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, y ea eS ‘ae a Wl . _* v a AGARAOM Nad Ot eraameranr. a m4 > ; (im ° 4 5 ~ ~ Ao Be ee Mn Aaaas naan ys wr ~ePece p asa. ASDDDAMMAS Baad & , Ero pri %Oee po AE > Ritoe ete ess WOM aL De Ss Aaa gS S828 4 Be eA I | titel Pry yy Ye 2 r 4 ee i vs, \ : Pr Nign GT * ae =, a = tial en a ~ ~ 4 ~ ° * q ‘ ‘ > » a > t : >, FN pe”, ~ ion a \ ~ - be ’ - an ~ x ry J \ y - a wy OV in Rae a ya RALMoannan, a AnaranareAeggae.2o—~2 a | J a 4 > = See VON 2 See es tan = FT Ya nn, - +} SY | Veh h alin SOT lens Pee ~ ane Aa pez an Va , - ‘p { 4 7 = v>* ma, Le om Ne ~ = a » om 2 a g d x = « ee Vay - & ae “= vee Pee ems net aye * le ’ pay ee fi . 4 , 5 ‘ a se ae t~ cel INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS BY Lieutenant-Colonel K. k. KIRTIKAR, F.L.8., L.-M.S., (Retired), Major B. D. BASU, 1.M.S., (Retired), AND 1.C.8. (Retired). PART II ee meniiotnas a -, fi a | 4 ; i | \ \ RLATAGT y, tonal Musee Se al Published by SUDHINDRA NATH BASU, M.B. PANINI OFFICH, BHUWANESWARI ASRAMA, BAHADURGANJ, Allababad PRINTRD BY APURVA KRISHNA BOSE, AT THE INDIAN PRESS 1918 i © N. 0. OLEAOES. 761 N. O. OLEACEA:. 732. Jasminum Sambac, Ait., H.F.B.1., 111. 591. Syn. :—J. Zambac, Roxh.—30. Sans.— Varshiki. Vern. :-~-Chamba, mugra, bela (Hind.); Mallickaphul, bel (Beng.); Mallippu (Tam.); Mogri, bhtt mogri (Bom.); Mullige (Kan). Sapai, mali (Burm.). Habitat :—Much cultivated throughout India. A scandent shrub. Branchlets pubescent. Leaves simple, opposite, or sometimes ternate, thinly membranous, varying from 1-5in., acute or obtuse, short petioled, ovate, nearly glab- rous, base cuneate or rounded, nerves beneath pubescent or glabrous, primary nerve often tufted in the axils beneath ; secondary nerves distinct; petioles din. Cymes lax, terminal, sometimes solitary, about 3-flowered, pubescent, many flowered incultivation. Bracts 0-4, linear. Flowers white, very fragrant. Calyx-teeth subulate, tin., pubescent, in cultivation often nearly glabrous. Corolla-tube 4in., lobes as long as the tube, oblong, acute or obtuse, or in cultivation orbicular. Ripe carpels nearly globose, 1 or 2, $in.diam., black, surrounded by the suberect subulate Calyx-teeth. Uses :—" Considered by natives cool and sweet: used asa remedy in cases of insanity, in weakness of sight, and affections of mouth ” (Baden-Powell). In Goa, the root of the wild variety is used as an emmena- gogue (Dymock). The flowers, according to the report of Mr. J. Wood, pos- sess considerable power asa lactifuge ; he speaks of them as effectual in arresting the secretion of milk in the puerperal state, in cases of threatened abscess. For this purpose, about ‘two or three handfuls of the flowers are bruised, and unmois- tened are applied to each breast, and renewed once or twice a day. The secretion is sometimes arrested in twenty-four hours, though this generally requires two or even three days. Mr. Wood speaks of this fact as being well-known at Madras (Ph. Ind.). 96 762 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. The dried leaves, soaked in water and made into a poultice, are used in indolent ulcers (Watt). The properties of this plant are said, according to Sanskrit writers, to resemble those of J. grandiflorum (Dutt). (33. J. pubescens, Walld., .F.B.1., leo Roxs. 31. Sans. :—Kunda. Vern :—Mogra (M.) ; Koonda(B.); Kundphul, Kunda, Cha- meli (H.) ; Katu-tsjiregam-mulla (Malay), Vikhm Mogra (Bomb.). Habitat :~-Common, from the Himalaya throughout India. A scandent short shrub. The stem spirally twisted, in. wedges, which turn round each other rope-fashion. Bark light- ‘brown, extremely thin. Wood white, moderately hard (Gamble). Branchlets, pedicels and Calyx densely fulvous-villous. Leaves, simple, ovate acute, often mucronate, opposite, softly tomentose on both surfaces, often at length glabrate above, beased round or often cordate; main nerves 4-6 pairs. Petiole 4-zin. long, densely villous. Flowers white, fragrant, sessile, in dense, terminal capitate cymes, often at the extremeties of short axillary branches ; bracts large, ovate, acute, foliaceous, green. Calyx 4-2in. long, densely fulvous-villous, teeth, linear, $-}in. long, subulate, fulvous-hairy. Corolla glabrous; tube 3-7in. long; lobes 6—9, elliptic-oblong, acute, often mucronate, $in. long. Carpels 1-2, globose, 4in. diam., black, surrounded by the suberect Calyx-teeth. Uses :—Dried leaves, soaked in water and made into a poul- tice, used in indolent ulcers to generate a healthy action. Root said to be an efficient antidote in snake-bite (Lindley and S. Arjun). 134. J. arborescens, Roxb:, H.¥.B.1., Wi, 3048 ROKBaa2, Sans. :—Madhavi; Nava-mallika ; Saptala. Vern.:—Kisar ranjai, kund (Bomb.); Bara-kunda (B.) ; Adivi-mulli (Tel.) ; Chameli; bara Kunda (H.) N. 0. OLEACER. 763 Habitat :—Tropical North-West Himalaya; Terai of Oudh and Kumaun, Decean Peninsula, from Rajmahal southwards ; also in the hot lower hills. A large shrub, or scrubby tree, erect or climbing, says Brandis ; usually suberect, says Kanjilal. Branches smooth, grey ; branchlets pubescent. Leaves opposite, simple, entire, 4 by 2kin., shortly acuminate, widest near the base, subcordate, or the upper ovate or elliptic, young, hairy and often tomentose on both surfaces, nerves distinct beneath, lower divaricate. Petiole $-3in. Flowers white, fragrant, in lax terminal tricho- tomous compound cymes, usually 10-20 flowers, not dense ; bracts din. linear ; pedicels tin. ; Calyx-lobes 5-6, as long as or shortly longer than the tube ; Corolla-lobes #in., lanceolate acute, 10 or 12, as long as the tube. Berries one or two, ovoid, often oblique, 3-3in. long by 4-4in. broad, unsymmetric ellipsoid, generally of one carpel, black when ripe. Use:—The juice of the leaves is used, with pepper, garlic and other stimulants as an emetic, in obstruction of the bron- chial tubes by viscid phlegm. Seven leaves will furnish a sufficient juice for adose. For young children, the juice of half-a-leaf and of four leaves of Agasta (sesbania grandiflora) may be mixed with two grains of black pepper and 2 grains of dried borax and given in honey (Dymock). The leaves are slightly bitter and astringent, and might be used asa tonic and stomachic. (S. Arjun). The Santals give a preparation of the plant in certain men- strual complaints (Revd. A. Campbell). 735. J. angustifolium, Vahl., H.F.B.1., 111, 598, Roxs. 32, Sans. :—KAanana mallika ; asphota; vana malli. Vern. :—Mwari; ban-malliké (H.) ; chattu mallika ; caat- mallica (‘T'am.); Chiri-malle ; adevie-mallie (Tel.); Katu-pitsjegam (Mal.). Habitat :—Dekkan Peninsula. Ceylon, in the lower Hills frequent ; common, especially in the dry regions, 764 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. A scandent shrub, stems glabrous ; twigs minutely pubescent or almost villous. Leaves very variable on the same plant, simple, numerous, small, usually $-2in., but at times attaining ogin. Ovate-oval or oval-lanceolate, rounded at base, sometimes alternate, acute or obtuse at apex, glabrous. Flowers variable in size, white, on long slender peduncles, solitary or more usual- ly in threes, at ends of short lateral divaricate twigs; Caiyx glabrous ; segments distant, short, $-+in., filiform, acute ; Corolla- tube about Zin. ; lobes 7 or 8, equalling the tube, linear oblong, very acute, ripe carpel. about fin. by fin. broadly-ovoid, un- symmetrical, both usually developed. Use:—The bitter root, ground small and mixed with pow- dered vassumboo (root of Acorus Calaums) and lime-juice, is considered a valuable external application in cases of ring- worm (Ainslie). 736. J. humile, Linn., 2.¥.B4., 111. 602. Syn. :—J. chrysanthemum, Roxb. 33; J. revolutum, Sime. Sans. :—Hemapushpika. Vern. :—Chamba, juari, tsonu, tsuman, summan, kuja (Pb.) ; Sonajahi (Kumaun); Swarna-jui (B.); Malto, Pitmalti (H.) ; Pachcha adavi molla (Tel.). Habitat:—Hills of India; Himalaya, from Kashmir to Bhutan; Abu. Hills of South India, common in the Nilgiris. Hills of Ceylon. A small, erect, rigid, wholly glabrousshrub. Bark thin, grey. Wood white, moderately hard-grained. Branches angular, green, glabrous. A handsome shrub, with fragrant yellow flowers. Leaves alternate imparipinnate, rachis 1-1#4in. ; leaflets 5 (2 pair and an end one) (Trimen and Kanjilal), 2-3 by 7-Lkin., variable in size, lanceolate-oval, oblong or ovate, very variable, glabrous. Flowers dimorphic, $-3in. long, 1-3 together, terminal or leaf- opposed, in short terminal, compound, corymbose cymes. Pedi- cels $in., drooping, thickened below flower. Calyx glabrous, segments short, triangular, acute. Corolla about lin., tube funnel- shaped, lobes 5, short, recurved, rotundate. [Fruit didymous, Ripe berries globose or ellipsoid, pulpy, fin. N 0. OLEACEA. 765 Uses:—The root is useful in ringworm (Honnigberger). The milky juice, which exudes on an incision in the bark of this plant, is alleged to have the power of destroying the un- healthy lining walls of chronic sinuses and fistulas (Sarg- Major B. Gupta, in Watt’s Dictionary). 737. J. officinale, Linn., H.F.B.1., 111. 603. Vern. :—Chamba, Chirichog, Kiri (Kashmir); _ Bansu, Kwer, Dumni(Chenab); Dassi, Sanosem (Ravi); Suni, Somun (Sutlej) ; Chambeli (Kumaun). Habitat :—The Salt Range and Himalaya, from the Indus to the Sarda. A large, twiningshrub. Youngest shoots slightly pubescent. Branches long, weak, dark-green, slightly ribbed. Leaves oppo- site imparipinnate; rachis channelled. Leaflets 2-3 pair, the terminal largest, lanceolate or rhomboid oblong, acute 2-3in. long; the upper pair generally confluent with the terminal leaflet. Petiole marginate. Flowers white, with faint pink streaks outside, delightfully fragrant, in lax terminal cymes, rarely solitary and axillary. Pedicels slender, $-lin. long. Calyx-teeth linear, half, 2 the length of the Corolla-tube. Corol- la-tube about lin. Lobes usually 5, acute, about din. long, elliptic. Berries of 2 carpels ellipsoid, #in. long. Use :—The root has been found useful in ringworm (Hon- nigberger). fac, J. grandijlorum, Linn. H.¥.B.1., 111. 603 : Roxb. 34. | Sans. :—JAti. Vern. :—Chambeli (H. and Bomb.); Jati (B.); Jaji (Tel.); Ghambeli (Guz.) ; Jahi (U. P.). | Habitat :—Sub-Himalayan tract, from the Chenab westward, Oudh, Central India, Jumna to Godavery, Saharanpur, Siwalik, Dun. A large, glabrous shrub, erect while young, say Kanjilal and Brandis, usually climbing or scrambling when older. Branclies ribbed. Leaves opposite 3-4in., imparipinnate, Leaflets 3-7, 766 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. says Kanjilal, sessile, the upper pairs generally confluent with the terminal leaflet. Petiole marginate; “ the leaflets,” says Collett, “are 7-11, ovate, end one 4-lin., often partially united with the uppermost pair.” Flowers white, numerous, crowded, delightfully fragrant, with faint pinkish streaks outside (Kanjilal), often tinged with purple outside (Collett and Brandis); in lax terminal cymes, rarely solitary or axillary ; pedicels 3-lin. long. “Calyx-teeth linear, less than half the length of the Corolla-tube ; Corolla 4tin.; lobes gin. long,” (Collett). ‘“‘ Calyx-tube linear, half to two-thirds the length of the Corolla-tube about #in., lobes usually 5, about din. long, elliptic” (Kanjilal.) ‘Calyx- teeth twice the length of tube. Corolla tube ¢in. long (Brandis). C. B. Clarke says :—‘‘ Calyx-teeth about fin., rarely half as long as the Corolla-tube.’ Berries ellipsoid, din. long. Uses :—Hindoo physicians prescribe the leaves as a remedy in skin diseases, ulcers of the mouth, otorrhea, &c. Mahomedan writers consider the plant to have deobstruent, anthelmintic, diuretic and emmenagogue properties. The author of the Makhzan mentions the use of the flowers applied in the form of plaster to the loins and pubes as an aphrodisiac (Dymock. The scented oil is considered cooling. The fresh juice of the leaves is applied to soft corns between the toes. In ulcerations or eruptions, in the mucous membrane of the mouth, the leaves are recommended to be chewed. An oil prepared with the juice of the leaves is poured into the ear in otorrhcea (Dutt). In the United Provinces, the flowers and their essence are used as an application in skin diseases, headache, and weak eyes; the leaves are used in toothache (Atkinson). 739. Nyctanthes arbor tristis, Linn. H.F.B.1., U1. 603; Roxb. 29: Sans. :—Sephalikaé ; Parijatak ; Rajanikasa. Vern. :—Harsingar ; Saherwa ; Seoli; Nibari (H.); Singhar ; Harsingar ; Sephalika, Shiuli (B.); Pakara ; Laduri; Kuri (Pb.) ; Partak (Boinb.) ; Pagala-mully (Tam.); Munjapumerum (Mal.). N. 0. OLEACER. 767 Habitat :— Cultivated throughout India. A small, deciduous tree, 30ft., often forming coppice, scabrid pilose. Bark iin. thick, light brown, rough. Wood pale- red, of pale yellowish brown, moderately hard, close-grained. A well-known tree, with fragrant flowers, which open at night and drop off in the early morning. Kanjilal says the bark is grey or greenish-white, rough. Branches quadrangular. Leaves opposite, 44 by 24in. or 3in., ovate, acute, coriaceous, covered over with stiff white hairs on the upper surface; pubescent beneath, margin slightly recurved, entire or with distinct teeth, principal nerves conspicuous beneath. Base rounded or cuneate, petiole 4in., not articulated. Flowers sessile, 3-7 together in pedunculate heads, which are arranged in short trichotomous cymes; bracts elliptical. Calyx-tube Jin., campanulate, minutely 4-5-toothed. Corolla-tube $-4in. long, cylindric, orange-red. Limb white, spreading. Lobes 5-8, 3-3in. long, emarginate, contorted in bud. Anthers 2, subsessile, inserted near the mouth of the Corolla-tube. Ovary 2-celled; ovule 1 in each cell, erect. Capsule 3-3in. long or 4in., $-gin. thick, orbicular, chastaceous, splitting into 2 one-seeded cells. Seeds exalbuminous, radical, inferior, colyledons flat. Flowers throughout the year, in the Konkan during the rains. Use :—The leaves, according to Sanskrit writers, are useful in fever and rheumatism. The fresh juice of the leaves is given with honey in chronic fever. A decoction of the leaves, prepared over a gentle fire, 1s recommended by several writers as a specific for obstinate sciatica (Dutt). According to the author or the Makhzan, six or seven of the young leaves are rubbed up with water and a little fresh ginger, and administered in obsti- nate fevers of the intermittent type, at the same time a purely vegetable diet is enforced. The powdered seeds are used to cure scurfy affections of the scalp (Dymock). In the Concan, about 5 grains of the bark are eaten with betelnut and leaf, to promote the expectoration of thick phlegm (Dymock). It 1s antibilious and expectorant, and useful in bilious fevers. (K. L. Dey). 768 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. The expressed juice of the leaves acts as a cholagogue, laxative and mild bitter tonic (Dr. Thornton, in Watt’s Dictionary). : The expressed juice of the leaves is given with a little sugar to children as a remedy for intestinal (thread and round) worms. In several cases, it has been found to act efficaciously by destroying the worms. It may be tried as a substitute for Santonin (B. D. B.). 740. Praxinus floribunda, Wall. H.F.B.1., 111. 605 ; Roxb. 50. Vern. : —Banarish (Afg.); Sim ; Sunnu ; Shun (Pb.) ; Angan, angu, dakhuri (U. P.) ; Kangu, tuhasi (Nepal). Habitat :—-Temperate and Sub-alpine Himalaya, from Kash- mir to Bhotan and the Khasia Mts. A large, deciduous tree. Bark ashy-grey. Smooth on young poles, dark and deeply longitudinally furrowed on mature trees. Wood white, with a light red tinge, no heart-wood, soft and moderately hard. Leaves opposite, imparipinnate, rachis 5-8in. | long. Leaflets usually 7, less frequently 5-9, lateral opposite 3-d1in. by 1-3in., ovate, oblong, elliptic or lanceolate, usually long acuminate, faleately serrate, membranous, glabrous above, pilose on the nerves beneath when young. Main lateral nerves about 12 pair, slender, joined by reticulated secondary nerves. Petiolules 3-4in. Inflorescence a large terminal panicle ; pedicels fascicu- lated on the branches of the panicles. Flowers about fin. long, generally 2-sexual. Calyx minute, acutely 4-toothed, somewhat en- larged in fruit. Corolla-lobes fin. long, linear-oblong, narrowed at both ends, induplicate-valvate in bud. Stamens near base of Corolla-tube. Filaments about j4in. long. Ovary 2-celled. Stigma 2-fid; ovules 2 in each cell, pendulous. Il ruit an oblanceolate samara, 1-l$in. including the wing. Seed solitary. Use:—A concrete, saccharine exudation (manna) is obtained by incision from the stem, and is a substitute for the officinal manna. This is used for its sweeting and slightly laxative ‘properties (Watt). : hae N. 0. OLEACES. 769 741. F. excelsior, Linn. H.F.B.1., 111. 606. Vern.:—Stim ; Kum (Pb.). Habitat :—Temperate West Himalaya and Western Tibet, Kashmir hills. A large tree, thick grey bark. Wood white, moderately hard. Leaves opposite, unequally pinnate. Leaflets 2-5 pair, all sessile or nearly so; 4 by 1$in., elliptic, acuminate, serrate, midrib beneath aa eeN or antl pubescent. lowers in short racemes, fascicled near tips of the branches, appearing before the leaves. Male and hermaphrodite alike without perianth. Calyx in all flowers obsolete. Filaments very short. Racemes in fruit 1-6in., pendulous, pedicels jin. Samaras 12 by 3-4in., narrowed gradually to both the obtuse ends. Uses:—A small quantity of saccharine matter exudes on incision from its bark. This only constitutes, however, a very small part of the Manna of European commerce, and does not. appear to be used in India at all. The bark is bitter and astringent, and was at one time, though very undeservedly, called European cinchona. The leaves are purgative (Watt). Transverse incision from the stems of this and other species of Frakinus, yields a concrete saccharine exudation, called Manna. Manna is a mild laxative, useful for children and ' delicate females, given in hot milk or in combination with other purgatives. 742. Olea cuspidata, Wall. u.¥.B.1., 11. 611. Vern. :—Khwan; Shwan (Trans-Indus) ; Zaittin (Afg.) ; Ko Kohu; Kao; Kan (Pb.); Kan (H.); Khan (Sind.); Khwan; Shwan (Baluch.). Habitat :—Fairly common, N.-W. Himalaya. Dehra, Jaunsur, Cabul, Baluchistan, south Suleman Range. A moderate-sized, deciduous tree, 30ft., glabrous, not spinous. Bark grey, thin, smooth, when young, when old exfoliating in long narrow strips. Wood very hard, smooth, close and even-grained ; sapwood whitish ; heartwood large, regularly shaped, from light- 97 770 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. brown or olive-brown to nearly black, clouded. Leaves 2-4in. long, oblong, lanceolate, cuspidate, entire, very coriaceous, dark-green and shining above, thickly coated with a dense film of minute red scales; margins slightly recurved, midrib prom- inent, petiole about din. Flowers bisexual, whitish, in axillary trichotomous cymes, 1-2in. long. Calyx nearly truncate or with 4 short teeth. Corolla deeply divided. Lobes j,in. elliptic, obtuse or acute, with aridge along the middle, induplicate- valvate in bud. Anthers oval, dehiscing alternately. Style short, stigma bifid. Drupe 4-4in. long. ovoid, black when ripe, supported by the remanis of the Calyx. Endocarp bony; pulp scanty, oily. Uses:—An oil is extracted from the fruit which is used medicinally as a rubefacient. Leaves and bark are bitter and astringent, used as an antiperiodic in fever and debility, (Brandis). The Commissioner of Kohat has sent to the Indian Museum samples of the oil and fruit which is said to ripen in October and November, The fruits contained very little pulp and the oil appeared to be yielded by the seeds, the kernels of which contained 31°8 percent. This may explain the small yield of oil recorded in pressing experiments made since 1851. It has been sugges- ted that by grafting the European species and by improved method of extrac- tion the yield might be improved, The oil of this wild olive has a greenish- yellow colour, and its characters resemble those of European olive oil. Cros- sley and Le Sueur in 1897 obtained the following constants: Specifie gravity, 0920; acid value, 5:0 ; saponification value, 1909; iodine value, 93°6 ; Reichert- Meiss] value, °6 ; insoluble fatty acids, 95°14 per cent. Like olive oil it was non-siccative, but the iodine value of this sample was abnormally high. A recent sample of this oil from Kohat hada more normal iodine value of 86:1. (Hooper), 743. O. glandulifera, Wall. H.¥.B.1., 111. 612. Vern. :—Galili, raban, sira, phalsh (Pb.) ; Gair, galdu, garur (Kumaon). Habitat :—Fairly common along the outer Himalaya tracts, N.-W. Himalaya, from Kashmir to Nepal. Mountains of South India. A moderate-sized tree, 20-60ft., glabrous or nearly so. Bark tin. thick, grey, uneven, exfoliating in brittle scales. Branches lenticillate. Leaves rhomboid-lanceolate 4-2in., entire, ovate- lanceolate, long acuminate entire, margins slightly undulate; N. O. SALVADORACER. Til base cuneate. Main lateral nerves 9-12 pair, slender, with glands at their axils on either side of midrib. Petiole 4-Lin. iong. Flowers cream-coloured, in terminal or lateral compound trichotomous cymes. Calyx, four toothed. Corolla deeply divid- ed ; lobes #4-}in. long, elliptic. Anthers large. Ovary glabrate. Drnpe 4in. long, ovoid, somewhat oblique, acute at apex; endocarp bony. Use :—The bark and leaves are astringent and used as an antiperiodic in fevers (Atkinson). N. O. SALVADORACEH AK. 744. Salvadora persica, Linn. .F.B.1., 111. 619; foxb. 130. Vern. :— Arak (Arab.); Darakhte-misvak (Pers.); Kabbar, kharidjar, pilu (Sind.) ; Jhal (Rajputana); Kaurivan, jhar (Pb.) ; Kharjal (H). Opa, ughai, kar kol, kalarva (Tam.); Waragu- wenki; Ghoonia ‘Tel.); Pilu (Mar.); Khikan (Bom.). Habitat :—India in tle drier climates from the Punjab and Sindh to Patna. ‘The Circars, North Ceylon. A small glabrous evergreen tree, with usually a short and crooked trunk. Branches many, drooping, terete, glabrous, whitish-yellow. Bark thin, wood white, soft. Leaves, ovate or oblong, obtuse, 13 by 4 in.; some-what fleshy. Petiole jin. Panixllary or terminal, compound, 2-5 in., numerous in the upper axils. Flowers greenish white, scattered, pedicelled. Calyx ggin. loves ovate. Corolla 5, almost 5-partite. Filaments short, anthers ovate. Drupe or Berry red, smooth, 4 in. diam., scattered ; tastes of mustard. Flowers all the year. Parts used :—The fruit; bark; shoots; leaves; juice, and roots. — Uses :—-In Persian works on medicine, the fruit is described as deobstruent, carminative, and diuretic. (Dymock.) It is said to be administered in Sind with good effect in cases of snakebite, and to be used both in the fresh and in the dried state, although in the latter it loses much of its efficacy, and has to be adminis- tered in considerably larger doses and combined with borax. ee INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. (Dr. Milach.) The fruit is also held to be purgative. Aimslie states that the bark of the stem is a little warm and somewhat acrid, and is recommended by Native physicians to be used as a decoction in low fever, and as a stimulant and tonic in amenor- rhoea. The dose of the decoction is half a teacupful twice daily. (Materia Medica.) The shoots and leaves are pungent, and are considered by the Natives of the Punjab as an antidote to poisons of all sorts. (Murray.) The juice of the leaves is given in scurvy. ‘lhe leaves are used by the country-people in the south of Bombay as an- external application in rheumatism ; they are heated and tied up in thin cotton cloth. (Dymock.) The bruised bark of the roots is acrid, and acts as a vesicant. (Ainslie.) It is “‘remarkably acrid ; bruised and applied to the skin, soon raises blisters, for which purpose the Natives often use it. Asa stimulant, it promises to be a medicine possessed of every considerable powers.” (Roxburgh.) The tree derives its Persian name (darakht-i-miswak, or tooth-brush tree) from the fact that the wood is much employed for the manufacture of tooth-brushes, and it is supposed by the Natives that tooth-brushes made of it strengthen the gums, keep them from becoming spongy, and improve digestion. (Stewart and Murray.) 745. S. Oleoides, Dene. H.¥.B.1., 111. 620. Vern. :—Jhal (H.); Kabbar; Jhar; Mithi-diar (Sind); Jal, ran (Pb.); Khikan (Bomb.); Khikhanela, pilu (Mar.); Ughai ; Koku (Tam.) Habitat : —Punjab, Central and Northern and Sindh in the plains ; Merwara, Trans-Indus. A large evergreen tree or shrub. Bark 4in. thick whitish grey, tessellaled- Wood light red moderately hard with a small irregular purple heartwood. Branches many, spreading, whitish. Leaves dull grey, linear or narrowly lanceolate, acute, 2 by $ in.; petiole $ in. Panicles mostly reduced to axillary fascicles of short spikes 1-14 in. Rachises after flowers have dropped rough from the crowded scars. Flowers greenish-white, sessile. Calyx about 14in. long, divided about % way down into 4 rounded _ Jobes. N. 0. SALVADORACER. 773 Corolla as longas or a little longer than the Calyx, lobes obovate- oblong, reflexed. Stamens exserted. Drupe—yellow when ripe reddish brown when dry, clustered, $in., often touching each other. Uses :—The oil obtained from the seeds by expression, is used as a stimulating application in painful rheumatic affections and after child-birth. The root-bark is used as a_ vesicant. - (Dymock.) The leaves Raswna resemble the lanceolate senna, and are purgative. (Honnigberger.) The fruit is sweet in taste, and is supposed by the natives of the Punjab to have aphrodisiac properties. The fruits eaten singly are said to cause tingling and small ulcers of the mouth, hence people prefer to eat them by handfuls, seeds and all, and the latter are apt to accumulate in masses in the sigmoid flexure of the intestines and lead to disagreeable results. (Stewart.) The leaves are made into a decoction and given as a purga- tive to horses. (Watt.) The seeds yield 44-6 per cent. of a hard, bright, yellow fat, having a faint slightly unpleasant odovr and the following characters: sp. gr. at 99° -150°e., 0°867 ; acid value, 9°3. saponif value 2542; iodine value, 5°9; solidif pt. of fatty acids (titer test), 304°c. (approx); m. pt. 88°c. The fat could be used in the manufacture of candles, and if freed from its unpleasant odour and taste might be of use in the preparation of vegetable butter and “chocolate fats.” —J, Ch. I, May 15, 1913, p. 496, The following chemical and physical constants were obtained with the commercial fat: Specific gravity at 50°, 09084 : melting point, 41°; acid value, 11:26 ; saponification value, 242°36 ; iodine value, 7°48; Reichert-Meissl value, 1:28. Fatty acids: per cent. 94:12; melting point, 40°; iodine value, 83; neutralisation value, 244°42. The oilof S, persica has similar properties. The oil-cake contains nitrogen 4°8, potash 2°8, and phosphoric anhydride 1:05 per cent. (Hooper). 746. Azwma tetracantha, Lamk. 4.F.B.1., 111. 620. Syn. :—Monetia barlerioides, L’ Hertt. Roxb. 716. Sans, :—Kundali. Vern. :—Kantagtr-kamai (Hind.); Trikanta-gati (Beng.) ; Sukkapat (Dec.); Sung-elley (Tam.}; Tella-upi (Tel.) ; Sung- elley or sung-ilai, changan-chedi, muttu-chengan-chedi, - nallo- changan-chedi (Tam.) ; Uppiaku (Tel.). 774 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. Habitat :—Deccan Peninsula; “‘ one of the commonest shrubs of Coromandel, growing in all situations.” (Roxburgh.) A sraggling thorny shrub. Branches green herbaceous. Bark light brown, rough, wood white, soft, consisting of con- centred layers in which the pores, surrounded by white loose tissue, are alternately scanty and many—(Gamble) young shoots pubescent, glabrous afterwards; spines in each axil ]-2 in. number, $-lin. long. Leaves stiff, shining, sharply mucronate or spinescent $-2in. long 5-#in. broad, elliptic, acute. Flowers greenish white, sessile, axillary, clustered, scarcely $41n. diam. Female flowers solitary or in 2-fid clustered. Male flowers in dense globose fascicles, the supporting leaves of the upper fasci- cles reduced to bracts or obsolete, so that the flower-branches end in naked interrupted spikes on which the flowers are whorled. Calyx ,4,1n.; petals linear-lanceolate, acute, spread- ing, 4in. Ovary 2-celled. Cells 2-ovulate, or more often-lovu- late. Berry $ in. diam. white; usually ] seeded. Uses :—The leaves, root, and milky juice are bitter and are used medicinally by the Hindus. Dr. P. 8. Mootooswamy, (Ind. Med. Gazette, October 1889), states that the leaves are considered stimulant, and are given to puerperal women immediately after confinement. They are administered in the following manner by the villagers :—The leaves with an equal quantity of Neem leaves, and a little powdered brick, are finely ground and given twice a day for the first two days, no food being allowed. For the next six days the woman gets a little boiled rice and pepper water once a day, and is allowed to drink a little warm water after the meal ; she is not allowed to sleep after her food dur- . ing the day, and if thirsty must quench her thirst by eating betel leaves and areca nut. From the seventh day she gets her ordinary food. It is also the practice among the rural classes to give 2 or 4 ounces of Neem oil soon after delivery ; with a little roasted assafoetida, and the woman is made to take daily for a month from the morning of the third or fourth day a bolus of a stimulating confection, called Nadayeayam in Tamil, which is supposed to keep off cold fromthe system. (This practice is general amongst the country people in most part of India). N. O. APOCYNAEGR. 775 The leaves are also administered with food as a remedy for rheumatism, and their juice to relieve cough. The root is considered to have the same properties as the leaves, and to be also diuretic; it is given in dropsy along with other drugs. Dr. Mootooswamy gives the following formula as much used by native doctors :—Take of the root bark 3x, Tribulus terrestris fruits, root of Trianthema mono- gyna and Cephalandra indica @a3. Beleric and chebulic myro- balans @ass. Iron dross 3x. Goat’s urine 3vili, water four seers, Make a decoction and keep it for several days in the oven. Dose 2 to 3 ounces twice a day in as much water. A decoction of the root leaves and bark with an equal quan- tity of Acorus calamus, ajowan seeds and salt is recommended as a remedy for chronic diarrhea and 1 to 14 ounces of the juice obtained from the root bark, with three ounces of Goat’s milk, twice a day as a diuretic in dropsy. (Pharmacographia Indica, Vol. IJ. pp. 385 etseq.) ‘“A decoction of bark is given as an antiperiodic in ague with success. It is astringent and OMe: The leaves used for ulcers, and especially after small- “Pox.” (Surgeon-Major Lionel Beech, Cocanada.) “The root-bark is used in muscular rheumatism.” (Moodeliar, Madras.) | N. O. APOCYNACEA. 747. Carissa carandas, Linn. 4.F.B.1., 1. 630; Roxb. 231. Sans. :—Karamardaka. Vern. :—Karaunda, garinga, karron4, timukhia, gotho (H.): Kurumia, karamcha, karenja, bainchi, tair (B.); Timukhia (N.-W. P.); Gotho (C. P.); Karinda, baranda, karwand (Bom.); Karavanda, boronda (Mar.); Karamarda, timbarran (Guz.): Kendakeri, kerendo kuli (Uriya) ; Kalaka, kalapa(Tam.) ; Kalivi kaya, waaka (Tel.) ; Karekai, heggarjige (Kan.). Habitat :—Cultivated for its fruit etaaenont the drier sandy or rocky soils of India. 776 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. ~ Parts used :—The fruit and root. A large erect evergreen shrub or small tree. Bark yellowish brown, peeling off in square scales. Wood white; heartwood irregular greyish or orange yellow, streaked, hard, smooth, close- grained, (Gamble). Branches many dichotomous rigid, spreading; axils and nodes with 2 straight sharp simple or forked thorns sometimes 1-2 in. long. Leaves subsessile, 14—3 by 1—14 in., oblong-oval or oblong-lanceolate, rather thinly coriaceous, gla- brous, base rounded or retuse, apex obtuse, rarely mucronate. Flowers fragrant white or pale rose-coloured in threes, shortly stalked in cluster at end ef short axillary and terminal pedun- cles; bracts small, linear, pubescent. Calyx-segments subulate lanceolate, acute, puberulous and ciliate. Corolla-tube # in., glabrous or puberulous with swollen throat and lobes pubescent ; lobes lanceolate, acute, about half as long as the tube, spreading. Ovary glabrous, cells 4-ovuled. Fruit a drupe 4—l1 in. long, boardly ovoid, bluntly pointed, shinking, blackish or reddish purple with pulp of the same colour or pinkish white, with white sticky juice on the epicarp. Seeds 2-4 seldom more. Uses:—The unripe fruit is astringent, and the ripe fruit is cooling, acid and useful in bilious complaints. The root has the reputation of being a bitter stomachic. ‘“ Used in Concan, pounded with horse urine, lime-juice and camphor as a remedy for itch.” (Dymock.) In Cuttack the decoction of the leaves is very much used at the commencement of remittent fever. (Surg.-Major P. N. Mukerji.) | The fruit has been reported by several medical officers to possess antiscorbutic properties. (Watt, II. 165.) = “The roots were air-dried, reduced to powder, and digested with 80 per cent., alcohol. The alcohol-free extract was mixed with water, dilute Sul phuric acid added, and agitated with benzole, which separated an oil of the consistence of honey at 75° F., and partly soluble in absolute alcohol with acid reaction. A trace Of volatile oi] was also present, with an odonr similar to that of Piper Betle leaf oil. During agitation with benzole a mass of dark-yellowish resin separated, which caked. The liquid containing the separated resin was next agigated with ether. The ether extract was not more than a trace, and contained Salicylic acid. The insoluble mass of resin was now separated,’and N. 0. APOCYNACEZ. TTF the aqueous solution rendered alkaline and agitated with ether. The ether extract contained an alkaloid which gave marked precipitates with the usual reagents, The dark brown yellowish resin, insoluble in ether and benzole, was wholly soluble in ammonia, and on spontaneous evaporation left a brittle residue. The ammoniacal solution when freshly made was yellow, but on standing became green, and on spontaneous evaporation the solid residue was brownish.” (Pharmacographia Indica, Vol. II, p. 420.) - 748. Rauwolfia serpentina, Benth. H.¥.B.1., III. Bo2. Syn. :—Ophioxylon serpentinum, Linn., Roxb. 233. Sans. :--Sarpagandha ; Chundrika. Vern. :—Chota-chand (H.); Chandra; Chota-chand (B.); Chandra, chota-chand, karavi, harkai, (Bomb.); Harkaya (Mar.) ; Patala gandhi, pdtala garuda (Tel.) ; Chuvanna-avilpori (Malay.). Habitat :—Tropical Himalaya and plains near the foot of the hills, from Sirhind and Moradabad to Sikkim. The Khasia Mountain and in the Deccan Peninsula along the Ghats to Travancore. A small, erect, glabrous shrub, 6-18in., rarely 2-3ft., ina rich soil,climbing (Roxb). Bark white, rarely lenticilate. Leaves 3-7 by 14-24in., very pale beneath, elliptic lanceolate, or obovate, acute or acuminate, nerves 8-12 pair, peticle jin. long, penduncle 2-5in., stout, branches and pedicels 4-jin. Flowers white or pin- kish, nearly lin. long, arranged in terminal or lateral corymbose cymes. Calyx small, bright red; bracts minute, lanceolate. Calyxlobes jin. long, lanceolate. Corolla about 3in. long; tube slender, shortly globosely inflated above the middle, often curved, margins of lobes of Calyx undulate. Disk membranous ; lobed. Drupes in pair or single, black, 4in. diam, broadly obliquely ovoid ; endocarp slightly rugose. Parts used :—The root, leaves and juice. Uses ;:—It is held in high esteem by the natives as an antidote to sanke-lites, but reliable evidence of its utility is wanting. It is also valued as a tonite and felrifuge. Horsefield (Asiat. Journ., vol, viil., p. 148) states that the root yields a strong 98 778 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. bitter infusion, and that its sensible properties indicate consider- able activity. According to the same authority, it is employed by the Javanese as an anthelmintic. Dr. Pulney Andy reports that a decoction of the root is employed in labours to increase - uterine contractions (Ph. Ind.). ‘“‘ But we have no evidence of its efficacy in such cases.” (Dymock). 7 According to Rumphius, the juice of the leaves is instilled into the eyes by the natives of India and Java, as a remedy for the removal of opacities of the cornea. In Bombay, most of the labourers who come from the Southern Concan keep a small supply of the root, which they value as a remedy in painful affections of the bowels. In the Concan, the root with Aristolochia indica is given in cholera, in colic, | part of the root with 2 parts of Holarrhena root and 3 parts of Jatropha cureas root is given in milk. In fever the root with Andrographis, ginger and black salt is used. The dose of the combined drugs in each case is from 3 to four tolas (Dymock*. The authors of the Pharmacographia India write :— The roots examined by us reduced to fine powder lost 7:18 per cent., when dried at 100° C. The ash amounted to 7°89 per cent, and was of a light chocolate colour containing a marked amount of iron anda trace of manganese, On analysis the following results were obtained. Petroleum ether extract sf ae ‘64 per cent. Ether 5 See we = 46 ra Alcoholic ss | oe ... 3'936 rs Aqueous as ae oo) LSS c The petroleum ether extract was oily, yellow, and possessed an odour like that of a mixture of cedar and musk. On standing arborescent crystals separated; in alcohol the extract was partly soluble with acid reaction the insoluble residue was oily and contained a trace of a wax. The extract afforded marked indication of the presence of an alkaloidal principle. The ether extract was hard and had the same odour as the petroleum ether extract, but ina less marked degree. Treated with water a slightly bitter solution was obtained, which gave no reaction with ferric salts ; by the action of dilute sulphuric acid an intensely bitter solution was obtained which contained an alkaloid. A yellow resin was also present. The alcoholic extract was brittle, yellowish brown and intensely bitter. A solution in alcohol exhibited a very marked greenish fluorescence. In cold water the extract was partly soluble with slight fluorescence, and very bitter : forric salts gave no colour reaction, The alcoholic extract was treated with dilute sulphuric acid and the turbid acid solution agitated with chloroform N. O. APOCYNACER. 779 after separation of the chloroform, the liquid was rendered alkaline with ammonia, and agitated first with chloroform, ether, and finally with amylic alcohol. The three extracts exhibited fluorescence when dissolved in alcohol, but the appearance was most marked in that obtained by chloroform acting on the acid solution. The chloroform extract deposited a yellowish granular mass on standing, which was non-crystalline; in taste the extract was extremely bitter : it afforded marked indication of the presence of an alkaloid, but was not wholly soluble in diluted Sulphuric acid, The ether-chloroform extract was non-crystalline, it was also bitter, but the bitter taste was associated with some astringency; it was wholly soluble in dilute sulphuric acid, and afforded marked indications of the presence of an alkaloid, The amylic alcohol extract was of a dark colour, and wholly soluble in dilute sulphuric acid and very bitter: it also gave marked alkaloidal reactions, With sulphuric acid, none of the extracts afforded crystalline salts. ‘The aqueous extract had a bitter taste; it reduced an alkaline copper solution on boiling: with ferrocyanide of potassium and acetic acid a faint turbidity was produced. The residue insoluble in water contained a large amount of starch. At present we do not offer any opinion as to whether the alkaloidal principles we have referred to in the various extracts are identical or not. Weare also at present unable to state whether these alkaloids are new or merely principles which have already been described as occuring in other plants of the same natural order. An analysis of the root of ophioxylan Serpentinum by W. Bettink has been published in Haaxman’s Tijdschrift, (Jan, 1888), where no alkaloid is reported to have been found, but a crystalline body related to juglone. We feel convinced that the drug examined by Bettink was not authenticated. Prof. Eykman has recorded the discovery of an alkaloid in an Indian Species of Ophioxylon and later, still (1890), M. Geishoff has found an alkaloid giving a veratrine reaction with Frohde’s reagent, thus substantiating our analysis. It is probable that as the root resembles Plumbago root, Prof. Bettink’s ophioxylin was only plumbagin. [Pharmacographia Indica, Vol]. II, p. 415—417.] 749. Cerbera odollam, Gertn. H.F.B.1., 111. 638 ; PEOLD.. Lod. Vern.:—Dabur; Dhakur (B.); Sukanu (M.); Kada mal; Katarali; Kadaralai ; Kadu (Tam.) ; Odallam (Mal.). Habitat :—Salt swamps, or on the Coast of India, common in the South Concan. A moderate-sized, evergreen tree or large shrub, wholly glab- rous. Wood grey, very soft, spongy. Branchlets whorled, very stout, marked with leaf-scars, twigs thick, shining. Leaves large, alternate, rather closely placed at end of year’s growth, 5-12in., 780 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. linear-lanceolate or slightly obovate, much tapering to base- rather suddenly accuminate, subacute, glabrous, pale beneath, rather thick, venation pellucid, lateral veins numerous, horizon- tal, connected by an intermarginal one. Petiole 1-l4in. long. Flowers large, on a stout erect peduncle, white, with throat yellow, sweet scented, in ample terminal cymes or flat topped panicles; bracts 3-lin. long, oblong, acute deciduous. Calyx segments $-in. linear-oblong, acute, recurved, glabrous, deciduous. Corolla-tube $in., lower third narrow, upper part dilated, throat nearly closed by 5 pubescent projecting wings; lobes lin. Ovule, obtuse, oblique; filaments very short (Trimen). Ovary of 2 distinct carpels united by a single style. Fruit (from the abortion of one carpel) a drupe, 2-4in. long, flattened on one side, witha fibrous endocarp. Seed usually one, oily, albumen O (Brandis). Uses:—The whole plant is full of an acid milky juice. Timetic and purgative properties are assigned to the milky sap and to the leaves, but their use is to be condemned (Ph. Ind.). The nutis narcotic and poisonous. The green fruit is employed to kill dogs (Balfour . The fruit combined with Datura isa part of remedy given by native physicians for hydrophobia (Pharamecographie Indica, Vol. I, p. 410. The bark is purgative (Watt). The kernel of the fruit is an irritant poison, producing, when taken internally, vomiting and purging, soon followed by collapse and death (Surgeon-Major Houston, in Watt’s Dictionary.) Cerebrin C,7H,,O; occurs in the seeds. It forms colourless, odourless erys- tals, with a bitter taste, turns yellow at 180—185°, and melts at 191—192° (corr.). It disparts of the solvent at 16-21°,—Chloroform 8°83 ; alcohol 90 per cent. 12°48, absolute, 12°89, 75 per cent. 27°27 ; isobutyl alcoho}, 14:7; amyl alcohal, 14°87 ; ether 178°5, benzene, 544:7; carbon tetrachloride, 813; w:iter, 5555 (at 100°, 4974); carbon bisulphide, 12, 487 ; light petroleum (sp. gr. 0°675), 36, 730. It has the following values of specific rotation : [a]p ; in 90 per cent. aleohol—74°61°; in ether—64'76°; in chloroform, 74°82°; in acetic acid—80'81°. Analysis and mole- cular weight determinations lead to the formula C,7H),O,; but its properties show that it is not identical either with the taughinin of Arnaud or with the the thevetin of De Vrij. It exhibits the following colour reactions: I. Yellow coloration, when warmed with dilute sulphuric, hydrochloric, or nitric acid, N. 0. APOCYNACER. 781 II. Polychroic solution (orange-yellow-violet-blue) in concentrated sulphuric acid. III. A quickening, emphasising, and sometimes a characteristic modifying, of colour reaction II, when to the sulphuric acid are added small quan- tities of (a) phenols (thymol, a-naphthol], cresol, or glycocholic acid), or (b) aldehydes (furfuraldehyde, cane-sugar, vanillin, heliotropin, &c.). Reaction III (a) seems to indicate that cerebrin is a glucoside, II]. (b) that itis a phenol. Asa matter of fact, cerebrin is hydrolysed when heated with alcoholic sulphuric acid for two hours, and yields a small quantity of sugar, probably glucose, and 62 per cent. of cerberetin C,. H,,; O, (?), a lemon-yellow, amorphous powder, which melts at 85°5° (corr.), is optically inactive, and is precipitated from its solution in aleohol by the addition of water; the alcoholic solution has, even when diluted to1: 5000, a perceptible yellow color. Like cerebrin,it is a poison. Observations of the physiological action of cerberin agree with those of Zotos (Dissertation Dorpat, 1892); it has the advantages, without the disadvantages. of digitalin, J. Ch. S. 1893 A.T. p. 487. The seeds are very poisonous, and were found by Plugge in 1893 to contain cerberin, a heart poison. The seeds yield 55 per cent. of a bland fixed oil, of a pale yellow colour, which is used for burning and for anointing the head. The specific gravity at 15°5° is 0°919; it affords 95:5 per cent. of fatty acids, melting at 34°. (Hooper.) 750. Rhazya stricta, Decaisne, H.F.B.1., 111. 640. Vern.:—Sunwar (H.); Wena ; Gandera (Pb.) ; Sehar, Seewur (Sind.); Wargalion, Vargalum (Pushtu) ; Ishawarg (Mushree). Habitat : —Sind, Salt-range and Peshawar. A small, glabrous, very stout, erect, sparingly branched, leafy shrub, gregarious. Leaves alternate, lanceolate or oblanceolate acute, coriaceous, 2-4in., by 4-3in., yellowish when dry, sessile, Flowers in short, axillary, stoutly branched cymes, shortly and stoutly pedicelled ; white ; tube 4in., upper half inflated ; lobes ovate, mucronate, short. Ovary of two distinct carpels. Style filiform, top broad, thickened; stigma. sometimes. furnished with areflexed membrane. Ovules numerous, 2-seriate in each earpel. Fruit of 2 erect follicles, 2-3 by +in., thinly coriaceous, slightly compressed ; seeds numerous, flat, with short mem- _branous wings at two ends, fin. long Embryo straight, in a fleshy albumen. Uses :-—The juice of the leaves is given with milk to child- ren for eruptions, and an infusion of them is very useful for sorethroat, low fevers and general debility. The leaves, which are very bitter, are sold in the bazars in Sind, the natives using 782 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. them in the preparation of cooling bitter infusions. Dr. Stocks describes the infusion as a good and peculiar bitter tonic, and recommends it for trial (Ph. Ind., p. 139). The fruits and leaves are considered efficacious in cases of boils and eruptions (Stewart). In Afghanistan, the roots, stem, leaves and flowers, are dried and used in infusion for the treatment of syphilis, in all its stages, and of chronic rheumatism, old joint affections and pains of every kind (Duthie, in Watt’s Dictionary). The leaves are reputed to be a bitter tonic for fevers and general debility, and they have been reported as poisonous. The leaves contain a large quantity of alkaloids, one of which is volatile and has the odour of conine, the alkaloid of hemlock. The non-volatile alkaloid resembles in some particulars one of the bases of Aspidiosperma ; it dissolves in sulphuric acid with a red colour, changing to purple, and contains 6’01 per cent of nitrogen. 751. Vinea rosea, Linn. H.F.B.1., 111. 640. Vern. :—Ainskati (Uriya) ; Rattanjot (Pb.) ; Sadaptél (Mar.) ; Billa-ganeru (Tel.). Habitat :-- A West Indian plant, much cultivated about pagodas, &c., in India. 3 : Leaves obovate, flowers white, rosy or pink, axillary, 13-2in. diam., grown here in Andheri, and in my Thana and Ratnagri gardens, with four varieties :—(1L) vinca alba, plain white, witha cream coloured throat ; (2) vinca alba, with the throat green ; (3) vinea alba, with throat deep crimson ; (4) Pink throated or deep crimson throated vinca rosea (K. R. Kirtikar). ‘his is what Asa Gray says: —Tropical, erect, somewhat woody, at base: flowers produced at all seasons. House and bedding plant from West Indies, with oblong-petioled veiny leaves, and showy Corolla, with slender tube and very narrow orifice, rose-purple or white, with or without a pink edge (Field, Forest and Garden Botany, New York, p. 275, 1868.) , Use :—The juice of the leaves is employed in Qrisée, as an N. O.: APOCYNACER. 783 application to wasp stings (Surgeon-Major P. N. Mukerji, in Watt’s Dictionary). fig. Vepusiia Murr: H.¥B.1., U1. 640. Syn. :--V. parviflora, Retz. Roxb. 242. Sans. :-—Sangkhi ; Sangkhapuli. Vern. :—Kapa-vila (Malay.). Habitat :—Western Himalaya; Garhwal, and Upper Gange- tic Plain ; common throughout the Deccan. Anerect, pale-green, annual herb, 1-2ft. high, erect, glabrous, branched from the base. Stem and branches acutely 4-angled. Leaves 14-24 by +4-3in., lanceolate, acuminate, membranous, margins minutely scabrid, stipular, glands subulate. Petiole zin., or less, slender. Flowers very small, subsessile, }in. long, on short pedicels, white. Sepals filiform. Corolla-mouth narrow, hairy, throat glabrous, thickened. Follicles 2-3in., very slender, diverging, straight membranous. Seeds join., linear-oblong, cylindric, rounded at both ends ; testa black, many-ribbed, ribs rough. Except for the Corolla this has all the appearance of a gentian. Use:—A decoction of the dried plant, boiled in oil, is rubbed on the loins in cases of lumbago (Ainslie). Dr. W. Burns, Economic Botanist, Agricultural College, Poona, has had cases of cattle-poisoning from this plant, re- ported to him. (K. R. K.). lio Elumerta acutsfolia, Forret., H.F.B.1., 1I- 641. Syn. :-—P. acuminata, Roxb. 248. Vern. :—Gulachin, goburchamp, golainchi, chameli (H.); Gorur champa (B.); Kat champa (Uriya); Gulanj baha (Santal.) ; Champa pungar (Gond.); Khair-champa, dolochapa, khad- champo, gulachin, chameli (Bomb.); Rhuruchapha; Khair champa (Mar.); Rhadachampo (Guz.); Vada ganneru (Tel.); Kanagala ; Ganagalu ; Go Sampige. (Kan.). Habitat :— Cultivated and naturalised in many parts of India. 784 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. A small, deciduous tree, with crooked trunk and thick fleshy branches, full of tenacious milky juice. Bark, with a smooth peppery outer layer, grey, shining, exfoliating in small flakes. Wood yellowish-white, soft. Branches swollen and dichotormous. Leaves alternate, lanceolate or oblanceolate acute at both ends, spirally arranged at the ends of branches, 15in., petiole 1-l}in., 1-glandular at the top. Secondary nerves numerous, straight, transverse, joined by straight intramarginal veins. Flowers fragrant, large, white, slight crimson, streaked without, pale yel- low within, near the centre, in compound pedunculate cymes, usually when the tree is leafless. Fruit very seldom seen in India, follicular. Seeds winged. Corolla deciduous, before the anthers are mature “and the ovary is mature enough to receive the pollen. I found a pair of follicles 9in. long each, and about lin. broad, in Satara, on a tree, in March 1898, in one of the cantonment-gardens. I had the honour of presenting one of them to Emeritus Professor Woodrow of the College of Science, Poona. ‘The follicle, figured in the Litho plate of this work, is from a drawing made for me by Mr. J. Berriman-Vears of Rat- nagiri of the original follicle now in mv possession. I have grown in pots in my garden a variety of this plant, with flowers deep crimson outside and orange, yellow within.” (K. R. Kirtikar). u Parts use? :—The bark, leaves, juice, branches and flower- ‘buds. Uses:—Mir Muhammad Hussain describes the tree under the name of A’Chin, and states that the root bark is a strong purgative, and also a useful remedy in gonorrhoea and for venereal sores. He recommends butter milk to be given in cases of excessive purgation after its use. Plasters made of the bark are said to be useful in dispersing hard tumors (Pharma- cographia Indica, Vol. II, p. 421.) Dr. Hove, in 1787, found the tree growing abundantly on Malabar Hill, and mentions that the inhabitants used it for intermittents, as we do_ cinchona. 8. Arjun (Bombay Drugs) writes that the leaves, made into -a poultice, are used to dispel swellings ; the milky juice is N. 0. APOCYNAOES. 785 employed as a rubefacient in rheumatism, and the blunt-ended branches are introduced into the uterus to procure abortion. According to Dymock, the bark is given in the Konkan, with cocoanut, ghi, and rice, asa remedy for diarrhoea; the flower- buds are eaten with betel leaves in ague, and the juice, with sandalwood oil and camphor, is employed asa cure for itch. ‘Sap mixed with cocoanut is used as a remedy for itch (Talbot).” Campbell states that in Chutia Nagpur the leaves and root are used medicinally, but that the part best known to the forest tribes of Manbhum is the core of the young wood, which is given to lying-in women, to allay thirst, and for cough. In the Baroda Durbar Catalogue of Medicinal Plants, at the Col. and Ind. Exhb., it is stated that the bark is purgative and used in cases of leprosy. “This plant is known as Daladna phula in Northern Bengal, where its milky juice has been tried and found to be an effectual purgative. ‘The dose is as much as a grain of parched rice (khai) will absorb, the grain being administered as a pill.” (Surgeon-Major C. I’. Peters, w.B , in Watt’s Dictionary). Dr. A. J. Amadeo (Pharm. Journ; April 21st, 1888,) has the following account of its medicinal uses in Porto Rico:—“ In small doses (8 to 12 grains) given in emulsion, the milk produces abundant bilious watery stools. The bark is a favourite remedy with the country people for gonorrhcea and gleet. Two ounces of the fresh powdered bark is placed in 8 pints of eau sucree and exposed to the sun for four days, being shaken occasionally. A wine. glassful is administered four or five timesa day, together with refreshing and muci- laginous drinks, and the use of tepid baths. The action of the drug is at first purgative, afterwards diuretic. An extract of the bark may be used beginning With 3—4 grains daily to be gradually increased to 14 or 15 grains, or a wine (loz. tol litre) may be given in liqueur glassfuls three times a day. The decoction of the bark is a powerful antiherpetic. A crystalline, bitter principle C., H;, 0,,+2 H,O, obtained by evaporation of the alcoholic extract, melts at 157-158° and forms a colourless solution in concentrated sulphuric acid, which, on warming, turns yellow, reddish- yellow, brownish-red, or black, Its solution in concentrated nitrie acid is also colourless, but becomes yellow on warming, and, similarly, the solution in sodium hydroxide turns yellow on boiling, This substance cannot be identical with plumieride, which has been isolated by Boorsma.—J. Ch. S. A.|., 1897 ; p. 167. 99 786 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. The plumeride, isolated by Boorsma from the bark of Plumeria acutifolia appears to be identical with the substance obtained by Merck from the same source, although the former investigator stated that it did not melt, whereas the latter gave its melting point as 157-158°. A. P.N. Franchimont finds that the substance melting at 157° is the hydrated form of plumieride ; when crystallised from dry ethylic acetate, it separates in the anhydrous condition, and then has no definite melting point, A mole- cular weight determination by the cryoscopic method gave numbers varying from 587 to 572; these values are approximately half those obtained by Merck, who .used the ebullioscopic method. Plumeride is a glucoside, for, when boiled with 5 per cent. hydrochloric acid, it is hydrolysed, yielding glucose and an insoluble, amorphous, brown substance. An acid, named plumieridic acid, is produced by dissolving plumieride in aqueous potash and allowing the solution to remain for some time; the solution, when acidified with dilute sulphurie acid yields the new compound, which is sparingly soluble in water. This acid is slightly soluble in methylic alcohol and insoluble in ethylic alcohol, ether, chloroform, or benzene; it decomposes at temperatures above 200°; its dilute aqueous solution is laevorotatory. The potassium salt crystallises from water. Plumieridic acid is also a glucoside, for, on boiling with 5 per cent. hydrochloric acid, it behaves like plumeride, yielding glucose and an amorphous, brown substance. Plumieride Seems also to be identical with agoniadin, obtained by Peckolt (Arch Pharm 1870, ii, 142, 40) from P. lancifolia, for the latter substance behaves similarly on hydrolysis, and melts at 155°.—J. Ch. S. 1899 A, I. 933, 754. Alstonia scholaris, Brown. H.F.B.1., 111. 642. Sans. :—Sapta-parna ; Visaltvak ; Brihattvaka. Vern. :—Chatwan, Chhatin, Chatiun (B.); Satiain, chatifin, satwin, satni (H.); Chhatnia (Uriya); Chatin, bomudu (Kol.) ; Chatiwan (Nepal); Purbo (Lepcha); Satvin (Mar.); Ezhilaip- palai, wodrase (Tam.); Edakula-pala, palagaruda, éda kula-ariti, édakula-pouna (Tel.) ; Janthalla, Mudhol, Kodale, Madale, Kadu- sale, hale. (Kan.). Habitat :—Drier forests of India; in the tropical region of the Western Himalaya, from the Jumna eastwards to Assam, and southwards to Ceylon. A large, evergreen tree, up to 60 feet or more in height, with bitter milky juice. Stem tall, base often tufted or buttressed. Branches spreading, in tiers of whorls. Bark aark-grey, some- what rough, lenticilate. Wood white, soft, even-grained, seasous hardly and soon gets mouldy and discoloured, if allowed to season in log (Gamble). Leaves in whorls of 4-7 ; 4-8 by 1-lgin.; N. 0. APOCYNACES. 787 glabrous, coriaceous, shining above, dull and pale-green beneath, oblong or ovate-oblong, elliptic-oblong or oblanceolate, subsessile or narrowed into a short petiole, +-4in. long; lateral nerves numerous, straight, terminating in an intramarginal vein. Flowers greenish-white in compact umbellately corymbose pubescent, pedunculate cymes; the umbels whorled. Peduncle 1-2in. long. Calyx small, ,-tin. long, pubescent 5-lobed lobes j4in , oblong, ciliate. Corolla $-3in. diam., villous inside ; tube 4-4in. long; constricted in the middle, hairy on both sides; lobes rounded, spreading, twisted in bud. Stamens above the middle of the Corolla-tube, included, anthers acute. Ovary of two distinct carpels. Fruit of two long slen-der follicles, over a foot long, slender, flattened, peltately attached ; densely ciliate, with long hairs all round (Kanjilal). The tree has obtained the trivial name scholaris from the facts of its planks covered with a layer of sand being used as school-boards on which children trace their letters, as in the Lancastrian system, The natives have a superstitious fear of it, and say, it assembles all the trees of the forest once a year to pay homage. (Graham.) Uses:—It is officinal in the Pharmacopoeia of India. The bark of this is medicinally used as an astringent tonic, anthel- mintic, alterative and antiperiodic. It is a valuable remedy in chronic diarrhcea and the advanced stages of dysentery. It is also useful in catarrhal fever. The milky juice is applied to ulcers, and, mixed with oil, in ear-ache. ‘The tender leaves, roasted and pulverised and made into poultices, act as a useful local stimulant to unhealthy ulcers with foul discbarges’’ (Surg. Thompson, Madras). “ The bark of this tree contains a bitter principle, known as ddtain, which has been reported to be equal to quinine, while free from its secondary effects. Largely used in the hospitals of Manilla, but never been experimented within India.” In the Concan, the bark is given in leprosy, an extract being prepared from the fresh bark and given in milk; it is also prescribed in dyspepsia as an anthelmintic; and the juice of the leaves with that of fresh ginger root or zedoary is admi- nistered to women after confinement. (Pharmacographia Indica, Vol. II, p. 387.) 788 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. The following is from the second report of the Indigenous Drugs Committee (p. 19.) :— Way to use it.—Administer in doses of 10—60 minims (of the tincture.) (i) in cases of fever as an antiperiodic. (ii) in convalescence after fever as a tonic. (iii) in cases of diarrhoea and dysentery. Remarks.—The natives of India have considerable faith in Alstonia bark. They use it in fevers and in dysentery : they also use it in skin diseases, ulcers, etc., and fora number of other complaints. Possibly it may be found better as a tonic after quinine than in the place of quinine, Dr. Dymock has found the tincture of the bark to act in certain cases as a very powerful galactogogue ; in one case, the use of the drug was purposely discontinued at intervals and on each occasion the flow of milk was found to fail (Phermacographia Indica, Volume II, page 387), The following statements are made in the report on the Continental Exhibition presented tothe American Pharmaceutical Association (Transac- tions, 1877) about the use of this drug and its alkaloid, ditain, in Manilla :— “ Equal doses of ditain and of standard quinine sulphate have had the same medicinal effects ; besides having none of the disagreeable secondary symptoms such as deafness, sleeplessness and feverish excitement, which are the usual concomitants of large quinine doses, ditain attains its effects swiftly, surely and infallibly. * * * * * . The results arrived at by ditain in our Manilla Hospitals and private practice are simply marvellous. In our Military Hospital and penitentiary practice, ditain has perfectly superseded quinine.” (Pharmacographia Indica, Volume II, page 3888.) Experiments have already been made for the Indigenous Drugs Committee, but are not conclusive; and more evidence must be collected. Captain Stewart, I.M.S., who used one drachm doses, reported that in mild cases of fever it was as effective as quinine. Drs. W. D. Innes and Ditta Mall Dhingra did not find it as good as quinine in fever cases. Major Hare and Dr. C. Bancroft found it serviceable in dysentery. The first Report of Proceedings of the Central Indigenous Drugs Com- mittee of India (published Calcutta 1901) contains records of results of observations by Medical Officers serving in different provinces of India. The consensus of their observations seems to show that the drug is useful in diarrhoea and dysentry, but that its effect asa febrifuge is not lasting. Ac- cording to Lieut.-Colonel H, A. F. Nailer, Acting District Medical and Sani- tary Officer of Tanjore, who used the drug in 14 cases of ague, “Tn all of which it caused the temperature to fall steadily te normal in a short time: no perspiration was induced, but the urine was observed to be increased and high colored. In one case of pyrexia, 104°, it reduced the temperature to 96° in three days. The drug was then omitted, when the temperature rose to 104°. The drug was again administered, when tempera- ture again fell to 96°. It was then stopped and Quinine in 5 gr. doses was N. 0. APOOYNACES. 789 given, which checked the periodicity of the fever. Of the 14 cases of ague, 8 were in-patients, whose cases were carefully noted ; 6 were out-patients. Of these, it is recorded that they did not come after the first day, perhaps because the fever had declined ; 4 of the patients had enlarged spleen, but no effect in that organ was detected.” Dr. Chas. Bancroft, Civil Medical Officer, Garo Hills, who used the Tincture, reported it “A valuable remedy in diarrhoea and dysentery: in the latter disease it proved very beneficial in advanced cases, and was found most efficient as a “stomachic”’ in restoring alimentary tone in convalescence and debility, following malarial fevers.” “Tn the form of a mixture only, combined with Tincture of Opium (m, x) in dysentery, and with the Infusion of Gentian in bowel complaints (diarrhoea), and with official bitters (chiretta), orange peel and Nux-Vomica, as an alter- ative and tonic. Doses,—In dysentery 3idoses with Tinct. of Opium, m. x made up with Peppermint water, thrice daily. In diarrhoea 3ss dose with Spts. Chloroform and Infusion Gentian, every 4 hours. As alterative tonic 3i doses, combined with orange peel, Nux-Vomica and Aqua Chloroformi, Chemical composition.—In 1875, Jobst and Hesse exhausted the powdered bark with petroleum ether, and then extracted, by boiling alcohol, the salt of an alkaloid, which they called Ditamine. After the evaporation of the alcohol, it is precipitated by carbonate of sodium and dissolved by ether, from which it is removed by shaking it with acetic acid. Ditamine as again isolat- ed from the acetate forms an amorphous and somewhat erystalline, bitterish powder of decidedly alkaiine character; the bark yields about 0°02 per cent. of it. From the substances extracted by means of petroleum ether, as above stated, Jobst and Hesse further isolated (1) Echicaoutchin, C2 H*? 02, an amorphous yellow mass ; (2) Echicerin, C°° H** 0’, forming acicular crystals, melting at 157° C.: (8) Echitin, C*? H*? O2, crystallized scales, melting at 170°; (4) Echitein, C‘?H’’O’?, which forms rhombic prisms, melting at 195°,; (5) Echiretin, C* H** 02, an amorphous substance, melting at 52°C. Echicaoatchin may be written thus: (C* H*) §O*%, echicerin (C* H®)*0?, echiretin (C* H*) ’7O?; these formule at once point out how nearly the three last nained substances are allied. They are probably constituents of the milky juice of the tree. (I harmacographia, 2nd Ed., p. 422.) Hesse has since separated from Dita bark two other bases, Echitamine and Echitenine. He now reports that Ditamine exists in the bark in the propor- tion of 0:04 per cent. It is readily soluble in dilute acids, and differs from the alkaloids associated with it in being precipitated from its acid solutions by ammonia, Its formula deduced from the analysis of its platinochloride, i is Cc BY NO’, 790 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. Echitamine is obtained from the liquor from which the ditamine has been extracted. On neutralizing this liquor, concentrating it by evaporation, and then adding hydrochlorie acid and sodium chloride, impure echitamine hydrochloride is precipitated. The base isolated from this precipitate, and then purified, crystallizes in thick vitreous prisms, answering to the formula C22 H2® N? O‘+4H20. When dried in vacuo these part with three molecules of water, leaving a strong base of the formula C*? H2* N‘O2+H? O, or C2? H% N20‘, which the author calls echitamine hydrate, or echit-ammonium hydro- xide. If indrying the heat be raised to and maintained at 150° C., another molecule of water is given off; but the anhydrous echitamine thus left is a much weaker base, and is pecencerted into the original alkaloid by dissolving it in hydrochloric acid, and decomposing the hydrochloride. In consequence of the decided loss of basic properties accompanying the elimination of the Jast molecule of water, the author prefers to regard the monohydrated base as the normal form. The latter is a powerful alkaloid; it neutralizes acids perfectly, and yields well defined crystallizable salts, Echitenine.—This base is prepared from the mother liquors of echitamine hydrochloride, by precipitating with mercuric chloride, decomposing the precipitate with sulphuretted hydrogen, and then shaking with chloroform. It exists in the bark to the extent of only 0:01 per cent. Its composition corresponds to the formula C” H”’ NO‘. Itis markedly bitter, of a brownish colour, and fuses above 120° C. With strong sulphuric acid it forms a reddish- violet, and with nitric acid a purple solution, the latter of which changes to green and ultimateley to yellow. Its salts are amorphous. In the author’s opinion all these alkaloids belong to one series : PUG RMN oa dees ied vas des eeecnncdetie tess cos seh deeb aecbie oatbenien Coeteetne a Te mmtemmE oe Hl craw acene = Ob oion do08S0 Wangn0 soumrogbecogcs0 Syachoeos . C'S H?3 NO* Echitanine .. se oes sneagooe 0” H2* NO‘ Echitamine Hydrate (Echit-a ammonium | Mvarowien C?*H°° N20: (Liebig’s Annalen, cciii., 144) in Year-Book of Pharmacy for 1881.) (Pharmacographia Indica, Vol. II, pp, 389—391). 755. Holarrhena antidysenterica, Wall., H.v.B.1.. 11. 