Calumba Root Quiz

Calumba Root

• Origin: Dried, transversely or obliquely sliced root of Jateorhiza palmata.
• Family: Menispermaceae.
• Geographical Sources: Indigenous to the forests of Mozambique and East African countries.
• Collection and preparation: Rhizomes with roots are dug up during dry weather. Swollen fleshy roots are cut into transverse or oblique slices and dried in the shade.
• Macroscopical characteristics:
  • Shape: Irregular, elliptical, or nearly circular slices, depressed in the center on both sides.
  • Size: 3-8 cm in diameter and 6-12 mm in thickness.
  • Color: Greyish-brown.
  • Odor: Distinct.
  • Taste: Bitter.

Calumba Root Powder

• Color: Yellowish-brown.
• Taste: Bitter, little odor.
• Microscopical Characteristics:
  • Starch granules: Mostly simple, some compound (2-3 components); hilum is eccentric cleft or stellate.
  • Sclereids: Large, unevenly thickened, yellow, pitted, lignified and contain 1-6 prisms of calcium oxalate.
  • Cork fragments: Thin walled, polygonal in surface view (camera shaped).
  • Vessel fragments: Large vessels, often reticulately thickened or pitted, have yellow lignified walls.
• Chemical test: With sulfuric acid (66% V/V), walls of vessels and sclereids change color from yellow to green.

Senega Root

• Origin: Dried root and root stock of Polygala senega.
• Family: Polygalaceae.
• Geographical Sources: Canada, USA, and Japan (cultivated).
• Macroscopical Characteristics:
  • Shape: Slender, greyish or brownish-yellow.
  • Apex: Crown of stem bases and scaly leaves.
  • Root: Tapering and curved; divides into two or more branches just below the crown.
  • Odor: Methyl salicylate.
  • Taste: First sweet, then acrid.
• Active constituents: Crude triterpenoidal saponins (senegin), methyl salicylate (volatile oil), 5% fixed oil, sucrose, and sterols.
• Tests for identity:
  • General test: Boiled with water; solution strained, shaken - voluminous persistent froth.
  • Confirmatory test: Powder extracted with ether, acidified with hydrochloric acid, drive off ether, add ferric chloride - reddish-violet color (salicylic acid).

Krameria Root (Peruvian Rhatany)

• Origin: Dried roots of Krameria triandra.
• Family: Leguminosae.
• Geographical Sources: Peru and Bolivia.
• Macroscopical characteristics: Root is large; shows several long branches branching off; large pieces are dark reddish-brown with a rugged scaly bark; smaller pieces are brighter and smoother; drug is odourless; bark tastes astringent; wood is tasteless.
• Active constituents: Tannins (phlobatannin or Krameria tannic acid (7-9%)), coloring matter (Krameria-red or phlobaphene), starch, and calcium oxalate; benzofuran derivatives (rhataniphenols).
• Uses: Astringent, mouthwash; antimicrobial; useful in mouth and throat infections as gargles; effective UV filters; sun protection preparations.

Althaea (Marshmallow Root)

• Origin: Dried root of Althaea officinalis.
• Family: Malvaceae (leaves and stems are also utilized in the form of extracts).
• Geographical Sources: England, Europe, and cultivated in France and Germany.
• Active constituents: Mucilage, starch, and calcium oxalate.
• Uses: Emollient (soothes irritations); demulcent (covers and coats irritated tissues); used to treat urinary tract infection and respiratory problems; used in making poultices.

Sarsaparilla Root

• Origin: Dried roots (sometimes rhizomes) of Smilax ornata.
• Family: Liliaceae.
• Geographical Sources: Central America (especially Costa Rica and Jamaica).
• Macroscopical Characteristics: Imported in bundles. Numerous long slender roots (3 meters long and 3 mm in thickness). Dark reddish-brown in color; shrunken; longitudinally furrowed surface; odorless; somewhat sweetish acrid taste.
• Active Constituents: Steroidal saponins (related to cortisone and sex hormones), sarsaponin, and sarsapogenin. Omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin A and D, sarsapic acid, starch, sulfur, iron, calcium, potassium, copper, and magnesium, various minor components like sterols, vitamins and different free aminos and sugars.
• Uses: Bitter tonic; antimicrobial; used for anorexia and flatulent dyspepsia. It is used to promote protein accumulation and increase body weight, muscles, and liver protein. Also may aid in treating anemia.

Dandelion Root

• Origin: Vertical rhizome and tap root of Taraxacum officinale.
• Family: Compositae.
• Geographical Sources: Indigenous to Europe and North America.
• Active constituents: Inulin and other polysaccharides, sesquiterpene lactones (taraxacoside and taraxerol), various acids (caffeic acid and p-hydroxyphenyl acetic acid), carotenoid pigments, volatile oils, and tannins.
• Uses: Hepatic stimulant and tonic; stimulates bile secretion; restores liver function and production of digestive fluids and enzymes; remedy to reduce the propensity for stone deposition; remedy for atonic dyspepsia. It is also used as a mild laxative and a diuretic.

Ginseng Root

• Origin: Dried roots of Panax ginseng (Asian ginseng) and Panax quinquefolius (American ginseng).
• Family: Araliaceae.
• Geographical Sources: Eastern North America (American); China, Korea, and Japan (Asian, including Korean and Chinese).
• Active constituents: Triterpenoidal saponins (ginsenosides, panaxosides), polysaccharides (glycans - panaxans and ginsenan), polyacetylenic alcohols (panaxynol and panaxydol), sesquiterpenes ( γ-elemene), sterols, vitamins, amino acids, free sugars, minerals.
• Uses: Tonic, adaptogenic; increases bodily and mental stamina; enhances resistance to stress; treats anemia; increase body weight, muscle and liver protein, anti-inflammatory in rheumatism; antitumor in leukemias; sexually stimulant effects; beneficial to aid in combating the onset of age-related ailments for adrenal and thyroid dysfunctions.
• Contraindications: Hypertensive and diabetic patients should use with caution. Elevated blood pressure and excessive drop in blood sugar are possible side effects.

Echinacea

• Origin: Dried roots and rhizomes of Echinacea angustifolia.
• Family: Asteraceae.
• Geographical Sources: Indigenous to America and Europe.
• Active constituents: Caffeic acid glycosides (echinacoside, bacteriostatic), volatile oils (containing hydrocarbons), polyacetylenes, and polysaccharides (echinacin B - immunostimulant).
• Uses: Activates body's infection-fighting capacity; immuno-stimulant (increases resistance to infection – used in treatment for AIDS); cold treatment; respiratory tract infections. Topical use as bacteriostatic agent for wounds, burns and eczema.

Test your knowledge about Calumba root, its geographical sources, characteristics, and cellular structure. This quiz covers various aspects such as taste, slice size, and cell types found in the Calumba root. Perfect for botany enthusiasts and students in plant sciences!