Abstract

ANATOMICAL STUDY OF MARKETED SAMPLES OF THE BARK OF HOLARRHENA ANTIDYSENTERICA WALL.

Meenakshi Vaidya*

Abstract

Holarrhena antidysenterica Wall. belongs to family Apocynaceae & has often been confused and adulterated with another member of the same family that is Wrightia tinctoria R. Br. Holarrhena antidysenterica is called Kuruchi, Kuda, Kutaja, Kalinga etc in various languages. Wrightia tinctoria is commonly called Ivory wood, Pala indigo, Duhi, Mitaindarjau, vetakutaja, Hayamaraka etc. The plant pacifies vitiated tridoshas, fever, stomachache, skin diseases especially psoriasis and diarrhea. The present study reveals the true anatomical features of Holarrhena antidysenterica bark and Wrightia tinctoria bark. These are compared to ready-marketed samples of Holarrhena antidysenterica bark powder, which showed presence of adulterants like sand & parts of stems of other plants.

Keywords: Holarrhena antidysenterica bark, Wrightia tinctoria bark, marketed samples, adulterated.