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Y
INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS
BY
Lieutenant-Colonel K. R. KIRTIKAR, F.L.S., I.M.S., (Retired),
Major B. D. BASU, LM.S., (Retired),
AND
[.C.8. (Retired).
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Po
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Published by
SUDHINDRA NATH Basu, M.B.
PANINI OFFICE, BHUWANESWARI ASRAMA, BAHADURGANJ,
Allababad
PRINTED BY APURVA KRISHNA BOSE, AT THE INDIAN PRESS
1918
i \ ly c i \
_@ “ ty,
Xe :* a 4s Ss s
, “ ~y
DEDICATED
TO THE
MEDICAL PROFESSION OF INDIA
PREFACE.
Berore the completion of Sir Joseph Hooker’s great book
‘Flora of British India,’ the only comprehensive work on Indian
Botany was that of Dr. W. Roxburgh. But it was long
out of print and the Revd. Dr. Carey’s edition of that im-
portant work sold in London for something like £5. The late
Mr. C. B. Clarke of the Educational Department of Bengal, after-
wards Inspector of Schools in Assam, conferred a great boon on
students of Indian Botany by bringing out a reprint of that work
in 1874 and pricing it so low as 5 rupees only. Unfortunately,
it is now out of print. When more than 25 years ago, I com-
menced the study of Indian Medicinal Plants, I had to work
with this well known book. So the reference to Roxburgh
throughout the present work is to the pages of that reprint.
I also experienced great difficulty in identifying the plants
for not possessing illustrations of most of them. It is almost
impossible for a person of moderate resources to provide himself
with all the illustrated works on Indian Botany, especially as a
good many of them, having become out of print, are procurable
only at fabulous prices. I found that for a proper study of the
subject there was a great want of a work containing illustrations,
botanical descriptions, vernacular names and uses of the medi-
cinal plants of this country. It was to supply this want to some
extent that the present work was undertaken. In this under-
taking I was very fortunate to have secured the co-operation of
the late lamented Lieutenant-Colonel Kanhoba Ranchoddas
Kirtikar, F. L.S., I. M. 8., a botanist of great repute, who pos-
sessed a very rich library of Botany and other sciences allied to
it. Himselfa good draughtsman, he had also employed an able
artist of Bombay to draw and paint from nature, plants of eco-
nomic importance. The faithfulness of these drawings is
admired by those who have seen them. Colonel Kirtikar very
readily allowed me to publish them with this work. He also
kindly undertook to prepare the botanical descriptions of the
vi PREFACE.
plants, and was helped in this portion of his task by an able
member of the Indian Civil Service, who to his other accom-
plishments adds a great taste for Botany. His notes have been
incorporated by Colonel Kirtikar in the botanical descriptions.
Before his lamented death, which took place on the 9th May,
1917, Colonel Kirtikar had left in manuscript the botanical de-
scriptions of almost all the plants mentioned in this work. Itis
to be greatly regretted that he did not live to give a finishing
touch to his writings. He was, however, able to revise the
proofs of about the first 500 pages of this book.
When we undertook the preparation of this work, it was
decided that it would not be a treatise on Materia Medica. A
work of that nature should include—
(1) Characters and means of recognition of the crude drug
including—
(a) External appearance, feel, [taste], smell, weight, &c.
(b) Microscopical characters and tests.
(c) General adulterants and mode of detection.
(2) To know whence and how the drug is obtained.
(3) The general properties of the crude drug, and the source
of its special properties, 1.e., its active principle, treated
generally.
(4) To know the method of development of the drug itself,
so far as practicable; and the nature, anatomical and develop-
mental, of the structures whence it is obtained.
(5) The preparations in which the drug forms a part, the
processes of preparation and their rationale; methods of mani-
pulation, ete.
(6) The doses of the drug and of its preparations.
(7) The physiological action of the drug and its preparations.”
Pharmacographia Indica by Messrs. Dymock, Warden and
Hooper still remains an authoritative work on Indian Materia
Medica. The present work is a Botany of Indian Medicinal
Plants and go no account of drugs procurable in Indian bazars
is given in it.
It is true that most of the illustrations in this publication are
reproductions from those in various works on Indian Botany ard
PREFACE. Vil
other standard works on the subject. This, we submit, should
not be considered in any way to lessen the importance of the
work. It has been truly observed by an eminent writer :—
“ Hxaggerated individual energy and independence have become conceit...
“ The chief business with him (a young man) is not to work well, but to work
in a different mode to others; originality is more to him than beauty. This idea
which now-a-days has such a strong hold on all heads, even the most empty, re-
minds us of that graceful epigram of Goethe’s on originals. A certain person
says, ‘I do not belong to any School, there exists no living master from whom
I would take lessons, andas tothe dead, I have never learnt any thing from
them,’ which, if Iam not mistaken, means, ‘I am a foolon my own account.’
What else is this extravagant desire for originality, but, as we have said, an
exaggeration of individual energy, a want of equilibrium, the sin, in fact, of
pride? ” *
Dr, Garnett writes :—
“The truly artistic production, * ** may well outlast the inferior work * *
ag the diamond survives the glass which it engraves,” T
The illustrated works on Indian Botany of such well-known
masters of the subject, as Itheede, Roxburgh, Royle, Burman,
Brandis, Beddome, Griffith, Wallich, Wight and several others,
are not easily accessible to those who are interested in the study
of thesubject. It is, therefore, that their illustrations have been
copied and supplemented, where necessary, by further details.
I was in charge of the Indigenous Drugs Court of the United
Provinces Exhibition held at Allahabad in December 1910 and
January and February 1911. One of the special features of
the Indigenous Drugs Court was the exhibition of herbarium
specimens and of drawings of almost all the known plants used
in medicine in this country. I collected drawings from the
illustrated works on Indian Botany and other standard works
on that subject available in the United Provinces. The late
Dr. E. G. Hill lent to the exhibition the illustrated works on
Botany from the Allahabad Public Library of which he was
the Secretary. The President and the Imperial Forest Botanist
of the Forest Research Institute of Dehra Dun were kind
enough to lend illustrated books on Botany which were not
to be had at Allahabad. The late Lieutenant-Colonel Kirtikar,
* <« The Decadence of Modern Literature by Armando Palacio Valdes of
Madrid in the International Library of Famous Literature, Vol, xx
T “The use and value of Anthologies,” in the International Library of
Famous Literature, Vol. I.
Vill PREFACE.
F.LS., LM.S., (Retd.) very kindly lent the paintings already
referred to above to the exhibition.
But still I was unable to secure illustrations of about 300
Indian Medicinal Plants for the Exhibition. I. wrote to the
Superintendent, Royal Botanical Garden, Shibpur, Calcutta,
if he would kindly lend the drawings of those plants from the
Herbarium in his charge. In his letter dated 24th May, 1910,
he wrote :—
“T regret that I cannot see my way to let you have a loan of the original
drawings of any plants, as it is a strict rule in all botanical institutions that
original drawings are not allowed to go out of the building for any purpose,
as in the event of loss or damage they could not possibly be replaced. I
should however be quite prepared to have exact copies made of such drawings
as may be of interest to you atthe expense of the Exhibition. For large
full size drawings coloured, the rate for copying including paper would be
Rs, 5-8-0 each,”
About this time, I made the acquaintance of Professor Bhim
Chandra Chatterji, B.A., BSc., then of the Bengal Technical
Institute, Calcutta. I was told that he had collected materials
and illustrations of plants of Hindu Materia Medica, as he was
preparing a work on that subject. So I wrote to him to
exhibit his collection at the Exhibition. He came to Allahabad
to see me. On showing him the letter of the Superintendent,
Shibpur Garden, he said he would take photos of those plants
and their drawings which would cost less than one-fifth of the
estimate given in the letter referred to above.
1 went to Calcutta and taking Professor Bhim Chandra
Chatterji introduced him to the Superintendent, who very kindly
afforded him every facility to take photos of plants and of their
drawings. But, unfortunately, Professor Bhim Chandra Chatterj1
was not successful with his photographs. He then arranged
_ with the Shibpur artists to copy the drawings of plants pre-
served in the Herbarium there at very favourable terms.
The late lamented Mr. G. R. Murray, I.C.S:, who was Secret-
ary of the United Provinces Exhibition, took great interest in the
Indigenous Drugs Court and did all that lay in his power to
make it a success. He got his committee to sanction the sum
necessary to procure copies of drawings of the plants. After
PREFAOE. 1X
closure of the Exhibition, while he was acting as Registrar of
the High Court, Allahabad, he enquired several times about
the progress in printing of the present work, more especially of
the plates, thus showing his interest in this publication.
Over 300 drawings were copied in about five months.
Professor Bhim Chandra Chatterji had little time to compare
the copies with the originals and was, therefore, unable to vouch
for their accuracy. Details of several drawings, especially those
made from type specimens, had to be completed. Soin December
1911 I went down to Calcutta and compared the copies of the
drawings with the originals. Owing 1o pressure of work at
Allahabad, I could not prolong my stay in Calcutta. So several
plates were left at Shibpur for details to be filled in. Cclonel
Gage, I.M.S., obliged me by getting this done. In his letter
dated 29th March 1912, in returning the drawings he wrote :---
“T return herewith the drawings you sent for filling in the details of the
dissections, They have been gone over by Mr, Ramaswamy and checked in
every case. It has not always been possible to get precise dissections
from the Herbarium specimens, as in the case where there is one specimen
we cannot afford to dissect it. I trust however what has been done will
prove to your satisfaction.”
He has placed us under deep obligation by permitting us to
copy and publish some of the original drawings by Roxburgh
preserved in the Herbarium in the Royal Botanical Garden
Shibpur, and to reproduce some of the illustrations given in the
Annals of it, and also to have drawings made from the type
specimens in that Herbarium, of some of the plants not to be
found in publications kept in the library of that institution.
Our thanks are due to Mr. R.S. Hole, F.C.H., F.L.S., LES.,
Forest Botanist of Dehra Dun, for his kind permission to copy
and publish some of the original drawings of plants prepared
by Mr. J. F. Duthie, B.A.; F.L.S., late Director of Botanic
Survey, Northern India.
We are thankful to the publishers of Curtis’s Botanical Maga-
zine and of Bentley and Trimen’s Medicinal Plants for permis-
sion to copy some of the illustrations from their publications; as
also to the Government of the United Provinces of Agra and
Oudh for allowing us to copy a few illustrations from the Field
B
xX PREFACE.
and Garden Crops of the North Western Provinces prepared by
Mr. Duthie and Mr., now Sir Bampfylde, Fuller.
The Government of India, the Missouri Botanical Garden,
the Agricultural Bureau and the Smithsonian Institution of
America, as well as the Board of Agriculture of England, have
greatly helped us in the preparation of this work by their sup-
plying us with some of their publications bearing on the subject.
Some of those works on Botany which were not in the library
of the late Colonel Kirtikar were very kindly lent to us by
Colonel Gage from the Library of the Royal Botanic Garden,
Shibpur; by the late Mr, Harinath De, M.A., LE.S8., from the
Imperial Library, Calcutta, of which he was the librarian ; and
by Mr. Hole from the Library of the Imperial Forest Research
Institute, Dehra Dun. To all these gentlemen, our best thanks
are due.
Colonel Gage also very kindly gave instructions to the mem-
bers of the staff serving under him to assist us in every way in
their power in the preparation of this work. The Jate Mr. M.S.
Ramaswami M.A., and Babu Sashi Bhushan Banerji were of
great help to us.
Professor Bhim Chandra Chatterji, was advertised as one of
the joint authors of this work. But his portion of the work not
being ready, it is regretted it has not been published with this.
My best thanks are due to Babu Chintamani Ghosh, the en-
terprising proprietor of the well-known Indian Press, who has
iaken great interest in and trouble for this work. He deputed his
talented artist, Mr. Sommer, to Europe to fetch large-sized litho-
graphic stones and art-paper for its printing. Without his
help and supervision, it would have been impossible to bring out
the work in its present get-up, which has exceeded my expect-
ations.
The enlightened Maharaja Bahadur of Cossimbazar, the
Hon’ble Sir Manindra Chandra Nandy, K. C. I. E., with his accus-
tomed munificence, has contributed ten thousand rupees to meet
a portion of the expenses incurred in the production of this work.
Our heartiest thanks are due to him for this handsome donation.
ALLAHABAD : [by JOR leysysuh
Ist January, 1918.
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
PAGE. PLATE
PREFACE 30
INTRODUCTION ...
BIBLIOGRAPHY ...
I.
2.
N, O, RANUNCULACE?
Clematis
Nepalensis, D.C.
triloba, Heyne
3. Gouriana, Roxb,
4, Anemone obtusiloba,
Don...
5, Thalictrum foliolosum,
6. Ranunculus - scleratus,
Linn.
7, Caltha palustris, Linn.
8. Coptis teeta, Wall.
Delphinum
9, denudatum, Wall.
10. caeruleum, Jacq. :
11. Brunoinanun, Royle,
ACONITE
Aconitum -
12, lycotonum,Linn,
13. palmatum, Don.
14, ferox, Wall.
15. Napellus, Linn.
16. heterophyllum, Wall.
17, Soongaricum, Stapf...
18. Chasmanthum, Stapf.
19. rotundifolium, Ver.
and Kir,
20. deinorrhizum, Stapf...
21. Balfouri, Stapf.
22. Faleoneri, Stapf.
23. spicatum,Stapf
24, laciniatum, Stapf.
25. lethale, Griff. bs
26. Actzea Spicata, Linn.
. Cimicifuga foetida,
Linn.
28, Peeonia “Emodi, W Bil:
N. O. DILLENIACE
29. Dillenia indica, Linn.
N. O, MAGNOLIACE ...
Michelia
380. Champaea, Linn.
31. Nilagirica, Zenk. ...
82. Illicium Griffithii,
H. fee. 1. i
N. O. ANONACEA
33. Uvaria narum, Wall....
No.
