Abstract

Bulbophyllum neilgherrense Wt. is an epiphyte belonging to family Orchidaceae. The drug is found in South Indian forests where the pseudobulb is used as medicine by the villagers and tribes. There is no published information available on the fundamental ayurvedic principles of this plant. According to ayurveda, Rasa (taste) is the practical and demonstrable quality in the drug which helps in understanding the mode of action. Knowledge of the Rasa of a drug also acts as a tool to determine the probable action of the drug. Hence Rasa of the useful part of the drug i.e. pseudobulb was determined with the help of healthy volunteers through ayurvedic parameters based on a special proforma designed for the purpose. Rasa of the drug was found to be Madhura (sweet) and Anurasa (subsidiary taste) to be Lavana (salt).

Key words: Bulbophyllum neilgherrense, pseudobulb, Rasa, taste determination, Ayurveda.