644. Syn. :—EHchites antidysenterica, Rowb. 245 ; Wrightia antidy- senterica, Graham. Sansk :—Kutaja (the bark) and Kalinga (the seeds). Giri- malli ka, Vatsaka (cow tree), Sakra Sakhin (Indra’s tree), Sakra- Sana (Indra’s food). The tree is fabled to have sprung from the drops of amrita which fell on the ground from the bodies of Rama’s monkeys which were restored to life by Indra. (Phar- macographia Indica II, p. 392). re Vern :—Kureya, kaureya, karra, kaura, kora, karchi, dudhi (Hind.); Kurchi (Beng.); Pandhra kida, dowla kida (Bom.) ; N: 0. APOCYNACES 791 Lasanulaasfirul-murr (Arab.); Zabane-kunjaskhe-talkh (Pers.) ; Kulappalai-virai, veppalei (Tam.); Amkuduvittum (Tel.) ; Kood- saloo, Korchu (Kan). Letonkgyi (Burm.). The seeds are called Kadwa-indarjow (Hind. and Bomb.) ; Tita-indarjab (Beng.) ; Halitat :—Tyropical Himalaya, from the Chenab westwards and throughout the drier forests of India to Travancore. A small, deciduous tree, glabrous, pubescent or tomentose. Bark iin. thick, brown, rough, exfoliating in irregular flakes. Wood white, soft, even-grained. Leaves nearly sessile, 6-12 by 13-5in. elliptic or ovate-oblong, obtusely acuminate, sub- coriaceous; secondary nerves 10-16 pairs, strong, arched ; petiole O-4in. Flowers white or cream-coloured, slightly scented, 1-14in. across, puberulous, in terminal corymbose eymes which are 3-6in diam. J. D. Hooker says, “the flowers are quite inodorous.” Calyx deeply 5-partite, lobes small, lan- ceolate acuminate, with glands inside at their base. Corolla- tube 4-4in. long, slender, cylindrical, swollen at the base round the anthers, throat contracted, naked ; lobes as long as the tube, oblong, spreading, everlapping to the left. Anthers subsessile, inserted near the base of the Coralla-tube. Cells rounded at the base. Carpels 2, distinct ; ovules numerous ; style short, filiform ; stigma oblong. Fruit of 2 distinct, divaricate follicles, 8-16 by 3-2in., spreading and incurved, smooth, usually with white specks. Seeds numerous, gin. long, narrowly linear-oblong, glabrous. Coma 2in., silky, brownish grey, 14-2in. long. “Sir D. Brandis remarks that in Peninsula specimens the style is much longer than in those of Northern India, and the anthers are attached to the middle of the corolla tube instead of at the base.” (Duthie’. Uses :—Kurehi bark is medicinally used as a tonic and febrifuge; but it is chiefly esteemed for its antidysenteric properties. That it is always asure remedy for dysenteric affections, has been borne out by the statements of many medical practitioners, both Native and European. Sub-Assist- ant-Surgeon A. C. Kastagiri publishes a case in the Indian Medical Gazette, vol. I, p. 352, and says that he treated a child, 15 months old suffering from dysentery, with the decoction 792 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS, of the bark and met with success, after every other medicine had been tried. He employed a decoction (Bark two ounces, Water Oii. boiled to Oi.). Doses of four drachms, four times a day, with the addition of one drop of Tr. Opii to each dose. Dr. Gibson states that he has employed it extensively as an antiperiodic. It has, however, fallen into disrepute, principally, according to Sir Walter Elliot, who regards it as one of the most valuable medicinal products of India, from the comparatively or wholly inert bark of Wrightia tinctoria, R. Br., a tree very similar in general appearance to H. antidysenterica, and known by very similar native names, having been often confounded with it. This bark and its properties are well deserving of the notice of future investigators. It may be prescribed in decoction (eight ounces, water two pints boiled to one pint), in doses of one ounce and a half or two ounces twice or thrice daily; but Mr. Odoy Chund Dutt prefers a watery extract of the rootbark, of which the average dose is about three grains,in combination with halfa grain or more of opium. The boat-shaped seeds (Anderjow of the Taleef Shereef, No. 75), are also highly valued by the natives of India in dysenteric cases. They are narrow, elongated, about half an inch in length, of a cinnamon brown colour, convex on one side, concave and marked with a longitudinal pale line on the other, easily broken, of a bitter taste, and heavy unpleasant odour. They are often confounded with the seeds of Wrightra tinctoria, Roxb.,to which they bear a general resemblance. According to Ainslie (Mat. Ind., vol. i1., p. 483), an infusion of the roasted seeds is a gentle and safe astringent in bowel complaints, and is given to allay the vomiting of cholera, In the Taleef Shereef, the infusion is said to be effectual in arresting hemorrhage from piles. Anthelmintic virtues are also assigned to them. During the last cattle plague epidemic at Backergunge (Bengal) they were extensively employed, being regarded as possessing certain specific virtues (Indian Med. Gaz., 1866, vol. 1., p. 352). The results are not stated. | The seeds are considered by the Arabic and Persian writers as possessed of carminative and astringent properties, and are N. O. APOCYNACE. 793 used in chronic chest affections, such as asthma, and also in colic and diuresis. They also attribute tonic and aphrodisiac properties to the seeds (Dymock.) | The seeds combined with honey and saffron are made into pessaries which are supposed to favor conception. They are also used after delivery, (Pharmacographia Indica, Vol. LI, p. 393). “The bark constitutes the principal medicine for dysentery in the Hindu Pharmacopoeia. Before the discovery of the efficacy of Ipecacuanha in this disease, many chronic cases which did not get well under European medical treatment, used to be cured by the Kavirajes, by their preparation of this bark. The seeds are also used in medicine, they being regarded as astringent, febrifuge and useful in fever, dysentery, diarrhea and intestinal worms. The bark is administered in a variety of ways. The expressed juice of the bark is given with honey. A fluid extract is given with the addition of ginger and atis. A compound decoction is also prepared. “An oil for external application is prepared with sesamum oil, decoction of kutaja bark and a number of astringent and aromatic substances in small quantities. “The seeds enter into good many prescriptions for fever, bowel complaints, piles, intestinal worms, &c.” (Dutt, Mat. Med.) | “When in the Goa territory, I observed that the natives used the root-bark only. This is also the case in the Concan, where the root is given in infusion with Tinospora cordifolia for fevers of long standing; its juice is also extracted and made into pills with aromatics, as a remedy for diarrhoea and dysentery ” (Dymock). “ The bark, dried and ground, is, by the Santals, rubbed over the body in dropsy. The fruit is applied in snake-bite, to allay swelling and irritation, and the seeds yield a medicinal oil” (Revd. A, Campbell). “Dr. Warden writes that a solution containing the partly purified alkaloid has been used with success in the treatment of fevers and dysentery. Should’ it even in a smaller degree 100 “794 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. possess the specific properties of Quinine and Ipecacuanha, @ -most valuable drug would be added to our remedies for tropica diseases’’ (Watt). — “In dysentry the seeds would seem to be given for the most part in de- coction. This was prepared as follows: 3 to3 drachms of the seeds were placed in 12 oz, of water, boiled down to 4 oz. and strained. The fluid thus obtained was given in one dose and this was repeated every morning,” (p. 72, First Rept. Ind. Drugs, Com.). | According to the late Dr. Amulya Charan Basu, in the very acute stage of dysentry, the bark does more harm than good, It should be used when the more acute symptoms have passed off and in the chronic form of the disease. Only the fresh bark should be employed. Barks even a few days old are almost useless. Liquid extracts and other preparations made from the fresh bark keep well and may be used when the fresh bark is not available. (p. 148. First Rept. Ind. Drugs Com.) “The powdered bark suspended in a strained decoction or infusion of Plantago ovata is very efficacious in dysentry, where Ipecacuanha cannot be tolerated. (First Ind. Drug. Com, Rept. p. 159). Chemical composition.—The bark and seeds contain a basie substance (Wrightine), to prepare which the pulverised seeds are treated with carbonic disulphide ina displacement apparatus to remove a fat oil, then dried and exhausted with hot alcohol ; the extract freed from alcohol by distillation, is digested with a small quantity of dilute hydrochloric acid, and the evaporated filtrate is mixed with ammonia or sodic carbonate, which throws downa copious flocculent precipitate, consisting of the impure base. Wrightine after washing with cold water forms an amorphous powder, insoluble in ether and in carbonie disulphide, soluble in water and alcohol, and especially in dilute acids, with which it forms uncrystallisable salts having like the base itself a persistent bitter taste. The acetic acid solution is pre- cipitated by tannic acid; the hydrochloric acid solution gives fiocculent precipitates with platinic, auric, and mercuric chlorides. (Stenhouse, Phar. Jour. (2), V. 493.) R. Haines ({bid., VI., 432) states that he obtained the same base from Conessi bark in 1858, and gave a short description of it in the Trans- actions of the Medical and Physical Society of Bombay (New Series IV., 38). He proposed to call it Conessine, and calculates, from the analysis of the free base, and of the platinum salt, the formula C* H* NO. The seeds have recently been again investigated by Herr Warnecke (Berichte, XIX, 60), who has obtained from them a erystalline alkaloid by exhausting them with ether containing a little hydrochloric acid, digesting the extract with water and precipitating with ammonia, washing the yellow flocculent precipitate with water, and then after drying it over Sulphuric acid dissolving it in petroleum spirit and evaporating. The pure alkaloid is described as occurring in delicate colourless anhydrous needles, having a pitter taste, becoming yellow at 60° to 70°C.,and melting at 122°C. The alkaloid readily furms salts with acids, the hydrochlorate being crystalline. It is difficultly soluble in water, but freely soluble in alcohol, ether, chloroform, N. 0. APOCYNAOGER. 795 petroleum spirit, benzol, amyl alcohol, and carbon bisulphide. An analysis gave figures corresponding with the formula C,, H,, N. For this he assigns the name “ Wrightine.”’ (Pharmacographia Indica Vol. 11, pp. 395—896). “Tt appears desirable that the investigution should be extended to the bark and seeds.” (Ph. J. Feb. 27, 1886). 756. Tabernemontana dichotoma, Roxb. H.F.B.1., mr. .045:- Roxb. 248. Vern. :—Pili-karbir, Kener zard (Pb.); Caat-aralie (Tam.) ; Odallam (M.). Habitat:—Deccan Peninsula; common in the Western Ghats. A small tree. Wood yellowish white, moderately hard. Milk not acid. Branches dichotomous. Bark pale-grey, smooth. Branchlets marked with scars of fallen leaves. Young parts covered with a shining resinous coat. Leaves numerous, 4-7 or even 10in., elliptic-oblong, or lanceolate-oblong, tapering to base, suddenly and shortly acuminate, obtuse, stiff and coriaceous, dark-green above, paler beneath, lateral veins numerous, horizontal, parallel, depressed above, prominent beneath. Petiole 4-l4in., stout. Flowers few, white, throat and tube yellow, very sweet-scented, on long, stout pedicels; cymes in axils of terminal pair of leaves, lax; peduncle 2-6in., stout, glabrous: bracts small ovate, fleshy, adpressed. Calyx fleshy at base, segments rounded, glabrous: Corolla 13-3in. diam: tube $-lin., fleshy, Jobes considerably longer oblong, obtuse, falcately twisted, often crisped at margin. Anthersacute. Ovary glab- rous, style clavate; ripe carpels about two in., pendulous, horizontally-divaricate or reflexed, broadly ovoid, blunt, flat on dorsal, rounded on vertical side, smooth, orange-yellow. Seeds #in., ‘finely striate, surrounded by a coat of crimson pulp. Use :—The seeds are said to be powerfully narcotic and poisonous, producing delirium and other symptoms similar to those caused by dhatura (Ainslie). é They are said by Lindley to be purgative. The leaves and bark act as purgatives, and are believed to be used in Java as substitutes for senna; the milky sap is also described as cathartic (Watt). 796 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. 757. T. Heyneana, Wall., u.¥.B.1., 111. 646. Vern.—Naglkud, pandra-kura (Mar); Bili kodsaloo; nagar- kooda ; halmeti ; maddarsa (Kan). Habitat —Western Ghats, from the Concan southwards, common. A small glabrous tree. Bark “ grey, rough, with much milky juice,” says Brandis, whereas Gamble says that the bark is smooth grey. J.D. Hooker says the bark is pale smooth and grooved when dry. Wood light-grey, or white. Branches very stout. Leaves 3-8 by 1-24in., coriaceous linear-oblong or linear-lanceolate, obtusely acuminate, dark-brown and shin- ing above when dry, paler beneath; midrib and nerves beneath stout. Nerves 12-16 pair, arched. Petiole 3-}in., base dilated. Peduncle 1-2in.; pedicels $-lin.; bracts obsolete. Cymes many- fid. Calyx very coriaceous ; lobes hardly ovate, obtuse, crisped. Ovary very short; style filiform, top obconic ; stigma forked. Follicles yellow, smooth, very variable, 4-lin. long, sessile, slightly recurved, shortly banana-shaped (K.R.K.), not keeled or ribbed, beaked or not. Seeds 2 or more, fin. long. Uses.--The authors of the Pharmacographia Indica, vol. IT, p. 413, write that this species is considered to have similar properties to those of T. coronaria, Br., and is known by the same vernacular name. In Puddukota, the flowers are used in inflammation of the cornea. 758. T. Coronaria, Br. u.F.B.1., 111. 646. Roxb. 249. Sans.:—Tagara; Naudivriksha (Ainslie). “ Firki-tugar the Hindoo name of the single flowered, and Bura-tuyar of the double flowered.” (Roxb). Vern :—Sagar; Tagar (Mar. and Guz.); Grandi tagarapu, Nandi-vardana (Tel.); Chandni, Taggai, Taggar (H.); Tagar (B.); Asuru (Nepal); Krun (Lepcha) ; Nagui-kada (Kan.). Habitat.—Much cultivated in gardens throughout India, from the N. W. Himalaya in Kumaon, Eastward and Southward, Ceylon. N. 0. APOOYNACES. 197 An evergreen, glabrous shrub, 6-8ft., even 10-15ft. Bark sil- very grey. Wood white, moderately close-grained. Branches many, slender, dichotomous. Leaves membranous in each pair unequal, the larger 5-6 by 1-l$in., glossy, green, when dry pale beneath; elliptic-oblong, obovate or oblanceolate obtusely acuminate or cordate, margins waved, nerves 6-8 pair, narrowed into a petiole +4-3in., axils of petioles glandu- lar. Peduncles solitary or in pair, 1-2in., pedicels slender. Flowers pure white, fragrant, at night, often double, buds clavate. Calyx small. Calyx-lobes broadly ovate, acute. Corolla-tube 4-lin, glabrous, dilated slightly below the middle, limb 1-l4in. diam.; lobes obliquely ovate, obtuse, margins curled ; mouth, with 5 glands. Anthers inserted below the middle of the tube. Ovary glabrous. Follicles 1-3in., spreading and recurved, sessile or contracted into a sort of stalk at the base, turgidly oblong, beaked or not, 3-ribbed. Seeds 3-6, oblong, striated ; axil red, fleshy. The red axil may give adye, says Gamble. Ihave not seen the double variety bear any fruit in Bombay or the Konkan (K.R.K.). Use:—The wood is employed medicinally as a refrigerant. (Irvine). The milky juice mixed with oil is rubbed into the head to cure pain in the eyes; the root chewed relieves toothache; rubbed with water, it kills intestinal worms; with lime juice it removes opacities of the cornea. (Rheede’. It is very cooling in ophthalmia. (Ainslie). In Western India the milk has the reputation of being very cooling, and is applied to wounds to prevent inflammation. (Dymock.) The fresh roots were extracted with 80 per cent alcohol. From the alcoholic extract, in addition to resins and extractives, a large amount of an alkaloida principle was isolated, soluble in ether, and giving marked preci- pitates with alkalics, choromate of potasb, and alkaloidal reagents, but no special colour reactions were noted. The taste was bitter, and the principle as deposited by spontaneous evaporation of an ethereal solution, was in the form of a yellowish brittle varnish. (Pharmacographia Indica, Vol, II, p, 414), 759. Vallaris Heyner, Spreng. H.F.B.1., 111. 650. Syn :—Echites dichotoma, Roxb. 247. 798 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. Sans :—Bhadravalli, bhadramunja, visalyakrit. Vern :—Ramsar ; Chamari-ka-vel (H.); Hapar mali; Ramsar (B.) ; Dudhi Rania, Pulta podara yarala, pala sate tivva (Tel.). | Habitat :—The Himalayan tract, from the Ganges eastward, Central and South India. (Commonly cultivated in India). Tall, twining shrubs, with ash colored bark and cymose- flowers, Leaves, elliptic or oblong or linear-oblong, acumi- nate, pellucid, dotted, 14-4 by 2-l4in., glabrous or pubscent. Petiole 1-2in. The axils of the petioles glandular. Cymes 5-10-fid., sessile or peduncled, dichotomous much shorter than the leaves. Flowers pure white 3in., diam., fragrant. Sepals ovate oblong obtuse equallying the short corolla-tube. Corolla- limb spreading. Disk ciliate. Filaments line or, villous. Anthers woolly. Style pubescent, Follicles 6 by 2 in., straight tapering from a rounded base toa stiff point, splitting into 4 valves when dry (Roxb). Pericarp thick, fibrous. Seed lin., ovate, beaked, with a tuft of pairs at hilum, Coma very long, silvery white. Uses:—The milky juice is employed as an application to wounds and old sores in the U. P. (Atkinson. The milky juice is a mild irritant. Applied to old sores and sinuses, it excites some degree of infammation in them and thereby expedites the process of healing (Assist-Surg. R. C. Gupta, in Watt’s Dictionary). 760. Wrightia tinctoria, Br. H.F.B.1., 111. 653. Syn. :—Nerium tinctorium, Roxb. 248. Sans. :—Hayamaraka. _ Vern. :—Indarjou (H. and B.); Kala kado, kala-kuda, kuda, khirni, bhurkuri (Bomb.); Pala, veypale, pila, pila (Tam.); Tedlapal, tellapal, amkudu (Tel.); Kodmurki, Kuda, beppalli, pale (Kan.) ; Kota kappdéla (Malay.). rad Habitat-—Central India, throughout the Western Petineulee Rajputana. Thrives on Mount Abu, Burma. -. N. ©. APOC¥YNACER. 799 A small, deciduous tree. Bark $in. thick, grey, corky. Wood white, moderately hard, even-grained. Twigs glabrous, pubes- ulous. Leaves membranous, elliptic-ovate or lanceolate or ovate- oblong, obtusely acuminate or caudate, 3-5 by 1-l4in.; nerves 6-12 pair, faint till the leaves are old, then strong beneath, base acute or rounded ; petiole very short. Cymes sometimes 5in. diam., with slender, spreading, dichotomous branches; bracts minute. Flowers white or cream-coloured, 3-3in. diam. Sepals ovate-obtuse. Corolla-lobes linear-oblong. Scales linear, scattered. Stamens large. Follicles 6-8in. long or more, cylindric, slender, smooth, tips adhering. Seeds $-3in., glabrous, except for the coma, linear. Uses:—The root-bark and seeds are adulterated with, and also used as substitutes for Holarrhena antidysenterica. “The bark may be distinguished from the true Conessi (Holarrhena antidysenterica) bark by its darker color, and by its not exfoliating in patches (absence of rhytidoma); the seeds by their want of bitterness. ‘The bark is used as a tonic and the seeds as an aphredisiac ;_ both are articles of commerce, the former being more frequently met with in the shops than true Conessi bark.’’ (Pharmacographia Indica, Vol. II, p. 398). 761. W. tomentosa, Rem. and Schult., H.¥.B.1., Mr, 6D. Syn. :—Nerium tomentosum, Roxb. 248. Vern. :—Dudhi, dharauli, daira, Kala inderjau (H.) ; Dudh- koraiza (B.); Sandi-kya (Kol.); Atkura, barn muachkunda (Santal) ; Dudhi, kiladwa, keor (Pb.); Dudhi, kadu-inderjao, daira (Bomb.) ; Kalu inderjau (Mar.); Talla pal, koila mukni, koyila mokiri, putta jillédu, pedda pala (Tel.) Bile kude, gidda Oan). — Habitat :—Throughout India, extending in the Sub-Himala- yan tracts Westward. Eastward to Sikkim. In Dun and Saharanpur Forests. Rajputana plentiful on the Hill Road to Mount Abu, in fruit, in November. Behar, Assam, Chittagong, Burma, Ceylon. 800 INDIAN MEDIOINAL PLANTS. A small, deciduous tree, with grey corky bark, jin. thick. Wood white, moderately hard, even-grained. Extremities tomen- tose. Leaves opposite, distichous, 3-6 by 14-3in. elliptic, cau- date, acuminate, rarely obscurely serrulate, rather membranous, velvety-tomentose often on both surfaces, always beneath, nar- rowed into a petiole 3-%in. long, lateral nerves 10-16 pair. Flowers Lin. across, in many-flowered corymbose ; terminal cymes ; bracts deciduous. Calyx short, with 5-10 scales inside at base ; lobes rounded, half the length of the Corolla-tube. Corolla pale, yellow with a fleshy orange-coloured corona of seales; lobes oblong, over-lapping tothe left. Stamens inserted at top of Corolla-tube ; filaments short and broad, continued into a broad — tapering connective ; anthers sagittate, by the cells being spurred at base, adherent to stigma. Ovary of 2 connate carpels. Style filiform, stigma ovoid. Fruit of 2 connate follicles, 8-12 by 4-#in., straight, cylindric, laterally, compressed, rough, with white specks, follicles separating before dehiscing. Seeds numer- ous, $-3in., slender, each with a tuft of white silky hairs at lower end (Kanjilal). Flowers have an unpleasant smell, says Trimen, first yellowish, afterwards purple. Uses:—A thick, red-colored medicinal oil is said to be ob- tained from the seeds. In Chutia Nagpur, a preparation from the bark is given in menstrual and renal complaints (Campbell). The bark and root-bark are believed to be useful in snake- bite and scorpion stings. 762. Nerium odorum, Soland. u.F.B.1., 111. 655. Roxb. 242. Sans. :—Karavira. Vern. :—Difli (Arab.) ; Khar-zahrah {Pers.); Kanér, kanél, karbér (Hind.); Kanira, kaner, ganhira (Pb.); Kanyur (Kumaun); Alari (Tam.); Gannéru (Tel.); Alari (Mal.); Kanagale (Kan.); Karabi (Beng.); Kanhéra (Bomb.). Haya-mara :— Killer of the horse (Marathi. ) Habitat: —Western Himalaya, from Nepal to Murree, Cen- tral India and Sind. sal N. 0. APOOYNACER, 801 A large, erect, stout, glabrous evergreen shrub, containing a cream-coloured sticky resinous juice. Root crooked. Stem 6-8ft. Woody, pithy inthe centre. Bark thick, corky, soft, with a grey surface externally ; in young branches green. Leaves ex-stipulate, in whorls, rarely opposite or scattered, narrow linear- lanceolate ; 4-6in. long, thickly coriaceous, acuminate, entire, revolute, midrib very stout, main lateral nerves numerous, slender, horizontal, parallel, very close. Petiole very short. Flowers hermaphrodite, showy, sweet-scented, single or double, variously coloured, 14in. diam., salver-shaped. Cymes racemose. Peduncles terminal, long angular ; pedicels short; bracts, decidu- ous, coloured. Calyx inferior, 5-partite, tubular, persistent, slightly acerescent. Segments subulate, lanceolate, erect ; base _ of the Calyx-tube glandular within. Corolla 5-lobed, twisted, hypogynous, gamopetalous, regular, deciduous. Corona of each petal 3-fid, laciniate. Stamens 5, alternate with the lobes of the Corolla, included ; filaments attached to the tube the whole way down. Anthers sagittate, introrse, united to the stigma, 2-celled, dehiscing longitudinally. Connective, feathery more than twice the length of the anthers. The feathery processes are spirally twisted into a bundle projecting beyond the Corolla-tube. Pollen globose. Ovary superior, of two carpels, separable in fruit. Style single, uniting the ovaries. Stigma hour-glass or dumb-bell- shaped. Fruit cylindric, capsules in pair, with deep linear striations, slightly twisted, 6-9in. long. Seeds numerous, com- pressed, exalbuminous, with a tuft of fine, shining, white, and greyish silky hairs ; fusiform, slightly rugose. Uses :—“* Roots used in skin diseases and inflammatory affec- tions. It has several synonyms in Sanskrit, signifying horse- killer, seems to be used for destroying horses. ‘The root, beaten into a paste with water, recommended to be applied to chancres and ulcers on the penis (Sérangdhara). Fresh juice of the young leaves poured into the eyes in ophthalmia with copious lachrymation (Chakradatta).” (U. C. Dutt’s M. M., p. 191). All parts of the plant, especially the root, are recognized by the natives as poisonous, and, as such, are used for criminal and suicidal purposes; yet we find, in the Taleef Shereef (p, 129), 101 802 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. and other works on Indian Materia Medica, that it is prescribed in leprosy and other diseases. It is mentioned here chiefly with the view of enforcing caution in any trials which may be made with it, asin over-doses it is productive of serious and even fatal effects. Two interesting cases of poisoning with it are recorded, one by Dr. J. Broughton (Bombay Med. Phys. T'rans., vol. iv., N.S. p. 4, in Appendix), and the other by Dr. A. Greig (Indian Annals of Med. Science, vol. ii, p. 295). .In the latter, which proved fatal, death, according to Dr. Grieg, was due tothe directly depressing influence which the drug exercised on the nervous system. A case in which tetanic . symptoms followed, the exhibition of the root-bark is recorded by Mr. Kamikhya Nath Acharjee ‘Indian Med. Gaz., 1866. Volt. p, cio): The Mabomedan physicians describe the root as the most powerful resolvent and attenuant, only to be used externally ; taken internally, it acts as a poison upon men and animals. A decoction of the leaves is recommended to reduce swellings, and an oil prepared from the root-bark in skin diseases of a scaly nature, and in leprosy (Dymock). The bark of the root, and the sweet-smelling leaves of this shrub, are considered by the Vytians as powerful repellents, applied externally. The root itself, taken internally, acts asa poison, and is but too often resorted to for the purpose of self- destruction, by the Hindoo women, when tormented with jealousy (Ainslie). The active principles of N. odorum are powerful heart poisons. Prof. EK. Pelikan suggested that the drug, owing to its depressing influence on the heart, might be given asa substitute for digitalis (Watt’s Dictionary). Nereium Oleander, is hardly different from the Indian plant. According to the examination of the sap. bark and seeds of the Oleander by—A Lenhar. J. Pharm Chim, 1912, 5, 108-116, all parts of the oleandar plant with the exception of the sap, contain a toxic glucoside l-strophanthin. This substance known, formerly as neriin has the same composition as strophanthin, and is closely related toit. I. Ch, J. 29th Feb. 1912, p. 202. . The following active principles may be mentioned as described by Sohn (Dictionary of the Active Principles of Plants, p 65, 1894) :— 3 1, Oleandrine.—Alkaloid. ? [Neriodorin, (Schmiedeberg) ; identical with one N. 0. APOCYNACES. 803 of Selmis’s Ptomaines (Finoshi); statements of diffrent observers concerning Oleandrine, Neriin, Neriodorin, &c., are conflicting ; see Leuknowsky, Rep. Chim. Appliq., III, 77; Schmiedeberg Archiv., Exp. Pathol., X VJ, 151 ; Greenish, Pharm, J,, Trans., 8rd Ser., XI., 873, and others] Amorphous, yellow, resinous, biiter, poisonous. After heating to 240° C. it is no longer soluble in alcohol or water. Melting point above 56° C. with crystalline sublimate. Soluble in water, Betelli; alcohol, ether, chlorofrm and fatty oils. Neriodorin scarcely soluble in water or ether, not soluble in benzene or petroleum ether. For further information creas the precipitants, see Sohn. 2. Neriin has all the properties of Digitalin and possibly identical there- with. 3. Nerianthin bears similar resemblance to Digitalin. - 4,. Rosaginin.—A Glucoside (EH. Pieszezck), Amorphous, Archiv. Pharm., 1890, 352; poisonous; action like Strychnine, Soluble in alcohol; not in water, ether, chlorofrom or petroleum ethers, For further tests, see Soln. The presence of the Glucoside Rosaginin would seem to account for tetanic symptoms noticed in two cases reported in the Indian Medical Gazette of 1866. _ Dregendorff recognizes Oleandrine as the alkaloid found in the plant, but says he is not familiar with itand refers the readerto the researches of Leukowsky.* Dymock, in referring to the researches of Leukowsky says that the latter recognizes in the leaves of oleander the presence of two alkaloids — namely, Oleandrine and Pseudo-curarine. Dymock further quotes the resear- ches of Schmiedeberg, which, in view of the quotation from Sohn given above, referring to the difference of opinion as regards the nature of the true alkaloid, may well be repeated here. “Schmiedeberg (1883), who considers Oleandrine to bea glucoside, found inthe leaves two other glucosides— Neriin and Neriuntine: he cosiders Neriine to be identical with Digitaleine.’’} Greenish recognizes two bitter principles in the bark, Neriodorein and Neriodorin, which, he says, are closely allied non-nitrogenous substances, probably glucosides, both possessing the properties of powerful cardiac poisons, Inthe bark, he says, there are crystals of calcium oxalate, (Year Book of Pharmacy, p. 154, 1881). 763. Aganosma caryophyllata, G. Don., H.F.B.1., ur. 664. Halitat :—Lowexr Bengal, Monghyr; common on rocks at Risikund ; Dekkan Peninsula ; frequent on the Veligonda Hills of Cuddapah. A large, evergreen climber. Stem very stout. Shoots pubescent. Leaves 4-5 by 2-24in., ovate or elliptic, coriaceous, acute, obtuse or acuminate, glabrous or tomentose beneath, * Plant Analysis transtated by Greenish, p. 204, 1884. J Pharmacographia Indica, p, 401, Vol. II, 1891. 804 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. base rounded, acute or subcordate, nerves strong beneath and all running toward the point in three oblique pairs. Petiole 1-1, Cymes terminal, lax, white—tomentose. Pedicels shorter than Calyx-lobes which are hoary without. Sepals red, 3in. long, linear-lanceolate, glandular within. Corolla white, tube 5-ribbed, din. long ; lobes obliquely orbicular ; tube and throat both cylindric, sub-equal, limb 14in. diam. Ovary pubescent at tip. Style slender, top lanceolate, stigma columnar, to the tip of which the anthers are attached. Jollicles 3-5in., stout, nearly Jin. diam.; pericarp thickly coriaceous. Seeds (unripe) ovate- oblong, din. long, flat. Ovary wholly included in the tubular 5- lobed disk (J. D. Hooker). Use:—Used for the same purposes as A. calycina. 764. . “Expressed juice of the leaves, mixed with sugar and water, used as a drink in bleeding piles” (Dr. Shircore). 926 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. “It is reputed to be an emetic and expectorant, being em- ployed in capillary. bronchitis of children. An Asst.-Surgeon tells me he has used it with good results in diabetes” (Surgeon French Mullen, in Watt’s Dictionary). 883. Linaria ramosissima, Wall. 4.¥.B.1., IV. ZAG Habitat :—Throughout India, on rocks and stony places, from the Punjab and Scinde to Chittagong and Ceylon. Perennial herbs, nearly glabrous. Branches 1-2 ft. long, pro- strate, slender, filiform, numerous, spreading from the rootstock. Leaves alternate, membranous 4-2in., petioled, ovate-cordate, sagittate. Pedicels capillary, longer than the petioles, 1-14in. Flowers yellow. Sepals narrowly lanceolate. Corolla din. long, spur shorter than the Corolla-tube, hairy ; upper lip shorter. Capsule with sub-equal lobes. Seeds minute, ovoid, scabrons. Use :—Highly valued as a remedy for diabetes (Murray). 884. Schweinfurthia spherocarpa, A. Braun. HekB:1. 9 Ve 2O2: Vern. :—Sonpat (Sind) ; Sanipat (H.). Habitat :—Sindh, in rocky places. A perennial, robust, glabrous or hairy herb. Branches 6-12in. Leaves nearly always alternate, $-ldin. ; orbicular ovate or spathulate, fleshy, glaucous, obtuse or subacute, narrowed into a short petiole. lowers small axillary. Pedicels very short. Sepals ovate-lanceolate, acute, gin. long equalling the Corolla- tubes, enlarged in the fruit. Corolla dirty white. Filaments hairy at the base. Capsule 4-$in. diam. Seeds pale (J. D. H.). Uses :—The drug which consists of the fruit and the powder- ed leaves, together with portions of the stem, has a slightly bitter, somewhat tea-like taste, and is prescribed by Native practitioners to patients suffering from typhoid symptoms. The powder is snuffed up for bleeding at the nose (Dr. Stocks). In Hindu medical literature and in popular use, San-nipata is a term which signifies a combined derangement of the three humors, Vata, Pitta, and Kafa (air, bile, and phlegm), which is supposed to produce Sannipata-jvara, or fever with typhoid N. 0. SCROPHULARINER. : 027 symptoms. The remedy for this condition is said to be a plant called Sannipata-nud, “driving away sannipat,” and Nepala- nimba, “ Nepal Neem” or “ Nepal bitter.” At the present time the drug sold in the shops is S. spherocarpa but whether it is the original Nepal Neem is difficult to decide, as at present we do not even know whether this plant is found in Nepal. In typhoid conditions the drug is considered to act as a tonic, to promote diuresis, subdue fever, and remove the derangement of the humors. We are not aware of any experiments having been made with it by European physicians in India, though its near relationship with the Antirrhinums, which contain gluco- sides similar to those of Digitalis, would, we should have thought, have excited curiosity in regard to its physiological _ action.” (Pharmacographia Indica, III. 5.) Ohemical composition.—The powdered drug treated with ether yielded a dark olive-green extract, consisting of chlorophyll and uncrystallizable fatty matter. Subsequent percolation with alcohol removed a deep brown extract, from which cubical crystals of alkaline chlorides‘separated on evaporation. An aqueous solution of this extract had a saltish taste and gave distinct precipitates with alkaloidal tests. The alkaloid was removed by ether in an amorphous condition, and gave no well-marked colour reactions with the strong mineral acids. By continuing the exhaustion of the powdered drug with water,a deep reddish brown extract was obtained having a bitterish and nauseous taste, and containing saccharine and other matters which readily fermented. In order to ascertain if the drug contained a substance ‘similar to digitalin, a fresh decoction of the powder was filtered and precipita- ted by tannin, the precipitate washed, mixed with an excess of alkali, and shaken with ether. The result was the separation of an aikaloid similar to that previously found. As more recent investigators prepare digitalin by exhausting with alcohol after treatment of the drug with water, this process was adopted with Schweinfurthia. The resinous matter collected had an acrid taste, but no principle could be obtained possessing the properties of digitalin, digitonin or digitoxin, to which, according to Schmiedeberg, the poisonous qualities of digitalis are due. Besides the alkaloid, which we consi- er to be the active principle, the drug yielded 18°6 per cent. of mineral matter.”’ (Pharmacographia Indica III. 6). 885. Lindenbergia urticefolia, Lehm. 4.¥-.8.1., Me cOL:. | 7 Syn. :—Stemodia ruderalis, Vahl. Roxhb.4 90. Vern. :—Dhol (Mar.) ; Gazdar (Bomb.). Habitat :—Throughout India, on walls and banks. 928 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. An annual herb, 4-10in. high, brittle, slender, glandularly villous or glabrate. Stem sometimes simple; with all the flowers solitary in the axils of large leaves, at others branched, the branches running out into leafy racemes. Leaves 1-14 (rarely 23)in. long, membranous, obtuse, ovate, crenate-serrate, petiole 4-4in. Flowers shortly pedicelled unilateral, all axillary and solitary or 2-nate, or in lax, leafy, slender spikes or racemes. Calyx shorter than the ovate leafy bracts, 4in., lobes recurved. Corolla twice as long as the Calyx, sparsely hairy, yellow; ovary pubescent. Capsule hairy above the middle. _ Use :—The juice is given in chronic bronchitis, and mixed with that of the coriander, is applied to skin eruptions. The plant hasa faint aromatic odor, and a slightly bitter taste (Dymock). 886. Stemodia viscosa, Roxb. H.F.B.1., IV. 269; Roxb. 489. Vern. :—Nukachuni (B.); Boda-sarum, gunta kaminam (Tel.). Habitat :—From Central India and the Sone river through- out the Deccan. An erect annual herb, viscidly pubescent, branched from* the base, 6-18in. high, aromatic. Stem angular. Leaves 4-2in. rarely ovate, sessile, oblong, base cordate serrulate, sometimes shortend, sometimes very small throughout the plant. Flowers pedicelled, axillary, and in terminal racemes, very numerous, nearly 4in. long, 2-bracteate. Bracts shorter than the pedicels ; pedicels equalling or exceeding the Calyx. Corolla twice as long as the Calyx. Sepals lanceolate, acute, half as long as the violet Corolla. Anther-cells all polleniferous. Capsule 4-inj. long, equalling the Calyx, acuminate. Seeds ellipsoid, terete, black, or, brown, most minute. Use:—The dried plant, which is slightly fragrant and mucilaginous, is used by the natives of Bengal in infusion as a demulcent (Irvine). N. O. SOROPHULARINES. 929 887. Limnophila gratissima, Blume. H.F.B.1., IV 268. Vern.—(To this as well as the next species are applied the following namesin common.): — Kuttra (H.) ; Karpur (B.}; Ambuli (Mar.) ; Manga-nari (Mal). Habitat.--Watery places. Cachar, Pegu, Mallacca, The Dec- can Peninsula, from the Concan southwards. Glabrous herbs growing in water or marshy places. Stems. stout, erect, simple, 1-2ft., rarely branched above. Leaves 14-24in., opposite and 3-nately whorled, $4 amplicicaul, linear- oblong, subacute, serrulate nerves few and faint. Racemes rarely solitary, sometimes lft. long and paniculately branched, with flowers whorled, at others few-fid, or flower solitary and axillary. Pedicels 4-Lin., glandular ; bracteoles minute. Calyx in. long, glandular, fruiting, striate, hemispheric, lobes lanceolate, acuminate, Corolla $in. long. Capsule oblong, acute. Use:—It is used medicinally as a cooling medicine in fever, and given to women who are nursing, when the milk is sour. (Pharmacographia Indica, Vol., III., p. 7). 888. L. gratioloides, Br. H.F.B.1., IV 271. In the Fl. Br. Ind. are described two varieties, J. inter- media and 2 elongata. 7 Sanskrit :—Ambuja, “water born,’ and Amra-Gandhaka, having an odour of mangoes. Vern :—The same as of the above species. Habitat.—Throughout India, in swamps, rice-fields. “In its most common form,” says Sir J. D. Hooker, “ asimple or branched, plant, 4-8 in. high, smelling of turpentine, with whorled pinnatifid leaves, 4-2 in. long, which in wetter places appear to acquire a few emersed opposite entire leaves at the top of the stem and numerous capillaceo-multifid ones at its base. The stems are stout and slender.’ Flowers axillary, solitary, pedicelled, rarely subracemose, Calyx 4-tin. long, rarely larger, hemispheric in fruit, lobes ovate acuminate, not striate, Corolla 4in. 117 490 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. Uses :-—It is considered to be antiseptic by the Hindus, and its juice is rubbed over the body in pestilent fevers. Rheede no- tices its use for this purpose, and also internally in dysentery com- bined with ginger, cumin, and other aromatics. He also states that a liniment is made from the plant with cocoanut oil which is used in elephantiasis. Roxburgh, under the name of Calum- nea balsamea, describes the plant and notices its grateful odour and aromatic taste. The Bengal name signifies ‘“ Camphor.” The odour of the fresh plant is remarkably refeshing and agree- able and_calls to mind that of camphor and oil of lemons. (Phar- macographia Indica, I]I—7). 889. Herpestis Monniera, H. B. and K. u.F.B.1., LV. 212, Syn. :—Gratiola Monniera, Linn. Roxb. 47. Vern. :—Brahmi, jal-nim, shwet chamni (Hind.); Adhabirni (Beng.); Urishnaparni (Uriya) ; Bama, Nirbréhmi (Bom.); Beami nirpirimie (Tam.) ; Sembranichiti@ (Tel.). Habitat :—Common in marshes throughout India, from the Punjab to Ceylon. Marshy glabrous, often punctate herbs; creeping, rather succulent ; branches 4-10in. long, rooting at the joints. Leaves 4-3in. opposite, fleshy, sessile, obtuse, entire in the Indian plant, ovate-oblong or spathulate; nerves very obscure ; lower surface Gotted. Peduncles usually longer than the leaves, and-2 bracteoled. Flowers pale blue, purple-veined, single on alternate, axillary stalks. Calyx 4-4in. long, 5-parted, upper sepal ovate, Corolla cylindric, twice as long ; lobes and stamens subequal, anthers sagittate or didynamous ; style linear ; stigma capitate, 2-lobed capsule included, ovoid, acute. Seeds pale, irre- gular, numerous. Parts used :—The root, stalks and leaves. Uses:—It is considered by the Hindu physicians a nervine tonic, useful in insanity, epilepsy aud hoarseness (Dutt). It is regarded by the Hindus asa powerful diuretic and apperient (Ainslie, Mat. Ind., vol. ii, p. 239), but there is no trustworthy evidence of its value in these respects. According N. 0. SOROPHULARINER. V3 to Roxburgh) Flor. Ind., vol. i. 141), the juice of the leaves, conjoined with petroleum, is used in India as a local applica- tion in rheumatism. Whatever benefit is derived from this formula is dobutless due to the petroleum (Ph. Ind.). A teaspoonful of the juice of the leaves given to infants suffering from catarrh or severe bronchitis gives relief by causing vomiting and purging. ‘Dr. U. C. Dutt, in Watt’s Dictionary). In Pondicherry It is considered to be aphrodisiac, and in Ceylon, under the name of Loonoowela, it is prescribed in fevers. For the analysis the whole plant was used, dried at a low temperature and exhausted with 80 per cent, aleohol. The alcohol freed extractive was then agitated with petroleum ether; ether from an acid solution, and again with ether from an alkaline solution, and finally with chloroform from an alkaline solution. Operating in this manner, a trace of oily matter was obtained, soluble in alcohol with acid reaction; two resins, one easily soluble in ether, the other soluble with difficulty, but both soluble in alkaline solutions and reprecipitated by acids; an organic acid, and a tannin affording a green coloration with ferric chloride. An alkaloidal prin- ciple was also isolated, soluble in etber and in chloroform, and affording a cherry red coloration in the cold with Frehde’s reagent. No other reactions were noted. (Pharmacographia Indica, IIT, 9), 890. Curanga Amara Juss. H.F.B.1. IV. 275. Habitat —Sikkim Himalaya; Asssami; Mishmi; Cachar ; Chittagong ; Tenasserim. A glabrous, diffuse annual. Branches slender, straggling, divaricate, rooting at the lower nodes, 2-3ft. long. Leaves 2-25in., obtuse or acute; petiole 4in., slender. Racemes_ short, few-fid ; pedicels 4-4in. Calyx in flower #in., in fruit din. Outer sepals broadly ovate-cordate, membranous, reticulate. Corolla red brown. Capsule jin. diam., compressed. Foliage very bitter. Use.—It is used as a febrifuge. The bitter febrifuge Curangin, C,, H,, 0,5, may be extracted by means of ethylacetate. This glucoside is easily soluble in ethyl or methylalcohol, or in acetone or ethylacetate containing water; 100 parts of water dissolve O-18 part. The solutions are neutral. When heated at 100°, curangin loses 7-10 per cent of water, but the residue regains this amount on exposure to air, By the action of benzoyl chloride and sodium hydroxide solution, it forms 932 | INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. a compound, Cy, Hs) Oo) BZ, which melts at 128°, and with phenyl-hydrazine it yields a compound which contains nitrogen and melts at 163.° Attempts to prepare bromide failed, as the hydrogen bromide which is formed decom- poses the glucoside. When curangin is boiled with a2 per cent. solution of hydrogen chloride in alcohol, it is decomposed into curangaegenin and a sugar, which appears to consist mainly of rhamnose, The crude curangaegenin contains two compounds, of which the one (A) present in the larger quantity is soluble in ether, and is apparently partially converted into the other (B) by prolonged boiling with the alcoholic acid solution. (B) is insuluble in ether. Both substances are easily soluble in ehylacetate, acetone, glacial aceticacid, or methyl, ethyl, or amyl alcohol.” J. Ch. S. 1903 A. 1. 243. | Curangaegenin, C,, H,, 07, does not contain methoxy-groups. The formula was confirmed by molecular weight determinations. Curangin is either non-poisonous or only very slightly poisonous. (J. Ch. 8. 1900. A.I. 304.) 891. Torenia asiatica Linn. H.F.B.1., Iv. 277. Vern :—Kakupu (Mal.). Habitat :—Western Peninsula, and the Neilgherry Mts. Nearly glabrous or pubescent herb, diffusely branched ; creeping below. Branches 6-10in. long, slender. Leaves 13-2in., ovate-cordate or lanceolate, serrate, acuminate; petiole short rarely more than $in. Pedicels axillary and subumbellate, fruit- ing thickened. Calyx tubular, fruiting lin., narrowly oblong, keeled, hardly winged; base decurrent. Corolla 14-14in., blue, with very dark violet lateral lobes. Juonger filaments toothed. Stigma 2-lamellate. Use :—The juice of the leaves is considered on the Malabar coast a cure for gonorrhea (Rheede). 892. Vandellia erecta, Benth. u.¥.B.1., Iv. 28]. Vern, :—Vaka-pushpi or “ crane flower” (Mar.). Hatitat:—Throughout India, from Kashmir to Assam, Tennasserim and the 8S. Deccan. Erect, quite glabrous, annual herbs, branched from the base; branches divaricate, not rooting, 4-8in. high. Leaves $-3in., sessile, elliptic or oblong. Pedicels very slender, usually twice as long as the leaves. Sepals }-tin. long, rather obtuse, lanceo- late or linear rather shorter than the ovoid orbicular capsule. N. O. SCROPHULARINES. 933 Use :—Used in a ghrita as a remedy for gonorrhoea, and the juice is given to children who pass green-colored stools (Pharma- cographia Indica, ili. 14). 893. V. pedunculata, Benth. wu. FL. Br. 1. Iv. 282. Vern. :—Gadagvel (Mar.). Habitat :—Throughout India. A glabrous, annual herb. Stem sometimes creeping at the base and rooting from the nodes, sometimes tinged with purple. Branches 4-10 in. long, procumbent, slender. Leaves shortly petioled, 4-lin., obtuse or subacute, obscurely crenate, toothed. Flowers solitary, axillary; pedicels as long as the leaves some- . times 13in., Sepals 4in., narrowly lanceolate. Corolla in. long white, or pale blue with a white spot. Longer filaments, with a small obtuse tooth. Capsule fin., much longer than the Calyx linear lanceolate. Seeds ellipsoid. Use. :—It is used for the same purpose as JV. erecta. ———— 894. Picrorhiza Kurrooa, Benth. u.¥.B.1., IV. 290. | Sans. :—Katuka ; Katurohini. Vern. :—Katki (B. and (H.); Karri (Pb.); Kali . kutaki, balakadé (Bom.); Kutki (Mar.); Kadu (Guz.); Kali-kutki (Dec.). ; Katuku-vogani (Tam.) ; Katuku-roni; Katuka-rogani (Tel.). Habitat: —Comnion in Alpine Himalaya, from Kashmir to Sikkim. A low, more or less hairy, herb, with perennial woody bitter stock. Root-stock as thick as the little finger, 6-10in. long, clothed with withered leaf-bases. Leaves subradical, spathulate, serrate, 2-4in., rather coriaceous, tip rounded, base narrowed into a winged sheathing petiole. Flowering stems or scapes ascending, stout, longer than the leaves, naked or with a few bracts below the inflorescence. Spikes 2-4in, long subcylindric, obtuse, many-flowered, subhirsute; bracts oblong or lanceolate, as long as the Calyx. fepals tin. long, ciliate. O34 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. Corolla of short stamened form, 4-#in. long, with longer filaments tin. long, of the longer stamened form jin., with filaments #in. long. Capsule $in. long. _-Uses:—By the Hindu writers, the rooot is described as bitter, acrid and stomachic and in large doses a moderate cathartic. It is used in fever and dyspepsia in many purgative preparations. About two drachms of the powdered root, with sugar and warm water, act as a gentle aperient (Dutt). “From my experience of the root of P. Kurrooa, I can say that it is a good stomachic and very useful in almost all forms of dyspepsia and in nervous pain of the stomach and bowels. Doses, as an antiperiodic, from 20 to 40 grains, and as a stomachic and tonic, from 10 to 15 grains, three or four times a day” Moodeen Sheriff. “If a strong de- coction of this drug be given three or four times a day and continued for three or four days in cases of dropsy, copious watery evacuations are discharged, and the dropsical effusion is relieved. In some cases the medicine must be continued for about a week to bring about the desired result” (Surg.-Maj. D. R. Thomson, m.p., ©.1.E., Madras.) Watt's Dictionary. Major F. J. Crawford, 1.m.s. of Madras says :— “This drug in the form of tincture was tried in several cases of ill-defined fever, In most it brought down the temperature, but as it produced some looseness of the bowels at the same time, its administra- tion had to be stopped. Its use, however, might be advised in cases of low fever accompanied by constipation. {n one case of symptomatic fever (elephantiasis) the temperature was appreciably lowered and the bowels regulated, they had previously been irregular. In another case a moderate attack of malarial fever which had resisted home (native) remedies, this drug, after being administered three times in 24 hours, brought the tem- perature down from 101°F. to ‘9°5 next morning, but the bowels became loose for a couple of days. This looseness was regulated by diminishing the frequency of the administration. In this case the fever did not return be- yond an evening rise to 99°F, for a week. Subsequently it came to normal and remained there till discharge. (Rept. Indigenous Drugs. Com. p: 36.) In the Second Report of the Indigenous Drugs Committee, p. 29 it is stated that “The drug has already been admitted into the Indian and Colonial Adden- dum of the British Pharmacopelu It is produced in the Himalaya, . N. 0. SCROPHULARINES. » 935 The following note on it was distributed ;— Purpose,—To test the efficiency of the root of Picrorhiza Kurroa as toa tonic and febribuge. Wor the purpose a tincture is provided, made according to the recipe of the British Pharmacopeiau, Indian and Colonial Addendum, Government of India Edition, 1901, page 50. Dose—} to 1 fluid drachm. Note.—The drug as an antiperiodic seems to be very inferior to quinine, but as a bitter tonic, is, we believe, distinctly serviceable. It is extensively used in India under the name of Kutki, butitis far from being the only Kutki in the bazars, where several drugs bear this name, e.g., Black Hellebore and Gentiana Kurroo. The root of Picrorhiza Kurroa is somewhat purgative. The active princi- ple is picrorhizin. The authors of the Pharmacogaphia Indica say :—‘‘ We can state from personal obseration that it is used successfully as an antiperiodic in native (practice its slight laxative action is rather beneficial than otherwise. ” Pharm. Indica, Volume III, page 11).” Ohemical composition.—A proximate analysis of this drug showed the following percentage composition :— \ 2), ere a se bee 1:06 Bitter principle (Picrorhizin) ve) 14°96 Picrorhizetin die we: se 3°85 Organic acid ppt. by lead _... .. 93°54 Glucose eae ise za LESS Cathartic acid, &c. (water extract) ... 9°33 Substances dissolved by NaHO Se Hh62 Arabin bodies from crude fibre ved beO6 Fibre ... oS: ye ... 24:00 Moisture 2h ar bs 5.73 Ash (.. ze) oe ae 3°82 The bitter principle is a glucoside Picrorhizin, freely soluble in water and alcohol, but almost insoluble in pure ether. It is acid in reaction, is not precipitated from solution by lead salts or tannin, but is absorbed by animal chareoal together with any colouring matter that is present. It is best obtained by exhausting the powdered drug with crude ether, and is left, after the evaporation of the ether, in brown resinoid drops which form ramified crystals on standing. It is difficult to obtain the picrorhizin in a crystalline condition after heating or after solution in water. Any wax removed by the crude ether can be separated from the dry extract by petroleum spirit, which has no solvent action on the bitter principle. The picrorhizin is decomposed by hydrolizing it with a boiling 1 per cent. solution of hydrochloric acid for three hours, and a decomposition product, which we have named Picrorhizetin is formed together with glucose. In obtaining 0°7 gram of picrorhizetin 368 gram separated during the first hour, ‘219 gram in the second hour, ‘113 gram in the second hour, ‘113 gram in the third hour, and none in the fourth, Weighed quantities of the picrorhizin, after drying at 100°C., afforded, on hydrolysis, 62°48 and 62°79 per cent. of picrorhizetin, as the result of two 936 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. experiments. The glucose obtained from the decomposition was inactive towards polarized light. An infusion or tincture of the root boiled with diluted acid gradually loses its bitterness, and a large increase in the sugar is detected by Fehling’s solution. Picrorhizetin is a red-brown, brittle, resinous, tasteless bedy soluble in aqueous alkalies. It is insoluble in water, and its solution in alcohol is precipitated by ether,. By heating with strong sulphuric acid or when being burnt it evolves an odour of benzoin. The wax after bleaching, and purifying by recrystallization from hot alcohol, had a melting point of 51°C. The organic acid separated by lead was red-coloured and gave a greenish colour with ferric salts. No tannic acid was present. Some picrorhizetin was naturally formed in the drug, and existed in a much smaller proportion in the freshly dried rhizome. After removing the bitter principle by continued percolation with alcohol, the mare was dried and exhausted with water, the dark red-brown solution was evaporated to dryness, and ‘2 gram of the residue was found to actasa decided purge. The aqueous extract treated with four volumes of alcohol afforded precipitates containing 145 and 15°3 per cent. of mineral matter, and with six volumes a precipitate was obtained with 10°8 per cent. of ash. We rely upon the physiological action of this extract in considering cathartic acid to be a constituent." Pharmacographia Indica, Vol. VII, pp. 12-13. Dr. Lal Mohan Ghoshal concludes his thesis on Picrorhiza Kurrooa, in Food and Drugs for January, 1912 as follows :— 1, The drug Picrorrhiza Kurrooa has got a bitter principle named picror- rhizin a glucoside, mainly. 2. Its action is due to its bitter principle: 8. It has got no poisonous action. 4. It increases the gastric secretion and thereby acts as a stomachic and. bitter tonic. 5. It diminishes the force of the heart beat and hence may be used in febrile cases, beneficial effect being due to the reduction of blood pressure. _ 6. It has a mild laxative action due to the presence of cathartic acid. 895. Veronica Anagallis, Linn. H.F.B.1., IV. 293. Habitat :—N.-W. India, from the plains of the Punjab to Western Tibet, and from Kashmir to Bhutan. Bengal, the Khasia Mts. and Assam, the Deccan Peninsula, in the Concan only. A perennial, glabrous, rarely pubescent erect, succulent herb. Stem hollow, creeping below, from 6-18in, high and from the thickness of a sparrow’s quill to that of the middle finger. Leaves 2-6 by 3-3in., sessile (stem-clasping) or lowest petioled, oblong lanceolate or linear-oblong, entire or serrate, base, usually cordate.. Flowers pale purple, pink or white, 4-4in. N. O. SCROPHULARINEA. 937 diam., in axillary racemes 3-6in, long. Bracts shorter than the flower stalks. Pedicels spreading, (usually longer than the Calyx). Sepals ,-4in. long, subacute. Corrola g-gin. diam. Capsule notched, $-$in diam., somewhat compressed laterally, turgid, orbicular, rarely broadly ovate in some Tibetan speci- mens (J. D. Hooker). Seeds ovoid or oblong, biconvex. Use :—Used for the same purposes as V. Beccabunga. 896. V. Beccabunga, Linn. u.F.B.1., Iv. 293. Vern :—Tezak (Pb.). Eng. : —Brooklime. Habitat :—Western Himalaya, from Kashmir and Rawal Pindee to Kanawar A glabrous or puberulous, decumbent, succulent herb, stem * hollow, branches 6-18in., spreading. Leaves 1-2in., rarely obovate, sessile or shortly petioled, elliptic or oblong obtuse, crenate-serrate, base rounded. LRacemes axillary, few or many- flowered, 2-4in.; pedicels spreading, bracts usually shorter than the pedicels Sepals ovate-cblong, subacute. Corolla tin. diam., blue or pink. Capsule and seed as in Veronica Anagallis, Linn. Uses:—The plant is used medicinally in Kashmir (Honig- berger.) The leaves and young stems were once in favor as an antis- corbutic, and even now the young shoots are sometimes eaten as watercresses, the two plants being generally found growing together. They are perfectly wholesome, and might be more frequently employed but for prejudice. In oldentimes the leaves were applied to wounds, and are now sometimes bruised and put on burns. (Sowerby’s English Bot. Vol. V., p. 170). 897. Sopubia delphinifolia, G. Don. 4.¥.B.1., IV. a02. Syn. :—Gerardia delphinifolia, Linn. Roxb. 491. Vern. :—Dudhali (Bomb.). Halitat :—Banda, Behar, on Parasnath, Deccan Peninsula, from the Concan southwards. 118 938 INDIAN MEDIGINAL PLANTS. A tall erect much-branched herb, 1-3 ft. high. Stem 4-sided, grooved, glabrous or scaberulous, often spotted with purple. Leaves pinnatisect, 1-1} in. long. the uppermost (bracts) simple, segments filiform. Flowers subsessile, axillary, solitary or in few-flowered terminal racemes ; bracteoles 4 in. long, filiform, pedicels slender. Calyx { in. long, tube strongly ribbed ; teeth linear-subulate, erect. Corolla rose-coloured, 1-14 in. long, limb # In. across; lobes broad, spreading. Filaments hairy. Cap- sule as long as the calyx, oblong-ellipsoid. (Duthie). Use: —The juice of the plant is applied by field labourers in the Deccan to their feet to heal sores caused by exposure to moisture. It is astringent and stains the skin at first yellow and afterwards a black color (Dymock.). 898. Pedicularis pectinata, Wall. H.F.B.1., IV. 306. Vern :—Mishran (Pb.). Habitat :—Western ‘Temperate Himalaya, from Kashmir to Kumaon. Usually tall, stout, glabrous, except the often hairy spike, cauline leaves whorled, lanceolate, pinnatifid, or pinnatisect, with serrate segments or 2-pinnatifid, calyx-teeth acute entire, corolla-tube short, upper lip inflated, sickle-shaped, beak long, tip twisted. Stem 6-18in., simple or branched. Leaves 3-6in., sometimes 4 in. broad, ovate or oblong; petiole long, slender. Spikes 2-6 in., lax-fld.; bracts as long as the calyx, ovate or lanceolate. Calyx $ in. long, inflated in fruit. Corolla 3 in., rosered, beak with a double flexure, as long as the tube. Fila- ments hairy. Capsule 4 in., ovoid acute, tip exserted. Seeds large, 3 in. long, ridged and deeply pitted, pale. Use :—In Kanawar the pounded leaves are given for hemo- ptysis. The plant is also officinal at Lahore. (Stewart.) 899. P. siphonantha, Don. Prod. u.¥.B.1., IV. 313. Habitat :—Alpine Himalaya, from Kashmir to Sikkim. Glabrate or sparsely pubescent or hirsute, stems many from N. 0. BIGNONIAOER. 939 the root slender and leafy, rarely solitary with only radical leaves. Leaves petioled linear-oblong pinnatifid or pinnatisect, lobes many, short, crenulate, flowers axillary and in terminal racemes or heads, calyx-lobes crested, corolla pink, tube very slender 3-6 times as long as the calyx, upper lip a slender annular horn gradually narrowed from the base tothe point, lower broadly 3-lobed. Rootstock perennial ? Stems 2-10 in. erect or ascending. ‘Leaves 2-6 by +14 in., lobes or segments obtuse, cauline and radical alike. Racemes short or long ; bracts leaf-like ; pedicels of the lower flowers sometimes 1 in. Calyx 4-3 in., hirsute or glabrate, nerves distinct. Corolla rose-pink, tube very slender, sometimes 2 in.; upper hp longer than the broad lower. . Capsule $-3 in. long, broadly oblong, oblique, acute, half ex- serted or less. Seeds 7,-;4, in., oblong, obtuse, base, apiculate, striate.—Varies greatly in the size of the corolla and length of its tube. (J. D. Hooker). Use:—Some part of this plant is used officinally in the Punjab (Stewart). N. O. BIGNONIACEA. 900. Oroxylum indicum, Vent. H.F.B.1., IV. 378. Syn. :—Bignonia indica, Linn. Roxb. 495. Sans. :—-Sheonak (a tree), Pruthusimlic (small kidneybean), Shuka-nasa (Acquiline nose), Kutanata (dishonest actor), Bhuta- vriksha (Goblin-tree), Katuahga (bitter bodied), Tutuka (small), Salak (bark), Aralu (a kind of tree), Mayurajangha (peacock- thigh), Bhalluka (bear), Priya-jiva (dear life), Katambhara (filling hips). Vern. :-—Ullu, arlis kharkath, pharkath sauna, assar sauna, shyona (Hind.); Sona, sanpatti, ndsond (Beng.); Pomponia, phunphuna (Uriya); Arengi banu, arengebaung, somepatta (Kol.); Bana hatak (Santal.); Soizong (Rajbanshi) ; Kering (Assam); Cherpong (Mechi); Totilla, karamkanda (Nepal) ; Dhatte (Gond.); Mulin, miringa, sori, tatpalang, tatmorang 940 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. (Pb.) ; Tattunva (C. P.) ; Tantun, tetu, ulu, karkath, saunavanga, achi, vanga-maram (Tam.); Pamania, pampana, dundillam, dondlup, Mandukaparnamu, Sukanasamu, pampenachettu, (Tel.); Tetu, Anamungu, dundukara, bagi mokka, alaugi-mara. (Kan.); Palakapaiyana, aralu, veluttapatiri—maram, arantal (Mal). Ginsen, Dak-dawa, sicat (Palamow). Habitat :—Common throughout India, from the Himalaya to Ceylon; not in the Western drier area, but in the Terai, west to the Chenab. Usually a small deciduous tree, but attaining sometimes 30-40ft. Branched at the top. Bark tin. thick, yellowish-grey, rather smooth, soft, with numerous large corky lenticels ; yields rather a green juice when cut. Wood yellowish-white, soft, no heartwood (Gamble). Leaves extremely large, 3-5ft., trian- gular in outline, three-or quadri-pinnate with opposite pinne ; rachis very stout, cylindric, much swollen at the branches, rough, with corky lenticels, primary pinne about 5 pair. Leaf- lets numerous, shortly petiolate, 23-44in., broadly oval or nearly rotundate at base, suddenly and shortly cordate, acuminate, obtuse, glabrous, paler beneath. Flowers with an unpleasant smell, numerous, dull-pale, pinkish-yellow inside, reddish-purple outside, on very stout, glabrous, spreading pedicels, 2$-31n., long and articulated at base, arranged in very large erect racemes, 1-2ft. or more long, peduncle very short, branch-like, bracts fused with the peduncle. Calyx 14in., oblong-campanulate, glabrous. Corolla-tube 2+4in., mouth about 4in., lobes much crumpled in bud, thickly covered on both sides with papillose hairs. Filaments cottony at base, disk fleshy, style 24in., stigma din. wide with 2 semicircular plates. Ovary oblong, somewhat compressed, glabrous. Capsule 2-24ft. or even more by 34-4in., wide, long, flat, swordlike, acute, tapering at both ends, dehiscenting at the edges; semi-woody, thin flat septum. Seeds very numerous, oval, wing extending all round except at base, 24ine diam (Trimen). (C.B. Clarke). Parts used :—The bark and seeds. Uses: —In Hindu medicine, “root-bark considered astrin- gent, tonic, and useful in diarrhoea and dysentery. Tender fruits are described as grateful, carminative and stomachic.” N. O. BIGNONIACER. 941 In otorrhcea, the use of an oil has been recommended in Sanskrit medicine, prepared by boiling a paste made of the root-bark with sesamun oil (Dutt). The Gonds employ a decoction of the bark as a discutient application to rheumatic swellings. The powder and infu- sion of the bark are diaphoretic, and useful in acute rheu- matism (I. M. G., 1895, p. 66). Powder made from the bark along with hurdi, isa useful cure for the sore-backs of horses (Gamble). Seeds purgative (J. J. Wood’s Plants of Chutia Nagpur, p. 125). Chemical composition.—The bark has been examined by W. A. H. Naylor and HK. M. Chaplin with the following results :— A. One pound of the bark reduced to fine powder was percolated to exhaustion with cold petroleum ether. The ether was distilled off, and the residue, which weighed about 1°8 gram, possessed the characters of a soft greenish-brown fat, having an acid reaction anda slightly acrid taste, It was treated successively with ether and proof spirit, the former removed vegetable wax, which was subsequently identified as such after re-solution in limited quantities of ether and separation thereform. The latter on eva- poration gave a brownish-yellow residue small in quantity and crystalline. When further purified by extraction with ether and the ethereal residue by benzol it was golden yellow, unctuous to the touch, and pronouncedly acrid, Under the microscope it presented the appearance of long, wavy, branching erystals, which dissolved readily in alcohol, chloroform ether, petroleum ether, and benzol, B. The mare was next percolated with cold ether. After distilling off the greater portion of the ether, and allowing the remainder to evaporate spontaneously, a yellow mass studded with minute interlacing crystals was obtained, which when airdried weighed about 4 grams. [his product was treated with boiling proof spirit and filtered while hot; on cooling small yellow erystals fell out of solution. When quite cold the crop of crystals was collected and subjected to the action of boiling petroleum ether until freed from every trace of fat. It was then crystallized from boiling proof spirit until it had a constant melting point, and was no longer contaminated with unerystallizable matter, The resulting crystals were dried under the receiver of an air-pump, and when constant weighed 0°9 gram. They were of a lemon yellow colour, about + inch in length, and melted at 2285°—229° C. Alcohol, ether, glacial acetic acid, and hot benzol dissolved them readily, but they were practically insoluble in water hot or cold. The following reactions in connection with this interesting body have been noted, of which the most striking is its behaviour with the caustie alkalies, A minute quantity brought into contact with one drop of a weak solution of sodium potassium or ammonium 9492 INDIAN MEDIOINAL PLANTS. hydrates causes it to assume immediately a cherry-red colour, which quickly passes into brick-red and olive-green. Owing to the insolubility of the crystals in water a proof spirit solution was used in applying the following tests :— 1. A solution of silver nitrate in proof spirit produced a bluish-black colour immediately, and after the liquid had stood for a few minutes black particles of reduced silver were precipitated. 2, A solution of neutral acetate of lead in proof spirit gave a light-red bulky precipitate insoluble in boiling acetic acid. 3. Lime water imparted an orange colour, which quickly changed to olive- green, followed by a precipitate of the same colour, 4, An aqueous solution of copper gave a golden yellow colour, quickly followed by a dirty brown precipitate, the supernatant liquid being distinctly greenish. 5. Solution of ferric chloride (acid) produced a brownish-red colour, which, in a few minutes, turned smoke-colour. 6. Solution of subacetate of lead gave a golden yellow precipitate. 7. An aqueous solution of mercuric chloride produced a white precipitate. 8, An aqueous solution of permanganate of potash, acidified with sulphuric acid, was instantly decolorized. 9. A solution of the crystals in proof spirit did not reduce Fehling. The authors say :—‘‘ We have attempted to hydrolyse this body, by subject- ing a strong alcoholic solution to the prolonged action of 10 per cent. solution of sulphuric acid at a boiling temperature, but without success. “We have also inguired into its nature and centesimal composition, but the results so far obtained are not sufficiently conclusive to be incorporated in this paper. We hope to be able to publish shortly a supplementary note dealing with points in process of investigation. Mean while, we propose that this interesting principle be designated Oroxylin.”’ C. The mare left after exhaustion with petroleum spirit and ether was percolated with cold absolute alcohol. The residue resulting from the distillation of the spirit was treated with cold proof spirit, which took up the greater part of it, The insoluble portion dissolved readily in boiling proof spirit, and, on examination proved to be largely composed of the vellow crystalline body ocroxylin. The cold proof spirit solution of the aleoholic residue was evaporated to dryness and the extract treated with water and filtered. The filtrate was treated successively with neutral and basic acetate of lead, and the precipitates after washing were suspended in water, decomposed by a current of sulphuretted hydrogen and the result- ant plumbie sulphide removed by filtration. Sulphuretted hydrogen was also passed through the filtrate from the basic or plumbie acetate and the precipitated lead sulphide removed by filtration. The three liquids thus obtained, which for convenience may be denomi- nated i., ii., ili... were then evaporated down and the respective residues examined. _ (i.) It was dissolved in the smallest quantity aces of cold water and diluted with many times its volume of alcoho]. After setting aside for s N. O. BIGNONIACE®R. 943 twenty-four hours a precipitate fell, giving the general characters of para- pectin. The supernatant liquid on evaporation left a scaly residue, astrin- gent to the taste, and perfectly soluble in water, Its aqueous solution reduced Fehling and gave a copious bluish black precipitate with ferric choloride. Lime-water produced a bright golden-yellow colour, followed by a reddish-brown precipitate. From the tannins proper it differed in that it was not precipitated by solution of gelatine. (ii.) This residue apparently consisted of pectin intermixed with small portions of No. iii, (iii.) This was a dark unerystallizable treace-looking residue, which impar- ted to the palate a feeble sensation of sweetness, It was very soluble in water and reduced Fehling’s solution abundantly. A strong aqueous solution was precipitated by absolute alcohol. D. The mare from the alcoholic extraction was finally percolated to exhaustion with cold water. The liquor was evaporated down and the extract obtained taken up with hot water. A considerable amount of albuminous matter, which remained insoluble, was removed by filtration. The filtrate “was treated successively with neutral and subacetate of lead and the pre- cipitates decomposed in the same manner as described under C, The three liquids obtained, i., ii,, iii., were evaporated down. (i.) This residue was the smallest of the three. After standing for a considerable time some crystals were deposited, which on examination proved to be citric acid. (ii,) Nothing of a crystalline nature was found in this residue. It appeared to consist chiefly of extractive matter. (iii,.) This residue after treatment with alcohol had the same characters and possessed the same properties as C. iii. It was not further exanined. The result of our examination of this bark may be summarized by stating the different principles which we have found—(1) crystalline fat; (2) wax; (8) acrid principle ; (4) oroxylin; (5) chlorophyll; (6) pectinous substances ; (7) Fehling-reducing principle; (8) astringent principle ; (9) citric acid ; (10) extractive matter.