya : Sheeta

Vipaaka : Katu

Prabhava : Hrudya

Actions

Raktastambhana, Vrunaropana, Sandhaneeya, Jwaraghna.

Uses

Medoroga, Vruna, Hrudroga, Kshatakshaya, Prameha, Trusha, Yyanga.

Part Used : Stem Bark.

Dose : Decoction 50-100ml, Powder of bark 3-6gm.

Formulation

Arjunarishta, Arjuna ghruta, Kakubhaadi churna, Arjuna ksheera paaka.

Gunja

2010-07-10T14:23:00.001-07:00

Botanical Source : Seeds and Roots of the plant Abrus precatorius Linn. belonging to family- Leguminosae and subfamily- Fabaceae.

Common Names : Eng.- Indian liquorice root; Hindi- Ghumghachi.

Sanskrit Synonyms : Krushnala, Raktaphalika, Angaar-valli, Uchchata, Kaakachincha.

Chemical Constituents

Seeds- albuminous substance (abrine and abralin); Root- glycrryzin and resin.

Ayurvedic Properties

Rasa : Tikta, Kashaya

Guna : Teekshna, Laghu, Ruksha

Veerya : Ushna

Vipaaka : Katu

Doshaghnata : Vaatakaphahara.

Actions

Keshya, Vranaapaha, Kandughna, Garbhanirodhaka.

Uses

Kushtha, Vruna, Vaatavyaadhi, Indralupta.

Part(s) Used : Seeds, Roots.

Dose : Seeds powder- 60 to 180mg; Root powder- 1 to 3 gm.

Formulations

Mrutasanjeevani Gutika,

Gunjaabhadra rasa.

Meshashringi

2010-07-01T10:02:00.001-07:00

Botanical Source : Gymnema sylvestre

Family : Asclepiadaceae

Common Names :

Hindi- Gurmar;

Marathi- Kavali, Vakundai;

Bengali – Merasingi

Tamil- Cheru.

Sanskrit Synonyms :

Vishaani, Mashunaashini, Ajashringi, Vartika, Chakshushya, Putrashreni, Meshavalli, Sarpadanshtra.

Botanical Description:

Leaves are simple, opposite, elliptic or ovate and more or less pubescent on both sides.

Flowers are small yellow, umbellate cymes; actinomorphic.

Fruits- paired, terete, rigid;

Seeds- numersous, narrowly ovoid- oblong.

Chemical Constituents

Quercitol, calcium oxalate and pigments.

Also anthraquinones.

Ayurvedic Properties

Rasa : Kashaya, Tikta

Guna : Laghu, Ruksha

Veerya : Ushna

Vipaaka : Katu

Doshakarma : Kaphavaatashaamaka

Actions : Appetiser, hepatic stimulant.

Used as astringent, tonic, stomachic and refrigerant.

External Applications : Leaves mixed with castor oil useful in glandular swelling, hepatitis and splenic disorders (enlargement); roots are used for application in snake bite.

Internal Applications :

Gymnema leaves and gymnemic acid is used as an antidiabetic agent. Its vernacular name ‘Gulmar’ meaning ‘Sugar destroying’ accounts for its property of obolishing the taste of sugar. Gymnema anaesthetises the sweet taste buds- the effect last for several hours.

It is useful in skin disorders related to diabetes and other similar disorders.

Root has emetic properties used in cardiac failure.

Seeds or roots in the form of smoking are used to relieve common cold and breathlessness. It is very useful in diabetes and calculi.

A dose of 1-2 gm leaf powder with honey or cow’s milk is given twice a day, it is useful in amnorrhoea, typhoid fever and general debility.

Part(s) Used : roots, leaves, seeds.

Dose : Leaf powder 3-6 gm; decoction 50-100ml.

CHITRAK

2010-06-17T09:33:00.001-07:00

Botanical Source : Dried or fresh roots of Plumbago zeylanica Linn.

Family : Plumbaginaceae

Sanskrit Synonyms : Anala, Chitaachita, Dahana, Paathi, Peethi.

