musta :

Morphology:

Drug consists of rhizome and stolon having a number of wiry roots,

stolon 10-20 cm long having a number of rhizomes,

crowded together on the stolons,

rhizomes bluntly conical and vary in size and thickness,

crowned with the remains of stem and leaves forming a scaly covering, dark brown or black externally,

creamish-yellow internally; odour, pleasant

Histology:

Rhizome shows single layered epidermis, followed by 2-6 layers,

suberised sclerenchymatous cells; epidermis and outer sclerenchymatous layers filled with dark

brown content;

ground tissue of cortex consists of circular to oval, thin-walled, parenchymatous cells with small intercellular spaces; a few fibro-vascular bundles

present in this region;

endoderm is distinct and surrounding the stele;

wide central zone beneath endodermis, composed of circular to oval, thin-walled, parenchymatous cells with intercellular spaces, numerous collateral, closed,

vascular bundles surrounded by bundle sheath, scattered in this region; vessels narrow having simple reticulate, and

scalariform thickening and oblique pore;

simple round to oval starch grains measuring 6-28 µ in dia., a number of pigmented cells filled with reddish-brown content,

present throughout the cortex and stele.

Dr Mohamed Rifas

A dual country licensed Ayurveda Physician, currently working in Dubai as Head of Ayurveda and Yoga department. He also works as visiting doctor for Dr Hassan Ayurveda Brain and Spine Specialty Hospital. He is specialized in joint issues, brain and spine related issues and gastrointestinal issues with respect to anxiety.
Doctor profile: Click here