In India, mainly five types of systems of traditional medicines comprise together to form a system is called AYUSH System that includes Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Siddha, Unani and Homoeopathic medicines. It has been practically observed that more efforts have been made to develop Ayurveda and Siddha, Systems of traditional medicines. In which, Ayurveda and Homoeopathy achieved its name in the country and abroad but Siddha is popularly practiced to South part of India and some neighboring countries. Yoga & Naturopathy is also on upward movement but the Unani System of medicine still requires more attention to make the medicines scientifically proven. There are many valuable medicines available in the Unani System but lacking of authentication due to more confusion in the identical or similar looking herbs but has different therapeutic values. Since, the Unani medicine is an important part of Ayush System, the standards of single drugs as well as compound formulations cannot be left over the Haqim or Unani Physician. Their experiences and skill of treatment to the patient cannot be overlooked but along with the knowledge now evidences on research background is also required as the backbone of the Unani System. Though, many efforts are being made to grow this system but still many drugs lacking identifications and create great confusion on its utility point.
Here, I like to discuss about the Salab Punja, Salab Misri, and Salab Gatta. These drugs belong to the family Orchidaceae and genus Orchis. These three drugs is very much differ from each other due to their species and therapeutic values. The ground tuber of this Orchis species is called "Salep" and is being utilized in many important treatments like sexual disorder, nutraceutical supplements to geriatric patients. It also has aphrodisiac, hypolipidemic and antihypertensive properties. As per Unani experts, all these Salep cannot be utilized for the same purposes due to its different therapeutic properties but due to lack of Pharmacognostic evaluation of these species, all are confusingly being used as per availability in the market.
The efforts are made in this blog to identify the aforesaid drugs with their morphology as to make more approachable on the utilization point of view and also without confusion.
1.Salab Punja: As the name indicates, "Punja" this drugs look like a palm along with fingers like 3-5 projections. The drug is the cleaned, dried, and peeled tuber of plant Dactylorhiza hatagirea; family Orchidaceae. It is naturally brown in color but after peeling it gives shiny white to creamish appearance, fleshy and slightly sweetish in taste.
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| [Dactylorhiza hatagirea (Peeled Tuberous root)] |
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| [Orchis latifolia - Tubrous root] |
3. Salab Gatta: This is also called as Khusiyat -Ul- Salib or Salab Gatta. This is the ground tuber of Orchis masculata; Orchidaceae. The drug sample consists of the dried and mature tuber of O. masculata. The drug sample in the market varying in size from 5.5 cm to 9.5 cm long and 2.5 cm to 4.5 cm wide and conical, conch, or somewhat spindle-shaped. the drug has many shallow grooves and thus forms shrinking appearances The lower end of the drug is tapering and shows sharp to blunt ending;, however, the upper portion shows white to creamish broad scar indicated the detachment of the tuber from the plant stem. Colour, dark brown to black, Odorless, and taste is bitter and astringent.
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| [Orchis masculata - Tuberous root] |
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