NEWS LETTER OF
ARMARC
OCT -2009
Editorial
Diseases and alterations are part of each life but
intelligent treatment brings back that life in main stream.
Somebody adopts any alteration from birth and no one
is found faulty behind such condition. Autism is one of
them. It is a tendency to morbid self-absorption at the
expense of regulation by outward reality. Autism is
characterized by impaired social interaction, problems
with verbal and nonverbal communication, and unusual,
repetitive, or severely limited activities and interests. It is
always mistaken as madness but it is a most common
condition of group of developmental disorders. It first
appears during infancy and overt symptoms gradually
begin after the age of six months which are more apparent
by age of two or three years. It tends to continue through
adulthood with usual learning disabilities which is not
common in all cases. In our Indian society these cases
are covered family members to expose to avoid any
hindrance in relations, as such things are unknowingly
wrongly judged with family background. Recent
researches have shown that in families with one autistic
child, the risk of having a second child with the disorder
is approximately 5 percent or sometimes below that. This
percentage may be for anyone, even without having such
background. By the time it is also reality that emotional
disorders, such as manic depression occur more
frequently than average in the families of people with
autism. The reason is more conditional as such families
care more about such person and are closer emotionally.
Children with autism appear to have a higher than
normal risk for certain co-existing conditions, including
fragile X syndrome (which causes mental retardation),
tuberous sclerosis (in which tumors grow on the brain),
epileptic seizures, tourette syndrome, learning disabilities,
attention deficit disorder etc. For reasons that are still
unclear, about 20 to 30 percent of children with autism
develop epilepsy by the time they reach adulthood. While
people with schizophrenia may show some autistic-like
behavior, their symptoms usually do not appear until the
late teens or early adulthood. Most people with
schizophrenia also have hallucinations and delusions, which
are not found in autism.
Autism varies widely in its severity and symptoms
and may go unrecognized, especially in mildly affected
children or when it is masked by more debilitating
Vol 1.88
handicaps. Doctors rely on a core group of
behaviors to alert them to the possibility of a diagnosis of
autism. These behaviors are:
• impaired ability to make friends with peers
• impaired ability to initiate or sustain a conversation with
others
• absence or impairment of imaginative and social play
• stereotyped, repetitive, or unusual use of language
• restricted patterns of interest that are abnormal in
intensity or focus
• preoccupation with certain objects or subjects
• inflexible adherence to specific routines or rituals
There is no cure for autism, but patient can be brought
back to theme up to certain extent with treatment. The
ideal treatment must target the core symptoms of autism
like impaired social interaction, problems with verbal and
nonverbal communication, and obsessive or repetitive
routines and interests. The following treatments are
already being used as:
Educational and behavioral interventions: Therapists
use highly structured and intensive skill-oriented training
sessions to help children develop social and language
skills. Counseling for the parents and siblings of children
with autism are done to help families cope with the
particular challenges of living with an autistic child.
Medications: Antidepressants are given to avoid
anxiety, depression, or obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Anti-psychotic medications are used to treat severe
behavioral problems. Seizures can be treated with one
or more of the anticonvulsant drugs.
Other therapies: Number of other therapies learnt from
experience may be used. It is also duty of common being
to help the family and patient of autism background to
fight, not separating them but being part of them.
In This Issue
1) PUTA (HEATING DEVICES IN
AYURVEDA)
2) A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF MEDICINAL
PLANTS OF INDIA
3) Formulation Profile (Series-A/10)
SAMSHAMANI VATI
4) Herbal Drug Profile (Series-A/11)
GENTIANA
 Newsletter of ARMARC
PUTA (HEATING DEVICES IN AYURVEDA)
Dr. Mahesh.M.Madalageri Fainal M.D.
Dept. of Bhaishajya Kalpana, A.L.N.Rao Memorial Ayurvedic Medical College,Koppa
Introduction:
Bhasma kalpana is the part of Dehasiddhi which
can be prepared by different methods as Surya Puta,
Chandra Puta and Agni Puta. Out of these Agni Puta or
Puta method is one of the main sources for the preparation
of Bhasmas and becomes more popular in the field of
Rasashastra.
