AJAMODA

Biological Source

Ajamoda consists of dried, Aromatic fruits of Apium leptophyllum (Pers.) F. V. M. ex Benth. (Family - Umbelliferae); an annual herb cultivated in Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka; collected by thrashing plants on a mat and dried in shade or in drying sheds.

Synonyms

Sanskrit : Dipyaka

Assam : Bonjamani, Bonajain, Yamani, Ajowan

Bengali : Randhuni, Banyamani

English : -------------------

Gujrati : Bodi Ajamo, Ajamo

Hindi : Ajmuda, Ajmod

Kannada : Oma, Ajavana, Omakki

Kashmiri : Fakhazur, Banjuan

Malayalam : Ayamodakum, Omam

Marathi : Ajmoda, Oova

Oriya : Banajuani

Punjabi : Valjawain, Ajmod

Tamil : Omam

Telugu : Naranji vamu

Urdu : Ajmod

Description

A) Macroscopic

Drug consists of small, ovoid fruit; bulk colour yellowish brown, mainly occur as entire cremocarps with pedicel attached or detached and bifid stylopod, free ends curved sometimes occurs as separate mericarps; cremocarps glabrous, ovoid to conical, about 1.5-3.0 mm long and 1.2-2.8 mm wide, yellow to yellowish green;

separated mericarps broadly ovoid, more or less curved, dorsal surface convex with five equally distinct, longitudinal primary ridges; at the summit curved stylopodiurn, commissural surface flat, showing darker and light coloured longitudinal bands, former representing the position of vittae and vascular bundles ; odour; aromatic; taste, slightly bitter giving a sensation of warmth to tongue.

B) Microscopic

Transverse section of fruit shows mericarps with four large vittae on dorsal surface, two on commissural surface and four primary ridges on dorsal surface; 3-5 secondary oil canals present under each primary ridge and also between ridges; carpophore present on commissural surface; epicarp cells with thin striated cuticle, outer walls drawn into papillae; stomata, anomocytic type upto 35 μ in diameter; mesocarp consists of polygonal paranchyma,: with thickened and lignified cells, measuring 30-62-95μ. in diameter with oval to round pits; collateral vascular bundles lie beneath epicarp; tracheids 25-203-388 μ in length with spiral, scalariform or reticulate thickenings; xylem parenchyma lignified, elongated with elliptical pits, measuring 52-118-176 by 13-30-44 μ large secondary vittac towards endosperm measure upto 123μ in width and towards periphery the smallest vittae measuring 184μ in diameter.

(C) Powder

Shows moderately thick-walled cell of epicarp exhibiting characteristics triations and occasional presence of stoma, fragments of trichomes and glandular hairs, reticulate parenchymatous cells of mesocarp, fragments of yellowish-brown vittae; fragments of endosperm thick-walled polygonal cells containing aleurone grain and micro rosette crystals of calcium oxalate.

Identity, Purity and Strength

Foreign matter (Including Stalk) - Not more than 5 per cent,

Total Ash - Not more than 14 per cent,

Acid-insoluble ash - Not more than 14 per cent,

Alcohol-soluble extractive - Not less than 14 per cent,

Water-soluble extractive - Not less than 3 per cent,

Volatile oil - Not less than 2 per cent v/w,

Active Constituents

Essential oil and fixed oil.

Properties and Action

Rasa :- Katu, Tikta

Guna :- Laghu, Ruksa

Virya :- Usna

Vipaka :- Katu

Karma :- Dipana, Vidahi, Kaphavatajit, Rucikrt, Krmijit, sulaghna

Important Formulations

Ajamodarka, Ajamodadi Churna.

Therapeutic Uses

Gulma, Aruci, Adhmana, Hikka, Chardi Krmi Roga, Sula

Dose

1 - 3 g of the drug in powder form.