--Pharm. Journ. Sept. 27, 1890, 901. Tecoma undulata, G. Dor. H.F.B.1., IV. 378. Syn. :—Bignonia undulata, Smith. Roxb. 492. Vern.:—Rugtrora (H.); Rohira, roir, lahtira, liar (Pb.) ; Lohira, lohari, lahero, khen (Sind); Roira, lohuri, rakht-reora, rugtrora (Bomb.) ; Rakht-roda (Mar.). Habitat :—Western India; Sind; Punjab; Guzerat; Raj- putana, extending eastwards to the Jumna. An evergreen shrub or small tree. Bark 4in. thick, corky, reddish-brown. Wood greyish or yellowish-brown, close-grained, 944 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. mottled with lighter streaks (Gamble); youngest shoots and in- florescence often minutely pubescent, or grey-pubescent. Glab- rate when old. Leaves simple, 6 by I4in. (C.B. Clarke) obtuse, narrowly or linear-oblong, undulate, entire, grey, glabrous, but somewhat rough; Brandis says the blade is only 2-4in. Petiole $-lin. long. Flowers inodorous large, from pale-yellow to deep- orange, in short 5-10-fid corymbs at the ends of branchlets, or on flattened lateral branches. Pedicels 4-5in. Calyx campanulate, 4in., hardly tin. broad, teeth 5 obtuse. Corolla campanulate, limb oblique, 2in. across, l4in. long, orange. Stamens scarcely exsert, glabrous ; anther-cells distinct, pendulous, narrowly ob- long, sub-2-lobed. Capsule curved, 6-8in. long, tin. broad, glabrous, Valves tough, thin. Seeds including the wing 1 by 3in., wings very narrow round the apex of the seed, 0 at its base. ‘‘A tree with drooping branches like the weeping willow; when in flower few trees can present a more noble or beautiful sight.” (Gibson). Uses:—The bark of the young’ branches is often employed in Sind as a remedy for syphilis (Murray). 902. Dolichan lrone Rheedit Seem. H.F,B.1 , IV. 379, Vern. :—Vilpadri (Tam) ; Nir—pongelion (Mal). Habitat :—Malabar. A tree, attaining 50-60 ft. Leaves a feet long; leaflets 3-4 pairs with an old one, 2-3 in., rhomboid, often unequal at the base; petiolule 4 in. Corymbs few- ‘sometimes I-) fld., short- peduncled ; pedicels 4-1 in., stout. Calyx 1$in. Corolla 4-7 in., white; tube campanulate near the mouth; segments 1 in., crenate toothed. Anther cells large, elliptic, separate, divaricate. Capsule 18 by # 1 in. nearly straight, not ribbed. Seeds (including the wings) $ by $ in., rectangular. Uses:—The seeds with ginger and Pavetta root are admi- nistered in spasmodic affections. ‘Rheede). The bruised leaves have an aromatic but disagreeable odor. (Trimen). 903. D. falcata, Seem. H.F,B,1., Iv. 3802 Rost 492, Vern. :—Hawar (Oudh); Mendal, manehingi (Banswara) ; N. O. BIGNONIACE®. 945 Kanséri (Meywar) ; Mersingh, bhil (C. P.) ; Mersinge, kanseri, mendal manchingi (Bom.) ; Mersingi (Mar.) ; Karanjelo (Kurku); Gudmurki (Kan); Kadatathie (Tam.); Udda, wodi (Tel.) Nir pongilam (Malay.) Habitat: Bundelkhand; dry hills in C. India. Deccan Peninsula ; Mysore and Vellyengry Hills ; Belgaum. A middle-sized, deciduous tree, 20-50ft., more or less grey; pubescent, or shortly villous. Bark 4in. or less thick, bluish- erey, exfoliating in irregular woody scales. Wood whitish, hard, close-even-grained, shining, glossy ; no heart-wood. Leaves imparipinnate, 3-6in. Leaflets 5-7 by 43-l3in., pubescent or glabrous, obovate or round-elliptic, rarely with a small obtuse point. Petiole tin. long. Petiolule O, rarely $-}in. Flowers white, in fewfid corymbs, mostly 1-3-fid, subsessile. Pedicels tin. Calyx ' $-4in. of the expanded flowers, softly grey, pubescent. Corolla- tube slender below, 1-l4in. long. Anthers included. Capsule flat, much curved, 10-]8 by #in. compressed, glabrous. Seeds about lin. long by #in. wide, rectangular, winged at both ends. Use:—A decoction of the fruit is used medicinally (Watt). It has the reputation of being used to procure abortion, and the bark is, it is stated, used as a fish poison. Dr. Lyon, Chemical Analyser to the Government of Bombay, found, however, no ill effects to follow the administration of a considerable quantity of a decoction of the bark to a small dog. (Med. Juris. for India, p. 216.) It 1s possible that the woody capsules, which are about a foot in length by 2 of an inch in diameter, and somewhat curved, may be used as abortion sticks. (Pharmacographia Indiea, III. 24). 904. Heterophragma Roxburghi, H.F.B.1., IV. 381. Syn. :—Bignonia quadrilocularis, Roxb. 494. Vern. :—Pullung, warras (Bomhb.); Baro-kala-goru (Tam.) ; Bond-gu (Tel.) ; Adwinuggi (Kan). : Habitat —W. Deccan Peninsula, from Bombay southwards ; Central India ; and the Godavery Forests. A large tree ; innovations woolly. Bark in. thick, grey or dark-brown, exfoliating in small angular scales. Wood grey, 119 946 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. rough, moderately hard ; no heartwood, no annual rings. Leaves I-pinnate, tomentose when young, glabrous afterwards, generally approximate near the ends of branches, 1-2ft. Leaflets 7-9, 4> by 2in., obtuse, with a short point, elliptic, entire or crenate, often serrulate, 3-4pair ; petiolule 0-gin Flowers in large, termi- nal, densely tawny-tomentose panicles. Pedicels short, woolly. Calyx on one side more deeply or obtusely bilabiate or irregular- ly lobed half-way down. Corolla floccose, ultimately glabrate, campanulate, white, fringed with pink, tube ldin., mouth 2in. diam., lobes crisped. Anther-cells elliptic ; divaricate at base. Capsule straight, narrowly oblong, slightly compressed, smooth, velvety while young, 8-12 by 1$-2in., divided into 4 cells by the 4-ridged septum, which latter, when cut horizontally, looks cross-shaped. Seeds 14 by lin. Use:--The natives extract from the wood a thick fluid like tar, which they use in skin diseases. 905. Stereospermum cheloniodes, DeC., H.F.B.1., IV, 302, Syn :—Bignonia cheloniodes, Linn. f. Roxb. 493. Vern. :—Pader, padri, parral (Hind.); Pandair (Lohardaga) ; Pandri (Kharwar); Dharmar, atkapali (Beng.); Kandior, pondair (Kol.); Parolli (Assam) ; Pareya-auwal (Cachar) ; Bolzel (Garo) ; Parari (Nepal) ; Syngyen (Lepcha); Sirpang (Michi) ; Pamphunia (Uriya); Tsaintsa (Magh); Taitu (Berar); Padurni (Bhil); Padal, padri, paral, kirsel, tuatuka (Bomb.); Kirsel, tuatuka, padul, padvale, padhri (Mar.); Padri, pon-padira, pathiri, vela-padri, appu, Kana Virukham {Tam.); Tagada, thagu, kala gort, moka- yapa, pisal (Tl.); Kalihitri, kall-udi, bondh-vala, bile padri, maradakarji, puruli mara (Kan.); Nai-udi, mallali (Coorg) ; Patirimaram (Mal). Halitat :—Through moister India; from the Terai of Oudh and Assam to Ceylon. A large deciduous tree, 30—60ft., nearly glabrous, except the flowers. Bark brown varying in thickness up to gin., outer bark corky. Wood hard, grey, no heartwood. Leaves I-pinnate, 12-18in., leaflets imparipinnate, 3-5 pair, elliptic caudate acumi- nate, blade 4-Gin., petiole $-3in. long. Panicle branches slender, fi Fe N. 0. BIGNONIACE. 947 glabrous. Flowers fragrant. Calyx 4in., shortly 3-toothed. Corolla yellow, tinged and marked purple red, jin. long, thinly hairy within and without ; crisped. Capsule linear, obscurely- quadrangular, slender curved, 10-30 by gin., smooth or speckled. Valves coriaceous, midrib raised. Seeds wedge- shaped or subtrigonous, embedded in notches in the septums. — 1 by 4in., easily splitting through the centre. Uses :—The roots, leaves and flowers are used in decoction as febrifuge (T. N. Mukerji). The juice of the leaves, mixed with lime juice, Js of use in maniacal cases (Rheede). 906. 8S. suaveolens, DeC., H.F.B.1., IV. 382. Syn :—Bignonia suaveolens, Roxb. 493. Sans :—According to Sanskrit authors there are two varie- tiés : Patala (pale-red), Kama-duti (love-messenger), Kumbhika (a small pitcher), Kéla-vrittika (black stalk), Sulpha-medna (little understanding), Madhor-duti (messenger of a demon), ‘lamya- pushpa (copper flower), Ambu-vasini (water-dweller.) The second variety—Sveta-kumbhika (the white pitcher), Krishna-patala. Vern. :—Paral, padal, padiala, pad, padaria, parur, purula, par (Hind.); Parlu, paral, ghunta, mig (Beng.); Pandri (Khar- war); Kandior (Kol.); Papre, Pader (Santal); Parair (Nepal) ; Singyen (Lepcha); Patil (Uriya); padar (Kurku); Pandri (C. P.) ; Phalgataitu (Melghat); Unt-katar, padar (Gond.) ; Padal (N.-W. P.); Padal, kalthaun, summe (Pb.); Pan, dan (Bhil); Paral, paddal, pahad (Bomb.); Padal, padialu, partl, kalagori (Mar.); Padiri, goddatipalusu (Nellore); Padri (Tam.); Kala- goru, kuberakashi, padari, patali (Tel.); Huday, billa, vulunan- tri marada, kayi (Kan.). Habitat :—Throughout moister India, from the Himalayan Terai to Travancore and Tenasserim. ‘‘ Planted specially about the Buddhist Temples ” in Ceylon, says Trimen. A large, deciduous tree, 30-60ft. Bark tin. thick, grey, ex- foliating in very irregularly-sbaped flat scales. Wood hard. Sapwood grey ; heartwood small, yellowish brown, beautifully 948 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. mottled with dark streaks, very hard, seasons and polishes well (Gamble). Young shoots covered with viscid pubescence. Leaves imparipinnate. Leaflets 3-5 pair, elliptic, shortly acuminate, often serrulate, blade 3-6in. long, rough on the upper, pubescent on the under side; petiole short. Flowers exquisitely fragrant, in lax trichotomous viscid panicles, dull crimson (Brandis), dull purple (Trimen), which latter is more like the colour of the flowers seen by me in Ratnagiri and Thana (KK. R. K.). Corolla 1-14in. long, pubescent funnel-shaped, limb oblique, the 3 inferior lobes longer and the edges of all much curled. Capsule straight, cylindric, 12-24 by 3in., dark-grey or purple ; slightly ribbed, rough, with elevated specks ; valves thick, hard, woody. Seeds 14 by +in., deeply notched at the middle, subtrigonous, embedded in the notches of the septum. (Brandis. C. B. Clarke). Uses:—‘‘ The flowers rubbed up with honey are given to check hiccup. The root bark is an ingredient in dasamila. It is regarded as cooling, diuretic and tonic, and is generally used in combination with other medicines. The ashes of the plant are used in the preparation of alkaline water and caustic pastes” (U. C. Dutt.) In Tanjore the flowers are taken in the form of a confection as an aphrodisiac. (P. 8. Mootooswamy). 907. S. Xylocarpum, Wight. H.F.B.1., IV. 383. Syn. :—Bignonia xylocarpa, Roxb. 494. Vern. :—Ghan-seng (Can.); Khar-sing (Mar.) ; Vaden kurni maram (T'am.) Habitat: —Common in the Deccan Peninsula, extending North to the Satpura Range. A deciduous tree, middle-sized, 30-60ft.; innovations pubes- cent. Bark tin. thick, lightly grey. Sapwood large, grey, heart- wood very hard, orange-brown. Annual rings well marked by an irregular belt of numerous pores (Gamble). Leaves 2-pinnate or 3-pinnate, 1-4ft. long. Leaflets 3 by 13in., subsessile, elliptic, acute, entire, mature glabrous, “ hard and slightly rough when full grown,” says Brandis. Flowers fragrant, white with a tinge of yellow, in dense, compound, pubescent, erect, somewhat rigid N. O. BIGNONIACER. 949 panicles. Calyx }$-3in., pubescent or mature glabrate ; lobes 3-5, very short, broad. Corolla 1$-2in., campanulate or ventri- cose from near base, sub-glabrous ; lobes round, crispid. ila- ments hairy below. Capsule long, hard, woody, rugged or tuberculous, 12-30 by 1-ldin., a little curved says Brandis. Valves 1-13in. broad, woody ; edissepiment, cylindric, shining. Seeds, including the wings 14-Hin., thinly discoid, in 4 rows. Uses:—The oil from the wood is useful in cutaneous affec- tions. Dr. Gibson is of opinion that it is well worthy of atten- tion as an external application in these cases (Ph. Ind.). From some trials which I have made with it, I conclude that its properties are similar to those of Pine tar (Dymock). 908. Amphicome Emodi, Lindl. H.¥F.B.1., Iv. 385. Vern. :—Kaur. (Kashmir). Habitat. :--W. Himalaya, from Kashmir to Nepal. A perennial, erect, glabrousherb. Stem 12-24in. Rootstock woody. leaves alternate l-pinnate, 5-8in. Leaflets 5-9, 1-Iin. ovate, end one usually longest, sometimes lobed, scarcely acute. Flowers pink. Racemes not rarely 2-3 sub-panicled. Calyx, says Collett, entire or obscurely toothed ; “ truncate or with triangu- lar scarcely acuminate teeth.” (C. B, Clarke). Corolla 14-24in. long, 4-14 wide at the mouth ; tube tinged with yellow. Capsule linear, slender, terete, smooth. Seeds winged. This, a discovery of Dr, Wallich, is the original or first species of Amphi- come ; a genus of Northern India, consisting of two species. It is indeed a remarkably handsome plant, native of the mountains of Emodi, near Srinaghur and on the Suen range of hills. [Bot. Mag. December Ist, 1855.] Parts used :—The root and stew. Uses.—In Kashmir, the drug is prescribed for fever, and is considered a substitute for chirata. It contains an alkaloid, an acid fat, a wax, yellow colouring matter and sugar. The alkaloid is intensely bitter and is pro- bably the active medicinal agent in the plant (Annual Report of the Indian Museum, Industrial Section, for the year 1907-8, pat] Ph: J. Val. 49, p. 506). 950 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. N. O. PEDALINEAL. 909). Martynia .diandra, Glox. (1.a3 eee 386. Vern :--Bichchhu (H), Naka-tali (Tam). English :—Tiger claw or Devil’s claw. Habitat: —An American weed, it 1s now common in the Gangetic plain and elsewhere in India on road sides and in waste places, flowering during the rainy season. A tall coarse herb. Leaves large, opposite, cordate, glutinous. Flowers diandrous, rose-colored and handsome like those of Sesamum mdicum, DeC. Fruit large, woody, beaked by two curved spines, having somewhat the appearance of a beetle. Uses :-—-The fruit is rubbed down with water and applied to the part stung by scorpion. 910. Pedalium Murex, Linn., H.¥F.B:1., IV. ooby Roxb. 496. Vern. :—-Farid-buti, bara gdkhru (Hind.); Khasake-kabir (Arab.); Khasake-kalan (Pers.) ; Baraé-ghokru (Dec.); Peru- nerunji (Tam.); Enuga-palleru-mullu. pedda-palleru (Tel.); Bara-ghokru (Beng.:; Motto-ghokru (Guz.); Hatti-charatte, mothe gokharu (Mar.); Anne-galu-gida (Kan. ,. Habitat -Dekkan and Konkan. Found by me in Thana district at C ouchni (Tarapur) and at Ghat Kopar hill spur Certs WK: An annual herb, growing in sandy places near the sea. Stems decumbent, much branched, thick, slightly rough with scaly glands or hairs. Leaves opposite, 1-l4in., broadly oval- oblong, acute at base, truncate or obtuse, very coarsely crenate- serrate or lobed, glabrous above, covered with minute scaly glands beneath, rather fleshy, pale glaucous green. Petiole - q-zin. Flowers sulphur yellow, on very short curved peduncles, Calyx-tube very short and wide; segments linear, spreading. Corolla limb lin. diam.; lobes broad ; throat hairy within ; filaments glandular—hairy at base. Fruit 4-3in., narrowed below N. O. PEDALINER. 951 into a short thick stalk, broadly ovoid, bluntly 4-angled with the spines from the angles, pericarp very tough, fibrous woody. Uses :—The fresh leaves and stems, briskly agitated in cold water, speedily convert it into a thick mucilage, nearly of the consistence of the white of araw egg, inodorous and tasteless, — An infusion, thus prepared, is a highly prized remedy amongst the people of Southern India, in gonorrhea and dysuria. Facts communicated to the Editor, leave little doubt that in these cases it is a remedy of considerable value, and that as a diuretic its action is speedy and marked. Dr. Ives (Voyage to India, p. 466) speaks very favourably of the virtues of this plant, under the name of Ghanti-gura or Gocrow (Gokeroo, Hind.) ; and he adds to his own testimony that of Dr. Thomas, as to the " power of the mucilage to cure gonorrhea without the aid of any other medicine. Water thus rendered mucilaginous, soon returns to its original fluidity, and it therefore requires to be freshly prepared each time before its exhibition. Its virtues are well deserving of further investigation. To the fruits, demul- cent and diuretic properties are assigned, and they are exten- sively employed as such by the natives (Ph. Ind.). The fruits are possessed of antispasmodic and aphrodisiac properties. The decoction of the fruit is useful in irritation of the urinary organs. The juice is a good gargle and the plant makes a good poultice (Dymock.) The juice is used in aphthe as a local application (Dr. Emerson). Of late years it has been introduced into European medicine as a remedy for sperma- torrhcea, incontinence of urine, and impotence (Practitioner. XVII. 381). “The juice of the fruit is an emmenagogue; it is employed in puerperal diseases, and to promote the lochial discharge. Leaves are used as a curry in splenic enlargements. Decoction of the root is antibilious” (Dr. Thompson, in Watt’s Dictionary.) Chemical composition,—The fruits contain a greenish-coloured fat, a small quantity of resin, and an alkaloid in the alcoholic extract. The mucilage separated by water is precipitated by acetate of lead solution and aleohol, and in these respects resembles the mucilage of gum arabic. The ash of the airdried fruit amounts to 5°43 per cent, (Pharmacographia Indica, ITI. 35). 952 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. 911. Sesamum indicum, DeC. u.¥.B.1., Iv. 387. Syn. :—S. orientale, Linn. Roxb. 491. Sans : —Tila. Vern. :—Mitha til, krishna-til (Hind.) ; Til (Beng.) ; Simsim (Arab.); Kunjad (Pers.); Wal lenney, yelloocheddi, (Tam.); Manchinine nuvulu (Tel.); Barik tel (Dec.i; Kasi, Khasa (Uriya.) Eng :—Gingelly ; Sesame. Habitat :—Cultivated throughout the warmer parts of India. Erect annual herbs, 1-2ft. high, pubescent or puberulous. Leaves 3-5in., variable on the same plant, upper often narrowly oblong, sub-entire, middle ovate, ovate-toothed, lower lobed or pedatisect. Petiole $-21n. Pedicels din., solitary, rarely 2-3-nate. Flowers with a strong, unpleasant odour. Sepals tin., lanceolate. Corolla ltin., pubescent, whitish or with red, purplish or yellow marks. Capsule tetragonous, oblong, 1 by {in., erect, scabrid pilose, the same width, from top to bottom, usually shortly acuminate ; 2-valved half-way down, or sometimes to the base or ultimately 4-valved. Seeds brown, smooth. There is a black-seeded variety. Uses:—-In Hindu medical works, three varieties of tal seeds have been described,—black, white and red. The black kind is the best suited for medicinal use. “Sesamum seeds are considered emollient, nourishing, tonic, diuretic and lactagogue. They are said to be especially serviceable in piles, by regulating the bowels and removing constipation. Sesamum seeds ground to a paste with water are given with butter in bleeding piles. Sweetmeats made of the seeds are also beneficial in this disease. A poultice made of the seeds is applied to ulcers. Both the seeds and the oil are used as demulcents in dysentery and urinary diseases in combination with other medicines of their class’ (Hindu Mat. Med.) ‘“‘In decoction the seed is said to be emmenagogue; the same preparation, sweetened with sugar, is prescribed in cough; a compound decoction with linseed is used as an aphrodisiac; a plaster made of the ground seeds is applied to burns, scalds, &e.; a lotion made from the leaves is used as a hair-wash, and is supposed to promote the growth of N. 0. PEDALINE., 953 the hair and make it black; a decoction of the root is used to have the same properties ; a powder made from the roasted and decorticated seeds is called Rahisee in Arabic and Arwah-i- kunjed in Persian ; it is used as an emollient both externally and internally (Dymock). The Editor for many years employed the oil asa substitute for olive oil, in the preparation of Linimentum Calecis, and found it answer well. The poorer natives use it much for dvetetical purposes. The seeds have powerfully emmenagogue properties assigned to them, and it is believed by the natives and Indo- Britons that, if taken largely, they are capable of producing abortion. In amenorrhea, the employment of a warm sitz bath containing a handful of the seeds, bruised, has been reported to the Editor, on good authority, to be an efficient mode of treat- “ment. The alleged emmenagogue properties of these seeds deserve further investigation. The leaves (Sesamz folza or Benne leaves) are officinal in the secondary list of the U. S. Pharmacopeeia ; they abound with thick viscid mucilage, which is readily imparted to water, and an infusion of them is much used in the Southern States of North America in all affections requiring demulcents. One or two full-sized fresh leaves, infused or agitated in half a pint of cold water, will soon render it sufficiently viscid for this purpose. If the dried leaves be used, hot water should be substituted for the cold. The leaves also serve for the preparation of emollient poultices (U. S. Disp., p. 714). How far the leaves of the Indian grown plant may be used in this way remains to be determined (Ph. Ind.). ““T have employed,” Dr. Evers says, “ the mucilage, obtained from the leaves of the Indian plant, in the treatment of sixteen cases of dysentery, and in all recovery followed. From six to seven days was the time necessary for such treatment. I confess, however, that my cases were not of the virulent type seen towards the end of the rainy season. The drug acts simply as a demulcent, and does not, in my opinion, exert any specific influence on the disease ; furthermore, it is necessary to combine an opiate with it, to relieve the tenesmus, so that probably the opium added has as much to do in checking the disease as the 120 954 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. mucilage itself.” With regard to the value of the seeds as an emmenagogue, Dr. Evers says: “In three cases of congestive dysmencrrhcea I administered the powder of the seeds in 10- grain doses, three or four times a day, with benefit. I have at the same time employed the hip-bath recommended by Waring. It is commonly believed in the south of India that the seeds, when eaten by pregnant women, are likely to induce abortion ; but no instance of the kind has ever come under my notice, nor have I heard of any.” ‘“T have for a long time used the following in gonorrhea, and prefer it to copaiba or liquor potasse, R. Ol. Sesami m xx; Aquze Calcis m xx; Aque 3]. in mixture.” (Hon. Surg. Morris in Watt’s Dictionary.) Regarding the amount ofoil in the seed, Leather found that the variation is from 48 to 52 per cent. though some specimens contained as much as 56 per cent, and some as little as 45 per cent. These diiferences appear to be inde- pendent of variety, province or climate, From 42 to 48 per cent. of oil may le obtained by expression. Theseeds also contain about 3 per cent. of nitrogen and the cake is an excellent cattle-food. If made from unsound seed the cake may be used as a manure. Sesame oil has been frequently examined by chemists, and the following average constants are quoted : Specific gravity at 15°, 0°923 to 0°926 ; solidify- ing point,—5° ; saponification value, 187°6 to 194°6 ; iodine value, 103 to 115 ; Reichert-Meissl value, 1°2; Maumené test, 63° to 5°; butyro-refractometer at 25°, 68:0; insoluble fatty acids and unsaponifiable, 95°7 ; melting point, 25° to 30°: neutralisation value, 196 to 2¢1 ; mean molecular weight, 286, Sesame ojl contains, according to Farnsteiner, 12°1 to 14°1 per cent, of solid scids, and according to Lane 78'1 per cent. of liquid fatty acids. These con- sist of oleic and linolic acids. Sesame oil is dextro-rotatory, a property which may be used as an additional means of identifying the oil. The Indian oil has a lower rotation than African. The amount of unsaponifiable matter in sesame oil varies from 0°95 to 1°32 per cent. and contains phytosterol, sesamin and a socalled red vil. The phytosterol recrystallised from alcohol melts at 139°—139°2°. In 1891 Tocher extracted from the oil, by means of glacial acetic acid, a crystalline substance named sesamin. This melts at 118° and assumes a green and then bright red colour with nitro-sulphurie acid. An extremely characteristic colour reaction, called Baudouin’s test, is now used to detect the presence of sesame oil in mixtures with other oils. The test is applied as follows : Dissolve 0°1 grm. of sugar in 10 ¢.c. of hydrochloric acid of specific gravity 1°19 in a test tube, add 20 ¢c.c. of the oil to be tested, shake thoroughly for one minute and allow to stand. The aqueous solution separates readily, and in the presence of even the smallest quantity of sesame oil, it will be found coloured crimson.—(Agricl. Ledger, 1911-12, No. 5). N. O. ACANTHACER. 955 N. O. ACANTHACEAL. 912. Cardanthera uliginosa, Ham. 4.F.B.1., IV. 403. Syn. :—Ruellia uliginosa, Linn. f. Roxb. 475 ; Adenosma ulginosa, Nees. Habitat :—In dry-up rice-swamps ; 8. Madras, frequent. Sikkim Terai. An annual herb, 1-24ft., erect or decumbent, branching from the base. Stem pubescent upwards. Leaves 1 by 3in., glabrous, sub-pubescent, subsessile, oblong or subovate, entire or crenate. Spikes 1-3in., scarcely interrupted at the base even in fruit. Flowers mostly in opposite axils. Bracts iin., from elliptic to cordate, glabrous or puberulous, 4-ranked, imbricated ‘in fruit, bracteoles gin, ovate or elliptic. Sepals #in., linear, pubescent. Corolla 4in., puberulous. Stamens 4, fertile. Anthers of the posterior stamens half as large as of the anterior. Capsule din., minutely pilose upwards. Use:—The juice of its leaves mixed with salt, is used on the Malabar Coast as a blood purifier. (Balfour.) 913. Hygrophila spinosa, J. Anders. U.F.B.1., tv. 408. Syn :—Ruellia longifolia, Roxb, 475 ; Asteracantha longifolia, Nees. Sans. :—Ikshugandha; Kokilaksha. Vern. :—Tal-makhana, gokshura (H.); Kuliakhara, kante- kalikaé (B.); Niramalli (Tam.); Nirguri veru (Tel.); TAlima- khana, Kolasunda (Mar.); Ekharo, gdkhru (Guz.); Kalavan kabija (Kan.). Habitat :— Abundant throughout India in ditches; from the Himalaya to Ceylon. Very common in the Konkan. An annual marshy herb, with an ascending rhizome. Stems numerous, stout, erect, hispid, 2-5ft., usually fascicled and undi- vided or unbranched, somewhat compressed, thickened at nodes with long hair below each node. Leaves sessile, 6 at a node, 2 outer 4-5 in., 4 inner about 1fin. each having a nearly straight 956 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. sharp yellow spine about lin. long in the axil, tapering at both ends, sparsely hispid on both sides, spinous ciliate (Trimen). Flowers, bright purple-blue, occasionally white ; 8 (in 4 pair’, at each node. Bracts like the leaves, but smaller; bractlets linear, hyaline below, bristly hairy on back. Sepals 4, shorter than bractlets, equal, narrow, but one much broader than the rest; hyaline with long hair outside. Corolla glabrous, lobes oblong, truncate. Anther oblong, subequal. Capsule iin., shorter than the sepals, linear-oblong, 4-8-seeded. (Yses:—In Hindu medicine, the leaves are described as cooling and useful in jaundice and anasarca. The root is also considered cooling, bitter and tonic, and is used in rheumatism, urinary affections and anasarca. The ashes also used as diuretic in dropsy (Dutt). The Mahomedan physicians consider the seeds as aphrodisiac (Dymock.) Dr. Kirkpatrick (Cat. of Mysore Drugs, No. 451) states that he frequently employed it in dropsical cases, and that it un- doubtedly possesses considerable power as a diuretic. Dr. Gibson also bears testimony to its powers as a diuretic; and it is favourably reported on by Dr. AX. Ross and Native Surgeon Iyaswamy (Ph. Ind.). The seeds are given for gonorrhoea, and with milk and sugar in spermatorrheea. When placed in the mouth they immediately become coated with a large quantity of extremely tenacious mucilage, which adheres to the tongue and palate and is of rather agreeable flavour. The seeds are one of Panchavija, or “ five seeds,” the others being those of Celastrus, Fenugreek, Ajwan, and Cumin. There are, however, several other sets of five seeds. The seeds are glutinous, besides being mucilaginous. They contain 4°92 per cent. of nitrogen, which is equivalent to 31°14 per cent. of albuminoids, traces of an alkaloid, and 23 per cent. of a yellow fixed oil. The mucilage is not affected by ferric chloride, plumbic acetate, or by two volumes of alcohol. (Pharmacogr, Ind., III 39-40.) 914. Ruellia prostrata; Lamk. u.¥.B.1., vv. 411; Roxb. 473. Vern. :—Upu-dali (Mal.). Habitat: —Deccan Peninsula, extending north to Behar, N. O. ACANTHACER. Q57 A small diffuse undershrub. Stems 6-18 in. long, prostrate, or climbing, amongst bushes, much branched, internodes long, the nodes more or less hairy and often tinged with purple. Leaves 2-3 in. long, ovate or elliptic., acute at both ends, entire, glabrous or slightly hairy, petioles, 4-; im. long. [lowers subsessile, solitary or few together; bracteoles similar to the | leaves but smaller. Calyx $ in. long, divided to below the middle; segments linear-subulate, acute, hairy. Corolla pale greyish-purple, 14in. long, caducous, pubescent outside ; tube narrowly cylindric below, funnel-shaped above ; lobes subequal, obovate-oblong, rounded. Capsule $in. long, clavate, pointed, pubescent. Seeds 16-20, subglabrous but with a dense fringe of hygroscopic hairs on the margin. (Duthie). Uses:—The juice of the leaves, boiled with a little salt, is supposed on the Malabar Coast to correct a depraved state of the humors (Rheede). ‘They are sometimes given with pundum or liquid copal as a remedy for gonorrhcea (Ainslie. ) jee. suyrutvcosd, toxb.. HF.B.I., Iv. 413 Roxb. 476. Vern. :—Chanlia ( Santal.). Habitat :--Dinajpur ; (Bengal); throughout Chota Nagpore. Upper Gangetic Plain, and Moradabad. An erect pubescent undershrub, 1-2 ft. high. Roots stout, often with fusiform swellings. Stems herbaceous, annually produced from a short creeping woody rhizome. Leaves petioled lanceolate elliptic or oblanceolate, the lower ones usually smaller and often suborbicular, obtuse or subacute, entire, villous with white hairs on both surfaces especially on the nerves and veins beneath, margins ciliate. Flowers solitary, terminal, subsessile ; bracteoles resembling the leaves but smaller and narrower, 3in. long, stalked. Roxburgh states that the flowers open at sunset and drop off on the following morning. Calyx-segments + in. long, linear, puberulous or nearly glabrous. Corolla white, 13-2 in. long, tube slender, limb subregular. Capsule 14 in. long, oblong, glabrous, often tinged with purple. Seeds few. (Duthie), | | 958 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. Use:—The root is used medicinally by the Santals in gonorrheea, syphilis and renal affections generally (Campbell). It is also used by them Santals for producing fermentation in the grain from which they manufacture their beer. 916. Dedalacanthus roseus. T. Anders. H.F.B.1., iv. 419. Vern. :--Dasamiuli (Mar.) Habitat:— W. and 8. Deccan Peninsula, from the Bombay Ghats to Mangalore. A perennial, glabrous herb. Stems 2-6ft. Leaves 5 by 2in , elliptic, acuminate at both ends, glabrous, lineolate. Spikes linear, subinterrupted, often 6in Peduncles 0Q-2in., axillary and terminal. Bracts all but the lowest imbricated, $-4in., shortly rugose by raised inarching green nerves; margins entire, glabrous, ciliate or very hairy. Corolla 1-l$in. rose subglabrous. Seeds gin. diam., much compressed. Roots usually ten in number, tuberous, spindle-shaped, as thick asa quill, several inches in length and covered by a dark brown bark. Uses :—The root boiled in milk is a popular remedy for leucorrhcoea; dose one drachm. In the Southern Concan, it is given to pregnant cattle to promote the growth of the foetus (Dymock). 917. Strobilanthes callosus, Nees. H.F.B.1., IV. 451. Vern. :—Karvi (Bomb.). Habitat: —S. Deccan Peninsula; common in the Ghats; Central India. A shrub, 6 ft.; branches glabrate, often warted or scabrous- tubercled. Leaves 7 by 3 in., sometimes much larger, crenate, conspicuously lineolate above; nerves 8-16 pair; petiole 2 in. Spikes 1-4 in., often densely or laxly cymose; bracts 3-1 in., orbicular or elliptic. Calyx 4 in., in fruit often exceeding ¢ in., lobed nearly to the base, segments oblong, obtuse, softly hairy. Corolla 14 in., subsymmetric glabrous without, very hairy within, deep-blue (Dalzell): cylindric base as long as the ventricose NW. O. ACANTHACEA, 959 portion. Filaments hairy downwards. Pistil glabrous. Capsule 3 by 4in. Seeds more than 3 in. long, thin, obovate acute, densely shaggy with white adpressed inelastic hairs, except on the large oblong areoles. (C. B. Clarke). The flower spikes resemble hops in shape and size, and are covered with a visid resinous exudation called Mel having a musky and resinous odour (Dymock). Uses :—The plant has a strong aromatic odor and is much used in domestic medicine by the country-people of the regions where it occurs) The bark, with an equal proportion of that of Calophyllum inophyllum, is apphed as a fomentation in tenes- mus. The juice of the bark, with an equal quantity of that of Eclipta alba, boiled down to one-half and mixed with old Sesamum oil, a few pepper corns and ginger, is heated and ‘used as an external application in parotitis, and equal quanti- ties of the juice of the flowers and of those of Randia dume- torum are smeared over bruises (Dymock). Another species, named, Strobilanthes ciliatus, Nees. H.F.B.L., iv. 439. is also used for the same purposes. 918. 8S. auriculatus, Nees. H.F.B.1., IV. 453. Vern. :—Gada-kalha ; Harnapakor (Santali). Habitat :—Behar, Central India, from Jubbulpore to Chutia Nagpur. An underwood or small shrub, 2-6ft. Branches many, devari- cate, often zigzag, quadrangular, glabrous, tips more or less hairy. Leaves variable, very often unequal, in the same pair, minutely hairy beneath. Spikes linear oblong, closely velvety, mostly terminal, solitary, 3$ by 4in, quasipeduncled. Bracts soft, membranous, broader than long, 4-3in., very obtuse, apex often recurved in fruit, persistent, with aromatic glandular hair. Calyx divided nearly to the base, velvety, q-3in., unequal, linear obtuse. Corolla bluish-purple, lin., curved, very slightly hairy, narrow, cylindric base very much shorter than the ventric part, limb slightly 2-lipped. Stamens and pistil very nearly glabrous. Capsule 4in., glabrous, 4-seeded. Seeds scarcely yyin., thin, orbicular, elastically white—hairy ; areoles very small. 960 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. Use :—-The pounded leaves are rubbed on the body during the cold stage of intermittent fever (Watt). 919. Blepharis edulis, Pers. H.F.B.1., Iv. 479. Vern. :—Uttangan (Pb.); Utanjan (H.) ; Utangan (Bomb.). Habitat :—Punjab and Sindh. A rigid shrub. Stems short or Ift. or more ; branched. Leaves often 4in. broad, spinescent, elliptic or oblong, glaucous or pubescent. Bracts more than an inch long, spinous. Brac- teoles linear, hairy, shorter than the bract. Heads few or many- fid. Corolla 3-%in. Capsule 2-seeded. Seeds heart-shaped, flat, covered with long, coarse hairs. , Use :—Dr. Royle was the first to bring the seeds of the plant to the notice of the medical profession. He considered them to be the products of some Urtica. Honnigberger had these seeds examined by some botanists of Vienna who deemed them to belong to Acanthacea. Dr. Burton Brown of Lahore succeeded in correctly identifying these seeds as those of Acanthodium spicatum, Delile, which is a synonym of this plant. (B. D. Basu). The seeds are considered to be attenuant, resolvent, diuretic, aphrodisiac, expectorant, and deobstruent (Dymock). Chemical composition.—The bitter principle of the seeds is a white erys- talline body soluble in water, amylic and ethylic alcohol, but insoluble in ether and petroleum ether, It gives a reddish colour with sulphuric acid, green at the margin if impure, and is best distinguished by the fine violet colour its solutions impart when brought into contact with ferric salts. With H?SO* and K’Cr*O" an agreeable odour of salicylous acid is evolved. It is associated with a substance which reduces Fehling’s solution. Another white crystalline principle is present in the seeds which is not bitter, and does not give colour reactions with sulphuric acid and ferric salts. The latter crystals melted on the surface of heated mercury at 225°. The aqueous extract of the seeds contained much mucilage and vegetable albumen, The ash amounted to 7°1 per cent, (Pharma cogr, Ind., III. 41-42). 920. Acanthus rlecifolius, Linn. H.F.B.1., IV. 481 ; Roxb. 467. Sans :— Harikasa. Vern. :—Harkuchkanta (H. and B.) ; Marandi (Mar.) ; Mor- anna (Goa); Nivgur (Bomb.). Kalutaimulli (Tam), Holecull (Kan.) Payinaculli (Mal). N. O. ACANTHACES. 961 Habitat :—Sea coast, from Malabar to Ceylon, and from the Sunderbuns to Malacca. A common evergreen, conspicuous, shrub, gregarious of the tidal forests of India, Burma, Ceylon, the Andamans, often form- ing the under- wood or adventitous roots of the Rhizophora (Mangrove). Stems 1-dft., in clumps little divided, terete, glabrous. Leaves large, 6 by 24in., oblong elliptic, toothed or pinnatifid, glossy, rigidly coriaceous. Spinous, rigid ; petiole +in., at times absent. Flowers in spikes, 4-16in., terminal, com- monly solitary, supported by 2 pair of bracteoles, 4-jin. long, terminal, sometimes axillary. Calyx $in.; sepals, 2 outer elliptic, rounded, 2 inner, broadly lanceolate, subacute. Corolla pubescent within 1tin. long, bright blue. Capsule bright-brown, apiculate, 14 by 2in., shining, blunt. Seeds 4-#in., testa white, very lax. Uses : —In Goa, the leaves which abound in mucilage are used as an emollient fomentation in rheumatism and _ neuralgia. Ainslie says that Rheede mentions the use of the tender shoots and leaves ground small and soaked in water as an application to snake-bites. Bontius commends its expectorant qualities. It is a plant in great request among the Siamese and Cochin Chin- ese, and is called by the latter Cay-o-ro, who consider it to be cordial and attenuant, and useful in paralysis and asthma. In the Concan, a decoction of the plant with sugarcandy and cumin is given in dyspepsia with acid eructations (Dymock). Chemical compositionm—The powdered leaves yielded to ether a quantity of fatty matter coloured strongly with chlorophyll and some soft resins. Alcohol removed more resin, an organic acid, and a bitter alkaloid. The alkaloid gave a reddish-brown colour with sulphuric acid, and was precipitat- ed from its solutions by the usual reagents, including the volatile and fixed alkalies. Some soluble saline matter was present in the extracts of the leaves, and contributed largely to the 164 per cent. of total ash obtained from the air-dried leaves. (Pharmacogr, Ind., III. 43), 921. Barleria prionitis, Linn. u.F.B.1., Iv. 482 ; Roxb. 470. Sans. :—Karuntaka, vajradanti. Vern. :—Katsareya (H.) Kantajati(B.); Dasakarantod (Uriya) ; Kalsunda, korhanti, vajradanti (Bom.) ; Kanta-shelio (Guz.) ; 121 962 INDIAN MEDIOINAL PLANTS. Piwala koranta or koreta (Mar.); L4l-phul-ke-kolse-ka-patta (Duk.) ; Vajra daul (Cutch) ; Shemmuli, varamulli (Tam.) ; Muli- goranta (Tel.); Keletta vitla (Mal.); Mullu-gorante, Mullu- madarangi, Kollate-vettila (Kan). Habitat :-—Tropical India, from the Himalaya to Ceylon. There are white and blue flowered varieties growing in the Thana and Ratnagiri districts (K.R.K.) A small perennial bush or shrub, often planted for a fence, 2-4 or Sft., much branched. Bark white. Branchlets cylindrical, swollea above nodes, glabrous, with slender, very sharp spines in the axils, each with 3 divaricate branches, densely scabrid, lineolate sometimes puberulous. Leaves 33-din., entire, passing into bracts above, ovate, tapering below, acute, mucronate, gla- brous above, slightly pubescent on veins beneath, copiously lineolate ; venation pellucid, lateral venation prominent beneath. Flowers bright, pale-orange, yellow, sessile, rather large, solitary, opposite, becoming spicate above. Bractlets linear, mucronate, stiff, almost spinous, spreading. Sepals longer than bractlets, acuminate, mucronate, glabrous, outer pair ovate, inner linear- lanceolate. Corolla about lin., tube cylindrical, pubescent outside, limb 1-14in. diam. lobes nearly equal, rounded, recurved, the two lateral ones broader. Stamens 4-2, minute or sterile. Filaments of two rudimentary stamens very short. Disk annular, small, entire. Pistil glabrous. Capsule about 3in.-lin., ovoid, with a solid tapering beak, compressed. Seeds 2, $in. diam., ovate, much compressed. Uses :—The jaice of the leaf is used by the natives in Madras in catarrhal affections of children, accompanied with fever and much viscid phlegm. The ashes of the burnt plant, mixed with conjee and water, are used in dropsy and anasarea, and also in coughs (Ainslie). In Bombay, the natives apply the juice of the leaves to their feet in the rainy season to prevent cracking. In the Concan, the dried bark is given in whooping cough, and 2 tolas of the juice of the fresh bark with milk in anasarca. Dr. Bidie observes that it acts as a diaphoretic and expectorant. A paste 1s made of the root which is applied to disperse boils and glandular swellings, and a medicated oil, N. 0. ACANTHACER. 963 made by boiling the leaves and stems with sweet oil until all the water has been driven off, is used as a cleansing application to wounds (Dymock). A tooth paste made of the astringent leaves and common salt is used to strengthen the gums and in tooth-ache due to caries (Sakharam Arjun). Used in syphilitic affections as an alterative (Dr. Stewart, Cuttack). Useful in coughs and infantile diarrhoea (Dr. Thompson, Madras). The whole plant and especially the root, is much used as a diuretic and tonic medicine in Ceylon (Trimen). 922. B. noctiflora, Linn., H.F.B.1., Iv. 484. Habitat :—Neilgherry Mts., Ootacamund. A small, very prickly undershrub; branches pubescent up- wards. Leaves $ by § in., obtuse or acute, grey pubescent at first ; ‘petiole hardly any. Bracteoles $-$ in., with simple spines or denticulate near the base. Flowers axillary solitary, 2 outer sepals + by 4-31n., large ovate acute spinous-dentate sparsely pubescent, corolla tube 1 + by 4in., elongate narrowly cylindric, pubescent without, lobes 3 in., round-ovated. Capsule 2in., 4-seeded. Use.:—Dr. Mootooswamy says that in Tanjore a decoction of this plant is used as an adjunct to, and substitute for, human milk. 923. 6. cristata, Linn., H.F.B.I., Iv. 488. Syn. :—B. dichotoma, Roxb. 471. Sans. :—Jhinti. Vern. :—Jhanti and Sada-jati (B.) ; Jhinli (Assam.); Tadrelu (Bazar name, bansa siydh) (Pb.); Gorp-jiba, kala bansa N-.W. P.) ; Koileka (Uriya.) | Habitat.—N.-W. Himalaya, Sikkim, Khasia, Burma, Central India, Nilgiri. Common in Indian gardens ; often wild in and near Bombay and the Thana District (K. R. K.) A small, perennial, erect or diffuse undershrub. Branches ad- pressedly yellow, hairy. Leaves oblong or elliptic, acute, yellow, hairy beneath, 3-4 by lin. Petiole $-3in. Spikes ovate, often compressed, dense, bracteoles 4-3in., linear-lanceolate, toothed. Outer sepals $in., toothed, softly hairy, glabrous, subspinescent. 964. INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. ovate, acuminate or Janceolate nervose. Corolla 14in., purple- blue or white ; tube funnel-shaped in the upper half, lobes 4in., ovate. Capsule 2in., 4-seeded. Seeds orbicular, compressed, silky. | Uses :—-The seeds are supposed to bean antidote for snake- bite, and the roots and leaves are used to reduce swelling, and an infusion is given in coughs ( Watt). 924. B. strigosa, Willd. H.F.B.1., Iv. 489. Syn. :—B. coerulea, Roxb. 471. . Vern. :— Dasee (B.) ; Wahiti, Kala Korauta (Bomb.). Habitat :—Sub-Himalayan tracts eastwards, Bengal, Assam and Sikkim ; also in the Bombay Presidency, and S. India. An unarmed shrub, 3-4ft. high. Stems more or less strigose with fulvous hairs. Leaves 44-6 in, long, ovate or elliptic, acute or acuminate, the base long-decurrent on the petiole, lineolate and sparingly fulvous strigose on the upper surface, densely strigose on the nerves and veins beneath and with bulbous-based hairs intermixed, margins ciliate, main lateral nerves 6-8 pairs. Flowers in dense fulvous-hairy unilater- al spikes, often crowded at the tops of the branches; bracteoles about 4in. long, lanceolate, hairy on the back and with ciliate margins. Calyx densely strigose; outer segments sub-equal, 3-lin. long, elliptic-lanceolate, sub-acute, margins denticulate and ciliate; inner smaller, linear, acute, densely clothed, with white appressed silky hairs. Corolla 13-2in. long, blue; tube pale-blue, upper part funnel-shaped; lobes obovate-oblong, obtuse. Capsule $1in long, acute at the top, 4-seeded, glabrous. Seeds silky-hairy (Duthie). Use:—The root.is used by the Santals as a remedy for coughs. . 925. Neuracanthus spherostachyus, Dalz,H.F.B.1., Iv. 491. Vern. :—Ghosvel (M.). Habitat :—Concan ; common in Bombay island. A stout, unbranched, rough shrub. Stem 1-2 ft. Leaves N. 0. ACANTHACER. 965 ovate, subsessile, nearly glabrous, 43 by 2in., obtuse or sub- acute ; petiole scarcely #in. Spikes 1-2in., sometimes agglo- merated into axillary globes, 3-4in. diam., bracts 4in., purplish. Calyx 3in., one lobe shortly 3-toothed, the other deeply 2-fid. Corolla 3in., limb a fine blue, obconic, subentire, plicate ; lower lip of 3 very depressed triangular lobes, upper an emargin- ate subsimilar lobe. Anthers pubescent. Capsule #in., 4-seeded. Seeds jin., diamet. The plant appears rarely to seed. Uses.—It is powdered and made into a paste which is used to cure ringworm, and the roots are administered in that form of indigestion in which fatty or saponaceous, grape-like masses are observed in the stools. They resemble Serpentaria in appearance, but may be distinguished by the thick covering of white, silky hairs upon the root stock. The roots have hardly any taste. 926. Andrographis paniculata, Nees. U.F.B.1., Iv. 501. Syn. :—Justicia paniculata, Burm. Roxb. 40. Sans. :—Kirata ; Bhunimba; Mahatikta (king of bitters). Vern. :—Kiryat, charayetah, mahatia (Hind.) ; Kalmegh, mahatia (Beng.); Olenkirayat (Mar.) ; Kiryata, olikiryat, kiryato, kariyatu (Guz.) ; Charayetah, kalafnath (Duk.) ; Nila-vémbu, shirat-kuchch (Tam.) ; Nela-vému (Tel.) ; Nila-veppu, kiriyattu (Mala.) : Nela-bevinagid4é, kreata (Kan.) Hantat :—Througout India, from Lucknow and Assam to Ceylon (probably introduced in some of the northern stations). An erect annual, 1-3ft. high, branches sharply 4-angled or almost winged. Leaves 2-3n. long, lanceolate, acute, tapering to the base, paler beneath, main lateral nerves 4-6 pairs, petioles none or up to+#in. long. Flowers small, solitary, arranged in lax spreading axillary and terminal racemes or panicles, the whole forming a large paniculate inflorescence ; pedicels distinct, gland.-pubescent ; bracts yin. long, lanceolate bracteoles smaller or none. Calyx 4in. long; segments equal linear-lanceolate, gland.-pubescent. Corolla pink, jin. long, hairy outside, tube Zin. long, dilated below the limb. Filaments 966 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. hairy upwards, anthers bearded at the base. Capsule in. long, tapering at each end. Seeds several, subquadrate, rugose, glabrous (Duthie). N. B.—The figure given in Bentley and Triman’s Medicinal Plants is erro- neous as to the seeds being hairy (C, B. Clarke), Uses :—This bittter shrub is well known under the name of Kalmegh, and forms the principal ingredient of a house- hold medicine called Aluz, extensively used in Bengal. The expressed juice of the leaves, together with certain spices, such as cardamoms, cloves, cinnamon, &c., is dried in the sun, and made into little globules, which are prescribed for infants to relieve griping, irregular stools and loss of appetite. The medicinal properties of this plant are many. The roots and the leaves are febrifuge, stomachic, tonic, alterative and anthelmintic. Accord- ing to Murray, the plant is very useful in general debility, dysentery and certain forms of dyspepsia. It is officinal in the Indian Pharmacopeia. ‘The Yanadees, a wandering gipsy tribe in the Madras Presidency, constantly carry a supply of pills made of Creat fresh leaves, and the pulp of the ripe tamarind, which they consider antidotal to the venom of the cobra. A pill made into a paste with water is applied to the bitten part, and some of it is put into the eyes; two pills are given for a dose every hour or two internally” (P. Kinsley, Chicacole, Madras). ‘‘ Green leaves with the leaves of Indian birthwort (Aristolochia Indica) and the fresh inner root-bark of country sarsaparilla, made into an electuary, is used by native hakims as a tonic and alterative in syphilitic cachexia and foul syphilitic ulcers. I have seen many cases successfully treated by this electuary”’ (Morris, Negaptam). See Watt’s Dictionary. Surgeon-Major Parker, Medical Store-Keeper, Bombay, wrote : ‘“A preparation of this drug has, within the past few years, been largely advertised in England asa substitute for quinine and asa genera! powerful tonic. Kiryat is the native Chiretta and is used extensively by them as a febrifuge. Preparations— Succus, Fluid Extract, Infusion, Tincture. The whole plant is used and is collected towards the end of the monsoon and dried in the shade. The dried plant is to some extent found in the N. O. ACANTHACES, 967 market this reason of the year, but, as arule, the fresh plant only can be obtained from the herbalists. Cultivated at Matunga, near Bombay. Kiryat as a substitue for Quassia and Chiretta, and asa possible means of lessening quinine expenditure seems well worthy of consideration. Chiretta is almost always adulterat- ed and is produced, I believe, in Nepal. Can be readily culti- vated from the seed in shady places” (Report, Central Indigen. Drugs Com. Vol. I p. 157.) In the Second Report of the said Committee (p. 61) it is stated that :— Andrographis paniculata is very extensively used in India as a remedy for malaria and also in dysentey and diarrhoea, [t is not unlikely that in the bazaars it and Indian chiretta are offered rather indiscriminately. It is also the basis of an English “ patent ” tonic, Ward, in the Pharmaceutical Journal LV, page 197, remarks that there are so many bitters in England that there is little call to resort to it. But in India there are not so many, and the plant is so common that the drug is very readily available. The whole of itis medi- cinal. Boorsma (Mededeelingen uit S’ Lands Plantentuin X VIII 66) reports that the plant may contain an alkaloid, but that he could not definitely prove its presence. The bitter principle is another substance—a crystalline glucoside, most abundant in the leaves, which Boorsma calls ‘‘ andrographid,” Its chemi- cal properties were to some extent investigated by Boorsma, but no one has yet had it isolated in quantity for pharmacological examination, Chemical composition.—According to the authors of the Pharmacographia : — “The aqueous infusion of the herb exhibits a slight acid reaction and has an intensely bitter taste, which appears to bedue to an indifferent, non-basic principle, for the usual reagents do not indicate the presence of an alkaloid. Tannic acid, on the other hand, produces an abundant precipitate, a compound of itself with the bitter principle. The infusion is but little altered by the salts of iron ; it contains a considerable quantity of chloride of sodium.” In ‘‘ Food and Drugs ”’ of Calcutta, for Jany 1915, Mr. Kshiti Bhushan Bhaduri, M. Sce., gives the results of his analysis of this plant as follows :— For examination 68 Gm. of the powdered leaves and stems were taken and exhausted in a Soxhlet apparatus successively by petroleum ether, ether, chloroform, and alcohol. * * * * * * The plant is very rich in chlorophyll, one portion of which is soluble in chloroform and the other not, though both are soluble in alcohol. Examination of the Petroleum Hiher Hxtract. This was a viscid, brownish-yellow colored liquid from which, on keeping a small quantity of an inactive, needleshaped crystalline substance separat- ed out, having 117° C, as its melting-point, the quantity obtained was so small that no further examination was possible, The viscid mass also contained a 968. INDIAN MEDIOINAL PLANTS. little essential oil, which was separated by extraction with alkalies ; the rest of it was “kalmegh resin,” a portion of which was extracted by first making it alkaline with caustic potash and shaking up with ether. It can be further extracted with ether after acidification with an acid. Chloroform Extract. This contained, besides chlorophyll, an amorphous white substance and very little of a bitter substance, the former of which separated out on concentra- ting the chloroform extract. Its melting-point is 221°C. It is tasteless and insoluble in water and alcohol. It is unacted upon by acids and alkalies. Extraction of the Bitter Principles, For this exvraction the powdered leaves and stems were exhausted ina percolator with alcohol. * u * * * * The residue remaining in the flask separated into two layers, one aqueous and the other solid; the former, when allowed to cool, deposited some yellow colored crystals (bitter a); the latter was boiled with water and filtered hot ; from the filtrate a white amorphous precipitate was deposited having an extremely bitter taste (bitter b), Examination of the Bitter Principle (a). This was purified by dissolution in alcohol and fractional precipitation ; the process was repeated three times. It had a pale-yellow coloy. Whena little of the substance was heated in a test-tube it diffused a very fragrant odor. It had melting point of 2°06°C. * ‘t % < ** The substance is very soluble in ethyl and methyl alcohol, though not to the above extent in amyl aleohol. Itis very slightly soluble in chloroform and ether. Benzene and petroleum ether do not dissolve it even on boiling. It is neither an alkaJoid nor a glucoside, as it neither contains nitrogen nor produces a reducing sugar after hydrolysis. It can be acetylated,—i.e., it contains hydroxyl groups; the acetyl derivative is white and insoluble in water. Its melting-point is 95° C, 8 * ap * + oy hae Examination of the Bitter Principle (b). It was a white amorphous substance having anextremely bitter taste. It is odorless, and its melting-point is 185° C. Itis practically insoluble in cold water. When a little of the substance was boiled for a long time with water, the latter acquired a slightly acid reactiou. It is soluble in alcohol and chloroform. * The formula C,, H,, O, is given to it, ** as * The name “ Kalmeghin ”’ is proposed for it. A white substance separated out when bitter (b) was treated with an acid. This was washed with water anddried. It had an acid reaction and was soluble in alkalies, neutralizing it. As it was derived from Kalmeghin the name “Kalmeghic acid” was giventoit. * * The formula is C,, H., O,. 927. A. echioides, Nees. H.¥.B.1., IV. 505. Syn. :—Justicia echioides, Linn. Roxb. 40. Vern. :— Peetumba (Malaly) ; Ran Chimani (Deccani), N. 0. ACANTHACER. 969 Habitat.—Tropical India in the drier districts, from the Panjab and Chota Nagpore to Ceylon, common (absent in Bengal proper and humid Malabar). An erect annual, 6-18in. high. Stem 4-angled grooved, clothed with spreading hairs, sometimes branched. Leaves 1-3in. long, sessile oblong or subelliptic, obtuse, sparsely hairy, base cuneate, margins ciliate, main lateral nerves 4-6 pairs. Flowers unilateral, in axillary spreading or recurved racemes shorter than the leaves, rhachis gland.-hairy ; bracts rein. long, lanceolate, bracteoles much smaller. Calyx }3-4in.; segments narrowly linear, acute, ciliate, elongating in fruit. Corolla about 3 in. long, densely hairy outside, pink or white, the lower lip spotted with purple. Filaments slightly hairy, anthers bearded. Capsule 3-3 in. long, elliptic-lanceolate, hairy. Seeds yoin. long, rugose, glabrous. Use :—The juice is given in fever ‘Rheede. 928. Haplanthus verticillaris, Nees., H.F.B.1., IV. 506. Syn. :—Justicia Verticillata, Roxb. 45. Vern. :—Kastula (H.); Jhankara (Marathi); Kala Kirayat ; Kalayakara (Western India). Habitat :-—-W. Deccan Peninsula, frequent, extending north to Mt. Aboo. Bundelkhand, Assam. A herb, 13-24 ft.high. Stems glabrous at the base, more or less pubescent upwards. Leaves 2$-4in. long, ovate, acuminate acute or subobtuse, hairy on the upper surface and on the nerves beneath, abruptly cuneate at the base; main nerves 8-10 pairs, prominent beneath, petioles 1-2in. long. Cladodes (axillary spines) 1-13 in. long, stout, 4-angled, enlarging in fruit, usually with 2 sharp spines at the apex, more or less glandular- pubescent and with spreading bristles towards the base. Flowers sessile amongst the verticils of cladodes ; bracteoles longer than the calyx, subulate, finely pointed. Calyx jin. long, segments lanceolate, pointed, gland.-pubescent. Corolla in. long, minutely hairy outside, limb lilac, with darker lines. Capsule about 4in. 122 970 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. long, narrowly oblong acute, glabrous. Seeds 7y-g1in. long (Duthie). 929. H. tentaculatus, Nees. H.F.B.I., IV. 507. Vern. :-—The same as of the last. Habitat :—-Bombay ; Belgaum ; Malabar ; Central India. A slender gland.-pubescent herb. Stems 4-angular above, Leaves 2-4in. long, ovate, acuminate, decurrent into the petioles ; main nerves 8-10 pairs, petioles often obscure. Cladodes slender, z-3in. long, densely clothed, with short hairs intermixed with longer ones, the apex furnished with 2 or 3 flattened villous teeth (reduced leaves). Flowers sessile amongst the cladodes ; bracteoles subulate, shorter than the calyx. Calyx jin. long ; segments linear-subulate, hairy. Corolla about 4in. long, blue lilac or white. Capsule 4in. long, oblong, pointed, hairy. Seeds smaller than those of H. verticillaris. Mr. Nairne, in his ‘ Flowering Plants of Western India’ says of this plant, that it is “a smaller species than the last, very like it, but with short petioled oval leaves, rounded at both ends, a little hairy.” Uses :— The authors of the Pharmacographia Indica (Vol. III] p. 47) say that the above-mentioned two plants “are used medicinally.” They are given in fever. 930. Gymnostachyum febrifugum, Benth. H.¥.8.1., Iv. 908. Vern. :—Nelamuchchala (Kan.). Habitat :—S. Deccan Peninsula ; Mangalore. Nearly stemless. Leaves 6$ by 3in., decurrent on the petiole, subentire or undulate-crenulate, above lineolate nearly glabrous or minutely sparsely setulose, beneath paler glabrous or pubescent on the nerves. Panicles puberulous, 6-12in., in appearance radical ; flowers opposite, solitary or in very small few-fid. cymes; bracts small, narrow; bracteoles 0. Sepals 4-4in., glabrous or puberulous. Corolla ljin., upper half in- flated, glabrous. Anthers ovate, hairy, capsule Lin. Use :—A decoction of the root is a febrifuge. N. O. ACANTHACEA, 971 The root contains a bitter principle of a resinoid nature dissolving in sulphuric acid, with a purple colour. It contains, besides, a crystalline cho- lesterol, with small quantities of tannin and sugar (Hooper). 931. Phlogacanthus thyrsiflorus, Nees. H.F.B,I. Iv. 512. Vern. :—Lalbahuk (Pb.). Halitat :—Subtropical Himalaya, from Garhwal to Bhotan, very common. Khasia hills and Assam. A shrub 3-7ft. Leaves large, lanceolate, glabrous, 7 by l3in., tapering at both ends, subentire, densely punctulate ; petiole #in. Thyrses 4-12in., terminal, solitary or several, or quasi-axillary on lateral branches; peduncles short; bracts tin., linear. Calyxtube fin.; teeth 4-4in., setaceous, densely pubescent. Corolla $in., closely villous, orange; tube broad from the base, curved; 2-lipped, upper lip suberect, lower patent. Stamens glabrous, or slightly hairy near the base of the filaments; 2 rudiments often discernible. Style glabrous. Capsule 14 by #in., subquadrangular, glabrous, 12-14-seeded. Seeds much compressed, orbicular in outline, densely shortly hairy, hairs elastically spreading when moistened. Use:—In the Panjab, it is put to the same uses as Adhatoda Vasica, Nees. 932. Lepidagathis cristata, Willd. H.F.B.1. Iv. pio - Roxb: 476. Vern. :— Bhuyaterada (M.) ; Ot dhompo (Santal). Habitat :— Frequent in Coromandel. Herbs, with perennial rootstock. Stems 6-18in., branched, procumbent, quadrangular, puberulous or slightly pubescent. Leaves 1 by jin., sessile lanceolate above, minutely scabrid pubescent on the nerves beneath or glabrate ; linear or oblong. Inflorescence subradical globose ; one or two small heads some- times added to the lower part of the leafy branches. Bracts % 1n.,rigid in fruit. Bracteoles membranous, hairy, spinescent. Both bracts and bracteoles elliptic ovate or obovate, suddenly spinose acuminate. Calyx sub-4-partite, one segment bifid ; OID INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. sepals elliptic or obovate, suddenly spinulose and densely hairy in fruit ; thickened, very hairy upwards, with a mucro. Corolla gin., densely hairy in bud, white, with brown or purple spots ia the palate. Stamens glabrous, anther-cells one slightly above the other, papillose, ciliate. Ovary glabrous. Capsule 4in., 2- seeded, elongate conic, dorsally scarious, thin, irregularly tearing, only ultimately 2-valved from the subsolid tip. Seeds ovate- lanceolate, with very long hair, spreading elastically when wet, very mucilaginous (C.B. Clarke). Uses:—A bitter herb used in fevers (Sakharam Arjun). The ash of the dry plant is employed in Chutia Nagpur as an application to sores (Revd. A. Campbell). It is applied to cure itchy affections of the skin (Dymock). 933. Justicia Gendarussa, Linn. f. H.F.B.1., IV. 032, Roxb. 43. _ Syn. :—Gendarussa vulgaris, Nees. Sans. :—Nil-nirgandi. Vern. :—Udi-sanbhald, nili-nargandi (Hind.); Jagat-madan, jogmodon (Beng.); Teo, kala-adulsa (Bomb.) ; Kalishanbali (Dec.) ; Karu-noch-chi, karuppu-noch-chi (Tam.); Neéla-vavili, nalla-noch-chi, nalla-vavili (Tel.); Karelakki-gida (Kan.) ; Karun-noch-chi, vatak-koti, vatan-golli (Mal.) Habitat :—Throughout India, from Bengal to Ceylon. A perennial, much branched, undershrub. Stems 2-4ft., erect, quadrangular, thickened above the nodes, glabrous, purple. Leaves 4 by #in., sometimes 5in. long, linear lanceolate, acute at base, tapering to obtuse apex, entire or slightly and irregu- larly crenate, glabrous and shining, rather thick, veins promi- nent beneath, purple. Petiole 4in. Flowers rather small, white or pink, with minute red dots in the throat and lip, in opposite clusters of three short interrupted sessile terminal spikes, lower clusters usually distant. Bracts +in., linear, acute. Bracteoles O. Sepals tin., linear, subulate, glabrous. Corolla nearly glabrous ; tube 3in., upper lip notched, lower lip transversly rugose. Fruit not seen, says Triman, from Ceylon. “Lower anther-cell distinctly tailed. Capsule 4in., clavate, glabrous, 4-seeded” (C.B. Clarke), N. 0. ACANTHACER. 973 Commonly used in Bombay as a garden fringe-plant. The leaves have a pleasant taste, says Triman. It is questionable if they are so; for on chewing them I find them distinctly possessed of a disagreeable oily taste (K.R. Kirtikar). Uses:—The Malays employ it as a febrifuge (Motley, in Hooker's Journ. of Bot., 1855, vol. vil. p. 166). According to Horsfield (Asiat. Journ., vol. vil. p. 266), emetic qualities are ascribed to it in Java. The leaves and tender shoots, which, when bruised, emit a strong but not unpleasant odour, are, according to Ainslie (Mat. Ind. vol., ii. p. 68), prescribed in decoction in chronic rheumatism. Its action is apparently that of a diaphoretic. Our knowledge of its virtues rests principally on native testimony (Ph. Ind.). An oil prepared from the leaves when applied locally is said to be useful in eczema, and an infusion of the leaves is given internally in cephalalgia, hemiplegia, and facial paralysis (Surg.- Major Houstan, in Watt’s Dictionary). The juice of the fresh leaves is dropped into the ear for ear- ache, and into the corresponding nostril on the side of the head affected with hemicrania (P. Kinsley, in Watt’s Dictionary). 934. J. procumbens, Linn., H.F.B.1., Iv. 539. Roxb. 45, Vern, :—Ghati-pitpapra, pitpapada (Bomb.) Habitat :—South Western India, extending as far north as the South Konkan. | Stems diffuse, slender, with many divaricate branches, rooting at lower nodes, furrowed, nearly glabrous, with a few long hairs below the nodes, or with spreading hair. Leaves #-lfin., oval or ovate-oval, obtuse at both ends, entire or slightly crenate, softly hairy-pubescent on both sides; elliptic or lanceolate, says C. B. Clarke. Flowers very small, in rather dense cylindric terminal spikes; $-ldin. long. Bractlets linear, long, ciliate. Sepals linear-filiform, strongly ciliate, as long as bractlets, one shorter or absent. Lower lip of Corolla broader than long, lobes shallow, obtuse. Capsule 4in., with a short, solid base. Flowers pale, violet, pink, the lower lip spotted with darker pink. The flowers vary in size, being larger than the hill forms. 974 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. Uses:—Used as a substitute for true Pit-pdpra (Fumaria), which it resembles in having a faintly bitter, disagreeable taste (Dymock). The juice of the leaves is squeezed into the eye in cases of ophthalmia (Ainslie). 935. Adhatoda Vasica, Nees, H.¥.B.1., Iv. 540. Syn. :—Justicia Adhatoda, Linn., Roxb. 43. Habitat: —From the Punjab and Assam to Ceylon and Singapore. , : Sans. :—Arusak (not angry), Vasa (giving perfume), Vrisha (chief), Sinha-mukhi (lion-mouthed), Sinha-parni (lion-leaved), Sinhakatpat (lion-eradicator), Ruksha (dry.) Vern. :—Arusha, adulas4, adulaso (Hind. and Bom.); Bakas, vasaka (Beng.); Bhekkar, basuti, tora bujja, bashang arts, (Himalayan names); Bansa (Pers.) ; Adhadode (Tam.) ; Adasara (Tel.); Atalotakam (Mad.). An evergreen, dense shrub, 4-8ft., sometimes arborescent, even 20ft., with a fetid smell, says Kanjilal. The Bombay plant has no fetid smell. Leaves 4-8in., entire, minutely pubes- cent especially when young, lateral nerves 8-12 pair. Petiole 1-l4in. Inflorescence a dense, short, pedunculate, bracteate spike, 2-4in. long, terminal often several together. Bracts 3 by 1in., ovate or elliptic sessile ; bracteoles $ by fin., falcate, oblong. Calyx 4-3in. deeply 5-lobed, lobes equal, lanceolate. Corolla-tube 4.4 by 4-gin. broad, white, lower portion short and funnel-shaped ; lower lip with two linesof oblique purple bars. Stamens 2 ; filaments dilated ; anther-cells acute at the apex, scarcely spurred at base. Capsule jin. clavate, longitudinally channelled, pubescent, 4-seeded. Seeds fin. diam., glabrous, tubercled. Wood white, moderately hard. Every part of the plant is exceed- ingly bitter. Uses: --The leaves and the root of this plant are considered a very efficacious remedy for all sorts of coughs, being adminis- tered along with ginger. “The medicine was considered so serviceable in phthisis that it was said no man suffering from this disease need despair as long as the vasake plant exists” N. O. ACANTHACEA. 975 (U. C. Dutt.) It is often administered along with honey, the fresh juice or a decoction with pepper being made into a cough mixture. The Pharm. Indica states that strong testimony has been given in favor of its remedial properties, drawn from per- sonal experience, in the treatment of chronic bronchitis, asthma, &e., when not attended with febrile action. ‘The flowers and the fruit are bitter, aromatic and antispasmodic. The fresh flowers are bound over the eyes incases of ophthalmia. “The flowers, leaves, and root, but especially the first, are supposed to possess antispasmodic qualities.’ ‘“‘ They are bitterish and sub-aromatic and are administered in infusion and electuary as anthelmintic” (Ainslie). The leaves are used as a cattle medicine ; in the case of man for rheumatism ; and the flowers for ophthalmia (Stewart). The leaves dried and made into cigarettes are smoked in asthma and their juice is used for diarrhoea and dysentery. The powdered root is used in Mysore by native doctors in cases of malarial fever. It has expectorant and antispasmodic properties, and its use has been recommended in the treatment of colds, coughs, asthma, phthisis, and even diphtheria, in which it deserves more extended trial. It is said, also, to be a valuable antiseptic, antiperiodic, and anthelmintic. Drury mentions that the leaves given in conjunction with those of Solanum trilobatum and S. xanthocarpum are employed: by the Vythians internally in decoction as anthelmentic. In Bengal and Upper India also the leaves are smoked as cheroots for asthma. In Assam, the juice of the plant is considered the best preparation. It is extracted from the young shoots and flowers by first washing them in an ordinary brass or iron vessel over a fire and then applying pressure. It is taken with ght or honey. In Central India, the plant is one of the ingredients used for preparing the mixture in which infants up to the age of four months are bathed. The Burmese pound the leaves and use them asa poultice for fresh wounds, while an infusion of the leaves and twigs is given internally for coughs. In the Tenasserim district, the leaves are used externally in cases of swellings, bleeding of the nose, and headache ; and internally for fever, colic, asthma and dysentery. It is prescribed in a spirit for wealthy persons suffer- 976 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. ing from certain humours. The spirit is prepared with this as a chief ingredient and several other articles, and it is said to strengthen the chest and throat. It has been known to cure ‘bleeding of the lungs by taking a sweetened decoction of the plant, and the preparation is an excellent mixture for children and others with bad coughs and colds. Dr. Rusby states that “it appears to be toxic to all forms of life, in direct proportion to their lowness in the scale, and that ate ate this property is unique among plants. * * The leaves are found to completely destroy the lower aquatics and to prevent their re-appearance. Laid upon fruits and other perishable substances they, to a great extent, prevent mould and decay. They check the development of parasitic diseases on vegetation. The very extended use of this plant in India in the treatment of tuber- culosis and other respiratory diseases may be founded upon this property.” “Tt is probable,” writes Dr. Watt, “we have in Adhatoda an antiseptic at the door of every Indian peasant. An aqueous solution of the alcoholic extract of the leaves was tried upon flies, fleas, mosquitoes, centipedes and other insects, and in every case the application met with poisonous results.” There séems to be a wide field of usefulness for this remark- able plant in the treatment of diseases depending upon the presence of fungi, bacteria, etc. In the Second Report of the Indigenous Drugs Committee, Pe OD, awe ready. ‘““In the experiments so far done (see Pro. Indigenous Drugs Committee, Vol. I,, pages 3887-418) Captain Childe, who used 30 minim doses of the tincture, reported that it did well in cases of bronchitis, especially in chronie bronchitis, but no benefit resulted in cases of phthisis, Lieutenant-Colonel Nailer reported that the drug was administered in chronic bronchitis, bron- chial asthma and phthisis, and that he would not recommend its use in such cases, Lieutenant-Colonel Lee reported that it was a useful expectorant. Major Crawford reported that the drug was tried in several cases in the form of a tincture ; it acted well in the latter in the stages of acute bronthitis, Assistant Surgeon W, D. Innes reported that the drug was used in cases of chronic bronchitis, its action was not definite and not as effective as some of the drugs now in ordinary use. Captain Stewart, who used half drachmin 2 few cases of bronchitis and pneumonia, reported that it is as effective as ipeca- cuanha, Major Frenchman, who used the ticture in doses varying from m. xx We 0: ACANTHACE. Q77 to dr. i, reported that in 10 out of 24 cases of chronic and subacute bronchitis and bronchial catarrh, it was found efficacious and successful, It failed in 3 eases of phthisis that he tried. In 2 out of 3 cases of asthma it acted well. The full dose of dr. i causes nausea and griping, and, therefore, had to be reduced to m. xx, which was found sufficient.” The analysis of the leaves reveals certain principles resembling those found in tobacco, as, for instance, an odorous volatile principle, an alkaloid, but not volatile like nicotine, one or more organic acids, sugar, mucilage, and a large percentage of mineral salts. The chemical analyses have revealed the presence of an alkaloid vasicine as the active principle, and this result bas been confirmed by the physiological as well as chemical tests of Dr. Boorsma of Java. A tartrate of vasicine is now an article of commerce on the Continent and future possibilities may be expected of it in medical science. The various portions of the plant available in the Office of Reporter on Economic Products were analysed by Mr. Hooper, with the following results :-— Moisture, Ash, Spt. ext. Vasicine. Leaves 79 20°0 13°3 39 29). Bark 10°2 14-0 14°4 "35 Root Wate 6:7 46 34 traces, Root-bark ... 5'8 12°4 11°2 58 The alkaloidal content of the bark is here seen to approach very closely to that of the leaves. The question of cost in collecting these two products would have to be considered, and it is evident that the separation of the bark from the stems would entail more labour than the simple method of gathering the leaves from the shrub. In other medicinal shrubs, such as Buchu and Senna, when the leaves are officinal, it is not customary to use the bark of the plants in addition to the leaves. The following results were obtained from quantitative experiments on the powdered barks :— Moisture : Spirit extract ... Soluble in water Resins Total Ash Sand From From Young Plants, Old Plants. 12°1 102 15 16°2 72 75 (hs) 8°7 7:0 12°2 2°8 72 4-2 50 centage of acrid and bitter resinous matters than that from the younger plants. Jn this connection attention should be drawn to the remark made some years ago by Mooden Sheriff of Madras. In the Supplements to the Pharma- copeeia of India, page 364, he reports that he found that the older the plant, the more active is the bark in its effects. 936. Rhinacanthus communis, Nees., me O4 |. He BT., Syn. :—Justicia Nasuta, Linn., Roxb 40. Sans. :-—Guthika-parni. 123 978 INDIAN MEDIOINAL PLANTS. Vern. :—Palik-juhia, palak-juhi, jui-pani (Hind.); Jui-pana (Beng.); Pulcolli, puzhuk-kolli, pushpa-kedal, nagamallichcheti (Mal. 8. P.); Gachkaran (Bomb.); Gajakarni (Mar.); Kabutar- ka-jhar (Dec.); Naga-malli (Tam.); Nargamollay, naga malle (Tel.) ; Naga-mallige (Kan.). Habitat :—Cultivated throughout India; perhaps wild in the Deccan Peninsula. A much-branched shrub. Leaves entire, 3-4 by #-ldin., usually narrowed at both ends, oblong or ovate-oblong, pubescent or glabrate; margins undulate ; petiole in. Cymes terminal and on short lateral branches, dusky. Flowers often clustered. Bracts and bracteoles O-ysin., linear. Calyx densely pubes- cent, zoin. Corolla-tube 1 by zgin., lobes 4in., 3 lower, each twice as broad as the shortly bifid upper. Capsule clavate 4-seeded, stalk long, solid cylindric. Uses:—The fresh root and leaves, bruised and mixed with lime juice, are a useful remedy for ringworm and other cutane- ous affections. The seeds also are efficacious in ringworm. (Ainslie and Royle.) The root-bark is a remedy for the affec- tion of the skin which the Europeans call Dhobie’s itch, Malabar itch, &c. (Uymock). In Sind, it is said to possess extraordinary aphrodisiacal powers, the roots boiled in milk being much employed for that purpose by native practitioners (Murray). The roots are believed in some parts of India to be an anti- dote to the bite of poisonous snakes. Of late, it seems to have attracted considerable attention in Europe, on account of its reputed value in the treatment of ringworm. It seems, however, to be universally used with good results in cases of ‘Tinea circinata tropica, although its utility in ordinary ring- worm (Tinea tonsurans) seems very doubtful. Dr. Liborius analysed the root at his laboratory at Dorpat, and found that it contained a substance which he called rhinacanthin, and which resembled chrysophanic and frangulic acids in its antiseptic and antiparasitic properties (Watt). : Chemical composition.—Liborius has analysed the root in the Dorpat Laboratory, finding in it 13°51 per cent. of ash and 1°87 per cent. of Rhinacanthin, a quinine-like body, besides the ordinary constituents of plants. N. 0. ACANTHACER. | 979 Rhinacanthin is a dull cherry-red resinous substance, which contains no nitrogen, and does not reduce copper solution. It seems to be related to chrysophanic and frangulie acids. Two ultimate analyses gave a mean of carbon 67:55 per cent., hydrogen 7°36 per cent, The formula C,,H,,0, corres- ponds with 67:20 C and 7'20 H, Its-presence in the plant is said to be limited to certain intercellular spaces occurring in the bark, the cellular tissue of of this part appearing to be filled with an intensely red substance, supposed to consist of a compound of rhinacanthin with an alkali. It is obtained by exhaustion of the powdered root fibres with absolute alcohol. Rhinacanthin has the peculiarity of forming with bases beautiful red compounds that are easily decomposed by certain neutral solvents, such as petroleum spirit, which dissolves the rhinacanthin and assumes a yellow colour (Pharm. Zeitch f. Russl., Feb. 1881; Year Book Pharm., 1881, p. 197.) 937. Hebolium linneanum, Kurz., H.F.B.1., Iv. 544. Syn. :—Justicia Ecbolium, Linn., Roxb. 38. Vern. :—Uda-jati (H.) ; Ran-aboli, Dhaktaddulsa (Mar.). Habitat :—S. Deccan Peninsula. A low shrub, branches erect, cylindrical, thickened above the nodes, glabrous. Leaves large, 43-6in., oblong, oval or lanceolate, tapering to base, acuminate, acute, entire to very faintly crenate, glabrous, shining and dark green above, paler and densely finely pubescent beneath. Petiole obscure. Flowers large, sessile in opposite pair. Spikes nearly sessile, 2-10in., 4-sided. Bracts 3-4in., oblong-oval, aristate, glandular-puberulous, ciliate, semi-membranous, reticulate-veined. Bractlets subulate. Sepals linear, acuminate, glandular-pubescent. Corolla-tube 4in., slightly dilated and laterally compressed at throat, deflexed, hairy outside, upper ip about gin. very narrow, strong- ly reflexed, lower lip avout 1$in. diam.; lateral lobes oblong, acute, middle one oval obtuse. Capsule pubescent. Seeds white. The colour of flowers, is, says Trimen from Ceylon, “pale bluish-green.” J. D. Hooker says “ greenish-blue or purple.” Use:—The roots are prescribed in jaundice and menor- rhagia (Dymock). 938. Graptophyllum hortense, Nees., H.F.B.1., IV. D405. Syn. :—Justicia picta, Roxb. 39. Vern. :--Pandhara adulsa (variegated variety); Mala adulsa (Dark variety)—(Konkan), 980 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. Habitat: -Cultivated in gardens throughout India and Malaya; where wild, uncertain. A large elegant, ramous shrub, common in gardens, and one of our finest ornaments. I never saw it wild ; it is in flower most part of the year. Leaves opposite, short-petioled, ovate-lanceolate, smooth pointed, generally variegated with large white spots, though sometimes of a uniform green, and we have a variety with the leaves uniformly ferruginous. Racemes terminal, short, erect, smooth. Flowers large, generally of a beautiful crimson colour. Bracts opposite; below three or four-flowered ; above one-flowered. Corolla throat compressed, divisions of the border soon after they expand becoming spirally revolute, with their inside wrinkled, and beautifully ornamented with small chrys- talline specks (Roxburgh). Uses:—In the Konkan, it is used in the same manner as Adhatoda Vasica, Nees. According to Rumphius, the variegated variety is used pounded with the milk of the cocoanut to reduce swelling. Loureirs states that the leaves are emollient, and resolvent, and notices their use as a cataplasm to inflamed breasts caused by obstruction to the flow of milk (Dymock). 939. Lungia repens, Nees., H.F.B.1., IV. 049. Syn. :—Justicia repens, Linn., Roxb. 44. Vern. :—Kodaga saleh (Tam.); Ghatipitpapada (Bomb.). Habitat :—Common throughout India, from the Punjab and Bengal to Ceylon. A procumbent herb, rooting, ramous weed, says Clarke. Stems usually decumbent, says Triman, and rooting at the base, thin, erect, slender, cylindric puberulous. Branches quadran- gular, pubescent or nearly glabrous. Leaves oblong or lanceolate- linear, 1-2in., on very short petiole, acute at base, subacute at apex, entire glabrous, densely lineolate above (so as to be rough when dried). Spikes long, 14-5in., 4-sided, erect, terminal. Bracts much imbricated, all similar, nearly 4in., broadly-oval, obtuse, sharply mucronate, pubescent, very slightly ciliate, N. O. ACANTHACES. Osi broadly bordered, with white scarious margins. Bractlets linear- lanceolate, acute. Capsule ¢in., oblong-ovoid, pubescent. Seeds with concentric furrows. Anther-cells superposed, lower white tailed. Corolla white, with rose or purple spots (C. B. Clarke). Ovary glabrous; style thinly hairy at base. Flowers, says Trimen from Ceylon, “ violet, with red dots, thin dots in the throat.” Uses :—The leaves resemble, both in smell and taste, those of thyme ; while fresh, they are bruised, mixed with castor oil, and applied to the scalp in cases of tinea capitis (Ainslie). The whole plant, dried and pulverised, is given in doses of from 4 to 12 drams in fevers and coughs, and is also considered a vermifuge (Drury). 940. &. parviflora, Nees., H.F.B.1., Iv. 550. Syn :— Justicia pectinata, Linn. Roxb. 44. Sans. :—Pindi. Vern. :—-Tavashu murunghie ; punakaptindu (Tam.); Pindi kunda (Tel.); Bir lopong arak (Sartal.). Habitat :-—Throughout India. Annual ; erect stems, slender, with opposite lines of pubescent, divaricately branched ; upper leaves 23-4in., linear, much taper- ing to base, obtuse, slightly undulate, glabrous, lanceolate, petiole obscure, lower leaves oval or rotundate, distinctly petioled. Spikes very short, about #in. flat, ranks of empty bracts in one plane, tin., linear oblong, mucronate, with a very narrow margin, glabrous, slightly ciliate, floral bracts about 4in., oval, obtuse, slightly mucronate, with the scarious margin wider, glabrous, ciliate ; bractlets narrower than the bracts. Sepals linear lanceolate. Corolla +in., small (Trimen). Flowers white, with blue lines on lower lip. “Capsule jin., seeds small, minutely verrucose ; spikes nearly all terminal, markedly one- sided ”’ (C. B. Clarke). Uses :—The juice of the small and somewhat fleshy leaves is considered cooling and aperient and is prescribed for children suffering from small-pox in dose of a tablespoonful or two twice daily. The bruised leaves are applied to contu- sions to relieve pain and diminish swelling (Ainslie). 982 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS, Among the Santals the root is given as a medicine in fevers (Revd. A. Campbell). N.B.—In Bombay, the above two species are sometimes employed by the shopkeepers to adulterate Fumitory (Fumaria officinalis); hence they are also called pitpapra there (K. R. K.). 941. Dichptera Roxburghiana, Nees., H.F.B.1., Iv. D593. Vern. :—Kirch, Semni, Lakshmana (Pb.); Bouna (Simla). Habitat:—Frequent in the plains of N. India, from the Punjab to Assam, Silhet and E. Bengal, Bhotan. Diffuse herbs. Stems 1-3ft., elongate, very nearly glabrate. Leaves 23 by lin., base cuneate, elliptic, acute, obscurely pubescent or glabrate. Petiole fin. Flowers in clusters, axillary and terminal, sessile, more rarely shortly peduncled. Bracts nearly 4 by #in., often 3-nerved, ciliate, thinly pubescent, cuneate-elliptic obovate, apiculate, not acuminate. Corolla #in. Capsule jin., clavate, puberulous or glabrous. Seeds conspicu- ously verrucose. Use :—According to Stewart, the plant is used medicinally in the Punjab. It is said to be a useful tonic (Watt). 942. Peristrophe bicalyculata, Nees., H.F.B.L, IV. 904. Syn. :—Justicia bicalyculata, Vahl., Roxb 42. Vern. :—Nasa bhaga (B.); Barge khode baha (Santal.) ; Kali- andi jahria (Merwara); Ghatpitta-papada (Mahr.); Atreelal (Hind.) ; Nazpat (Sind.) ; Chebira (Tel.). Habitat :—Tropical and Subtropical India, from the Punjab and Sind to Assam and Madras. Erect spreading herbs, thinly patently hairy. Leaves 2 by lin., ovate, acuminate. Petiole fin. Each pair of bracts long- petioled. Bracts $ by s5in., unequal, linear or linear-spathulate, acute mucronate. Panicles lax, divaricate. Corolla 4-4in. Anther cells ovoid, remote, ovoid, not linear, which latter is the charac- teristic of the other species of genus Peristrophe Capsule 4-$in. Seeds minutely glandular, papillose. Od. N. VERBENACESR. 983 ITses :—According to Rheede, the whole of the plant, macer- ated in an infusion of rice, is said to be a useful remedy in poisonous snake-bites. Dr. Sakharam Arjun, in his’ List of Bombay Drugs, says that this plant is supposed to have the properties of Fumaria parviflora and is used in its stead, but has not the bitterness of that plant. N. O. VERBENACEAH. 943. Lantana indica, Roxb., H.F.B.1. Iv., 562. Roxb. 488. Vern. :—Ghaneri ; Papar-dani (Ajmer). Habitat :—Roxburgh writes:—“ A native of Mysore, from thence Dr, B. Heyne sent the seed to the Botanic garden at Calcutta, where the plants thrive luxuriantly, and blossom during the rains.” It is common throughout India and Ceylon in the warmer parts; on the river banks of Bengal one of the commonest weeds. A shrub, 3-8 ft. high ; branches roughly hairy, long and straggling, 4 angular, sometimes prickly, yellowish brown. Leaves 13-23 in. long, opposite or in whorls of 3, ovate, acute or subobtuse, crenate-serrate, rugose and finely pubesent on upper suface, softly white-pubescent or subvillous beneath, narrowed or somewhat rounded at the base, petioles 4-3 in. long. Flowers inodorous, sessile, arranged in axillary peduncles heads or spikes 3-3 in. long and elongating in fruit; peduncles 1-34 in., usually in opposite axils, 4-angled, thickening upwards ; bracts up to 3 in. long, ovate, acuminate, softly hairy on both sides. Calyx 7g in. long, truncate, membranous, densely hairy. Corolla with a pale purplish limb 4 1n. across, hairy outside ; tube.4 in. long, yellowish ; lobes 4, rounded. Filaments very short. Ovary glabrous. Drupe purple when ripe, enclosed in the thin transparent calyx (Duthie). Uses :—Mr. Duthie (Flora of the Upper Gangetic Plain, Vol. IL. p. 216) writes :—““The leaves are regarded by the natives as a cure for snake-bite.”’ Indraji, in his valuable book “ Vanaspati Shastra” speaks 984 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. about some of the medicinal properties of the roots, leaves and flowers of Lantana Indica. 944. Ly. Camara, Linn., 4.F.B.1., IV. 562. Vern:—Ghaneri (M); Chadurang (Kan) (According to Talbot. I. P. Fleiderer gives the following Kanarese equivalents of the plant—Natahu, hesigetin, kasutihuvina-gida). Arippu (Mal). Habitat :—A native of America, run wild in many parts of India. “Shade ultimately kills it, but it has the power of scrambling up the branches of low trees and so reaching the hight. Its rapid diffusion has been much helped by birds, which are fond of the berries.” (Trimen). A gregarious straggling scandent shrub. Branches 4-sided with recurved prickles. Leaves simple, ovate acute. Flowers in small head, pretty, pink-orange or lilac, and of many shades in the same plant. bBracts linear small. Calyx small, mem- branous. Corolla-tube slender, limb spreading, lobes unequal. Ovrary 2-celled; Drupe freshy. Seeds without albumen. Uses:—In Mexico, the leaves of a species of Lantana, when boiled with barley, are given to women in childbirth. Another species of Lantana is much used to relieve indigestion. In Vol. (6 of the Pharmacutical Journal and transactions published in the year 1885 there appears a short article where it is stated that a new alkaloid named “ Lantanine” was discovered by Dr. Negrete, in Lantana brasiliensis, a plant which was used by Dr. H. Buiza in the central hospital at Lima, as an antipyretic; it stated that “ Lantanine” like Quinine, depresses the cireu- lation and lowers the temperature. Intermittent fevers which have not yeilded to treatment with Quinine, have given way under the use of 2 grams of lantanine. On page 497 of Apothekar zeitung of 1909 it is stated that the leavesof Lantana Odorata are used in West Indies and South America for aromatic baths in rheumatic complaints, also as infusions for eatarrahal diseases and as gargles. In Chemisches Central Bhatt of 1905 on page 3807 it is stated that the fresh bark of the stem of Lantana Camara contains 60% water, 6°25% ash, 0°(8% of a crystalline substance (Lantanine) 0°054% of a rubber-like substance, 1°705% besin, 2-21% resinic acid but no tannic acid; the bark of the root of Lantana Camara is supposed to contain tannic acid on the other hand. Bacon writing in the Philippine Journal of Science in 1909 about the oil of Lantana Camara states that it possesses a pleasant odour and that the plant flourishes with such extraordinary profusion in the Philippines that it would undoubtedly pay to cultivate it. Ne. VERBENACEH, 985 Prof. D. D. Kanga, m. a., of Elphinstone College, Bombay, who has analysed this plant, atu as follows :— The flowers were collected in the months of August and September from places in the neighbourhood of the Science Research Institute, Bangalore, dried in air and distilled with steam. The leaves were also locally collected in the month of January 1912, pow- dered and extracted with warm alcohol for the determination of the consti- tuents ; the alcoholic extract was steam-distilled, when an oil came over along with a little free volatile acid. 28°26 grams. of the fresh flowers lost 22°2 grams. of water on drying at 110°C. Hence moisture 78 per cent. The yield of the oil from the air-dried flowers was 0°077, while that from the leaves was 0°2 per cent. The following table gives the physical properties and some chemical constants of the oils :— | Oil from the | dried flowers. Colour Yellow Odour Powerful, per- sistent and pleasant, re- minding of sage, Yield 0°07 % by weight. Specific ... 26° eravity, Di5° 0915 Refractive nee 5° ides nD 1°4987, Optical [a] Hg=green Rotation. +23°9° Saponifica- 10 tion Value Acetyl 43°6 value Oil from the fresh Yellow Powerful, per- sistent and pleasant re- minding of sage. 26 5 ie * 15081 flowers. Oil from the Oil from the leaves of the South American plant, according leaves, to Messrs. | Schimmel and Co’s. Report, Oct. 1909. Yellow Pale-yellow Powerful, per- |Pleasant, re- sistent and| minding of pleasant, re- sage. mindirg of sage. 0°2% by weight | Varying great- ly according to age. One yield was 0°07% and another 0°245% by volume, poeta |D = = 0°9132 24° era 148933 noe” 1.4918 Lar "hy [4] p + 1°96° [a] "LALLY | er When subjected to fractional distillation under a pressure varying from 45 to 55mm., the following fractions were collected 124 986 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. from the oil from the leaves, and the refractive index of each fraction determined :-— 31°5° Fractions BaP: af) 1. w. 145°—154° ans 1°48395 2, 154°— 165° Sats 1°48914 3. ... 165°—180° ie 1:49485 4 . above 180° ee 1.497038 The results obtained are very similar to those recorded for the oil from the leaves of the South American plant (Phillipines). To summarise :— Neither the leaves, the stems nor the roots of Lantana Camara were found to contain an alkaloid. ; The aqueous liquid was found to containa large quantity of tannin and sugar; the solution in which sugar was found was glucosidie in character. The petroleum extract of the green resin was found to contain a mixture of resin acids in very large quantities. | The neutral portion of the petroleum ether extract was found to contain very likely a mixture of palmitic and stearic acids, mixture of oleic and Emucic acids and very probably a phytosterol. The ether extract of the resin was found to contain a crystalline substance, which is a glucoside; the formula of this substance may very probably be Cy7 Hy, O,. ™ The oil yeilded by flowers has got a pleasant and very powerful and persistent odour. 945. Lippia nodiflora, Rich., H.¥.B.1., tv. 563. Sans. :—Vashira. Vern. :—Bhin-okra (H.); Mokna, bikan, jalnim, jorakh, mundi, boken butee, chamiara (Pb.); Ludra (P.); Wakan (Sind.) Tan (Dec.); Ratolia (Bomb.); Podutalei (Tam.); Bokenaku (Tel). Habitat :—-Abundant in wet places throughout India. An annual herb, roughly pubescent, creeping, minutely strigose, extending 6-30in., much branched, often rooting from the nodes. Stems prostrate, sub-quadrangular, glabrous. Leaves numerous, small #-14 in., obovate, narrowed to the sessile base, toothed at top sharply, rather thick, minutely punctate. Flowers 75 in. long, pink or white, crowded in axillary, long stalked, oblong-ovoid, bracteate heads. Heads at first nearly globose, but becoming spicate and oblong in fruit. Peduncles 1-3in. from axil of only of each pair of leaves. Bracts ovate, acute, or subacute. Heads 4 by +tin., ovoid or cylindric. Calyx N. O. VERBENACER. 987 minute, 2-fid, hairy. Corolla-tube cylindric, slender, mouth 2-lipp- ed, lower lip rather longer, pinkish-purple to white (C B. Clarke). Filaments and style very short. Fruit hardly 7s in. diam., nearly dry. “ Flowers all the year round, very pale violet-pink ” (Trimen) “Stamens unequal pair, included. Ovary 2-celled, stigma capitate separating into two l-seeded nutlets (Collett). Uses:—The plant is officinal, and considered cooling. The tender stalks and leaves are slightly bitter, and prescribed in the form of an infusion to children suffering from indigestion, and to women after delivery. (Ainslie). It is used in Bombay as a demulcent in cases of gonorrhea. A poultice composed of the fresh plant is a good maturant for boils. (Dymock. Honnigberger considered it valuable in ischury, stoppage of the bowels and pain in the knee-joint. In Mexico the leaves of several species of Lippia, called ‘oregano’ are very much used to flavour food. It is cooked with fish, sausage and other food. 946. Verbena officinalis, Linn., H.F.B.1., IV. 565. Vern. :—Pamukh, karaita (Pb.) ; Shamuki (Pushtu). Halitat :—Himalaya from Kashmir to Bhotan. Bengal Plain to the Sunderbunds. Anerect, more or less pubescent, perennial herb. Stems 1-3ft. high. decumbent at the base, branched 4-sided puberulous. Leaves 2-4 in. long, variously lobed, narrowed to the base , lower ones stalked, pinnatified or coarsely toothed, more or less pubescent and usually hoary on the nerves beneath ; upper sessile, usually 3-partite. Flowers + in. long, sessile in dense bracteate heads which elongate as the fruit ripens into slender spikes up to 10 in. long ; bracts ovate, acute. Calyx twice as long as the bracts and half as long as the corolla-tube, minutely 5-toothed, glandular-hairy. Corolla blue or lilac, hairy ; limb spreading, about + in, diam., lobes subquadrate, throat hairy. Fruit dry, ultimately separating into 4 one-seeded nutlets pyrenes 3-ribbed yg-doin., oblong, smooth dorsally, their under faces with minute white flaking cells. Uses:—The fresh leaves are used as febrifuge and tonic, and as rubefacient in rheumatism and diseases of the joints ; 988 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. the plant is officinal at Lahore, being depurative and febrifuge (Stewart). Mahomedan physicians consider it tonic and astringent, useful in paralysis and amenorrhea, and that a plaster of the leaves promotes the healing of wounds. An ointenent is recom- mended for swelling of the womb, and a vinegar in skin diseas- es. Cochin-China, the plant is considered useful in vervous complaints and as a deobstruent in dropsy (Dymock). The root is believed to be a remedy for scrofula and snake- bite. At one time it was worn in Europe as a charm against evil, and for good luck. In Tuscany it is said to be still employed as a poultice for liver complaints, and taken internally _ for the same disease and for dropsy. 947. Callicarpa arborea, hoxb., Hi eye 000 j Wwoxbraleile Vern.:—Ghivala (Cutch); Buindtin (Kol.); Dom _ koto-koi (Santal); Bogodi, gogdi (Karwar); Boropatri (Uriya); Sakrela (Mal.) ; Goehlo (Nepal) ; Sunga (Lepcha) ; Khoja (Ass.) ; Makanchi (Garo) ; Ghiwala, dera, shiwali(Kumaun) ; Bormala (Beng.). Habitat :—N. India, in the lower hills, from Kumaon to Assam, common in the Sikkim Terai; Rajmahal, EK. Peninsula from the Khasia Terai and Manipur to Singapore. A moderate-sized tree, attaining 40 ft. Branches petioles, underside of leaves and inflorescence densely grey tomentose, with short soft stellate hairs Bark brownish, rough ; wood light, brownish white, moderately hard, even-grained. Leaves ovate or elongate-elliptic, acuminate, glabrous above ;_ blade 6-12 in. Petiole 1-24 in. long ; secondary nerves 8-12 in. Flowers lilac or pale-purple with an unpleasant smell (Brandis). Cymes large, spreading. Peduncle 1-2 in. long. Calyx goin., puberulous. Corolla 4 in., long, Berry foin. diam., purple, ultimately black. Uses :—The bark is aromatic and bitter, and is applied in decoction in cutaneous diseases. It is considered tonic and carminative (Watt. 11 26). 948. C. lanata, Linn., 4.F.B.1., Iv. 567; Roxb. 131. Syn. :—C. Wallichiana, Walp. N. O. VERBENACES. 989 Vern. :—Bastra (H.); Massandari (B.); Aisar (Bom.); Koat- Komul (Tam.) ; Tondik-teregam (Mal.) N.B.—The plant known as Aisar at Matheran is Callicarpa Oana, Linn, (K.R.K.) Habitat :—Western and Southern India and the Circars. A small or moderate-sized bushy tree, 30-40ft. Branchlets stout, cylindric, closely covered with a thick felt (easily detached) of stellate hair, young parts very densely stellate-tomentose. Leaves large 6-9in., ovate, rounded or obtuse at the base, slightly acuminate, acute, entire, glabrous when mature, rugose and bright green above, densely covered with a close felt of white or yellowish stellate hair beneath. Petiole }-2in., stout, very tomentose. Flowers pale pinkish, lilac, sessile, in clusters of 3. Cymes shortly pedunculate, divaricately branched, densely stellate-tomentose. Bracts linear. Calyx membranous, stellate- tomentose. Corolla glabrous, tube jin., lobes oblong, obtuse, recurved. Anthers cream-coloured. Drupe under tin., globose, black, shining. Uses :—Both leaves and bark are faintly aromatic and _ bit- terish, and afford much mucilage when boiled. The leaves boiled in milk are used as a wash for aphthae of the mouth, and that the bark and root boiled in water yield a decoction which is used to lessen febrile heat and remove hepatic obstruc- tion and hepatie eruptions (Rheede). Ainslie says that “ this plant is reckoned by the Javanese amongst their emollients. The bark possesses a peculiar sub-aromatic and slightly bitterish taste and may probably be found to have other medicinal virtues. The Malays consider the plant asa diuretic.” According to Drury, the root is employed in Upper India in cutaneous affections. In Ceylon the leaves and bark are used both internally and externally. The bark is said also to be chewed (Trimen). 949. C. macrophylla, Vahl., H.F.B.1., Iv. 568. Syn. :—C. incana, Roxb. 131. Vern.: —Pattharman, suimali, denthar, daya (Himalayan names); Mathara, mattranja (Beng.) ; Ba-pattra, bauna (Pb.). Habitat :—Throughout N. and E. India, ascending to 6,000ft. 390 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. in the W. Himalaya; from Kashmir to Assam; abundant in Bengal plains, (?) Deccan Peninsula. An erect shrub, 4-8 ft. high, with straggling branches. Branches, leafstalks and inflorescence densely clothed. Bark thin, grey brown. Wood white soft (Gambles), with tawny wool-like to mentum. Leaves shortly stalked, 6-10in. long, by 2-3in. broad, lanceolate crenate or sharply toothed, long-pointed; at times ovate or ovate-lanceolate. Upper surface wrinkled, stellately- pubescent ; lower, tomentose ; lateral nerves 12-15 pairs. Petiole 4-tin, Flowers hardly gin. long, pink, crowded in axillary stalked cymes. Calyx bell-shaped, minutely 4-toothed, »+yin. Corolla tubular regular 4-lobed, tube short. Stamens far protruding, equal, 4. Anthers small exserted. Ovary 2 or 4-celled; style long, stigma minutely capitate. Fruit a spongy succulent globose drupe, white with 4 one-celled pyrenes, when ripe fully (Collett and Kanjilal.) Uses :—In Hazara the leaves heated are applied to rheumatic joints. (Stewart.) ‘‘ The leaves,” says Trimen, “have a peculiar scent, mixed fetid and lemon-lke, and are used for flavouring native soups and curries. An aromatic oil is also obtained from the root and used as a remedy in disorders of the stomach.”’ 950. Tectona grandis, Linn., f. H.¥.B.1., Iv. 570 ; Roxbs 20z. Sans. :— Saka. Vern :—Sagun (Hind.); Segun (Beng.); Singuru (Uriya) ; Tekku, tek (Tam.); Teku (Tel.); Jati (Mal.); Saj, sal (Arab. and Pers.) ; Sagwan or Sag (Bomb.); Tegina-mara, Saguv4ni, Sagoni-Mara (Kan... Habitut:—-W. Deccan Peninsula, from Central India to Orissa. A large deciduous tree, 80-120 fit. high ; branchlets 4-angu- lar, stellately tomentose. Leaves about 12 in. long (or much larger in seedling specimens), elliptic or obovate, acute or acuminate, entire, usually cuneate at the base ; upper surface rough, but glabrous, the lower densely clothed with grey or yellowish tomentum, main lateral nerves 8-10 pairs. Flowers N. 0. VERBENACER. 99] many, onshort pedicels and arranged in large terminal much- branched tomentose cymose panicles 1-3 ft. long; bracts at the forks ianceolate, those beneath the calyx narrower. Calyx (in flower) $ in. long, broadly campanulate, stellately tomentose ; lobes so in. long, subequal, spreading; the whole calyx ulti- mately enlarging to l in. or more and forming a membranous bladder-like covering tothe firuit. Corolla white, glabrous, limb + in across; lobes subequal, seading. Fruit subglobose, + in.in diam., somewhat 4-lobed ; pericarp soft, densely clothed with felted stellate hairs. Uses :—A plaster of the powdered wood is recommended in hot headaches and for the dispersion of inflammatory swellings ; when taken internally it is said to be beneficial in dyspepsia, with burning of stomach. It also acts asa vermifuge. The ashes of the wood are applied to swollen eyelids and are said to strengthen the sight. The bark is an astringent, and the oil of the nuts promotes the growth of hair and removes itchiness of the skin. The flowers, according to Endlicher, are diuretic, and Gibson states that the seeds possess similar properties (Dymock), The wood rubbed down with water into a paste allays the pain and inflammation caused by handling the Burmese black varnish Thitsi (Melanorrhoea usitatissima). It also deserves to be tried as a local application to inflammations arising from the action of the Marking Nut (Ph. Ind.). The oil is extracted from the wood in Burma, and is used medicinally asa substitute for linseed oil and as varnish (Mukerji.) The tar is used in the Konkan as an application to prevent maggots breeding in sores on draught cattle (Dymock). Ata meeting of the Nilgri Natural History Society in 1887, Mr. Lawson showed a specimen of a whitish mineral substance found in a teak tree growing in the Government Plantation at Nilambur. This peculiar secretion is not altogether unknown to officers in the Forest Department, andits composition has on more than one occasion been investigated by chemists. The late R. Romanis (Jn. Chem, Soc., 8-11-87) found that alcohol extracts a soft resin from teak wood, but no oil or varnish. Ondistilling the resin he obtaind a crystalline substance which he also found te be present in consi- derable quantity in the tar resulting from the destructive distillation of teak, The analyses which he has made of the crystals point to the empirical formula C, H,, O; on oxidation with nitric acid they yield what appears to be a quinone of the formula C,,H,;0,. 992 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. 951. Premna integrifolia, Linn., H.F.B.1., IV. 574. Syn. :--P. spinosa, Roxb. Sans. :—Ganikarika, Agnimantha (produces fire by friction) ; Matha (churner); Keti (fallingstar); Arani (stinginess); Vaijayantika (flag- bearer). Vern :—Agetha, arni(Hind.) ; Ganiari, bhut-birarvi (Beng.) ; Gineri (Nepal); Ganniari (Oudh); Bakarcha (Garhwal); Eru- maimullai; Munnay (Tam.); Ghebu-nelli, pinua-nelli (Tel.); Chamari (Mar.); Appel (Mal.) Narvel ‘Bom.); Arni Guz); Aguyabat (Uriya). | N.B.--Premna scandens, Roxb,, is Chimhari. It is called chava@ri-vel at Matheran, vel or “yel” popularly for vel, i.e., a creeper, whereas Pr. integri- folia, Linn. is a shurb or a small tree (K.R.K.). Habitat:—India, near the sea, from Bombay to Malacca; Sylhet. A small evergreen tree or shrub with thorny stems and branches. Bark thin pale yellow lenticillate. Wood lght creamy brown, moderately hard, even-grained, pleasantly scented. Young parts glabrate or very slightly pubescent. Leaves 2-3in., broadly-oval, acute or rounded at base, acute or subacute, entirely or faintly crenate-serrate in upper part, always quite glabrous. Flowers on short pubescent pedicels, pale yellowish green. Cymes corymbosely paniculate, dense, pubescent, terminal. Calyx shallow 2-lipped, one lip entire, the other 2 lobed (so that the calyx appears 3-lobed), segments obtuse. Corolla-lobes rounded, lower ones somewhat longest ; stamens slightly exerted. Drupe gin. globose. Uses :—Sanskrit writers describe the root as bitter, stomachic and useful in fever, anasarca, urticaria, &c. H\s closely resembling myrcene; like that terpene, it readily absorbs oxygen, being converted into a colourless viscid substance. Ocimene differs from myrcene, however, in physical characters and on reduction with Sodium in alcohol yields dihydro-ocimene, which gives a crystalline bromine addition compound differingin Sp. Gr, from that obtained by Semmler from dihydro- myrcene. Incidentally, it is noted that basil oil finds useful application for blending with mignonette bouquets (J, S. Ch, I. Dec. 31, 1904, p. 1235.) Experiments with Ocimum basilicum show that plants which have been deprived of their flower buds produce appreciably more essential oil than plants allowed to grow naturally, the increase of oi] obtained amounting to about 82 percent. The weightof the plant was also increased by about 39 per cent, Fecundation and fructification are, therefore, accompanied by a consumption of the odorous principles of the plant (J. S, Ch. I., 15-12-1905, p. 1253.) 970. 0. gratissumum, Linn. H..B1., ieee Roxb. 464. §ng.: —Shrubby Basil. N. 0, LABIATA. 1013 Vern. :—Raém-tulsi (Hind. and Dec.); Raém-tulshi (Beng.) ; Furanjmishk (Arab.); Palangmishk (Pers.) ; Elumich-cham- tolashi (Tam.) ; Nimmatulasi (Tel.} ; Kattu-tuttuva ‘Mal.) ; Ban- jere (Pb.) ; Ramatulas (Mar.) ; Avachiba-vachi (Guz.) Halitat :- Bengal, Chittagong, E. Nepal and throughout the Deccan Peninsula. A strongly-scented, perennial shrub, 4-8ft. glabrescent, much- branched, woody below. Leaves 2-4in. ovate acute crenate or coarsely toothed. Petiole 1-2in. Racemes strict, slender ; whorl rather close set ;-bracts sessile, lanceolate, awned from a rounded base, longer than the Calyx. Calyx pubescent, fruit- ing tin. long, recurved ; two lower Calyx-teeth minute, much shorter than the rounded upper, lateral triangular, broader than the lower. Corolla {in., hardly exceeding the Calyx, pale yel- low. Filaments exserted, knee bearded. Nutlets sub-globose, rugose, with glandular depressions (J. D. Hooker). Uses :—It is an esteemed remedy in gonorrhea. Dr. Waitz (Dis. of Children in Hot Climate, p. 196) states that in the aphthe of children he found a strong decoction of the plant effectual when ordinary European remedies had failed. He also advises (Ibid., p. 230) the use of aromatic baths of fumigations prepared with this plant in the treatment of rheumatism and paralysis (Bouton, Med. Plants of Mauritius p. 120). Ph. Ind. A decoction of the leaves is of value in cases of seminal weakness (S. Arjun). The seeds are given in headaches and neuralgia. The sample of oil of Ocimum gratissimum L. prepared at Dabakala is very limpid and golden yellow in colour. Its odour is perfectly similar to that of the oil of ajowan seeds. Its coustants are: Density at 15°C ... ne .» 0.9105 Polarmetric rotation a vs» +0°58’ Soluble in 1z vol. of 80 per cent alcohol, later an opalescence. Judging from its odour, this essential oil should contain a large proportion of thymol or carvacrol. Agitation with a5 per cent aqueous solution of caustic soda showed that it contains, as a matter of fact, 44 per cent of phenolic constituents. The alkaline solution is decomposed by dilute sulphuric acid, then exhausted with ether. By rapid evaporation in asmall porcelain capsule, this solvent 1014 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. deposits a residue which soon crystallises by simple cooling without the necessity of sowing it with a crystal. This residue was therefore almost entirely composed of thymol. After recrystallisation, the crystals had still a slight reddish coloration, but the manner of their preparation, their melting point (49.3° —50.5°C.) and their odour are sufficient for their identification. We do not think that the essential oil of Ocimum gratissimum L. has pre- viously been studied, but thymol, which, moreover, has hitherto searcely been observed except in the Labiatz, has nevertheless already been recorded (see E. Gildemeister, Les Huiles essentielles’ 2nd French Edition, p. 502) in the essential oil of another Ocimum, O. viride.—(Scien. and Indus. Bull. of Reure- Bertrand fils of Grasse for Oct. 1913 p. 21.) 971. O. sanctum, Linn., H.F:B.1., 1v. 609 ; Roxb. 463. Sans.:—Purnsa, ajaka, tulasi, manjarika, Bharati, bhtlaka, Divya, Krishna mala. Vern. :—KaAla-tulsi, tulsi baranda, varanda (Hind.); Kalatulsi tulshi (Beng.); Bantulsi, tulsi (Pb.); Tulasi (Bomb.); Tulasa (Mar.); ‘Talasi (Guj.); Tulsi (Dec.); Tulasi, alaigai, pirundam. (Tam.); Tulasi, krushna-tulasi, gaggera-chettu (Tel.) ; Tulashi- gida (Kan.); Niella tirtua, krishna tulsi, nallu tirtta (Malay.) ; Lun (Burm.); Mudurutulla (Sing.). Habitat :—Throughout tropical and hotter India. A strongly-scented, perennial, herbaceons, erect plant, 1-2ft. high, softly patently hairy. Stem sometimes woody below. Branches erect, ascending or spreading. Leaves oblong obtuse or acute, 1-24in. long, variable in breadth, base narrowed ; margin entire or subserrate, hairy on both surfaces and minutely dotted, petioles 4-lin. long. Floral leaves sessile, ovate- lanceolate. Racemes very slender 6-8in. long ; pedicels slender as long as the Calyx. Calyx short, two lower teeth very long- awned, longer than the broadly oblong upper, lateral broadly ovate, shorter than the lower. Corolla very small, scarcely longer than the Calyx. [Filaments exserted, knee villous. Fruiting Calyx gin. long on a slender pedicel, broadly campanulate, membranous. Nutlets subglobose or broadly oblong, slightly compressed, nearly smooth, pale-red, brown. Uses:—The leaves have expectorant properties, and their juice is used by native physicians in catarrh and_ bronchitis. This preparation also is apphed to the skin in ring-worm and N. O. LABIATA. 1015 other cutaneous diseases. An infusion of the leaves is used as a stomachic in the gastric disorders of children, and in hepatic affections. The dried leaves are powdered and employed as a snuff in ogena. ‘They are also an effectual means of dislodg- ing maggots. The root is given in decoction as a diaphoretic in malarial fevers. ‘The seeds are mucilaginous and demulcent, and are given in disorders of the genito-urinary system. The juice of the leaves dropped into the ear, is said to be a good remedy for ear-ache. The Mosquito plant—Ocimum viride. Sir George Birdwood writes to the “ Times” under date April 29th 1904 :— “When the Victoria Gardens and Albert Museum were established in Bombay, the men employed on these works were at first so pestered by mosquitos and suffered so mucb from malarial fever, that on the reeommendation of the Hindu kadrbari (“ manager’”’), the whole boundary of the gardens was planted with holy basil and any other basil at hand, on which the plague of mosquitos was at once abated, and fever altogether disappeared from among the resident gardeners and temporarily resident masons. The site of the gardens had ever before been one of the worst malarial-stricken spots on the island of Bombay. No one in those days knew anything of the “ mosquito-malaria theory ” of to-day. I myself used myrrh as a protection against mosquitos. They never came near any bed in which a little myrrh was burnt or a little tincture of myrrh sprinkled when retiring for the night. I never knew natives who used much cinnamon or cloves, ete., in their daily diet ever take malarial fever or die of cholera.” K. R. Kirtikar’s note on Sir George Birdwood’s remarks :— Sir George speaks of the Holy basil. It is the Tulsi plant—the Ocimum sanctum, Linn. Among the “other basils,” he speaks of is our Sabja plant, Ocimum basilicum, Linn. I think, it therefore, to include Sir George's remarks under either O. sanctum or O. basilicum. OcIMUM VIRIDE Willd., Enum Hort. Berol 629—is from Tropical Africa, See p. 326 Fase. III. Hooker's Kew Index, 1894. (1) OCIMUM FEBRIFUGUM Lindl. in Bot. Register Tab 753 is given as a synonym by Hooker in the same Index Kewenses at p. 325 of Ocimum viride, (2) OCIMUM HOPTODON, Beaum. FI]. Owar II. 59 to 94 is also a synonym, given by Hooker at the same page, 972. Geniosporum prostratum, Benth., H.F.B.1., Iv. 610. | Vern :—Nazel-nagai (Tam.) Habitat :—Deccan Peninsula, from the Concan southwards. 1016 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. Annual prostrate herbs. Stems many, from a woody stock, slen- der, glabrous, pubescent or hirsute. Leaves in distant pairs very variable, from + by #in. to 2 by #in., rather thick, base narrow, sessile or petioled, ovate-lanceolate or oblong, or linear, sparingly toothed. Spikes elongate, slender; whorls close or distant, in slender racemes 2-6in. long; bracts ovate, acute, reflexed. Fiowers green, occasionally white, minute, pedicelled. Calyx hairy, upper lip very variable in size, throat hairy. Corolla yin., hairy. Filaments exserted. Fruiting Calyx ygin., subeampanu- late, ribbed, tube not pitted ; calyx-throat with a ring of hairs. Nutlets very minute, elliptic, smooth, naked. Use.:—It is regarded as febrifuge at Pondicherry. (Ph. Ind.). 973. Orthosiphon stamineus, Bentham, H.¥.B.1., Iv. 615. Syn :—Ocimum grandiflorum, Blume. O. longiflorum, Ham. Habitat :—Assam and Southern India. Undershrubs, slender, glabrous or pubescent. Stems 1-2ft., 4-angled. Leaves in distant pairs, 2-4in., narrowed into the peti- ole, ovate, acuminate or coarsely toothed, base cuneate. Race- mes very lax-fid. Calyx 4in,, campanulate, Calyx-throat naked ; 2 lower teeth subulate. Corolla lin., glabrous, white or purplish. Corolla-tube very slender, thrice as long as the Calyx. Fila- ments far exserted, capillary, twice as long as the corolla. Nutlets broadly oblong, compressed, rugulose. Dr. Hooker writes in Curtis’ Bot. Mag. for April Ist, 1870 :— ‘Tt is a very wide-spread Eastern plant from Assam and Burma to the Philippine islands, and from the Nicobars and Siam to Java, Borneo and Cape Goole in North-lHast Australia. It is a stone plant, a profuse flowerer, and of very pretty appearance.” Uses :—Dr. Van Itallie uses the leaves for gout and in renal disorders (Ph, J. Oct. 2, 1886, p. 267). In Java, the leaves are made into a tea and used in the treatment of diseases of the kidneys and bladder. In Holland and France, they have been N. O. LABIATA. 1017 used successfully in the treatment of diseases of urinary organs (Christy’s N. L. P. No. X, p. 104, 1887). 974. Coleus aromaticus, Benth., U.F.B.1., 1V. 629. Syn. :—Plectranthus aromaticus, Roxb. 466. Sans. :—Pashana bhedi. Vern. :—Pathar chur (H.) ; Pater-chur (B.); Pathor chur, pathur chur, owa (B.) ; Karpura valli (Tel.); Panacha onva (Mar.). Habitat :—Cultivated throughout India. A perennial herb, shrubby below, hispidly villous or tomen- tose. Stem 1-3ft., fleshy. Leaves 1-2in., petioled, broadly ovate or cordate, crenate, fleshy, very aromatic. Flowers shortly pedicelled, fin. long, whorls distant, densely many-fid. Upper * Calyx-lip ovate, acute membranous, lower acuminate. Corolla pale purplish, tube short, throat inflated, lips short. Stamens shortly exserted. Fruiting Calyx sub-erect. Uses :—“ Said by Sanskrit writers to have a specific action on the bladder and to be useful in urinary diseases, vaginal dis- charges, etc.” (U. C. Dutt). It is employed in Cochin China, according to Lourero (Flor. Cochin, p 452), in asthma, chronic coughs, epilepsy and other convulsive affections. Dr. Wight ‘Illust. vol. ii.) speaks of it as a powerful aromatic carminative given in cases of colic in children, in the treatment of which the expressed juice is prescribed mixed with sugar or other suitable vehicle. In his own practice he observed it to produce so decidely an intoxicating effect that the patient, an European lady, who had taken it on native advice for dyspepsia, had to discontinue it, though otherwise benefiting under its use. The Rev. J. Long (Journ. Agri.-Hort. Soc. India, 1858, vol. x, p. 23) also notices its intoxicating properties, and states that the people of Bengal employ it in colic and dyspepsia. (Ph. Ind.) It is much employed (in Ceylon) as ‘a medicine, especially for cattle, and a plant is always to be found growing in a little box suspended on the sides of native carts (Trimen). Used for claret, champagne, and moselle cup—as a flavouring adjunct dK. Ry K.) 128 1018 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. 975. Anisochilus carnosus, Wall., H.F.B.1., IV. 627. Syn. :—Plectranthus strobiliferus, Roxb. 466. Sans. :-~Utpalabheda, ajapada, induparni. Vern. :— Panjiri-ka-pat, Sita-ki-panjiri (Hindi) ; Ajvan-ka- patta, Panjiri (Dec.); Karpptra-valli (Tam.); Panajiren, Kapurli, chora-onva (Mar.); Karpura-valli (Tel.) ; Chomari (Mal.) ; Dodda-patri, kuruvelu-balli (Kan.); Kattukarkka, kurkka, patu-kirkka (Mal.); Omamu-dku, rédga-chettu (Tel.); Ajmanu- patru, ajama (Guz.). Habitat :—-Western Himalaya ; Kumaon and Garwhal, and throughout Central and Southern India to Travancore. An erect annual, 1-2 ft. high. Stem stout, bluntly 4-angled, glabrous or sparsely pubescent, often tinged with red. Leaves rather fleshy, 1-24in long, broadly ovate, obtuse, crenate, round- ed or subcordate at the base, usually hairy beneath, petioles 3-14 in. long. Spikes $-l4in. long, 4-gonous in flower and becoming cylindrical in fruit, peduncles slender; bracts § in. long, ovate, acuminate, ciliate, glandular. Calyx pubescent, din. long, enlarging in fruit ; upper lip ovate-lanceolate, acute, ciliolate, bending over the lower lip and closing the mouth of the calyx when in fruit; lower lip truncate, its membranous ciliate tip reflexed and appressed against the tube. Corolla pale- purple, $in. long, hairy outside; upper lip short, erect, with sballow lobes. Nutlets suborbicular, compressed, polished and brown when ripe. | Uses : —Ainsle says that the fresh juice of the leaves mixed with sugar-candy is given by the Tamil doctors in Cynanche, and, mixed with sugar and gingelly-oil, is used asa cooling liniment for the head. Dr. Bidie characterises it as a mild stimulant, expectorant, and particularly useful in the cough of childhood. Its pro- perties depend upon a volatile oil (Ph. Ind.) 976. Lavendula Burmanni., Benth, 4.¥.B.1., IV. 63L. N. O. LABIATA. 1019 Vern. :—Sarpano-charo; Asméani galgoto ; Jangali lavandar (Duk. and Guz.). Habitat: —Deccan Peninsula; common inthe West, from the Concan to Coorg. Central India, at Indore. A slender erect herb. Stems 2-3 ft. high, simple or branched, 4-angled, pubsecent. Leaves sessile or nearly so, 2-4in. long and as broad as long, pinnatipartite or deeply pinnatisect ; lobes linear, entire or cut or toothed, obtuse or subacute, glabrous or pubescent above, pale and pubescent beneath. Spikes simple or more or less branched, or sometimes subumbellate, bracts pubescent, +-4in. long, broadly ovate and strongly nerved at the base, the apex ending in a long capillary awn. Calyx (in fruit) grey-pubescent, din. long, tube somewhat curved; teeth lanceolate, acute and with pennicillate tips. Corolla blue or white, nearly 4in. long, hairy outside ; tube 4in. long, slender below ; upper lip in. long; middle lobe of lower lip twice as long as the 2 lateral ones. Nutlets oblong-ellipsoid, mucilagin- ous when moistened (Duthie). c¢ Uses:—Mr. Indraji, the author of ‘“ Vanaspati Shastra,” a book containing valuable information on the flora of the Western Presidency, India, writes that itis not known whether any- body else has made use of the plant except that the villagers and shepherds of the Barda Hills in Kathiawar have used it as a medicine. In places where the plant grows serpents abound. It is sup- posed to act as an antidote for poison; the roots are rubbed with water and the solution or the paste is applied over the sting of wild animals. The powdered leaves are given for inhalation to the person who has been stung by a serpent in order to prevent him from falling into sleep. Colonel Kirtikar having drawn the attention of Prof. D. D. Kanga, to the importance of this plant, who extracted oil from its flowers, and leaves. According to him ‘ the oil obtained from the flowers was quite different in all respects from that obtained from the leaves; it differed both physically and chemically; the yield of oil was greater from the leaves than from the flowers. 1020 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. The following table will give some idea as to the differences in the physical properties and chemical composition of the two oils: Oil from flowers. Oil from leaves. Colour Red Yellow ; Odour Pleasant, somewhat Very pleasant, resembl- peppermint like. ing lemon-grass, 24°5° 2675" a og Specific gravity Dis 0923 D 458 0°895 Optical Rotation Colour too deep to allow of determination, [a]D —0.87.° Refractive Index 25, 28°5° : 1:4822 nD 1°4683 np Solubility in 70% alcohol 1 part in 28 parts 1 part in 2 parts Saponification value 119°5 44°25 Acetyl value 199 141°4, 977. Pogostemon plectranthoides, Desf., H.¥.B.1., 1s a7. Vern.—Pédngla (Deccan) and Konkan also Pangla. Habitat.— Western Himalaya, from Nepal to Simla; Lower Bengal and Behar. The Concan, Canara and the Circars. A strongly-scented, large, gregarious, shrubby, hoary, pubes- cent bush; branches round, often dark purple. Young parts tomentose. Leaves opposite, stalked ovate acute, doubly-toothed or serrate, long pointed, 3-6in., longer than the petiole. Panicle usually elongate; whorls subsecured, crowded in large cylindric spikes. Floral leaves bract-like, hairy glandular, ovate acute. Flowers hardly tin. long, white tinged with, pink. Calyx hirsute, tubular 5-toothed. Calyx-teeth shortly triangular lanceolate, ciliate, nearly equal. Corolla-tube, curved, longer than the ealyx. Limb spreading, 4-lobed, lobes nearly equal, obtuse. Stamens 4 nearly equal, far protruding. Filaments lilac, bearded with long, lilac, beaded hairs (Collett and J. D. Hooker). Use.—Used like P. parviflorus. (Syn. P. purpuricaulis, Dalz.) It is the source of the phdngla (see the correspondence on the subject, pp. 243-246 of Vol. I of Report Proceed Central Indigen Drugs Com.) OTS." purpurascens, Dalz, H-¥-B.1., Wewoe Habitat.—Deccan and Manipur. Dr. Watt says : “It is a very striking species and has the somewhat remarkable distribution N. O. LABIATE. 1021 of re-appearing in Manipur.. ... while it nowhere occurs in the vast expanse of the tableland of India that hes between the Deccan and Manipur.” An erect herb, softly villous, with spreading hairs. Stem 4-angled. Leaves sometimes 9 inches long, membranous, long- petioled, ovate or ovate-lanceolate, sinuate or cut and toothed or crenate, base narrowly cuneate. Whorls dense-fid globose, secund, continuous or separate, in long peduncled hirsute spikes sometimes Qin. long. Bracts narrow, falcate, equalling the Calyx, ciliate. Calyx in. long, tubular, teeth long, subulate, ciliate. Corolla white, with purple upper lip (probably a form of P. arviflora (J. D. Hooker). Use.—Used like P. parviflorus. It seems more likely than either P. plectranthoides or P. parviflorus to be used medicinal- ly (Watt). o79. P. parviflorus, Benth., H.F.B:1., Iv. 632. Vern. :-—Phangla, pangla (Bomb.). : Habitat :—Subtropical Himalaya, from Kumaon to Bhotan. Assam, Khasia Hills, and Silhet, Chittagong. West Deccan Peninsula, from the Concan to the Anamallay. An annual herb, stout erect, branched, glabrous pubescent or scaberulous. Leaves long-petioled, ovate or ovate-lanceolate, singly or doubly crenate-toothed or serrate, base cuneate. Whorls dense-fid, subglobose in dense cylindric or one-sided softly hairy spikes. Bracts elliptic ovate, exceeding the hirsute calyx. Calyx tin. long narrow, usually purplish. Calyx- teeth short, triangular-lanceolate, ciliate. The stem and branches are usually dark-purple, but not constantly. Uses :—The fresh leaves, when bruised, are applied as a cata- plasm in order to clean wounds and promote healthy granula- tion. The roots are reputed to be a remedy for the bite of the Phursa snake (Echis Carinata) (Dymock). In Satara, the juice of the leaves is given in colic and fever (B. D. Basu). Surg.-Maj. J. Parker, Med. Store-keeper to Gov., Bombay, in his letter dated 21st April 1896, to the Sec., Indigen. Drugs Com., Calcutta wrote :— The root juice is used internally and externally in snake-bite (Phursa), but the plant is said to be efficacious in the fresh state only. It would be well to 1022 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. have the supposed use of phangala in snake-bite carefully investigated, for, although much has already been done in this direction, the question ap- parently is still undecided. Not commercial, but can readily be collected. Could be cultivated from the seed, An ammoniacal tincture might be useful in snake-bite (Proceed. Indigen. Drugs Com., Vol. I. p. 158.) Chemical composition.—The most interesting principle detected in the plant was an alkaloid. After repeated purification it was left as a yellow varnish with slightly bitter and snouse-like flavour. It was more soluble in chloroform than in ether. No special colour reactions were noted. We also detected the presence of trimethylamine, and a volatile principle with a cedar-wood odour. Resinous principles were also present, with astringent matter. We provisionally call the alkaloid Pogostemonine (Pharmacographia Indica, III. 101). 980. P. patchouli, Pelletier, H.F.B.1., iv. 633. Syn. :—P. Heyneanus, Benth. Vern. :—Peholi; Pachdli; Pachapat; Panel; Mali; Pachp- panadi; Pako nilam (Bomb.). | Habitat:—Western Peninsula, from Bombay southwards, wild and cultivated. An erect, branched, pubescent or glabrate herb, 2-3ft. high. Leaves 2-3 in., long-petioled, ovate, acute, acuminate or obtuse crenate or simply or doubly toothed or incised, membranous ; base cuneate petiole, }-l4in. Spikes 3-6in., rarely short and dense. Whorls #in., diam subglobose, many and dense-fid, distinct or sub-confluent on the slender pubesent or tomentose panicled spikes ; bracts elliptic, acnte, equalling the calyx or shorter. Calyx Hn., pubescent_or tomentose, triangular, ciliate. Corolla very small, tube shortly exserted. Use:—Sir George Watt, in his Commercial Products of India, p. 904, writes : — “Tn the Central Provinces and Berar I found P. Heyneanus growing in the betel-leaf houses and sold apparently by the owners to the perfume manufacturers. This may be, at least partly, the patchouli of Bombay.” The subject requires further investigation. Patchouli is also obtained from the following plant. 981. Microtena Cymosa, Prain. Habitat :—Assam Manipur and Burma. Stems 40-100 cm., lower branches 15-20 em, petioles 2-3 cm. long, lamince 4-7 em, long 3-3 cm. wide, hairy on both surfaces, cymes sometimes N. O. LABIATA. 1023 loosely paniculate irregularly branched, calyx 25 mm. (tube 2 mm), corolla 14 mm. (tube infundibuliform 6 mm., tpper lip 8 mm.), pollen grains minute oval smooth, nutlets 1°25 mm,—The cultivated plant smells very strongly of Patchouli, much more so than does the Patchouli plant of commerce, but it is only grown as a cuviosity ; the natives of the hills of Assam do not grow this plant of the true Patchouli plant, nor do they know or use the prepared article : the Shan hill plant is devoid of smell. (Prain). 982. Colebrookia oppositifolia, Smith, W.F.B.1., meo+2 > Roxb. 467. Syn. :—C. ternifolia, Roxb. 466. Vern. :—Pansra (H.); Shakardana (Trans-Indus) ; Duss, sampru, suali, briali, casuti, barmera, phisbekkar(Pb.); Dulsahat (Kumaon) ; Dosul (Nepal) ; Binda (Dehra Dun) ; Bhainsa, barsa pakor (Santal) ; Bahmani, dasai, dasari ‘Bomb.). Habitat :—Subtropical Himalaya, from the Salt Range and Peshawar to Sikkim, Behar, Central India and the Deccan Peninsula to Travancore. | A densely woolly hoary shrub 5-10ft., erect. Trunk stout ; branches stout, terete often whorled in threes. Leaves opposite or in threes, shortly stalked, lanceolate, 4-Sin., crenate, long- pointed ; upper surface pubescent, wrinkled, lower grey- tomentose. Flowers minute white, 2-or l-sexual, the male and female often on different plants in large whorls, crowded in long, cylindric, erect spikes, axillary or pauiculate at the end of branches. Calyx deeply 5-lobed ; lobes linear, hairy, becoming much elongated, and leathery in fruit when the tips often turn purple. Corolla pubescent ; tube as long as the Calyx; limb spreading, 4-lobed, lobes unequal. Stamens 4, equal, protruding in male flowers, included in the female, filament naked. Style protruding in female flowers, wanting in male flowers. Nutlet usually only one, tip hairy (Collett). The spikes are suggestive of Indian squirrels’ tails (Nairne). Uses :—The leaves are applied to wounds and _ bruises (Stewart). A preparation from the root is used by the Santalis in epilepsy (Revd. A. Campbell). The down on the stem and leaves is used by the Paharias of Sikkim to extract worms from bad sores on their legs (Gamble). 1024 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. 983. Mentha viridis, Linn., .¥.B.1., IV. 647. Vern. :—Pudina (B., Mar., Guz., Tel. and Sind.); Pudina, pudina kuhi, pahari pudina (Pb.); Pahari pudina (Hind.) ; Nagbo, shah-sufiam (Pers.) Habitat :—Cultivated in Indian gardens. A perennial herb, with a pungent smell, glabrous or nearly so. Leaves all sessile, or the lower only petioled, oblong-lanceo- late, subacute, sessile, smooth above. Spikes slender. Whorls in terminal spikes ; bracts minute. Throat of Calyx glabrous. Corolla glabrous without and within. Probably a cultivated form of M. sylvestris (J. D. Hooker). Uses:—The medicinal properties and uses of the oil obtained by distillation from the fresh herb, are similar to those of Peppermint, but it is only less powerful in its action. The seeds are mucilaginous. Leaves given in fever and bronchftis. Decoction used as lotion for aphthe (Dr. Emerson). 984. M. piperita, Linn., H.F.B.1., IV. 647. Habitat :—Cultivated in Indian gardens. A perennial glabrous strong-scented herb. Leaves petioled 1-4in., acute or obtuse at base, coarsely serrate, smooth above, rarely sparingly, hairy on the nerves below, ovate or oblong- lanceolate, upper smaller, sometimes bracteiform. Whorls in terminal spikes. Spikes cylindric, interrupted below. Bracts minute. Pedicels and flowers glabrous, or very sparingly hispid. Calyx often red. Probably a garden form M. Aquatica, as suggested by Bentham (J. D. Hooker). Use :—-Officinal in the British and Indian Pharmacopceias. 985. M. sylvestris, Linn., H.F:B.1., Iv. 647. Vern. :—-Pudina (H., B., M., G. Tam.); Chetni-Maragi (Kan.). Habitat :—Temperate Western Himalaya, from Kashmir to Garhwal. A strongly scented erect or diffuse herb. Rootstock creep- ing; stems 1-3ft., hoary-pubescent. Leaves nearly sessile, lanceolate, ovate or oblong, 1-3in., sharply toothed, acute ; upper surface hoary pubescent, lower white tomentose. Flowers small, -jilac in large whorls crowded in axillary and terminal cylindric N. O. LABIATAE. 1025 tapering spikes ; lower floral leaves leaflike, upper smaller lanceolate. Calyx hairy, bell-shaped acutely 5-toothed. Corolla- tube included in the Calyx ; limb erect, 4-lobed, lobes, equal. Stamens 4, equal, protruding, filaments naked. Uses :—The leaves are officinal as astringent. Pudinah of Bombay gardens has exactly the odour of peppermint (Dymock). A decoction is said to be used in fevers and heat apoplexy by the Afghans. The oil possesses sp-gr. O. 9701 at 15° C,; *D= +31° 30’ (100 m) 3 "Doo = 1°49544 ; acid value, 2°4 ; ester value, 20°9 ; ester value after acetylation, 171°4; soluble in 3 vols. of 70 per cent. alcohol ; (the diluted solution showed slight opalescence ); faintly mint-like odour; yellow colour. It is obvious that the saponification value of 171°4 after acetylation of the oil cannot in this case be indicative of the menthol content, which, judging by this factor, should have been 54°8 per cent.; for,as a matter of fact, it contains but little menthol, The mint-like odour is chiefly due to the presence of pulegone, of which the oil contains 40 per cent. (isolated with Sodium Sulphite). In addition to this, a phenol (probably carvacrol) can be detected. Owing to the simultaneous occurrence in it of menthol, pulegone anda phenol, the oil cannot be used either as peppermint oil or as European pennyroyal or origanum oil. It is differentiated from oil of peppermint by its much higher specific gravity and by its pronoanced dextra-rotatory power. (Schimmel’s Report, April 1910, quoted in J. Ch. I. for June 15, 1910, p, 716). 986. M. arvensis, Linn., H.F.B.1., tv. 648, Roxb. 460. Vern. :—Pudinah (Beng., Hind. and Dee.!; Pudina, I-ech- chak-kirai (Tam.); Pudind, Tga-engili-kura (Tel.); Putiyina (Mal.); Pudina (Guz.); Bhudina (Burm.); Chetni-maragu (Kan.). Halitat :— Western Himalaya and Kashmir. A strong-scented perennial herb, hairy or glabrate. Stem 1-2ft. Leaves shortly petioled or sessile, oblong-ovate, or lance- olate, 1-2in., obtusely or acutely serrate, petioled or sessile. LBracts acute, shorter than the flowers, whorls axillary, capitate. Calyx hairy ; Calyx-teeth triangular cr lanceolate. Corolla hairy without and within. Use :—The dried plant is refrigerant, stomachic, diuretic and stimulant medicine. It possesses antispasmodic and em- menagogue properties (Fleming). Used in jaundice. The dried plant powdered is used as a dentifrice. | The scent of the fresh fruit is said to be useful to relieve fainting (Dr. Emerson). Frequently given to stop vomiting; a 129 1026 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. chutney prepared from the fresh herb is in use all over Bengal. (Dr. Kanai Lal De). 987. Lycopus europeus, Linn. u.¥.B.1. Iv. 648. Vern. :—Gandamgtndt ; Jalnim (Kashmir). Eng. :—Gipsy wort. Habitat :—Western Himalaya and Kashmir. Perennial marsh herbs, glabrous or puberulous. Rootstock creeping or stoloniform. Stein 1-3ft. Leaves subsessile, elliptic- oblong, sometimes pinnatifid, sinnate-toothed or serrate. Corvl- la bluish white, dotted with purple, hairy within. Staminodes minute. Nutlets longer than the Calyx-tube. Use :—Used in the Punjab as a cooling drug (Stewart). The leaves are used externally as a poultice to cleanse foul wounds. 988. Origanum marjorana, Linn., H.F.B.1. Iv. 648. Vern. :—Murwo (Sind); Murwa (H.) ; Maroo (Tam.); Ban- tulsi (Cumaon). Eng. :— Sweet Marjoram. Habitat :—Extensively cultivated in India. An aromatic herb, 1-2ft. Leaves purplish and white, petioled, ovate-oblong, glaucous. Uses :~ The seeds are officinal, and are considered astringent and a remedy for colic. The leaves are eaten along with Gynan- dropsis pentaphylla, D. C., as a remedy for colic. An essen- tial oil is also distilled from them, used asa perfurme and for hot fomentations in acute diarrhcea. Aromatic, carminative, and stimulant (Watt). Chemical composition.