The History of Puta:
Putas are the ancient method of heating devices,
which are used for the Marana of different Rasadravyas
like Metals, Minerals and precious stones. These Putas
are being used since Nagarjuna’s period. The detail origin
of Puta and its period are explained as history of Puta.
The history of Puta can be classified into four periods
mainly.
1. Vedic period.
2. Samhita period.
3. Madhyama kala or Rasashastra period
4. Modern period or Adhunika Kala
1. Vedic period: In the oldest testimonials i.e. Vedas,
the references of many metals along with its uses were
found. In Rugveda, the metals were used for making
ornaments and protection. Silver ornaments like Kada
gold necklace, golden and Ayasa ornaments13 are
described in vedas. There was no reference found
regarding the Bhasmas or the Puta’s in Rugveda period.
In Atharvana Veda, the usage of Swarna, Rajatha and
Tamra are mentioned as ornaments and for protection.
But, no reference regarding the usage of these metals in
the form of Bhasmas or in other Kalpanas and internal
medicines is available. So there is no single reference is
found regarding the Puta’s in the Vedic period.
2. Samhita Kala:
i) Charaka Samhita: During the period of Charaka some
references regarding the usage of Jangama and parthivadi
dravyas in the form of Choorna15 are available. It is also
called by Raja. At the same time the qualities of Choorna’s
like Sookshmatva, Mrudutva and Shlakshnatva are
explained. The Choorna of Muktha is used for eye
2 OCT -2009
Guide: Prof.(Dr) D.K.Mishra M.D (Ay), H.O.D.
disorders. Also Swarna-Rajata makshika, Ayasa and
Mandura was used internally. But no reference is found
about the name of Puta or Bhasma in Charaka Samhita.
ii) Sushrutha Samhita: As we know that, the Acharya
Sushrutha is the father of surgery. For surgery the different
kinds of operative instruments are used, which are
prepared by different metals. After Charaka’s period,
acharya Sushrutha goes one step ahead as one reference
was found i.e. usage of Ayaskruthi.19 In some context,
Sushrutha said that the Dhatus are converted into liquid
form or melting by keeping in Musha / crucible and
subjecting to heat by using khadira as fuel source.20 By
looking at this process it can be accessed the development
of heating
devices / Agni karmas and Bhasma Kalpanas. But no
reference available regarding the Puta
iii) Ashtanga Hridaya: Acharya Vruddha Vagbhata has
mentioned the use of Andha Musha 21 in one context.
But no reference regarding the name of Puta in this treatise
is observed.
iv) Kashyapa Samhita: In “Navajatha shishu
prakarana”, Acharya Kashyapa has mentioned the
Swarna prashana vidhana. But there is no reference
regarding the Puta concept in his classics. During the period
of Samhita kala the usage of dhatus in the form of
Choorna, Raja, and Ayaskruthi are found, but no reference
about the Puta and Bhasma. Madhyama Kala or
Rasashastra period: Madhyama Kala is also called as
the golden period of Rasashastra, because so many
inventions and tremendous works were undergone in this
period. The usage of preparations from Metals and
Minerals was in full swing during the period of 8 – 9 A.D.
Description of all the Metals, Minerals, Precious Stones
etc., along with the synonyms, properties, purification,
Marana, therapeutic uses etc, have been described
extensively in almost all texts of Rasashastra.
 Newsletter of ARMARC
Description about the different types of Yantras and their
usage, different types of Putas, for Bhasmikarana process,
methodology for conducting Putas, Puta prayojana, Puta
phala etc are explained in detail in all the texts of
Rasashastra.
