METHOD OF IDENTIFICATION AND STANDARDISATION OF VAMSALOCHANA (BAMBOO MANNA)

Present study aims to standardize ‘Vamsalochana', which is a siliceous concrete material found in the hollow internodes of Bambusa arundinacea (Retz.). It is attributed with varieties of medicinal properties and highly valued in the Indian System of Medicine. Various physicochemical parameters like alcohol soluble extractive, water soluble extractive, total ash, acid insoluble ash were determined according to Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India (API). Microscopic examination revealed the presence of rosette crystals of calcium oxalate. Characteristic colours were obtained when the powder drug treated with different chemical reagents and solvents. Heavy metal analysis indicates the presence of silica as major component (85.78 %). Toxic metals like arsenic, cadmium, mercury and lead were absent.