—The volatile oil (Oleum marjorane) is thin, yellowish, of the specific gravity 0°89, boils above 163° C., is readily soluble in alcohol, has the aromatic odour of the herb, and, according to Beilstein and EH, Wiegand (1882), contains a terpene, boiling at 178°C. and forming a liquid compound with HCI; the fraction boiling between 200° and 220°C. has the composition C*'H°20, and is not affected by metallic sodium (Stillé and Maisch,) 989. O. vulgare, Linn., H.F.B.1. Iv. 648. Vern. :—Mirzanjosh (Pb. and Hind.) ; Mizangosh (Pers.); Sathra (H.); Mridu-maru-vamu (Tel.) N. 0. LABIAT®: 1027 Habitat :- Temperate Himalaya, from Kashmir to Sikkim. An aromatic erect herb, corymbosely branched, 1-3ft., more or less clothed with short hairs, glabrous, at times prostrate. Rootstock short, stoloniferous. Leaves entire or toothed, 4-lin. long, lower early withering, stalked, #in. broad. Flowers dimor- phic small, pink (Female paler), crowded in numerous 4-sided spikes, 4-lin. long, in clusters or heads at the end of branches sometimes forming terminal panicles ; floral leaves bract-like lanceolate longer than the calyx, overlapping, often tinged with purple. Calyx bell-shaped enlarged in fruit ; 5-toothed, mouth hairy within, calyx-teeth short; Corolla-tube longer than the calyx ; limb 2-lipped, upper lip erect, nearly flat, notched, lower, spreading 3-lobed. Stamens 4 in unequal pair, slightly protruding. Nutlets smooth dry. Uses :—It yiclds a volatile oil, useful as an aromatic, stimu- lant and tonic in colic, diarrhoea and hysteria. It is also applied in chronic rheumatism and tooth-ache. It is said to stimulate the growth of hair, and also to act as an emmena- gogue (Stewart). Considered a good “ pick-me-up ” after a carousal. The oil is dropped into the ear for earache (Dr. Emersor)). The infusion is gently tonic, also carminative, stimulant, emmenagogue and diaphoretic. It is also used as a fomenta- tion externally (Brunton). The Greeks used it extensively, both internally and for making fomenta- tions. It was esteemed as a remedy for narcotic poisons, convulsions and dropsy, by them, and also by the older herbalists of Europe.—The oil is still an ingredient in some embrocations in use in England, and has a special repu- tation for toothache (Sowerby’s English Botany.). A sample from Ramnagar, United Provinces, yielded to ether 27-3 per cent. of a light-coloured drying oil. The oil had an acid value of 11°3, saponifica- tion value 194°9, iodine value 190°5 (Hooper). 990. Thymus Serpyllum, Linn. 4.6.B.1, Iv. 649. Vern. :—MAasho, radngsbur, marizha (Pb.) ; Ban-ajwain (H.) Habitat :—Western Temperate Himalaya, from Kashmir to Kumaon, 1028 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. A small, slender much-branched shrub, very aromatic, hairy more or less, or glabrous, procumbent or ascending, often tufted, usually about 6-12in. lootstock woody. Leaves usually nearly sessile, $-tin., gland-dotted, ovate-oblong, entire obtuse. Whorls capitate. Flowers small, purple, sometimes one-sexual ; males largest, in sraall whorls crowded in short terminal spikes. Calyx hairy, gland-dotted, 2-lipped, mouth hairy within ; upper hp broad, 3-toothed, lower 2-parted, segments linear. Calyx- teeth ciliate. Corolla 4-4in., purple, very variable. Corolla- tube as long as the Calyx; limb 2-lipped, upper-lip nearly erect, flat notched, lower spreading, 3-lobed. Stamens 4, nearly equal, protruding. Nutlets nearly smooth. Uses :—On the Chenab, in the Punjab, the seeds are given as a vermifuge (Stewart). Used by the Hakims in weak vision, complaints of stomach and liver, suppression of urine and mens- truation (Honnigberger). The oil is sometimes applied as a remedy in toothache. In France a decoction of the plant has been used to cure the itch and some other skin disorders. Linneus recommends it for curing headache and the effects of intoxication (Sowerby’s English Botany). Chemical compositionn—The volatile oil of Thymus Serpyllum, Linn., ac- cording to EK. Buri (1879), contains two phenols which do not congeal at 10° C., and of which oneimparts a yellowish-green colour to ferrie chloride, and yields a sulphonic acid, the salts of which, like the thymol sulphonates, produce with ferric salts and intense blue colour. Jahns (1880) reported also the presence of a little thymol and carvacrol. Messrs. Schimmel & Co. (Report, April 1891) obtained by distillation of the leaves and stalks 0°3 per cent, of an oil having a very pleasant melissa-like aroma with a slight soupeon of thyme, Its specific gravity at 15° C. was 0:917 (Pharmacogr. Ind.). 991. Hyssopus officinalis, Linn., .¥-B.1, Iv. 649. Vern. :—Zifah yabis (Arab. and Pers.). “The drug is generally attributed to Hyssopus officinalis, but this cannot be correct, as the flowers are in oblong spikes. It is imported from Persia” (Pharmacogr. Ind. II. 116). Habitat :—Western Himalaya, from Kashmir to Kumaon. An wundershrub, usually glabrous. Stem below branched, woody 1-2ft., erect or diffuse. Leaves sessile, oblong linear or N. O. LABIATA. 1029 lanceolate, entire, obtuse, whorls 6-15-fid., secund axillary and »] >] ? 3 - terminal spikes. Calyx fruiting, $-jin. long. Corolla bluish purple. Nutlets narrow nearly smcoth triquetrous. Use :—Used for coughs and asthma in infusion ; also in tooth- ache, uterine or vesical affections, and indurations of the liver or spleen. Leaves are said to be stimulant, stomachic, emme- nagogue and carminative ; useful in hysteria and colic. Also used asa poultice to bruises, especially of the eyes (Watt). The sap of the leaves made into a syrup with sugar and honey is used as a vermifuge for round-worms (Dr. Emerson). 992. Muicromeria capitellata. Benth., H.F.B.1., 1V. 649. Habitat :— Behar, on Parasnath. Western Himalaya, Dehra Doon. Western Ghats, from the Concan to the Nilghiris. - A pubescent very aromatic shrub. Rootstook woody. Stems 1-2ft., tall, slender, erect. Leaves entire or subserrate, obtuse, 4-lin., ovate or oblong, flat ; floral small; petiole short, bract short. Whorls subglobose, distant in slender spikes, lower ped- uneled. Flowers fin. Calyx villous ; teeth long, subulate, erect ; fruiting tin. Nutlets smooth. Uses :—According to Mr. Dalzell, who first brought it to notice, under the name of Marrubium Malcolmianum, “ it is entitled to be called East Indian Peppermint, being possessed of all the aromatic and carminative qualities of Mentha piperita”’ (Hooker's Journ. of Bot., 1852, vol. iv., p. 109). 993. Calamintha Clinopodium, Benth., u.¥.B.1. Iv. 650. Vern. :—Asaba-el-fatiyat (Arab.). Habitat :—-Western ‘Temperate Himalaya, from Kashmir to Kumaon. A softly hairy herb. Stems erect 3ft., slender, subsimple. Rootstock woody, stoloniferous. Leaves ovate, 1-l3in., entire or toothed, remote. Whorls densi-fid, terminal and axillary j-lin. diam., depressed. The whorls are thus described by 1030 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. Collett :—‘ Many flowered, crowded, compact, surrounded by — an involuere of numerous long bracts.’ Bracts filiform or linear, hairy, equalling the Calyx. Calyx gin. long, hispid, usually curved. Corolla 4-lin. Stamens in unequal pair. Use :—The authors of the Pharmacograplia Indica write :— “The plant from which the seeds of Faranjmishk or Biranjmishk, Arabic forms of the Persian name Palangmishk, are said to be obtained, is described by Persian Medical writers as having a clove-like odour, on which account it is often called Karanfal- i-bustani, garden clove. According to Abu Hanfeh, it is the same as the plant called by the Arabs Asdba-el-fatiydt. It is con- sidered to be cephalic, astringent, cardiacal, tonic and carmina- tive: 994. Mel'ssa parviflora, Benth., #.F.B.1. Iv. 651. Vern. :---Badrunj boya (Pers.). Habitat :—Temperate Himalaya, from Garhwal to Sikkim and Mishmi. Khasia Mts. A pubescent or glabrate herb. Stem tall erect, angles hirsute. Leaves 1-4in., ovate or ovate-lanceolate acute, base acute, rotunded or cordate ; petiole +-lin , slender. Whorls numer- ous few-or many-fid; flowers pedicelled. Calyx 4-gin. Calyx- teeth very variable in length of the acute points; bracts narrow. Corolla white; tube very short, scarcely exceeding the Calyx. Hooker writes:—‘ Very near M. officinalis, which has its Eastern limit in Eastern Persia, but the leaves are more acute and the lower calyx teeth are broader and shorter, but these are variable characters in the European plant.”’ Uses :—Mr. Honnigberger speaks of M. officinalis, Zann., being used in the Punjab as stomachic, also in liver and heart diseases, and weakness of sight, ete. Of the A. officinalis, “ the leaves drunk with wine or applied outwardly are good against the stingings of venomous beasts and the bitings of mad dogs; also it helpeth the toothache, the mouth being washed with a decoction, and is likewise good N. O. LABIATA. 1031 for those that cannot take breath unless they hold their necks upright” (Gerard). 995. Perowskia abrotanoides, Kiril., H.F.B.1. IV. 652. Vern. :—Shanshohai (Pushtu). Ha'ntat :—Western Tibet ; Afghanistan and Baluchistan. An erect much-branched, dizcious strong-scented twiggy shrub or undershrub 2-4ft., woody below, densely or sparsely clothed with white or grey stellate scurf. Leaves opposite, linear-oblong sometimes bipinnatisect, crenatures or lobes or segments obtuse. Flowers small, whorls small, distant, in simple _or compound or panicled spikes, 2-or more-fid. Calyx clothed with long cottony wool. Stamens 2, lower fertile. Nutlets pyriform, smooth dry. Use :—At Ziarat (Baluchistan), the plant is used as a cooling medicine (Lace, in Watt’s Dic. Ke. Pr.) 996. Meriandra strobilifera Benth., H.¥.B.1., IV. 652 Halntat :—Western Temperate Himalaya, on dry rocks, from Simla to Kumaon. An erect strongly-scented tomentose shrub, 2-5ft. Branches obscurely angled. Leaves coriaceous, thick, shortly stalked, oblong or lanceolate. 2-4 by #-l4in., crenate, base prolonged downwards in 2 pointed lobes ; upper surface pubescent, closely wrinkled ; lower white tomentose. Flowers small white in large whorls crowded in erect tomentose, 4-sided, often paniculate spikes; spikes with woody bracts in fruit (Kanjilal); floral leaves small, bract-like sessile ovate, overlapping. Calyx tubular- ovoid, 2-lipped; upper lip concave, entire, lower 2-toothed. Corolla-tube as long as the Calyx. Stamens 2, anthers pro- truding (Collett). Nutlets obovoid, smooth brown. Uses :—The same as of the following species, viz., M. Ben- galensis, Benth, 1032 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. 997. M. Bengalensis, Benth. u.¥.B.1., 1v. 653. Syn. :—Salvia bengalensis, Roxb. 49. Habitat :—Native of Abyssinia ; cultivated in India. Vern :—Kapur-ka-patta (11) ; Sesti (Bom.); Shima-karpu- ram-aku (‘Tam.) A large strongiy-scented, straggling shrub, finely tomentose or hoary. Branches cylindric. Leaves 2-3 by i-l1lin., finely crenulate, obtuse thinner than in M. strobilifera, as finely granu- late obove and reticulate beneath, base rounded or bractate. Petiole slender, 4-3in., spikes terminal with interrupted ebracteate globose whorls. Whorls }-}in. diam., villous. Calyx +in. long, pedicelled, teeth acute. Corolla white, lips spreading or recurved. Nutlets obovoid, smooth, brown (J. D. Hooker’. Uses :—The camphoraceous hitter plant possessing the pro- perties of Sage (Salvia officinalis). Leaves are much used in native practice, an infusion being an useful application to aphthez and sore throats, according to Mr. Rama Churn Bose, who also notices its power to diminish or arrest the secretion of milk (Pharm. Ind.). 998. Salvia mooreroftiana, Wall., H.F.B.1., 1. 654. Vern.— Kali-jari ; Shobri ; Gurgumna (Pb.). Habitat.—Western Temperate Himalaya, from Kashmir to cumaon. A very robust tall erect herb, clothed with white, usually woolly or cottony hairs on stem, leaves beneath and often above petiole and branches of panicle; very rarely glabrous. Stems 14-3ft. Leaves thick, long stalked, ovate or oblong, 5-8 by 23- 6in., sinuately and irregularly lobed, crenate or sharply toothed ; upper surface nearly glabrous or cottony-tomentose, closely wrinkled ; lower white tomentose. [lowers lin. long, pale blue, lilac or nearly white, in many distant whorls; bracts large, pale, green-veined, orbicular, abruptly pointed. Calyx bristly, bell-shaped ; teeth spinous ; upper-lip 3-toothed. Corolla-tube much longer than the calyx ; upper ip long, curved, flattened, concave (Collett). Nutlets subglobose (J. D. Hooker). WN. O. LABIATA. 1033 Use.—The root is given in cough, and the seeds are used as an emetic. The leaves are a medicine for guinea-worm and itch, and in the form of poultice applied to wounds. At Lahore, the seeds are given in colic and dysentery, and are applied to boils (Stewart’. The seeds are given for hemorrhoids (Bellew). Boo... 9, anata, Roxb.. H.F.B.1.; LV. 654. Habitat :—Western Himalaya, at altitudes from 5,000 to 8,000 feet. Robust erect herbs, softly densely wooly, white tomentose. Stems usually many from the root ; 1-14ft. simple or branched. Leaves mostly radical, sessile oblong-lanceolate 3-6 by #2-1tin. toothed ; upper surface tomentose or nearly glabrous, closely wrinkled ; lower tomentose. Flowers {$in. long, blue-grey in distant whorls; bracts viscidly hairy, large orbicular ; abruptly pointed. Calyx viscidly hairy, bell-shaped ; teeth spinous : upper lip 3-toothed. Corolla-tube not longer than the Calyx ; upper lip long, curved, flattened concave (Collett). Nutlets 7oin., brown (J. D. Hooker). Use :—According to Stewart, this species is often confused with S. Moorcroftiana. It may be used separately, or as an adulterant. mOOU S. plebera, Br, H.F.B.1.,; tv. 655. Syn.—s. brachiata, Rowx)., 49. Vern.—Sathi, samfdndarsok (Pb.}; Kinro (Sind.); Koka- buradi, bhd-tulsi (B ). The seeds called Kammar-kas (Bomb.). Habitat.—Throughout India, in the plains, and ascending the hills to 5,000 feet. An annual roughly pubescent herb. Stem stout erect hoary or scaberulous, 6-18in. ; fastigiately branched. Inflorescence glandular. Leaves petioled, oblong obtuse, or upper ovate acute crenate ; 1-3in., narrowed at both ends ; floral small lanceolate. Spikes panicled, often fastigiate. Flowers hardly 4in. long, lilac or nearly white, in small whorls in numerous slender panicled racemes ; bracts small, lower leaf-like, upper lanceo- late (Collett). Whorls very numerous. Calyx pedicelled }in., 130 1034 INDIAN MEDIOINAL PLANTS. bell-shaped, upper calyx-lip entire, lower obtusely 2-toothed. Sta- mens very small whitish. Corolla-tube very short included upper lip short, nearly straight, slightly flattened, concave. Nutlets very minute, goin. long, ellipsoid (J.D. Hooker). Use.—The seeds are used in gonorrhoea and menorrhagia (Stewart). They are used in Bombay to increase sexual powers (Dymock). 1001. 8S. egyptica, Benth., u.f.B.1., Iv. 656. Vern.—Tukhm malanga (Pb.). Habitat.—The Punjab plains and hills, from Delhi westward ; and Scinde. A very dwarf scaberulous, hispid or hoary much-branched un- dershrub. Branched from the base, straggling, divaricate, rigid. Leaves rarely lin., small, few, subsessile, linear or lanceolate, acute rigid, crenate whorls remote 2-3-fid. Flowers small-hardly tin. long. Calyx glandular hairy, nodding, pedicelled, ovoid campanulate, fruiting din. long ; upper lip orbicular minutely 3-toothed, teeth of lower subulate. Corolla-tube very short, not exserted, limb very small, upper lip short, nearly straight, slightly flattened concave. Nutlets zsin. long, narrowly oblong, nearly black. Var. pumila—This is a variety named in Hooker under Salviaze gyptica. It is more scabrid and hispid. Leaves very rigid and rugose. Calyx villous with long hairs. Use-—The seeds are used in diarrhea, gonorrhea and hemorrhoids (Stewart). In Mexico and in some other parts of the United States, a drink is made from the seeds of several species of Salvia, In his “Notes on Economic Botany of the Western United States’ (reprintcd in the Ph. J., 21-2-1880), Surgeon J. T. Rothrock writes :— The seeds are collected, roasted and ground, in the native way, between two stones. This puts it in the condition in which I first sawit. It is used as a food by mixing it with water and enough sugar to suit the taste, It soon developes into a copious mucilaginous mass, several times the original bulk. The taste is somewhat suggestive of linseed meal. One soon acquires a fondness for it, and eats it rather in the way of a luxury than with any reference to the fact that it is exceedingly nutritious besides. It is in great demand among the knowing ones who have a desert to cross, or who expect to encounter a scarcity of water, and what there is, of bad quality. By preparing it so that it can be used asa drink, it seems to assuage thirst, to improve - N. O. LABIATA. 1035 the taste of water, and, in addition, to lessen the quantity of water taken, which in hot countries is often so excessive as to produce serious illness. As a remedy it is invaluable from its demulcent properties, in cases of gastro- intestinal disorders. It also holds a place among domestic remedies, for the same purpose that flax seed occasionally does with us, i.e., a grain of the seed is placed in the eye (where it gives no pain) to form a mucilage by means of which a foreign body may be removed from the organ, I have found it of great service as a poultice. With reference to the above, Mr. John M, Maisch wrote :— Most of the fruits of the Labiatc do not differ very greatly in size or shape, and more or less similarity must be expected among those of the numerous species of salvia ; how many of those may agree in the colour of their epicarp and in the presence of the mucilaginous epithelium it is impossible at the present time to say. But I think it must be concluded that at least several species have fruits resembing in appearance very small ricinus seeds, and that most likely such of them which are mucilaginous have been used by the aborigines under the name of chia, which would, therefore, have to be regarded as a generic term, applicable to all fruits of salvias having the characters ~ indicated. Seeds of Indian species of Salvia may be put to the same uses as those of Mexico and California. 1002. Nepeta elliptica, Royle, u.¥.B.1., IV. 658. Vern.—Tukm malanga (Pb.). Habitat.—Western Temperate Himalaya, from Kashmir to Kumaon. Herbs often flexuous, ascending, densely hairy. Stem 1-2[t., woolly branched. Leaves subsessile elliptic-oblong or obcor- date, tip rounded or acute, pectinately-crenate, 3-lin., tomentose. Whorls sessile, crowded in terminal spikes. Spikes 3in. long, slender, often interrupted at base ; bracts ovate or lanceolate, awned ; calyx sessile tin., teeth filiform ciliate, as long as the tube; flowers about tin. long, pale-blue, nearly white (Collett). Corolla-tube hardly longer than the Calyx. Use.—One dram of seeds infused in cold water, used in dysentery. 1003. WN. ciliaris, Benth., 4.P.3.1., 1v. 661. Vern.—Ziifa zabis (Pb.) ; Joofa (Sind). Halitat.—Western Temperate Himalaya, from Kashmir to Garhwal. Herbs tall, erect, branched, softly densely tomentose ; stem 1036 INDIAN MEDIOINAL: PLANTS. 2-3ft. Leaves #-14in., sometimes almost as broad, lower floral large ; shortly petioled, ovate-cordate, obtuse-crenate. Spikes 4-8in., pale ; whorls secund dense-fid, in long interrupted villous spikes, upper crowded. Bracts lanceolate, often tinged with purple. Flowers 4in. long, lilac. Calyx tin. curved villous, hairs long ; teeth linear lanceolate, shorter than the tube often tinged with purple. Corolla very small, about one-third inch lilac, hairy, tube slender, longer than calyx (Collett). Nutlets broadly ellipsoid. J. D. Hooker says the plant is very like N. Rude- rulis, but the inflorescence is more simple, the whorls rarely peduncled. Bentham describes the nutlets as minutely granular, but says Hooker that he finds them smooth. Uses.—It is given in sherbet for fever and cough (Stewart). 1004. N: ruderalis, Hamilt., H.F.B.1., Iv. 661. Syn.—Glechoma, erecta, Roxb. 460. Vern.—Billi-lotan, Badranj boya, Bebrang khatai (Pb.) ; Niasbo (Nepal). | Habitat.--Tropical and Sub-tropical India, from the Indus to Behar, Central India and the Concan, ascending the Himalaya to 8,000ft. Annual herbs, erect or ascending, finely pubescent or hoary, stem 6-l8in., branched from the base, robust or slender, obtuse- ly 4-angled. Leaves broadly ovate or orbicular-cordate, obtuse crenate, }-24in,, green or hoary ; petiole 4-l4in. Whorls }-lin. diam., unilateral, depressed ; peduncles lin. Flowers pedicelled, 4in. long, blue or purple, minutely darker dotted. Calyx hairy ; teeth linear-lanceolate, shorter than the tube. Corolla pubescent, slightly longer than the calyx, }in., purplish, says J. D. Hooker. ‘Calyx din., villious, mouth sub-equal, 3 upper teeth triangular, aristate, 2 lower filiform ” (Hooker). Nutlets obscurely granulate, ssin. long, broad oblong, brown, spotted with white, mucilaginous when moistened. The granulation, says J. D. Hooker, consists of more or less tumid areole and is sometimes very distinct. Uses.—-Supposed to be cardiac tonic (Stewart). Decoction used as a gargle in sore-throat. Largely used in fevers (Dr, N. 0: LABIATA. 1037 Emerson). It is used by the Nepalese internally as a remedy for gonorrhoea (Buchanan.) 1005. Dracocephalum moldavicum, Linn., H.F.B.1., Iv. 665. Vern.—Tukhm-ferunjmishk (H.) Habitat.—Western Temperate Himalaya and Kashmir. An annual erect herb, quite glabrous. Stem 1-2ft., branched from the base. Leaves 1-2in., narrowed into a short slender petiole ; lanceolate, obtusely deeply serrate or sub-pinnatifid. Spikes 4-8in., leafy; whorls distinct or distant. Flowers pedicelled, shorter than the floral leaves ; bracts lanceolate, teeth long-awned. Calyx coriaceous, 2-lipped fin., glabrous, upper lip broad, 3-toothed; upper teeth broadly ovate or mucronate. “Corolla 2-lin., blue, tube greatly dilated at the throat. Stamens subexserted. Nutlets yoin., narrowly oblong, truncate. Use.—The seeds are used ground up in fevers and as a demulcent: dose tivo drachms to half an ounce in infusion (Irvine). 1006. Daltemaht is Royleana, Benth., W.F.B.1., my O67. - Vern.—Gharei kashmaéli ; Tukhm-malanga (H. and Pb.); Balungoo (Pb. and Kash.). Habitat.—Punjab Plains and Hills; from Lahore westward. The genus Lallemantia has the characters of Dracocephalum, but the upper lip of calyx with 3 obtuse lobes, of which the lateral are placed under the central (J. D. Hooker). An erect annual, hoary-pubescent or glabrate, 6-18in., stem branched or single, obtusely angled. Leaves 3-lin., base Padats or narrowed into the petiole; ovate or Per ole aas coarsely crenate. _Bracts small, deciduous, oblong or lanceolate, teeth long-awned, whorls very numerous in long interrupted narrow spikes. Flowers shortly pedicelled. Calyx 4in., erect; Calyx- teeth pale-lilac; tube hardly exserted, limb. small, stamens included. Nutlets gin., narrowly oblong, smooth. Use.—Seeds of this plant are used as cooling and sedative remedies (Stewart). 1038 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. 1007. Crunella vulgaris, Linn., H.¥.B.1., tv. 670. Vern.—Ustakhadtis (Pb. and Sind.) Habitat.—Temperate Himalaya, from Kashmir to Bhotan ; Khasia Hills, Nilgiris and Travancore, and hilly districts throughout India. A thinly hairy erect or ascending perennial herb, 4-12in. Rootstook creeping. Leaves 1-3in., upper sessile, the rest petioled, ovate or oblong, pinnatifid entire or toothed, acute or obtuse. Flowers $-%in. long, violet-purple, in whorls of 6, crowded in erect, terminal spikes. Floral leaves bract-like, hairy, purple margined, broadly ovate acute overlapping. Calyx tinged with purple, bell-shaped, 2-lipped ; upper lip broad, 3- toothed; lower deeply 2-lobed; mouth closed after flowering time. Corolla-tube broad, slightly longer than the Calyx; limb 2-lipped ; upper lip erect, wood-like, notched, lower spreading 3-lobed, mid-lobe largest, minutely toothed. Stamens 4, in unequal pair ascending under the upper lip; filaments bearing a small tooth below the anthers (Collett). ‘‘ Corolla purple or white 4-3in.” (J. D. Hooker). ~ Uses.—Regarded by the Punjab Himalayan hill tribes as expectorant and antispasmodic. (Stewart). The green leaves smeared with castor oil and warmed over the fire applied externally to the anus in cases of painful piles. 1008. Carrubium vulgare, Linn., H.F.B.1., IV. 671. Habitat.—Western Temperate Himalaya; and Kashmir. A perennial tall robust shortly woolly herb. Stem 2-4ft., leafy. Leaves ovate or orbicular, crenate, rugose, $-l4in. diam., base rounded or cordate or cuneate, leathery, wrinkled. Petiole 4.tin. Whorls depressed, villous, axillary, many and dense-fid. Flowers small. Calyx 4-4 coriaceous. Calyx-teeth 10, subulate, spreading and re-curved at the lip, throat woolly ; corolla $in., white, tube slender, upper lip long, 2-fid. Nutlets1/12in., smooth. Uses :—It is a well known old domestic remedy for coughs and other pectoral complaints, but is now seldom used in medicine by regular practitioners. In large doses it acts asa laxative and diuretic ; in small doses, as a tonic and stimulant. An infusion - N. O. LABIATE. 1039 of a handful of the Jeaves is a good remedy for coughs. Lin- nzeus records an instance in which salivation, caused by the use of mercurial medicines, was removed by the administration of this infusion after every other remedy had failed. The plant shoula be gathered when in flower (Sowerby’s English Botany). In America, it is generally used in catarrhal states of the alr passages, over which it seems to have a soothing effect and is much employed in confectionery as an ingredient in “ cough drops ” (Potter’s Materia Medica, p. 277). In Mexico, a preparation made from the leaves of this is used for rheumatism. It is also added to mescal and applied as lini- ment for rheumatism. A proximate analysis gave the following result :— Per cent. Fat, wax and traces of volatile oil Re 2°05 Crystalline compound, soluble in ether vad "48 Chlorophyll and fat se — 2°29 Resin and bitter compounds, soluble ia ateolute alcohol 1:94 Mucilage ae Pe aa 4°94 Glucose " sae ate wo 67 Extractive, sotabie i in water 5; She 5°95 Albuminoids Be - ee Bee 4°48 Pectin and undetermined _s... Sas ae 5°95 Pararabin 24 aa sis sis 2°30 Cellulose and lignin ae nue oe 37°48 Mvuisture _ ne vas sia 6°72 Ash aid Nae va ea 24°30 Loss a ie ee ae 49 The fat was soluble in hot 95 per cent. alcohol, and melted at 46°C. The wax was insoluble in this solvent, but dissolved in carbon bisulphide, The crystalline principle was extracted from the drug with stronger ether, and purified by repeated crystallization from hot 95 per cent, alcohol, with one or more treatments with animal charcoal. The crystals were insoluble in water and in solution of potassium hydrate, very sparingly soluble in boiling water and in cold aleohol. Soluble in hot 95 per cent. alcohol, also in ether and chloroform. They melted at 152° to 153°C. They were at first tasteless, but developed, when held on the tongue, a decided bitterness. The alcoholic solution was very bitter, Sulphuric or nitric acid gave a dark-brown eolour, hydrochloric acid produced no change and ferric chloride produced no ohange. This principle reduced Fehling’s solution slightly by boiling, without first being treated with an acid, 1040 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLAN'S. _ Asmall quantity of a bitter principle was extracted from the drug by absolute alcohol, along with the resin. This appeared to be different from the previous one extracted by ether. These results point to the presence of two bitter principles besides marrubiin, which is in agreement with Hertel’s statement, that after the separation of marrubiin the fluid extract appeared to be as bitter as before, 1009. Anisomeles ovata, Br. H.¥.B.1., IV. 672. Syn. :—A. disticha, Heyne. Roxb. 459. Vern. :—Gopali (Bomb). - Habitat :—Tropical and Sub-tropical India, from the Indus to Assam, ascending the Himalaya to 5,000 ft. and south to Travancore. An erect hairy annual herb, 3-6ft., most variable in hairiness. Stems stout, acutely quadrangular, woolly-pubescent. Leaves 13-24in., ovate, acute, deeply crenate serrate, softly pubescent ou both sides. Petiole about lin., hairy. Flowers nearly sessile, whorls dense axillary, distant below, but approximated above to form a dense spicate inflorescence. Bracts linear. Calyx-tube long campanulate, glandular and hairy, somewhat enlarged in fruit. Segments lanceolate, very acute, half as long as tube. Upper lip of Corolla oblong oval obtuse, lower lip with two middle lobes, large round deflexed, the lateral ones small. Stamens 4-unequal pair protruding from under the upper lip, outer or superior pair longer than the inner. Filaments with a tuft of long hairs in front. Nutlets zgin., hardly oblong, polished: Flowers white, the lower lobes of lip, pale pink violet. The leaves have a slightly camphor odour. Use:-—A distilled oil is prepared from it and found useful in uterine affections (Ph. Ind.). It has also carminative, astringent and tonic properties. LONG, A: malabaricd, Br. Ar BA. iy aes Syn. :—Ajuga fruticosa, Roxb. 458. Vern. :—Pemayarutie (Tam.); Moga-beerakoo, mabheri,— china-ranabheri (Tel.); Gadozuban (Hind.) ; Chodhara (Bombay) ; Mogbir-kaé-patta (Duk.) ; Péyaverutti, irattai-péy, marutti (Tam.) ; Moga-bira, maga-bira (Tel.) ; Péyi-meratti, perunttiimba, _karinttimba (Mal.). N. © LABIATA. 1041 Habitat: —Deccan Peninsula. Common in the Western Ghauts. A shrubby annual herb, densely tomentose or thickly woolly, 4-6ft. Branches sometimes very stout and most densely clothed with somewhat adpressed wool. Leaves 2-6in., very thick, oblong, linear-oblong or oblong-lanceolate, obtuse, acute or acuminate, crenate or serrate ; base cuneate, very rarely cordate. Petiole ¢-4in., very stout. Spikes sometimes very heavy with dense whorls, 2in. diam., densely woolly ; bracts filiform, Calyx }-4in., villous or woolly; teeth narrow lanceolate, slender. Corolla purple. Nutlets pale. Uses:—In Southern India, few plants are held in higher esteem, or are more frequently employed in native practice, than this. An infusion of the aromatic bitter leaves is in common use -in affections of the stomach and bowels, catarrhal affections and intermittent fevers. According to Dr. Wight (llust., vol. 1, p- 221), in addition to its internal use in the cure of fevers, patients are made to inhale the vapour of a hot infusion so as to induce copious diaphoresis An infusion of the leaves is reported by Dr. 44 Ross to be powerfully diaphoretic, and very useful in the low continued fevers of the natives. An oil obtained by distillation of the leaves is likewise stated to prove an effectual external application in rheumatism. The virtues of this plant seem worthy of further investigation (Ph. Ind.). ‘“‘ Ainslie tells us that an infusion of the leaves is given to children in colic, dyspepsia and fever arising from teething. A decoction of the plant, or the essential oil distilled from the leaves, is used externally in rheumatism ” (Dymock). LOLI. Stachys parviflora, Benth., u.F.B.1., 1v. 677. Vern. :—Kirimara ; Baggibiati (Pb.); Speraghunai (Pushtu). Habitat :—Punjab Plains and Hills, from the Jhelum east- wards and northwards to Murree. Herbs densely clothed with floculent white wool, branched from the base and upwards. Stem and branches very stout nearly terete. Leaves 1-3in., sessile, thick, elliptic oblong or oblong ovate, or lanceolate, sub-acute entire or serrate; floral far exceeding the flowers, glabrous and shining or cottony 131 1042 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTs. above, upper woolly all over. Whorls distant, 2-4-fid. Calyx g-sin., densely woolly, cupular, teeth short, acute: fruiting closed over the nutlets with the teeth incurved. Corolla re- purple, lips very small, upper short, rounded. Nutlets enclosed in the ovoid or sub-globose calyx, usually 2, turgid, plano-convex, gin. long, grey, granulate. Use :—In the Salt Range the bruised stems are applied to the guinea-worm (Stewart). 1012. Galeopsis Tetrahit, Linn., H.F.B.1., Iv. 677. Habitat:—Sikkim Himalaya; Fields at Lachen, altitude 11-12,000Ft. A hispid annual. Stems 1-3ft.; hairs spreading and de- flexed ; Nodes very hispid, thickened. Leaves 1-4in., ovate or ovate-lanceolate, acute or acuminate, coursely serrate. Calyx 3-71n., teeth straight, equalling or exceeding the tube. Corolla z-l4in., yellow and purple. Use:—This plant deserves investigation. Chemistry.— When the leaves are boiled with 1 per cent. hydro-chlorie acid, their lower sides are covered with microscopic crystalline aggregates. Crystals of the same substance, scutellerin, separate when the aquous extract of the leaves in acidified. It is found chiefly in the leaves. Scutellarin, C,,H,.0,,, 24 H,O, is prepared by extracting the leaves and flowers of the plant with ten times the quantity of water, and acidifying the extract with concentrated hydro-chloric acid, the yield is less than 1 per cent. The acid filtrate from the scutellarin contains cinuamic and fumaric acids, Scutellarin crystallises in pale-yellow needles, which darken at 200°, but do not melt at 310°. Lead acetate gives red precipitate with the alcoholic solution, and ferric chloride an intense green coloration which becomes red on heating. Oxidising agents (chlorine, water, etc.) give an immediate green colour. Alkalis, ammonia and alkali carbonates dissolve it with a deep yellow colour; these solutions reduce ammoniacal silver intrate and Fehling’s solution; acids re-precipitate scutellarin. Concentrated sulphurie acid dissolves it with a yellow colour. From the solution or suspension in acetic acid, Concentrated mineral acids throw down deep yellow or orange, crys- talline salts. The acetyl derivative melts and decomposes at 267.° When fused with potash, p—hydroxy benzoic acid anda substance, which crys- tallises in large plates, are formed. Under the action of 30-40 per cent. sulphuric acid, it is converted into scutellarein, C,, H,) Ds, which melts above 300°, dissolves in alkalis with a yellow colour, gives a reddish brown tint with ferric chloride, an emerald- green colour with baryta water, and a yellowish-red precipitate with lead acetate. When fused with potash, scutellarein yields » —hydroxy-benzoic N. O. LABIATA. 1043 acid and phloroglucinol (?), Seutellarin and scutellarin both appear to be flavone derivatives. (J. Ch. S. 1902 A. I. 48.) 1013. Leonurus sibiricus, Linn., H.¥.B.1., 1V. 678 ; Roxb. 461. Vern. :—Gtma (Patna). An annual herb, 2-6 ft. high, glabrous or more or less pubes- cent. Stems bluntly 4-angled, sulcate. Leaves 14-4 in. long, palma- tipartite ; segments linear, incised, glabrous or nearly so on the upper surface, pale beneatii and more or lese pubescent on the prominent nerves, petioles up to 2in. long. Floral leaves of upper whorls usually entire ; bracts gin. long, spinescent. Calyx ¢-31n. long, glabrous or slightly pubescent; teeth triangular, spine-tipped. Corolla red, up to $in. long; tube as long as the -limb, annulate within ; upper lip hooded, hairy ; lower equaling the upper, the 2 lateral lobes rounded. Nutlets yoin. long. (Duthie.) Habitat :—Plains of India, from Bengal and Sylhet to Coorg. Use :—The root, leaves and juice are bitter and used as a febrifuge, Dose 2 drachms to 2 ounces in infusion, price 1 anna per pound (Irvine). S014. foylea elegans, Wall., H.¥.B.1., Iv. 679. Syn. :~~Phlomis calyeina, Roxb. 462. Vern. :—Patkaran (H.); Tit-patti, kauri (Kumaon); Kaur, leas (Pb.*. Habitat :—Sub-tropical Western Himalaya, from Kashmir to Kumaon. A tall hoary woody undershrub, much-branched, 3-5ft. high, Branches slender terete, finely tomentose. Bark grey. Wood hard white. Leaves opposite, 1-2in., long, ovate, crenately tooth- ed, tomentose beneath, base cuneate, Petiole }-+in. Flowers in 6-10 flowered axillary whorls ; Calyx 5-lobed, 10-ribbed, rigid ; Fruiting Calyx $-3in., tube deeply ribbed, lobesas long. Corolla- tube narrow, 4in., white or pinkish 2-lipped ; upper lip erect, lower spreading. Stamens 4 ascending; Stigma sub-equally 2- lipped. Nutlets tin. long, obovoid oblong, smooth, The plant has the odour of lemons. 1044 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS Use :—-An infusion of the leaves is drunk for contusions produced by blows, and about Kumaon the same preparation is used as a bitter tonic and febrifuge. (Stewart). 1015. Otostegia limbata, Benth. Mss.; 4.F.B.1., IV. 680. Vern. :—Bui, phutkanda, jandi, lana, kandiari, agzhan, awani-buti .Pb.). Habitat :—Punjab, lower hills, in rocky places, west of thie Jhelum to the Salt Range. A small grey, hoary spiny bush. Branches tomentose, white, terete. Spines 4-3in. Leaves sub-sessile clliptic-lanceolate, obtuse or quite entire, nerveless lin., base narrowed, hoary on both surfaces, floral exceeding the calyces. Bracts lower spinescent, upper dilated pungent, whorls distant. Calyx villous, throat bearded, flowering 4in., turbinate with a broad membranous 5- toothed limb, which in fruit expands into a reticulated 5-angled cup, $in. diam., with often toothed margins. Corolla 4in., tube short, upper lip very long, villous. Stamens exserted. Nutlets 3in , flattened, smooth. Uses :—The juice of the leaves is applied to children’s gums, and to ophthalmia in man and beast. (Stewart). } 1016. Leucas cephalotes, Spreng., H.F.B.1., IV. 689. Syn. :—Phlomis Cephalotes, Roth Roxb. 461. Vern. :—Dhurpi sag (H.); Bara palkasa (B.); Audia dhurup arak (Santali) ; Kubi (Guz.) ; Pedda tumui, tum-ui (Tel ); Kedari Tumba (Mar.). Phumian, sisaliis, maldoda, guldoda, chatra (Pb.); Habitat :—Himalaya, from Simla to Bhotan. Plains from Chittagong and Assam to the Punjab, and south through the Deccan. A tall stout scaberulous annual herb. Stem 2-3ft., hairs spreading. Leaves membranous, more or less pubescent, 2-4in., shortly-petioled ovate or ovate-lanceolate, sub-acute, crenate ser- rate ; whorls 1-2in. diam. very large-rounded by the imbricating membranous adpressed bracts ; terminal whorls globose. Bracts elliptic or linear-lanceolate, awned. Calyx jin., tubular slightly N. 0. LABIATA. 1045 curved, usually softly pubescent, membranous, hairs of mouth as long as the teeth ; teeth very short, subulate scabrid. Flowers lin. long, says Collett from Simla. Calyx hairy near the top, otherwise glabrous. Uses :—The plant is officinal, being considered stimulant and diaphoretic (Stewart). The seeds yield an oil which is used medicinally by the Santals (Revd. A. Campbell). The fresh juice is used in certain localities as an external application in scabies. ‘The flowers are administered in the form of a syrup as a domestic remedy for coughs and colds. It is also used as a vegetable rennet. ints Ee ceylanica,.br., W¥B.1;, WwW? 689: Vern. :—Gatta tumba (Cingh.) Habitat :—Assam ; Cachar ; Chittagong. An erect annual, pubescent or hispidly hairy herb. Stem 1-3ft., branched above. Hairs spreading, deflexed or adpressed. Leaves 2-3in., sometimes lin. diam., linear or elliptic-lanceolate, obtuse, sub-serrate, shortly petioled. Whorls small, 4-2in. diam., sub-terminal many-fid, rarely axillary. Bracts few, ciliate. Calyx very constant in size and shape, 4-4in., obliquely turbinate glabrous, scabrid or sparsely hispid ; teeth minute, erect or spreading horizontally. Mouth broad pubescent within. Uses:—The Cinghalese attribute miraculous powers to this plant The leaves are bruised and a teaspoonful of the juice given, which is snuffed up by the natives as a remedy in snake-bites. The fresh juice is also employed in headache and colds (Long, Ind. Plants of Bengal). In Reunion, it is con- sidered to be stimulant and antirheumatic. Chemi. com.—The herb of L. zeylanica on distillation afforded a very small quantity of essential oil. By boiling a decoction of the herb with soda solution a strong odour was given off, and on condensing the vapour, apimonia and a volatile alkaloid were detected in the distillate. The alkaloid was combined in the plant with an acid giving a green colour with ferric salts. The air-dried plant afforded 73 per cent. of ash (Pharmacog. Ind. IIT 124.), 1018. JL. aspera, Spreng., H.F.B.1., Iv. 690. Syn. :—Phlomis esculenta, Roxb. 461. 1046 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. Vern. :—Chota-pal-kisa (H. and B.); Thurduri baji (Dec.) ; Tamba (Bomb.); .Tumbai-chedi, Thombay-keerary (Tam.); Tumma-chettu, Tummi-kura (Tel.). Habitat :—Plains of India, from Sikkim and Behar to the Punjab, and southward to Cape Comorin. An erect or diffuse annual, very variable. Stem stout hispid or scabrid, erect, usually much diffusely branched from below. Branches 4-6 in., rather leafy, sometimes taller, with erect branches and larger leaves in. broad. lLeavesl-3in. Inner or oblong, obtuse entire or crenate. Whorls large terminal and axillary, often lin. diam., very dense-fid and hispid. Bracts long, linear and filiform. Calyx variable, but with always the upper lip produced and with short triangular teeth, 3-2in, tubular curved, smooth below, green and ribbed and scabrid above, contracted above the nutlets, mouth small, glabrous, very oblique, shortly irregularly toothed. Corolla small. The whole plant is fragrant and used as a potherb. Use :—The juice of the leaves, according to Dr. J. Shortt, is applied successfully in psoriasis and other chronic skin eruptions. (Ph. Ind.). The leaves are said to be useful in chronic rheumatism (Dr. Meadows, in Watt’s Dictionary.) L019. 'L. hmifolsa, Spreng:, 1-81) yee Syn. :—Phlomis zeylanica, Roxb. 461. Sans. :—Dronapushpi, Rudrapushpa. Vern.:—Hulkussa (B. and H.); Poo-alla-toomi (Tel.); Tumbai (Tam). Tumbe, Karjali-gida (Kan.); Tumpa (Mal.}; Dron (Assam); Gumi, Jumbha (Gond.); Goma (Deccan.) Habitat: —Plains of India, from Assam, Bengal and Sylhet to Singapore. In the Deccan, from the Concan to Travan- core. An annual erect, smooth or scaberulous herb. Stem 2-3ft., usually stout and much-branched above. Leaves 2-4 in., linear or linear-lanceolate, obtuse entire or subserrate, rarely #in. broad. Petiole 0-3in. Whorls axillary and terminal towards the ends of the branches, 4-2in. diam. ; bracts few short, setaceous. N. O. LABIATAE. 1047 Calyx pale below, not striate above, toothing variable, sometimes spinescent, }-3in., obovoid, glabrous or puberulous, mouth very oblique, contracted, glabrous within upper lip, projecting, acute 3-toothed, lower 2-fid. Use :—The natives of Central India believe that the leaves, when roasted and eaten with salt, have febrifugal properties | (Duthie). 1020. Leonotis nepetefolia, Br. H.¥.B.1., Iv. 691. Syn. :—Phlomis nepetzefolia, Linn. Roxb. 461. - Dare dhompo, janum dhompo (Santal) ; Mati-jer, mAtisul (Guz.). Dipmal, Ekri. (Mar.); Rana -bheri, beri, mulu golimidi, hanumanta bira (Tel.). Vern. :—Hejur-chei (H.); Habitat :—Throughout hotter India, from the Punjab to Travancore. A tall, herbaceous annual 4-6ft. Stem as thick as the finger, 4-angled with concave faces, puberulous. Leaves 4-8 by 2-5in., membranous ovate, crenate, floral lanceolate, deflected. Bracts spinescent, winged, linear, deflexed. Petiole 1-3in. winged above, slender. Whorls distinct, globose, 2-3in. diam., squarrose. Calyx 4-lin. ribbed and reticulate, pubescent or villous, tubular incurved; teeth spinescent, upper lip prominent rigid, + in. long. Lower with three erect spinescent rigid teeth. Throat glabrous. Corolla orange-red, lin. long, tube slender, exserted, villous like the upper lp, lower lip minute. Nutlet linear-oblong, widening upward, truncate. Uses :—In Chutia Nagpur, the ash produced by burning the flower-buds is applied to burns and scalds (Revd. A. Camp- bell). In Bombay, the ashes of the flower-heads mixed with curds is applied to ringworm and other itchy diseases of the skin. Dr. A. J. Amadeo states that it is called Rascamono in Porto-Rico, and that a decoction of the leaves is.used as a tonic, the juice is also expressed and taken with limejuice and rum as a febrifuge. Dr. Amadeo has used it in combination with Phyllanthus Niruri in intermittents. (Dymock.) 1048 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. 1021. Hremostachys Vicaryr, Benth., H.¥.B.1., IV. 695. . Vern :—-Gurgunna ; Khalatra ; Rewand chini (Pb.). Habitat :—Western Punjab, Teshawar, Salt Range, and Jhelum. Erect herbs, stems 3-5ft., very stout, simple or branched. Leaves radical, 12-18in., ovate, pinnatisect; segments or pinnules sessile-glabrous, lower floral sessile oblong, lobulate, petiole strong, base woolly. Spikes 8-10in., rachis very stout. Whorls many-fid, at length distant. Calyx, $in., campanulate, scurfily tomentose, mouth truncate, shortly 5-crenate, crenatures apiculate ; galea of Corolla, says J. D. Hooker, villous and fringed with white hairs. Use:—The seeds are given as a cooling medicine. (Stewart). 1022. Ajuga bracteosa, Wall., H.F.B.1., IV. 702. Vern.:—Kauri biti (Jhelum); Karku, nilkanthi (Sutle}); Khurbani (Trans-Indus). The bazar names are JaAn-i-adam, mukund babri, nilkanthi. Mr Baden-Powell gives jan-t-adam as the vernacular of Ajuga reptans, a European species, and Stewart further gives that name to Salvia lanata. Habitat :—Western Himalaya, from Kashmir to Nepal, and in the plains near them from Oudh to Peshawar. Softly hairy herbs. Stems erect or ascending, many from the rootstock, branching usually diffusely from the base, 4-12in., simple or divided, usually stout, leafy, softly pubescent, villous or glabrate, rarely substrigose or hispid. Branches terete or as- cending. Leaves 1-4in. ; lower petioled, upper sessile, sinuate- toothed or nearly entire, oblanceolate or sub-spathulate, whorls axillary and crowded in spikes, much shorter than the leafy ovate or cuneate-obovate, entire or toothed bracts. Calyx Gin. villous ; Calyx-teeth ovate-lanceolate. Corolla pale blue or lilac, pubescent ; tube rarely twice as long as the Calyx ; upper lip erect, 2-fid ; side lobes or lower oblong, midlobe dilated, vari- able in length, stamens protruding from the upper lip. Nutlets yoin., ellipsoid, deeply rugosely fitted. Uses :—Jan-i-adam is described as a bitter astringent, nearly — N. O. PLANTAGINES. 1049 inodorus ; sometimes substituted for Cinchona in the treatment of fevers (Baden Powell). Mukand babri.—On the Salt Range it is used to kill lice, and is regarded as depurative (Stewart); an aromatic tonic, specially useful in ague (Baden- Powell). “There appears to be some confusion as to the identification of the medicinal products sold in the bazars of the Punjab and North-West Provinces, under the names of Jan-i-adam and Mukand babri. Specimens and further information should therefore be obtained”’ (Watt). The leaves of the species of Ajuga have a peculiar resinous odor and a bitter taste. They are said to be stimulant, diuretic and aperient. They have been given in rheumatism, gout, palsy and amenorrhea. (U. 8. Disp.) N. O. PLANTAGINEAS, 1023. Plantago major, Linn., H.F.B.1., IV. 705. Syn.—P., asiatica, Linn. Vern. :—Luhuriza (H.)}; Gul, isufgol (isupgul) is P. ovata, for which see further (K. R. K.) Habitat ;—Temperate and Alpine Himalaya, from Pesha- war and Kashmir to Bhotan. Assam, Khasia Hills, Bombay and Nilghiris. Perennial scapigerous herbs, glabrous or hairy. Rootstock stout, truncate. Leaves all radical, 2-5in., variable in breadth, teething irregular, oblong, or oblong-ovate, subentire at times, 3-T-ribbed. Petiole sometimes 4in. Spikes 3-4in., very long and slender. Flowers scattered or crowded ; bracts equalling the Calyx. Sepals glabrous, tin. long, margins broadly scarious, obtusely keeled. Corolla glabrous ; filaments short. Capsule 2-celled, cells 4-8-seeded. Seeds angular, very minute, black. Uses:—In Lahoul. (Himalayas) the leaves are applied to bruises. (Stewart.) ) The seeds have the same properties ascribed to them as those of P. ovata, being considered an efficient remedy in dysentery, stimulant, warm and tonic. 132 1050 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. The root and leaves possess slightly bitter and astringent qualities and were formerly much used asa febrifuge. They are still employed as a domestic remedy in England, and in Tuscany a decoction of the leaves is believed to form an excel- lent eye wash, and to have styptic properties. The seeds are used as diuretic in China. Contains a fair proportion of sugar and oxalic acid; whilst in the leaves of the plant, T. Koller found albumen, pectin, with citric and oxalic acids, J. Ch. T. 1887 P, 49 1024. P. Lanceolata, Linn., u.¥.B.1., tv. 706. , Vern. :—Baltanga (H.); Baltung, bartung (B); Parhar pangri, parbar pangi, bartang (Pushtu). Habitat :—Western Himalaya, from Kashmir to Simla, the Salt Range and Waziristan. Perennial scapegerous herbs, very variable in size. Root- stock tapering. Leaves all radical, shortly petioled 1-12in., lanceolate, entire or toothed, 3-5-ribbed, woolly. Scape as long as the leaf, deeply furrowed. Spikes very short, $-3in, ovoid subglo- bose or cylindric ; bracts acuminate. Sepals usually ciliate, corolla glabrous ; filaments long. Capsule 2-celled ; cells 1-2- seeded. Uses:—The leaves are used as an application to wounds, inflamed surfaces and sores. The seeds are used with sugar as a drastic purgative. Said to act as a hemostatic. (Ph. J., 24th Feb, 1883. p. 683.) 1025. P. brachyphylla, Edg., H.F.B.1. Iv. 706. Vern. :—Parhar pangi (Pushtu). Habitat :—Western Himalaya, from Kumaon to Kashmir ; Western Tibet, and Afghanistan. Perennial glabrous herbs. Leaves elliptic ovate, subsessile or petioled, 3-5-ribbed, axils glabrous. Scapes stout, glabrous, larger than the leaves and cylindric spikes. Much resembling a smaller state of P. Major, but the seeds are l-2in, each cell, oblong and plano-convex. Use :—The leaves, slightly bruised, are, in Ziarat, used as an application to wounds. (Lace, in Watt’s Dic.) N. 0. PLANTAGINEE. 1051 1026. P. amplexicaulis, Cav., H.F.B.1. 1v. 706. Vern. :—Gajpipali, isafgol, spighwal (Pb.). Habitat:—Panjab Plains, from the Sutlej westwards. Malwa, Sindh on the Boogta Hills. An annual or perennial herb, stemless or subcaulescent, sparsely hairy a subglabrescent, branched from the base 2-4in. high, bearing axillary leaves and scapes. Leaves long, very narrowly lanceolate, finely acuminate 3-nerved, base sheathing. Scapes very numerous, stout, glabrous, axillary. Spikes ovoid $-1din. Flowers large. Bracts cupular, glabrous, membranous, except the green rib. Sepals rounded, outer with a green keel, inner all membranous. Corolla-lobes ovate, acute. Seeds +in boatshaped, brown. Septum + -lin., oblong thickened, black, _ Uses :—Said to be an asin ante useful in intermittent fever, and as an application to the eyes in ophthalmia; also used as an antidote for sanke-bite ; highly valuable in pulmonary affections. (Ainslie.) 1027. FP. ovata, Forsk., H.F.B.1., 1v. 7OF. Syn. :—P. Ispaghula, Roxb. 135. Vern. :—Isubgol (H.); Isabgul (B.); Spungar (Sind); Isapgul (M.). Esopgol, uthamu-jirun Guz.; Iskolvirai (Tam.); Isabagéla vittulu (Tel.) ; Isabagolu, Visamagolu (Kan.). The seeds are not mentioned by the old Hindu writers, but the Guzerati name appears to be of Sanskrit origin. In all the vernaculars, corruptions of the Persian name, Ispaghul, are in use. This word is a compound of wu} n., “a horse, ” and J,é “the ear,’ in allusion to the shape of the seeds (Dymock. ) Habitat :—Punjab Plains and low Hills, from the Sutle] westwards ; Sindh. An Panual, stemless or subcaulescent herb, rs or thickly villous. Stem rarely branched from the base. Leaves all radical. 3-9in., rarely #4in. diam., usually 3-nerved, entire or distantly toothed, narrow-linear or filiform, finely acuminate. Scapes glabrous, pubescent, longer or shorter than the leaves. Spikes 3-13, ovoid acylindric. Bracts with broad scarious margins, ovate, oblong, obtuse, glabrous. Corolla glabrous ; lobes rounded, concave, obtuse. Sepals sub-similar, glabrous or pubescent. Capsule 2-celled, cell 1-seeded. Seeds cymbiform, 1052 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. Uses:—Demulcent, and mildly astringent. The seeds have been found serviceable in febrile, catarrhal, and renal affections, but their chief use is in diarrhoea and dysentery. Moistened with water, they form a good emollient poultice. The seeds yield to water a good deal of mucilage, and form a cooling demulcent drink which is prescribed in cases where emollients are required. A slight degree of astringency and some tonic property may be imparted to the seeds by applica- tion of a moderate degree of heat, and it is said that this remedy cures the chronic diarrhoea of European and native children on the failure of other medicines. (Bentley and Trimen.) The crushed seeds made into a poultice with vinegar and oil are applied to rheumatic and gouty swellings. With the mucilage a cooling lotion for the head ismade. Two to three drachms moistened with hot water and mixed with sugar are given in dysentery and irritation of the intestinal canal to procure an easy stool. The decoction is prescribed in cough. The roasted seeds have an astringent effect, and are useful in irritation of the bowels in children and in dysentery. 1028) 9 PS Psylium, Linn, 31 a ne Habitat :-—North-Western Punjab; Peshawar and South of Bannoo; Tarki, N. of Indus. Scapigerous herbs, annual, erect, strict, glandular- pubescent. Stem leafy, 4-8in. Leaves opposite, linear or linear-lanceolate, flat, obtuse, 1-14in., with fascicles in their axils, hence appearing whorled ; margin entire, with a very few glandular tubercles ; bases, ciliate. Peduncles in the upper axils. Scapes usually shorter than the leaves. Spikes ovoid, }$-in. ; bracts acute, lower elongate, hispid. Sepals oblong, subacute. Corolla very small. | Use :—The seeds are used like those of P. Major, Linn. N.O. NYCTAGIN AL. 1029. Boerhaama diffusa, Linn., 4 Foes ee 709 (a variety of B. repens), Roxh. 49. Sans. :-—Punarnava ; Sothaghni. N. O. NYCTAGINEA. 1053 Vern. :—Sant, Gadha piirna, (H.) ; Punarnabé, seveta punar- nabé (B.); Punarnava, khapara, ghetuli (Bomb.); Vakha khaparo, dholi saturdi, moto satodo (Guj.); Pundrnawn (Satodi- putchee) (Cutch) ; Vasu (Mar.); Thikri-ké-jhar (Duk.) ; Nakbel (Sind); Mukaratte-kire, muktikratt (Tam.); Atafamdmidi (Tel.) ; Itsit (Pb.); Tamilama, talutama, (Mal.); Sanadika, balevadaki- gida (Kan.). Ha’ itat:-——Throughout India; from the Punjab to Assam and South to Travancore. A diffuselly branched herb; root stout, fusiform, rootstock woody. Stems 2-3ft. long, slender, prostrate or ascending, swollen at the nodes, minutely hairy and sometimes viscid or subglabrous, often tinged with purple. Leaves rather thick, arranged in unequal pairs at each node, $-l4in. long, ovate oblong or sub-orbicular, green and glabrous abeve, usually white beneath ; base rounded or subcordate, margins subundu- ate, often pink; netioles about as long as the blade. lowers minute, subcapitate, 4-10 together in small bracteolate umbels forming slender long-stalked axillary and terminal panicles ; bracteoles lanceolate, acute. Perianth din. long; tube glandu- lar-hairy ; limb red, funnel-shaped, with 5 narrow vertical bands outside. Stamens 2 or 3, slightly exserted. Fruit fin. !ong, clavate, rounded, viscidly glandular on the 5 broad blunt ribs (Duthie). Uses:—‘‘It is used in jaundice, ascites, anasarca, scanty urine, and internal inflammations” (Dutt), In the Panjab, considered useful for the eyes (Ibbetson’s Gujrat). In Goa, the herb isesteemed as a diuretic in gonorrhcea, in Bombay is much used for dropsical swellings (Dymock). The use of the root in gonorrhoea appears to have been introduced by the Portuguese ; in the West Indies, the plant is known as Bejuco de purgacion, and is the popular remedy for that disease. The root used in bronchitic asthma. This has been confirmed by the experience of the French in the Antilles, where the plant is called Patagon or Patagonelle-Valeriane. Its diuretic properties have been borne testimony to by numerous medical officers. (Watt, 1. 486.) 1054 INDIAN MEDIGINAL PLANTS. “ Assistant-Surgeon B. M. Chatterjee reports having found it a very good expectorant, and that he has prescribed it in several cases of asthma with marked success. He employed it in the form of powder, decoction, and infusion, but the doses and proportions are not furnished. Taken largely it acts as an emetic.” (Ph. Ind.) In Food and Drugs for October 1910, p. 80, Dr. Lal Mohan Ghoshal concludes his observations on the action of this plant as follows :— 1. “ The active principle is a diuretic, chiefly acting on the glomeruli of the kidney through the heart, increasing the beat and strength, and raising the peripheral blood pressure in consequence; on the cells of the tubules it exerts little or no action and, if any, it is only initial and comparative. 2. On respiration it has little or no action, and if it is anything, it is probably due to the fatty principle found in the weeds. 3. On liver the action is principally secondary and in chemical combination with other drugs. 4. On other organs the drug has practically no effect. From what has been gone through it may be inferred that the drug may be given in any condition of the kidney where there is lessened secretion or where increased secretion of kidney is wanted. Thus it may be given in all renal affections stopping secretion of kidney, in ascites, either from cirrhosis of liver or heart or kidney. As it increases the systole of the heart, it may be useful in all stenosed conditions of the valves, as by increasing the force and duration of the systole it can pump all the blood from the heart. Where there is dropsy and ascites due to weaknes of the heart or to dilation of the heart, this medicine in my opinion may do extreme good by relieving the circulation through the kidney. In pleurisy and some such affections, where there is accumulation of fluid in the cavities, the drug may be useful by increasing the quantity of urine.” It contains (1) a sulphate of a body, alkaloidal in nature; (2) an oily amorphus mass of the nature of fat (probably); (8) sulphates and chlorides and traces of nitrates and chlorates from the ash. The amount of the alkaloidal body is very small. (Food and Drugs, Oct. 1910, p. 73.) N. O. NYOTAGINER. 1055 1030.’ Pisonia aculeata, Linn. H.¥.B.1., Iv. 711. HOxD, O12. Vern. :—Baghachura (Beng.) ; Hati-ankusa (Uriya); Karu- indu (Tam.) ; Kunki-pootri, embudi chettu, konki (Tel.). Habitat :—South Concan, and elsewhere in the Deccan Peninsula. A large, woody, thorny, straggling or climbing shrub,often forming impenetrable thickets. ‘‘ Young shoots and inflorescence pubescent armed with sharp axillary, more or less curved thorns” (Brandis). Bark light-brown, thin. Wood hght brown, soft, of peculiar structure (Gamble). Trunk very short. Bran- ches subopposite, horizontal. Leaves 2-3in., elliptic obtuse, entire, base cuneate, glabrous. Blade 2-3in. ; petiole 3-+in. long. Flowers greenish white in compact, sometimes paniculate, axillary cymes. Male flower campanulate, pedicelled, 5-toothed. Stamens 7-8. Female flower ovoid, obscurely toothed. Stigma lacerate. Fruit long-pedicelled, $-3in., narrowly oblong or clavate, 5-ribbed, ribs muricate, with several rows of glands (J.D. Hooker). The gland protuberances are viscid, says Brandis. Uses:—The bark and the leaves are used as a counter- irritant for swellings and rheumatic pains (T. N. Mukheryji). The juice mixed with pepper and other ingredients is given to children suffering from pulmonary complaints (Watt’s Dict.). ijl. P) alba, Spanoghe. W.F.B.1., 1v..711. Vern. :—Chinai Salit (Bomb.) Habitat :—Cultivated in India. Anevergreen unarmed tree of middle size, 30-40ft., glabrous, except the youngest shoots and inflorescence. Leaves large, pale green or bright greenish yellow, those of the ends of the branches often nearly white, somewhat resembling the lettuce in taste, but is an “indifferent substitute’ (Gamble). Eaten in Ceylon by the Singhalese (Trimen) and by the European-Jews of Bom- bay (K. R. K.). The male tree has much darker leaves and not much brown as the lighter leaved are in gardensin coast towns in India, as in Caleutta, Madras, Colombo and Bombay. 1056 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. Leaves 6-10in., elliptic, oblong-ovate or oblong, acute or acumi- nate. Petiole $-l4in. Flowers in dense corymbose terminal cymes. Male flowers fin. long. tubular campanulate, pedicelled, - 5-toothed, stamens 8. 'emale flower much smaller ; stigma pedi- cellate. Fruit flower much smaller. Stigma pedicellate. Fruit $-4in. long, long-pedicelled, narrow club-shaped, 5-angled, angles with one row of prickles. Use :—The fresh leaves, moistened with Eau-de-Cologne, are used to subdue inflammation of an elephantoid nature in the legs and other parts. (Sakharam Arjun.) N. O. AMARANTACEA, 1032. Celosia argentea, Linn., H.F.B.1. Iv. 714. liven, Azi3. Vern. :—Debkoti, sufaid mutrgha, sarwari sirali, ghogiya (H.) ; Sirgit arak (Santal); Salgara, chilchil, sil, sarpankha(Pb.) ; Swet murga (B.); Sarwali, ucha-kukur (Sind.) ; Lapadi (Guz.) ; Kudhu, kurdu (Bomb.) ; Kuirdt kurada (Mar.) ; Gurugu, panche chettu (Tel.). (Several of these vernacular names imply white coxcomb). Habitat :—Central and Northern India. A glabrous erect annual herb, 1-3ft., stout slender, simple or branched. Leaves 1-Oin., narrow, linear or lanceolate. Spikes solitary, few or many, 1-8 by 3-lin.; peduncles siender. Flowers 4-#in., white, glistening; bracts much shorter than the acute sepals ; style filiform. The top of the spike sometimes branches out in a coxcomb form. Uses:—The seeds are officinal, being an efficacious remedy in diarrhoea. The Revd. A. Campbell says the Santals extract a medicinal oil from them. The amount of oil extracted by ether amounts to only about 7 percent. The author of the Muttaridat-i-N4siri states that 180 grains of the seeds with an equal quantity of sugar-candy taken daily in a cup of milk is a most powerful aphrodisiac. (Dymock.) N. O. AMARANTACEA. 1057 O33) -C. cCristata, “Linn., W:F.B.0,> Iv. FL5 ; Roxb. 228. Sans, :—-Mayura Sikha. Vern. :-—Kokan, pila-murghka, lal-murghka (H.) ; Mawal, taji khoros, bostan afraz, kanju, dhurd-dra (Pb.); Lal-murga, buldi-murga (B.); Erra-kodi-utta-tota-kuru ; WKodi-juttu-tota- kura (Tel.). Habitat :—Throughout India, cultivated, and as an escape. An annual erect glabrous herb. Stem tall, branching. Leaves ovate lanceolate, sometimes 9in. long and 3in. broad, sometimes varying from linea to ovate, acute or acuminate ; spikes cylindric, very stout. Flowers densely imbricate §-fin. Style filiform, lengthening after fruiting. Utricle acute ; dehis- cence circumciss. Uses :—-The flowers are considered astringent, they are used in cases of diarrhoea, and in excessive menstrual discharges (Stewart.) The seeds are demulcent and useful in painful mic- turition, cough and dysentery. (U. C. Dutt.) The seeds of C. cristata, Linn. afford a greenish-brown, drying oil, with an iodine value of 126°3. The insoluable fatty acids melt between 27° and 29°. Regarding the genus Amarantus, Sir George Watt, in his Comm]. Prod. of India, p. 62, writes — “There may be said to be two or perhaps three distinct groups of ama- ranths that are of economic value to the people of India. These are the species cultivated in gardens and mainly, if not exclusively, as Pot-herhbs : second, the wild species that are eaten as pot-herbs or Medicines: and third, the forms cultivated in fields and exclusively so as edible Grains. The last mentioned are by far, the most valuable and hence may be taken up in greater detail than the others. But in passing it may be observed that the Indian species of this genus seem to be sadly wanting careful study and revision,” 1034. Amarantus spinosus, Linn., H. F. B. I., IV. aro. Sans. :—Tanduliya. 138 1058 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLAN‘tS. Vern. :—Kanta nutia (Beng.); Kante mat (Dec.); Mulluk- kirai (Tam.); Mah: Kante bhaji, kante math Chanlai kante- dar (H.); Mullan-chira (Malay); Mullu-tota-kura; Nalla doggali ; Erra mulu goranta (Tel.). | ; Habitat :—Throughout India, in waste places, fields and gardens. An annnal erect glabrous herb. Stem 1-2ft., hard, terete, leaf-axils with 5 straight spines Zin. and under (J. D. Hooker). “Stem,” writes T’rimen (Ceylon}, “ polished, much-branched, cylindrical with a pair of very sharp divaricate opposite spines in leaf axils at the base of the bud or branch.” ‘This is what I find among the Konkan plants (K. R. Kirtikar). Leaves 14-24 in., ovate-lanceolate, tapering to base, obtuse, spinous apiculate ; entire undulate, glabrous above, slightly scurfy beneath, lateral velns numerous, prominent beneath, petiole 3-2in. Flowers very numerous, sessile, pale green, clusters dense, both axillary and in terminal interrupted spikes, male fewer than female. Bracts linear, bristle-pointed. Perianth leaves 5, rather longer than bracts, ovate, bristle pointed. Stamens 5, spreading ; ovary pointed, pubescent. Styles 2, long, spreading, hairy (Trimen). Utricle rugose, nearly equalling the sepals. Flowers gin. long, sepals of male acuminate, of female obtuse apiculate. Stigmas 2. Seeds gin. diam., blacky shining, border obtuse, not thickened. The plant varies from green to red and purple. (J. D. Hooker.) (7ses:—‘‘ Considered light, cooling and a promoter of the alvine and urinary discharges. Root said. to be, according to Bhavaprakash, useful in menorrhagia.” (Dutt’s, p. 221.) ‘Roots made into poultice are applied to buboes and abscesses for hastening suppuration.” (Asst.-Surg. A. C. Mukerji.) The whole plant is used as an antidote for snake-poison, and the root as a specific for colic. It is also considered a lactagogue, and, boiled with pulses, is given to cows (I. P., p. 184). Assistant-Surgeon Amrita Lal Deb, of Howrah, recorded the root as a specific in gonorrhea ; also advocated its use in eczema (I. M. G., Nov. 1881). N. 0. AMARANTACEE 1059 1035. A. paniculatus, Linn., H.F.B.1., Iv. 718. Syn. :—A. frumentaceus, Zam. Roxb. 663. A. Anacardana, Ham. A. farinaceus, Roxb. Vern. :—Chuko, Bathu (B.); Rajagaro (Guz.); Rajgira (Dec.); Taj-e-khurus ; Bustan afroz (Persian) ; Chua marsa, ganhar. (H.); Kahola-bhaji (Bomb.*. Ha'itat :—Cultivated throughout India and up to 9,000 ft. in the Himalayas. A tall robust annual. Stem 4-5ft., striate, sometimes thicker than the thumb, glabrous or puberulous. Leaves 2-6 by 2-3in., elliptic or ovate-lanceolate, acute or finely acuminate, base cune- ate, petiole as long as the leaf. Spikes sub-erect, red, green or yellow, in dense thyrses squarrose from the long curved bracts, .centre one longest. Bracts acicular, recurved, very much longer than the oblong-lanceolate acuminate sepals. Sepals 5. Stamens 5, Utricle circumciss, top 2-3 fid. Seeds jin. diam., yellowish white or pitchy black with a narrow thin border, Uses :—Used for purifying the blood and in piles, and asa diuretic in strangury. (Baden-Powell.) Used in scrofula and as a local application for scrofulous sores ; administered in the form of a liquid. (Watt.) Sir George Watt, in his Comm]. Prod. Ind. (pp. 63-64), writes— It is one of the most important sources of Foop with the hill tribes of India, and there are both golden-yellow and bright purple conditions, The former is more frequent and seems therefore to be preferred ; most fields, however, contain a few red plants among the yellow. It is an exceedingly ornamental crop : the hillsides on account of the fields of this plant, become in autumn literally golden-yellow and purple.” “The grain has been analysed by Church (Food-Grains of Ind., 107-9) and the average of three samples gave the nutrient ratio at 1: 5-8 and the nu- trient value 90, It has been estimated that one plant will produce 100,000 grains. Speaking of another sample, which Church attributed to A. gangeticus, but which may possibly have been one of them any forms of the present species, he remarks : ‘“‘ The analysis shows that we have in these seeds a food in which the proportions, not merely of albuminoids of total starch plus the starch- equivalent of the oil, but also of the oil itself, are very nearly those of an ideal or standard ratio.”’ Visitors to the hills of India are inclined to smile at people who live very largely upon these minute grains, but they might with advantage to themselves use this extremely wholesome article of diet, 1060 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. 1036. A. gangeticus, Linn., Var. anqustifolia. HB, Iv, (19 = Roxb. 02: ee, :— Bans-pata-natiya (B.) ; Mati chulai (Bomb. i: LAlsig, chulai-s4g, labra (Merwara). Habitat :—Cultivated throughout India. An erect glabrous annual herb, stout handsome species, much cultivated, 2-3ft., leafy green, pink, rufuse liver-coloured or bright-red. Leaves 2-5in., very variable from linear-lanceolate, to rounded-oval and 3in., diam. or deltoid ovate ; tip rounded or long and slender, Bae always obtuse and often noted! base elongate cuneate. Petiole equallingthe blade. Clusters squar- rose, crowded in the lower axils and forming a terminal spike ; bracts tin. long. Bracts awned subulate, equalling or exceeding the 3 janceolate sepals and utricle. Stamens 3. Utricle circum- ciss. Seeds lenticular, pitch-black, ¢oin. diam., border acute. Use :—Used as an emollient poultice. 