Chitraka (Plumbago zeylanica)

CHITRAKA

Latin Name- Plumbago zeylanica

Family- Plumbaginaceae
Synonyms- Dhahan, Vahni, Pathin, Darun, Vyala, Pathi, Jyoti, Sikhagni etc.
Introduction- It is commonly known as Ceylon leadwort. It is a herbaceous plant with stems some what prostrate. The leaves are nearly sessile with semi amplexicaul pattern. There are transverse protruded lining all over the stem.
Part Used- root
Uses- 1. It is said to possess Deepan (stimulate hunger center) and Pachan property (stimulates         digestive enzymes).
          2. It is also used to treat coryza.
Important Formulations- Chitraka haritaki, Chitrakadi leha, Chitrakadi vati

Neel Chitraka- Plumbago capensis

Rakta Chitraka- Plumbago rosea

Dry sample of Chitraka mool 

Langli (Gloriosa superba)

                                                                  LANGLI

Latin Name- Gloriosa superba
Family- Colchicaceae
Synonyms- Halini, Vishalya, Garbhpatini, Kalihari, Indrapushpi, Agnishikha, Vahnijihwa
Introduction- It is a perennial climber with tuberous root. It is also called Glory lilly because of its multi coloured flower. It is state flower of Tamil Nadu and national flower of Zimbabwe.The root of Gloriosa superba resembles plough so its called Halini.
Part Used- root
Uses- 1. Its root is used in expelling placenta.
          2. It is used in Vatarakta (Gout)
Important Formulations- Langliadi vati, Kasisadi tail

Sarpagandha (Rauwolfia serpentina)

 SARPAGANDHA

Latin Name- Rouwolfia serpentina
Family- Apocynaceae
Synonyms- Chandramara, Dhavalvitap, Nakuli, Mukta, Nakuleshta
Introduction- It is a perennial shrub commonly known as Indian snake root. Fruits are obliquely ovoid, purple black when ripe. Its root is the source of drug in Ayurveda. It contains an alkaloid reserpine which has an excellent anti hypertensive effect.
Used Part- root
Uses- 1. Taken with warm water in Visuchika (Cholera).
          2. It is very efficacious in rat poisoning.
          3. It is a well known anti hypertensive drug.
Important formulations- Sarpagandha ghan vati, Sarpagandha churna
Note;- There is one more wild variety of Sarpagandha i.e Rauwolfia tetraphylla. It bears 4 leaves from each node. Two leaves are smaller while other two are larger.
                                                   Rauwolfia tetraphylla

Vatsanabha (Aconitum balfourii)

                                                               VATSANABHA

Latin Name- Aconitum balfourii

Family- Ranunculaceae

Synonyms- Amritum, Ugravisha, Garalam, Nagam, Nabhi, Pranaharam, Maranam etc.

Introduction- It is a perennial herb with tuberous root and reaches up to 1 m height. It contains large amount of toxic alkaloid pseudaconitine. Aconite is a Greek word meaning arrow. It was used as an arrow poison in early Chinese history. Leaves are palmately 5 lobed. The root is paired; mother tuber and daughter tuber attached to it.

Part Used- Root

Antidote- Borax (Tankan) is considered to be the main antidote. 

Uses- 1. It is an excellent remedy for chronic fever.

          2. Root paste is applied at the site of scorpion sting.

Important Formulations- Anandabhairava rasa, Hinguleshwar rasa, Kaphaketu rasa, Mritunjaya rasa, Rambana rasa, Tribhuvankirti rasa

Dry tubers of Vatsanabha

Varun (Crataeva nurvala)

                                                                      VARUN

Latin Name- Crataeva nurvala
Family- Capparidaceae
Synonyms- Kumaraka, Tiktasaka, Sakadruma
Introduction- It is a medium sized deciduous tree. The leaves are trifoliate therefore it is also known as three leaved caper. Bark is greyish with horizontal lines with small warty protuberances.
Part Used- Root bark, Stem bark, leaves
Uses- 1. The decoction of root and stem bark is used to get rid of Renal Calculus.
          2. The decoction of root taken with honey destroys Gandmala ( Cervical adenitis)
          3. The paste of leaf is used in Kikkasa (Striae gravidarum)
Important Formulations- Varunadi kwatha, Varun Sigru kwatha, Varunadi ghrita

                   

Trifoliate Leaf of Crataeva nurvala

Fruit of  Crataeva nurvala

Bark of Crataeva nurvala

Katuki (Picrorhiza kurroa)

                                                                      KATUKI

Latin Name- Picrorhiza kurroa
Family- Plantaginaceae
Synonyms- Krishnabhedda, Matsyashakala, Matsyapitta, Kandruha, Chakrangi, Katurohini, Ashokrohini, Dwijangika
Introduction- It is a perennial herb with bitter root stock. It is found in Himalayan region from Kashmir to Sikkim. Leaves are coarsely toothed. Flowers are purplish blue. It is bitter due to presence of a glycoside i.e Kutkin
Part Used- Rhizome
Uses- 1. Its powder mixed with sugar alleviates fever caused by pitta.
          2. For purification of breast milk its decoction is used.
          3. Its decoction is hepatoprotective.
Important Formulations- Arogyavardhani vati, Katukadya ghrita

Identification mark- Image bellow shows why this plant has been given synonym Krishnabhedda. When its rhizome is broken, a white ring is seen and rest of the portion is totally black so its called Krishnabhedda.

Nagakesara (Mesua ferrea)

                                                                
                                                                  NAGAKESARA

Latin Name- Mesua ferrea
Family- Calophyllaceae
Synonyms- Ahipushpa, Devapushpa, Nagapushpaka, Nagakinjalka, Kanak, Champeya,Pinjaram etc.
Introduction- It is a very slow growing tree named after heaviness and hardness of its timber.It has a drooping leaves which are whitish on the dorsal side and bears white fragrant flowers.
Adulteration- The stamens of a plant named Ochrocarpus longifolius is often sold under the name of Nagakesara and many a time mixed with the stamens of Mesua ferrea.
Part Used- Stamens, Leaf
Uses- 1. In bleeding piles administered orally along with butter and sugar.
          2. Taken with butter milk for 3 days to get rid of Leucorrhoea.
Important Formulations- Kanakarishta, Eladi churna, Kesaradi kashaya

Gunja (Abrus precatorius)

GUNJA

 Latin Name- Abrus precatorius 

 Family- Fabaceae

 Synonyms- Raktika, Chudamani, Kaakdantika, Sikhandika, Tamra, Sughata etc.

 Introduction- It is commonly known as Crab's eye.It is a perennial climber bearing pink to white  flowers. It is a legume bearing pinnate leafleted leaves. The most useful part of  this plant is its  seeds. The seeds are said to be toxic due to presence of highly toxic toxalbumin i.e Abrin

 Purification of seeds- Seeds are purified by boiling in milk for 3 hours.

 Types- It is of 2 types: Sweta (White) & Rakta (Red)

 Part Used- Seed and Root

 Uses- 1. Oil prepared from Abrus precatorius is applied over scalp to get rid of                                              dandruff.

           2. Root chewed to get rid of dental pain.

  Important Formulations- Gunjadi tail, Gunjabhadra ras