MACRO AND MICROSCOPICAL STUDIES ON VANAHARIDRA CURCUMA AROMATICA SALISB

ABSTRACT: The drug Vanaharidra is used in various kinds of diseases like Kusta, Kasa, etc., Pharmacognosy of the root and rhizome of Vanaharidra is presented in this paper. INTRODUCTION The drug Curcuma aromaticaSalisb belonging to the family zingiberaceae has been used in indigenous system of medicine in various kind of diseases. According to Ayurveda with the therapeutic properties like thikta katu rasa, rooksha-laghu, guna, ushna-verrya and Katu Vipaka this can be used in many diseases like Kushta (Leprosy), Hicca (Hiccup), Kasa (Cough), Peenasa (Sinusitis) and Vatarakta (Rhenumatoid arthritis) (Sharma 1983). In Siddha system this drug is widely used in the preparations Nirkovai maaththirai pills and Arakkuth taila(Anonymous 1979). It has also been observed that most of the physicians, beauticians, and pharmaceuticals are commonly advising and using Vanaharidra for cosmetic purpose. Available literature referred showed that chemical work on this plant has been done. Rhizomes yield essential oils, oil contains Sesquiterpenes mainly L α and L – β – curcumenes; 65.5% two monocyclic tertiary Sesquiterpene alcohols, 22.0% dCamphor, -2.5% dCamphene, 0.8% p- -methoxycinnamic and other acids 0.7% and unidentified residues 8.5%. The colouring matter has been identified as curcumin (Anonymous 1950). Literature review revealed that so far no macro and microscopical studies on root and rhizomes have been conducted. Hence the present study is attempted.