During the period of Rasashastra, the
Rasavaidyas were using Mineral origin, Plant origin and
Animal origin dravyas for therapeutic purposes. Rasa,
Maharasa, Uparasa, Sadharana rasa, Dhatu, Upadhatus,
Ratnas and Uparatnas are used extensively after the
purification and subjecting to Puta process (Marana) as
internally.
The concept of Puta and the procedure for conducting
Puta was started from 7th century. Acharya Nagarjuna
(7-8th century) describes the Shodhana and Marana of
different Rasa Dravyas. In 9 – 10th century the author
“Govindapada” in Rasahridaya Tantram and
“Ugradityacharya” in Kalyanakaraka have mentioned the
Puta for the Bhasmikarana of different Dravyas. In 11th
century, Chakrapani has mentioned usage of Bhasmas
and the Dhatus. Preparation of Abhraka Bhasma
subjected, to Agni for Marana / Bhasmikarana and it has
mentioned that the Abhraka Bhasma should posses the
quality of Nischandratva. Along with Abhraka Bhasma,
some other Bhasmas like Mandura Bhasma, Mruga
Shrunga Bhasma, Loha Bhasma - Bhanupaka, Sthalipaka
and Putapaka and their procedures are also explained.
Rasarnavakara (12th century) mentioned only name of
Putas for Marana of different dravyas. The direct
references about the concept of Puta are available from
the texts of 12th century. In the same period of different
texts like “Anandakanda”, “Rasendra Chudamani” etc.,
is also explained the different types of Putas. In chikitsa
sara by “Vangasena”, three types of Loha are mentioned.
In that Ayaskanta and Loha Bhasma and their preparatory
methods and Marana procedure are explained. The
author agbhatacharya gave detail description of Puta
regarding its types, importance, uses, Puta lakshanas and
Puta phalas etc., the other granthas belongs to the same
century like Rasa Prakasha Sudhakara etc are also
explained concept of Puta in detail. The later granthas
like “Sharangadhara Samhita” (14th Century), the Bhasma
3 OCT -2009
of Mrugashringa, Swarna, Rajata, Tamra, Naga, Vanga,
Yashada, loha, Makshika etc., along with Putapaka
procedures are explained in detail. Bhavaprakasha (16th
century), Rasakamadhenu (16th century), have explained
in different Putas like GajaPuta, Kukkuta Puta, Varaha
Puta, Kapota Puta, Gorvara Puta and Bhanda Puta.
Ayurveda Prakasha, Yogaratnakara of 17th century,
mentioned regarding Puta. The recent texts of 20th
centuries like “Rasatarangini, Rasajalanidhi etc., are
explained Puta in detail.
Modern period:
The scholars of 21st centuries like Acharya Yadavji
Trikamji and D. Joshi have explained in detail regarding
traditional methods of Puta.34 The scholars after studying
the traditional methods, they have suggested the modern
electric muffle furnace. But the temperature pattern during
the preparation is not exactly known.
Meaning of Puta:
There are different meanings related to Puta, given by is
as follows:
1. A fold
2. Pocket
3. Hallow space
4. Slit
5. Concavity
6. A cloth worn to cover the privities
7. A horse hoof.
Here the hallow space used to prepare the medication is
Puta.
Samputa:
Enveloping or wrapping of any substances especially for
heating.
Puta paka:
Any cake or pastry filled with seasoning or stuffing of
any kind of two vessels joined together for the purpose
of placing the medicinal substances. Method of preparing
drugs by subjecting various substances being wrapped
up in leaves or in Sharava Samputa covered with mud
smeared cloth at juncture and heated in fire or subjecting
to Puta.
 Newsletter of ARMARC
Definition of Puta:
In general sense “Puta” means the mode of heating the
Rasadi dravyas i.e., Metals, Minerals, Precious Stones
etc. While in specific sense, “Puta” indicates the source
and amount of heat necessary for the paka conversion)
of the substances into the suitable Bhasma, so as to make
it absorbable into the system.