Vv
Ogu
Ixxi
1
1 1
2 2
2 By BY:
3
4 4
5 5A
6 5B
7/ 6
a TA
8 8
8 7B
9
10
10 - 14
12 20
15 9
16 13
18 10
19 il
De Tale
24 15
Zoe 6
2h, SUT
29 #18
3 319
Boh aL
34 226
Sa) oA
a6) Zo
38
oO 24
40
40 26
42) 27
Ad) ao
44
44 28
34,
Oo.
36,
37.
38,
39.
40).
41.
42.
43,
44.
45.
46.
47.
48,
49.
50.
50.
dl,
52,
53.
54.
59.
56,
o7.
58,
59.
60.
61.
62.
63,
PAGE. PLATE
Anona
squamosa, Linn.
reticulata, Linn.
Bocagea Dalzelii,
Hatace. Ls are
Polyanthia longifolia,
Benth. and H.f. ...
N. O. MENISPERMACE
Tinospora ’
tomentosa, Miers.
crispa, Miers.
cordifolia, Miers,
Anamirta cocculus.
W.&A Ree
Coscinium fenestra-
tum, Colebr.
Coceculus
villosus, D.C.
Lezeba, D.C. ae
Pericampylus incanus,
Miers,
Stephania
hernandipholia, Walp.
rotundifolia, Lour. ...
Cissampelos Pareira,
Linn. :
N, O. BERBERIDEZX ...
Berberis
vulgaris, Linn,
aristata, D.C.
lycium, Royle
asiatica, Roxb.
Podophylum
Wiallss ie.
N. O. NYMPH2CED
emodi,
Nymphzea
alba, Linn.
lotus, Linn.
stellatta, Willd.
Kuryale ferox, Salisk.
Nelumbium speciosum,
Willd. ae
N. O. PAPAVERACE ...
Papaver
Rheeas, Linn.
dubium, Linn.
somniferum, Linn,
orientale, Linn.
Argemone mexicana,
Linn.
Meconopsis
aculeata, Royle
No.
44 30,30A
45 31
46
47 29
48
AS 35
48 34
49 35
D2 30
55 86387
56 388B
58 388A
Re a)
09 «#8640
60 41
Gili) 42,
62
62 43
Gan 44
Goeee4d
67 45
68 46
70
70,” 47
Gin £48
72 49
Tis 54H)
for DL
76
Thay aay
76
ae Da
78
79 54
838 55
Xll
PAGE. PLATE
64. nepalensis, D.C.
65, Wallichi, Hook.
N. O. FUMARIACE
66, Hypecoum procum-
bens, Linn.
Corydalis
67. Govaniana, Wall.
68. ramosa, Wall. ;
69. Fumaria parvifiora,
Lamk. we
N. O. CRUCIFERA
70. Matthiola incana, R.
Br. ave eae
71. Cheiranthus Chieri,
Linn, ) a
72. Nasturtium officinale,
fi Bros ee. a
73, Cardamine pratensis,
Linn. bef
Farsetia
74, Jacquemontii, H.f. & T.
75, Hamiltonii, Royle,
76. Aegyptiaca, Turr.
Sisysmbrium
77. Sophia, Linn,
78. Irio, Linn.
Brassica
79, nigra, Koch,
80. camprestris, Linn.
81. juncea, H.f.& T.
82. Eruca Sativa, Lam.
83, Capsella Bursa pasto-
ris, Moench
84, Lepidium sativu m,
Linn.
85. Raphanus sativu S,
Linn, ba
N. O. CAPPARIDE
Cleome viscosa, Linn.
Gynadropsis penta-
phyla, D.C,
Maerua arenaria, i. f.
& T.
Crate v a religiosa,
Forsk. bie
Cadaba
indica, Lamk,
farinosa, Forsk.
Capparis
spinosa, Linn.
zeylanica, Linn.
Heyneana, Wall.
aphylla, Roth.
sepiaria, Linn.
horrida, Linn.
N. O VIOLACE,
Reseda odorata, Linn.
86.
87.
88.
89.
90.
91.
92.
93.
94.
95,
96.
97.
98.
83
84
84
84
85
&5
86
87
87
87
89
90
90
90
91
91
91
H1A
62E
62C
62A
(
70B
| 128.
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
PAGE. PLATE
Viola
99. serpens, Wall.
100. odorata, Linn.
101, cinerea, Boiss.
102. Ionidium — suffrutico-
sum, Ging.
N, O. BIXINEA,
Cochlospermum Gos-
sypium, D.C. eh
104. Bixa Orellana, Linn....
Flacourtia
105. cataphracta, Roxb....
106. Ramontchi,L’Herit
107. sepiaria, Roxb.
108, Gynocardia odorata,
i. Wes se
109. Hydnocarpus Wightia-
110.
108.
na, Blume
Tar aktogenos Kurzii,
King.
N. O. PITTOSPOREA. ...
111. Pittosporum floribun-
dum, W. & A. a
N.O. POLYGALACEA.
Polygala
112. crotalarioides, Ham.
118. chinensis, Linn. ‘
114. telephoides, Willd, ...
N, O, FRANKENIACE.
115. Frankenia pulverulen-
ta, Linn, nee
N. O. CARYOPHYLLE.
116. Saponaria Vaccaria,
Linn, (4.
117. Polycarpcea corymbosa,
am. hie sto
N. O. PORTULACEA.
Portulaca
118. oleracea, Linn.
| 119. quadrifida, Linn....
120. tuberosa, Roxb,
N, O. TAMARISCINEG
Tamarix
121. gallica, Linn.
122, dioica, Roxh.
123. articulata, Vahl.
124, Myricaria ccd
Royle, =
NAO: Aeron
Hypericum
125, Patulum, Thunb. ...
126. perfortum, Linn. ...
N, O. GUTTIFER4...
Garcinia
127. Mangostana, Linn....
indica, Chois
111
112
114
115
116
116
117
118
119
121
121
124
125
129
129
131
131
131
132
1382
132
133
133
154
135
135
137
138
138
138
139
140
141
142
142
142
143
143
146
No.
79
80B
80A
81
82
83
84A
84B
85
86
87
88
89
90
91B
91A
129. Morella, Desrouss....
130. xanthochymus, Hf.
131. Ochrocarpus _ longi-
folius, Benth. and
Hook. f.
Callophyllum
132. inophyllum, Linn. ...
133. Wightianum, Wall...
134. Mesua ferrea,
Linn. 510
N. O. TERNSTR@MIACEA
Schima Wall ae
Choisy a
N, O. ec ee aera
Nipterocarpus
136, turbinatus, Goertn....
137. tuberculatus, Roxb.
138. alatus, Roxb.
189. incanus, Roxb,
Shorea
140. robusta, Goertn. f, ...
(41. Tumbuggaia, Roxb.
142. Vateria indica,
inn. s.. ale
N. O, MALVACE ...
Althcea
143. officinalis, Linn.
144. rosea, Linn.
Malva
145. sylvestris, Linn. ...
146. rotundifolia, Linn.
147, parviflora, Linn.
Sida
148. humilis, Willd,
, 149. spinosa, Linn
150. carpinifolia, Linn.
151. rhombifolia, Linn, ...
152. rhombifolia, var. re-
tusa, Linn sae
var, rhomboidea,
‘Roxb. apis
154, cordifolia, Linn.
Abutilon
155. indicum, G. Don.
156. graveolens, W. & A.
157. Avicennee, Geertn....
Urena
158. lobata, Linn
159. sinuata, Linn.
160. repanda, Roxb,
161. Pavonia odorata,
Willd....
Hibiscus
162. furcatus, Roxb.
163. micranthus, Linn. ...
1164, ecannabinus, Linn. ...
65. sabdariffa, Linn,
139,
153.
TABLE OF
PAGE, PLATE
No.
147
148 104
149 105
151-106
linaee “lore
154. +8108
156
156) 8) 109
156
156 §=110
s8 - 111
1591") TO
159 112
‘60. 118
162 114:
163 115
164
164 116A
165 11c0B
167 SL?
LGW poly
168 118
168 119B
169 120
WON 12
ides eho
172
473
173 119A
14 2s
WA ed!
176
{ir AAs
Lb a OAS
Ivica, alyayl
Leo 128
179 1384B
180 129
oil sole
181 129
CONTENTS,
X1ll
PAGE. PLATE
166. Abelmoschus, Linn.
167. esculentus, Linn. ...
168. tiliaceus, Linn.
169. rosa-sinensis, Linn.
Thespesia
170. populnea, Corr. ...
171. Lampas, Dalz, & Gib.
Gossypium
172, herbaceum, Linn.
173. arboreum, Linn
174. Kydia calycina,
ROX Ds) ea: Ae
175, Adansonia digitata,
inner aa
176. Bombax malabari-
cum, 1). C.
177. Hriodendron pie.
tuosum, D. C.
N, O. STERCULACE...
Stereulia
178. foetida, Linn.
179. urens, Roxb.
180. scaphigera, Wall.
181. Helicteres isora,
imme eee one
Pterospermum
182. suberifolium, Linn.,...
183. acerifolium, Willd...
184. Pentapetes pheceni-
cea, Linn,
185. Hrioleena quinquelo-
cularis, Wight
186. Abroma augusta,
Linn.
187. Guazuma tomentosa,
Kunth.
N. O, TILIACEA
Grewia
188. tilizefolia, Vahl.
189, asiatica, Linn. ie
190. scabrophylla, Roxb.
191, villosa, Willd,
192. polygama, Roxb. ...
193. Triumfetta rhombhoi-
dea, Jacq,
Corchorus
194. capsularis, Linn,
195. olitorius, Linn.
196, trilocularis, Linn, ...
197. fascicularis, Lam. ...
198. antichorus, Reensch.
No.
188)" i831
178 1382
oA elas
185 134A
186 186
188 1385
ilfsts} IBY
838
pe Ne)
198 140,
141
A&B
194
197. 142
200 148
2038
203 144,
145
203 146
205 147
205 148
206 149
207 +3150
208 152
209 151B
210 153
211l . 154
212
212 155
214 156
DO LHe
216 151A,
158B
217 158A
218 159
219 160
219 161A
221. 162
222 161B
222 163
X1V TABLR OF
PAGE, PLATE
No.
N. O, LINEA. se. 220
199. Linum usitatissimum,
Linn, 223 164A
200. Reinwardtia trigyna,
Planeh’ ... . 225 164B
201. Hugonia Mysta x,
Linn. 226 165
202. Erythroxylon mono-
gynum, Roxb. 226 166
N. O. MALPIGHIACEH. 228
203. Hiptage madablota,
Geertn. ... aes 167
N. O. ZYGOPHYLLEX, 229
Tribulus
204. terrestris, Linn. 229 168
205. alatus, Delile 230 169
206. Zygophyllum sim-
plex, Linn. 231 170A
Fagonia
207. arabica, Linn, 234° AGA
208. Bruguieri, D. C. 232 170B
N. O. GERANIACES,... 233
Geranium
209. Wallichianum, Sweet 233 172
210. nepalense, Sweet 234 175
211. Robertianum, Linn. 234 174
212. Ocellatum, Camb. 235 175
Oxalis
213. corniculata, Linn. ... 235 176B
214, acetosella, Linn. 2386 176A
215. Biophytum sensi-
tivum, D. C. 237 «177
Averrhoa
216, Carambola, Linn, 238 178
217. Bilimbi, Linn. .. 240 179
218, Impatiens Balsamina,
Linn. 241 180
N. O. RUTACEZ. 242
219. Ruta graveolens,
Linn. var angusti-
folia 242 181
220. Peganum harma la,
sb Paes 243 182
221. Dictamus albus, Linn, 248 1838
Zanthoxylon
222. alatum, Roxb. 249 184
223, acanthopodium, D. C, 250 185B
224. oxyphyllum, Edgew. 250 186
225. Hamiltonianum, Wall. 251 187
226. Rhetsa, D.C. 251 185A
227. budrunga, Wall. 252 188
228. Toddalia ac uleata,
Pers. 253 189
229. Skimmia laureo la,
Hook. f. 257 191
230. Acronychia laur ie
folia, Blume 258 190
| 238.
CONTENTS.
PAGE. PLATE
231. Murraya Kenigii,
Spreng,
232, Limonia
iin, 5:
233. Luvunga
Ham,
Paramignya
234, monophylla, Wight...
235. longispina, Hook. f.
236. Atlantia eee
Correa.
Citrus
237. medica, Linn. a
Var I. medica proper
Var II. Limonum
Var III. acida me
Var LY. Limmeta ...
Aurantium, Linn.
Var I. Aurantium pro-
per
Var
aciddisima,
scandens,
We
Brandis 53
Var III. Bergamia ...
decumana, Linn, F
Feronia elepn ate
Correa...
Aigle Marmelo. 5
Correa...
N, O. nies
Ailanthus
243. glandulosa, Desf,
244. excelsa, Roxb.
245. malabarica, D.C.
Samadera
Bigardia,
239.
240.
241.
246. indica, Geertn
247. lucida, Wall. ae
248, Picrasma quassioides,
Benn
249, Brucea sumatrana,
Roxb.
250. Balanites Roxburghii,
Planch...
NEO; oonniaee
251. Gomphia angustifo-
lia, Vahl. ve
N. O. BURSERACEZ ...
252. Boswellia serrata,
Roxby... Soe
2538. Garuga pinnata,
Roxy: =: a
Balsamodendron
254. Mukul, Hook.
255. Roxburghii, Arn.
256, pubscens, Stocks.
Canarium
257. commune, Linn,
258. strictum, Roxb. Sa
259. bengalense, Roxh, ...
259
260
261
No.
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
198A
198B
199
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207
208
209
210
211
212
218
214
215
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
PAGE, PLATE
N. O, MELIACE®
260. Turrea villosa, Benn.
261. Naregamia alata,
W.& A.
Melia
262. Azadirachta, Linn. ...
263, Azederach, Linn.
264, dubia, Cav. .
265. Sandoricum indicum,
Cav.
266, Aglaia Roxburghiana,
Miq. et
Amoora
267. rohituka, W. and A.
268. cucullata, Roxb.
269, Walsura piscidia,
Roxb.
270,
271.
972.
273.
Carapa moluccensis,
catia eee
Soymida febri fuga,
Adr. Juss,
Chikrassia tabularis,
Adr, Juss.
