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Bladder wrack Details & Specifications |
| Useful
Link |
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| Botanical Name |
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Fucus vesiculosus Linn. |
| English Name |
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Bladder wrack |
| Hindi Name |
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Brown algae |
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| CATEGORY |
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Astringent |
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| SOURCE |
| Part used |
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State of the part used |
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Leaves |
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Root |
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Dried |
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| FAMILY |
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Fucaceae |
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| GEOGRAPHICAL SOURCE |
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The plant is indigenous to America and is found in following countries :-
Burma
Europe
Italy
North America
Almost all the more solid Algae were formerly described by the name of Fucus, but now it is applied to one genus of Fucaceae. Most of the species of which are found only in the northern seas, many being more or less exposed at low water. Fucus vesiculosis is found on submerged rocks on both coasts of North America and in Europe north of the Mediterranean where it drifts in from time to time through the Strait of Gibraltar North and Atlantic Ocean.
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| IDENTIFICATION |
| Organoleptic characteristics |
| Colour |
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| Odour |
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Strong sea-weed like |
| Taste |
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Nauseous saline and mucilagineous |
| Size |
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2 to 3 feet in height |
| Physical
Standards |
| Total Ash |
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N/A |
| Moisture |
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Not more than 3.0% |
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| CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS |
| Major |
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Major chemical constituents responsible for physicochemical and therapeutic action of the herb are :-
Volatile oil
Cellulose
Mucilage
Mannite
Iodine
Bromide
Sodium compound
Potasium compound
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| Minor |
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Minor chemical constituents of this herb are :-
Sugar
Fructose
Alcohol
Fucitol
Sodium and potassium compound
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| CULTIVATION |
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The entire living plant is gathered from the rocks about the end of June and dried rapidly in the sun, when it becomes brittle and may be easily reduced to a coarse powder. It is in perfect condition only during early and middle summer, and should not be collected when too matured as it quickly undergoes decomposition. When thrown up on the shore by the sea the seaweed is not suitable for medicinal purposes as the soaking of the detached plants in seawater causes the loss of important constituents by diffusion from cells containing protoplasm which has lost its vitality. Care should be taken to turn it frequently to avoid the development of a putrid odour. If dried by artificial heat, it retains its hygroscopic qualities and does not become brittle
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| STORAGE |
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To maintain physicochemical properties and medicinal values of the herb it is recommended to maintain following storage conditions :-
Air tight containers
Protection from light
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