Issue 12 - amam-ayurveda.org

) Microscopic
Transverse section of rhizome shows cork divided into two zones, outer
a few layers of slightly compressed and brown coloured cells, inner
zone multilayered consisting of thin-walled tangentially elongatd and
colourless cells, followed by a single layered cork cambium and 2-3 layers
of secondary cortex composed of thick-walled, tangentially elongated,
rectangular cells with intercellular spaces, some cells contain
rosette crystals of calcium oxalate and simple starch grains cortex a narrowzone
of parenchymatous cells containing a number of simple starch grains,
most of cortical cells also contain large rosette crystals of calcium oxalate,
endoderm is and pericycle absent. vascular bundles, arranged in a ring,
collateral, conjoint and open, phloem tissues cornposed of sieve elements
and parenchyma, in outer region found as compressed masses while in
inner region intact. a number of rosette crystals of calcium oxalate also
found as crystal fibres, cambium present as continuous ring composed of
2-3 layers of thin walled, tangentially elongated cells, xylem consist of
fibres, tracheids, vessels and parenchyma, with centre occupied by large
pith composed of circular to oval, parenchymatous cells, varying in size
and containing starch grains with crystals of calcium oxalate similar to
those found in cortical region.
IDENTITY, PURITY AND STRENGTH
Foreign matter: Not more than 2 per cent,
Total Ash: Not more than 13 per cent,
Acid-insoluble ash: Not more than 0.5 per cent,
Alcohol-soluble extractive: Not less than 9 per cent,
Water-soluble extractive: Not less than 15 per cent,
CONSTITUENTS - Tannic acid, gallic acid and glucose
PROPERTIES AND ACTION
Rasa: Tikta, Kashaya
Guna: Laghu
Virya: Shita
Vipaka: Katu
Karma: Ashmarighna, Bhedana, Vastishodhana, Mutravirecaniya
IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS - Ashmarihara Kashaya Churna,
Mutravirechaniya Kashaya Churna
THERAPEUTIC USES - Meha, Mutrakricchra, Ashmari
DOSE - 3-6 g of the drug in powder form 20-30 g of the drug for
decoction.
ATIVISHA (Root)
(API Part –I, Vol.I, Pg.22)
Ativisha 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.
info Ayurveda, Volume 1, No.12, April-June’ 2012
SYNONYMS
Sanskrit: Aruna, Ghunapriya, Visa
Assamese: Aatich
Bengali: Ataicha
English: Atis Root
Gujrati: Ativishni Kali, Ativikhani Kali
Hindi: Atis
Kannada: Ativisha, Athihage
Malayalam: Atividayam, Ativitayam
Marathi: Ativisha
Oriya: Atushi
Punjabi: Atisa, Atees
Tamil: Atividayam
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 greybrown,
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 fibro vascular 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, thinwalled
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 barrel shaped cells, elements of vascular
bundles poorly developed, vascular bundles, arranged in a ring, interfascicular
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,
Total Ash: Not more than 4 per cent,
Acid-insoluble ash: Not more than 1 per cent,
Alcohol-soluble extractive: Not less than 6 per cent,
Water-soluble extractive: Not less than 24 per cent,
CONSTITUENTS - Alkaloids (atisine, dihydroatisine, hetisined and
heteratisine).
PROPERTIES AND ACTION
Rasa: Tikta, Katu
Guna: Laghu, Ruksha
Virya: Ushna
Vipaka: Katu
Karma: Dipana, Pachana, Sangrahika, Kaphapittahara
IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS - Rodhrasava, Shiva Gutika,
Lakshminarayana Rasa, Maha Vishagarbha Taila, Rasnairanadi
Kvatha Churna, Sudarshana Churna, Panchatikta Guggulu Ghrita,
Balachaturbhadrika Churna
THERAPEUTIC USES - Jvara, Kasa, Chardi, Amatisara, Krimiroga
DOSE - 0.6-2.0 g of the drug in powder form
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