Herbal Drug Microscopy

Abstract

This chapter describes actual microscopy of whole, fragmented and powdered herbal drugs. After applying free-hand sectioning method and suitable staining techniques, one will actualise that one’s own hand sections are better than prepared slides. A total of 40 different Indian medicinal herbs have been selected for the histological studies and arranged in alphabetical order according to their commonly accepted names. The drugs included are Aconite, Aloe, Anise, Arjuna, Ashoka, Ashwagandha, Asparagus, Belladonna, Cannabis, Caraway, Cinchona, Cinnamon, Clove, Colchicum, Digitalis, Ephedra, Eucalyptus, Fennel, Ginger, Ipecacuanha, Ispaghula, Kurchi, Linseed, Liquorice, Neem, Nutmeg, Nux vomica, Opium, Podophyllum, Quassia, Rauwolfia, Rhubarb, Sandalwood, Senna, Squill, Stramonium, Tulsi, Turmeric, Vasaka and Vinca. In preparing the colour drawings, our aim has been to exemplify the diagnostic characters of whole, fragmented and powdered drugs as they are observed under the microscope after magnification. In case of some drugs, colours used in the histological images to illustrate some tissues to differentiate from others only in spite of however they actually observe under microscope. There may be many omissions and commissions, so the author sincerely wishes the kind cooperation of every reader in correcting them.