Abstract

POWDER MICROSCOPY OF ASHWAGANDHA (WITHANIA SOMNIFERA (LINN.) DUNAL) MOOLA CHURNA

Krupal Gamit*, Vd. Mahesh Chand Gupta, Dr. Dharmendra Jani

ABSTRACT

Background: The present article reveals the Pharmacognostical study of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera(Linn.) Dunal) Moola Churna. Material and Method: Organoleptic and powder microscopic evaluations were conducted to assess the Pharmacognostical characteristics of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera(Linn.) Dunal) Moola Churna. The study was carried out in the Pharmacognosy Laboratory of the Upgraded Department of Dravyaguna, Government Ayurveda College, Vadodara. Observation and Result: Organoleptic characteristics revealed that the churna is yellowish white in colour, sweet, bitter and astringent in taste and faintly pungent in odor. Powder microscopy showed pitted xylem vessel, medullary rays, starch grains, calcium oxalate, spiral vessel, yellow brown pigment, cork, xylem vessel, cork in surface. Conclusion: These organoleptic and microscopical features are important markers for the identification of Ashwagandha (Withania Somnifera (Linn.) Dunal) Moola Churna. and help ensure the purity and quality of Ayurvedic formulations by detecting possible adulteration or substitution.

Keywords: Pharmacognosy, Ashwagandha moola churna, (Withania somnifera (Linn.) Dunal), Powder microscopy.