. Cedrela Toona, Roxb.
. Chloroxylon Swiete-
nia, D.C,
N, O, OLACINEA
Olax
scandens, Roxb.
277. nana, Wall, ae
278. Sarcostigma Kleinii,
W. and A, 506
N. O, CELASTRINE4.....
279. EKuonymus tingens,
Wall.
280. Kokoona
Thwaites
281, Celastrus paniculata,
Willd.
282. Gymnosporia
tana, Roxb.
283. Hlzeeodendron gla u-
cum, Pers. “
N. O, RHAMNEE
Ventilago
zeylanica,
mon-
284, madraspatana, Geertn.
285. calyculata, Tulagne,
Zizyphus
286, jujuba, Lamk.
287. glabrata, Heyne
288. nummularia, W. & A.
289, vulgaris, Lamk,
290. rugosa, Lamk,
291. dahuricus, Pall.
Rhamnus
292. Wightii W & E
293, purpureus, Edgew. ...
294. Triqueter, Wall,
Heynea trij uga, Roxb.
298
298
299
300
309
312
313
313
314
316
316
317
318
319
320
321
323
324
324
325
325
326
326
326
327
330
330
332
332
304
335
337
337
338
339
309
340
341
341
No.
216
XV
PAGE. PLATE
295, Govania
ya, D.C
N. O, AMPELIDE
Vitis
quadrangularis, Wall.
adnata, Wall. ;
latifolia, Roxb.
wanitena Linn,
indica, Linn.
setosa, Wall.
trifolia, Linn.
araneosus, Dalz. and
Gibs,
pedata, Vahl.
Leea
305, macrophylla, Roxb.
306, crispa, Willd.
307. sambucina, Willd.
308. robusta, Roxb.
309, hirta, Roxb.
N. O. SAPINDACEA
leptostach-
- 310. Cardiospermum Hali-
cacabum, Linn.
Aesculus
311. Hippocastanum, Linn.
312. indica, Cobbr.
313. Schleichera
Willd. ...
Sapindus
314. trifoliatus, Linn.
315. mukorossi, Goertn, ...
Nephelium
316. Litchi, Camb.
317. Longana, Camb. ...
318 Acer pictum, Thunb,
319. Dodoncesa viscosa,
Linn.
N. O. ANACAKDIACEA
Rhus
220. parviflora, Roxb,
321. semialata Murray ...
322, Wallichii, Hook f.
323. insignis, Hook f.
324, succedanea, Linn
325. Pistachia integer.
rima, Stewart
Mangifera indica,
Linn.
Anacardium occiden-
tale, Linn.
Buchanania
ORD...
M elanorrhoea usitata,
Willies.
330, Odina wodier, Roxb.
331. Semecarpus anacar-
dium, Linn,
trijuga,
326.
327,
328.
329.
latifolia,
341
342
342
343
344
344
346
347
347
348
349
350
351
351
352
352
353
353
355
356
357
360
364
365
366
367
367
369
369
369
370
381
383
384
No.
245
246
247
248
249A
250
251
252
249B
253
254
255
256
257
258
259
XV1
PAGE, PLATE
wf
Holigarna
332. Arnottiana, Hook. f,
333. longifolia, Roxb.
304. Spondias wmangifera,
Willd... cae
N, O. CoRIARIEZ
880. Coriaria nepalensis,
Wall. Sea
N. O. MORINGEE
Moringa
336. pterygosperma, Geertn,
337. Concanensis, Nimmo
N. O. CONNARACEA
308, Rourea santaloides,
W.& A ae
N, O, LEGUMINOS
Crotalaria
339. Burhia, Hamilt.
340, prostrata, Roxb.
341, albida, Heyne.
342. verrucosa, Linn.
343. juncea, Linn.
344, medicaginea, Lamk...
Trigonella
845, occulta, Delile,
346, Foenumgreecum, Linn.
Melilotus
347, parviflora, Desf.
348. officinalis, Willd.
349, Cyamopsis psora-
lioides, D C, aa
Indigofera
350. linifolia, Retz.
391, glandulosa, Willd.
352, enneaphylla, Linn. ...
3538. aspalathoides, Vahl.
354. trifoliata, Linn.
3855. paucifiora, Delile
356, tinctoria, Linn.
357. pulchella Roxb. ;
358. Psoralea corylifolia,
Linn,
859. Colutea ar borescens,
Linn. var. nepalensis
360. Mundulea = suberosa,
Benth. .. 2
Tephrosia
361, purpurea, Pers,
362. villosa, Pers.
Sesbania
363. eegyptiaca Pers,
364. aculeata, Pers.
365. grandiflora, Pers,
Astragalus
363, tribuloides, Delile. ..
364. hamosus, Linn.
365, multiceps, Wall,
392
393
393
395
395
396
596
399
400
400
401
401
401
402
402
403
404
404
404
406
406
407
408
408
409
409
410
410
410
411
413
414
No.
280
281
282:
A EE A TI
j 378.
TABLE OF CONTENTS,
PAGE. PLATR.,
266. Taverniera nummu-
laria, D.C.
367, Alhagi maurorun,
Deso. .., mee
Uraria
368. picta, Deso,
369. lagopoides,D,C. ...
370. Alysicarpus 1 On gi-
folius, Wea Ae
3871. Arachis hypog =
Laan.
372, Ougeinia dalber-
gioides, Benth,
Desmodium
373. tilisefolium, G. Don.
374. gangeticum, D.C. ..
375. polycarpum, D.C.
376. trifiorum, D.C.
377, Abrus preene
Linn.
379. Lathyrus sativus,
finn] (2s
380. Glycine Soja,
and Zuee.
381, Teramnus la biali is
Spreng. -
Mucuna
382, monosperma, D.C.
383. gigantea, D.C.
384, pruriens, D.C.
385, Erythrina
Linn.
Butea
386. frondosa, Roxb.
387. superba, Roxb.
388, Pueraria tuberosa,
DAC.
Phaseolus
389, trilobus,Ait.
390. mungo, Linn, 4
Var, radiatus, Linn.
Sieb.
tee
indiea,
| 391. Vigna Catiang, Endl.
#92, Clitoria ternea ae
Linn: ...
398. Dolichos biflorus,
Tinn, .
394. Cajanus indicus,
Spreng.
395, Cylista scariosa, Ait.
Fleminga
396. strobilifera, R. Br..
397. Chappar, Ham. ‘
398. Grahamiana, W. & A.
399. congesta, Roxb.
Dalbergia
400. Sissoo, Roxb. ‘
401, sympathetica, Nimmo,
Cicer arientinum, f Linn.
421
421
423
423
424
424
427
428
428
429
429
430
452
433
434
435
436
437
437
NO.
307A
307B
308A
308B
387
309
310A
3LL
312
310B
318A
313B
314A
314B
315
316
317A
317B
318
319
320
321
322
323
324
325
326
327
328,
329
330
d3dlA
331B
302
333
334
305
PAGE, PLATE
402. lanceolaria, Linn.
403. volubilis, Roxb.
404. spinosa, Roxb.
Pterocarpus
405. santalinus, Linn, f.
406. marsupium, Roxb. ...
407. Pongamia glabra,
Vent. =
408. Sophora tomentosa,
Linn,
Caesalpinia
409. Bonducella, Fleming,
410. Bondue, Roxb.
411. Nuga, Ait.
412. Sappan, Linn. ue
413. pulcherrima, Swartz.
414, sepiaria, Roxb.
415. digyna, Rottl.
416. Wagatea spicata,
Dalz. oe
Cassia
417. fitula, Linn, me
418. occidentalis, Linn. ...
419, sophera, Linn.
420. obtusifolia, Linn,
421. auriculata, Linn.
422. obovata, Linn.
423, alata, Linn.
424, glauca, Lam.
425. absus, Linn.
426. mimosoides, Linn.
427. Cynometra ramiflora,
Eann,..,.: noe
428. Hardwickia pea
Roxb. s:
429. Saraca indica, Linn...
430. Tamarindus indica,
Linn,
Bauhinia
431i. tomentosa, Linn.
432 racemosa, Lam.
433. retusa, Ham. a
434. “Vahilli, W. and A. ...
435. purpurea, Linn.
436. variegata, Linn.
437. Neptunea oleracea,
Lour,
438. Entada scandens,
Benth. .
439, Adenanthera pavoni-
na, Linn.
440. Prosopis spicigera,
Linn,
441. Dichrostachys cin e-
rea, W. and A, Be
Mimosa
442. pudica, Linn.
443. rubicaulis, Lam.
Acacia
444, Farnesiana, Willd ..
8)
455
456
456
457
458
No,
337
336
338
339
340
341
374
|
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
PAGE,
445. arabica, Willd. . 498
446, leucophlea, Willd.... 499
447. Catechu, Willd. 500
448. ferruginea, J).C. 502
449. Senegal, Willd. 506
450. modesta, Wall. 507
451, concinna, D.C. 507
452. Intsia, Willd. 508
453, pennata, Willd. 509
Albizzia
454. Lebbeck, Benth. 509
455 odoratissima, Benth. 511
456. Julibrissin, Durazz. 511
457. amara, Boiv. 512
458. Pithecolobium bi o e-
-minum, Benth. 513
N. O, ROSACE 514
Prunus
459, amygdalus, Baill. 514
460. persica, Benth. and
Fook: 3... 519
461. armeniaca, Linn. 516
462, Cerasus, Linn. 517
463, Puddum, Roxb. 518
464. communis, Huds. 518
465. (1) Var. domestica... 519
(2) Var. institia 519
465. Padus, Linn. 520
466. Prinsepia utili s,
Royle ... 521
467, Rubus moluceanus,
Linn. a21
Geum
468. urbanum, Linn. 522
469. elatum, Wall. 523
Potentilla
470. nepalensis, Hook. 524
471. supina, Linn. we. O24
472, Agrimonia Eupatori-
um, Linn, 525
Rosa
473. damascena, Mill, 525
| 474, centifolia, Linn. 526
47s. Gallica, Linn. 526
476. alba, Linn. 527
477. Cydonia vulga ris,
Pers, 527
478. eae japonica,
Lindl, 528
N.O. Sean <1 530
479. Saxifraga ligulata,
Wirt eo ys. 530
480. Dichroa febri fuga,
hour. :... 530
481. Ribes Orientale,
Poir. 531
N.O; GRASSULACEA .. 531
482. Bryophyllum cal y-
cinum, Salisb, 581
XV1l
PLATE
No.
379
376
377
378
379
380
381A
381B
382
383
384
385B
385A
386
XVil
PAGE.
Kalonchce i
488. spathulata, D.C. 532
484. acinata, D.C. 533
N.O. DROSERACEZ ... 534
485, Drosera peltata, Sm. 554
N.O. HAMAMELIDEE... 535
486. Altinga excelsa,
Noronha wae (580
N.O. RHIZOPHOREA ... 536
487. Rhizophora mucro-
nata, Lamk, 536
488. Ceriops Candolleans,
Arn, 537
489, Kandelia “R heedi i
W. and A, say Oo
N.O. COMBRETACEE... 9528
Terminalia
490. Catappa, Linn. 538
491. belerica, Roxk. 539
492, Chebuia, Retz. 541
493. citrina Roxb. 544
494, Arjuna, Bedd. 544
495. tomentosa, Bedd. 547
496. paniculata, Roth 548
497. Calycopteris flori-
bunda, Lam. 548
498, Anogeissus latifolia,
Walls: ; 549
499. Quisqualis indi e a,
Linn, sos 000
N.O. MyYRTACEZ ... 551
500. Myrtus Communnis,
Linn;* a ODL
501, Melaleuca leuca-
dendron, Linn. 551
502. Psidium Guyav mn
Linn, 552
Kugenia ie
503. Jambos, Linn. . 5o4
504. operculata, Roxb. ... 554
505. Jambolana, Lam. 555
Barringtonia
506. racemosa, Blume 557
507. acutangula, Geertn... 558
508. Careya arbo ee
Roxb. Persist)
N.O, MELASTOMACEZ 560
509. Memecyelon edule,
Roxb. ... .-- 960
N.O. LYTHRACEZ 561
Ammania
510, baccifera, Linn. ... 561
511, senegalensis, Lamk. 562
512. Woodfordia flori-
bunda, Salish. 562
PLATE !
No.
405
406
407B
407A
429
430
431
432B
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
PAGE, PLATE
513. Lawsonia alba, Lamk
514, Lagerstremia Flos—
Regine, Retz
515. Sonneratia acid ™
Linn.
516, Punica granat um,
Linn, 455
N.O. ONAGRACEAZ ...
517. Jussizea suffruticosa,
Linn. ue
518. Trapa bispinosa,
FLOKIOS eee Ss
N.O. SAMYDACEZ
Casearia
519. graveolens, Dalz.
520. esculenta, Roxb.
521. tomentosa, Roxb,
N.O. PASSIFLOR 48
522. Carica papaya, Linn.
523. Modeca ey ;
Lam. oe
N.O. Cyareereacn
Trichosanthes
524, palmata, Roxb.
525, cordata, Roxb.
526. dioica, Roxb,
527, nervifolia, Linn,
528. cucumerina, Linn, ...
529, anguina, Linn. :
530, Lagenaria vulgaris,
Seringe ae
Luffa
581. segyptiaca, Mill.
532. acutangula, Roxh, ...
533. acutangula Var. Ama-
cap : :
534. echinata, Roxb.
585. Benicassa cerifera,
Savi. ios
Momordica
536. Charantia, Linn.
5387. Balsamina, Linn.
588. dioica, Roxb.
5389. cochinchinensis
Spreng.
540, Cymbalaria, Fenzl...
Cucumis
541, trigonus, Roxb.
var. pubescens
var. pseudo colocyn-
this, Royle :
542, melo, Linn, :
Var. momordica,
Roxb.
Var. utilissimas Roxb.
543. sativus, Linn.
Citrullus
544, colocynthis, Schrad
564
566
No.
432A
433
434
435
436
437
438
439
440
441
442B
442A
443
444
444
445
446
447
448
449
450
451
452
453
454
455A
455B
456
457B
457A
458
459
460
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
PAGE PLATE
No.