UxÉÉÌS SìurÉmÉÉMüÉlÉÉÇ mÉë q ÉÉhÉ¥ÉÉmÉlÉÇ mÉÑOûqÉç |
(U. U. xÉ. 10/47)
That which indicates the quantum of heat required
by the Rasadi dravyas for their “Proper paka or Marana
is known as Puta. As neither less nor more heating is
desirable. The medicines which are only considered as
best i.e. hitamoushadham because they are therapeutically
suitable for internal administration. In other way the Puta
can be defined as, when the materials triturated in a juice
or decoction of various plants, than given different
degrees of heat with the fire of cowdung cakes is known
as Puta.
Purpose behind the Puta process:
All inventions in each and every field of science
are the solutions for the previous problems. Similarly,
certain points may be taken into consideration for the
origin and development of Puta process.
R. Cu. 5/146-147
To change in chemical nature of the material like color
changes etc
1. To convert them into organo – metallic compounds
which are light or easily digest.
2. Virtues like easy digestion, quick absorption and quick
assimilation in human body and stimulating digestive
power.
_ During Samhita period, metals were used in the form
of Raja (Churna) as rare stance. But after 8th century
only a scientific study of metals was carried out for their
therapeutic values used more frequentally, by changing
the forms of medicines i.e. Bhasmas, which are prepared
by Puta method.
- Rasa vaidyas too had the knowledge of the toxic effects
of metals and minerals, but were using Rasaushadhis
4 OCT -2009
which are free from adverse effects, because of unique
procedures (Shodhana, Jarana and Marana) adopted by
them in detoxifying the metals. These procedures not only
make a mineral or metal free from the toxic effects, but
also make them into bio-absorbable and therapeutically
effective with minimise dose for maximum and early
results. Hence Rasaushadhis are widely used by Ayurvedic
physicians without fear of adverse effect.
AsmÉqÉɧÉÉåmÉrÉÉåÌaÉiuÉSÃcÉåUmÉëxÉlaÉiÉÈ |
ͤÉmÉëqÉÉUÉåarÉSÉÌrÉiuÉÉSÉãprÉÉåQûÍkÉMüÉå UxÉÈ|| (R. S. S. 1/4)
Puta Yantra:
Puta is the ancient method of heating device
explained by almost all acharyas which is used for the
Marana / Marana of different metals, minerals and precious
stones etc. This yantra consists of two earthen Sharavas
which are keeping upside down i.e. the mouth of two
Sharavas or pots are in contact with each other and the
Dravya used for Marana is kept inside, properly filled
the gap between the two Sharavas and sealed with the
help of mud smeared cloth & dried. A square pit of
required measurement is made, filled with Vanyopalas /
upalas upto 2/3rd of pit, then Sharavas are to be kept
and remaining 1/3rd covered by cowdung cakes and
subjecting to heat. This is called as Puta Yantra.
Importance of Puta:
The some of the Rasaushadhis are from the sources of
Parthivadi, Jangamadi and Pranija i.e, mineral origin, plant
origin and animal origin respectively. These drugs can’t
be used directly as medicine because some drugs are
available in native form and some are in compound form,
having toxic effects, not absorbable into the system and
may cause side effects. So after proper Shodhana the
drug to be used for the preparation of Bhasmas, The
below points shows the importance and necessity of Puta
in the preparation of Bhasma.
_ Reduction of particle size.
_ To make the drugs free from impurities.
_ To eliminate the toxic effects.
_ To attain palatability.
_ To change the drugs into well absorbable form.
_ To widen the spectrum for therapeutics.
_ To increase the drug assimilation.
(Continued next edition..........)
