Dalbergia lanceolaria Linn. (TODANA)

Todana is quoted once by caraka (Su.27/16) and twice by susruta (Su.46/163, 167) under phala varga.  It is not identified but has been called rajapriya by dalhana and dhnvanabheda by cakrapani.   Surprisingly, todana name disappeared from the nighantu works except madanapala nighantu.  Author is of the opinion that this must be D. lanceolaria whereas, P.V.Sharmaji quoted it as goraksa.  Goraksa is not found in the classical literature.

Note– Its another species D. volubilis Roxb is used as Gorakhi.

Botanical Description – It is a tree growing upto 26m bearing white flowers. It is found mainly in the western ghats in India.

Major Chemical Constituents– Root bark- Contain lanceolarin a glycoside.

Part Used– Whole plant, seed oil

Dosage– Decoction 40-50 ml

Research–

(1) The crude extract of leaves significantly reduced the swelling of the hind paw of albino rats induced by formaldehyde (Chaturvedi & Singh, 1964).

(2) The ethereal, alcoholic and water extract of leaves showed some degree of anti-arthritic effect against formaldehyde-induced chronic arthritis in albino rats (Singh & Chaturvedi, 1966).

(3) Lanceolarin is found to be more effective in reducing acute inflammation than chronic. Prilimiary clinical studies were conducted on 6 potients of RA (20mg i.m./day for 10 days (Tripathi & Kishore, 1967).