545, vulgaris, Schrad. 600 461
546. Cephalandra indica,
Nand. ... 601 462A
Cucurbita
547. maxima, Duchesne... 602 462B
548. Pepo,D. C. . 603 463
549, Bryonia laciniosa,
iin; 2. 604 464
550, Mukia scabrella, Arn. 605 465
Zehneria
551, Hookeriana, Arn. 606 466A
552. umbellata, Thwaites 606 466B
553. Rhynohocarpa fe-
tida, Schrad. 607 467A
5d4. Corallocarpus
epigzea, Hook. . 607 461A
555. Zanonia indica, Linn. 609 468
N,O. DATISCACEA 610
556. Datisca Cannabina,
Linn. .. 610 469A
N.O. CACTE . 611 469
557, Opuntia Dillenii, ;
Haw. - 611 469B
N.O, ¥ICOIDEA 613
Trianthema
558. monogyna, Linn. 613 470
559. pentandra, Linn. 6138 471
560. decandra, Linn. 614 472
Mollugo
561, hirta, Thumb. 614 473A
562. Spergula, Linn, 615 474
563. stricta, Linn, . 616 473B
564. Cerviana, Seringe ... 616 473C
565. Gisekia pharnaceoi-
des, Linn. 22617 475
N. O. UMBELLIFERAE... 618
566. Hydrocotyle asiatica,
Linn. 618 476
567. Kryngitm ezeruleum,
Bieb. 619 477A
568. Bupleurum falcatum,
Linn, 620 478B
569. Apium eraveolens,
Linn. 620 478A
Carum
570. Carui, Linn. : 621 479A
571. Bulbocastanum,
Koch. 622 479B
572, Roxbur ehianum,
Benth. moos: | 480
573. copticum, Benth. ... 624 477B
574, Pimpinella Heyneana,
Wall, --- 625 477C
575. Seseli indicum, W,
and A. 626 481
576. Foeniculum vulgare,
Gartn, .. 627 477)
X1X
PAGE, PLATE
577, Prangos pabularia,
ind)... be
578. Angelica glauca,
Hdgew. one
Ferula
579. narthex, Boiss.
580. Jaeschkeana,
Petuedcanum
581. graveolens, Benth. ...
582. grande, C,B. Clarke
583. Coriandrum sativum,
Linn,
584, Cuminum
585,
Vatke
Cyminum,
inns +.
Daucus Carota, Linn,
N.O ARALIACEA
Aralia pseudo-gin-
seng, Benth. .
Hedera helix, Linn,
N.O. CORNACE
Alangium eer
Thwaites ‘
N. O. Gunmionmene
586.
587.
588,
589. Sambucus ebulus,
Lim: 4.2 nn
590. Viburnum _feetidum,
Wall, sian
591, Lonicera glauca. H.
f. and T.
N. O. RUBIACEH
592, Anthocephalus
cadamba, Miq. :
5938. Adina _— cordifolia,
Hook. f. and Benth,
594, Nauclea Cents,
Roxb.
595. Hymenodictyon
excelsum, Wall.
Oldenlandia
596. corymbosa, Linn,
597. umbellata, Linn.
598. Ophiorrhiza Mungos,
inne= ...
599. Mussaenda frondosa,
Linn, Sex
Randia
600. uliginosa, D.C. se
601, dumetorum, Lamk, ...
Gardenia
602. lucida, Roxb.
603. gummifera, Linn.
604. turgida, Roxb.
605. campanulata, Roxb.
606. Diplospora
carpa, Dalz,
Canthium
607, didymum, Roxb.
sphezero-
627
628
No.
482A
482B
483
483
484
484A
485C
485A
485B
486A
486B
494
495
496
497
498
499
500
501B
SOLA
xx
PAGE. PLATE
No.
608. parviflorum, Lamk.... 656 502
609, Vangueria spinosa,
Roxb,” /.. se Noy Oz
Ixora
610. parviflora, Vahl. 657 503
611. coccinea, Linn, 658 504
612. Pavettaindica, ,, ... 659 505
618, Morinda citrifolia,
Linn. var. bracteata 660 506
Morinda
614, tinectoria, Roxb. 661 507
615. umbellata, Linn. 661 507
616. Pederia foetida,
finns) >... ... 662 508
617, Spermacoce hispida,
Linn, <. ..- 663 509A
618. Rubia cordifolia,
Linn. son, GOS Oa
N.O. VALERIAN ... 665
619. Nardostachys Jata -
mansi, D.C. .» 665 509B
Valeriana
620, officinalis, Linn, 666 511B
621. Wallichii, D.C. 666 511A
622, Hardwickii, Wall. - 667 512
623. Leschenaultii, D. C.
var. Brunoniana 667 513
N.O. DIPSACEZ 668
‘624, Morina persica,
Linn. 66 2008) 514
N.O. COMPOSITE 669
625. Lam prachzenium
micro- oe eae
Benth. een 009) ole
Vernonia
626. cinrea, Less, 669 516
627. anthelmintica, Willd. 670 515A
628. Elephantopsus sca-
ber, Linn. 52 (OT2ab1y
§29. Ageratum conyZzoi-
des, Linn, 672 518C
Eupatorium
630. cannabinum, Linn. 673 518B
631, ayapana, Vent, 673 518A
632. Solidago ad este
Linn, ; 674 519B
633. Grangea mader as-
patana, Poir. . 675 520
634, Erigeron asteroides,
Roxb,” ... =. 676: 5194
Blumea
635. lacera, D.C. 676 521A
636. eriantha, D.C. 677 522A
637. densiflora, D.C. 678 521B
638. balsamifera, D.C, 678 522B
639. indica, Less. 679 523A
640. lanceolata, Oliv, 679 Ǥ23B
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
PAGE. PLATE.
No.
641. Spheeranthus indicgs:
TATA ees 680 524
642. Anaphalis neelg er-
riana D.C. =, OGL ieee
643. Gnaphalium lute 0 =
album, Linn. 682 526B
644. Inula racemosa,
Hook, f. .» 682 527
645. Pulicaria crispa,
Benth, ... ... 683 526A
646. Xanthium stru-
marium, Linn. 6838 528A
647. Siegesbeckia Orien-
talis, Linn. »»>. 684, b2g
648. Enhydra fluctuans,
Pour. sa. 685 528B
649. Eclipta alba, Hassk. 686 5380
650. Wedelia calendu-
lacea, Lees. 688 531
Spilanthes
651. Aecmella, Linn, 689 532
652. oleracea, Jacq. . 689 533A
653. Guizotia abyssinica,
Cass. ... 690 533B
654. Glossocardia lineari-
folia, Cass. .. 691 534
655. Glossogyne prinnati-
fida, D.C. 691 535A
656. Achillea millefolium,
Linn. w. 692 536A
Chrysanthemum
657. indicum Linn. 693 5385B
658. coronarium, Linn. 694 536B
659. Matricaria chamo-
milla, Linn. -» 695 537A
660, Cotula epi
Linn. 696 537B
661, Centipeda orbie u-
laris, Lour. -- 696 588
Artemesia
662. scoparia, Waldst and
Kit. ... 698 539B
6638. maratima, Linn. 699 539A
664, vulgaris, Linn. 700 540
665, sacrorum, Ledeb.... 702 541B
666. persica, Boiss. 702 541A
667. absinthium, Linn. ... 703 542B
668. Sieversiana, Willd.... 704 542A
669. Tussilago farfara, Linn. 704 543A
670. Doronicum Hookeri,
Clarke Mss, . 705 543B
671. Emilia sonchifolia,
D.C. var Sonchi-
folia proper .. 706 544A
672. Notonia erandiflora,
D.C. .» 706 545
Senecio
673. tenuifolius, Burm. ... 707 546
674. Jacquemontianus,
Benth, ... .» 707 544B
TABLE OF CONTENTS, XX1
PAGE. PLATE | P . PLATE
No. No.
675. gui auelonie, Hee te Boe uae 707. companulatum, Don. 733 571
ater cs 708. lepidotum, Wall, ... 738 572A
667. densiflorus, Wall. 709 S47A] 799, setosum, Don, " 794 5739R
ee ee ron eae | ld. anthoposons D.Don! 784 573A
iN Epa 711. cinnabarinum, H.f,.... 7385 573B
678. Carduus nutans,
Linn, ... .. 710 549B N, O, PLUMBAGINE#... 736
679. Silybum marianum, Plumbago
Goertn. ... .. 710 549A) 712, Zeylanica, Linn. ... 786 574A
Saussurea 713. rosea, Linn. 737 574B
680. obvallata, Wall. ... 711 550B} 714. Primula reticulata,
681. candicans, Clarke ... 711 551A Wall. ... .. 740 575A
682. hypoleuca, Spreng.... 712 550A | 715, Anagallis arvensis, :
688. Lappa, Clarke hoe 2), “5 5LB Linn, ... -. 740 575B
684, Jurinea macroce- N. O. MYRSINEH .... 741
mele, Benth. doo PIGS Hae Tie. Meine a enieame:
Tricholepis Tanne. .. 741 576B
685. glaberrima, D.C. ... 714 553 aaKHOL
ee eee le OG aes 717. ribes, Burm, ee! iG
687, V ie 718. robusta, Roxb. ‘oo (ela rite:
olutarella ai vari- 719. Ardisia colorata
cata, Benth. sone Det a ; Bast ) 744 BIGA
688. Carthamus tinctorius, ; Sa ae a ts
Lia S Soe 715 558d N, O. SAPOTACEH ... 745
689. Dicoma, t o men tosa 720. Achras sapota, Linn., 745 579
Cass... 718 556 Suaae y
Cichorium 721. latifolia, Roxb. ... 747 580
690. Intybus, Linn. . 18 557 | 799. longifolia, Linn. ... 749 581
691. Endivia, Linn. -» 720 723. butyracea, Roxb. ... 751 582
692. Taraxacum officinale, Mi
Wigg. ... i 720 558A UESORS
Lactueca 724. Henet ie yaaer i 583A
693. Heyneana, D.C. ... 721 559 ee soa cog eTiscse te Se
Got) remotifiors,.D:C)y 2.43722) 508B)| (40; are bUon: ts
695, Scariola, Linn, dee toe OOO N. O, HBENACEX ae 600
Sonchus \ Diospyros
696. oleraceus, Linn, ... 724 561 727. montana, Roxb. . 756 585
697. arvensis, Linn. - §=725 562 | 79g embryopteris, Pers, 757 586
Launea 729. melanoxylon, Roxb. 798 587A
698. asplenifolia, DCs vet 7 26Le 563 N. O. STYRACEE se UT)
699. nudicaulis, Less. ... 726 564 g lo
700. pinnatifida, Cass. .... 727 565 = EEOC)
730. cratzgoides, Ham.... 759 5870
om a ey ee Os ak He 731. racemosa, Roxb. ... 760 587B
. Seevola Koni gi i,
yale . 127 566 a aOR
N, O. Gare nonion 728 Jasminum
702. Lobelia nicotinzefolia, | Hi Peeeeariiia oa us ae
Heyne. ... mY 56 sve 762 5
703 Woden ovata Lea aie 734. arborescens, Roxb.... 762 590
- aeysige 799 567B| 7385. angustifolium, Vahl. 763 591
fi 736. humile, Linn, aa TOd OO
N.O.ERICACEM ... 729 737. officinale, Linn. ... 765 588A
704. Gaultheria fragran- 738, grandiflorum, Linn.... 765 593
tissima, Wall. .. 729 568 | 739. Nyctanthes Arbor-
705. Pieris ovalifolia, tristis, Linn. .. 766 594
D. Don. erred. 60 eaenia
Rhododendron 740. floribunda, Wall. ... 768 595A
706. arboreum, Sm, Fy Ol" 570 741, excelsior, Linn. .. 769 595B
XX1l
PAGE, PLATE
Olea
742. cuspidata, Wall. 3
743. glandulifera, Wall....
N. O. SALVODORACE.
Salvadora
744. persica, Linn.
745. Oleoides, Dene. Se
746. Azima tetracantha,
Lamk.
N. G, APOCYNACEZ ...
747. Carissa Carandus,
finn?
748. Rauwolfia serpentina,
Benth.
749. Cerbera O a ollam,
Geertn., .
750. Rhazya stricta,
Decaisne.
Vinca
751. rosea, Linn.
752. pusilla, Murr. af
753, Plumeria acutifolia,
Poiret. .
754. Alstonia S c 7h fe) Larig,
Brown.
755. Holarrhena antidy-
senterica, Wall.
Tabernzemontana
756. dichotoma, Roxh,
757. Heyneana, Wall.
758, coronaria, Br.
759. Vallaris Heynei,
Spreng...
Wrightia
760. tinctoria, Br.
761. tomentosa, Roem, and
Schult.
762. Nerium odorum,
Soland....
Aganosma
765. caryophyllata, G.
Won. = 2): fa
764, calycina, A.DC.
765. Trachelospermum
fragrans, Hook.
766. Anodendron panicu-
latum, A. DC. he
767. Ichnocarpus ___ frutes-
cens, Br.
N, O. ASCELPIDE
768. Hemidesmus indicus,
Br. Se “sk
769. Periploca ap hylla,
Desne.
770. Secamone e meti ca,
Br.
fre Oxystelma esculen-
tum, Br.
769
770
771
No.
596
597
598
599
600
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
PAGE. PLATE
Calotropis
772. gigantea, R. Br.
773. procera, Br. we
774. Asclepias -C UrAS Sa-
viea, Linn. 5
775. Pentatropis spiralis,
Dene. ...
776. Daemia extensa, Br.
777. Holostemma Rheedii,
Wall.
778. Sarcostemma brevis-
tigma, W, and A.
779. Gymnema sylvestre,
Br, wat
780. Marsdenia Royleii,
Wight. . sa
Tylophora
781. fasciculata, Ham. ...
782. asthmatica, W. and A.
783. Cosmostigma
mosum, Wight. :
784, Dregea ea a
Benth.
Ceropegia
785. bulbosa, Roxb.
786. tuberosa, Roxb. vat
787, Boucerosia Auche-
riana, Dene.
