Scientific Name Vanda tessellata (Roxb.) Hook ex Don (=V.roxburghii R.BR.) Family Orchidaceaae Used Part Root. Distribution Area An epiphytic orchid, 30-60 cm. high, found from Uttar Pradesh to West Bengal, extending southwards to Kerala. . Common Uses . The root is a bitter heating alexiteric, antipyretic, useful in dyspepsia, bronchitis in lammations, rheumatic pains, diseases of the abdomen, hiccough, tremors. In Yunani system root is used as tonic to the liver and brain ; good for bronchitis, piles, lumbago toothache, boils of the scalp; lessens inflammation; heals fractures. The root is said to be fragrant, bitter and useful in rheumatism and allied disorder, in which it is prescribed in a variety of forms. It also enters the composition of several medicated oils for external application in rheumatism and diseases of the nervous system. In Chota Nagpur, the leaves pounded and made into a paste are applied to the body during fever and the juice is introduced into the aural meatus as a remedy for oitis media. A compound decoction of this root is being administered in a case of hemiplegia as the Indian physicians consider it useful in all nervous diseases and rheumatism. The leaves are pounded and the paste is applied to the body to bring down fever; their juice is dropped in the ear for the treatment of otitis and other inflammatory conditions. The roots are used in dyspepsia, bronchitis rheumatism, and also in fever; they are reported to possess antibacterial and antitubercular properties. The roots enter into the preparation of medicated oils, used externally in rheumatism and nervous troubles. The herb is also used for sciatica. The leaves are used by the Santal girls for making anklets. Similar crude drugs Raasna mool Pluchea lanceolata (DC.)Clarke of family Asteraceae is common ingredient of similar drugs Raasnaa saptak kwaatha, Raasna panchack kwaatha etc. Pharmacological Effect On analysis, the dried herb was found to contain an active- constituent of glucosidic nature. The herb also contains a bitter principle, tannins, resin, saponin, ß-sitosterol, g-sitosterol, fatty oil and colouring-matter. Heptacosane (C27H56) containing traces of the higher homologue (C29H60) and octacosanol (C28H58O) containing traces of higher homologues (C30H62O) (C32H66O) which show anti-inflammatory activity have also been isolated. The observations are interesting as the anti-inflammatory activity of the long-chain alkanes and alkanols ranging from C27 to C32 which are ubiquitous in plants, had not been reported earlier. The petroleum ether, chloroform and methanol extracts of roots exhibited 54.3, 42.1 and 21.9% antioedema activity, respectively.