 Newsletter of ARMARC
A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF MEDICINAL
PLANTS OF INDIA
Nisha Babu Prof. Sanjay K.S.M.D(Ay)
P.G. Scholar, Dept of D.G Principal
A.L.N.R.M.A.M. C., Koppa
‘Hardly a single plant in this universe without having
any medicinal property can be traced out’, a nice answer
of great Ayurvedic Scientist from Magadh i.e., Jivak is
well known to world. Now people have differentiated
plants as medicinal, ornamental and commercial. But
actually such segmentation is practically not seen. But
few plants are either being used on large scale for
medicinal purposes or they are not got the place in
commercial crop but are used by tribes, so they regarded
as medicinal plants. In reality, medicinal plants have been
considered as important therapeutic aids for alleviating
ailments. The search for quick remedies to relieve pain
and discomfort prompted the early man to explore his
immediate natural surroundings to develop a variety of
therapeutic agents for the same.
History:
Since hundreds if not thousands of indigenous
plants have been used by man from prehistoric times in
all continents for curing ailments. There are evidences
that suggest that the Neanderthals, living 60,000 years
ago in present day Iraq, used Althea rosea which is still
in ethnomedical use around the world. The use of herbal
medicine dates back to the earliest periods of known
human history. Medicinal plants have been used in
treatment of disease in almost all ancient civilizations,
from 3700 B.C. the Egyptians were followed by the
Chinese, the Greeks and the Romans. The Petric
collection from Kahun in Egypt (1880 B.C.), the
Atharvaveda (1200 B.C.) from India and the Avesta (6
A.D) from Persia show that the early medicine was based
not mainly on religion and magic but also included a
growing use of herbs.
In spite of tremendous development in the field
of allopathy, medicinal plants and their derivatives still
5 OCT -2009
remain one of the major sources of drugs in
modern and traditional systems throughout the world.
Medicinal Plants and their Uses in the Present
Age:
The WHO estimates that 80% of people living in
the developing countries still rely exclusively on traditional
medicine for their primary health care needs. Medicinal
plants form the back bone of traditional medicine and
hence more than 3300 million people utilize medicinal
plants on a regular basis.
Reasons for an increase in the demand for herbal
products:
• Mostly based on the popular but wrong idea of
herbal products being non toxic and having no
side effects
• An increasing reliance on the use of medicinal
plants in the industrialized societies
• The increasing cost of personal health
maintenance
• Increased awareness about the maintenance of
health among the educated population
India and its medicinal wealth:
India is an emporium of medicinal plants. Knowl-
edge of medicinal uses of plants in the country has been
amassed over millennia by the tribals. For thousands of
years Indian plants have been attracting worldwide at-
tention. There are evidences of people from countries
like China, Cambodia, Indonesia and Baghdad coming
to ancient universities of India like Takshashila (700BC)
and Nalanda (500BC) to learn Ayurveda.
The Indian people are passionate about medici-
nal plants and have been using them for a wide range of
health related applications from common cold, memory
improvement and treatment of poisonous snake bites to
a cure for muscular dystrophy and for the enhancement
of the body’s general immunity since long past.
Medicinal plants represent a valuable part of
India’s biodiversity and the country’s medicinal knowl-
edge. The WHO has listed 21,000 plants that are used
 Newsletter of ARMARC
as medicine around the world. India has a rich medicinal
plant flora of about 2500 species and out of these, 150
species are used commercially on a fairly large scale.
Distribution of Medicinal plants in India:
India has 16 agro climatic zones and medicinal plants are
distributed across diverse habitats and landscapes. Nearly
70 % of India’s medicinal plants are found in the tropical
reas mostly in the various forest types across the Western
and Eastern ghats, the Vindhyas, Chota Nagpur plateau,
Aravalis and Himalayas. Nearly 30 % of medicinal plants
A Brief Overview of Medicinal Plants of India:
India has an impressive variety of medicinal flora
and a large number of plants are endemic to the country.
Some medicinal plants and their uses:
• Azadirachta indica, all parts of which are used
to treat an array of disorders.
• The whole plant of Acalypha acts against
bronchitis, asthma, rheumatism and pneumonia.
• The dried stems of Ephedra and dried leaves
of Datura are anti-asthmatic .
• Ocimum sanctum, Piper nigrum, Adhatoda
vasica, Glycyrrhiza glabra and Alpinia galanga
are used to combat cough.