N,O. LOGANIACE. ...
Strychnos
788, colubrina, Linn.
789. Nuxvomiea, Linn. ...
790. potatorum, Linn. f....
N.O. GENTIANACEZ. ...
Exacum
race-
791. tetragonum, Roxb....
792. bicolor, Roxb. ie
793. pedunculatum, Linn.
794, Enicostema littorale,
Blume, ... __
795. Erythreea Roxbur-
ghii, G. Don.
Canscora
796. diffusa, Br.
797. decussata, Roem. and
Sch. ae
Gentiana
798 tenella, Fries.
799. Kurroo, Royle
800. decumbens, Linn.
Swertia
801. purpurascens, Wall.
802. paniculata, Wall.
803. chiata, Ham. cae
804. angustifolia, Ham. ...
805. affinis, Clarke. *
806. decussata, Nimmo. ...
| 807. Menyanthes
trifolia-
ta, Linn, id
810
812
818
819
820
821
822
823
825
825
827
830
831
832
834
834
835
835
836
841
843
843
844
844
845
846
846
847
848
848
849
850
850
851
853
853
854
855
No.
621A
621B
622B
622A
623
624
PAGE. PLATE
N.O. HYDROPHYLLACE®
808. Hydrolea Zeylanica,
Vahl.
Cordia
N. O. BORAGINE ...
S09, Myxa, Linn.
810. obliqua, Willd.
811. Var. Wallichii.
812, Rothii, Roem. and
Sch. ae rae
813. vestita, H. f. and T....
814. Macleodii, H.f,and T.
Ehbretia
815. obtusifolia, Hochst. ..
816. buxifolia, Roxb.
817. Coldenia procum-
bens, Linn.
Heliotropium
818, Hichwaldi, Steud.
819. undulatum, Vahl,
820. strigosum, Willd.
821, brevifolium, Wall.
822. indicum, Linn.
Trichodesma
823. indicum, Br.
824, africanum, Br.
820. Zeylanicum, Br.
Macrotomia
826. Benthami, D.C.
827. perennis, Boiss,
Onosma
828. echiodes, Linn. z
829. bracteatum, Wall, ...
N. O, CONVOLVULACEE
830. Hrycibe
ROX Da: %.- Whe
831. Rivea ornata, Chois,
832. Argyreia Ss p e © 10sa,
sweet. :.-
paniculata,
Ipomea
833.
834,
835.
836,
837,
bona-nox, Linn.
muricata, Jacq.
Quamoclit, Linn,
hederacea, Jacq.
uniflora, Roem. and
Seis) Sac
digitata, Linn.
batatas, Lamk.
pes-tigridis, Linn. ...
reniformis, Chois,
obscura, Ker.
separia, Koen,
aqutica, orsk. a
campanulata, Linn....
Turpethum, Br.
biloba, Forsk.
vitifolia, Sweet
838.
839.
840.
841.
842.
843,
844.
845.
846,
847.
848.
855
No.
644
645 |
646 |
647B |
648
647A
649
650A
650B
651C
652A
652C
651B
652B
651A
693A
653B
655B
655B
655A
656A
656B
654A
657
658
659B
660
661B
661A
662
663
664
665B
659A
665A
666
667A
667B }
863.
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
XX]
PAGE. PLATE
849. Convolvulus arvensis,
timns .-.. os
850. Evolvulus alsinoides,
Linn. aw
851. Cressa ecretica, Linn.
852. Cuscuta reflexa,
Roxb.
N, O. SOLANACE
Solanum
853. nigrum, Linn.
854. dulecamara, Linn.
855, spira le, Roxb.
856. verbascifolium, Linn,
857. ferox, Linn. 3
858. indeum, Linn,
859. Melongena, Linn.
860. xanthocarpum,Schrad
and Wendl. :
861, trilobatum, Lizn,
862, gracilipes Dene.
Physalis
minima, Linn.
Var. Indica
Capsicum
864, frutescens, Linn.
865. minimum, Roxb.
Withania
866. somnifera, Dunal.
867. coagulans, Dunal, ...
868. Lycium europzeum,
Bann= © 5 .: nae
869. Atropa_ Belladona,
Linn, ae
Datura
870. Stramonium, Linn. ...
871. fastuosa, Linn,
872. alba, Nees. bist
873. Metel, Linn. ‘
874, Scopolia lurida, Dunal
875. Physochlaina preelta,
la Pig ee a
Hyoseyamus
876, niger, Linn.
877. muticus, Linn.
878, reticulatus, Linn.
Nicotiana
879. Tabacum, Linn.
880. rustica, Linn,
N. O. SCROPUBULARI-
NEAL... Si
Verbascum Thapsus,
Pps} 25% a
Celsia coromandeli-
ana, Vahl.
Linaria ramosissima,
Wall. Ss
Schweinfurthia sph-
eerocarpa, A Braun,
. Lindenbergia urticze-
folia, Lehm.
eee
881.
882.
883.
884.
927
No.
668C
668B
669
668A
670
671
672
673
674
675
676
677A
678
6776
XXIV
PAGE. PLATE |
886. Stemodia viscosa,
Eat) ¢) es af
Limnophila
887, gratissima, Blume. ...
888. gratioloides, Br.
889. Herpestis Monniera,
H. B, and K. iv
890. Curanga amara, Juss.
891.
Vandellia
892. erecta, Benth. ;
893. pedunculata, Benth.
894, Picrorhiza Kurrooa,
Benth. ... eS
Veronica
895, Anagallis, Linn.
896. Beccabunga, Linn. ...
£97. Sopubia de lp hini-
folia, G, Don,
Pedicuiaris
898. pectinata, Wall.
899. siphonantha, Don. ...
N. O. BIGNONIACE4...
900. Oroxylum indicum,
Vent.
901, Tecoma undulata,
G. Don. ae
Dolichandrone
802. Rheedii, Seem.
903. falcata, Seem.
904, Heterophragma
Roxburghii, D, C..
Stereospermum
905. chelonoides, D.C.
906. suaveolens, DeC.
907. xylocarpum, Wight.
908. Amphicome emodi,
imi :
N. O. PEDALINE ...
909. Martynia diandra,
Glox. Sot
910. Pedalium Murex,
Linn.
911, Sesamum indie um,
NeC. -
N. O. ACANTHACEZ...
912, Cardanthera uli gi-
nosa, Ham. see
913, Hygrophila spinosa,
T. Anders. ae
Ruellia
914. prostrata, Lamk.
915. suffruticosa, Roxb....
916. Dedalacanthus
roseus, T. Anders
Strobilanthes
917. calosus, Nees.
Torenia asiatica, Linn.
928
929
929
930
931
952
932
953
933
936
937
937
938
938
939
939
943
944
944
945
946
947
948
949
950
No.
| 943,
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
PAGE. PLATE
918. auriculatus, Nees. ...
919. Blepharis edulis,
Pers: 22: ae
920. Acanthus ilicifolius,
Linn.
Barleria
921. Prionitis, Linn.
%22. noctiflora, Linn.
923. cristata, Linn.
924. strigosa, Willd. “5
925. Neuracanthus sphe-
rostachyus Dalz. ...
Andrographis
926. paniculata, Nees.
927. echioides, Nees.
Haplanthus
928. verticillaris, Nees....
929. tentaculatus, Nees....
930. Gymnostachyum
febrifugum, Benth,
931. Phlogacanthus thyr-
siflorus, Nees. x
932. Lepidagathis cris-
tata, Willd.
Justicia
933. gendarussa, Linn. ...
934. procumbens, Linn. ...
935, Adhatoda Vasie z
Nees. ...
936. Rhinacanthus com-
munis, Nees.
937. Ecbolium linneanum,
Kurz...
938, Graptophyllum hor-
tense, Nees,
Rungia
939. repens, Nees.
¥40. parviflora, Nees.
941. Dicliptera Roxbur-
ghiana, Nees. =
942. Peristrophe b ica ly-
culata, Nees.
Lantana
indica, Roxb. “6
944. Camara, Linn,
N. O. VERBENACEZ...
945, Lippia nodiflora,
Rich. ae
946. Verbena officinalis,
Linn, ‘
Callicarpa
947. arborea, Roxb.
948. lanata, Linn,
949. macrophylla, Vahl.
| 950. Tectona grandis,
Linn. $4
Premna
951. integrifolia, Linn. ...
959
960
960
961
963
963
964
964
965
968
No.
718
719B
719A
720B
721
721
722B
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
PAGE. PLATE
952.
953.
tomentosa, Willd.
latifolia, Roxb.
954. esculenta, Roxb.
955. herbacea, Roxb.
Gmelina
956. aborea, Linn.
957. asiatica, Linn.
Vitex
958. trifolia, Linn.
959. negundo, ,,
960. peduncularis, Wall,
Var. yeas
961. glabrata, Br,
Clerodendron
62. inerme, Geertn.
963. phlomoides, Linn.
964. Serratum, bpreng
965. infortunatum, Gzertn,
966, siphonanthus, Br.
967. Avicennia officinalis,
Linn.
N. O. LABIATA
Ocimum
968. canum,Sims,
969. Basilicum, Linn,
970 gratissimum, Linn....
971. sanctum, Linn.
972. Geniosporum prostra-
tum, Benth.
973, Orthosiphon
neus, Benth.
974, Coleus aromaticus,
Benth. .
975. Anisochilus carnosus,
Wales ee.
976. Lavandula Burmanii,
Benth. Bs
Pogostemon
977. plectranthoides, Deef,
978, purpurascens, Dalz.
979. parviflorus, Benth, ...
980. patchouli, Pellet.
981. Mycrotcena
Prain.
982, Colebrookia oppositi-
folia, Smith,
Mentha
983. viridis, Linn.
984. piperita, Linn,
985. sylvestris, Linn.
986. arvensis, Linn.
987, Lycopus
stami-
cymosa,
Linn.
Origanum
988. Marjorana, Linn,
989. vulgare, Linn,
990. Thymus serpyllum,
Linn. on
D
europzeus,
993
993
994
994
996
997
$98
999
1001
- 1002
. 1002
- 1004
. 1005
1007
. 1008
.- 1009
. 1010
.» 1010
. 1011
1012
. 1014
. 1015
. 1016
= LOLF
1018
. 1018
1020
1020
1021
- 1022
1022
. 10238
roa OZ:
-- 1024
. 1024
- 1025
No.
737B
737A
738A
739
738B
740B
740A
741
742
743
744
745
746
747
XXV
PAGE, PLATE
991.
992,
Hyssopus
inn. ><.:
Micromaria
lata, Benth. ae
Calamintha Clinopo-
dium, Benth. sas
Melissa parviflora,
Benth, ... :
Perowskia
oides, Kiril
Meriandra
996. strobilifera, Benth....
997, bengalensis, Benth....
Salvia
officinalis,
capitel-
993.
994,
995, abrotan-
998, moorcroftiana, Wall...
999. lanata, Roxb. ;
1000. plebeia, Br.
1001. Aigyptiaca, Benth.
var. pumila, Benth.
Nepeta
1002. elliptica, Royle
1008. ciliaris, Benth.
1004. ruderalis, Hamilt, ...
1005. Dracepha lum
moldavicum, Linn.
1006. Lallemantia Roy-
leana, Benth.
1007. Brunella vulgaris,
Rimni..
1008, Marrubium vulgare,
Binns: sc. ae
Anisomeles
1009. ovata, Br.
1010. malabarica, Br.
1011. Stachys _ parviflora,
Benth.
1012, Galeopsis Tetrahit,
Bins, 5.
1018, Leonurus sibricus,
Panis: 5.
1014. Roylea elegans,
NT AE Ue ES ce
1015. Otostegia _limbata,
Benth, Mss.
Leucas
1016. cephalotes, Beene:
1017. Zeylanica, Br.
1018. aspera, Spreng.
1019. linifolia, Spreng. ...
1020. Leonotis nepetce-
folia, Br. ay
1021, Hremostachys
Vicaryi, Benth.
1022. Ajuga pe
Wall. é
NSO: hn aha
Plantago
1023. major, Linn.
1024. lanceolata, Linn.
1031
1032
1032
. 1033
. 1033
1034
1034
. 1035
. 1035
1036
1037
1037
1038
..- 1049
». 1050
No,
XXV1
PAGE. PLATE
brachyphylla,
Kdgew. 1050
amplexicaulis, Cav. 1051
ovata, Forsk. partes E55
Psyllium, Linn. ... 1052
N. O. NYCTAGINEA... 1052
1029. Boerhaavia diffusa,
Lina. ... ... 1052
Pisonia
1030. aculeata, Linn, ... 1055
1031. alba,Spanoghe ... 1055
N. O. AMARANTACEZ 1056
Celosia
1032. argentea, Linn, ... 1056
1033. cristata, Linn, a LODE
Amarantus
1034, spinosus, Linn. ... 1057
1035. paniculatus, Linn.... 1059
1036. gangeticus, Linn, ... 1060
Aerua
1037. javanica, Juss, ... 1060
1038. lanata, Juss ..- 1060
1039, Achyranthes aspera,
inne... . L061
1040, Alternanthera
sessilis, Br, .-- 1068
N.O. CHENOPODIACE 1064
Chenopodium
1041. album, Mog, os 1064
1042. botrys, Linn. »- 1065
1043. ambrosioides, Linn. 1065
1044, Beta vulgaris,
(ih nee .-» L066
1045. Spinacia oleracea,
inn, 3. spate 1) oF
1046. Kochia cave 2
wight.. 1068
1047. Salicornia brachiata,
Roxh, . 1068
1048. Sued a " fruticosa,
Forsk.... ‘3, LOG9
Salsola
1049, monoica, Forsk. ... 1069
1050. Kali, Linn. vou LOTO
Baselia
1051. rubra, Linn. oes, LOTO
1052. alba, Linn. et OTE
1053,
N. O. PHYTOLACCACEA 1071
pea acinosa,
Roxb, . . 1071
NZ A; par eeu ean 1072
1054. Calligonum _ poligo-
noides, Linn, sce LOTR
Polygonum
1055. aviculare, Linn. ... 10738
1056. plebejum, Br.var.
indica « 1074
No.