1037. Arua javanica, Juss., H.F.B.1., IV. 727, Syn. :— Achyranthes incana, Roxb. 295, Habitat :--From the Oudh Terai to the Punjab, Sindh, and Central India. The Deccan, from the Concan southward. A semi-shrubby plant. Stem 2-3ft., branched, cylindric, covered with a thick coat of very dense stellate wool which is easily detached. Leaves nearly sessile alternate, 1-13in., linear- oblong or oblong-spathulate, rounded, slightly emarginate or acute, with dense woolly coat like the stem. Flowers white, sessile, uni-sexual, arranged in naked terminal panicles. Bracts large, broadly ovate, acute, papery, veinless. Perianth leaves 5, rather unequal, lanceolate or oval, papery, densely covered outside with long woolly hair, stigmas 2, long. Seed lenticular, black polished (Trimen); style elongate ; flowers <6 in. (J. DD. Hooker.) Male flowers are said to be few. 1038. AW. lanata, Juss., H.P.B.1., W. 728. Syn. :—Achyranthes lanata, Linn. Roxb. 227. Sans. :-— Astmabayda. | Vern. :—Chaya (B.); Bhui (Raj.); Bui, jari (Sind); Bui- kallam (Pb); Kul-ke-jar, khul (Duk.); Azmei, spirke, sassdi N. O. AMARATACCA. 1061 (Trans-Indus); Kapur-madhura (Mar.); Sirrt-pulay vayr (Tam.); Pindie-conda (Tel.). Habitat :—Plains of Bengal, from Dacca and Behar west- ward to the Indus. The Concan, Central India and through- out the Deccan. A very common perennial weed, often woody at base. Stems erect or prostrate, numerous, long, with slender branches, cylin- dric, more or less cottony hairy. Leaves alternate, numerous, $.14in. on main stem, much smaller, +-2in., on branches, oval or spathulate-oval, tapering at base, rounded or sub-acute at apex, entire, finely hairy-pubescent above, more or less white with cottony hair beneath. Petiole short, obscure. Flowers very small, sessile, often bisexual, greenish white, in very small, _dense, sessile axillary heads or spikes. Bracts shorter than sepals, ovate, obtuse, with membranous margins woolly with long white hairs outside. Stigmas 2, very short. Uses :—The flowering tops of the above two species are offici- nal, and the roots are used in the treatment of headache, and by the natives of the Malabar Coast are regarded as demulcent. 1039. Achyranthes aspera, Linn., H.¥.B.1., IV. wo0 > Roxb. 226. Sans. :—Apamarga, aghata, apangaka. Vern. :—Apang (Beng. and Ass.) ; Latjira, chirchira, chirchitta (H.) ; Aghada (Bom. and Mah.) ; Uttarént, antisha, apa margamu (Tel.); Nayurivi (Tam.); Kutri, phut kanda (Gujrat); Katalati (Mal.); Utrani-gida uttarane (Kan.); Aghedo (Guj.) ; Margia (Sind.) Hng..:-—The Prickly Chaff-flower. Habitat :—A_ shrub found all over India, ascending to 3,000 ft. Annual herbs. ‘Stems 1-2ft., erect, stiff, with long spreading branches thickened above nodes, striate, pubescent. Leaves few, usually thick, leathery, broadly ovate or orbicular, 3-5 by 2-3in., tapering to base, usually rounded, on short petioles, sometimes acute, or apex entire, but often: very undulate, very finely and 1062 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. softly pubescent both sides. Flowers in robust woolly pubescent spikes upto 18in.:- long, numerous, stiffly reflexed against rachis, densely crowded. Bracts short, reflexed, ovate, membranous, with a long very acute point ; bractlets very sharply spinescent (very hard in fruit), with a broad membranous wing at base. Perianth-leaves about jin., oblong-oval, acute, glabrous and shining, with a narrow white membranous margin. Stamens 5, staminodes, large, truncate, fimbriate. Fruit very small, oblong cylindrical, truncate, nearly smooth, brown, enclosed in a hard perianth. A very common weed throughout the Tropics in India, Ceylon, in waste land and in grass. ‘Trimen observes that the perianth containing the fruit disarticulates from the rachis above the bract carrying away with it the spinescent bractlets by which it becomes attached to other objects and is transport- ed. Flowers greenish white. [7ses :—It possesses valuable medicinal properties as a pungent and laxative, and is considered useful in dropsy, piles, boils, eruptions of the skin, etc. The seeds and leaves are considered emetic, and are useful in hydrophobia and snake-bites. (T. N. Mukerji’s Amsterdam Catalogue.) The dried plant is given to children for colic and also as an astrin- gent in gonorrhoea. (Stewart’s Punjab Plants.) Major Madden says that the flowering spikes are regarded as a_ protective against scorpions, the insects being paralysed through the presence of atwig. The ash yields a large quantity of potash, rendering it useful in the arts as well asin medicine. Mixed with orpiment this ash is used externally in the treatment of ulcers, and of warts on the penis and other parts of the body. (U. C. Dutt.) Sesamum oil and the ash (apamarga tala) are used in the treatment of disease of the ear, being poured into the meatus. Dr. Bidie says: “ Various English practitioners agree as to its marked diuretic properties in the form of a decoction.” Dr. Cornish reports favourably, having found it efficacious in the treatment of dropsy. Dr. Shortt reports on its use as an external applicant in the treatment of the bites of insects; and Dr, Turner scalls attention to it as a remedy N O. AMARATACGCA. 1063 in snake-bite. (Pharm. Indica.) Used in cases of abscess ; its ashes are used in cases of asthma and cough. (Ibbetson’s Gujrat). In Sind, it is used by the native foresters as an application to wounds caused by Babool thorns (Murray, p. 101). To an infusion of the root is ascribed a mild astringent virtue (Honigberger, Vol. II., p. 222). The flowering spike made into pills with a little sugar is a popular preventive medicine in Behar for persons bitten by rabid dogs. (Balfour.) As an ash, however, there seems no reason to think it possesses any virtues other than those of the simple alkali of our shops. “The drug may be useful in all conditions arising from ner- vousness. ‘Thus it is used as a talisman in hysteria, and I know personally of cases that were benefited by it. How it acts in _such a way, I cannot say ; it may be possible that the good effects are obtained by ionisation only, if anything of such nature there isin the drug. But that it is undoubtedly useful in hysteria and such nervous disorders, there is no gainsaying. In hysteria what we find is that there is extreme nervous sensibility attended with muscular contraction, either violent or mild, it is preceded generally by irregular heart or palpitation’ (Dr. Lal Mohan Ghoshal, in ‘ l"ood and Drugs’ for Oct. 1912 pp. 84-85.) 1040. Alternunthera sessilis, Br., U.F.B.1., IV. T3l. Syn. :—Achyranthes triandra, Roxb. 227. Vern. :—Moku-niu-wanna (Singh.); Ghardughi (Rohilkhand); kanchari (Bomb.%. Habitat :—Throughout hotter India in damp places, ascend- ing the Himalaya to 4,000 ft. A prostrate or ascending, nearly glabrous, herb, branching from base, 6-18in. Leaves opposite, nearly sessile, narrowly oblong or ovate, 1-3in., obtuse. Flowers minute, white, crowded in shining, very short head-like sessile axillary spikes. Perianth scarious 5-parted; segments acute. Stamens 5, the alternate ones sometimes without anthers; filaments united at base; an- thers l-celled. Ovary ovoid, notched at top ; style very short, stigma capitate. Fruit a dry, flattened utricle, enclosed by the perianth and containing a single seed. 1064 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. Use :—It is largely eaten in Ceylon as a vegetable, especially by mothers to increase the flow of milk ; also used as a wash for the eyes. (Watt.) eee N. O. CHENOPODIACEA. 1041. Chenopodium album, Mogq., H.F.B.L, V. 3, ioxle, ZG): | Syn. :—C. viride, Linn. Sans :—Vastuk. Vern. :—Bathu sag or bathua sak, chandan betu (B. Bathda, batha, jansig, lunak (Pb.); Bethua, charai, jansag, H.); Bhatua, arak’ (Santal ; Chakwat, ghanen, (Bomb.); Jhil (Sind); Khuljeh ke baji (Duk) ; Parupu kire (Tam.) ; Pappu kura (Tel.). Eng. :—The white goose-foot. Habitat :--Common throughout India. Erect or ascending, scentless herbs, mealy or green. Stems 1-10ft., rarely slender or decumbent, angled, often striped green, red or purple. Leaves extremely variable in the cultivated forms, 4-6in. long, with petiole sometimes as long or longer ; rhombic, deltoid, or lanceolate, acute or obtuse, entire, toothed or irregularly lobulate, upper narrower, more entire. Clusters in compact or lax panicles; spikes, which in cultivated forms be- come thyrsoid. Sepals 5, herbaceous (not succulent in fruit). Seeds very vertical. Forms vary from green to red. Use :— Considered laxative and recommended for use by Sanskrit writers in the form of pot herb in piles. (U.C Dutt.) Chemical investigation of the composition of Chenopodium oil. | There is a pronounced increase in specific gravity and decrease in optical rotation after samples have been kepti for a year at the ordinary temperature. For example, in the case of one oil with a specific gravity of 0°9700 and a D= —6:20, at 25°C, the corresponding values after a year were sp, gr. 0:9804 and a D= —5'5°. When the oil was kept in a refrigerator these changes were less pronounced. The formation of the glycol produced on hydrating as- caridol with ferrous. sulphate has been found to correspond to the same re-arrangement of the molecule which takes place when ascaridol is heated. In addition to this glycol, two other crystalline products were also formed. One of these, termed B-glycol, melted in the anhydrons state at 103° N. 0. CHENOPODIACE. 1065 105°C. It crystallised with one mol. of water and had the composition C,, H,, O,+H,0. When warmed with dilute sulphuric acid it was decomposed, with the formation of thymol. The other new body was an erythritol, melting at 128° to 131°C , after drying in vacuo, and having the composition C\o Hyp O + H,O. When boiled with dilute sulphuric acid, it was decom- posed, the products of decomposition including a ketone with a strong odour of menthone, and a crystalline phenolic substance, melting at 80° to 81°C, The formation of more than one glycol by the hydration of the re-arrangement product of ascaridol may be explained by adopting the view of Wallach, whose results indicate that ascaridol is a 1—4-and not a 3—6-peroxide, Oxida- tion of the erythritol yielded an acid, ©,,. H,, O;, which was regarded as one of the modifications of a d-metylisopropyl a d-dihydroxyadipie acid differing in its properties from the two modifications previously described by Wallach. Oxidation of the a-glycol yielded an acid agreeing inits reactions with the structure of 1—4 cineolic acid (J. Ch. I, April 15th, 1913, p. 379.) 1042. C. Cotrys, Linn., 8.F.B.1., Vv. 4. - Hng.:—The Jerusalem Dak. Haltat :--Temperate Himalaya, fron Kashmir to Sikkim ; Peshawar and Bombay. A weed in fields. Very aromatic, erect, glandular, pubescent herbs. Stem grooved and ribbed, 6-18ft., stout, slender. Branches spreading and recurved. Leaves 1-3in., very obtuse ; lower leaves petioled, ovate-oblong, deeply sinuate, or lobulate, upper oblanceolate, more entire. Petals variable. Cymes spreading and recurved, short, branched. Flowers solitary or clustered, minute. Embryo incompletely annular. Use:—It has been used in France with advantage in catarrh and humoral asthma. The officinal preparation is an oil (U. S. Dispensatory.) Used as a substitute for C. anthelmenticum, and to possess the same properties as those of C. ambrosioides. (Watt, II. 267.) 1043. C. Ambrosioides, Linn., H.F.B.1., Vv. 4. Eng. :—The sweet pig-weed ; Mexican Tea. Vern. :—Chandan batava ; Vasuki (Bomb.). Habitat :— Bengal, Sylhet and the Deccan. A strongly aromatic glandular rank herb, erect, puberulous. Branches numerous, strict. Leaves shortly petioled, oblong or lanceolate-obtuse, sinuate toothed, upper entire, clusters in 134 1066 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. slender axillary and terminal long slender simple or panicled spikes of small clusters. Sepals closing the utricle. Seed horizontal, smooth, shining; margin horizontal. Wight remarks that the flowers are polygamous at Coimbatore. (J. D. Hooker.) Uses :—This is said to afford an essential oil to which the tonic and antispasmodic properties of the plant are attributed. It is commonly reported that this plant is used asa substitute for the officinal C. Anthelminticum, having in a milder degree the anthelmintic properties of that plant. It is employed in pectoral complaints and enjoys the European reputation as a useful remedy in nervous affections, particularly chorea. Offi- cinal preparation an infusion. It is remarkable that the pro- perties of this plant should be practically unknown to the people ot India. Watts lle 267») 1044. Beta vulgaris, Linn., H.F.B1., V. 5. Syn. :—B. benghalensis, Roxb. 260. Vern. :—Bit palang (B.); Lebleboo (Pb.); Palak (H.). Habitat :—Largely cultivated in Bengal and Upper India. A succulent annual or perennial glabrous herb. Stem 1-3ft., erect, furrowed. Lower or root leaves ovate or oblong-obtuse, often trowel-shaped, base cuneate or cordate, decurrent on the petiole, margin waved, upper or cauline, short incurved, rhom- bic-ovate, oblong-ovate or lanceolate. Flowers 2-sexual, sessile, solitary or 2-3-adnate, in axillary spiked or cymose clusters. Spikes 6-18in., slender; clusters remote. Bracts narrow, acute. Perianth urceolate, 5-lobed, covering in fruit by their enlarged hardened bases. Sepals oblong-obtuse, with membranous mar- gins, thickened at base in fruit. Ovary depressed, sunk in the fleshy annular disk. Style short, Stigmas 2-4-subulate. Utricle adnate to the disk and base of perianth. Seed hort- zontal, testa thin, albumen floury, Embryo annular. Use :—The seeds have cooling and diaphoretic properties. Bellew says that the fresh leaves are applied to burns and bruises. (Watt.) The ethereal extract of the dry matter of the common mangel was examined and found to contain triglycerides, free fatty acids, and two neutral subs- N. 0. CHENOPODIACER. 1067 tances. The free and combined fatty acids consisted largely of palmitic, oleic, and erucid acids, while the two neutral substances were of phytosterol nature, and gave results on analysis corresponding with the empirical formule C;,H,,0, and C,., H,, and O, respectively. (J, Ch, I. 31. 5. 1912, p. 501,) 1045. Spinacia oleracea, Linn., H.F.B.1., V. 6. Syn. :--S. tetrandra, Roxb. 718. Vern. :—Palak (H.); Palang (Beng.) ; Isfana] Vusaleykiray (Tam.) ; Dum-pa-bachchali, mattur bachchali (Tel.); Palak bhaji (M.). Habitat :—Cultivated throughout India. Annual deltoid, ovate, acuminate, acutely broadly pinnatifidly lobed, erecth erbs. Leaves attenuate. Flowers dicecious, ebracteate, “males in terminal leafless spikes; females in axillary clusters. Male :—Sepals 4-5, herbaceous, simple. Stamens 4-5, filaments capillary. Female:—perianth sub. globose, 2-4-toothed. Fruit- ing perianth free, 2-spinous. Fruiting enclosing the Utricle, coriaceous, unarmed or with 2-3 dorsal spines. Stigmas long, filiform, connate below. Utricle hard, compressed, adnate to the -perianth. Seed vertical, testa thin, albumen floury. Embryo annular. Use:—The seeds are laxative and cooling and useful in diffi- cult breathing, inflammation of the liver, and in jaundice. (Taleef Sherif). They yield a fatty oil. The green plant is be- heved to be useful in urinary calculi. (Sakharam Arjun.) Regarding its chemical composition, the authors of the Pharmacog. Ind. write :— Chem, comp.—Besides a large quantity of mucilage, spinach contains so large a proportion of nitrates, that the water in which it has been boiled may be used for making touch-paper. The following figures give the mean percentage composition of three samples of spinach recorded by Konig :— Water a ale sins Ae .» 88°47 Nitrogenous matter Hs oe ma ae ae foe | Fat S aug Bee a ae AOS Sugar 5d fs es ae we 0, AO Nitrogen-free extractive se Be we «= 434 Fibre nan fei BS aa aoe Ash oii aah re ie it 20D 1068 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. Anhydrous spinach contained, as the mean of three analyses of different samples,— Nitrogen ns “50 en set we «= 494 Carbohydrates ee ag’ bs we 87°93 1046. Kochia indica, Wight, H.F.B.1., v.11. Syn. :—Panderia pilosa, H. f. and T. Vern. :—Kaura ro, bui (Pb). Habitat :— North-West India, from Delhi to the Indus com- mon. Dekkan; salt soils at Coimbatore. An annual herb, erect and softly villous, diffusely branched from the base. Branchlets divaricate, long. Leaves small, elliptic or linear-oblong, acute. Wings of fruiting perianth short, broadly triangular-ovate, obtuse, thick, nerveless, much shorter than the diameter of the disk. Wight states that flowers are sometimes male only, and I think it probable that fertile males are on different plants from the female or her- maphrodite. (J. D. Hooker.) Use:—The plant is employed medicinally in the Punjab (Stewart). Used as a vascular (cardiac) stimulant in cases of weak and irregular heart, especially when following on fevers, (Dr. Perry, in Watt’s Dic.) 1047. Salicornia brachiata, Noxb., H.F.B.1., V. 12. Roxb. 28. Vern, :—Oomarie Keeray (Tam.); Koyalu (Tel.). Habitat :-—Bengal, in salt marshes; and Tanjore. A semi-shrubby, leafless, flesny-jointed, seacoast marshy plant. Stem woody, 12-18in., thick at the base, much branched, more or less erect, very much branched. Branches §-4in. diam. Joints 4-iin., rather slender, slightly dilated and 2-toothed at top. Spikes 2-3in., slender, cylindrical. Flowers 3-nate. Sta- men 1. Utricle ovoid, subacute, style distinct. Seed pale-brown, hispid, with white hair. Testa thinly coriaceous. Embryo hooked, both ends pointing downward. Use:—This is one of the numerous sources of the alkaline earth, sajji, used in medicine and in the arts. (Watt.) N. 0. CHENOPODICEA. 1069 1048. Sueda fruticosa, Forsk., u.¥.B.1., Vv. 13. Syn. :--Salsola fruticosa, Linn. Vern. :—Lconuk, chotee lanee, usak lanee {Pb.); Morasa (Mar.); Ushuklani (Sind.) ; Zimeh (Pushtu). Habitat :—North-West India, from Delhi, and throughout the Punjab, westward to the Indus, common in the plains. A perennial herb, sub-erect or decumbent. Stem and branch- es usually slender, erect or divaricate. Leaves 4-terete, linear or ellipsoid, obtuse (very variable) $-3in. long. Spikes slender, leafy. Flowers minute, axillary, usually 2-sexual, bracteate, and 2-bracteate. Perianth short, subglobose, 5-lobed or partite ; lobes or segments equal or unequal, simple or gibbous or subwinged. Stamens 5, short; Styles 3, short. Fruit, . utricle included, membranous. Seeds vertical or horizontal ; testa black, shining. Uses :—This is one of the plants from which sajji-khar is prepared. ‘The woolly excrescenses on the tips of its branches, mixed with an empyreumatic oil, are used as an application to sores on the backs of camels. The leaves are applied as a poultice to ophthalmia, and used, infused in water, as an emetic by Sindhis. (Stewart and Murray.) 1049. S. monoica, Forsk., H.F.B.1., v. 13. Vern. :—Umari Nandi (South Arcot.) Habitat :—South Deccan ; on the seacoast at Tinnevelly and Tuticorin. Shrubby, branches suberect, leaves lnear flattish obtuse, spikes leafy panicled, flowers axillary 2-3-nate polygamous, bracts minute scarious entire, fruiting perianth obovate-oblong, lobes obtuse incurved, styles 2-5 short, seed vertical, testa black shining. Iam in great doubt about this Indian plant, which in a dry state is difficult to distinguish from 8S. fruticosa and vermiculata. (J. D. Hooker.) Use :—-It is put to the same uses as the preceding. From it also Sajji khar is prepared. Indian Forester for Nov. 1914, contains a note on Saltworts of South Arcot from the pen of Mr, T. P. Ghose, who says— 1070 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. “The plants are dried in the sun for two or three days, care being taken not to overdo this. They are then burnt in round pits 3 to 4 feet in diameter and 2 to 3 feet in depth. As the stuff burns more of it is continually added to the burning mass which is always kept stirred. ‘I'he fused alkali now comes out as a liquid and collects at the bottom of the pit ina separate mass which on cooling forms the “ barilla ” ready for export.” ————— L050... Salsola Kali, Linn, 3... B.¥. ome Vern. :—Sajji bati (Pb.). Habitat :—N.-W. Punjab, common in Baluchistan. Annual spinescent herbs ; pubescent, scabrid or glabrous, usually glaucous. Stem 6-18in., rarely erect, branches soft and pithy within, striped green white ; diffusely branched from the base. Leaves short, subulate, lanceolate from a $-emplexicaul base, thick rigid, pungent, $-l$in., spreading and recurved. Flowers 1-3 together, axillary or subspicate, bracts sepals sub- equal pungent. Fruiting perianth cartilaginous, $-4in., diam transparent, often rose coloured ; base rounded, wings obovate, orbicular or reniform, scarious, sometimes obsolete. Seed ad- herent to the utricle. Use :—-This plant is used in the manufacture of sajJ. 1051. Basella es Linn., H.F.B.1., Vv. 20. Roxb. 24a: Vern. :-—P6i, 1al-bachhe (H.); Rakto-pui, puisak (B.); Lal bachle-ki-bhaji (Duk.); Shirappu-vasla-kire (Tam.) ; Alla-batsalla, pedda-mattu-neatku-batsala, erra-allu-bach-chali (Tel.) ; Chovva- una-basella-kira (Mal.); Kempa-basale (Kan.); Mayak bhaji, Velgond (Bomb.). Habitat :—Throughout India under cultivation. A much-branched, twining fleshy herb, glabrous. Leaves petioled, broadly ovate, or cordate-orbicular, 2-7in. diam., nar- rowed into the petioles. Spikes 1-6in., axillary peduncled, simple or branched. Flowers red. Fruit size of a pea, purple when mature. | ‘“ Roxburgh regards two varieties of this, a red and.a regen- N. 0. PHYTOLACOGACER. 1071 stemmed one, as wild in India, and adds three cultivated sorts, ared and awhite-stemmed that are raised from seed, and differ only in luxuriance from the corresponding wild forms ; and lastly a large sort (B. luerda, L., and cordifolia, Lamk.), which is the most cultivated, and is always increased by slips; it is the largest form, covering trellises and native houses, and is the most succulent, and more used asa pot-herb than the others.” (J. D. Hooker). Uses:—The juice of the leaves is used in catarrhal affec- tions of children. (Drury). Demulcent and diuretic, useful in gonorrhea and balanitis. (Asst.-.Surg. J.N. Dey, Jeypore, in Waitt, I. 404.) Hoa2. Basella alba, Lunn. W-¥.B.1., v.21. nex, 270. Eng. :—White basil or Indian Spinach. Sans. :—Vishwa-tulasi. ; Potaki ; Upodika. Vern. :—Poi, myal-ki-bhaji, sufed-bachla, safed-tulsi (H.); Sufed-bachld-ki bhaji (Duk.); Wahlea (Mar.); Vasla-kire, Caujang kire, Vellapachalai (Tam.); Alubachehali, karu-bach- chali, polam-bachchali, pedda-bach-chali (Tel.) ; Bili-basale-balli (Kan.); Basella-kira (Mal.). Habitat :—Cultivated all over India. Uses:—-The leaves are made into a pulp used to hasten suppuration. The juice of the leaves, which is demulcent and cooling, is a popular application to allay the heat and itching of urticaria arising from dyspepsia, an affection which the Hindus consider to be indicative of bile in the blood. The boiled leaves are also used as a poultice, N. O. PHYTOLACCACE. 1053. Phytolacca acinosa, Roxb., H.F.B.1., IV. Roxb., 389. | Vern.:—Jirrag (Kumaon); Lubar, birgu, denturf, rinsig, jirka, matazor, sarunga Pb.) 1072 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. Habitat :—Temperate Himalaya, from Kashmir and Hazara to Bhutan. A nearly glabrous, erect herb. Stems 3-5ft., robust, succu- lent. Leaves alternate, broadly lanceolate, 6-10in., entire long- pointed, narrowed into a short stalk; stipules none. Flowers 4in, diam., pale-green, 2-sexual, in leaf opposed, cylindrical ; racemes 2-6in., long ; bracts linear. Perianth 5, nearly separate segments. Stamens 8-10, filaments united at the base ; anthers 2-celled, soon falling off. Ovary composed of 6-8 carpels arranged in a whorl, each with a short recurved stigma. Fruit dark-purple, succulent, crowded in an erect, thick raceme, 4-8in. long ; carpels separating when ripe, each containing a single black shining kidney-shaped seed. Uses :—The natives do not appear to use any part of the plant as a medicine, but in every district in which it is cultivated they seem to be fully aware of its power of producing delirium. It is commonly stated that the poisonous property is only de- stroyed by complete boiling. The narcotic virtues of certain American species are well-known, and it is possible that the Indian plant may be equally valuable. (Watt). N. O. POLYGONACE. 1054. Calligonum polygonoides, Linn., H.F.B.1., Vaz. Vern.:—Balanja, berwaja, tatuke (Trans-Indus); Phok, phog, phogalli (flowers) ; tirni (root) (Pb. and Sind). Habitat :—-Punjab, Sind and Rajputana. An almost leafless shrub or small tree with terete pale flexu- ous branches and very slender branchlets. Leaves most minute, bristles at the distant nodes. Flowering branches about as thick as a crow-quill or less; internodes 1-13in. long. Pedicels $-tin,, sepals 5, flat, about as long. Stamens 12-18. Ovary 4-angled. Fruit 3-lin diam., a nut, 4-angled, oblong, hard, densely clothed with many series of branching intricate, rigid, red-brown flexuous bristles ; seed about 4in. “ N. 0. POLYGONACER. 1073 Use :—The roots are bruised, and, boiled in combination with Catechu (Kath), used as a gargle for sore-gums. (Murray.) 1055. Polygonum, aviculare Linn., .F.B.1., V. 20. Vern. :—Indranee, bigbund, hunraj (Hind.); Kesru, banduke (Pb.); Miromati (Sans.) ; Machooti (Pb.) ; Drob (Kash.). Habitat :—Western Himalaya, from Kashmir to Kumaon ; Rawal Pindee and the Deccan. A glabrous herb. Root mostly annual. Branches procumbent or ascending, grooved, leafy. Leaves elliptic or elliptic-oblong or lanceolate, obtuse flat, nerveless ; stipules shorter than the internodes, hyaline, lacerate, many-nerved. Flowers axillary ; pedicel short, pointed at the tip. Perianth obovoid, cleft to near the base ; nut ovoid, obtusely 3-gonous, minutely rugosely * striolate. Uses :—In Chumba, the dried root is applied externally as an anodyne, and officinal in Kashmir. (Stewart.) The seeds are also said to be powerfully emetic and purgative. In Europe, the whole plant is considered vulnerary and astringent. In the Year Book of Pharmacy for 1874, an interesting account is given of the reputed value of the decoction of the herb in cases of vesical calculus. A case is described in which a dose of two tumblerfuls of the decoction is said to have been followed by almost immediate relief. “Tt was used by the ancients to arrest hemorrhage, the seeds were con- sidered to be laxative and diuretic and to arrest defluxions, For burning pains in the stomach the leaves were applied topically, and were used in the form of a liniment for pains in the bladder and for erysipelas, The juice was administered in fevers, tertian and quartan more particularly, in doses of two cyathi, just before the paroxysms, Arabian physicians consider it to be cold and dry, and reproduce what the Greeks have said concerning its medicinal uses. In India, the plant is still used by the Hakims in the diseases named by Dioscorides. In our own times Polygonum root has been used as a febrifuge in Algeria, and has been reported upon as being an excellent remedy for chronic diarrhoea and stone in the bladder, Its value has apparently been much exaggerated. (J. R. Jackson, Amer. Journ. Pharm.,, 1873, p. 247.) In the Lancet, (1885, p. 658) it is said to be used in Russia, under the name of Homeriana, as a popular remedy in lung affections. Dr. Rotschinin, who has experimented with the drug, found it really valuable in several cases of 135 1074 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. bronchitis, two of which were capillary; also in three cases of whooping cough, It was tried in phthisis, but no definitely satisfactory results were obtained. A tumblerful of the decoction was given three times a day.” (Pharmacog. Ind., Vol. III. p. 149.) 1056. P. plebeyum, Br., Var. indica, LEB. WACOM. Vern. :—Raniphfl (Santal). Jommon in central and S. India, also in the Bombay Presidency. Branches uniformly spreading all round from the crown and Jeafy, internodes short. Leaves 4-3 in. long, linear or obovate- oblong, flat, obtuse or apiculate ; stipules very short. Flowers crowded in the axils, pedicels shorter than the perianth or none. Sepals broad, 2 outer acute. Nutlets 7zin. (Duthie.) Use :—The root is given for bowel complaints (Campbell). 1057. P. viviparum, Linn., 4.¥.B.1., v. 31. Syn. :—P. bistorta, Linn. Vern. :—Maslin, bilauri, anjabar (Pb.). Habitat :-—Alpine and Sub-alpine Himalaya, from Kashmir to Sikkim, ete. A perennial, glandular herb. Stem solitary, 4-12in., slender simple, erect, from a woody root-stock as thick as the thumb or less. Root leaves long-petioled, linear or linear-oblong, acute, obtuse or cordate; 1-6in., coriaceous, sometimes pubescent, or even tomentose beneath. Cauline leaves sessile, erect. Spikes 1-4in. long, solitary, erect, slender. Bracts ovate, acuminate. Perianth very variable in size. Flowers suberect, pink, the lower re-placed by bulbils. Stamens included or exserted. Styles filiform, slender, free and included or greatly lengthened and connate below. Nut very small, trigonous, or biconvex. Uses :—The root is a useful astringent and said to be applied to abscesses ; a decoction may be used in gleet and leucorrhcea as an injection; makes an excellent gargle in relaxed sore- throat and spongy gums, and an excellent lotion for ulcers. Mixed with Gentian, it is given in intermittent fevers ; also useful in passive hemorrhage and diarrhceea (Dr. Stewart). N. 0. POLYGONACER. 1075 1058. P. glabrum, Willd., u.F.B.1., v. 34; Roxb. 334. Vern. :—Sauri arak, jioti (Santal); Larborna, bih agui, bih langaui, patharua (Assam); Rakta rohida sheral (Bomb.); Atalaria (Tam.). Habitat :—-In ditches, etc., from Assam, Sylhet and Bengal westward to the Indus and Sindh, and southward to Burma, ascending the Himalaya to 6,400ft. in Garhwal. Glabrous herbs. Stem 2-5ft., stout, slightly branched, some- what swollen above nodes, shining purplish-red. Leaves usual- ly large, 3-10in., linear-lanceolate, much tapering at both ends, entire, glabrous or slightly rough with minute prickles, minute- ly glandular; midrib prominent, broad, lateral veins numerous, ~ pellucid. Petiole very short (4-4in ), stout ; stipules about lin., membranous, veined, truncate, not ciliate. Flowers bright-pink, numerous all the year round on short glabrous pedicels ; racemes 1-3in., erect; bracts short, truncate, glabrous. Perianth $-71n., long, pink or whi.e, not glandular ; segments broadly oval, acute. Stamens usually 8 (sometimes fewer), shorter than perianth. Styles 2 divergent, sometimes 3, united above the middle ; stigmas globose. Nuts black shining, ¢in. in diam., usually rounded and flattened, 3-angled in the 3 styled flowers. It is difficult to separate this from smooth forms of P. Persicaria, of which itis the tropical representative ; it is, however, much larger, less branched, with more attenuate leaves brown when dry, and normally ciliate bracts and stipules. (Hooker.) Uses: —An infusion of the leavesis used by the country people of Bombay to relieve pain in colic (Dymock). In Chutia Nagpur, it is employed as a cure for “stitch in the side,” and in Assam as a remedy for fever (Watt). 1059. P. persicaria, Linn., H.F.B.1., V. 39. Habitat :—Western Himalaya, Kasnmir, etc. Use:—It may be put to the same uses as the other species of this genus. Annual, erect or ascending, leaves subsessile, elliptic-oblong or lanceolate eglandalar, stipules usually hirsute and ciliate, 1076 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. racemes oblong dense-fid., bracts ciliate, pedicels glabrous, perianth red eglandular nerves slender, stamens usually 6. | Chem. Comp.—It has the following percentage composition :—Moisture 10°07, ash 652, ethereal oil 0°053, wax 1.92, tannin 1:52, mucic and pectic substances 5°42, calcium oxalate 2°18, total nitrogen 3°97, ammonia 0°31, cellulose 27°61, volatile acids 0°0464, sugar 3:24. The ash contains Na, K, Mg, Ca, Fe, Cl., So,, Si O,, P,O., and several quantities of Mn. It was dissolved by light petroleum, consists of an easily hydrolysable phytosterol oleate along with free phytosterol, and a solid acid melting at 55°C. The ethereal extract contains chlorophyll and a resin, and the alcoholic extract, sugar, tannin, gallic acid, quercetin and phlobaphen; the latter is hydrolysed by dilute sulphuric acid forming a sugar which gives an osazone melting at 177°-178°C, Only traces of volatile aminic bases are present, but considerable quantities of ammonia, the bases precipitated by phosphotungstic acid are two or three in number and differ in their solubility in chloroform and amyl] alcohol. The ethereal oil is noteworthy as consisting principally of volatile fatty acids, especially acetic and butyric acids; the remainder is made up of a camphor-like solid with an agreeable odour (persicariol) and a liquid, not further investigated. (J.S. Ch. I. Jan. 15, 1902, p. 66.) ~ROGO? OP Mbarlatim, Lint |r Bly vaene Syn. :—P. rivulare, Koen., Roxb. 335. Vern. :--Narri (Pb); Bekh-unjubaz (P.); Atalari (Tam.); Kondamalle, niru ganeru (Tel.) ; Velluta modela mukku (Malay) ; Dhakt’ sheral .Mar.) ; Mangarleta (Jaspur). Habitat :—Throughout the hotter parts of India, from Assam to the Indus, and southwards to Malacca, Penang and Ceylon. Stems erect, glabrous, 14-5ft. Leaves numerous, 5-6in., linear-lanceolate, nearly sessile, tapering to both ends, acute, finely hairy on both sides and at margins; stipules 14in., usually longer than internodes, strigose with long hair, ciliate, with strong coarse hair, as long as the tube. Flowers on short slender pedicels. Racemes 2-4in., erect, slender, rather. lax. Bracts strongly pectinate. Perianth white, without glands. Styles 3. Stamens 5-8. Fruit a nut, triangular, black shining. Uses :—The seeds are employed in Malabar and Canara to relieve the griping panis of colic (Dr. Stewart, also Dr. Ainslie). In Patna, the root is used as an astringent and cooling remedy (Irvine). In China, a decoction of the leaves and stalks is said to be used as a stimulating wash for ulcers (Watt). N. 0. POLYGONACER. 1077 L061. P.Hydropiper, Einn., H.F-B.T., V. 39. Vern. :—Packur-mul (B.). Halitat:—Plains and hills of India, in wet. places, from Assam, Silhet, Chittagong and Bengal to N.-W. India, and Madras. A glabrous, rather robust annual. Roots tufted or shortly creeping. Stems erect and branches ascending, rather stout leafy, 12-18in. high; always glabrous, often glandular; nodes often swollen. Leaves rarely more than 3in. long, sessile or petioled, lanceolate or oblong-lanceolate, glabrous or with the midrib scabrid beneath. Stipules glabrous or sparsely strigose, very shortly ciliate. Racemes flexuous, leafy at base, filiform, decurved, interrupted; bracts glabrous, glandular or not. Perianth pinkish ; mouth naked or minute, ciliate. Nut usually trigonous, opaque, finely granulate, sometimes flat. Uses:—In China, the juice is used for itch, and also asa diuretic, carminative and anthelmintic (P.J. 20-12-84). The root is stimulating, bitter and tonic, and is used for these properties in Patna (Irvine.) O’Shaughnessy states that the whole plant is reputed to be a powerful diuretic, but to lose its activity on drying. “This plant possesses very acrid qualities, and is hot and biting to a degree, so that no animal will eat it, even ‘nsects avoid it ; and it issaid that when dried and laid amongst clothes no moth will touch them. Its bruised leaves are still used in villages instead of a mustard poultice, and they are put into the mouth to cure toothache. It is said to be a powerful diuretic, ana a water distilled from it was formerly used in some nephri- tic complaints.” (Sowerby’s English Botany, Vol. VIII, pp. 71-72.) Chem.. comp.—Dr. C. J, Rademarker (Amer, Journ, Pharm., Nov. 1879) separated from P. Hydropiper a crystalline principle which he named Polygonic acid. H. Trimble and H.J.Schuchard (Am. Journ. Pharm., Jan, 1885) re-examined the plant with following results :—They found that the peculiar pungent principle, although present in a weak alcoholic tincture, disappeared on distillation, the pungent taste of the herb being absent from the distillate and the residue in the retort. 1078 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. From these experiments they conclude that the active principle is de- composed on the slightest heating, and that the only proper preparation of the drug would be one made without the application of heat, They pre- pared the polygomie acid of Dr. Rademaker, and conclude from their experiments that it is only a mixture of impure tannic and gallie acids, (Pharmacog, Ind, II pp. 150-151.) 1062. Peatatum; Hames Fei. v2 Syn.:—P. Nepalense, Mezssu. Vern. :—Sat balon (Pb.). - Habitat:—Throughout the Himalaya, from Sikkim to Kashmir. ihasia Mts., Nilghiri Mts., Canara; and the Baba- budan Hills. An annual herb. Stem 1-2ft., long, rarely creeping for a short distance at the base, erect and sub-simple or branched from the base, erect, tall or low, glabrous or sparsely hairy. Branches 6-8in. high, slender or rather stout, flaccid or stiff. Leaves large or small ($-l$in. long), ovate or deltoid, ovate- obtuse or acute or narrowed into a broadly winged, often amplexicaul, petiole, glandular or not. Stipules tubular, obliquely truncate. Peduncles glandular, hispid at tip. Involucre-leaf often longer than the head, sessile, ovate, cordate, obtuse or acute. Heads usually witb an involucral leaf, 4+-%in. Bracts ovate-lanceolate, glabrous, not ciliate. Perianth 1-5-fid, stamens 7-8, included, sepals white or pale-purple, membranous, sub- equal, very variable in size. Style long, with one or two long arms and capitate stigmas. Nut varying in size, l-in., the same head, closely invested and cohering with the thin perianth- tube and crowned with the lobes, bi-convex or tri-gonous, striate and punctate. . Use:—In Kangra its leaves are applied to swellings (Stewart). 1063. P. Molle Don Brod., H.F.B.1., IV. 50. Habitat :—Central and Eastern Himalaya; Nepal, Sikkim, Mishmi Hills. Shrubby, erect, 3-6ft. Stems engled, hairy, becoming tomen- tose in the upper parts. Leaves stalked or the upper nearly sessile, oblong-lanceolate, 4-9in. by 13-33in., long-pointed, upper N. 0. POLYGONACEA. 1079 surface glabrous or thinly hairy, the lower softly and densely hairy, especially in the mid-rib and nerves. Stipules. tubular, very long, hairy, strongly nerved, pointed. Flowers white or ting- ed with pink, in terminal, usually erect, panicles, 6-18in. long. Bracts flat. Perianth 5-parted, jin. diam. Stamens 8. Styles 3, free nearly to the base. Nut 3-angled, pale-brown. Use:—Ilt is used for the same purposes as P. Hydropiper and P. alatum. It is astringent. 1064. Rheum spiciforme, Royle, H.F.B.1., V. 59. Habitat:—Western Himalaya; in the drier ranges, from Kumaon westwards to Western Tibet. . A stemless herb. Root short or long, thicker than the thumb. ‘Leaves all radical, 6-12in. diam., very leathery, with prominent radiating nerves and eer euleted nervules beneath, red-brown in age, orbicular, broadly ovate or cordate, glabrous or stellate- ly puberulous beneath. Petiole 3-Gin., very stout, glabrous or puberulous. Racemes 1-3, glabrous, radical, 4-12in., strict, dense-fid. Peduncleand rachis stout, glabrous. Bracts minute, ovate, scarious. Flowers jin. diam., on capillary pedicels. Fruit broadly ellipsoid or oblong, wings membranous, broader than the disk, $-3in. long, 3-4-times as long as the oblong obtuse sepals; tip rounded or notched, wings membranous. Pedicel half as long as the fruit or less. 1065. R&R. Moorcroftianum, Royle, H.F.B.1., v. 56. Habitat :--Western Himalaya ; Kumaon. Stemless species of stout herbs, with woody large roots. Flowers in a spike like raceme. “ This plant,” says J.D. Hooker, “differs from R. spiciforme in the very much larger pubescent peduncles and racemes which together are two feet long, and in the form of the fruit.” Leaves all radical, thickly coriaceous, orbicular, glabrous or stellately puberulous bed) Racemes pubescent, fruit ovoid, wings narrow. 1066. &. emodz, Wall., u.¥F.B.1., v. 56. Vern. :—Revand-chini (H. and B.); Révande-hindi (Pers.); 1G80 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. Variyattu (Tam.) ; Natturéval-chinni (Tel.) ; Gamni-revan-chini (Guz.); Padam-chal (Nepal); Archu (Garhwal); Mulka-cha-reval- chini (Mar.); Nat-reva-chinni (Kan.). Habitat : —Sub-alpine and Alpine Himalaya; Nepal, Sikkim and Simla. Herbs. Stem very stout, tall, branched, leafy ; 5-6ft. high, streaked, green and brown. Root very stout. Radical ieaves often 2ft. diam., papillose beneath, scabrous above; petiole 12-18in., very stout, scaburlous, orbicular, or broadly ovate, obtuse; base cordate, 5-7-nerved. Panicle leafy, papillosely puberulous, fastigiately branched, 2-3ft. Flowers dark-purple, gin, diam. Fruit gin. long, oblong, ovoid, purple, base cordate, apex notched, wings narrower than the disk. 1067. BR. accuminatum, Hook. f- and” Thom, HOB ee Wie Habitat :—Sikkim, Himalayas. Probably only a small form, says J. D. Hooker, of R. Emodi, Wall., with acuminate leaves, but the flowers are considerably larger, and, though long under cultivation, it does not attain half the size of that plant or vary in its character. Stem leafy ; leaves long-petioled, triangular or orbicular, ovate, acuminate ; base cordate, 5-7-nerved, panicles papillosely puberulous, fasti- giately branched and leafy; flowers red; frait ovoid, oblong, base, cordate, tip entire or notched, wings narrower than the nucleus. 1068. R. Webbianum, Royle, H.F.B.1., v. 57. Habitat :--Central and Western Alpine Himalaya. Very variable in size, from | to 6ft. high, stem branched, leafy. Leaves 4in.—2ft. in diam. ; long-petioled, orbicular-cordate or reniform, 5-7-nerved papillose or glabrous, tip rounded or sub- acute Panicles axillary and terminal, leafy, quite glabrous. Flowers pale-yellowish, very much smaller than R. Emodi, the panicles less strict, the fruit broader, gin. diam., with broader wings. Fruit notched at both ends. N. 0. POLYGONACEA. 1081 Uses:—The roots of the several species of Rheum, described above, inhabiting the elevated portions of Himalaya, constitute the principal portion of the Indian or Himalayan Rhubarb. There are two principal varieties, 1. The large (from R. Hmodz ?) ; occurs in twisted or cylindrical pieces of various sizes and shapes, furrowed; cut obliquely at the extremities, about four inches long and an inch and a half in diameter; of a dark brown colour, feeble rhubarb odour, and bitter astringent taste; texture radiated, rather spongy, not presenting on fracture the marbled texture characteristic of ordinary rhubarb ; pulverized with difficulty ; powder of a dull brownish yellow colour. 2. The small (from R. Webbianum); consists of short transverse segments of the root branches ; of a dark-brownish colour, odourless, or nearly so, with a very bitter astringent taste. Both kinds are liable to ‘considerable variation in physical characters. The trials made with Himalayan rhubarb by Prof. Royle (Calcutta Med. Phys. Trans., vol. i. p. 439), and Mr. Twining (Diseases of Bengal, vol. i. p. 220), were productive of satisfactory results ; the latter authority, indeed, regarded it as superior to imported rhubarb asa stomachic tonic. Subsequent experience has not confirmed this view. The general tenor of all the reports received from India in which this drug is noticed is to the effect that the indigenous rhubarb procured in the bazaars is generally worthless, and unfitted to replace the imported article. Dr. Hugh Cleghorn (Madras Quart. Med. Journ., 1862, vol. v., p- 464), who furnishes some interesting remarks on Himalayan Rhubarb, states that it is only an inferior variety that reaches the plains of Hindustan. He tested the action of the fresh root, and found it resemble that of Russian Rhubarb. Culti- vated with due care, thereis reason to believe that a good serviceable drug, equal to Chinese or Turkish Rhubarb, might be obtained from the Himalayan plants. (Ph. Ind.) In the Second Rept. of Indig. Drugs Comm. (p. 71) Captn. W. M. Anderson, I.M.S., who used the powder, gives his opinion, as to the value of the drug, as follows :— 7 “ Not satisfactory as a purgative ; requires to be given in 5— 10 gr. doses ; is very liable to gripe and is irregular in its action. In some cases the bowels were only opened after repeated doses.” 186 1082 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. 1069. Oayria digyna, Ail Wr Ba Woe: Vern. :—Amlu ; Chohahak (Pb.). Habitat :—Alpine Himalaya, from Sikkim to Kashmir. An erect, fleshy-glabrous herb. MRootstock tufted, with many erect succulent stems, 4-l8in. high. Leaves radical, many, long-petioled, 1-4in. diam., rarely 3-lobed or sub-hastate, cauline 1-2; petiole sometimes 8in. Racemes slender, panicled. Flowers 2-sexual ; pedicels pointed in the middle; tip thickened. Outer two sepals, spreading or reflexed ; inner two spathulate, 3-5-nerved. Stamens 6. Ovary compressed, Styles 2, short , stigmas fimbriate. Fruit a nut, 2-winged, biconvex, 4-4in. diam., orbicular-cordate, wing membranous, veined, top notched. A most agreeable salad, raw and cooked. Except in often attaining a very large size (18in. high), the Himalayan plant does not differ from the European. (Hooker.) Use:—In Chumba it is eaten raw and in chatni, and is considered cooling, and in Kanawar it is known asa medicine (Stewart). 1070. Rumex maritimus, Linn., H.F.B.1., V. 59. Syn. :-——R. acutus, Roxb. 309. Vern. :-—Jangli-palak, jfl-palam (H.); Bun-palung (B.) ; Hala obil ; Zagt-kei ; Khattikan ; Bij-band (Pb.). Habitat:—Marshes in Assam, Silhet, Cachar and Bengal. An annual herb, rather shrubby. Stem 1-4ft., angled and deeply grooved. Leaves 3-l0in., lanceolate, narrowed into the petiole. Whorls of flowers lax or dense, many-or few-fid. Panicles leafy tothe top. Flowers 2-sexual. [fruiting perianths all unarmed, or on the same plant, some armed and some unarmed, yellow-brown when ripe, tubercle smooth, with a narrow, sometimes reticulate, margin ; spine sometimes 4 times as long as the valve; tip straight or slightly hooked. Stamens 6. Ovary 3-gonous; styles 3, terminal. Stigmas fimbricate. Nut included in the usually enlarged inner sepals (valves), angles acute. Uses:—The plant has cooling properties, the leaves are applied to burns and the seeds are sold as bij-hand of the N. 0. POLYGONACE®. 1083 bazars, and used as an aphrodisiac (Atkinson). N. B.—According to Murray (Plants and Drugs of Sind), the fruit of Polygommi aviculare is knownas Bijband or Endraniin Sind. It is probable that seed of several species of Polygonum and Rumex are collected and sold as Bijband, 1071. kh. dentatus, Linn., H.7.B.1., v. 59. Habitat :—Plains of India, from Assam and Sylhet to the Indus, ascending the Himalaya to 1,000 ft., Sind and Concan. An erect annual, 1-2ft. high. Stems grooved, glabrous, usually tinged with red. Leaves 3-4in. long, oblong, obtuse, glabrous, base rounded or cordate, petioles of radical leaves up to 23in. long. Flowers shortly pedicelled, 2-sexual, arranged in distinct leafy or leafless whorls. Perianth $-lin. long; inner segments broadly ovate, reticulate-veined, much enlarged in fruit - and with an ovoid-oblong smooth tubercle on its back, margins irregularly toothed or pectinate; the teeth numerous, short, straight, not hooked. Nutlets yoin. long, acutely 3-gonous or almost winged. (Duthie.) Useé:—The root yields a dye, and is used as an astringent application in cutaneous disorders (Watt). 1072. BR. nepalensis, Spreng., H.F.B.1., V. 60. Habitat :—Temperate Himalaya, from Bhotan to Kashmir ; Khasia Mts., Western Peninsula ; on the Ghats. Tall herbs. Roots with tuberous fibres. Stem 2-4ft, stout, erect. Branches stiff, spreading. Radical leaves often 6-14 by 3-5in., undulate or not, large oblong, ovate-oblong or triangular- ovate, acute or obtuse, base widely or narrowly cordate, upper sessile or petioled, similar or with narrowed bases, or lanceolate. Flowers 2-sexual, in whorls forming long, nearly leafless, race- mes. Fruiting sepals broadly ovate, fringed one thickend and forming an oblong tubercle. Uses :—The tuberous roots are said to be sold in the bazars of Bengal under the name of Rewund Chinit asa substitute for rhubarb. They are given in constipation, in doses of 10 gr. to 120 gr. (Irvine). Oswald Hesse has isolated from the root three new substances, one of which, rumicin, is isomeric with, and closely resembles, chrysophanie acid, but is not identical with it, 1084 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. Rumicin, C,,H,,)O,, crystallises from light petroleum in golden-yellow leaflets with metallic lustre, and melts at 186-188°; the solution in caustic potash is purple-red, becoming colourless on exposure to carbonic anhydride, which precipitates rumicin, When heated with hydriodic acid, it yields chrysophano-hydro-anthrone, which is obtained from chrysophanie acid under the influence of the same agent. Nepalin, C,7H,,04, crystallises from glacial acetic acid in microscopic, orange needles, and melts at 186°; it is insoluble in alkali carbonates, but dissolves in caustic potash, forming a purple solution, which becomes colourless under the influence of carbonic anhydride, The solution in concentrated sulphuric acid is blood-red. The diacetyl derivative crystallises from glacial acetic acid in lustrous, brownish-yellow rhombohedra, which darken at 170°, and melt at 181°. Nepodin, C,3H,;0,, crystallises from a mixture of benzene light petroleum in long, greenish-yellow prisms, and melts at 158°, It dissolves readily in alkali carbonates, forming a yellowish-brown solution; the solution in con- centrated sulphuric acid is an intense, yellowish-red colour. The diacetyl derivative crystallises in pale-yellow rhombohedra, darkens at 180° and melts and decomposes at 168°. These three constituents of Rumes nepalensis, of which nepalin greatly preponderates, are separated from one another by extracting the root with ether, removing nepodin by means of aqueous potassium carbonate, evaporat- ing the ether, and extracting the rumicin from the residue with boiling acetone ; the nepalin remaining undissolved. (J. Ch. S. 1896 A. I, 573.) Rumicin is chrysophanie acid, uncontaminated with methyl. chrysophanie acid, whilst nepalin is identical with nepodin, C,,H,;0,. (J. Ch. S. 1900 A. I. 41), 1073. R. vesicarius, Linn., H.F.B.1., Vv. 61.; Roxb. 309. Sans. :—Chukra ; Shutavedhee. Vern. :—Chuka Chukapdlang (H. and B.) ; Shakkan-kirai (Tam.); Shukk-kura-ku (Tel.); Sukhasag (Assam); Ambut chuka (C. P.); Triwakka, khatbiri, khattitan, khatta mitha, saluni (Pb.); Chuka (Sind); Ambari, chukka (Deccan); Chuka (Bomb.). Habitat :—Western Punjab ; on the Salt Range and Trans- Indus hills; cultivated, and an escape in other parts of India. A pale-green annual, moncicous, glabrous, 6-12in. high, dichotomously branched from the root, rather fleshy. Leaves petioled, elliptic, ovate or oblong, 3-5-nerved, base cuneate, rarely cordate or hastate, 1-3in. acute or obtuse. Petiole as long as the blade. Racemes short, terminal, leaf-opposed, leafless, 1-1gin.; N. 0. ARISTOLOCHIACE. 1085 pedicels slender, jointed about the middle or unjointed, Flowers sometimes 2-nate and connate, valves large, orbicular, 2-lobed at each end, very membranous and reticulate without a marginal nerve. Fruit din. diam., white or pink ; valves hyaline. Uses:—It has obtained the name of Sorrel in India, and is — considered by the natives as cooling and aperient, and, toa certain extent, diuretic (Ainslie). ‘The juice is said to allay the pain of toothache, and by its astringent properties to check nausea, promote the appetite and allay morbid craving for unwholesome substances. It is also considered very cooling and of use in heat of stomach, and externally as an epithem to allay pain, especially that caused by the bites or stings of reptiles and insects. The seeds are said to have. similar proper- _ ties, and are prescribed roasted in dysentery, and as an antidote to scorpion stings. The root is also medicinal (Dymock). N. O. ARISTOLOCHIACEAL. 1074. Braganita Wallichu, Br., H.¥.B.1., Vv. 73. Vern. :—Alpam (Mal.). Habitat :—Deccan Peninsula; in the western forests, from the Southern Concan southwards. Anerect slender shrub, 6-LOfi. Bark smooth, yellowish. Twigs swollen above the nodes. Young parts finely pubescent. Branches angled. Leaves distichous, 5-7in., linear-lanceolate, acute at base, attenuate, very acute, entire, glabrous above, minutely pubescent and paler beneath, 3-nerved at base, veins, prominent beneath. Petiole very short, stout. Flowers purple or greenish on rather long pubescent pedicels, in shortly stalked, irregularly umbellate cymes. Bracts small, linear. Perianth segments over +in., ovate, pubescent, concave. Capsule 3-4in., obtuse, 4-seeded. Seeds acute at both ends, deeply rugose. Leaves slightly aromatic when bruised (Trimen). - Uses: —The juice of the leaves, like that of many plants of this Natural Order, is valued as an antidote in venomous snake bites, especially in that of the Cobra. Fra Bartolomeo (Voyage, 1086 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. p. 416) quotes a Malabar proverb, to the effect “as soon as Alpam enters the. body, poison leaves it.” (Ph. Ind.) This is regarded as one of the most powerful antidotes to poison known on the West Coast. The whole plant mixed with oil and reduced to an ointment is said to be very efficacious in psora or inveterate ulcers (Drury). 1075. 8B. tomentosa, Blume., H.F.B.1., V. 73. Habitat :—-Silhet. A low, herbaceous plant. Stem creeping below, and rooting, then ascending, 6-12in., simple angular, geniculate, tomentose. Leaves densely tomentose beneath 4-6 by 24-4in., 1-3, oblong or ovate-cordate smooth, opaque above, 6-9-nerved at the base and penni-nerved beyond; the first pair of basal nerves not reaching the middle of the leaf. Flowers in simple spikes, 3-%in. diam. ; bracts oblong persistent. Perianth-lobes rounded- cordate, acute. Stamens 6. Capsule 2in. Icng, straight; Seeds 4in. long, 3-gonous, rugose. Use:—It possesses intense bitterness, and, according to Horsfield, is employed by the Javanese as an emmenagogue (Pie inds): 1076. Aristolochia bracteata, Retz., H.¥.B.1., V. io Roxb: 400. Sans. :—Dhtimrapatra. Vern. :—Kirdamar gandan or gandati (Hind. and Dec.) ; Addu-tina-pally (Tam.); Gadidegada-para-iku (Tel.) ; Gandhati, kidamari (Bom.); Kadapara (Tel.); Atutindppala (Mal.); Paniri (Uriya). Habitat :—Deccan Peninsula, northward to Bundelkund, and Scinde. Perennial herbs, quite glabrous. Roots slender. Stem or branches slender, 12-18in., angled, striate. Leaves 14-3in. long and broad, widely and shallowly cordate at base or reniform, tip obtuse or subacute, margins flat or waved, glaucous beneath. Petiole 1-l4in. Peduncle short ; bracts usually orbicular, variable in position, sometimes basal. Flowers solitary. N. O. ARISTOLOCHIACE. 1087 Perianth 1-1%in., base globose, tube cylindric, erect, slender, lip erect, linear, as long as the tube, dark-purple with rootute edges, villous, with purple hairs. Anthers six. Stylar column 6-lobed. Fruit a pyriform capsule, lin. long, many grooved. Seeds triangular, cordate. Uses:—Every part of this plant is nauseously bitter, which remains long, chiefly about the throat. For a purging with gripes, two of the fresh leaves are rubbed up in a little water, and given to an adult for a dose, once in 24 hours (Roxb.). It is well-known by its Hindustani name Kird-mdr,' from its supposed anthelmintic properties, and also probably from the fact of the expressed juice of the leaves being applied to foul and neglected ulcers, for the purpose of destroying the larve _of insects. A belief in the anthelmintic virtues of the leaves is common amongst the natives. In Dalzell and Gibson’s Flora of Bombay (p. 225), it 1s spoken of as possessing ‘a merited reputation as an antiperiodic in intermittent fevers.” Em- menagogue properties are also assigned to it. Dr. J. Newton reports that in Scinde the dried root, in doses of about a drachm and-a-half, in the form of powder or in infusion, is administered during labours to increase uterine contractions (Ph. Ind.). The leaves are applied to the navel to move the bowels of children, and are also given internally in combination with castor oil as a remedy for colic. Dr. Hove states that the root and leaf are remarkably bitter, and yield a thick yellowish juice, which is mixed with boiled milk and given in syphilis, and combined with opium is used with great success in gonorrhoea. Ainslie notices the applica- tion of the leaf, when bruised and mixed with castor oil, to obstinate psora (the carpang of the Tamils.) The native doctors in Bombay make a paste, with water, of the plant, along with the seeds of Barringtonia acutangula, Celastrus paniculata, and black pepper, and rub the whole body with it for the cure of malarial fevers. The evidence collected by Ir. Watt (Dict. Ee. Pr. India, i. 314) shows that it is the opinion of several Kuropean phy- 1088 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLAN'S. sicians in different parts of India that the plant has a decided action upon the.uterus, and increases or induces uterine con- tractions. There appears to be no doubt as to its anthelmintic properties. (Dymock). Chem. comp.—The plant contains a nauseous volatile substance, an alkaloid, and a large quantity of salts. The alkaloid is amorphous and gives no colour reactions with the strong mineral acids. The bitter con- centrated tincture on standing deposited cubical erystals of potassium chloride. The ash calealated on the air-dried plant was 17°75 per cent., and strung alkaline fumes were given off from the plant when burning. 1077. A.endica; Linn., H.F.B.1., Vv. 15 * Roxemua Sans. :—Rudrajata, Arkamula ; Sunanda; Ishvari. Vern.: --Isharmul, isharmal-ki-jar (H. and Duk.‘; Isarmul (B.), Bhedi jane-tet (Santal); SApasand (Bomb. and Mar.); Arkmula, ruhimula (Cutch and Guj.); Peru-marindu, perum-kizhangu (Tam.); Ishvara-véru, déla-govela, govila (Tel.); Karalekam, karukakpulla, karal-vekam, ishvar4-muri (Mal.); Ishverivéra (Kan.) ; Ieh-chura-muliver (Tam.). Habitat :—Throughout the low country of India, from Nepal and lower Bengal to Chittagong; and the Deccan Peninsula, from the Concan southward. Shrabby, quite glabrous, twining, prostrate herbs. Stems slightly woody at base, branches slender. Leaves very vari- able, membranous, linear, ovate, obovate-oblong, or subpan- duriform ; base cuneate or rounded ; basal nerves short; in the narrowest form 4 by $-3in, in the broadest 4-5 by 3in., abruptly or gradually obtusely acuminate or apiculate, often oblong and quite obtuse. Petiole 4-3in., very slender. Perianth straight, greenish-white ; base globose ; tube shortly funnel-shaped ; mouth oblique, trumpet-shaped, gradually passing into short, oblong, obtuse, glabrous, purple and brownish lip. Flowers 1-3 ; corymbs short, pedunculate. Anthers 6; stylar column 6- lobed. Capsule 14-2in. long, oblong, grooved. Seeds flat, triangular, winged. Uses :—The root, which is very bitter, is held in much esteem by the natives as a stimulant, tonic, and emmenagogue, and is employed by them in intermittent fevers and other affections. N. 0. AKISTOLOCHIACE:. 1089 Nothing certain is known of its virtues; but Dr. Kirkpatrick (Cat. of Mysore Drugs, No. 455) considers that its properties as a febrifuge are deserving of investigation ; and Dr. Fleming, judging from the aromatic bitterness of the root, is of opinion that it will be found useful in dyspepsia (Asiat. Researches, vol. xi.). Dr. Gibson regards it as valuable in bowel affections. From its sensible properties, and the high esteem in which it is held by the natives, it may be worthy of further notice. It is as an antidote to snake bites, however, that it has obtained most repute, and by the early Portuguese settlers was termed Raiz de Cobra, from its supposed efficacy in those cases, even in the bite of the Cobra de Capello. The leaves, and the expressed juice of the leaves, have more recently been brought to notice in the same class of cases by Mr. Lowther (Journ. of Agri.-Hort. Soc. of India, 1846, vol. v. pp. 1388, 742, and vol. vil. p. 42.) (Ph. Ind.). It seems to be, however, more used by the native Madras physicians for snake-bite than in the Dekkan or Concan where I come from. Iam not aware of the drug being experimented on by any European physicians. It is worth a trial on theoretical grounds certainly (K.R.K.). In Bombay it is chiefly prescribed in the bowel complaints of children; and in cholera it is regarded as a stimulant tonic, and is also applied externally to the abdomen. Babu T. N. Mukharji states that the juice of the fresh leaves is very useful in the croup of children, by inducing vomiting, without causing any depression. Dr. S. M. Shircore of Moorshidabad states that it is un- doubtedly used to procure abortion. “With regard to the antidotal properties ascribed to Aristolochize, Dr. Hance remarks that undoubtedly no genus comprising a large number of species, widely diffused over both hemispheres, has been so universally credited with alexiteric properties as Aristolochia, and this, too, in all ages, and in every condition of society, alike by the wandering savage and the polished citizen or learned physician of a highly civilized commonwealth.* * * * “Modern physicians seem with one accord to regard these plants as diaphoretics, stimulant tonics, and emmenagogues only; but the array of testimony from all quarters of the globe, and extending over a period of more than two thousand years, in favour of their alexiteric properties, is so overwhelming, that it isin my judgment incredible that these virtues should be imaginary.’ —(Ph. J, March 15, 1878, pp. 725-726.) 137 1090 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS Mr. R. Modlen concludes a paper “on the Aristolochiacew as antidotes to snake-poisons’’ in the Ph. J. for Nov. 20, 1880, p. 411, as follows : “ Although we English pharmacists may never be in a position to test this remedy, still it seemed to be one of sufficient interest to be noted. Strangely enough, the only place in this neighbourhood (Oxford) where I have seen an adder is the only locality for A. Clematis.” According to the authors of the Pharmacographia Indica, the roots con- tain an alkaloidal principle. . ——<—~+ N. O. PIPERACEA. L078. Piper longum, Linn., 4.7/3.1.) Vee D2. ; Syn. :--Chavica Roxburghii, Mig. Sans. :-—Pippali. Vern.:—Pipul (H. and B.); Pippul-chitteo (Yel); Pipi (Tam.); Bangali-pim-pali (Bomb.). Habitut :—Hotter provinces of India, from East Nepal to Assam, the Khasia Mts. and Bengal, westward to Bombay and southward to Travancore. Root-stock erect, thicker pointed, branched. Stems herba- ceous, numerous, creeping below ; young shoots downy, branches prostrate or creeping with broad, glabrous leaves. Flowering shoots erect. Branches soft, angular and grooved when dry. Leaves generally membranous. Lower leaves 2-3in., ovate, cordate, often rounded ovate, acuminate, 7-nerved ; sinus rounded, but narrow ; basal lobes equal; petiole 1-3in. Upper leaves narrower, oblong, cordate, sessile, amplexicaul ; 2-5ia. basal lobes often unequal. Spikes simple, solitary. Flowers dicecious. Male spikes l-3in., female $-3in. broad, 1-14in. long, blackish-green, shining, short, sub-erect. Fruit about 7oin. diam., in dense eylindric, rarely globose spikes. Uses:—Like Black Pepper, it contains a volatile ou, an acrid resin and piperine; and, like it, it possesses stimulant car- minative properties, but more powerful. Its chief use is asa condiment. Dr. Herklots reports favourably of the follow- ing Mahomedan nostrum in the treatment of beri-beri: Take of Long Pepper, bruised, four ounces; Black Pepper and ee ee ee N. 0. PIPERACE®. 1091 Ginger, of each half an ounce ; Arrack, twenty ounces. Mace- rate for seven days and strain. Dose, a drachm twice or thrice daily. A powerful stimulant, with probably no special claim to notice. The root is in great repute amongst the natives of India; it is the Peepla-mool of the “‘ Taleef Shereef ”’ (p. 55, No. 275), where it is described as bitter, stomachic and useful in promoting digestion. In Travancore, an infusion of the root is prescribed after parturition, with the view of causing the expulsion of the placenta. It appears to partake, ina minor degree, of the stimulant properties of the fruit (Ph. Ind.). As an alternative tonic, long pepper is recommended for use in a peculiar manner. An infusion of three long peppers is to be taken with honey on the first day, then for ten successive days the dose is to be increased by three peppers every day, so that on the tenth day the patient will take thirty at one dose. Then the dose is to be gradually reduced by three daily, and finally the medicine is to be omitted. Thus administered, it is said to act as a valuable alterative tonic in paraplegia, chronic cough, enlargements of the spleen and other abdominal viscera. Long pepper enters into the composition of several irritating snuffs; boiled with ginger, mustard oi], buttermilk and curds it forms a liniment used in sciatica and paralysis. In the Con- can, the roasted aments are beaten up with honey and given in rheumatism ; they are also given powdered with black pepper and rock salt (two parts of long pepper, three of black, and one of salt) in half tola doses in colic. Mahometan writers, under the name of Darfilfil, describe long pepper as a resolvent of cold humours ; they say it removes obstructions of the liver and spleen, and promotes digestion by its tonic properties; more- over, it is aphrodisiacal, diuretic, and emmenagogue. Both it and the root (Filfil-muiyeh) are much prescribed in palsy, gout, lumbago, and other diseases of a similar nature. A collyrium of long pepper is recommended for night blindness; made into a liniment, it is applied to the bites of venomous reptiles. (Dymock). 1079. P..Chaba, Hunter, u.7.B.i., v. 83; Roxb., a2. | Sans. :--Chavika, 1092 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. Vern. :—Chab (H.) ; Chai, choi (B.) ; Kankala (Bomb.). Habitat :—Cultivated in various parts of India. A stout, climbing herb, quite glabrous. Stem rooting. Branches flexuous, terete, hard, finely striate when dry, pale. Leaves 5-7 by 24-34in., rather coriaceous, pale when dry, shining above, oblong, ovate or lanceolate, acuminate, 3-5- nerved at the very obliquely cordate, auricled base, penni-nerved above it; 3-6 pair nerves above the basal nerves. Nervules arching. Petiole 4-$in. Fruiting spikes stoutly peduncled, sub-erect, conico-cylindric, 1-2in. long,-3in. diam., broadest at the base, obtuse, forming a fleshy cone of innumerable fruits, gin. diam. The alternate nerves of the main portion of the leaf all starting from the midrib are very characteristic of the species (J. UD. Hooker). Uses :—It partakes of the stimulant and carminative proper- ties of Black and Long Pepper, but does not appear to possess any special claim to notice. Its use in hemorrhoidal affections is noticed in the “‘ Téleef Shereef,” p. 66. No. 340. (Ph. Ind.) 1080. PP. sylvaticum, Roxb, AE Bale wea Roxb O72: Vern, :—Pahari pipal (B.). Habitat :—Upper and Lower Assam ; jheels of Bengal. A low, creeping herb, glabrous. Stem flaccid, angular, suc- culent, several feet long, contracting much an drying. Branches short, erect or ascending, flexuous. Leaves rarely puberulous on the nerves beneath, lower 3 by 23-3in., nerves slender; upper as long but narrower; membranous, long- petioled, broadly ovate or ovate-cordate, acuminate, 5-7- nerved from the base or the linear pair, higher, inserted. Upper leaves elliptic or oblong-lanceolate, shorter-petioled. Petioles of lower leaves 2-4in. Spikes shortly peduncled. Male spikes slender, 2-3in., clothed with peltate bracts. Stamens generally 4 (Roxburgh finds 2). Anthers reniform; cells confluent, dehiscing over the crown ; fruiting females always erect, 2.]3in. Fruit free, ¢-gin. diam. N. 0. PIPERACER. 