• The aerial parts of Lobelia are a good
respiratory stimulants.
• Cinnamon bark preparations prevent/ control
vomiting. The dried roots of Rauwolfia
serpentina and Catharanthus act against
hypertension.
• Amalaki has been hailed as a nugget of Vitamin
C.
• The seeds of Psoralea, leaves and stems of
Centella and the oil of Hydnocarpus have been
used in the treatment of leprosy and
leucoderma.
• Commiphora mukul produces a resin with
marked anti-inflammatory properties.
• The dried pulp of Terminalia chebula is used
as Rasayan drug being main constituent of
Triphala etc. of Ayurvedic formulation. This
6 OCT-2009
property may be after the presence of
anthraquinone glycoside, flavonoid or its
derivatives, tannin etc.
• Since long women in India are using chirata for
improving their complexion ad it is proved fact
that chirata is good blood purifier along with
its antipyretic and number of other properties.
• Leaves and flowers of Nepeta cataria Linn.
are gentle nerve relaxant and sedative,
carminative, antispasmodic, antidiarrhoeal,
diaphoretic, febrifuge. They are used in
restlessness, convulsions, nervous headache,
colic, early stages of fever, colds and influenza.
• The leaves, seeds, roots of Cayratia carnosa
(Wall.) Gagnep. are astringent, applied to
ulcers and boils. Leaves are diaphoretic. Root
is given in anaemic conditions. Aerial parts are
CNS active, hypothermic.
• The plant of Xanthium strumarium Linn. is
used for leucoderma, ulcers, abscesses,
strumous and malignant diseases. The root is
antitumourous while the leaves and shoots are
applied externally on venereal sores, herpes
and scrofula.
• The root of Pseudarthria viscida Wt. & Arn.
is astringent, febrifuge, antirheumatic. A
decoction or powder is used for biliousness
and diarrhoea. This is also used as a substitute
for Desmodium gangeticum (Shaalaparni) in
South India.
• The bark of Mitragyna parvifolia (Roxb.) Korth.
is used for muscular pain while bark and root
are febrifuge and antispasmodic.
• The root of Cimicifuga racemosa (Linn.) Nutt.
is sedative, anti-inflammatory, antitussive,
diuretic, emmenagogue. It is used in
homoeopathy for rheumatic diseases of
nervous, hysterical women, suffering from
uterine affections; also for locomotor ataxia.
Out of thousands of Indian medicinal plants,the
uses of only a few are cited here . The range of plants
used in traditional medicine is so vast and diverse that
one may rightly wonder if there is such a thing as a non
medicinal plant. They are used in various forms directly
as single or as part of mixture of different herbs. Their
specific combinations are proving effective till today.
 Newsletter of ARMARC 7 OCT -2009
Formulation Profile (Series-A/10) Herbal Drug Profile (Series-A/11)
SAMSHAMANI VATI GENTIANA
Dr. Dr.Yeshodha.T.R , 1. Prof. M.Vidyasagar 2. Prof. K.S.Sanjay
Guid: Dr.Basavaraj Hiremath M.D (Ay) 3. Dr. Hari Venkatesh 4. Dr. Prashant Kumar Jha
Dr.Mahesh.M.Madaalageri Bhavya D.C.
Ingredients: Fresh Guduchi kaanda having thickness of
thumb–1½ k.g, Pippali choorna - 1 2 . 5 g , S h o d h i t a
Ativisha-12.5g, Loha basma -25g ,Water- 6.0 liters,

Method of preparation:
The vastragalita Choorna was prepared out of
Pippali, Shodhita Ativisha with the help of pulvarizer. That
was weighed and kept separately. Guduchi Kwatha was
Botanical Source: Dried root of Gentiana kurroo Royle
reheated in a low flame. After about one fourth of water
evaporation the consistency of the liquid was found from family Gentianaceae.
