SYONAKA (Root)
Syonaka consists of dried root of Oroxylum indicum Vent. (Fam. Bignoniaceae); a small tree, distributed throughout the country, chiefly in evergreen forest upto 600 m.
SYNONYMS –
Sansk. : Dirghavrinta, Prithsuimba, Katvanga
Assam. : Kering
Beng. : Sonagachh
Eng. : —
Guj. : Tentoo
Hindi. : Sonapatha, Shyonak, Tentoo
Kan. : Tigudu
Kash. : —
Mal. : Palagripayanni
Mar. : Tentoo
Ori. : Pamponiya
Punj. : Tatpaling, Talvarphali
Tam. : Peruvagai
Tel. : Dundilumu, Gumpena, Pampini
Urdu. : Sonapatha
DESCRIPTION –
a) Macroscopic:
Drug available in cut pieces, having secondary roots, greyish-brown to light brown, cut surface brownish-cream, cylindrical, ribbed at few places, 5-16 cm long, 1-3 cm thick, external surface rough due to longitudinal and transverse cracks, fracture, short; taste, slightly sweet.
b) Microscopic:
Root mature root shows 10-30 or more layers of tangentially elongated, radially arranged cork cells filled with reddish-brown content; secondary cortex composed of oval to polygonal, parenchymatous cells; stone cells, thick-walled, lignified of various shapes and sizes with narrow lumen, distinct pits and striations; secondary phloem composed of sieve tubes, parenchyma, fibres and groups of stone cells; groups of fibres traversed by 2-8 cells wide phloem rays; secondary xylem consists of usual elements; xylem vessels of various sizes, occur in singles and groups of 2-5 cells arranged radially having reticulate thickening; xylem rays 2-4 cells wide; fibres having wide lumen and pointed tips, and tracheids present.
Powder – Brownish-cream; shows groups of stone cells, fragments of cork, phloern fibres with wide lumen and pointed tips and reticulate vessels and tracheids.
CONSTITUENTS – Flavonoids and Tannins.
PROPERTIES AND ACTION –
Rasa : Tikta, Kashaya
Guna : Laghu, Ruksha
Virya : sita
Vipaka : Katu
Karma : Dipana, Kaphapittasamaka, Grahi
IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Amrtarishta, Dantyadyarishta, Dasamhularishta, Narayana Taila, Dhanavantara Ghrita, Brahma Rasayana, Dasamhula Kvatha Churna, Cyavanaprasa, Awaleha
THERAPEUTIC USES – Vatatisara, Kasa, Aruci, Basti Roga, Amavata, Udara Roga, Urustambha, Vatavyadhi, Karna Roga, sotha
DOSE – 5-10 g. in powder form.
25-50 g. in decoction.