1093 Use :—he fruit is used by the natives of Bengal asa carminative similarly to long-pepper (Watt). POS RP ‘Bete: Ein. Her B1..V.69 Roxb., Syn. :—Chavica Hetle, Mig. Sans :—Tambiala. Vern. :—Pan (H. and B.); Vettilee (Tam.) ; Tamal-pakoo (Tel.) ; nigavela ‘Bom.) ; Vetta (Mal.). Habitat :—Cultivated in the hotter and damper parts of India. Stems and branches stout, climbing, compressed when coriaceous, ovate; base usually cordate and unequal-sided ; blade 3-8in. ; petiole 4-lin. Supra-basal nerves alternate. Spikes, -male 3-6in., female longer, peduncled and longer than the leaves. Fruiting spike cylindric, pendulous, 1-5in. long, stout. Fruit 4-4in. diam. very fleshy and often confluent into a cylindric red mass. Most plants female, says Brandis. The ancient Hindu writers recommended that betel-leaf should be taken early in the morning, after the morning, after meals and at bed-time. According to Susruta, it is aromatic, carminative, stimulant, and astringent. Itsweetens the breath, improves the voice, and removes all foulness from the mouth. According to other writers it acts as an aphrodisiac. Medi- cinally it is said to be useful in diseases supposed to be caused by deranged phlegm, and its juice is much used as an adjunct to pills administered in these diseases, the pills being rubbed into an emulsion with the juice of the betel-leaf and licked up. Being always at hand, Pan leaves are used as a domestic remedy in various ways. The stalk of the leaf smeared with oil is introduced into the rectum in constipation and tympanitis of children, with the object of inducing the bowels to act. The leaves are applied to the temples in headache for relieving pain, to painful and swollen glands for promoting absorption, and tothe mammary gland with the object of checking the secre- tion of milk. Pan leaves are used as a ready dressing for foul ulcers, which seem to improve under them.” (U. C. Dutt.) 1094 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. ‘Its leaves, in conjunction with lime and the nut. of Areca Catechu, are almost universally employed as a masticatory. The juice of the leaves is regarded as a valuable stomachic. Amongst the Indo-Britons of Southern India a use is made of the leaves, which merits notice. In ecatarrhal and pulmonary affections generally, especially of children, the leaves warmed and smeared with oil are applied in layers over the chest ; and the Editor, from personal observation in many instances, can testify to the relief afforded to the cough and dyspnoea, far more than can be accounted for by the warmth and exclusion of air, or by any rubefacient effect it produces, which, indeed, is very slight in most cases. Dr. Gibson, who corroborates this statement, states that he has often seen the application afford marked relief in congestion and other affections of the liver. Mr. J. Wood reports that the leaves warmed by the fire and applied in layers over the mammee are used effectually for arresting the secretion of milk. Their use in this manner is also noticed by Dr. J. Shortt, who adds that the leaves are similarly employed asa resolvent to glandular swellings” (Ph. Ind.). An essential oil obtained from the leaves by distillation at Samarang, by Herr Schmity, has been credited by him with having given good results in the treatment of catarrhal disorders and as an antiseptic, and the claim has been confirmed in the experience of Dr. Kleinstuck, of Jena (Ph. J., Oct. 2, 1886, p. 268, alse’ Phy) stor 20th Nov, 1sco8 partcen In the Konkan, the fruit is employed with honey as a remedy for cough, and in Orissa, the root is said to be used to prevent child-bearing. “The juice of the leaves is dropped into the eye in painful affections of that organ ; it is also used to relieve cerebral con- gestions and satyriasis, and to allay thirst (Dr. Thompson, in Watt’s Dict.).’ The juice of the leaves is dropped into the eye in night-blindness (B. D. Basu). Messrs. H. H. Mann, D. L. Sahasrabuddhe and V. G. Patwardhan of Poona have published in Memoirs of Depart. of Agric. in India,’ for July, 1913 and June 1916, their N. 0. PIPERACE. 1095 interesting studies in the chemistry aad physiology of the leaves of the Betel-Vine. According to them— The younger leaves on the plant contain much more essential oil, much more diastase, and much more sugars than those which are older, On the other hand, the tannin does not vary in this direction, The leaves both on the middle branches and on the middle part of the main vine contain slightly the largest quantity of ‘ tannin,’ 7 * . s Nearly all the work done (except that of Eykman) has been done in Europe on dried leaves —and all, except the original preparation of Kemp, on Java or Siam oils, Our results differ considerably from those published hitherto, and we will simply indicate those which we have obtained. As to the conclusions regarding the essential oil of betel- leaf, they say— The essential oil of betel-leaf consists essentially of two portions, consist- ing respectively of phenols and of terpene-like bodies, The relative pro- portion of these varies, and the higher the quality of the leaf, the higher the proportion of phenols in the essential oil. The proportion of phenols in our samples varied from 42 per cent. (Poona) to 70 per cent, (Ramtek kapuri) in green leaves of the light green variety, and from 39 per cent. to 45 per cent. in green leaves of the dark green variety. The bleaching of the leaves not only increases very much the total quantity of the essential oil, but also the proportion of the phenols init. In two cases where bleaching was carried out, the increase in the percentage of phenols was from 17 to 33 per cent. The phenols consist essentially of eugenol in all our cases, mixed with a small percentage of betel phenol. The latter can be largely separated by washing the phenols with water in which it is very much more soluble than eugenol. Nosign of any substance having the properties attributed to chavi- col has been found in any of our samples. The nonphenolic portion of the essential oil is a mixture of a number of substances as yet univestigated. Over 60 per cent. boils between 240° and 255°C. This has a light green colour, and a somewhat objectionable smell, It is not cadinene or caryophyllene. They conclude their interesting studies as follows :— We have shown the character of the leaf which is required for chewing, and have found more clearly than ever that itis the quantity, and also the character, of the essential oil which seems most largely to determine the value of any sample of betel vine leaf for this purpose. The essential oil itself, however, is not always the same. It consists of 4 mixture of certain phenols and of certain terpene-like constituents, As far as the phenols are concerned, eugenol is always the chief constituent in Indian oils, mixed with a small quantity of betel phenol. We have never found chavicol in Indian oils. The best essential oil, from a point of view of public taste, is that which contains as large a proportion of phenols as possible, Those varieties of leaf which give an essential oil containing much terpene, are very pungent, but are looked upon as very coarse, Bleaching not only 1096 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTs. increases the amount of essential oil in the leaf, but also increases the proportion of phenols in the essential oil. The nature of the terpene-like constituents is still unknown, but will be investigated at the first opportunity. 1082.. P. nigrum, Linn., 2.F BA, V. 90; Roxas Vern. :—Golmirch, kali-mirch, habsh, choca mirch, white form =saféd-mirch (Hind.); Muricha, kala-morich, gél-morich (Beng.); Spdt (Bhote); Martz (Kashmir); Gol-mirch (Pb.); Darugarm, daurgarm, march (Afg.); Gtlmirien (Sind); Miri, kalamiri, white form =saféd-miri (Bomb.); Kalimirch, mire (Mar.); Kaélamari, kalo-mirich, miri (Guz.); Choca, kali mirchingay, Milagu (Tam.); Mirydla tige, miriydélu (Tel.); Menasu, kare menasu, molif-vukodi, mirialu (Kan.); Lada, kuru mulaka (Malay). Habitat :—Native in the forests of the Cirears and of Assam and Malabar ; cultivated in hot damp parts of India. A stout climber. Branches trailing and rooting at the nodes, terete, quite glabrous. Leaves coriaceous, 5-7 by 2-5in., sometimes glaucous beneath, usually broadly ovate, oblong or nearly orbicular; base acute, rounded or cordate, equal or unequal, nerves stout, alternate, 2-3 pair basal, with another pair higher up which run to the tip (J. D. Hooker). Supra- basal nerves, says Brandis, usually alternate. ‘‘ Basal nerves 3-5.” Petiole $-ldin, stout. Bracts of female short, cupular, wholly adnate, without raised margins. Flowers usually dicecous, but often the female bears 2 anthers or the male a pistillode. Anthers 2-celled. Fruiting spikes loose, glabrous, variable in length and robustness, slightly interrupted, drooping 4-6in. long (Brandis). Fruit globose, sessile, red when ripe; pulp thin. Uses :—It is officinal in both Pharmacopeias, and its uses are too well known to be mentioned here. INR Os NARS Meat: 1083. Myristica malabarica, Lamk., H.F.B.1, V. 103. Vern. :—Kanagi (Kan.); Pindi-kai (seeds), ranajayaphala, jangli-jayaphal, Kaiphal (Bomb.). N. O. MYRISTICEA. 1097 Habitat :—The Concan, Canara and N. Malabar. A large, nearly glabrous tree. Wood reddish-grey, moder- ately hard. Branchlets nearly smooth, slightly ribbed. Leaves 4-8in. by 14-4in., linear-oblong or elliptic-lanceolate, sub-acute, glaucous beneath, thinly coriaceous on the flowering branches, thick and leathery on the fruiting, more or less shining above, nerves 8-l1{ pair, very slender; petiole $-lin. Male panicles sub-cymose, bracteolate, 1-l4in., axillary or supra-axillary ; peduncles naked below, sub-umbellately cymose above; bracteole an orbicular scale. Perianth {in., puberulous globose, 3-toothed ; anthers 10-15, connate, in a cylindric, shortly stipitate column. Female panicles few-fid ; flowers larger. Fruit 2 by lin., rusty, brown, pubescent, narrowly oblong, aril yellow, completely enclosing the seed (J. D. Hooker and Brandis). Uses:—“It yields a variety of nutmeg (Malabar or false Nutmeg ?), larger and much longer than the officinal nutmeg, and possessing little of its fragrance or its warm aromatic taste. When bruised and subjected to boiling, it yields a considerable quantity of a yellowish concrete oil, analogous to expressed oil of nutmeg, which has been represented to the Kditor as a most efficacious application to indolent and ill-conditioned ulcers, allaying pain, cleansing the surface and establishing healthy action. For this purpose it requires to be melted down with a small quantity of any bland oil. It may be found serviceable as an embrocation in rheumatism. (Ph. Ind., p : 190.) The seeds in the form of a lep are used as an external appli- cation in Bombay. (Dymock.) “The arillus gdyapatri is considered to be a nervine tonic and is used in stopping vomiting,” (Dr. Peters in Watt’s Dic.) The dried juices from the bark of several Asiatic species of Myristica show but little difference from officinal Malabar Kino. The crude, inspis- sated, fresh juice from the Myristica species differs by containing crystalline calcium tartarate suspended in, and depositing fromit. This distinguishes it from all the other kinos of commerce. (Edward Schaer, Ph. J. Trans, 1896.) The seeds contain 407 per cent. of fat, and the mace 63:2 per cent., in each case the fat is associated with a red resin. Bombay mace differs entirely in its composition from that of genuine mace (M. fragrans, Houtt.). According 138 1098 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANis. to Arnst and Hart (1893), the former contains 61°05 per cent. of fat and only 0°27 per cent. of essential oil, while the latter contains only 26-78 per cent. of fat and 4°12 per cent. of essential oil. This difference is observed not only in the composition of the crude material, but also in the characters of the separated fats. E. Spaeth in 1895 ' determined the constants of the fat from the Bombay mace and compared them with those of genuine Banda mace, with the following results :— Bombay. Banda, Melting point ‘ : : : 31° 25° to 26° Iodine value : : : - 51°38 to 53°5 78 to 80 Saponification value : - - 189°4t0191°4 170 to 173 It would seem that both these fats contain myristin and olein in varying proportions. (Agric. Ledger, No. 3 of 1907.) N. O. LAURINEA. 1084. Cinnamomum Tamala, Fr. Nees, H.¥.B.1., V. 128. Vern. :—Dalchini, kirkiria, kikra, talisputar, silkanti (Hind.) ; Chota sinkoli (Nepal); Nupsor (Lepcha); Dopatti (Ass.) ; Zarnab (Arab.); Tejpat (Dec.) ; Talisha-pattiri (Tam.); Talisha- patri (Tel.). N.B,—“ The word tamali occurs in the Raja Nighantu, and tejpdt is appa- rently derived from the Sanskrit tvach’’ (Watt). Habitat :—Tropical and sub-tropical Himalaya, from near the Indus to Bhotan and Sikkim, Silhet and Khasia Hills. A moderate-sized, very aromatic, evergreen tree. Bark thin, compact, brown, wrinkled, with an aromatic taste. Wood reddish-grey, splits and warps, moderately hard, close-grained, scented. Leaves usually 4-5in. long, very variable in breadth, glabrous, 3-nerved, opposite or nearly so, often alternate on the same branch. Petiole din. long; the young foliage pink. Flowers $in. diam. ; perianth silky, of 6 unequal lobes, in fruit breaking off transversely about the middle. Fruit black when ripe, succulent, $in. long, supported by the thickened pedicel at the base of perianth with short truncate teeth. ‘The lobes are ribbed longitudinally. ‘ Perfect stamens 9, the 6 outer eglandular with 4-celled anthers opening inwards, the inner 3 with 2-glands at the base, and 4-2-celled anthers N. 0. LAURINEA. 1099 opening outwards, innermost or fourth series of 3. short staminodes. Ovary free. Style filiform” (Kanjilal). Uses: —In the Punjab, the leaves are used in rheumatism, being considered stimulant; also in colic and diarrhoea. The bark is given for gonorrhoea. ‘Given in decoction or powder in suppression of lochia after childbirth, with much benefit.’’ (Dr. Ratton, in Watt’s Dict.) Mr. D. Hooper writes:—“ In collecting barks from wild trees belonging to the genus Cinnamomum, an inexperienced native is likely to mistake the species of Litsaea for the proper tree. The fragrant bark of the species of Litsaea is something like Cinnamon, but is very poisonous, as it contains an alkaloid which acts on the muscular system like strychime.” The leaves contain an essential oil of a lemon-yellow colour, anda clove- like peppery odour. Sp. Gr. at 15° C, 10257; phenol content 78 per cent.; soluble in 1-2 volumes and over of 70 per cent. alcohol. It is closely allied to the ordinary oil from Ceylon cinnamon leaves. ‘(J. Ch, l.for 15th June, 1910 p. 715.) 1035.5 C. obtusifolium, Nees., H.F.B.1.,-V. 128. Syn. :—Laurus obtusifolia, Roxb. 339. Vern. :—Tejpat, ramtejpat, kinton (Beng.); Phat- goli (Kumaon); Bara singoli (Nepal) ; Nupsor (Lepcha) ; Patichanda (Ass.) ; Dupatti (Mechi.) ; Krowai(Magh.) ; Looleng-kyaw (Burm.). Halitat:—Central and Eastern Himalaya; Nepal, Sikkim, Assam, Silhet and the Khasia Hills. An evergreen tree. Bark grey, moderately hard, shining. The bark of the roots resembles cinnamon (Gamble). This is a large robust plant, the largest-leaved of the Indian species. Leaves quite glaucous beneath, elliptic oblong, obtuse, acute or acuminate, 3-nerved, nerves not impressed above ; nervules faint or distinct ; petiole short, robust. Flowers small, jin. diam., often crowded at the ends of the much-branched, crowded panicles, with long peduncles. Perianth sub-silky, pubescent ; lobes persistent in fruit. Stamens and ovary sparsely hairy or glabrous. Fruit small, ellipsoid or sub-globose, 4-3in. long, succulent. Peduncle and calyx 4-3in. long, the latter 4in. broad in fruit. 1100 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. ' N.-B,—Col.Beddome, Dr.Dymock and others believe this to be a variety of C. Zeylanicum, _ Uses:—Dr. Kurz says the aroma of the bark is variable, and the bark of the root of the Martaban plant is as aromatic as the best Ceylon cinnamon. Dr. Gimlette says in Nepal, the bark is used in dyspepsia and liver diseases. L086.) (Ci aners. eins A ee v.: 130; Roxb. 538 (under Laurus nitida). bi Vern.:~Jangli-darchint (Hind.) ; Kattu-karuraf pattai (T'am.); Adavi-lavanga-patta (Tel.) ; Sikivabo, looleng-kyaw (Burm.). Haiitat :--Tenassarim, Mergui, ete. A large tree. Bark grey, smooth, with horizontal, wavy bands, }-4in. thick. Wood light, yellowish-brown, moder- ately hard, shining, smooth, scented (Gamble). Branchlets nearly glabrous. Leaves opposite, as a rule, glabrous, very variable in breadth, 3-8in. lanceolate, oblong or linear-oblong, rarely ovate and rounded at base, shining above, 3-nerved, nerves continued up to the tip ; sometimes acute at base. Pani- cles slender, long peduncled, often exceeding the leaves, silky, pubescent. Flowers about ;‘oin. long. Fruiting perianth rather spreading when dry, 4in. diam.; lobes persistent. Fruit zin, long, base sunk in the perianth. Uses:—Dr. Kurz remarks that he does not know in what this species should differ from the true Cinnamon. The inner bark possesses in the fresh state a powerful cinnamonic odour and taste, and by careful drying and preparation appears cap- able of affording Cassia lagna of good quality. The seeds, bruised and mixed with honey or sugar, are given to children in dysen- tery and coughs, and combined with other ingredients in fevers. Sir George Watt writes :—“ It would seem probable that much of the economic information given in works on Economic Botany, under this species, should be transferred to the C. Zeylaniwm of Western and Southern India.” | 1087. C. zeylamcum, Breyn., H.¥.B.1., V. 131. Syn. :—Laurus cinnamomum, Roxb. 336. N. O. LAURINE®. 1101 Vern. :—Dalchini (H.); Karruwa (Tam.); Sanalingu (Tel. ; Lavanga-patte, dala-cbini (Kan... Habitat :—Deccan Peninsula ; also Burma, Malay Peninsula and Ceylon. A large tree, all parts very aromatic. Bark brown rough, 3 to 3in. thick. Wood light-red, moderately hard. Leaves, as a rule, opposite, thick, coriaceous, glabrous, upperside shin- ing, underside dull, 3-5 basal nerves. Young foliage pink. Panicles as long as or not much longer than the leaves, sometimes terminal. Flowers grey-silky, §-zin. diam. Fruit dark-purple, elongate, ellipsoid, 3-lin. long, supported by the much enlarged perianth. Use :—The bark is officinal in the British Pharmacopeia. Three oils are obtained from C.'zeylanicum: the bark yields essential oil of cinnamon, to the extent of 4 to 1 per cent.; from the leaves is expressed a brown viscid essential oil, sometimes exported from Ceylon as “ Clove Oil”’ (it has a somewhat similar medicinal value to the true oil of cloves) ; and from the root a yellow oil which is specifically lighter than water and has a strongly camphoraceous flavour. In their report for April-May, 1904, Schim- mel & Co. discuss several reactions for distinguishing between Ceylon cinna- mon oil and eassia oil, with which the former is not infrequently adulterated, [Cf. Gildemeister and Hoffmann, Volatile Oils, 1900, 377-92.] 1088. C.macrocarpum, Hook., H.F.B.1., Vv. 133. Vern. :—Karna, bahena, tikhi (Malayalam). Habitat :—North Kanara. An evergreen shrub. Branches slender. Wood rather thinly coriaceous, very faintly reticulate beneath. Leaves 5-8in. long, 13-3in. broad, oblong-lanceolate, 3-5-nerved, lateral nerves 2in above the base. Petiole 2-lin. Panicles shorter than the Jeaves Fruiting peduncle long, slender for the size of the fruit, which is much the largest of the genus. Fruiting perianth apparently fleshy together with the thickened pedicel nearly lin. long, broadly funnel-shaped, very shortly 6-toothed. Fruit Lin. long, globosely oblong. Use. :—F rom the root bark, as also the leaves, an oil is pre- pared and used as an external medicine (Rheede). 1102 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. 1089. ©. glanduliferum, Meissn., H.F.B.1., V. 135. Vern. :—Malligiri, marisgiri (Nepal); Rohu (Lepcha) ; Gun- serail (Assam) ; Gundroi (Cachar). Habitat :—Central Himalaya, from Nepal and Kumaon, eastward to Assam, Khasia Hills and Sylhet. A tree with branches, stout, smooth, black when dry; Leaves very variable, 3-5in., alternate, elliptic or lanceolate, caudate, acuminate, penni-nerved, thickly coriaceous, often glaucous beneath, brown when dry; nerves erecto-patent ; petiole $-lin., slender. Panicles axillary, 2in. long ; peduncle very slender, glabrous; flowers very shortly pedicelled, ~sin. diam., sparsely pubescent without, villous within. Stamens hairy.. Ovary glabrous. Use:—The wood may be used as a substitute for Sassafras. It seems worthy of more attention than has been awarded fo) ue (ein faves) 1090. ©. Parthenoxylon, Meissn., 4.F.B.1., V. 135. Syn. :-—Laurus porrecta, Roxb, 340. Vern. :—Kayo-gadis (Mal.). Halitat :—-Malay Peninsula, from Tenasserim to Penang. A large tree. Branches stout, black when dry, with very smooth bark. Leaves alternate, elliptic, ovate or oblong, sub- caudate-acuminate, penni-nerved, often glaucous beneath, ex- tremely variable, the largest 8 by 4in., coriaceous ; others thinner, almost membranous and glaucous beneath ; base acute ; nerves spreading, the lowest pair sometimes longest. Petiole slender, 1-14in. FPanicles 1-3in. long, with the young shoots enclosed in round, coriaceous, silky, caducous scales, black when dry, many-fid. Flowers yoin. diam., pedicelled. Perianth nearly glabrous without, pubescent within ; stamens very short, hairy. Ovary glabrous. Stigma discoid. Fruiting perianth 4-7in. long, funnel-shaped, suddenly expanding into the fruit-bearing disk ; lobes broadly oblong, wholly deciduous. Fruit in. diam., globose, succulent. Use :—The fruit yields an oil used in rheumatic affections. An infusion of the root is also employed as a substitute for Sassafras. N. O. LAURINE. 1103 1091. Actinodaphne Hookeri, Meissn., H.F.B.1., V. 149. Vern. :—Pisi (Bomb.). Habitat:—A small tree or shrub of Sikkim, and of the Kastern and Western Ghats of South India and in Kanara and Sattara, and particularly at Mahabaleshwar. A moderate-sized tree in evergreen forest. Bark light- brown, smooth. Wood light-brown, moderately hard, even- grained. Branchlets and young leaves usually densely, softly, rusty-tomentose or villous. Buds large, silky. Leaves whorled, coriaceous, elliptic, ovate-lanceolate, finely acuminate, glabrous and sbining above, but often tomentose beneath when full grown ; blade 5-7in., petiole $-3in.; secondary nerves 6-8 pair, the lowest pair often extending almost to the middle of the leaf. “Clusters of female flowers sessile. Fruit ellipsoid, seated on the campanulate, entire perianth-tube. Uses :—A cold infusion of the leaves is mucilaginous, and is used in urinary disorders and in diabetes. The oil of the seeds, Pisa-tela, is used as an external application to sprains ; it is of a reddish colour, and has a fatty odour. (Dymock.} 1092. Litsea sebrfera, Pers., Var. sedifera proper ; fer.B.0, Vv. Ld8. Syn. :—Tetranthera apetala, Roxb, 734. Vern. :—Garbijaur, singrauf, medh, meénda, bark =maida- lakri (Hind.); Kukur chita, ratun, garur, bark=maida-chhal (Beng.); Suppatnyok (Lepcha); Medasak, chandna, gwA, rian, medachob, bark=meéda-lakri, maidasak (Pb.); leaves=chickana (Bomb.) ; bark=Mirio (Goa); Maida-lakadi (Mar.); mushaippé- yetti, pishin-pattai ([am.); Narra alagi, nara mamidi, meda (Tel.). Habitat :—-Widely distributed throughout India. A moderate-sized evergreen tree, 20-50ft., very variable in foliage and inflorescence. Bark lin. thick, brown. Wood greyish-brown or olive-grey, moderately hard, shining, close and even-grained. Inner bark viscid. Branchlets and inflores- 1104 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. cence more or less pubescent, sometimes almost glabrous. Leaves subterminal on branches, alternate, 3-6in., thin oblong glabrous above, sparingly pubescent beneath; tip acute, cbtuse or rounded ; nerves 8-10 or 12 pair, joined by finely reticulate veins. Petiole $-2in. long. Flowers in umbels, corymbose or racemose, usually long pedicelled, few or many, 4in. before opening, white or yellowish ; perianth very incomplete, or O. Pedicels clustered on a stout or slender common Peduncle, 4-3in. long. Bracts 4, more or less tomentose. Stamens 9-20 or more, filaments clothed with long, soft hairs. Fruit gin. diam., pea- sized, globose, on the small thickened perianth-tube. Uses :—The feebly balsamic, mucilaginous bark is one of the best known and most popular of native drugs. Dymock states that it does not appear to have been mentioned by Sanskrit writers, and is only briefly noticed in Muhammadan works. He considers it probable that the drug has been adopted by Muhammadan physicians in India as a substitute for an Arabian drug, called Maghath, the botanical source of which is uncertain. At the present time it is largely employed as a demulcent and mild astringent in diarrrhcea and dysentery. According to Irvine, it is also esteemed as an aphrodisiac in Patna. Fresh ground, it is used either dry, or triturated in water or milk, as an emollient application to bruises, and as a styptic dressing for wounds. It is also supposed to be anodyne, and.to act as a local antidote to the bites of venomous animais. The oil from the berries is used in rheumatism ; the leaves are mucilaginous and have a pleasant odour of cinnamon (Watt). Chem. comp.—This bark, an authentic specimen of which was supplied by Mr, Hollingsworth of the Madras Medical College, gave, on an air- dried sample, 4°6 per cent. of ash, and 142 per cent. of alcoholic extract, affording very strong reactions with alkaloidal tests. On separating the alkaloid, it was found to agree with the characters of Laurotetanine, an alkaloid which has been discovered by M. Greshoff in three species of Litssea in Java, and in several other plants of the natural order Laurinez. Lauro- tetanine is crystalline, and has a strong tetanic action on animals; it is sparingly soluble in ether, more readily in chloroform. It is precipitated by sodium carbonate from solutions of its salts, but readily redissolves in an excess of potash or soda, and is precipitated by the usual alkaloidal reagents. N. O. LAURINEA. 1105 It gives a dark indigo-blue coloration with Erdmann’s reagent, a pale rose-red with pure sulphuric acid, and a reddish-brown with nitric acid, A base, which seems to be identical with laurotetanine, is also found in the varieties of Tetranthera, Notophcebe, Aperula, Actinodaphne and Illigera pulchra. It is also possible that Laurotetanine is the alkaloid discovered in 1886 by Hijkman in Haasia squarrosa, Z. et M. (Meded, uit S’Lands Plantentuin, vii, p. 77-101.)—(Pharmacog. Ind, III., 212.) The seeds yield a solid white fat called in Java Tang kala fat. The fat melts at 42° and has acid values ranging from 3°3 to 8°8 ; specific gravity at 41°, 0°1734 ; saponification value, 268°2 ; iodine value 2°28 ; Reichert-Meissl value, 1°47 ; Hebner value, 76:1. The fat appears to contain olein 2°6, laurim 96°0 per cent. (A. Schroeder, Archiv, Pharm., 1905, 243, 628.) 1093. LD. polyantha, Juss., H.F.B.1., Vv. 162. Roxb. fae. Vern. :— Meda, gwa, singraf, sangrav, marda, kat marra, kaktri, kerauli, patoia, katmoria, papria, katmedh, kari, rand-kari (Hind.); karkawa, karka (Dehra Dun); Boro kukur- chita (Beng.); Pojo ‘Santal) ; Sualu (Assam); Huara (Kachar) ; Ratmanti, kadmero (Nepal); Suphut (Lepcha); But, mugasong (Michi) ; Bolbek (Garo) ; Mendah, kari, kjera, toska, leja. (Gond.); Leinja (Kurku); Rian, gwd, harein, bark=meda lakri (Pb.) ; Ranamba (Mar.) ; Nara mamtdi, nara (Tel.). Habitat: —From the Punjab and the Salt Range along the foot of the Himalaya, eastwards to Assam, and southwards to the Satpura Range. A middle-sized evergreen tree. Bark dark-grey, smooth when old, exfoliating in corky scales. Wood olive-grey, soft, not durable, is readily attacked by insects. Branchlets under- side of leaves and inflorescence, with soft brown or rust- coloured pubescence. Height of tree 20-40ft. Branches rather stout. Leaves extremely variable, the largest (Ava ; Wallich) 16 by Qin., usually rusty brown when dry, rarely green, glossy above; nerves strong keneath, 8-10 pair, joined by parallel transverse veins, petioles 4-lin. Male flower heads £-5in. diam. before opening in sessile or nearly sessile clusters. Flowers 5-6 in each head, sessile or on short hairy pedicels. Involucre of 5 rounded membranous bracts. Fruit +n. ovoid, long seated on the persistent base of the perianth. Ovary in 139 1106 INDIAN MEDICINAI PLANTS. male flower O or with a slender style and small stigma. Stamens 9-13, filaments hairy. Uses :—Ainslie writes: “‘The bark is mildly astringent, and has a considerable degree of balsamic sweetness.” “It is used by the hill people in the cure of diarrhcea.” Stewart writes :—“ The bark with that of Tetranthera Roxburghii, Nees (Litseea sebifera, Pers, var. proper) is officinal, being consider- ed stimulant, and after being bruised, applied, fresh or dry, to contusions, and sometimes mixed with milk and made into a plaster.” Campbell confirms the above, writing: ‘The pow- dered bark is applied to the body for pains arising from blows or bruises, or from hard work; it is also applied to fractures in animals.” The seeds yield an oil which is used medicinally. The medicinal properties above enumerated are very similar to those of the better-known, and more largely employed, L sebifera, Pers., the venacular names for which also strongly resemble —and, indeed, in certain dialects are identical with— those of this species. 1094. JL. Stocks, Hook., a.F.B.1., v. 176. Vern.—Pisi (Mar.). Habitat.—The Concan and Canara, on the Ghats and Mahableshwar Hills. A large tree, glabrous, except the brown velvety inflores- cence, and very minute hairs occasionally on underside of leaves; branches stout. Bark smooth, greyish-brown. Wood yellowish-grey, moderately hard. Leaves 1-2in. broad, 1-2in., often of a purplish or brown glaucous hue beneath, greenish above with impressed nerves, coriaceous, elliptic, oblong or oblanceolate, alternate, rarely ovoid, acute or acuminate, very finely, but distinctly, reticulate and sometimes puberulous beneath, with 10-13 pairs of strong nerves; petiole 4-din. Female umbels shortly pedicelled ; flowering nearly in. diam., 6-8-fid, in stout sub-erect racemes, 1-3in. long. Male heads 4-3in. diam. before opening. Perianth grey-silky. Perianth-tube oblong, turbinate in flower. Stamens (of female) reduced to 2 glands and a ligule. Fruiting umbels sometimes solitary or corymbose. N. O. LAURINEX. 1107 Fruit ellipsoid (unripe), Zin. long, seated on the entire or irregularly lobed, turbinate, thickly pedicelled perianth- tube. Uses:—A cold infusion of the leaves is mucilaginous, and is used in irritation of the bladder and urethra. The oil of the seeds, Pisa-taila, is used as an application to sprains and itch (Pharmacog. Ind. Vol IIL. p. 213). Chem. comp,—The dried and powdered red fruits of this tree yielded to other 316 per cent. of extract consisting mainly of crystalline fats. Petroleum ether separated this extract into a soluble fatty portion, and an insoluble neutral reddish resin. The petroleum ether solution left on evapora- tion some fatty acids melting at 39° and solidifying at 35°, but which, on erystillization from boiling alcohol and pressure between filtering paper, afforded some purely white crystals melting at 42°5. The fatty acids would appear to consist of lauric acid with a small admixture of oleic acid. The resin in the fruits was associated with a volatile oil to which the fragrance is due. The alkaloid detected in the spirituous and the watery extracts of the drug had the reactions of laurotetanine. The dried fruits left after ignition 4°77 per cent. of mineral matter. The seeds contain 31°6 per cent. of fat extracted by ether, The fat melted at 39° and afforded white crystals melting at 42°5°, consisting of lauric acid. 1095. Lindera Neesiana, Benth., 4 ¥.B.1., Vv. 186. Habitat :—Temperate Himalaya; Nepal and Sikkim, A middle-sized very aromatic tree, deciduous, quite glabrous, excepting the hairy pedicels. Shoots terete, smooth, quite black when dry, often very stout. Leaves 3-7in., membranous, ovate or lanceolate, acute or acuminate. Petiole slender, +-Lin. Basal nerves three, short, not reaching the middle of the leaf. Umbels unopened, globose, jin. diam., solitary or clustered, on slender pedicels, $-3in. long. Bracts, outer membranous, glabrous, hemispherical ; inner narrower. Flowers on tomentose pedicels, tin diam., green, 5-7 flowers in each head. Sepals orbicular, nearly glabrous, very membranous. Stamens 9, filaments short, glabrous, seated on the unaltered 6-lobed perianth. Use:—Yields excellent Sassafras (Kurz). 1096. Cassytha filiformis, Linn., v. 188; Roxb. 342. Sans. :—Akas Valli. 1108 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. Vern.:—Amarbeli (H.); Akasbel (B.); Alagjari (Santal) ; Akaswel, Amarvélla (Mar.); Kotan (Duk.); Cottan (Tam.); Paunch figa (Tel.) ; Acatsjabulli (Mal.). Habitat:— From Banda to Bengal, and Chittagong and southwards to Travancore. A filiform, twining, parasite, adhering to the host by suckers, quite glabrous ; young parts puberulous. Stems. slender. Branches numerous, forming a web of leafless cords over bushes. Spikes 4-2in. Bracts rounded, ciliate. Perianth twice the length of the rounded, ciliate bracteoles. Perianth segments, outer sepals small, rounded ciliate ; inner much longer, oblong or ovate. Fruit glabrous, globose, succulent, smooth (not ribbed , the size of a pea, crowned with perianth-lobes. Uses:—Sanskrit writers describe it as a tonic and alterative, and regard it as possessing the power of increasing the secre- tion of semen. (U. C. Dutt.) The drug consists of the slender thread-like stems of the plant. It has a mucilaginous taste, but no odour. It is em- ployed in Mauritins in the form of decoction for intestimal derangement and as a tonic for scrofulous and rachitic infants. This is another eastern remedy whose use extends to Mada- gascar. In India, the powdered plant mixed with sesamvm oil is used to strengthen the hair, and by the Brahmins for cleans~ ing inveterate ulcers, for which purpose it is mixed with butter and ginger. The juice mixed with sugar is considered a specific in inflamed eyes. (Treas. Bot., p 254.) Its properties are probably due to a mucilage. (Ph. 1.12. 8. 82, p. 122.) Chem, comp.—M. Greshoff has detected an alkaloid in this plant, having the following colour reactions *sulphuric acid faint red, Kardmann’s reagent (sulphuric acid mixed with a little nitric acid) blue, nitric acid red-brown, Fréhde’s reagent dirty blue, Dr, Greshoff believes that on a closer invest- igation of this alkaloid, it will be found to be identical with laurotetanine described under Litseea sebifera, (Pharmacog. Ind. III. 216.) N. O. THYMELACCEA. 1097. Daphne oleoides, Schreb., H.F.B.1., V. 193. Syn. =). mucronata, Royle. N. O. THYMELACCE. 1109 Vern. :—Pech (Sind) ; Kutilal, kanthan, gandaltin, mashur, shalangri niggi, channi zhi, kak, zosho (Pb.); Laghtine (Afg.). Halitat:-—Western Himalaya, from Garhwal westwards to Murree and the Sulaiman Range. A small, much-branched shrub. Bark grey, with occasional, prominent, horizontal lenticels. Wood white, soft. Young shoots pubescent. Branches green-brown or purple, pubescent or glabrate. Leaves sub-sessile, lanceolate or linear-lanceolate, very variable, coriaceous ; midrib prominent, terminating in a sharp mucro. Flowers white, with a pink tinge, slightly seen to in terminal heads of 3-9 flowers. Perianth-tube 4in. long, outside densely tomentose, inside glabrous. Ovary pubescent. Fruit orange or scarlet, dry or rather fleshy, 34-4in. long, ellipsoid. Uses :-—Aitchison, in his Flora of Kurram Valley, says that the roots of this plant are used internally, after boiling asa purgative. He, in another place, says: “Camels will not eat this shrub except when very hungry. It is poisonous, producing violent diarrhoea. I feel certain that much of the mortality of camels in the Kurram division was due to the prevalence of this shrub.” The bark and leaves are used in native medicine. The berries are eaten to induce nausea. Stewart refers to this plant as hurtful to camels, making the same observation as was made by Aitchison in Kurram He further says: “The bark is used by women in Kanawar for washing their hair,’ and adds that it has been tried for paper-making. The bark and leaves are used in cutaneous affections and, on the Chenab, the leaves or an infusion are given for gonorrhma and applied to abscesses. (Stewart.) 1098. Wikstroemia Endica, CA. Mey u.¥.8.1., mld. Syn. :—Daphne Viridiflora, Wall. Habitat :—Chittagong, Tenasserim, Singapore. Distributed to China, Mauritius, Philippines. 1L10 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. A glabrous shrub. Leaves 1-14in., sub-opposite, oblong, thinly coriaceous, oblong or obovate-oblong, tip rounded, base caneate ; brown when dry; nerves numerous, very slender. Flowers few, interminal subsessile fascicles. Perianth 4in. long, glabrous, greenish-yellow. Disk-scales usually united in pairs. Fruit fin. long, ovoid, scarlet. Uses :—In his Madagascar drugs, in Ph. J., 12th Aug., 1882., Mr. E. M. Holmes writes under Hazomafanu: ‘‘ The pounded bark given in doses of 1 dram, mixed with salt and ginger, as a purgative. It probably possesses similar properties to Daphne Mezereun, and would be worthy of a trial as a substitute for it in the native materia medica.” There is no record of the use of this drug in any part of India. 1099. Lasiosiphon eriocephalusl, Dene., H.¥.B.1., Vitale Vern. :—Rametha (M.) ; Rami (Kan.); Naha (Sing.). Habitat :—Deccan Peninsula; on the Ghats from the Con- can southwards, ascending to 7,000 ft. on the Nilghiris. A large shrub or small tree. Bark grey, rather smooth, inner bark fibrous. Wood white or yellowish-white, hard, much-branched. Branchlets usually purplish. Leaves 2-3 by 4-lin., sub-sessile, lanceolate-oblong, opposite or scattered, not coriaceous ; nerves very slender and oblique. J lowers thickly clothed with white or bluff, long, silky, villous hairs, in dense globose heads, 1-2in. diam., supported by silky, involucral bracts, shorter than flowers. Perianth 4-3in. long, yellow; tube slender ; lobes 4-5, oblong, obtuse ; scales at its mouth very variable, alternating with the lobes, oblong or cordate, or bi-fid. Fruit dry, included in the lower persistent vf the perianth (hollow receptacle). Uses: —A powerful vesicant, but very uncertain in its action. A tooth-brush, made of the young branch, is said to cause fall- ing out of the teeth (Sakharam Arjun). The bark is used to poison fish. In the Deccan the leaves are applied to contusions, swellings, etc. (B. D. Basu.) N. O. THYMELACCEA. BITE Chem, com.—The fresh bark was beaten into a paste in a mortar, and the mass divided and placed in two bottles, one containing ether and the other spirit of wine; they were both shaken occasionally and the mixture allowed to macerate for 24 hours. The ether extract was filtered off and evaporated at a very low temperature until a thick, green, greasy substance was left. This was washed with warm water anda small piece placed upon the skin of the arm and spread, so as to cover a space the size of a rupee, In | about two hours irritation of the skin was produced, and, on removing the covering of the arm, it was found that several small blisters had formed under the extract and extending beyond it, The alcoholic tincture was then removed by filtration and carefully evaporated under a gentle heat, The residue contained very little of the green-coloured resinous matter, but a large quantity of saccharine substance, which was non-crystalline. This extract was applied to the skin as in the previous experiment, but the appli- cation was followed by only a slight reddening due to the small amount of resin in the dried extract, The resin appears to be the source of the vesicat- ing principle of the bark. It has an acid reaction in neutral solvents, is soluble in ammonia with a yellowish-brown colour, and is associated in the ethereal extract with a fatty base which facilitates its use as a blistering agent, (Pharmacog. Ind, III. 226.) 1100. Agquilaria Agallocha, Roxb. H.F.B.1., V. Poo: Roxb. 377. Sans, :—Agaru. The Sanskrit agaru (a privative, and garu heavy—a name given to it from the circumstance that it does not fioat on water) is the root from which most of its vernacular names have been derived Laghwu of lauha, another Sanskrit and Pali synonym, is supposed by some to be the origin of the expression Aloes-wood —and might therefore be accepted as denoting a light form that would float on water. (Watt’s Comml. Prod.) Vern. :—Agar (Hind.); Agaru, ugar (Beng.); Agare-hindi, dd, aud, aude-hindi, dide-hindi, agalugen (Arab.); Agre-hindi, agar (Pers.) ; Ud, aid farsi (Pb.); Agara hindiagara (Bomb.); Agar (Guj.); Agar, aggalichanda (‘T’am.); Krishna agaru, agui, Kashtamu (Tel.); Sasi, sachi, bislatn (Ass.). Habitat :—Kastern Himalaya ; Bhotan ; Assam ; Khasia Mts.; Silhet and Tippera hills. A tall, evergreen tree ; young shoots, silky. Bark thin, tough and very even in surface and texture. ‘The bast,” says Brandis, ‘“ when prepared, resembles parchment, and was used by the old King of Assam to write upon.” Wood white, soft, even- grained, scented when fresh cut. In the interior of old trees 1112 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. are sometimes found irregular masses of harder, much darker- coloured-wood, with a honey-like scent, which constitute the Aloe or Eagle-wood of commerce. Leaves 2-3}in., thinly coria- ceous, shining, caudate, acuminate; secondary nerves slexder, with numerous, parallel, intermediate nerves; petiole join. Flowers white, in many-fid; sessile or shortly peduncled, silky umbels ; pedicels slender, tin. long. Perianth persistent in fruit, tin. long, silky without, densely villous within. Fruit thinly velvety, 1$-2in. long, obovoid, thinly coriaceous. Uses :—The fragrant resinous substance is considered cordial. It has been prescribed in gout and rheumatism. ( Ainslie.) It is a delightful perfume, serviceable in vertigo and palsy, and the powder is useful as a restrainer of the fluxes and vomiting. In decoction, it is useful to allay thirst in fever. (Lourerio.) An essential oil prepared from the wood is also used medi- cinally. The wood is a preventive against fleas and lice, and in the form of a powder is rubbed into the skin and the clothes. In medicine, aloes wood is considered a stimulant and cordial in gout, rheumatism and paralysis, also as a stimulant astringent in diarrhoea and vomiting. It is taken internally as a tonic in doses of ten to sixty grains. Under the name of agalocki, Celsus ranks if among medicines which invigorate the nerves. The wood has long had a place in the Materia Medica of the Pharma- copeeias of Kurope, but it does not appear to possess any pro- perties that call for its admission to modern local practice. (Pharmacog. Ind.) | N. O. ELASAGNACEA. 1101. Hlewagnus hortensis, M. Bieb., H.F.B.1., V. 201. Vern.:—Sanjit (Afg.); Sirshing (Tibet); Shialik (U.P); Botvir, Gangu (Kashmir). Halitat :— Western Himalaya. A small, deciduous tree or large shrub, 12-30ft. high, often spinous, young, silvery. Bark light grey, thick, fibrous, smooth, N. 0. ELAAGNACER. 1113 with deep longitudinal furrows. Wood soft to moderate hard ; heartwood orange-brown ; sapwood white. Branches dark brown. Leaves ovate-oblong or linear-oblong, silvery beneath, 1-3in., obtuse ; nerves faint, petiole tin. Flowers 1-3-nate, pedicelled, yellow, fragrant. Perianth 4-tin. long, silvery, campanulate above ; teeth triangular, ovate ; style glabrous. Fruit ellipsoid, oblong, $in. long, red, dry or fleshy ; endocarp thick, long, sweet and mealy when ripe. Uses:—The flowers are reported to be medicinal. ‘ The oil from the seeds with syrup, as a linctus recommended in catar- rhal and bronchial affections’ (Honnigberger, Vol. II. p. 273 ) BIOZ) “EH umbellata, Thumb., u.¥.B.1., v. 201. vern. :—Ghiwain, ghain, kankoli, bammewa (Pb.); Ginroi (Jaunsar). Habitat :—Temperate Himalaya, from Kashmir to Nepal. A thorny, deciduous shrub. Bark grey. Wood white, hard, even-grained, warps in seasoning. Branches numerous, often forming a dense bush. Branchlets and underside of leaves densely clothed with shining silvery scales, upperside bright green with scattered stellate hairs. Leaves 1-3 by $-3in., elliptic- lanceolate ; blade $in.; petiole tin. long. Flowers white, exqui- sitely scented ; axillary often fasciculate on the current year’s branchlets appearing with or after the leaves. Upper portion of perianth slender tubular. Fruit ovoid or globose, gin. long, succulent ; endocarp ribbed, coriaceous, clothed inside with a dense felt of white hairs. Uses :——-The seeds are said to be used as a stimulant in coughs, the expressed oil in pulmonary affections, and the flowers as a cardiac and astringent. (Watt.) Pigs... #: latifolia, Linn.,.H.¥.8.1., Vv. 202, Syn. :—E. conferta, Roxb. 148. Vern. :—Ghiwain, mijhanla (Kumaun); Loharu (Garhwal); Jarila (Nepal) ; Guara (Beng.) ; Kamboong (Magh.) ; Kunkce (H.) ; Shenshong (Garo Hills); Amgul, nurgi (Bomb.).. Habitat:—-Subtropicai and temperate Himalaya, from Kumaon to Sikkim ; Bhotan and the Mishmi Hills ; Khasia Mts., 140 1114 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. Bengal, at Comilla, Chittagong, Deccan Peninsula, from the Concan southwards. A straggling shrub, climber or erect tree. Bark dark- brown, + or #in. thick, deeply cleft in vertical or spiral fissures and peeling off in thick plates. Wood light-yellow, moderately hard. Trunk sometimes 6in. diam. ; branches often spinescent. Leaves ovate-oblong, elliptic or almost rounded, obtuse or acute ; blade 3-5in. ; petiole 4-4in. long. Branchlets, petioles, under- side of leaves densely clothed with ferruginous or silvery, circular, dentate and Jobed scales. Flowers male and bi-sexual, scented ; pedicellate in few or many-fid, often pedunculate fascicles. Perianth clothed outside with silvery or ferruginous scales; in the fertile flower much constricted above the ovary. Fruit 1-l4in., ovoid-oblong, succulent, red or yellow pulp when ripe, edible. Endocarp ribbed, coriaceous, clothed inside with a dense felt or white hairs. Uses :—The flowers are officinal in Sind and Punjab, and are considered cardiac and astringent. (Stewart.) Griffith says that fruit is used medicinally in Kashmere as an astringent. Very agreeable to taste. 1104. Hrppophe rhamnoides, Linn., H.F.B.1., V. 203. Vern. :—Tsarap, tsarana, sirna, tsuk, tasru (Ladak, Piti and Lahoul); Dhdrchak, tarwa, chik, chuma (U. P.); Kala bisa, bant phat, amb, kando, milech, miles, suts, rul (Pb.). Habitat :—North-Western Himalaya; in the beds of streams of the inner drier ranges, from Kumaon westwards. A large, thorny, dicecious shrub, sometimes a small tree, with rigid branches, and silvery twigs and leaves. Bark grey, rough, with vertical furrows. Heartwood yellowish-brown, mottled, moderately hard, close-grained. Leaves short-petioled, alternate, 4-2 by o-tin., sub-coriaceous, glabrescent and dull-green above, felted with grey or rust-coloured, circular or irregularly in- dented scales beneath. Male flowers in axillary clusters on the old wood. Perianth with two opposite oblong segments, filaments short. Iemale flowers axillary, solitary, pedicelled. — N. 0. LORANTHACE.. L115 Perianth tubular, 2-dentate. Fruit oblong or globose, orange- yellow, or bright-scarlet when ripe, enclosed in the succulent perianth. Seed dark-brown, shining. Uses:—The natives of Kanawir are stated by Longden to eat 1t as a sort of chatni. Asa chatni, it is recommended for lung complaints in a Tibetan Pharmacopvzeia. The Siberians and Tartars make a jelly from these berries and eat them with milk and cheese, whilst the inhabitants of the Gulf of Bothnia prepare from them a sort of rob, which tlley use as a condiment with fish. * * In some districts of France a sauce is made from these berries and eaten with fish or meat. A decoction of them is said to be useful in cutaneous eruptions. * * The roots of the plant are long and straggling, and often assist in binding the loose sand on which it grows. (Sowerby’ss English Botany, Vol. VIII. p. 83.) POS Ye Vsalieryolia, Don, HeEiB.T., v. 203. Vern. :—Ashdtk (Nepal); Lhala (Bhotan and Lepcha) ; Sarch, suts, kala bis, tserdkar, dharchuk, tarwa-chuk, chuma (Pb ). Habitat :—Temperate Himalaya, from Jammu to Sikkim. A willow-like shrub, 10-20ft. high, with lateral thorns. Very similar in appearance and hardly specifically different from H. rhamnoides. Bark dark-grey, brown, soft, 4in thick, cleft in deep vertical furrows and shallow cross ones into somewhat rectangular ones. Leaves membranous, glabrous or pubescent above, 2-4in., dull-green, linear-lanceolate, densely clothed beneath with white or rusty stellate hairs and some circular scales, so also are in the petioles and branchlets covered. Ose :—The fruit is employed in cases of lung disease. (Punjab Products ) N. O. LORANTHACEL. 1106. Viscum album, Linn., H.F.B.1., V. 223. Vern. :—Turapauli (Afg.); Bhangra, banda, bamba, kahbang (Pb.) ; Bambal, wahal, ahalfi (Pb.); Dibk (Arab.); Ban, banda 1116 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. (H.); Chala-Ka-Banda (Jaunsar); Hurchu (Nepal); Perbika (Rawalpindi). — Habitat :—'Temperate Himalaya, from Kashmir to Nepal. A large, parasitic, leafy shrub, green all over. Branches dichotomous or whorled, jointed, terete. Leaves about 2 by #in., sessile, very coriaceous, cuneate, oblong or oblanceolate, with 3 to 5 longitudinal basal nerves. lowers dicecious, sessile in clusters of 3 to 5, supported by concave bracts. Perianth-segments 3-4, triangular, deciduous. Fruit §-z5in. long, ellipsoid, white, smooth, almost transparent. Chiefly on rosaceous shrubs, such as apricot and on elm, walnut and willows. ( U. Kanjilal.) Bird lime is made of the viscid pulp of the fruit. The parasite is also found on the Alder, Maple, Poplar, Olive and Mulberry. (Gamble. ) Embryos sometimes 2-3in. each ; seed, terete, in fleshy albumen. Uses :—Mr. Honigberger states that it is given by the Ha- kims in enlargement of the spleen, in cases of wound, tumour, diseases of the ear, etc. The dried berries imported into Bombay under the name of Kuishmish-i-kdéwuliyén (vulg., Kishmish-kawli) are probably obtained from this plant. The plant is used as a medicine in Lahoul. (Stewart.) It contains a liquid volatile base, C, H,, N, with an odour resembling that of nicotine or of coniine. It forms a crystalline sulphate, a very deliquescent crystalline hydrochloride, and a more stable platino-chloride (C; H,, N, Hel), Ptel,, in yellowish, shining, micaceous scales, darkening at 230°C, and melting, with decomposition, at about 250°C. The base is extracted from the dry plant by means of 95 per cent. aleohol, acidified with 1 per cent, of hydro-chloric acid. After distilling off the solvent, the residual extract is made alkaline with sodium carbonate and distilled. The alkaline distillate is saturated with sulphuric acid, evaporated in vacuo, and the sulphate of the alkaloid crystallised in the usual manner. It also contains a viseachoutin, viscie acid, a glucoside, and a resinoid substance. (J, Ch. 1. Jan. 31, 1908, p. 88.) 1107. V.:monovcum, Roxb: Wir.e.1., vee vox. (lo. ye | Vern. :—Kuchle-ka-malang (Hind.); Kuchlé-ki-sonkan (Dec.); Pullurivi (Tel.); Uchchichedi, Kamaricham ; Pulluri (Tam.); Kasarakana-bandanige (Kan.); Pet chamra banda (Santal), N. 0. LORANTHACEA. 1117 Halitat :—Sikkim Himalaya; Khasia Mts.; Ganges Delta; Oudh; Nilghiri or Kurg hills. A large, parasitic shrub. Branches dichotomous, leafy, terete, slightly swollen at the nodes. Leaves rather thin and usually drying black, 1-5in. long, very variable in breadth, petioled, obliquely ovate or falcate, acute or acuminate, 3-5 nerved ; nerves often strong. [lowers moncecious, in axillary, sessile or shortly peduncled fascicles, 1-3in., minute, greenish ; the lateral usually female, central male or absent, sometimes appearing spicate from terminating leafless shoots, deciduous. Bracts cuspidate. Perianth-lobes 3 or 4, triangular oblong. Fruit oblong, of the size of a pea (4-3in. long), truncate, smooth, yellowish ( Kurz ), “ blackish-brown ” ( Brandis ). Mr. Duthie writes in his Flor. Up. Gang. PI., III. p. 65— The Bundelkhand specimens collected by Edgeworth near Banda on Zizy- phus xylopyrus and Bassia latifolia indicate a more robust habit of growth. The leaves are much broader and excessively coriaceous, and the light-brown eolour to which they have dried, gives thema different aspect as compared with typical specimens from other localities in N. India. Trimen says, that in Ceylon the plant dries to a pale yellowish-brown colour. Sir Joseph Hooker was of opinion that the Banda plant might prove to bea different species. The only available material now at Kew is, however, insufficient to settle this point. Uses :—The leaves of a viscum, doubtfully referred to this species, growing on Nux-Vomica trees in the neighbourhood of Cuttack, have been found to possess poisonous properties, similar to those of the tree on which it grows. The subject was investigated by Sir William O’Shaughnessy, who detected in the powdered leaves the presence of strychnine and brucine. The powder of the dry leaf was used as a substitute for these drugs in the Hospital of the Medical College, Calcutta, with complete success, in doses of one to three grains thrice daily, (Bengal Disp.) 1108. V. orientale, Willd. H.F.B.1., v. 224; Roxb. 715. Vern.:—Banda (H., Santal. and Kol.); Gurbel (Gond); Sundara badinika (Tel.). 1118 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. Habitat. :—-Behar, Bengal and Travancore. A rather much-branched, leafy shrub, black or brown when dry. Branches often very slender, terete or angled and grooved, opposite and whorled; branchlets angular. Leaves rarely more than one inch, often unequal, petioled; trom obovate to elliptic-oblong and linear-oblong, obtuse, 3-5-nerved, base narrowed, or rounded. Flowers minute, under bin. long, rarely more than 5, in sessile or peduncled clusters, monceious. Perianth usually 3-cleft. Perianth-lobes deciduous. Fruit of the size of a pea, smooth (Kurz), “purple,” copiously minutely dotted (W. and A.). Use.—In Chutia Nagpur, this plant is largely used medicin- ally, and is believed to derive some particular property from the tree on which it is found. It is employed in as many differ- ent diseases as the trees on which it is found. (Campbell.) 1109. V. articulatum; Burm), FF Bay ye eee Vern.:—Pan, pada (H.); Katkom janga Santal); Hurehu (Nepal); Patha (Banda) ; Banda (C. P.); Harmore (Thana). Habitat: —Sub-tropical Himalaya, from Chamba to Sikkim,, also Assam, Mishmi, Khasia mountains, southwards to Travan- core. A much-branched, leafless, green parasitic shrub, forming pendulous tufts 6in. to 3ft. long; greenish-yellow when dry. Main stem terete. Branches flat, longitudinally striate, and furrowed, contracted at the nodes, internodes, widening up- wards, 1-2in. long. Flowers sessile, in sessile, 3-flowered spikes ; two or several spikes ata joint. Perianth of male flowers reflexed. Female flowers 2-bracteolate, the perianth-lobes erect, triangular. Fruit sub-globose, tin. long, yellow when ripe, sessile, in clusters of 4-5 at the nodes, each fruit supported by a shallow cup-shaped bract. Found on Cordia vestita, Cor- nus capitata, Pyrus, albizzia stipulate, Albizzia amara (Maha- bleshwar, Pratapgad Road). Uses:—In Chutia Nagpur, a preparation trom the plant is given in fever attended with aching limbs. The many joints in the plant have probably influenced the Santal ojhas in their N. O. SANTALACEA. 1119 application of it. It is probably one of the many cases of the use of a remedy from a belief in the theory of signatures (Revd. A. Campbell.) N. O. SANTALACEAs. 1110. Santaium, album, Linn. u.F.B.1., Vv. 231 ; Roxb. 148. Sans.:—Chandana, srikhanda. Vern :—Chandan, sufed-chandan (Hind.) ; Chandan Beng.) Sandal (Dec.); Shandanak-kattai, Chandanamaren (Tam.) ; Gandhapu-chekka (Tel.); Chandana mutti (Mal.); Srigandha- damara, Gandhak4-chekke (Kan.) ; Chandan Nasaphiyn, saudaku (Burm.). Habitat :—Deccan Peninsula; from near Poona on the west and Midnapoor on the east, southwards, on dry hills, ascending to 3,000 ft., cultivated elsewhere. A small, evergreen, glabrous tree. Bark dark-grey, nearly black, rough with short vertical cracks, inner bark red. Wood hard, very close-grained and oily; sapwood white, scentless ; heartwood yellowish-brown, strongly scented. Branches slen- der, drooping. Leaves opposite, ovate or ovate-lanceolate ; blade 14-24in; petiole 4in. Flowers brownish-purple, in axillary or terminal panicled cymes. Perianth campanulate; limb of 4 valvate triangular segments. Stamens 4, exserted, alternating with 4 rounded, obtuse scales, which may be regarded either as petals or as lobes of the disk. Drupe glcebose, din. diam., black ; endocarp hard. Uses :—Sandal-wood is described in Hindu medical works “as bitter, cooling, astringent and useful in biliousness, vomiting, fever, thirst and heat of the body. An emulsion of the wood is used as a cooling application to the skin in erysipelas, prurigo and sudamina.” (Hindu Materia Medica.) The wood, ground up with water into a paste, is commonly applied to local inflam- mations, to the temples in fevers, and to skin diseases to allay heat and pruritus. It also acts as a diaphoretic. A yellow volatile oil is distilled from the wood, which has been reported 1120 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. as a remedy for gonorrhea. (Pharm. Ind.) It has of late been prescribed as a substitute for copaiba in modern European medicine. (Phavmacographia.) The author of Makhzan-ul- Aduwiya describes the wood as cold and dry, cardiac, tonic, astringent, alexipharmic, anti-aphrodisiac, a resolvent of inflam- matory swellings, &c. He recommends an emulsion in biliocus fever on account of its cooling and protective influence over the heart, brain, stomach, etc. As an external application a paste made with rose-water and camphor, or with sarcocolla and white of egg, may be applied to relieve headache or to any kind of inflammatory swelling or skin affection. (Dymock.) In cases of morbid thirst the powder of the wood is recom- mended to be taken in cocoanut water. A bolus of ground sandal checks hemoptysis in its mild form, when taken twice a day for two or three days. The seeds contain an oil which is used in skin diseases. The seeds are also eaten. (B. D. Basu.) The wood yields an essential oil the amount of which, on the average, ‘varies from 3 to 6 per cent. It has been observed that the wood growing on hard and rocky soil is richer in oil than those growing on comparatively fertile soil. (Puran Singh). The constants of the oil made by mixing the products obtained in the distillations are as follows : Specific gravity at 26°C ae ster av 9765 Optical rotation... ye ees .+.-—15°6° to—16° Saponification number before acetylation roa Saponification number after acetylation vue) Sonia Santalol content... ate ee .. 99°4 1111. Osyris arborea, Wall., H.F.B.I., V.. 202. Vern.:—Bakardharra, bakarja (Kumaon); Poplh (Belgaum) ; Jhuri (Nepal). Habitat:—Outer Himalaya, Sub-Himalaya-Tract from the Sutlej to Bhutan. Central Provinces, West Coast from the Konkan south-ward to the top of the Ghats, also in the Hill ranges of South India, Shan Hills, Burma ; Ceylon. An evergreen shrub or tree, twiggy, as a rule glabrous. Bark dark, greyish-brown, rough, with shallow, vertical fissures. Wood red, hard, close-grained (Gamble). Branches numerous, stiff, virgate. Branchlets 3-sided, with prominent, sharp angles. N. 0. EUPHORBIACE,. 1121 Leaves rather crowded, coriaceous, $-14in., elliptic or obovate, or lanceolate, acute at base, obtuse, but sharply apiculate, (mucronate), entire, glabrous, nearly sessile. Flowers pale-green, minute, 3 sometimes 4-merous. Solitary, sometimes 2-3 together, axillary, on long, slender peduncles. Males +in. across, in axillary pedunculate, 5-10fid. clusters ; perianth-lobes triangular ; stamens opposite the lobes; disk fleshy, 3-lobed; the lobes alternating with stamens; bisexual. Perianth superior, obconical; Drupe yellow, 4-zin. diam. Seed one (Brandis), ovoid, truncate, yellowish: white, says Trimen. Use:—The infusion of the Leaves has powerful emetic qualities (Watt). —___—____, N. O. EUPHORBIACE. 1112. Huphorbia hypericifolia, Linn., u.F.B.1., v. 249. Syn. :—E. parviflora, Linn., Roxb. 394. Vern. :—Hazardana (Pb.); Nayeti Dudh mogra (Bomb.) , Dnhakti-dudhi (Mar.) ; Ela-dada-kiriya (Sing.). Habitat : Common throughout the hotter parts of India, from the Punjab to the Southern Deccan. A rather slender, rarely stout annual, 3-1Sin. long, glabrous or sparsely pubescent, erect or decumbent. Jeaves $-lin., rarely more or less, not coriaceous, more or less serrulate on all the margins except toward the base, opposite, obliquely, broadly or narrowly oblong, obtuse; nerves distinct; base rounded or cordate. Stipules minute, setaceous, lacerate or O. Involucres, very minute, turbinate, glabrous, with quite entire, minute bracts at the base of the pedicel; glands very shortly stipitate ; lobes usually projecting above the glands; limb of the latter white or pale-pink, always small, but very variable in size, sometimes O. Styles, very short. Capsule sub-globose, qsin. in diam. Cocci more or less pubescent or glabrous. Seeds ellipsoid, 4-angled, with a thin, mucous coat, bluish when dry, very variable as to the amount and depth of the shallow depres- sions on the faces which are often obsolete. 141 1122 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. Uses :—It is given with milk to children in colic (Stewart). It possesses properties similar to those of E. pilulifera and E. thymifoha (S. Arjun). Dr. W. Zollickoffer Gn Am. Journ. of Med. Soc. XI. 22) recommends an infusion of the dried leaves as a remedy in dysentery, diarrhoea, menorrhagia, aud leucor- rhea, and finds that it affects the system as an astringent and feeble narcotic. 1113. &. pilulifera, Linn., BFR. eee Syn. :--E. hirta, Linn. Roxb. 394. Vern.:—Buru keru (B.); Dudhi (H.); Pusi-toa (Santal) ; Gordon (C. P.); Nayeti (Bomb.); Dudhi or mothidudhi (Mar.) ; Dudhelh (Guz.}; Amumpatchay-arissi (Tam.); Bidarie, nana- beeam, nanabala (Tel.). Habitat :—Throughout the hotter parts of India from the Punjab eastwards and southwards to Ceylon and Singapore. An annual herb, erect or ascending, hispid with copious, crisped hairs. Stem and branches 1-2ft. Leaves very short, opposite, elliptic-oblong, obovate, or oblong-lanceolate, acute, toothed or serrulate, 3-ldin. long; base usually narrow and obliquely cordate; nerves distinct. Stipules minute, linear ; petiole distinct, very short. Involucres numerous, in axillary and terminal dense-fid, sessile or peduncled cymes, minute, about goin., pubescent; limb or glands very narrow or obsolete; glands small, globose. Capsule szin. diam., appres- sedly or patently hairy. Seeds pale-brown, acutely-angled, transversely, shallowly rugulose, ovoid. Uses.—Reported to have been successfully used in asthma and chronic bronchial affections. It is used in the forms of decoctica or concentrated essence (Christy's New Plants and Drugs No. V., p. 64, 1882; No. VL, p. 93, 1882 ; No. VIL, p. 47, 1884; No. VIIL., p. 55, 1885; No. IX.,. p. 35, 1886). “ Dr. Daruty informs me that the juice of both the Euphorbia pilulifera and E. hypericifolia is given with benefit in dysentery and colic, and that the milk is applied to destroy warts’ (Christy, N. C. P., No. IX., p. 36). The plant is chiefly used in the affections of childhood, in worms, bowel complaints and cough. Sometimes prescribed N. 0. EMPHORBIACER. 1123 also in gonorrhcea (S. Arjun). The root is given by the Santals to allay vomiting, and the plant to nursing mothers when the supply of milk is deficient or fails (Revd. A. Campbell). It has a reputation as a vermifuge (Dymock). The capital symptom calling for this new remedy is paroxysmal spasmodic dyspnea, ... ... Dr. Tison gives favourable reports of this medicine in dyspnosas of cardiac origin. ... .... In all his patients the heart and kidneys seem to have been sound. The Euphorbia pilulifera has not seemed to have any action on the cough and expectoration in chronic bronchitis, nor it seemed to modify the rales of humid asthma. ... ... In its mode of action it acts in two ways: locally on the stomach, and, after having heen absorbed, on the respiratory functions. Conclusions, 1, The active principle of euphorbia pilulifera is soluble in dilate alcohol and water, insoluble or but little soluble in ether, chloroform, di-sulphide of carbon and essence of turpentine. 2. It is toxic in small doses to small animals, killing them by arrest of the respiratory movements and cardiac pulsations, which are first accelerated, then slowed. 3. Its effects are not cumulative. 4. It seems to act directly on the respiratory and cardiac centres; it leaves intact the other organs, 5. It seems to be eliminated by the liver. 6. Locally it is without action on the skin and mucous membranes, except the gastric mucous membrane, which it irritates, 7. It gives good results in attacks of dyspnoea caused by spasmodic asthma, emphysema, or chronic bronchitis. It ought to be employed in daily doses corresponding at the most to one gramme of the dried plant, and should be taken well diluted with water at meal time. (Quart. Therap. Rev., Jul. 1885.) The entire plant of Euphorbia pilulifera L. which had been obtained from the Fiji Island, was examined. The air dried material was extracted with alcohol, and the extract distilled with steam, when about 0°02 per cent. of an essential oil was obtained, The following substances were isolated from that portion of the alcoholic extract soluble in water: gallic acid, quercetin, and a new phenolic substance, C,,H,,0,,. The aqueous liquid also contained amorphus glucoside material and a levo-rotatory sugar which yieided al- phenyl-glucosazone. The soft resinous material left aftertreating the alcoholic extract with water amounted to about 3°2 per cent. of the original air dried material, This yielded the following substances: tricieontane and apparently a little ceryl alcohol; anew monohydrie alcohol, ewphosterol, C,.H,,OH, m. pt, 274°-—275°C., giving an acetyl derivative m. pt. 295°—297°C., and a bromo-acetyl derivative m, pt. 183°—186°C., a phytosterol m. pt. 132°— 133°C ; a phytosterolin; Jambulol C,,;H,0, (O. H), ; melissic acid and a mixture of higher fatty acids. Euphosterol is evidently closely related to taraxasterol and homotaraxasterol.—-(Abstract from Ph. J. of 1913 in the J. Ch. I, for May 15, 1913, p, 505.) Among the various constituents, there is none to which any specific physiological action may be ascribed, Such therapeutic virtues as the plant 1124 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. has been presumed to posses would, therefore, not appear to depend upon any single substance of a definite chemical character. (Hooper.) 1114, #.. thymifolia,. Burm. 22.31, Hoazace Roxb. 394. Sans. :—Rakta vinda chada. Vern. :—Dudiya sweta kerna (B.) ; Dudhi, chotka dudhi (H.); Bara dodak, hazérdana (Pb.) ; Chinamam ; Sittra paladi; Patcha arise (Tam.); Reddi vari manu bala; Biduru nana biyyam (Tel.): Nayeti (Bomb.); Mathi-dudhi (Mar... ‘aise Habitat :—Throughout India in the plains and lower hills, ascending in Kashmir to 5,500 ft. A small, pubescent, much-branche, annual herb; stems 4-12in. divaricately branched, spreading ilat on ground, stipular, minute, serrate. Leaves opposite, oblong, +in., obtuse; teeth acute or rounded. Involucres campanulate, minute, axillary ; teeth 4 lobes very short; glands green, narrowly bordered with a white petitles ; very short, rounded limb, sometimes absent. Styles short. Capsule pubescent with bluntly keeled lobes; seeds wrinkled. | “The whole plant has often a coppery tinge,” says Trimen. It flowers all the year round. Colour pink, a common weed. Flower heads very small; sessile, 1-3in. axil. ‘Trimen makes the following remark, which is well worth quoting here: —‘‘ The severed end of a branch, made to touch lightly the surface of water, has the singular effect of violently repelling to con- siderable distance all floating particles in the neighbourhood.” Uses :—The expressed juice or powdered plant with wine is given as a remedy for the bites of venomous reptiles, and is applied externally to the bitten part ; with milk it acts as a pur- gative and expelsall noxious humors from the body. According to Ainsile, the Sanskrit name is Rakta-vindu-chhada, which would imply that itis a remedy for Rakta-vindu, “ gonorrhcea with sanious discharge.” He remarks:—‘‘The very small leaves and seeds of this low-growing annual plant, which, in their dried state, are slightly aromatic and a little astringent, are given by the Tamool doctors, in worm cases, and in certain bowel affec- tions of children ; they are commonly administered in the form N. 0. EUPHORBIACER. 1125 of powder, and in buttermilk, to the quantity of one pagoda and a quarter weight in the course of the day on an empty stomach. The leaves when carefully dried smell something like tea.” (Mat. Ind., ii., 75.) Irvine states that it is used as a stimulant and laxative in Northern India. In the Concan the juice is used to eure ringworm, and mixed with chloride of ammonium for the cure of dandriff. O’Shaughnessy says that the juice is a violent purgative, and that the fresh plant is, by the Arabs, applied to wounds. In the Dict. Econ. Prod. of India, it is stated, on the authority of the Rev. A. Campbell, that the Santals use the root of this plant, which they call Nanha-pusi-toa, as a remedy for amenorrhoea. (Dymock.) Chemical composition.