adultrants and characters of Nux Vomica and Rauwolfia

Here’s a distinction between Nux Vomica and Rauwolfia (Rauvolfia serpentine) based on their adulterants and distinguishing characters:

Adulterants:
- Seeds of other Strychnos species (like Strychnos potatorum).
- Abrus precatorius seeds (due to similar appearance).
- Ergot-infected grains sometimes mixed with seeds.
- Foreign seeds and dust.
Distinguishing Characters:
- Appearance: Round, flat, and disc-shaped seeds. They are grayish or light brown with fine silky hairs on the surface.
- Odor: Almost odorless.
- Taste: Extremely bitter.
- Microscopy: The seeds show distinct radial striations. The endosperm contains oil globules, aleurone grains, and calcium oxalate crystals.
- Chemical Tests:
  - Presence of Strychnine and Brucine (alkaloids), which are identified via color tests.
  - Strychnine produces a violet color with sulfuric acid and potassium dichromate.

Adulterants:
- Roots of other species of Rauwolfia.
- Roots of Catharanthus roseus (Madagascar periwinkle).
- Non-medicinal roots or bark of unrelated plants to increase weight.
Distinguishing Characters:
- Appearance: Rauwolfia roots are cylindrical, often twisted, grayish-brown or yellowish-gray in color, with a bark that may peel off in patches.
- Odor: Slightly aromatic.
- Taste: Bitter.
- Microscopy: Shows groups of stone cells in the cork, and the root cortex contains starch grains, resin, and calcium oxalate crystals.
- Chemical Tests:
  - Presence of Reserpine and Ajmaline (alkaloids), which can be detected by their fluorescence under UV light.
  - Reserpine produces a greenish fluorescence when treated with sulfuric acid.