thickening gradually. The heating process was continued Habitat: Kashmir and North-West Himalayas.
slowly by keeping the vessel in water bath. The heating English: Himalayan Gentian, Indian Gentian Root.
was continued till Kwatha gained semisolid consistency. Ayurvedic: Traayamaana, Traayanti, Traayanta,
Then it was taken out of fire, the mass obtained was Traayantikaa, Neelkanthi, Anujaa, Girijaa, Girishaanujaa,
measured. 200 g. of Guduchi Ghana was taken to it and Balbhra, Paalani. (Paakhaanabheda is a wrong synonym)
rest was added with powder. It was triturated well to get
Unani: Ghaafis.
a homogenous mixture. Then the mass obtained by the
above process is rolled into pills of mudga pramana size Macroscopy: The roots are sub-cylindrical, consisting
and dried. of dried rhizome and secondary roots. The rhizome is
usually crowned by one or more large conical buds
Uses: Jwara, Kasa, Swasa, Ajirna. around 1 cm across. The surface of root is yellowish-
Chemical Analysis: brown and is marked by numerous transverse closely
Loss on Drying: 9.69% arranged annulations, scars of fallen leaves and rootlets.
Ash : 11.05% The dark-cambium separating the bark covers the one-
third of the radius. The drug has a short fracture when
Acid Insoluble Ash : 0.59%
dried but tough and flexible when moist. The odour is
Water soluble extractive: 50.66%
pleasant and characteristic with sweetish taste turning
Alcohol soluble extractive: 21.15% bitter.
Average wt: 0.1310gm Microscopy: The matured root shows the presence of
Thin Layer Chromatography : phelloderm externally with several rows of polygonal,
Extraction: Cloroform tabular, thin walled cork cells. Phelloderm also surrounds
Solvent system:Cloroform:Hexane:Toluene:Etthyl the phloem cells. The triarch primary xylem is found at
the centre of root, where each primary bundle is
acetate: (0.8:4.2:4.0:1.0)
represented by from 1 to 3 very vessel. Each bundle is
Detection at 365 nm
situated at an angle of small equilateral triangle of
No of spot Rf values Colour parenchyma. The wide secondary xylem is
1. 0.01 Light blue
parenchymatous and medullary rays are not clearly
2. 0.04 Light blue
marked. Many cells of parenchyma in all regions of the
3. 0.10 Green
root contain a few small scattered needles and prisms of
4. 0.26 Faint blue
calcium oxalate.
5. 0.33 Red
6 0.41 Green
Newsletter of ARMARC 8 OCT-2009
Action: Sialagogue, digestant, appetite-stimulant,

PRINTED MATTER/BOOK POST

antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, emmenagogue.
Used for alkalosis, feeble digestion in the elderly from

RNI Regd No. KARENG/2002/7924

gastric acid deficiency (increases gastric juices without
altering PH); also used for jaundice, nausea, vomiting,
travel sickness, diarrhoea, malaria and nervous
exhaustion. (In Chinese medicine, Gentiana sp., known
as Longdan, are used for jaundice, hepatitis, urinary tract
infections, pruritis and eczema.)
Key application: Gentiana lutea- internally, for
digestive disorders, such as lack of appetite, fullness and
flatulence following illness and dyspepsia.
The most important constituents of the drug are secoiridoid
bitter compounds, amarogentin and gentiopicroside,
together with traces of swertiamarin and sweroside. The
roots also contain alkaloids, gentianine and gentioflavine,
xanthones, and bitter oligosaccharides, gentiobiose and
gentianose. Amarogentin, gentiopicrin, swertiamarin,
sioeroside (iridoid monoterpenes) are toxic constituents.
New Reseacrhes In Medical Science
• Post-menopausal women can cut down their risk
of breast cancer by engaging in a moderate to
vigorous workout, says a new study.
• Omega-3 fatty acids may protect against stroke
from ruptured carotid artery plaques, acording to
a new study.
• New research published on bmj.com today
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