781B
781C
782A
782B
804
805A
806
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
PAGE, PLATE
1057, viviparum, Linn, ... 1074
1058. glabrum, Willd. ... 1075
1059. persicaria, Linn, ... 1075
1060. barbatum, Linn, ... 1076
1061. Hydropiper, Linn.... 1077
1062. alatum, Ham. . 1078
1063. molle, Don. . 1078
Rheum
1064, spiciforme,Royle ... 1079
1065, Mooreroftianum,
Royle ... 31079
1066, emodi, Wall. see 3)
1067. acuminatum, H, f,
and T. .. 1080
1068. Webbianum ,Royle .. 1080
1069. Oxyria digyna, Hill 1082
Rumex
1070. maritimus, Linn. ... 1082
1071. dentatus, Linn. . 1083
1072. nepalensis, Spreng, 1083
1073, vesicarius, Linn. ... 1084
N. O. ARISTOLOCHIA-
CHA... wee L085
Bragantia
1074. Wallichii, Br. . 1085
1075. tomentosa, Blume ... 1086
Aristolochia
1076. bracteata, Retz. ... 1086
1077. indica, Linn. . 1088
N, 0. PIPERACEZ ... 1090
Piper
1078. longum, Linn. . 1090
1079. Chaba, Hunter Ye OGL
1080. sylvaticum, Roxh. 1092
1081. Betle, Linn. wee 1093
1082. nigrum, Linn. . 1096
N. O. MYRISTICEZ ... 1096
1083. Myristica malabari-
ca, Lamk. .»» 1096
N. O. LAURINEZ . 1098
Cinnamomum
1084. Tamala, Fr. Nees. ...
1085. obtusifolium, Nees,
1086. iners, Reinw.
1087. zeylanicum, Breyn.,
1088. macrocarpum, H, f,
1089, glanduliferum,
Meissn
1090. parthenoxylon,
Meissn.
1091, Actinodaphne Hook-
eri, Meissn,
Litsea
1092. sebifera, Pers.
Var. Sebifera pro-
per os
1093. polyantha, Juss,
1098
1099
. 1100
1100
1101
1102
1102
. 1103
» 1103
we 1105
No.
805C
807
808
805B
809
810
811A
812
813B
813A
811B
814
815B
816
817
815A
PAGE, PLATE |
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
1094. Stocksii, Hook. f, ... 1106
1095. Lindera Neesiana,
Benth. .. =e EEO?
1096, Cassytha RS
Linn, se PLOT
NZ O: freee ene 1108
1097. Daphne _ oleoides,
Schreb.... soe LOS
1098. Wikstroemia indica,
C. A. Mey. -- 1109
1099. Lasiosiphon erioce-
phalus, Dene. cen UTLO
1100. Aquilaria Cee
Ox Dsar.<- ore Hb
N. O. ELHGNACEA ... 1112
Hleagnus
1101. hortensis, M, Bieb. 1112
1102. umbellata, Thumb... 1113
1108, latifolia, Linn. meelelkcy
Hippophee
1104. rhamnoides, Linn.... 1114
1105, salicifolia, Don. Papal Lats)
N, O, LORANTHACEH 1115
Viscum
1106. album, Linn. Se POHEES
1107. monoicum, Roxb. ... 1116
1108. orientale, Willd. ... 1117
1109. articulatum, Burm. 1118
N, O. SANTALACE ,..
1110. Santalum album,
Linn. Pree dis)
1111. Osyris arborea,
Wall. edt 20)
N.O. EUPHORBIACE 1121
Kuphorbia
1112, hypericifolia, Linn. 1121
1113. pilulifera, Linn. . 1122
1114. thymifolia, Burm. ... 1124
1115, ‘microphylla, Heyne 1125
1116. Tiruealli, Linn. . 1126
1117. neriifolia, Linn. mee i ly-75
1118. nivulia, Ham. Sash 2S
1119. antiquorum, Linn.... 1129
1120. Royleana, Boiss. ... 1131
1121, a alae a,
Boiss. . . 1132
1122, helioscopia, Linn.... 1132
11238. dracunculoides,
Lamk. ive ph PES
1124, Buxus Semper-
virens, Linn. . 11384
Bridelia
1125. retusa, Spreng, ... 1134
1126. montana, Willd, ... 1135
1127. Cleistanthus col-
linus, Benth. . 1136
No.
833A
835A
835B
8364
1128, Andrachne cordi-
folia, Muell.
Phyllanthus
1129. reticulatus, Poir. ...
1130. emblica, Linn.
1131. Madraspatensis,
Linn, -
1182. urinaria, Linn,
1133. simplex, Retz
simplex var, oblongi-
foliacy -e:
1134. Niruri, Linn. Be
1135, distichus, Muell. ...
11386, Flueggia micro-
earpa, Blume.
1137. Breynia rhamnoides,
XXVll
PAGE. PLATE
VEUCTET...
| 1138. Putranjiva Roxbur-
ghii, Wall, -
Antidesma
| 1139. Bunias, Spreng.
1140, alexiteria, Linn,
Jatropha
1141. glandulifera, Roxb.
1142, nana Dalz. bor
1143. multifida, Linn.
1144, cureas, Linn.
1145. Aleurites molucca-
na, Willd.
Croton
1146, reticulatus, Heyne.
1147. oblongifolius,
Roxb, . S
\ 1148. caudatus, Geisel.
1149, Tiglium, Linn.
Chrozophora
1150. tinctoria, A. Juss....
1151. plicata, Muell,
Acalypha
1152. fruticosa, Forsk. ...
1153. indica, Linn.
1154. hispida, Burm.
1155. Trewia nudifilora,
Linn.
1156. Mallotus philippin-
ensis, Muell. ‘
1157. Macaranga Roxbur-
ehii, Wight.
1158. Ricinus communis,
Linn. BAS
1159, Baliospermum axil-
lare, Blume. vs
1160. Tragia involucrata,
Linn.
Sapium
1161. indicum, Willd.
1162. insigne, Benth.
Execeearia
1163. Agallocha, Linn,
No.
855B
XXVlll TABLE OF CONTENTS.
PAGE, PLATE | PAGE PLATE
sh N. O. CUPULIFERZ 1213 ay
1164. acerifolia, F. Did- Pee ee Fades a
Tehs: ie . 1177. 884B 1198. Betula utilis, Don. ... 1213 911B
1165. Sebastiania Cham- Quercus
eelea, Muell. ... 1177 884A ea incon Rove “ins ae oe
B amellosa, Sml coe
N. O. Unticacham ©... 117% 1201. pachyphylla, Kurz. 1215 913
1166. Holoptela integri— 1202. Corrylus colurna,
folia, Planch. ... LI78 885 Linn. ... ... 1216 914
1167, Celtis australis : : 12.16
Linn. vw x 1179 886 ye O. SALICINEA ... 1216
et ites oa cael Paella SSCs 1208. tetrasperma, Roxb. 1216 915
lata, Thwaites ... 1180 887B 1204. acmophylla, Boiss.... 1217 916
1169. Humulus lu pulus, 1205, Caprea, Linn... 1218 917
Linn, ... _ tr 1188. 8874) 7906. alba, Linn. |, 1220 918A
aNTO. Cannabis 82 0LY Ora < cee’ | 120i.- balylonied jini imme mmo a0 nue
: rete sek Populus
1171. Strebulus asper, (208% wee ee 1221 919A
Bout ye. = LISS 889- 4209) -ciliata, Wally) |) Ieee) ae
Morus 1210, euphratica, olid. ... 1222 921
1172. indica, Linn. ... 1188 890 | 1211. alba, Linn. -» 1223 919B
1173. alba, Linn. ... 1184 891A : ae O, GNETACEA... 1224
1174. ni inn, ... 1185 891B phedra
ee 1212. vulgaris,Rich, ... 1224
Sues 1213. pachyclada, Boiss... 1225
1175, gibbossa, Blume. ... 1185 892 N.O Conmwena «. 1225
1176. bengalensis, Linn.... 1186 893 :
1177, Benjamina,Linn. ... 1188 894 | 1214. Cupressus sempervi-
1178. retusa, Linn, ... 1189 895 rens, Linn. ve 1225 922A
ier) Rumphii,Blume pede) 896B Juniperus
1180. religiosa, Linn. ... 1191 896A} 1215. communis, Linn. ... 1226 922B
1181. infectoria, Roxb, ... 1193 897 | 1216. recurva, Ham. 7 ee) 925
1182. heterophylla, Linn, 1194 898 | 1217, macropoda, Boiss.... 1228 924
1183 asperrima, Roxb. ... 1195 899 | 1218. Taxus baccata, Linn. 1228 925A
1184. hispida, Linn. son ALG Aer Pie
1219, longifolia, Roxb. ... 1231 926A
1185, Cunia Ham, -- 1198 901 996B
1186. Ribes, Reinwdt. ... 1199 902
‘ > | 1220. khasya, Royle v5 1234 90%
1137, palmatta Norsk, ©... 1200 903 | jo91, Gerardiana; Wally 1234 05H
Free, peer ee ater De we (h208 : 8048 oop Coaraa” | implant!
1189. Antiaris toxicaria, B isang qe
Leschen. ... 1208 905 BEEPS 2355
ra, Hook. ... 1285 928A
Artocarpus and B
1190. hirsuta, Lamk. ... 1208 1223. Abies Webbiana,
1191. integrifolia, Linn.... 1204 906 Lindley... -« 1238 928C
1192. lakoocha, Roxb. ... 1206 907 N. O. ORCHIDEZ ... 1240
1193, Laportea crenulata, Dennen
Gand. ... ... 1207 908 ars bent
) 1224, Maeraci, Lindl, ... 1240 933
N, O. PLATANACE,.. 1207 1225, chlorops, Lindl. ... 1241
1194, Platanus orientalis, Eulophia
Pn... --- 1207 911A} 1226. campestris, Wall ... 1241 929
N. O, JUGLANDEZ ... 1208 1227." nud a, Lindl: ... 1242 930
1195. Juglans regia, Linn, 1208 909A pes ne ye
. spathulata, Spreng.
N. O. MYRICACE® ... 1210 1229. Roxburghii, Br. ... 1244 931
1196 Myrica nazi, 1230. Saccolabium __ papil-
Thunb. ... 1210 909B losum, Lind, wn. 1245 932
N, O. CASUARINEA... 1212 N. O. SCITAMIN’@ .,. 1245
1197, Casuarina equiseti- Curcuma
folia, Forst. ... 1212 910 | 1231. angustifolia, Roxb. 1245 934A
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
PAGE,
1232, aromatica, Salisb. ... 1246
1233. Zedoaria, Rose. ... 1247
1234. czesia, Roxb. .. 1248
1235. Amada, Roxb, .. 1249
1236. longa, Linn, . 1250
Keempferia
1237. Galanga, Linn. ... 1251
1238. angustifolia, Rose. 1252
1239. rotunda, Linn. 53
1240. Hedychium spica-
tum, Hamilt. . 1254
Amomum
1241. xanthioides, Wall.... 1255
1242. subulatum, Roxb. ... 1256
1243, aromaticum, Roxb. 1257
Zingiber
1244. officinale, Roxb. 5 1DART/
1245. Zerumbet,Smith ... 1258
1246. Casumunar, Roxb.... 1259
1247, Costus speciosus,
Smith ... wee 1260
1248, Elettaria cardamo-
mum, Maton . 1261
Alpinia
1249. Galanga, Sw. bop 1 Aay.
1250. Allughas, Roxb. . 1263
1251. calearata, Roxb. ... 1264
1252. Canna indica, Linn. 1264
1253. Musa popu
Linn, . 1265
N. O. EeMmonenaone 1270
1254. Sansevieria Rox-
burghiana, Schult .. 1270
N, O. IRIDEA boa
Tris
1255. ensata, Thumb. . 1271
1256. nepalensis, Don ... 1272
1257. Kumaonensis, Wall, 1272
1258, Crocus sativus,
Linn, ¢.. 221273
1259, Belamcanda chinen-
sis, Leman, . 1274
N. O. ascersmnnee 1275
1260. Agave Americana,
Eins”. wee aD
1261, Curculigo orchi-
oides, Geertn. . L277
Crinum
1262. asiaticum, Linn, ... 1279
1263. latifolium, Linn. ... 1280
1264. Sp. ? a 28
N. O. TACCACEA ... 1281
1265. Tacca Paar ee
Forst. . 1281
N, O. Deneanencas 1282
Dioscorea
1266. pentaphylla, Linn, 1282
PLATE
No.
935
934B
936
937A
937B
938
939
940
941A
941B
949
943
944
945
946
947
948
960
XX1X
PAGE PLATE
No.
