Pharmacognostical and Physicochemical Evaluation of Śigru Mūla (Moringa Oleifera Lam.) for Standardization

Śigru (Moringa oleifera Lam.) is a well-known medicinal plant with immense therapeutic potential and wide application in traditional systems of medicine. It has been extensively described in classical Ayurvedic texts including Vedas, Saṃhitās and Nighaṇṭus, with specific reference to its use in various disease conditions. In Āyurveda, Śigru Mūla (Moringa oleifera Lam.) is recognized for its potent medicinal properties and is indicated in several disorders owing to its dīpana, pācana and śothahara actions. The plant is known to possess diverse pharmacological activities such as anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant and analgesic properties, making it a highly valuable drug in herbal therapeutics. The present Pharmacognostical study of Śigru Mūla (Moringa oleifera Lam. root) was carried out at the Siddha Central Research Institute to establish its identity and standardization parameters. The study included evaluation of macroscopic, microscopic, and powder characteristics, which revealed distinct diagnostic features useful for identification of the drug. Physicochemical parameters were also assessed as per standard procedures. In the absence of specific standards for the root in the Āyurvedic Pharmacopoeia (API), root bark values were considered for comparative reference. The overall findings provide a reliable basis for authentication, quality control, and standardization of Śigru Mūla.