Karakata Sringi Vs Kadukkai poo - Unique identification.

1. Karakata Sringi : 

The drug Karakata Sringi consists of gall -like excrescences formed by insects on the leaves, petioles, branches of the plant of Pistacia integerrima, Or Pistacia Chinensia or Rhus succedanea belong to family Anacardiaceae.

The dried gall of Karakata Sringi looks hard, horn like, thin-walled, generally, cylindrical, tapering at both ends. It appears grayish-brown externally and reddish-brown internally. Each gall contains numerous dead insects in its hollow cavity. Odor- terebinthine, taste is strongly astringent and slightly bitter.

[1]     Karakata Sringi ;   and  [2]    Kadukkai poo]

2. Kadukkai poo: 

Kadukkai poo gall is the occurrence of gall on the spike of the Terminalia chebula family - Combretaceae. In the market, the drug found as the dried insect gall formed at the inflorescence of Terminalia chebula spike due to the inducement of the insects calls as Corycidothrips inquilina and Cecidomilladae resulting an abnormal growth formation by the oozing of latex from the tender spike of T. Chebula.

On drying, it appears flat, creamish - white to pale brown - colour externally and blackish-brown color internally due to many larval residues deposited in the cavity of the gall. It is triangular or pyramidal or lanceolate to ovate in shape with flat surfaces of both sides, Since, this is found on the spike of the T. chebula tress, therefore, it is locally known as "Kadukkai poo" in Tamil language. The overall color as whole drug is creamish - white and odor and taste are indistinct.

Without its proper identification, the drug is sold in the market in the form of adulteration or substitutions, however, both gall drugs have different therapeutic properties and health benefits. The adulterated or substituted drugs might be disturbed the actual therapeutic action of the particular drugs and thus, the identification is very important. The correct selection of drugs is important to prepare a potent medicine.

The above identification hopefully very helpful to the AYUSH practitioners and the student of the medical streams.