A DETAILED PHARMACOGNOSTIC, PHYSICOCHEMICAL AND PRELIMINARY PHYTOCHEMICAL STUDY OF SHUNTI (ZINGIBER OFFICINALE ROSCOE)

Abstract

Shunti (Zingiber officinale Roscoe), the dried rhizome of ginger, is an important medicinal drug widely used in Ayurveda for its Deepana, Pachana, Vatakaphahara and numerous therapeutic properties. The quality, safety and efficacy of Shunti depend upon its proper identification, purity and phytochemical composition; therefore, standardization of the crude drug is essential. The present study was undertaken to carry out a detailed pharmacognostic, physicochemical, and preliminary phytochemical evaluation of Shunti. Authenticated dried rhizomes of Zingiber officinale were subjected to pharmacognostic studies comprising macroscopic, microscopic and powder microscopic evaluation to establish their diagnostic characteristics. The findings of the present study establish comprehensive pharmacognostic, physicochemical, and preliminary phytochemical standards for Shunti (Zingiber officinale Roscoe), which can serve as reliable reference parameters for its authentication, quality control, and standardization in Ayurvedic pharmaceutical preparations and future research.