1267. oppositifolia, Linn. 1282 961
1268. sativa, Linn. ael283. 962
1269. bulbifera, Linn. . 1284 9638
N. O. LILIACEA . 1285
Smilax
1270. glabra,Roxb, ... 1285 964
1271. lancesefolia, Roxb.... 1285 965
1272. macrophylla, Roxb. 1286 966
_ Asparagus
1273. filicinus, Ham. ela ok 19608
1274. racemosus, Willd.... 1287 968
1275. adscendens, Roxb, 1288 969
1176. gonoclados, Baker. 1289 967A
1277. Polygonatum multi-
florum, All. . 1289 970B
1278. Asphodelus _ tenui-
folius, Cavan, .- 1290 971
1279. Chlorophytum
arundinaceun,
Baker. ... eee 1290
Allium
1280. ascalonicum,Linn.... 129{ 972
1281. cepa, Linn. ... 1292 970A
1282. sativum, Jinn, 2 12945 973
1283. Urginea indica,
Kunth. 1296 974
1284. Scilla indica, Baker. 1299 975
Lilium
1285. giganteum, 1299 976
1286, Wallichianum,
Schultes f. ..- 1300 977
1287. Colchicum luteum,
Baker. ... 1300 978A
1288. Gloriosa superba,
Linn. 1801 978B
N, O. PONTEDERTACE A 1304
1289. Monochoria vagi-
nalis, Presl. . 13804 979
N, O. XYRIDEA . 1805
1290, Xyris indica, Linn. 1305 980
N. O. COMMELINACE® 1306
Commelina
1291. obliqua, Ham. -.- 1806 981
1292. suffruticosa, Blume 1307 982
1293. Aneilema scapi-
florum, Wight. . 1307 983
Cyanotis
1294, tuberosa, Schultes... 18308 984
1295. axillaris, Roem and
Schultes .» 13809 985
Ne: FLAGELLARIER 1309
1296. Flagellaria _ indica,
Linn. .- 1309
N. O. PALME . 1310
1297, Areca Catechu,
Linn, -- 1310 986
Xe
PAGE. PLATE
1298. Caryota urens,
Linn, 1313
Phenix
1299, dactylifera, Linn. ... 1314
1300. sylvestris, Roxb. ... 1815
1301. Nannorhops' Ritchi-
eana, H. Wendl. ... 1316
1302. Borassus flabellifer,
Linn, aus
1308. Cocos nucifera,
Linn, .«: Pe
N. O, PANDANEZ . 1328
1304. Pandanus fascicu-
laris, Lam. . 13828
N.O. TYPHACEA ... 1329
1305, Typha elephantana,
Roxb, ... Hee a4)
N. O, AROIDEA . 1329
1306. Cry ptocoryne
spiralis, Fisch. . 1329
1307. Pistia stratiotes,
Linn... . 1330
Ariseema
1308. speciosum, Mats . 1332
1309. tortuosum, Schott... 1332
1310, Leschenaultii, Blume 1333
1311, Sauromatum gutta-
tum, Schott. . 1334
Typhonium triloba-
tum, Schoot, ... 1335
Amorphophallus
campanulatus,
Blume. vee 1336
Synantherias
sylvatica, Schott. 13840
Plesmomum marga- ~
ritiferum, Schott. 1341
1312.
1313.
1314.
1315.
1316. Remusatia vivipara,
Schott, saan a2
1317. Colocasia Antiquo-
rum, Schott. pS lisa2
1318. Alocasia indica,
Schott. .. 1344
1319. Homalomena aroma-
tica, Schott. . 1846
1320, Scindapsus o ffici-
nalis, Schott. . 1347
1321. Rhaphidophora per-
tusa, Schott, wae £548
1322, Lasia heterophylla,
Schott, wee 1349
1323. Acorus Calamus,
Lyons perry, wee 1349
N. O. CYPERACEH ... 1853
Kyllinga
1324. triceps, Rottb. ... 1353
1325, monocephala, Rotth. 1353
1326. Juncellus inundatus,
Clarke 1354
No.
986A
987B
987A
988
989
$90
991
992
993
994
995
996
997
998
999
1000
1001
1002
1003
1004
1005
1006
1007
1008
1009B
10094 |
TABLE OF \CONTENTS.
PAGE. PLATE
Cyperus
1327, secariosus, Br,
1328. rotundus, Linn.
1329. esculentus, Linn. ...
1380. Scirpus grossus,
Linn. S
N. O. GRAMINEZ
Oryza sativa,
Linn.
Coix Lachryma- Jobi,
Linn.
. Zea Mays, Linn,
Saccharum
1334,
1335.
1336. Manisuris granu-
laris, Linn.
Andropogon
1337, squarrosus, Linn. f.
13888. Iwarancusa, Jones...
1339. schoenanthus, Linn.
1340. Nardus, Linn,
1341. citratus, D.C. es
1342. Avena fatua, Linn ...
1343. Cynodon dactylon,
Pers. ... a
Eleusine
1344. coracana, Geertn. ...
1345. eegyptiaca, Desf.
1346, Hordeum We age
inna
Bambusa arun di i-
nacea, Retz,
Dendrocalamus
strictus, Nees
HILICES ...
Adiantum :
1349. lunalutum, Burm, ...
1350. caudatum, Linn.
1351. Capillus—Vene ris,
Linn.
venustum, Jon. ..
flabellulatum, Linn.
1831.
1332.
1333
1347,
1348,
1352.
1353.
Cheilanthes
1854. tennuifolia, Lw.
Actinopteris
1355. dicholoma, Forsk. .
Dryuaria
1356, quercifolia, Linn. .
1357. Pleopeltis lanceola-
ta, Linn,
Adiantum Ethiopi-
cum, Linn.
‘3 pedatum, Linn.
Asplenium adiantum
nigrum, Linn.
», Ruta-muraria, Linn.
» Lrichomanes, Linn.
Bis exe
1358.
1359,
1360.
1361,
1362.
1363, Athyrium
femina, Beruh,
officinarum, Linn. ...
arundinaceum, Retz.
. 1881
. 1384
. 1385 —
. 1385
. 1386
.. 1887
No.
... 1355 1010
.. 1356 1011
1357 1012
. 1358 1018
. 1359
1359
. 1863
. 1364
1836 1014B
1337 1014A
. 1368
1369 1015B
1371 1016
1372 1015A
. 1374 1017
. 1874 1018
1019
1020
1375
1376
1878 1021
1379 1022
. 1880 1023
1024:
1025
1385 1051
1029
1386 1028
1388 1030
... 1388
. 1388
.. 1389
1026
. 1889 1027.
. 1390
1390 10382
1391
.. 1892
. 1392
. 1392
1392
1392
» 1392
TABLE OF CONTENTS. XXxX1
PAGE, PLATE PAGE, PLATE
No. No.
1364, Botrychium Lunaria,
S 1392
Ww. as
1365. Gibotium:
Baronetz,
Sw. ior a
1366. ,, eee Hook et
Arn, 1393
1367. Davallia
" tenuifolia,
Sw.
1368. Helminthos tachys
Dulcis, Kaulf .. 1398
1369. Ophioglossum _— vul-
gatum, Linn. poe) 1st}
1370, Osmunda regalis,
Pinnee-. 1893
1371. Pteris aquilina,
hinneee.. soo UBS:
FUNGI ... ... 1394
1372. Agaricus
tris, Linn.
campes-
. 1394 1033
1373, Boletus Nitus Arto-
carpalis, K. R. Kir-
Gikateee. 1394
1874, Mylitta lapidescens,
Horan ... . 1395
ALGH ... 1396
1275. Ulva latissima, Linn. 1396
1376. Porphyra vulgaris,
Ag. See ... 1896
Fucus
1377. vesiculosus, Linn. 1397
1878. distichus, Linn, ... 1397
1379, Laminaria Sacchari-
na, Lam. »»» 1397
LICHENES ... 1398
Parmelia
1880. Kamtschadalis, Esch. 1398
1881. Perlata, Esch. ... 1398
Index ae ... 1401
INTRODUCTION.
I.
Since disease, decay and death have always co-existed with
life, the study of diseases and their treatment must also have
been contemporaneous with the dawn of the human intellect.
The primitive man must have used as therapeutical agents and
remedial measures those things which he was able to procure
most easily. ‘There is no authentic record of medicines used by
the primitive man. But the Rig Veda whichis the oldest book in
the library of man supplies curious information on the subject.
From it, we learn that the Indo-Aryaus used the Soma as a medi-
cinal agent. It is not quite certain what the Soma * plant was.
* Dr. Aitchison has lately stated that Soma must be the Ephedra pachyclade,
which in the Harirud valley is said to bear the name of hum, huma, and Yahma.
This supposition is confirmed by Dr. Joseph Barumiiller, a botanist long re-
sident in Kerman, who identifies the Soma plant with some kind of Ephedra,
probably Hphedra distuchya, but who remarks that different varieties of
Ephepra are to be found from Siberia to the Iberian peninsula, so that one
must give up the hope of determining the original home of the Aryas by means
of the habitat of the Soma plant, (Quarterly Review, No. 3884, Octr, 1894, p.
455),
The Soma plant possessed intoxicating properties and the Vedie Aryans
recognised it as a quickener of the intellect. ‘Soma, like the sea, has poured
forth songs, and hymns, and thoughts.’ * *
‘ The beverage (i.e., Soma juice) is divine ; it purifies, it inspires joy, it is a
water of life ;...... it gives health and immortality,’
“We've quafied the Soma bright,
And are immortal grown ;
We’ve entered into light,
And all the gods have known.
What mortal now can harm,
Or foeman vex us more ?
Through thee, beyond alarm,
Immortal god, we soar.”
Address to Soma.
“Thou Soma, fond of praise, the lord of plants, art life to us,”
‘‘Be unto us, Soma the bestower of wealth, the remover of disease,
Exulting Soma! increase with all twining plants.”
“TI invoke the divine waters, in which our cattle drink :
Ambrosia is in the waters ; in the waters are medicinal herbs.”
Soma is supposed to preside over medicinal herbs, and therefore the Rishi
Medhatithi continues his hymn, as :—
““Soma has declared to me, ‘all medicaments as well as Agni, the benefac-
tor of the Universe, are in the waters ;’ the waters contain all healing herbs.
E
XXXIV INTRODUCTION.
This plant has not yet been satisfactorily identified. The Indo-
Aryans used the plant for sacrificial purposes and its juice is
described in the ancient Aryan literature as_a stimulating
beverage. The word araf% (oshadhi) literally means heat-pro-
ducer. When the Indo-Aryans came to use the Soma plant
for therapeutical purposes, they came to possess a knowledge
of the medicinal properties and uses of herbs and plants.
Hence, Oshadhi (staf) applied to all herbs and medicinal
piants. ;
The knowledge of medicinal plants must have been accumu-
lated in the course of many centuries. Jn his work on Plants and
Animals under Domestication, Darwin says :—‘S From innumer-
able experiments made through dire necessity by the savages of
every land, with the result handed down by tradition, the
nutritious, stimulating and medicinal properties of the most
unpromising plants were probably first discovered.’’*
i)
The “doctrine of signatures’ would also account for the use
of several plants as medicinal agents. This doctrine is based
on the resemblance in shape or color of some product of the
vegetable kingdom with some organ in the animal economy.
In the ignorance of anatomical or physiological data to work
upon the primitive man thinks that these articles possess some
action on those organs which they resemble in shape, size or
color. Again, another reason for the extensive use of vegetable
drugs may be the fact that plants are everywhere at hand, their
number is very great and their forms are distinct and peculiar
and thus are procured without trouble.
It is greatly to the credit of the people of India that they
were acquainted with a far larger number of medicinal plants
“ Waters bring to perfection all disease,—dispelling medicaments for (the
good of) my body, that I may long behold the sun,
“ Waters take away whatever sin has been (found) in me, whether I have
(knowingly) done wrong or have pronounced imprecations (against holy men)
or (have spoken) untruth.
“J have this day entered into the waters: we have mingled with their
essence.” (Wilson’s translation of the Rig. Veda. Vol. I. p. 57).
“Thou, Soma, fond of praise, the lord of plants, art life to us,”’
“Be unto us, Somu, the bestower of wealth, the remover of disease,
Exulting Soma! increase with all twining plants.” (Ibid p: 234),
* Vol. J, p. 325,
INTRODUCTION. XXXV
than the natives of any other country on the face of the earth.
The vegetable Materia Medica of the Greeks, Romans, Egyptians,
Jews, Babylonians, Persians, Chinese and Arabs does not
display such an extensive knowledge of medicinal plants and
drugs as does any of the authoritative medical works of the
Hindus. The knowledge of herbs possessed by the aborigines
of America, Australia or Africa, is also not very great. Regard-
ing the medicinal agents of the American Indians, Mr. B.-F.
Stacey says :—
“From a thorough investigation I am convinced that the
list is not lengthy, and that there is but little to be learned from
their school of practice or repertoire of medicinal agents.’’*
Mr. J. N. Rose, in his “ Notes on Useful Plants of Mexico.”
says :— ; :
“The country people and Indians seem to have but little
knowledge of medicine, generally using teas made of bitier and
strong-smelling herbs.”
Mr. J. H. Maiden writes in his “ Useful native plants of
Australia.’ (Pp. 146-147) :—
“In fairness to ourselves we must confess ourselves very
little indebted to the Australian aboriginal for information as
to the medical (or in fact any other) properties of our plants.
The poor aboriginal chiefly takes interest in the vegetation as
supplying him with his scanty food, or as affording him fibre
useful in securing fish and other avimal substance. As far as
we know, the Materia Medica of the blacks is of a very meagre
description, yet the acquisition of even such little knowledge
as they are supposed to possess has been slow and difficult, in-
asmuch as persons who have lived ina state of nature with
them have not been distinguished for either their medical or
botanical knowledge.”’
He has very truly observed :—
‘With the native Materia Medica of India, for instance, the
case is very different. While some remedies are evidently used
fancifully, and others for every disease to which the human
* The Ph, J. of May, 80, 1874, p. 958,
XXXV1 INTRODUCTION.
frame is liable, much of the knowledge in regard to it is exact,
se 3% 99
the outcome of intelligent observation and enquiry, * *
It may be that much of the knowledge of plants, once
possessed by the ancestors of the present aborigines, has become
lost to the world owing to their ignorance of the art of writing.*
But we should not treat with contempt the knowledge of
herbs possessed by aborigines. There can be little doubt that
their “medicine men” possess a remarkably accurate knowledge
of the medical uses of the plants around them. We should
remember that they have taught us the uses of some of our
most important drugs. It is to them that we are indebted
for our knowledge of Cinchona in malaria, Digitalis, Strophan-
thus and Physiostigma in heart diseases, and of Quassia as
a bitter tonic. We cannot, therefore, sufficiently admire the
practical wisdom of the ancient Hindus when they enjoined on
the votaries of the healing art the penetration forests and the
climbing of mountains to examine the qualities and properties of
the medicines in their natural situations, and gather information
regarding them from hunters and shepherds who may have had
opportunities of witnessing their effects.T
* Writing of America one botanist says that “when our forefathers came to
this country they found the natives in possession of much medical knowledge
of plants. Having no remedies prepared by scientific skill, the Indians were
led, by necessity, to the use of those which nature afforded them; and, by
experience and observation, they had arrived at many valuable conclusions
as to the qualities of plants. Their mode of life, leading them to penetrate
the shades of the forest, and to climb the mountain precipices, naturally
associated them much with the vegetable world. The Indian woman, the
patient sharer in these excursions, was led to look for such plants as she
might use for the diseases of her family. Each new and curious plant, though
not viewed by her with the eye of a botanist, was regarded with scrutinizing
attention : the colour, taste, and smell were carefully remarked, as indications
of its properties. But the discoveries and observations of the Indians have
perished with themselves; having had no system for the classification or
description of plants, nor any written language by which such a system
might have been conveyed to others, no other vestige remains than uncertain
tradition of their knowledge of the medicinal qualities of plants,”
{1 That much of the knowledge of medicinal plants by the primitive man was
obtained from hunters and shepherds is evident from what Dr, Raymond
Crawford, M.A., M D,, (Oxon), Physician to King’s College Hospital, London
said in his presidential address delivered before the section of the History
of Medicine, reported in the Lancet from which it has been reproduced in
in the Scientific American Supplement of April 14 and 21, 1917.
