Author(s): Girija T P & Rema Shree A B

Abstract: Rasna is an ayurvedic drug.  Alpinia galanga, Alpinia calcarata andPluchea lanceolata are used as source plants of Rasna.  The two species ofAlpinia are used in Kerala and in North India Pluchea lanceolata is used as the source of rasna. This paper deals with the morphological, anatomical and histological comparisons of rhizomes of the two species of Alpinia and root ofPluchea lanceolata. For anatomical comparison, histological and histochemical details were carried out. The study reveals how these plants can be easily identified using these markers for quality control and standardisation.