Desmostachya bipinnata

KUSA (Root Stock)
Kusa consists of dried root stock of Desmostachya bipinnata Stapf. (Fam. Poaceae); a tall, tufted, perennial grass, 30-150 cm high, found throughout the country in hot and dry places.

SYNONYMS –
Sansk. : Yagyabhhushana, Shucyagra
Assam. : Kush
Beng. : Kush
Eng. : Saved Gram
Guj. : Dabb
Hindi. : Kush
Kan. : Darbha Hullu
Kash. : —
Mal. : Darbha, Darbhapullu
Mar. : Darbha
Ori. : Kusha
Punj. : Kush, Dale
Tam. : Darbaipul
Tel. : Darbhagaddi
Urdu. : —

DESCRIPTION –

a) Macroscopic:
Drug occurs in 6-20 cm long, 0.3-0.5 cm thick cut pieces, almost cylindrical; internodes smooth, stout, mostly covered with shining sheath, having distinct nodes; brownish-yellow; a few thin, fibrous, ash coloured roots arise at nodes; fracture, short.

b) Microscopic:
Root stock shows single layered epidermis, covered with striated cuticle; hypodermis composed of 3-5 layered, circular to polygonal, sclerenchymatous cells; cortex consisting of 5-9 layered, circular parenchymatous cells with small intercellular spaces; a few collateral vascular bundles found scattered in this zone, followed by 5-8 layered, discontinuous sclerenchymatous ring; ground tissue composed of continuous mass of slightly thick-walled, non-lignified, parenchymatous cells; numerous, collateral, vascular bundles found scattered in this zone and each covered by sclerenchymatous sheath; xylem vessels simple pitted; starch grains simple round to oval, with centric hilum, measuring 8-14 µ in dia., and compound having two components, found scattered in hypodermis, cortex and ground tissues.
Powder – Yellowish-brown; shows fragments of circular to polygonal sclerenchymatous cells with distinct lumen and striations; long, pointed fibres; simple pitted xylem vessels; starch grains simple round to oval with centric hilum measuring 8-14 µ. in dia. and compound having two components.

CONSTITUENTS – Terpenes.

PROPERTIES AND ACTION –
Rasa : Madhura, Kashaya
Guna : Laghu
Virya : sita
Vipaka : Madhura
Karma : Mhutrala, Kaphapittahara

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Karphuradyarka, Sukumara Ghrita, Asmarihara Kashaya Churna, Trinapancamhula Kvatha Churna, Mutravirecaniya Kashaya Churna, Stanyajanana Kashaya Churna

THERAPEUTIC USES – Mhutrakricchra, Visarpa, Daha, Asmari, Trishna, Bastiroga, Pradararoga, Raktapitta

DOSE – 50-100 g. of powder for decoction.