Abstract

PHARMACOGNOSTICAL STUDY OF THE LEAF, STEM AND ROOT OF BHRINGARAJA (ECLIPTA ALBA LINN.) CULTIVATED THROUGH HYDROPONICS SYSTEM - DEEP WATER CULTURE (DWC).

Dr. Dhaval Prajapati*, Dr. Dharmendra P. Jani

ABSTRACT

Background: Bhringaraja (Eclipta alba (L.)) is a widely used medicinal herb in Ayurveda, known for its Rasayana and Keshya properties. It balances Pitta and Vata Doshas and is cited across classical texts like Charaka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita, and Ashtanga Hridaya for treating conditions such as Pandu, Kamala, Khalitya, Palitya, Kasa, and Shwasa. Traditionally, crops are cultivated in soil-based systems; however, modern methods like hydroponics provide an effective alternative to overcome challenges such as soil-borne diseases, fluctuating yields, and decreasing arable land. Among hydroponic methods, the Deep Water Culture (DWC) is a hydroponic technique in which plant roots are suspended directly in a nutrient-rich, oxygenated water solution. An air pump supplies oxygen to the roots, preventing suffocation and promoting healthy growth and enhancing phytochemical profiles. Materials and Methods: For the present study, Bhringaraja (Eclipta alba (L.)) have beenselected as herbal drug. A thorough study has been carried out of Leaf, Stem and Root of Bhringaraja (Eclipta alba (L.)) Cultivated through Hydroponics system - Deep Water Culture (DWC) including its macroscopical and microscopical (Pharmacognostical) studies. Observation & Result: In the present study Pharmacognostical Identification of Bhringaraja (Eclipta alba (L.)) was done which includes macroscopical and microscopical features. The Leaf of Bhringaraja (Eclipta alba (L.)) cultivated through Hydroponics system - Deep Water Culture (DWC) was greenish, oblong-laceolate, pubescent in touch and characteristic odour. In the transverse section of the leaf, several features were observed, including upper epidermis, lower epidermis, vascular bundle, trichomes, Palisade cells, collenchyma and Sponge mesophyll. The stem was greenish brown, pubescent in touch and odourless. In the transverse section of the stem, several features were observed, including Epidermis, Hypodermis, Epidermal cells, Pericyclic fibre, Phloem, Xylem, and Pith. The root was creamish brown, rough in touch and odourless. In the transverse section of the root, several features were observed, including in Xylem, Medullary rays, Phloem, Pericycle, Cavity, Cork, Cortex and Endodermis. Conclusion: The structures which are observed here help in correct identification of Bhringaraja (Eclipta alba (L.)). In this study, Bhringaraja (Eclipta alba (L.)), cultivated through a hydroponic system using the Deep Water Culture (DWC), was botanically compared with a standard reference. No new structures were found during microscopy.

Keywords: Hydroponics, Deep Water Culture (DWC), Bhringaraja (Eclipta alba Linn.) Medicinal plants, Cultivation.