—An alcoholic extract of the whole plant was mixed with water acidulated with sulphuric acid, and successively agitated with petroleum ether and ether, and then reagitated with ether from the solution rendered alkaline with sodic carbonate. The petroleum ether extract con- tained a large amount of colouring matter; it had a very faint bitter taste ; on standing, dark, and what appeared to be crystalline, points separated, but which, on microscopic examination, were destitute of regular structure. Euphorbon was specially sought for, but we arrived at no definite conclusion reJative to its presence. The acid ether extract was of a greenish colour, and partly soluble in water, the solution giving a greenish coloration with ferric chloride, and precipi- tating gelatine, but giving no reaction with cyanide of potassium. After washing off by cold alcohol the extractive adhering to the sides o the capsule, and which was insoluble in water, a sulphur-yellow deposit was left, which, on microscopic examination, consisted of very minute needles. This principle was present in only minute traces, and was soluble even in warm alcohol with difficulty ; it gave the reactions of quercitrin. ‘The aqueous original acid solution, before the addition of sodic carbonate, was of a bright claret colour ; on the addition of the alkali sage-green flocks separated, the addition of acids causing solution, and reproducing the original claret-coloured solution but, after standing, the flocks became insoluble in acids, and only a faintly yellowish-red tint was produced by their addition. The alkaline ether extract contained an alkaloidal principle which crystal- lized in fine colourless feathery crystals; it possessed no bitter taste. With Frohde’s reagent in the cold a very faint-yellow tint was produced, which was changed to greenish on gently warming. Concentrated nitric acid gave a yellowish tint. Sulphuric acid and potassium bichromate no colour reaction, (Pharmacogry. Ind. III. 251-252,) 1115. EH. microphylla, Beyne, HLP.B.L., Wa 202! Vern. :—Chhoto-Kernee (B.) ; Dudhia-phul (Santal). Habitat :—Bengal, Bundelkand and Southern India. 1126 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. An anrual herb, quite glabrous or sparsely hairy. Stems very many, prostrate and spreading from the root; leafy, very slender, and much distichously branched, spreading in a whorl from the root, 4-10in. long, whitish brittle. Leaves always small, opposite, %-71n., very short, obliquely-oblong, rounded- oblong or sub-quadrate, coriaceous, opaque, sometimes as broad as long, spreading at right angles; if toothed, only at the broad end; nerveless. Stipules minute, triangular, 2-partite or laci- niately toothed. Involucres numerous from the base to the tip of the stems and branches, minute, campanulate, very shortly pedicelled. Bracts at the base of the pedicels, subulate ; lobes triangular, acute, nearly entire ; glands very shortly sti- pitate. Style very short. Capsule shortly pedicelled, yin. diam. Cocci obtusely keeled, glabrous. Seeds smooth, bluish, when wet mucous. Use:—In Chutia Nagpur, a preparation of this plant, along with that of Cryptolepis Buchananz is given to nursing mothers when the supply of milk fails or is deficient (Revd. A. Campbell). 1116. .#. tirucalls, Linn., O.F-B.1., V. 25 euondon 590. Sans. :—Ganderi, trikantaka, vajradruma, dandasinha. Vern. :—Sehnd, thohar, sehunr (H.); Lanka sij, l4tadaéona (B.); Siju (Sant.); Seju, ksharisiju, lanka (Uriya); Thora, Thur (Sind.) Niwal nivali shera, seyr, teg, vajraduhu (Mar.); Thor- dandalio (Guz.); Tirukah, kalh, kombu-kalli (l'am.) ; Jemudu, kalli (Tel.) ; Kodukalli, mondugalli (Kan.) ; Tirukalli ; kateruma (Mal.). Habitat:—A native of Africa, naturalized in Bengal, the Konkan and the Deccan, as also in Sindh. Thrives very well at Karachi. A large, unarmed, milky shrub or small tree, 10-20 ft. Bark brown or greenish-brown. Wood white or grey, moderately hard. Trunk 6-10in. diam., green, cylindric, densely branched above. Branches terete, smooth, green, jointed, slender like stout rushes, becoming as thick as the little finger. Leaves N. 0. EUPHORBIACEA. ib be 76 fleshy, linear or l!near-cuneate or obtuse, sessile, up to gin. long, turbinate, crowded at the ends and in the forks of the branches, sub-sessile, with 2 small leaves at the base of the pedicel ; lobes short, hairy ; glands transversely ovate, punctate; bracteoles very numerous, lacerate. Capsules jin. long, darkbrown, deeply 3-lobed, villous; cocci compressed, velvety. Seeds ovoid, smooth. : Uses :—The fresh milky juice of H. Tirucalls is said to be an effectual application for the removal of warts, and, incorporated with any bland oil, is used in common with the milky juice of other species as a rubefacient embrocation in rheumatism. The inspissated milky juice formerly enjoyed great repute in India as an antisyphilitic (Ives’ Voyage to India, p. 462, and Sonnerat . Voyage, vol. 1., p. 146) ; and Dr. J. Shortt reports having found it an excellent alterative in these cases in doses of five grains night and morning. (Ph. Ind.) In the Concan-1 to 4 drops of the milky juice are given with treacle or the flour of Cicer Arietunum as a purge, and the char- coal, which is very light, is used in making pastilles. Dr. G. Y. Hunter speaks of the juice as a good application in neuralgia. (Dymock.) eel, . . neritfolta,; Linn. W.F.B.1., V. 2505. Syn. :—E. ligularia, Roxb. 391. Sans. :—-Snuhi; Vujri ; Sehunda. Vern.:—Sehund, kutte ki jibh ki send va patta, thohar, sij (H.); Mansa sij (B.); Gangichi (Pb.); Nivadunga, minaguta, (Mar.); thohur (Sind); Haik-kalli (Tam.); Aku-jemudu (Tel.) ; Yalekalli (Kan.). Habitat:—Deccan Peninsula; common in rocky places; cultivated in Bengal and elsewhere in native villages. A small, erect, fleshy, glabrous tree, armed at the nodes with a pair of sharp spines, 3-31n. long. Bark reticulated ; pith large, round. Wood white, soft, even-grained. ‘Stems cylindric, branches round, but the nodes arranged in 5 more or less spirally twisted ribs ; branchlets 5-angled. Leaves few, decidu- ous, 6-12in. long, terminal on the branches, waved, narrowed 1128 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. into a very short petiole, cuneate or oblanceolate, usually acute or mucronate. Involucres yellowish, in small, compact, shortly pedunculate,. dichotomous cymes from the sinus between the nodes ; lobes large, erect, roundish, cordate, fimbriate. Styles connate, high up, undivided ; stigmas capitate. Capsule about 3in. broad, deeply 3-lobed. Cocci compressed, glabrous. Uses :—The root enjoys repute as a remedy in snake bites, but there is no reliable evidence of its utility in these cases. The expressed juice of the leaves is reported to prove very effectual in relieving the paroxysms of spasmodic asthma. GPin aind3) | In Hindu medicine, the milky juice is considered purgative and rubefacient. As a purgative it is generally used in com- bination with other medicines which are steeped in it. Chebulic myrobalan, long pepper, tivrit root, etc., are thus treated and administered as drastic purgatives in ascites, anasarea and tympanites. It enters into the composition of several compound prescriptions of a drastic character (Dutt). “The juice is employed in ear-ache and, mixed with soot, in ophthalmia as an anjan” (T. N. Ghose, in Watt’s Dic.). Hemaglutinins (rabbit blood) were found in 26 of 47 Types of Euphorbia examined. The agglutinating action on different bloods (pigeon, rabbit, guinea pig, rat, sheep, goat) differed, The active substance of Huphorbia neriifolia is fairly resistant to boiling. When hemaglutinins are contained in the vegetative parts of the plant they can be absent from the seeds and vice versd. (Ch. Abs. 10th Jan. 19138 p. 104.) 1118. £. nivulia, Lam., H.F.B.1., V. 259. Syn. :—E. neriifolia, Roxb. 392. Came Vern. :—Thohar (H.); Shij (B.); Newyran (Mar.)-; Hllaculh (Mal.) ; Elakullie (Tam.) ; Akoo-jemoodoo (Tel.) Habitat :—N.-W. Himalaya; on dry rocky hills. Guzerat, the Deccan Peninsula and Sindh. A large shrub or tree, 20-25ft. Branches in whorls of four, fleshy, nearly cylindric, with vertically or spirally arranged tubercles, each supporting a pair of stipular prickles. Leafless in cold and dry season. Leaves alternate, 6 12in. long, ovate- oblong or linear; tip rounded ; midrib much elevated beneath ; - N. 0. EUPHORBIACER. 1129 lateral nerves indistinct. Involucres 3 together, central sessile with male flowers, lateral, pedunculate with only male or both male and female flowers ; lobes fimbriate, erect, ovate. Bracte- oles many. Capsule 4in. diam. Seeds smooth. (Kanjilal.) Uses :—The juice of the leaves used internally as a purgative ; mixed with nim oil externally applied in rheumatism. On the Western Coast bark of the root boiled in rice water and arrack given in dropsy. Leaves, simply warmed in the fire, will pro- mote urine, externally applied, while their juice warmed is a good remedy in ear-ache and occasionally rubbed over the eyes to remove dimness of sight. (Ainslie and Rheede.) The pulp of the stem, mixed with green ginger given to persons bitten with mad dogs, previous to the appearance of hydrophobia. (Journ. Agri-Horti. Soc. X 37.) Horsfield (Asiat. Journ., vol. vil, p. 265) mentions a case of dropsy in which he prescribed the inspissated juice of H. Nivulza in doses of a few (?) grains as a diuretic, and states that it was productive of evident relief. (Ph. Ind.) Chem. Comp.—The dried juice contains 35 per cent. of Euphorbon, 25°40 per cent. of resin soluble in ether, 13°70 of resin insoluble in ether, 1°50 per cent. of caoutchouc, and the other constituents of commercial gum euphorbium. The dried juice of H. Tirucalli was also found to be of a similar nature, and to contain 4 per cent. of caoutchouc. Henke examined the juice of sixteen species of Euphorbia and ascertained that they all contain euphorbon, so that we may fairly suppose it, as well as an acid resin, malate of calcium, and eaoutchouc, to be a constant constituent of the milky juice of all the plants belonging to the genus. (Archiv, d, Pharm, Vol, 224, 729-759.) P09) H.' antiquorum, Linn., B.F.B.1., vo 255; Roxb. 390. Sans. :---Sihunda, vajra, vajrakantaka. Vern.:—Tindhara sehund, tidhara-sehnr (H.); Narasiy, tekAtasij, bajbaran, lariya-diona (B.); Etkec’ (Sant.) ; Dokan4-siju (Uriya) ; Shidu (Michi) ; Naraseja (Mar.) ; Tandhari-send (Guz.) ; Shadhurak-kalli, tirikalli (Tam.); Bomma jemudu, _bonta- echemudu (Tel.}; mudu, mula-jemudu (Kan.); Katak-kalli (Mal.). Habitat :—Throughout the hotter parts of India in dry places. A polymorphous plant (Wight), attaining 25ft. (Kurz), 15- oOft. (Trimen). Trunk stout, often 3ft. or more in circum- 142 1130 iNDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. ference, cylindric or fluted. Bark thick, very rough and cor- rugated, brown. Branches numerous, curving upward, young whorled, stout, fleshy, green, jointed with 3 very wide, thick wings, which are narrowed to either end in each joint, and very coarsely repand-crenate. Leaves very small, 4-3in., sessile on summit of each crenation, cuneate, truncate, glabrous, fleshy, almost nerveless, soon falling. Stipullary spines short, sharp divaricate, persistent; flower-heads in small, shortly stalked cymes of 3, the central, sessile, the 2 lateral on long, stout pedicels. Bracts opposite, obovate. Bracteoles abundant, fim- briate. Involucre-glands 5; very large, much broader than long, yellow, fleshy. Male flowers (stam.) numerous, mixed with many laciniate branchlets; female flowers:—ovary, nearly sessile ; styles combined, for half their length ; capsule 3-lobed, rather depressed ; lobes ovoid, slightly compressed. Flowers greenish-yellow or pink. Usually appears leafless, as the small, fleshy leaves are quickly deciduous; contains abundance of pith in the centre ; and the whole plant contains a very viscous, acrid, milky juice. Uses :--A plaster, prepared from the roots and mixed with asafoetida, is applied externally to the stomachs of children suffering from worms. The bark of the root is purgative, and the stem is given in decoction in gout (Wight and Rheede). The juice, which flows from the branches, is used as a purga- tive to relieve pain in the loins. It is an acrid irritant in rheumatism and tooth-ache. When taken internally, it acts as a drastic purgative. It is also employed in nervine diseases, dropsy, palsy, deafness and amaurosis (Baden-Powell). A pre- paration from this plant is in Chutia Nagpur given as a cure for cough (Revd. A. Campbell). In the Nighantas the plants are described as purgative, pun- gent, digestive, bitter and heavy, and aresaid to be useful in constipation, flatulent distention, tumours, swellings, abdominal enlargements, rheumatism, spleen, leprosy, mania and jaundice. They abound in an acrid milky juice, which is a popular aplication to warts and other cutaneous affections. The na- tive doctors purify arsenious acid by packing it ina hole made N. 0, EUPHORBIACER. 1131 in a piece of the stem, closing the hole and exposing the stem to the action of fire until itis charred. The milky juice of #. neriifolia is usually administered internally by soaking other purgatives and aromatics in it, so that by absorption of the juice their purgative properties become increased. A similar method is adopted when the juice is applied externally, a tent or issue pea being prepared with some finely powdered drug and steeped init. Aijnslie tells us that the native practitioners pre- scribe the juice as a purge and deobstruent, in those visceral obstructions and dropsical affections which are consequent of long-continued intermittent fever, the quantity given for a dose being about + of a pagoda weight (20 grs.). Externally, mixed with margosa oil, it is applied to limbs which have become con- tracted from rheumatism. (Mat. Ind., Vol. Il., p. 97.) In Bom- ~ bay the root is mixed with country liquor to make it more in- toxicating, and the juice is used to kill maggots in wounds, and is dropped into the ear to cure earache, a practice common to many parts of India. In the Concan the stem is roasted in ashes, and the expressed juice, with honey and borax, given in small doses to promote the expectoration of phlegm; sometimes the juice of Adulsa is added. For asthma, Mudar flowers, Aghada root, and Gokaran root are steeped in the juice, powdered and given with honey and chebulic myrobalans. Dose about 4 grains. The author of the Makhzan-ul-Adwiya, under the name of Zaktim (Kuphorbia), describes four Indian species, which are probably EH. antiquorum, H. nerivfolia, H. Nivulia and H Tirucallt. The milky juice of the first, he says, is mixed with the flour of Cicer arietinum, roasted, and administered in pills as a remedy for gonorrhea. It has a strong purgative action. (Dymock.) m0. H. royleana, Bovss., H.F.B.1.. V. Zor: Vern: —-Shakar pitan, thar (Pb.); Sali, chula, shin, chu, duro (Himalayan names); Sihund (Kumaon) ; Afarbioon (Sind). Habitat :—Outer Himalaya, in dry hilly tracts from Kumaon to the Jhelum. Salt Range. A small tree with fleshy branches. Wood sol white, spongy. Attains, 15-16ft., and has a girth up to 6ft. Branches with 5, sometimes 7, broad, flat faces, separated by sharp undulating 1132 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. angles; spines in pair at the nodes. Leaves few or wanting. Involucres 3in. diam., yellow or green-yellow, hemispheric, in compact sessile, 3-fid cymes, from the sinus between. the nodes ; styles free nearly to the base. Cocci compressed, glabrous. Capsule 3in. diam. Use :—The acrid, milky juice possesses cathartic and anthel- mintic properties (Watt). 1121. #. Thompsoniana, Boiss., H.F.B1. Vo cue Vern :—-Hirtiz (Kashmir). Habitat :—-Western Tibet, Leh and Gilgit. - Perennial herb, quite glabrous. Stems a foot high, simple, sparingly leafy, from a stout perennial stock, unbranched, scaly at the base. Leaves $-2in., or even 3-14in. broad, coriaceous, dull yellow when dry, upper and under surface alike; sessile ellip- tic or ovate-obtuse or sub-acute ; nerves few, obscure, ascending, floral, broader, involucral, 2 sub-orbicular. Rays 3-6, longer than the floral leaves. Involucres campanulate, glabrous, without, with 4 hairy lines within; 4in. broad ; lobes small, fimbriate ; styles long, slender ; glands sub-stipitate, transversely oblong. Capsule shortly stipitate, in. long, jin. diam. ; cocci not separate by a deep sulcus, oblong. Seeds smooth, pale, oblong, gin. long; caruncle small, peltate. A very distinct species. Uses :—The crushed root-stocks are employed by the natives of Kuram as detergents for washing the hair, and, wher boiled, are given as purgatives (Aitchison). In Kashmir, the root-stock is employed to adulterate “ kut” (Saussurea Lappa) and is called by the Kashmiris “ Hirtiz.” The stem, root and leaves are said to be used medicinally. (Aitchison). 11227 "ia; helioscopia, Linn., FB, ve ome Vern. :—Hirruseeah ; Mahabi (H.); Gandabuti, dudai, kulfa- dodak, chatriwal (Pb.). | Habitat:—Throughout the Punjab plains and the Siwalik tract, ascending to 7,000 feet in. the outer Himalaya. Intro- _ duced into the Nilghiri hills, N. 0. EUPHORBIACER. 1133 An erect annual, dichotomously branched above. Stem often very stout and copiously umbellately branched above, with divaricate branches. Leaves 2in. long and under, membranous, alternate, shortly petioled, obovate or spathulate, serrulate ; floral large, similar ; involucral, orbicular or oblong, 2-4, small. In- volucre jin. diam., glabrous ; lobes, turbinate, small, oblong ; glands reniform, fimbriate. Capsule smooth, globose, tin. diam. : cocci round at back. Seeds deeply reticulated, pitted, turgidly oblong or sub-globose. Uses :—The milky juice is applied to eruptions, and the seeds are given with roasted pepper in cholera (Honnigberger). The juice is also used in the form ofa liniment in neuralgia and rheumatism, and the root is employed as an anthelmintic (Murray). It is used asa hydragogue cathartic, and the juice is applied to remove warts. Dr. Bandry has reported a case of severe ulceration resulting from the application of a poultice of the bruised plant. (Dymock. ) hizo. H. dracunculoides, Lamk., H.¥.B.1., V. Zaz hoxh..d90. Vern :—Richni, sudab (the fruit), Kangi (the plant) (Pb.); Jy-chee, Chbagul-puputi (B.); Parwa (Santal); Tilla kada (Tel.). Habitat :—From the Punjab to Behar in the plains and low hills, and southward to Canara and Coromandel. An annual. Stems erect, many from the root leafy, 12-18in. high, often extensively branched dichotomously; branches divaricate. Leaves sessile, linear-lanceolate, sub-acute, rarely rounded, or sub-cordate, 1-ldin. long, involucral, shorter 2, broader at the base. Involucres solitary, hairy within, turbi- nate ; lobes ovate, ciliolate; glands semi-lunate; styles short, free. Capsule smooth, 4-4in. diam., hardly depressed. Seeds oblong with a white tuberculate testa. Use:—The fruit is officinal and used to remove warts (Watt). : The seeds yield a limpid, clear, yellowish or greenish-yellow oil, used as a drying oil and for burning, In 1843 it was pronounced in Londen to be as valuable as linseed oil. It is only used locally. (Agric. Ledg., 1911-12, No. 5.) 1134 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. 1124. Buzxus sempervirens, Linn., 4.¥.B.1., v. 267. Vern :~ Shanda laghuue (Afg.); Chikri (Kashmir); Papri, papur, paprang, shamshad, shumaj (Pb.). Hamtat :—-Temperate Himalaya, from Kumaon to Simla and Bhotan. Punjab on the Salt Range, ete. A small, evergreen shrub or tree. Bark grey, soft, corky, cut into small plates by deep horizontal and vertical cracks. Wood yellowish-white, hard, smooth, very close-and even- grained. Branchlets and young leaves pubescent. Branchlets 4-sided. Leaves opposite, coriaceous, varying from lanceolate to ovate, quite entire, 1-3in. long, narrowed into a short petiole. Flowers yellowish, moncecious, in dense, short, axillary spikes ; smell unpleasant; the terminal flowers usually female. Male flowers :—Sepals 4, biseriate, imbricate ; stamens 4 free, opposite to sepals, inserted round a 4-sided rudimentary ovary. Female flowers :—Sepals 6, in two circles of 3 each ; ovary 3-celled, 3-cor- nered ; top flat; the corners terminating in thick, short styles. Capsules coriaceous, 3-valved, each valve ending in 2 horns, being the halves of 2 styles ; dissepiments attached to the valves. (Brandis) ; seeds oblong, trigonous, with a black shining testa and fleshy albumen. Uses:—The wood is diaphoretic; leaves bitter, purgative and diaphoretic, useful in rheumatism and syphilis. Said to be poisonous to camels. A tincture from the bark is used as a febrifuge (Stewart). 1125. Bridelia retusa Spreng., HF B.1., V. 268. Syn. :—B. spinosa, Rox). 706. Vern.:—Pathor, mark (Pb.); Khaja, kaj, kassi, gauli (H.); Kharaka, kaka (Kol.); Kaj (Mongyr); Kadréi pala (Santal) ; Gaya (Dehra Dun); Gauli (Garhwal); Lamkana, augnera (Rajputana); Geio (Nepal); Pengji (Lepcha); Kashi (Garo) ; Kamk fi (Chittagong) ; Kasi, kosi Uriya) ; Mulluvengay, kamanji (Tam.); Kormanu, pedda-Aavem, danki-bura, dudi maddi, kora madi, (Tel.) ; Kassei (Gond.); Gdanjan, kati ain, asana (Bhil.) ; Phatarphod, asana, asauna (Bom.); Sun (Duk.); Asuna, goje (Kan.); Adamarathu (Tinnevelly). N. O. EUPHORBIACER. 1135 Habitat :—Throughout the hotter parts of India, along the foot of the Himalaya from Kashmir to Mishmi. A deciduous tree, 50-60ft., with thorns on the back of young stems. Bark tin. thick, grey or brown, rough with longitudinal cracks and exfoliating in long irregular plates. Wood moderately hard to hard, grey to olive-brown, close-grained ; seasons well. Leaves coriaceous, elliptic-oblong, ovate or obovate, acute, obtuse or rounded at the apex, the base usually rounded, bright-green and glabrous on the upper surface and turning pinkish-purple before falling, often finely tomentose beneath ; main lateral nerves 15-25 pairs, straight, prominent, finely reticulate between ; petioles 4-in. long, stipules ovate-lanceo- late, unequal at the base, deciduous. Flowers dicecious, greenish-yellow, sessile or shortly pedicelled, arranged in dense axillary clusters or in long axillary or terminal panicled spikes exceeding the leaves; bracts small, obtuse, villous. Calyx fin. in diam. ; lobes fleshy, spreading, triangular-ovate, acute, glabrous and often tinged with red ; tube pubescent. Petals of males obovate, pectinate ; of the females subspathulate. Disk of male flower thick and pulpy ; of the female truncate, enclosing the ovary. Drupe fleshy, subglobose, $in. in diam., seated on the persistent hardly enlarged calyx, flesh-coloured or purplish-black when quite ripe. (Duthie.) Uses:—The bark is a strong astringent and is used in Western India as a lithontriptic (Dymock). Used as a liniment with gingelly oil in rheumatism (Surg.-Major Ratton in Watt’s Dictionary). Root astringent (J. J. Wood’s Plants of Chutia Nagpur, p. 135). Chemical composition.—The bark afforded 41°7 per cent. of water extract, containing 39°9 parts of tannic acid. The tannic acid gave a greyish-green precipitate with plumbic acetate, and a blue-black colour with ferric ehloride. The air-dried bark left 7°35 per cent. of ash on incineration. Although this is one of the most astringent barks in India, it does not appear to be known to, or used by, Europeans in the arts. 1126. B. montana, Willd., u.¥.B.1. v. 269, Roxb. 105, Vern. :—Kargnalia, khaja, geia, kusi (H.); Gondni (Saharan- pur); Geio (Nepal); Kaisho (Ass.); Kurgnulia (Kumaon) ; 1136 INDIAN MEDIOINAL PLANTS. Asana (Mar. and Cutch); Asano (Bom. and Guz.); Faturfoda (Goa); Vengemaram, venge \Tam.); Gundebingula, pantangi, auem (Tel.). Habitat :—Along the foot-hills of the Himalaya, from the Punjab to Bhotan; Khasia Mts., Behar on Parusnath ; Coro- mandel. A moderate-sized, grabrous deciduous tree. Wood grey, moderately hard, nearly glabrous. Branches often pustulate. Leaves membranous, very variable, 3-5in. long, obovate or broad elliptic, glabrous or shining above, paler beneath ; lateral nerves 10-15 pair, more or less arched ; cross nervules rather strong ; petiole zo-tin. long ; stipules deciduous. Flowers monceious, says J.D. Hooker. But Rai Bahadur Upendranath Kanjilal says thus: — I have seen several trees with only male, and several others with only female flowers, and so far none with both’ (Forest Flora, United Provinces, Siwalik and Jaunsar divisions, p. 346, foot- note, 1911, Calcutta}. The flowers are small, greenish-yellow, shortly pedicelled; bracts many and crowded, membranous pubescent. Calyx zp-3in. diam. ; lobes triangular-ovate, unaltered in fruit. Ovary enclosed in disk. Styles 2, 2-fid. Petals oblanceolate. Fruit ovoid, gin. long, black when ripe, seated on the unaltered calyx. The fruits are not eaten, says Kanjilal. Uses:—Reported to possess anthelmintic properties. Much used in Bombay and Goa as an astringent medicine. (Watt.) 1127. Cleistanthus collinus, Benth., H.F.B.1., V. 274. Syn. :-- Cluytia collina, Roxb. 704. Vern. :—Woadugu maram (Tam.); Kadishen, Korsi (Tel.); Garrar, garari (H.); Karada (Uriya); Parasu, pas, pasu, lar- chuter (Kol.); Kargalli (Santal); Ghara (Berar) ; Garari (Mar.); Kergali (Karwar) ; Ganari (C. P.}. Habitat :— Dry hills in various parts of India from Simla to Behar, and southward to Central India, and the Deccan Peninsula. A small, deciduous tree. Bark 4in. thick, dark-brown, almost black, often with a reddish tinge, rough with numerous . N. 0. EUPHORBIACES. ae cracks, exfoliating in rectangular woody scales. Wood dark, reddish-brown, tough, hard, close-grained ; heartwood small. Branches spreading, rigid, twiggy, smooth or pustulate. Foliage bright-green. Leaves coriaceous, orbicular, broadly ovate or elliptic; tip rounded or retuse, glaucous beneath, 14-4 by 14-3in., pale when dry, loosely reticulate. young, membranous and faintly pubescent beneath, old 4-8 pair, spreading, very slender ; petiole tin. Flowers yellowish-green, in small axillary, silky clusters ; calyx-lobes lanceolate, or ovate-lanceolate. Calyx zim. male, pulvinate, of female conical with a thick margin. Ovary quite glabrous, globose, styles free thick ; stigmas fleshy, lobed. Capsule $in., obscurely 3-lobed, woody sessile; rarely 4-lobed, dark-brown, shining and wrinkled when dry, top not lobed. Seeds 3, ¢in. diam., globose chestnut-brown ; albumen " scanty. Uses :—The bark or outer crust of capsule said to be exceed- ingly poisonous (O’Shaughnessy.) In Chutia Nagpur the fruit and bark are employed to poison fish ; the latter is also considered a useful application in cutaneous diseases. or severe headache, the head and upper part of the body are bathed in water in which the leaves have been steeped (Revd. A. Campbell.) An extract of the leaves and fruit acts as a violent gastro-intestinal irritant. 1128. Andrachne cordifolia, Muell., u.¥.B.1., Vv. 283. ' Vern. :—Kurkni, gurguli, kurkuli (Pb.). Habitat :—Central and Western Temperate Himalaya, from Nepal westwards to Murree. A small shrub with slender branches. Young shoots, petioles, and underside of leaves hairy. Wood white, moder- ately hard-grained. Leaves 1-2in. long, ovate-oblong, obtuse or mucronate, pale when dry, nerves very slender. Petiole filiform, $-$in. Flowers tin. diam., moncecious, axillary on long, filiform pedicels, 3-14in long. Calyx segments obovate, acute, enlarged in fruit. Petioles keeled, spathulate; disk of 5 flat, bifid, membranous glands. Fruit tin. diam., depressed, globose, 143 1138 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. supported by the enlarged calyx. Seeds broadly trigonous, dorsally rounded. Use :—The twigs and leaves are said to kill cattle when browsed in the early morning on an empty stomach. (Stewart). 1129. Phyllanthus reticulatus, Poir., H.¥.B.1., V. 288, Roxb. 681. Sans. :—Krishna-kamboji. Vern. :—Panjoli, makhi, buin-owla, kale-madh-ka-per (H.) ; Panjuli (B. and Pb.); Kabonan (Raj.) ; Kémohi, fruit=pika- pird, leaves=kAémohi jopun, bark=ka&mohi jochodo (Sind); Pavana (Bomb.) ; Datwan (Guz.) ; Pulavayar-puttay, pillanji, karappu-pillanji (Tam.) ; Nalla-puruguddu, purugudu, nella- puruddd4a, phulser (Tel.). Halitat :—-Throughout tropical India, in the plains from Sind, Behar, Rohilkund, Sikkim and Assam to Travancore. A large straggling or climbing shrub, 8-10ft. Bark brown, thin. Wood reddish or greyish-white, hard, close-grained. Shoots glabrous or finely pubescent. Branches lenticillate, numerous, stout; woody branchlets long, drooping. Leaves 1-2in., oblong or elliptic, tip rounded, acute or obtuse; “variable,” says Trimen, “lanceolate or oblong-lanceolate, nearly rotundate, glabrous or slightly pubescent, somewhat paler beneath ;” nerves 6-8 pairs; slender. Petiole 7zg-¢in. ; stipules small, subulate, persistent, hard. Flowers pink, soli- - tary or several together on slender, axillary peduncles. Calyx- segments ovate, membranous, alternating with glands of the disk. Male flowers :---Stamens 5, filaments of the 3 inner longer, connate. Female flowers:-—Ovary, 5-10-celled (Brandis), 4-5-celled (Trimen ); styles short, minutely lobed ; stigmas short; ovules 2in each cell, superposed. Fruit a purple berry, sweetish when ripe, shining, smooth, depressed, globose. $-gin. diam., often racemose on leafless branches. Seeds 8-14, triquetrous, finely granulate, superposed in each cell, bluntly trigonous. - Uses :——The leaves are employed as a diuretic and cooling medicine in Sind. (Stocks.) The bark is considered alterative — N. 0. EUPHORBIACE®. 1139 and attenuant, and is prescribed in decoction in the quantity of four ounces or more twice daily. (Ainslie.) The juice of the leaves is used medicinally in the Konkan. It is made into a pill with camphor and cubebs, which is allowed to dissolve in the mouth as a remedy for bleeding from the gums, it 1s also reduced to a thin extract along with the juice of other alterative plants and made into a pill with aromatics. This pill is given twice a day, :ubbed down in milk as an alter- ative in ‘ heat of the blocd’. (Dymock.) 1130.. P. Emblica, Linn., 4.F.B.1., v. 289; Roxb. 684. Sans. :—DhAtriphala, Amritaphala, Amalakam, Shri-phalam, ainam. Vern. :—Aonla, (H.) ; Ambliy (Arab.); Amelah (Pers.) ; Ambul, ambli (Pb.) ; Amla, amlaki (B. and Ass.}; Ambari (Garo) ; Neli, nellekai (Tam.); Shabju, ziphiyusi (Burm.) ; Anvala (Mar.). Halitat :—Throughout Tropical India, wild or planted, from the base of the Himalaya, from Jummoo eastwards, and south- wards to Ceylon. A moderate-sized, deciduous, pretty and ornamental tree. Bark somewhat less than 4in., thick, light grey, exfoliating in irregular patches; inner substance red. Wood red, hard, close- grained, warps and splits in seasoning ; no heartwood. Branch- lets mostly deciduous, finely pubescent or glabrous. Foliage feathery, light green. Leaves equal and distichous, symmetri- cally close ; set like the leaflets of a pinnate leaf, glabrous, pube- rulous beneath, $-4in. long, sub-sessile, linear-oblong, acute or mucronate. Stipules minute, ovate, finely acute. Flowers apetal- ous, monoecious, greenish-yellow, in axillary clusters. Male flowers: — Numerous and shortly pedicillate ; stamens 3, joined in ashort column. Disk, of distinct glands, alternating. with the calyx-segments, rarely O. Female-flowers few, sub-sessile. Sepals as in male. Disk cupular, lacerate. Ovary 3-celled, with 2 ovules in each cell; styles 3, connate at the base, twice bifid, 1140 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. Fruit a capsule of three 2- valved cocci, 4-z>in. diam., obscurely 6-lobed, globose, fleshy, pale-yellow, dehiscent vihien dry, sometimes reddish when ripe, acid, astringent, — bitterish, 3-celled, 6-seeded. Uses : —The front juice is cooling, refrigerant, diuretic and laxative. The exudation from the incisions on the fruit is used as an external application in inflammation of the eye. (Dutt.) In the fresh state they are round, of the size of a gall-nut, with six valves projecting externally ; pulp fleshy, acidulous, enveloping white angular seeds, and possessed of purgative properties. In the dry state they are roundish, sub-hexagonal, wrinkled, of a blackish-grey colour, slightly aromatic odour and acidulous astringent taste. In the latter state, they are employed in the process of tanning, and are highly valued as an astringent in bowel complaints. Bontius (Diseases of India, p. 200) testifies to their value in the treatment of diarrhoea and dysentery, in the hospitals of Batavia in his day. Antiscorbu- tic virtues have also been attributed to them by Dr. D. MeNab (Caleutta Med. Phys. Trans., vol. viii., and Caleutta Quart. Med. Journ. 1837, vol. i., p. 306); but Dr. Irvine (Med. Topog. of Ajmeer, p. 118) is of opinion that they do not possess any peculiar virtue in this respect, and that they are not superior to any other acid vegetable astringent. He mentions that they contain a large proportion of gallic acid. The flowers of this tree are employed by the Hindu doctors for their supposed refrigerant and aperient qualities (Ainslie, Mat. Ind., vol. i1., p. 244). The bark partakes of the astrin- gency of the ripe fruit. Dr. ‘4. Ross reports having prepared from the root, by decoction and evaporation, an astringent extract equal to catechu, both for medicinal purposes and in the arts; he adds that chips of the wood or small branches thrown into impure or muddy water, clear it effectually ; hence the wood is much employed by the natives in making well rings. This pointis worthy of further inquiry.- (Ph. Ind.) In the Concan, the juice of the fresh bark, with honey wi tur- meric, is given in gonorrhea. (Dymock.) N. O. EUPHORBIACE®. 1141 The leaves are, in Baroda, used as an infusion with fenu- greek seeds in cases of chronic dysentery, and are also con- sidered a bitter tonic. In the same locality the milky juice is considered a good application to offensive sores. Chemical composition.—The pulpy portion of the fruit dried at 100°C., and freed from the nuts, had the following composition :-- Ether extract (gallic acid, &c.) = tel vs | ODE Alcoholic extract (tannin, sugar, &c.) me o. Solo Aqueous extract (gum, &c.) aa Soe sow 13°75 Soda extract (albumen, &c.) cae me .- 13°08 Crude cellulose os bee ds ave LSU Mineral matter idle si Tie aa, 4h Moisture and loss fe +E ae ee ees. 100-00 5 The acidity of the fruit was found to be equal to 9°6 per cent., calculated as acetic acid. The amount of tannic acid, estimated with acetate of lead solution, was 35 per cent, and 10 per cent. of glucose was estimated by means of Fehling’s solution on an infusion of the pulp after. the removal of the tannin. Léwe considers this tannin to be identical with the ellago-tannic acid of Divi-divi. (Pharmacogr, Ind. IIT 263,) 1131. P. madraspatensis, Linn., H.F.B.1., V. 292; Roxb. 678. Vern. :—-Nala userekee (Tel.) ; Kanocha, hazarmani (H.). Habitat :—Drier parts of India; from Banda, throughout the Deccan Peninsula to Ceylon. An annual herb, but sometimes very woody at base. Stem 1-3ft. erect, with long, slender, ascending, glabrous branches. Leaves on very short petioles, small, 4-3in., cuneate-obovate, much tapering to narrower base, rounded truncate, but often apiculate at apex, glaucous and with lateral veins, conspicuous beneath. Stipules Jinear-lanceolate, very acute. Flowers on very short pedicels, male in small clusters, female solitary ; sepals 6, obovate-rotundate, obtuse. Male flowers :—Stamens 3, filaments connate. Female flowers :—Styles 3, very small. Fruit dry, very small, under #in., depressed, 3-lobed, glabrous. Seeds very finely muricate in lines. Disk of glands in both sexes. Anthers almost sessile on the column, erect, apiculate. 1142 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. Use:—The leaves are used in infusion by the Vaidyas in Southern India as a remedy for headache. (Ainslie. ) When soaked in water the seeds immediately become thickly coated with asemi-opaque mucilage; the kernel is oily and has a sweet nutty taste; the seeds are used medicinally on account of the mucilage which they afford. (Pharmacogr, Ind. IIT, 265.) _ 11382. P. urinaria, Linn’ 1.81, Vv 293 ox 680. Sans. :—Tamra-Valli. Vern. :-—-Hazar munee (B. and H.); Yerra userekee (Tel.); Lal-bhuin-Anvalah (H.}; Badar-zhapni (Santal) ; Shirappunelli (Tam.) ; Chiru-kizhukénelh, chukanna-kizhanelli (Mal.). Habitat:—Throughout India, from the Punjab to Assam and Ceylon. An annual low or tall, diffusely branched, erect or decumbent herb (becoming perennial in some soils), slender, glabrous. Leaf-bearing branchlets short, flattened or shortly winged, often tinged with red. Leaves numerous, closely placed, dis- tichously imbricate, nearly sessile, small 4-$in., oblong, rounded at base, apiculate, paler or silvery beneath. Stipules peltate, very acute. Flowers yellowish, all the year round, numerous, very minute, nearly sessile, solitary. Sepals green, ciliolate, those of the male’s sub-orbicular; of the females oblong, not enlarged in fruit. Fruit very small, scarcely $in., depressed globose, scarcely lobed, muriculate or echinate. Seeds transver- sely furrowed. Styles with hooked arms. Filaments very shortly united. Anthers erect, didymous, not apiculate. Use :—Medicinal properties similar to those of P. Niruri. In Chutia Nagpur, the root is believed to be sudorific, being given to sleepless children along with Zornia diphylla. (Campbell.) 1133. P. simplex, Tietz., 11B1., ¥. 200) aoe 678. Vern.:—Tandi meral (Santal}; Bhuidvaii (Mar.); Uchcehi usirika (Tel.). N. 0. EUPHORBIACE®. 1143 Habitat :—Throughout India, in the plains and low hills, from Kumaon to Assam and southward to Travancore. A perennial herb, often woody below, with a long tap-root and numerous, elongated, slender, prostrate or ascending. slightly-branched, compressed, glabrous stems. Leaves” numerous, smal], 4-3in., on very short petioles, closely placed and often overlapping, linear-oblong, obtuse, apiculate; stipules peltate, sagittate, brown, scarious. Flowers normaily solitary on slender solitary pedicels ; females larger; sepals oblong, obtuse; stamens 3, distinct ; styles short, bifid. Fruit very small, under 4in., on somewhat enlarged sepals, globose, faintly 3-lobed, usually tubercled. (Trimen). Seeds minute, trigonous, rounded on the back, finely tubercled, dark-brown. Var. :—-Oblongifolia.—Stem erect, diffusely branched. Leaves }-3in. long, elliptic-oblong, sub-acute ; female pedicels 3-3in. Dekkan Peninsula and Ceylon. (J. D. Hooker.) O3, the principal constituent of Kamala, crystallises in thin, salmon-coloured plates melting at 191-191'5°.. When heated with caustic potash at 150°, it yields benzoic acid, acetic acid, and an amorphous sub- stance, and when oxidised by means of hydrogen peroxide in alkaline solution the same compounds are obtained, On treatment with cold nitric acid (sp. gr. 1°5', rottlerin yields, besides oxalic acid, two new acids melting at 282° and 226,° and having respectively the formule C,7 H,, Os, and C,7 Hy5 Oo. These are readily separated by recrystallisation from alcohol. Boiling nitric acid of sp. gr. 1°5 decomposes rottlerin, forming oxalic acid and a bibasic acid of the formula C,, H,,) Og, melting at 232°, and yielding a crystalline silver salt, C,, H; O, Ag,. When heated with acetic anhydride, rottlerin yields a diacetyl derivative of the formula C,, Hz; O, (C, H,0,). The mole- cular weight of rottlerin has not yet been satisfactorily determined, but pro- bably about 485. The resin of low melting point agrees with the formula C,, H,,. O3;. It resembles rottlerin, from which its formula differs by CH,. The yellow crystalline colouring matter obtained in the first extractions of Kamala with carbon bisulphide is closely allied to rottlerin. It forms a beautiful, glistening mass of yellow needles, and melts at 192-193°. The wax extracted gave as a mean C=79° 70 p.c., H=12'86 p.c., agree- ing with the formula C,, H., O,. This wax is a colourless, apparently crystal- line mass melting at 82°, Trorottlerin C,, H,. O,, crystallises in groups of minute plates melting at 198 199°, and in its appearance greatly resembles rottlerin, from which, however, it is readily distinguished by being practically insoluble in carbon bisulphide, chloroform, and benzene, whereas rottlerin is comparatively soluble in these liquids. The resin of high melting point is a pale yellow, amorphous substance of the formula C,, H,. O,, closely allied to rottlerin in many of its properties, and which also yields the acid of the formula C,; H,, O, when boiled with nitric acid of sp. gr. 1°5. 1168 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. Kamala was first analysed by Dr. Thomas Anderson of Glasgow in 1855 who found the following constituents in 100 parts:—78°19 of resinous colouring matter, 7°34 of albumen, 7°14 of cellulose, a trace of volatile oil, 3°84 of ashes, and 3°49 of water. Of the resinous colouring matters Dr. Anderson obtained one in a pure state by allowing a concentrated ethereal solution to stand for two days, drying and pressing in hibulous paper the resulting mass of granular crystals, and purifying them from adhering resin by repeated solu- tion in ether and crystallisation. To this substance he gave the name of Rottlerin. It occurs in crystalline plates ofa yellow colour insoluble in water, but soluble in alcohol, ether and alkaline solutions. The formula was Cy, Hyo Oz. KE. G, Leube, Jr. (Jahresbericht, 1860, 562), however, was unable to obtain any crystalline product, but he describes a resin melting at 80°, having the formula C,, H,, O,, and a resin melting at 191°, of the formula C3 H,, O;. Oettingen of Russia, in 1862, was unable to obtain any crystalline substance from kamala. A.G. Perkin and W. H Perkin, Jr.,in 1886 made a preliminary examinaticn of kamala and separated by means of carbon bisulphidea yellow crystalline body Mallotoxin. On pursuing the investigation, Mr. A,G. Perkin contribut- eda full account of the constituents in Journ. Chem. Soc. LXITI. (1893), pages 975-90. Rottlerin, the principal constituent, crystallises in salmon- coloured plates melting at 191-191°5°. When heated with caustic potash it yields benzoic acid, acetic acid and an amorphous substance. A resin of low melting point with the formula C,, H,, O, and closely associated with Rottlerin in many of its properties. When boiled with dilute alkalis the odour of benzaldehyde is noticeable. A yellow crystalline colouring matter present in minute amount melting at 192-193°. A wax, having a composition agreeing with the formula C,, H,, O,, and melting at 82°, the melting point of cetylic cerotinate. The residue left on extracting kamala with carbon bisulphide contains two substances isorottlerin and aresin of higher melting point both soluble in ether. Isorottlerin crystallises in groups of minute plates melting at 198-199°. It differs from rottlerin by being practically insoluble in carbon bisulphide, chloroform and benzene. The rasin of high melting point is a pale yellow amorphous subtance of the formula C,, Hy, O4. In a subsequent paper on the chemistry of kamala [Journ. Chem, Soc. LX VII (1895), 280], Perkin continued the study of Rottlerin, the principal crystalline constituent, and showed the action upon it of nitric acid and sodium carbonate, the former yielding ortho and para-nitrocinnamice acids and the Jatter rottlerone. The yellow crystalline colouring matter contained more hydrogen than Rottlerin andis probably a reduction product of this body. The name homo-rottlerin was given to it. In afurther note on Rottlerin (Journ. Chem. Soc, 1899, LX XV., page 827) Perkin deduced from analyses of its mono-substitured salts the formula C,, - N. 0. EUPHORBIACE®. 1169 ff, Oy. It contains hydroxyl groups. By fusion with alkalis at 220-240° it yields acetic and benzoic acids together with phloroglucinol. (The Agricul- tural Ledger, 1905, No. 4. pp. 61-62.) The ash of Kamala contains a considerable proportion of manganese. When extracted with ether, Kamala yields a dark, brownish, resinous product from which six distinct substances can be isolated, Five of these, namely, rottlerin, isorottlerin, a wax, and two resins, one of high and the other of low melting point, form the principal constituents, but there is also present a trace of a yellow, crystalline colouring matter. Kamala contains also a minute amount of an essential oil or similar substances, giving toit when gently warmed a peculiar odour, but from which it can be readily freed by treatment with steam. Kamala contains, moreover, a small quantity of a sugar, which is extract- ed from it by water. Seeds.—The seeds, of which three are contained in each capsule, are black or dark grey, rounded, and slightly flattened on one side. They are about the size of black pepper. Their “resemblance to the fruits of Embelia Ribes has been observed in the Panjab where the confusion of the names—baobrang for Mallotus and bebrang for Embelia—has existed. In Katha, Burma, the seeds ground to a paste are applied to wounds and dah cuts. Greshofi, in 1898, discovered in the seeds a bitter glucoside soluble in water and alcohol, that may be shaken out of a water extract by chloroform. The seeds analysed in the Indian Museum afforded :—Moisture, 8°75 ; fat 5°85 ; albuminoids, 16°81 ; carbohydrates, 47°49; fibre, 17°35; ash, 3°75. They are, therefore, not oil-yielding seeds as has been reported. 1157. Macaranga Roxburghii, Wight. 4.8.8.1, v. 448. Vern. :—Chandkal (Kanara) ; Chandwar, chandadé (Mar); Vattekanni (Tam.) ; Boddichettu (Tel.) ; Chentha-kanni (Mysore). Habitat:—The Deccan Peninsula; in the Circars and on the ghats, from the Concan to Travancore. A small or middle-sized resinous tree. Wood reddish brown or soft. Branchlets stout, glaucous, youngest shoots stellateto- mentose. Leaves deltoid-or rhombic-ovate or orbicular, broadly peltate, cuspidate, palmati-nerved, entire or minutely toothed ; o-8in. diam., coriaceous or thin, glabrous above, except the pubescent nerves, and eglandular at the rounded base, beneath finely pubescent or glabrate and gland-dotted with 6-8 pairs of 147 1170 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. strong nerves above the basal, and strong cross nervules. Pet- iole 3-6in., glabrous or puberulous. Stipules ovate or oblong lanceolate, not broad, tomentose. Panicles densely rusty-to- mentose or the branches nearly glabrous. Bracts at the axils and at the bases of the terminal branches very broad, dentate, and often veined, floral hemispheric. Bracteoles concave. flowers goin. diam. Male flowers:—Clusters enveloped in bracts and bracteoles ; sepals 3; stamens 2-5. Female flowers :— panicles simpler, in racemose branches with larger bracts. Calyx-limb obsolete ; ovary densely glandular, 1l-celled, glabrous or puberu- lous; style lateral. Stigma sessile, persistent, often embracing one side of the ovary, thickly papillose. Capsule globose, $-3in. diam., covered with hairs and glands. Seed globose; testa brown, crustaceous, rough. Uses :—The gum powdered and made into a paste is reckon- ed a good external application for venereal sores (Drury.) The country people used the following in jarandt (Liver) : — One part of the young shoots, with three parts of the young shoots of khoretz (Ficus asperimma) are sprinkled with hot water and the juice extracted; in this is rubbed down two parts each of the barks of both trees. The preparation may be administered twice a day in doses of $th of a seer. (Dymock.) 1158. Ricinus communis, Linn., u.F.B.1., V. 457; Roxb. 690. Vern. :—Arand; Eranda. Habitat :—Cultivated throughout India and naturalized near habitations. An evergreen, small tree. Shoots and panicles glaneous. Leaves green or reddish, 1-2ft. diam., membranous, lobes from oblong to linear-acute or acuminate, glandserrate ; petiole 4-12in. Racemes stout, erect. Male flowers:—4in. diam., being above the female in the same panicle. Stamens numerous. Female calyx 4in. long. Ovary 3-celled; styles spreading, feathery, often highly coloured, principally crimson. Capsule globose, generally echinate, 3-lin. long. Seeds mottled, oblong, smooth, with fleshy albumen. N. 0. EUPHORBIAOE®R. 1171 Uses :—Officinal in both the Pharmacopceias, and its uses are too well known to be mentioned here. “Leather has examined a large number of seeds from Madras, Bombay, United Provinces and Central Provinces, and shows that they contain from 25 to 35 per cent. of shells, and the kernels, with few exceptions, afford from 60 to 70 per cent. of oil, or 35 to 50 per cent. on the entire seed, Larger seeds as a rule contain more oil than smaller seeds, Castor oil is a colourless or pale greenish oil having a taste at first mild, then harsh. The oil is very viscous, but does not dry even when exposed in thin layers. Most commercial samples contain only very small proportions of free fatty acids, this is due to the refining process which consists in the coagulation of albuminous matters by steaming and then removing them by filtration. Castor oil is strongly dextro-rotatory. Deering and Redwood examined twenty-three samples of Indian oil and observed that in a 200 mm. tube in a Hoffmann-Laurent polarimeter the variation was from+7°6° to +9°7°, Castor oil may be said to consist of a small quantity of tristearin, of the glyceride of dihydoxystearic acid, and toa large extent of the glyce- ride of ricinoleic acid. The physical and chemical constants of the oil have been found as follows : Specific gravity at 15°5°, 0°963 to 0°964; saponification value, 177 to 184; iodine value, 81°4 to 85:3; Richert-Meissl value, 1:1; Maumene test, 46-47: oleo-refractometer degrees at 22°, 41 to 42°5, Insoluble fatty acids: Melting point, 13°; iodine value, 86 to 88, The high specific gravity and acetyl value and its very high viscosity afford ready means of identification. It is also miscible in all proportions with glacial acetic acid and absolute alcohol, but is nearly insoluble in large quantities of petroleum ether, kerosene and higher boiling paraffn oils.” (Agricultural Ledger, 1911-12 No. 5 pp. 164-165.) Ricinin, C,7 H,, Nz O, is the poisonous principle of the seeds. The pressed seeds yield 0°3 per cent., whereas the husks yield 1°5 per: cent., of ricinin. To obtain the ricinin, the pressed seeds or husks are extracted with boiling water ; the extract evaporated on the water bath, and the residue treated with alcohol, The alcoholic solution is then evaporated to dryness and the residue treated with caustic soda; by this means, the impurities are dissolved out, and the ricinin which remains behind may be erystallised from alcohol or water. It erystallises in glistening plates ; melts at 194°, has a bitter taste, is readily soluble in water, alcohol, chloroform, benzene and ether; the aqueous solution is neutral and optically inactive, Ricinin may be sublimed when carefully heated ; itis soluble in concentrated sulphuric acid, yielding a colourless solution, which becomes straw-yellow, and then bright claret red, on warming. The colourless sulphuric acid solution gives, with a crystal of potassium dichromate, a bright green coloration; this is suggested as a test for ricinin. Ricinin does not give the usual tests for alkaloids, neither does it form salts with strong mineral acids; it yields a bromo-derivative, C,7 H,¢ Br, N, Oy, which melts at 247°, and a corresponding chloro-derivative, which melts at 240.0 With mercuric chloride, it yields the compound, C,, H,3 Nz O4, 2 Hg Cl,, which melts at 204°, When oxidised, it yields a new acid, C,, H,, 1172 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. N, 04, which is termed ricininic acid; the same acid may also be obtained by the hydrolysis of ricinin with caustic soda, Itis a dibasic acid, which melts at 295,° yields a silver salt, a barium salt crystallising with 4 H, O, anda bromo-derivative, C,, H,. Br, Nz 04, melting at 180°. (J. Ch. S. 1896, A. I, 386.) 1159. Baliospermum asxillare., Blume. 4.¥.B.1., V. 461. Syn.:—B. montanum Muell.-Arg., B. polyandrum, Waght ; Croton polyandros, Rox). 687. Sans. :—Danti. Vern. :—-Danti, hakum or hakun (EH. and B.); Konda-ému- dam naypawlum, adavi-Amudam (Tel.); Poguntig (Lepcha) ; Jangli jamalgota (U. P.); Danti (Mar.); Jamflgota, dantimul (Bomb., Guj. and Cutch). “The vernacular names of B. Montanum, Croton tiglium, Jatropha glandulifera and J. curcas are confounded with each other in most districts of India, particularly in the Madras Presidency.”’ (Moodeen Sheriff.) Roots sold as Dantz-mul in the Bazars. Habitat :—Tropical and subtropical Himalayas, from Kash- mir to Bhotan ; from Assam and Khasia mountains to Chitta- gong. Deccan Peninsula from Behal and the Concan to Travancore. A stout leafy undershrub 3-6ft. high with herbaceous brar.- ches from the root, glabrous except the young shoots and some- times the leaves beneath. Leaves firmly coriaceous, very variable in size and shape; the upper 2-3in. long, lanceolate, penninerved ; the lower 6-12in. long, often palmately 3-5 lobed and with sinuate-toothed margins; base rounded or cuneate ; petioles 2-6in. long; stipules of 2 glands. Flowers usually moneecious, arranged in many axillary racemes or contracted panicles, all male or with a few females at the base. Mate flowers :-—Calyx globose, yoin., 4-5-partite, often slightly hairy ; segments finely mottled. Disk of 6 glands. Stamens about 20. Tem. flowers :-—Sepals not enlarging in fruit. Disk thin, Toin. in diam. Ovary hairy; styles about yin. long. thick, 2- partite, dull-red. Capsules $-4in. long. obovoid, usually hairy. Seeds fin. long, smooth, mottled. (Duthie.) N. 0. EUPHORBIACE 1173 Uses: —The seeds are used as a drastic purgative, but in over-doses are an acro-narcotic poison; they are sometimes used asa substitute for Croton Tiglium. They are also used externally as a stimulant and rubefacient. The oil is a powerful hydragegue cathartic and is useful for external ap- plication in rheumatism. Madden states that to the east of the Sutlej its leaves are in high repute for wounds, and its sap is believed to corrode iron. The root is considered cathartic, and is used in dropsy, anasarca, and jaundice. “A decoction of the leave said to be useful in asthma.” (Asst.-Surg. Bhagwan Das, Rawal Pindi, Punjab.) 1160. Tragia involucrata, Linn., H.F.B.1., V 465; Roxb. 652. Sans. :—Vrischi-kali. Vern.:—Barhanta (H.); Bichati (B.); Kan-churi (Tam.); Sengel, sing (Santal); Kinch-kure (Deccan); Kanch kari, khaj-kolti (Bomb.); China-dula gondi, révati-dula gondi, truna- dula, gondi, duruda-gunti, tella-dura dagondi (Tel.). Habitat :-—Throughout India, from the Punjab and Lower Himalaya of Kumaon, eastward to Assam, and southward to Burma, Travancore and Ceylon. A perennial, evergreen twiner, more or less pubescent or hispid and with scattered stinging bristles, rarely almost glab- rous. Leaves from linear-oblong to broadly ovate-cordate, acuminate, serrate, and from entire to deeply 38-fid or tripartite, with irregularly serrate or sub-pinnatifid lobes, 1-4in., membran- ous, protean in form. (J. D. Hooker.) Racemes 1-2in., slender, hispid or glabrous. Bracts small or minute. Male flowers minute, shortly pedicelled, sepals and stamens 3; pistillode 3-fid. Female flowers strigosely hispid, fruiting #in. diam., stellately rigid, spreading, oblong, pinnatifid, rarely sub-entire. Uses :—-The root is valued in febricula and in itching of the skin. (Rheede). The Vytians reckon it amongst those medicines which they conceive to possess virtues in altering and correcting the habit, in cases of mayghum (cachexia) and in old venereal 1174 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. complaints attended with anomalous symptoms. By the Hindu doctors of the Coromandel coast, it is given in quantity of half-a-teacupful of the decoction twice daily. (Ainslie.) The root forms the basis of an external application in leprosy while the leaves dried, reduced to powder, and mixed with ginger and katphul form an “‘errhine”’ which is prescribed in cases of headache. (Taylor.) In the Konkan, the root is used to aid the extraction of guinea-worm, a paste made from them being applied to the part. bor (Kol.); Boru (Ur.); Bare (Santal); Ranket (Garo); Borhar (Nep.) ; Kangji (Lep.); Bor, bohr (Pb.) ; Baagat, bar (Pushtu) ; Phagwari (Hazara); Wur, bur (Sind); War, vada (Mar.); Ala (Tam.); Mari, peddi mari (Tel.); Ahlada, (Kan.), Peralu, peralin (Mal). Habitat :—Planted in all the plains of India; wild only in the Sub-Himalayan forests and on ithe lower slopes of the Deccan Hills. A large or very large tree, branches spreading, sending down to the ground numerous aerial roots which afterwards become trunks. Bark $in. thick, greyish-white, smooth, exfoliating in. N. 0. URTICAGER. 1187 small, irregular plates. Wood grey, moderately hard ; no heart- wood, having narrow, wavy, concentric bands of soft tissue and darker colour. Pores moderate-sized and large, sometimes very large, often sub-divided, scanty, scattered irregularly. Medullary rays fine, equi-distant, but not numerous. On a radial section the pores and soft bands are distinctly marked, giving the wood a characteristic grain, but larger pores being frequently oblique. (Gamble). Young shoots pubescent. Leaves glabrous when mature, approximate near the ends of branches, ovate, mostly obtuse; base cordate or rounded ; basal nerves 3-5; the midrib with 4-6 pair of secondary nerves; blade 4-8in. ; petiole 1-2 in. Fruit globose, pubescent, 3-3in. diam., sessile, scarlet when ripe, supported by 2-4 broad, obtuse bracts. Uses:—The milky juice is externally applied for pains and bruises and in rheumatism and lumbago. It is considered as a valuable application to the soles of the feet when cracked or inflamed, and is also applied to the teeth and gums as a remedy for tooth-ache. An infusion of the bark is supposed to be a powerful tonic and is considered to have specific properties in the treat- ment of diabetes. The seeds are deemed cooling and tonic. The leaves are applied, heated as a poultice, to abscesses, and after they have turned yellow are given with roasted rice in decoction as a diaphoretic. The root fibres are given in gonorrheea in the Punjab, being considered by Vaids to resemble Sarsaparilla. An infusion of the small branches is useful in hemoptysis. The tender ends of the hanging roots are given for obstinate vomiting. (1) Composition of a dried specimen of Ficus bengalensis (from Perawa)— Water ae e “ee aa ome 4 Albuminoids ne Je EE cree ee C3) eee ae om ote Re Ae Carbohydrates... ist ci. «go? tote Fibre es “ks i: ise. BOS Ash ae ee oan a Oe 1188 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. (2) A sample of the fresh fruit was gathered in Caleutta. As the sample was very wet, it was partially dried for analysis, It then contained : Water ae ve an ree ba!) Albuminoids* ... wie oe oy Ot Oil ae Pa oscil Carbohydrates ¢ ... a wie ww. 85°D Fibre si ject ty she we 310 Ash f{ Bis oe ae oss Oe The alcoholic extract contains a glucoside, a trace of acid, but no appreci- able quantities of jtannin or alkaloid. The colouring matter is precipitated from its deep purple alkaline solution as a reddish brown deposit which dries to an almost black powder. 1177. F. Benjamina, Linn., 4.F.B.1., V. 508. Syn. : —F. comosa, Roxb. 644 Vern. :—Sunonijar ‘(Santal); Juripakri Assam, Chittagong (Nepal); Kunhip (Lepcha); Pimpri (Bomb.); Jili (Chutia Nagpur); Putra-janvi (Tel.) Habitat :—Base of the Eastern Himalaya, Assam, ‘and the Deccan Peninsula. A very large, evergreen tree, with drooping branches. Wood soft, light-brown, in alternate layers of light-brown, soft tissue and darker (light on a vertical section) hard tissue, the breadth of the soft layers about half that of the hard ones. Pores moder- ate-sized to large, very scanty, evenly distributed. Medullary rays fine to moderately broad, rather numerous, uniform. A fine, avenue tree, and excellent for shade. (Gamble.) The tree is 50-60ft. in height; it has 12-20ft., clear stem; and 6-8ft. girth. | (Kurz.) | An evergreen iree, with a dense, divaricate crown and pendulous branches, al! parts glabrous ; stipules small, lanceo- late, glabrous ; leaves ovate to elliptically ovate on a slender petiole, 5-8in. long, obtuse at the base, rather long and bluish, ; Containing nitrogen ... 500 .. 1°31 per cent. Ditto colouring matter saa Med: : { Ditto silica (Si O,). sn ve =0°35 Ditto phosphoric acid (P, O,) vee =O°53 N. 0. URTICACER. 1189 acuminate, 2-34in. long, rigidly chartaceous, entire, glabrous ; the nerves thin, much crowded and uniting near the margin, all parallel with a transverse net venation between, prominent on both sides; receptacles sessile by pair or solitary in the axils of the leaves, globular or almost obovate and _ nar- rowed at the base,-varying in size from } to $in. in diameter, blood-red when fully ripe, glabrous, 3-bracted, the lateral bracts broad, but short, rounded, glabrous. Male flower, very few scattered, pedicelled ; sepals 2, large, flat; anther subsessile. Gall flower, mostly pedicelled; sepals 5 or 4, long, spathulate, ovary ovoid, smooth. Female flower sessile; Sepals shortly spathulate, achene ovoid-reniform, longer than the style, stigma large. Uses: —A decoction of the leaves mixed with oil is believed in Malabar to be a good application to ulcers. (Drury.) 1178. - F. retusa, Linn., 4.F.B.1., Vv. 511. Syn. :—F. Benjamina, Willd., Roxb. 643. Vern.:—Kamrup, Zir (H. B.); Butisa (Kol.); Sunumjon (Santal) ; Jili(Chutia Nagpur); Jamu (Nepal); Sitnyok (Lepcha); Nandruk (Mar.); Yerrajuvi, nandireka (Tel.); Pilala, pinval (Kan.) Habitat: —Base of the Eastern Himalaya, Khasia Hills, Assam and the Deccan Peninsula. A large, evergreen umbrageous, tree, often epiphytic, erial roots slender, quite glabrous. “ Bark brown, fairly smooth. Wood light, reddish-grey, moderately hard, with narrow, wavy bands of soft tissue, alternating with broader bands of firm texture. Pores moderate-sized, often sub-divided, scanty. Medullary rays short, moderately broad.” (Gamble). Leaves elliptic, ovate or obovate, apex rounded, or shortly and bluntly acuminate ; blade 2-4 inches, narrowed into petiole, 4-3in. Male flowers numerous, scattered, sessile, or short-pedicelled ; sepals 3, sub-spathulate ; stamen single; anther cordate, apiculate, as long as the filaments. Gall flowers sessile or pedicelled ; sepals 3, broadly spathulate; ovary smooth. Female flowers sessile, much smaller than in the gall; styles of both short; 1190 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. stigma cylindric or clavate. Receptacles finely pubescent while young. Fruit sessile, yellow or reddish; 4in. diam.; basal broadly ovate, obtuse, spreading. Uses :—The bark of the root, the root itself, and the leaves boiled in oil form good applications for wounds and bruises. (Rheede.) In rheumatic headache, the leaves and bark pounded are applied as a poultice. In flatulent colic, the following pre- scription is used in the Concan:—Take of Nandruk leaf juice, Tulsi leaf juice, and ghz equal parts; boil until all the water has evaporated ; do this again 21 times with fresh quantities of the juice of the two plants; the residuum may then be applied to the belly, and fomentation with hot brick be practised. The juice of the bark has a reputation in liver disease; dose 1 tola in milk. (Dymock.) 1179. F. Rumphi, Blume, 4.¥F.B.1., v. 512. Vern. : —Kabar, gajna, pipul, gajiun, pipal, gagjaira, pakar, khabar (Hind.); Gaiaswat (Beng.); Suman-pipar -Kol.); Sunamjor (Santal); Pakri (Assam); Sat-bur (Cachar) ; Pakar (Nepal); Prab (Garo) ; Kabai pipal (Kumaon); Pulakh, rimbal, badha, palak, pilkhan (Pb.); Paras, pipal (Raj.); Pair, payar, asht (ashta), (Mar.); Kabai pipal, ganjar, suman, pipar (Lohar- dugga) ; Nyung byu (Burm.) Habitat: —On the dry lower slopes of the mountains of the Punjab; and the Northern, Western and Central India, Assam. | A large, deciduous tree, often epiphytic, all parts glabrous. “ Bark smooth, grey, +in. thick. Wood very soft, spongy, with alternating bands of loose and firm tissue of equal width. Pores oval, scanty, moderate-sized. Medullary rays fine, uniform, equidistant.’’ (Gamble.) Leaves sub-coriaceous, upper surface minutely tuberculate when dry, shining, long-petiolate, broadly ovate, with acuminate apex ; edges entire, sub-undulate; base broad, but slightly narrowed towards the petiole ; basal nerves 5, rarely 7 (2 being minute); lateral primary nerves 3-6 pair, rather irregular, prominent only in the young state; N. 0. URTIOACE®. 1191 length of blade 4-6in. of which the acuminate apex forms only about one; petioles 2°5 to 3°5in. Stipules ovate-lanceolate, from 4 to lin. long; receptacles sessile, in pair in axils of leaves or of leaf scars, globular, snooth when young, whitish with dark spots, when ripe nearly black; 5in. across ; basal bracts 3, rotund, small. Male flowers few, and cnly near mouth of the receptacle, the perianth of 3 spathulate pieces, anther single, ona filament about as long as itself ; gall and female flowers with perianth of 3 lanceolate pieces; the gall ovary, smooth and usually ovoid ; achene minutely tubercled, mucil- aginous ; style in both elongate, stigma clavate. (King.) Uses :—The Santals use the fruit as a drug. The juice is used in the Concan to kill worms and is given internally with turmeric, pepper and ghz, in pills, the size of a pea, for the relief of asthma ; it causes vomiting. ‘The juice is also burned in a closed vessel, with the flowers of mudar and 4 gunjas weight of the ashes mixed with honey, is given for the same purpose. (Dymock.) mise EF relagiosa, [ann H.V-B:1,,.V..013; Roxb: 642. Sans. :—Aswaththam. Vern. :—Pipal (H.'; Ashathwa, (B.); Hesar, pipar (Kol.) ; Hesak (Santal) ; Jari (Uriya); Bor-bur (Kachar); Pipli (Nepal) ; Ali (Gond.); Pipri (Korku); Pipal, bor (Pb.) ; Pimpala (Mar.) ; Pipul (Guz.); Arasa; Aswartham (Tam.) ; Rai, raiga, ragi, ravi or kulla ravi (Tel.); Rangi, basri, arali, arle, haspath, ragi, asvalta (Kan.) Habitat :—Wild in the Sub-Himalayan forests, in Bengal and in Central India. A large, glabrous, usually epiphytic tree. Bark grey, nearly zin. thick, exfoliating in rounded, irregular flakes of varying size, often leaving rounded depressions. Wood greyish-white, moderately hard; having narrow bands of soft tissue, which alternate with broader bands of firmer substance. Pores moderate-sized and large, often sub-divided, rather scanty. 1192 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. Medullary rays uniform and equidistant, moderately ‘broad. (Gamble). Leaves coriaceous, upper surface shining, lower minutely tuberculate when dry, long-petiolate, ovate-rotund, narrowed upwards and the apex produced into a linear lanceo- late tail, edges entire, undulate; base broad, rounded to truncate, sometimes a little narrowed at the union with the petiole occasionally emarginate or in young leaves, very cordate, from 5 to 7-nerved; lateral primary nerves about 8 pairs, reticulations five, distinct; length of blade from 4-5 to 7in. of which the apical tail forms about a third, breadth 3 to 4-din. petioles from 3-4in., long, slender. Stipules minute, ovate, acute ; receptacles in pair, axillary sessile, smooth, depressed, spheroidal, when ripe dark-purple, Sin. across, with 3 broad, spreading, coriaceous basal bracts. Male flowers very few and only near the mouth of some receptacle (absent in many), sessile ; the perianth of 3 broadly ovate pieces, anther single, ovate-rotund, its filament short. Gall and fertile flowers :—sessile or pedicillate; the perianth of 5 lanceolate pieces; style short, lateral ; stigma rounded, the galls much more numerous than the fertile females, and many of them without perianth. Uses:—The bark is astringent, used in gonorrhea. It has also maturative properties. The fruit is laxative and helps digestion. The seeds are said to be cooling and alterative. The leaves and young shoots are used asa purgative, and an infusion of the bark is given internally in scabies. (Ainslie and Wight.) A paste of the powdered bark is used as an absorbent in inflammatory swellings. (Dr. Emerson.) According to Bartolomeo (Voyage to the East Indies) the dried fruit “ pulverized and taken in water for a fortnight, removes asthma and produces fruitfulness in women.” Water in which the freshly- burnt bark has been steeped is said to cure cases of obstinate hiccup. (Dr. Thornton.) In cracked foot the juice is employed. (Asst.-Surg. T. N. Ghose.) The powder of the dried bark is used in fistula in ano. I have seen a Hakim use it with benefit in the following way: he introduced a metallic tube, something like a blow pipe, into the fistula, and putting a small quantity of the powder into it, blew the same into the fistula. 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