Pharmacognostical and phytochemical analysis of Vanya Haridra (Curcuma aromatica Salisb.) Rhizomes

Vanya Haridra (Curcuma aromatic Salisb.) also known as Aranya Haridra in Sanskrit, very important plant in use since long decade in traditional medicine in India. It is known as wild turmeric in English/cochin turmeric, van haldi in hindi, anakuva in Malayalam, kasturi manjal in tamil. It is mentioned as kusthaghna, arshaghna properties in Bhavaprakas Nighantu, Throughout the India, specially found in Mysore, Cochin and Bengal etc , root stock large of palemately branched, sessile annulated biennial tubers yellow and aromatic inside, hairy and masked with circular disk. It is camphoraceous and jambula like fragrant odour. On these ground, this work was attempt to establish pharmacognostical and preliminary phytochemical standard of rhizomes, pharmacognostical parameters using like macromorphology, microcopy, physio-chemical constant and phytochemical analysis were done using standard methodology. It showed presence of carbohydrate, alkaloids, amino acids, protein, saponin, glycosides, flavonoids, steroids and tannins in aqueous, ethanol and petroleum ether extract.