Cynodon dactylon

DURVA (Root)
Dhurva consists of dried fibrous roots of Cynodon dactylon (Linn.) Pers. (Fam. Poaceae); an elegant, hard, perennial, creeping grass growing throughout the country and ascending to 2440 m.

SYNONYMS –
Sansk. : satavirya
Assam. : —
Beng. : Durva
Eng. : Creeping Cynodon, Conch Grass
Guj. : Khadodhro, Lilidhro, Dhro
Hindi. : Doob
Kan. : Garike Hullu
Kash. : —
Mal. : Koruka Pullu
Mar. : Doorva, Hariyalee, Harlee
Ori. : —
Punj. : Dubada
Tam. : Aruvam Pullu
Tel. : Garika, Pacchgaddi
Urdu. : Doob Ghas, Doob

DESCRIPTION –

a) Macroscopic:
Roots fibrous, cylindrical, upto 4 mm thick, minute hair-like roots arise from the main roots; cream coloured.

b) Microscopic:
Mature root shows epiblema or piliferous layer composed of single layered, thinwalled, radially elongated to cubical cells; hypodermis composed of 1-2 layered, thinwalled, tangentially elongated to irregular shaped cells; cortex differentiated into two zones, 1 or 2 layers of smaller, thin-walled, polygonal, lignified sclerenchymatous and 4-6 layers of thin-walled, elongated parenchymatous cells being larger; endodermisquite distinct being single layered, thick-walled, tangentially elongated cells; pericycle 1-2 layers composed of thin-walled sclerenchymatous cells; vascular bundles consisting of xylem and phloem, arranged in a ring on different radials; xylem exarch, having usualelements; centre occupied by wide pith, composed of oval to rounded thick-walled parenchymatous cells containing numerous simple, round to oval or angular starch grains measuring 4-16 µ in dia., and compound starch grains having 2-4 components.
Powder – Cream coloured; fragments of xylem vessels with pitted walls, thick-walled lignified sclerenchymatous cells and numerous simple round to oval or angular starchgrains measuring 4-16 µ in dia., and compound starch grains having 2-4 components.

CONSTITUENTS – Phenolic Phytotoxins and Flavonoids.

PROPERTIES AND ACTION –
Rasa : Madhura, Tikta, Kashaya
Guna : Laghu
Virya : sita
Vipaka : Madhura
Karma : Kaphapittasamaka, Raktapittanasaka, Dahaghna, Atisaraghna, sramahara, Trptikara

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Balasvagandha Lakshadi Taila, Madhuyashtyadi Taila, Marma Gutika, Manasa Mitra Vataka, Candrakala Rasa

THERAPEUTIC USES – Raktapitta, Trishnaroga, Daharoga, Visarpa, Tvakaroga, Arocaka, Duhsvapna, Bhhutaroga, Raktapitta, Chhardi(vomiting), Mhurccha, Raktapradara, Mhutra Daha

DOSE – 5-10 ml. (Svarasa).