Morphological, microscopical and physico-chemical investigations on the rhizomes of Cyperus rotundus Linn

Cyperus rotundus Linn. (Cyperaceae) vernacularly called ‘Nagarmotha’ is an Indian medicinal plant demonstrated to exert multiple health benefits. This plant grows naturally in tropical, subtropical and temperate regions. It is traditionally used for various purposes including as an antidiarrhoeal, antidiabetic, antipyretic, antiinflammatory, antimalarial and for treatment of stomach and bowel disorders. In view of the diverse medicinal importance of selected plant and in order to ensure the quality, especially in terms of adulteration, substitution and identification of the plant material, the present investigation was carried out. The study includes pharmacognostical evaluation by macroscopy, microscopy, powder analysis, fluorescence characteristics, WHO recommended physiochemical and phytochemical procedures. Later, these characteristics could be used for rapid identification of the drugs particularly in case of powdered material and may possibly help to differentiate the drugs from its other species.