Asian Journal
Of Traditional Medicines

Abstract: Tagara is an important drug used in Ayurvedic medicine for the treatment of several diseases. The accepted botanical source of Tagara is Valeriana jatamasni Jones, although different species of Nymphoides Hill are used by the physicians. The pharmacognostical evaluation of the rhizome and roots of Nymphoides indica, a potential alternative source for Tagara is presented in this paper. The study includes the morphology of the plant, macro-, microscopical and diagnostic characters of the rhizome and root, the part which is used for medicinal purposes. Important details like the macerate, histochemical and uv studies, physico-chemical constants, phytochemical analysis and HPTLC finger print are presented, all of which will be useful in the standardization of this drug.

Key words: Nymphoides indica, pharmacognosy, rhizome, root, HPTLC, alternate source for Tagara.