Common names :

Hin.- Chita; Guj.- Chito.

Chemical Compostion :

It contains plumbagin, which is powerful germicide.

Ayurvedic Properties :

Rasa : Katu

Guna : Laghu, Ruksha, Teekshna

Veerya : Ushna

Vipaaka : Katu

Doshaghnata : Kaphavaatashaamaka

Actions : Paachana, Lekhana, Grahi, Krimighna,

Indications : Kushtha, Arsha, Shotha, Kaasa, Pandu, Dourbalya.

Part Used : Root-bark

Dose : 1-2 gm powder of the root.

Formulation :

Chitrakaadi gutika, Chitrakaharitaki avaleha, Chitraka ghrita,

KUTAJ

2010-06-09T11:56:00.001-07:00

Botanical Source : Holarrhena antidysentrica Wall.

Family : Apocynaeceae

Common Names

Sans. : Kutaja, Kalinga

Hindi : Kurchi, Karra, Kuar

Beng. : Kurchi

Mar. : Kodaga

Guj. : Dhowda

Tel. : Pala

Tam. : Veppalei, Indrabam

Oriya : Kherwa, Pitakorwa

Mal. : Kodagapala

Punj. : Keor, Kewa

Sanskrit Synonyms

Girimallika
Vatsak
Vrukshak
Kaling
Indravriksha

Plant Description

Habit

A deciduous, small tree, 30-40 ft. high upto 4 ft. girth

Habitat

Occurring almost through out India, upto an attitude of 4,000m ft. often in deciduous forests and open waste lands. Abundant in sub Himalayan tract.

Leaves

Opposite, subsessile, elliptic or ovate oblong, 10-20 x 5-11.5 cm. extipulate, glabrous, obtusely acuminate, pubescent, nerves 10-14 pairs.

Flowers

White in terminal corymbos cymes, inodorous, complete, bisexual, bracteatae. Calyx- Gamosepalous; Corolla Gamopetalous, three or four times the length of calyx mouth naked; Androecium
- 5 stamens, free, epipetalous, inserted at the base of the corolla tube; Gynoecium
- superior, bicarpellary, apocarpus.

Fruit

Etaerio of follicles, follicles 14- 40 cms long, 0.6 - 0.8 cms in diameter, cylindrical, brownish green in colour with white, pin points spots.

Seeds

Light brown, 0.8 cm - 1 cm long compressed and linear with a coma at silky brown hairs on the apex. They are bitter in taste and are known by the name "Indrajava" in Ayurvedic Medicine.

Roots

Roots are linear, cylindrical, chocolate brown in colour and about 0.6 - 2.5 cm in thickness.

Ayurvedic properties

Rasa : Tikta, Katu

Guna : Laghu, Ruskha

Veerya : Sheeta

Vipaka : Katu

Karma : Dipana, Tridoshshamak, Sangrahi

Chemical Constituents

It mainly contains alkaloids. Norconessine, eonimine, holarricine, isoconessimine.It also contains fats, tannin and resin.

Part Used: Stem bark, root bark, leaves, seeds and flowers.

Dose

3- 6 gms (Powder),

20-30 ml (Decoction)

USES

Bark: Anthelmintic, cures dysentery, diarrhea, fever, piles, leprosy, skin diseases, spleen diseases.

Flowers: Cooling, appetizer, cure blood diseases, leucoderma.

Seeds: Appetiser, astringent to bowels, cure pains, leprosy, anti diabetic, skin diseases, bleeding piles, burning sensation.

Leaves: Astringent, galactagogue, remove muscular pain, tonic, ulcers, wounds, lumbago, good in chronic bronchitis.

Physicochemical Parameters

The limit of physicochemical parameters viz.Total ash, Acid insoluble ash, Alcohol soluble extractive, Water soluble extractive are prescribed in Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India for identity, purity and strength.

Important formulations

Kutajaarist, Kutajaavleha,

Kutajghanvati,

Pancha Nimba Churna,

Palaasabeejaadi Churna,

Nyagrodhaadi churna,

Asanaadi Ghanvati.