‘‘Man, doubtless, will have acquired much of his knowledge of the
nutritive and medicinal vaiue of plants by the same methed as the lower
animals, by experience. Like them, too, he will have profited by imitation,
and imitation embracing his observation of the habits of the lower animals.
It must have been of immense importance to man, when he depended largely
INTRODUCTION. XXXV11
About a generation ago, the use of plants and herbs as
remedial agents was greatly discredited. The late Sir Thomas
Lauder Brunton drew an analogy between the weapons and tools
employed in art or warfare, and the implements used by man in
the treatment of disease in different ages. It is customary to
divide the progress of civilization into four stages, charact-
erized by the nature of the weapons employed. “In the first or
Paleolithic age, man employed weapons or tools of flint roughly
chipped into shape and unpolished. In the next or Neolithic age,
the implements consisted of stone, but they were polished. The
next age is characterized by the employment of bronze as a
material, and the fourth and highest stage by the employment of
iron. * * * * In the same way, we may recognise four stages in
the development of the implements in the treatment of disease.
In the first stage crude drugs were employed, prepared in the
roughest manner, such as powdered Cinchona or metallic
antimony. In the next stage, these were converted into more
active and more manageable forms, such as extracts or solutions,
watery or alcoholic. In the third stage, the pure active principles,
separated from the crude drugs, were employed, e.g., morphine
and quinine. In the fourth stage, instead of attempting to
—
for food on wild animals captured in the chase, to watch them closely so as
to know their habits.
‘« That a good deal of man’s sedation knowledge arose accidentally in his
efforts to extend the range of his food supply is suggested by the prominent
place occupied by food—stuffs in primitive pharmacy”.
The ancient Hindus should be given the credit for cultivating what is now
called ‘‘ Hthno-botany”. In Bulletin 55 of the Bureau of American Ethnology,
it is said :-—
“ Ethnobotany is virtually a new field of research, a field which, if investi-
gated thoroughly and systematically will yield results of great value to the
ethnologist and incidentally also to the botanist.
Kthnobotanical research is concerned with severa) paren: hanes =
(a) What are primitive ideas and conceptions of plant life 2? (b) What are the
effects of a given plant environment on the lives, customs, religion, thoughts
and everyday practical affairs of the people studied ? (c} What use do they
make of the plants about them for food, for medicine, for material culture,
for ceremonial purposes ? (d) What is the extent of their knowledge of the
parts, functions, and activities of plants ? (e) Into what categories are plant
names and words that deal with plants grouped in the language of the people
studied, and what can be learned concerning the working of the folkmind by
the study of these names ?
Ethnobotany will become amore important subject when its study has
progressed to a point where results can be studied comparatively.
A prime necessity is a good native informant ; indeed it is better to have
several informants, preferably older men or women.
; ee a pity that hardly any attention is paid to this Subject in modern
ndia,
XXXVIli INTRODUCTION.
extract our medicines from the natural products in which they
are contained, we seek to make for ourselves such substances as
shall possess the particular action we desire.’’*
This method had been pursued since the time when
Professors Crum Brown and Fraser were able to demonstrate
the connection between chemical constitution and physiological
action. With the help of the advanced chemistry of modern
times, an attempt to establish rational therapeutics was being
made by the leading pharmacologists of the world. Thus
the employment of inorganic salts and chemical pfinciples
obtained from the vegetable kingdom, which had been much
in vogue about half a century ago, was being gradually
abandoned in favor of derivatives obtained from coal-tar and
various alcohols. As was once pointed out by the authors of
the Extra Pharmacopoeia, “the place in medical treatment, of
quinine and morphine, the two mainstays of the medical
practitioners of twenty years ago, is in a great measure filled
by antipyrin, antifebrin, phenacetin, exalgine, and salicylate
of sodium on the one hand, and by sulphonal, tetronal, chloral,
&e., on the other.’ t The day was eagerly looked forward to
when the articles of our organic materia medica were to be
supplanted by the creations of the chemist.
Analogy however is no safe guide in science. So Brunton’s
comparison of the different articles of Materia Medica to the
weapons of the different geologic periods, is, to say the least,
very fallacious. There is something like what may be called
“Fashion in medicine.” Jt is due to this “fashion,” that some
of the good old remedies are labelled “out of fashion.” For
long it was not considered fashionable to use crude herbs.
Synthetic remedies were the fashion of the day. It is not only
the great war which is now raging in Europe that has made
the pendulum of fashion swing from one extreme to the other,
but tke oscillation was visible even a considerable time before
the outbreak of the War.
* The British Medical Journal for August 14th, 1886, p. 326.
] Extra Pharmacopxia by Martindale and Westcott, Preface to the sixth
edition, p, III.
INTRODUCTION. KXX1X
Thus a reaction seemed to have set in, in favor of plants
being used as medicines. Referring to the use of the Bilberry
(Vaccinium Myrtillus) as a remedy in Typhoid fever and other
infectious diseases of the intestine—a paper read by Dr. Max M.
Bernstem, M.B., before the Hunterian Society of London and
published in the British Medical Journal for 7th February, 1903,
—Sir James Sawyer, M. D., London, F.R.C.P., Senior Consult-
ing Physician to the Queen’s Hospital; and Ex-Professor of
Medicine in the Queen’s College, Birmingham, wrote in the
British Medical Journal for February, 4 28th, 1903 :—“ Long
have some of us dwelt with affection, and with hope of finding
modern uses for some old drugs which were being lost to sight
and to memory in the limbus of the past, and perhaps not
without some practical success, upon the archeology of our
Medicinal ‘“‘ Simples,” upon the histories and lore, upon the forms,
virtues, and renown of many old-time Medicinal plants, upon
plants called simples because each of them has been held to
enshrine its particular curative virtue, and so to furnish a simple
remedy for some symptom of disease, or for some individual
morbid manifestation. Perhaps we have loved to walk, as Evelyn
did, “into a large garden, esteemed for its furniture one of the
fairest, especially for simples;” or perhaps we have followed
our own Garth, “ when simpling on the flowery hills he strayed.”
* Ey *
“True is it to-day as when Sir Thomas Watson so declared
a third of a century ago that ‘the greatest gap in the science
of Medicine is to be found in its final and supreme stage—the
stage of therapeutics.’ Therapeutics advances by our increas-
ing knowledge of the nature of morbid processes and of the
physiological effects of remedies, and also by studying again
many a good old drug by the light of later scientific methods
and also by judicious selection from the traditions of popular
medicine. Such selection gave us Digitalis.”
Dr. Ischirch, Professor of Practical Chemistry in the Univer-
sity of Berne, is reported in the Lancet of 2nd October, 1909,
to have said ; —
‘We may assuredly hope that medicine, when it has
thoroughly ruined its digestion with synthetical remedies and
xl INTRODUCTION.
tested all the organs of the animal body, will return to the
most ancient remedies of mankind, to the medicinal plants and
drugs, for the utility of which the experience of the thousands
of years vouches.”’
There were other medical men also who were coming
to look upon drugs of synthetical origin acting upon the
system as foreign bodies, depressing and paralysing its func-
tions. But according to them such was not the case with
the drugs of vegetable origin which in their natural combina-
tion meet nutritional conditions of the system. The possibilities
and potentialities of medicinal plants and vegetable drugs have
not been as yet properly and fully studied. In an article on
“the teaching of chemical medicine,” in the British Medical
Jurnal of 3rd January, 1914, Dr. Mackenzie wrote that :—
“Not one single drug has been carefully studied so as to
understand its full effects on the human system, effects that
could be easily recognised had a systematic examination been
carried out when it was administered in the hospital wards.”
The above observation of Dr. Mackenzie is fully borne out by
what Dr. Charles J. Macalister, M.D., F.R.C.P. has discovered,
as reported in the British Medical Journal of January 6, 1912, in
Symphytum officenale, a plant known as “comfrey” in England.
He considers it as a “potent cell proliferant.” It was a long
forgotten remedy which was used in olden times to heal ulcers.
On analysis, the root of the plant was found to contain allantione
to which Dr. Macalister attributed its action as a potent cell
proliferant.
Dr. William Bramwell, M.A., M.D., B. Ch., of Liverpool,
concluded a note on the above-named plant published in the same
issue of the British Medical Jurnal in the following significant
words.
“Tt is indeed refreshing and gratifying, in these days of
serums and vaccines and highly complicated preparations, the
administration of which, im some cases, is fraught with the
gravest possible danger and soul-harrowing anxiety on the part
of the administrator, to find a physician of Dr. Macalister’s stan-
ding setting on foot the investigation of so simple and natural
a remedy as common comfrey.”
INTRODUCTION. xli
The present war has shown the necessity of using herbs and
plants in preference to Synthetics. The President of the Bo-
tanical section of the British Association held at New Castle in
1916, very truly observed, regarding the medicinal plant
industry, ‘ Experience would indicate that here is opportunity for
investigation, and, unless due care is taken, also danger of
waste of time, money and effort. A careful systematic study of
species, varieties and races is in some cases desirable in order to
ensure the growth of the most productive or valuable plant ;
and such a study might also reveal useful substitutes or addi-
tions. Here the co-operation between the scientific worker and
the commercial man is imperative.”
The study of medicinal plants is neglected by medical men
all over the world, but more so in India. These are con-
temptuously referred to as “ old women’s” remedies.* It is our
misfortune that the chemistry and pharmacology of most of these
plants have not been properly investigated.
The late Right Hon’ble Mr. Gladstone was a man of extra-
ordinary genius. As a scholar, politician, and statesman he will
ever shine in the pages of English history as long as England is
not effaced from the map of the World. In the course of a
speech, delivered on the 26th March, 1890, on the occasion of
the opening of Guy’s Hospital Residential College, referring to
the importance of the study of Botany with a view to learn
the “ qualities of plants which are so remarkable and power
ful in their healing capacities,” he said :—
“I am not aware whether Botany now forms a recognised branch of the
medical education, but I cannot help wishing that it did, and hoping that it
may in the future, first of all, not only because it is in itself a most beautiful
* Dr, John Foote, Associate Professor of Materia Medica and Therapeutics,
Georgetown University, Washington, writes of the importance of Trees in
Medicine as folloms :—
“And yet,in spite of the pharmaceutical image breakers and the thera-
peutic nihilists, some of the most valuable remedies used in medicine come
from trees. of * *
“And if, as has been asserted, the decadence of Rome was really due to
malaria, and if her glory was obscured by a cloud of mosquitoes rather than
by the dust of battles, then it may be that the possession of some cinchona
and the planting of the eucalyptus in the Roman marshes might have pre-
vented a great civilization from withering and fluttering away and changed
ce of history.” [Scientific American Supplement, January 13,
p. 26].
F
xlil INTRODUCTION.
and interesting study exercising the mind without fatiguing it, and stimulat-
ing the imagination without leading it astray, but also, because I cannot
help wishing, although I know it is too much to expect of our actual medical
men, that they should be careful observers of nature, yet in their younger
years, before they have entered on their great career, I cannot help wishing
that they had the habit of noticing all the qualities of plants which are so re-
markable and powerful in their healing capacities.’ Then Mr. Gladstone
narrated an anecdote, how the leaves of a plant healed the cut on his finger
caused by an axe in wood-cutting.
“You wili think it ludicrous, if I were to tell you a little anecdote of my
own, which is of the very simplest character, and it is so small and so slight
as almost to be contemptible, but still it illustrates what I mean. I have
been given, as is pretty well-known, or at least, I have been given to the
pursuit of wood-cutting, From a pure accident, | drew my fingers the other
day along the edge of the axe which was lying close by, and which was
tolerably sharp, and cut my finger. Upon searching about me I found I had
no handkerchief available. I wanted to staunch my little wound. Not
having a handkerchief, I got a leaf and put it on the wound. I am bound to
say that this was not the result of botanical knowledge, but it was a purely
empirical proceeding on the chance of the quality of the leaf. But there
was a curious result. I knew the time nature occupied in healing a little
breach of continuity, and when I put on the leaf, I assure you it is the fact,
that it healed in exactly half the time. It is hardly worth mentioning such
a thing as I say but I cannot help having the belief that there are good
treasures in nature more than have heretofore been explored in every
branch, To make medical students, before they have come to their great
responsibilities, observers of the great qualities and capabilities of plants,
I cannot help thinking that some good will be done,’’*
The importance of studying the subject of Indian medicinal
plants has been again and again insisted on by several writers.
It is too late in the day to discuss the necessity of such a study.
The ease and cheapness with which these are procurable, the
marvellous powers that are attributed to them in the cure of
different maladies by natives of India, should induce us to
investigate their properties and settle once for all their claims
on our attention.
Dr. John Lindley was a renowned botanist. His views on
the subject of vegetable drugs deserve careful consideration.
In the preface to his work on Flora Medica, he wrote :—
“ No one will be bold enough to assert that the physicians already possess
the most powerful agents produced by the vegetable kingdom ; for every year
is bringing some new plants into notice for its energy, while others are
* Guy’s Hospital Gazette for 29th March 1890, p. 72,
INTRODUOTION. xlili
excluded because of their inertness. In tropical countries, where a fervid
sun, a humid air, and a teeming soil give extraordinary energy to vegetable
life, the natives of those regions often recognise the existence of potent
herbs unknown to the European practitioner. No doubt such virtues are
often as fabulous and imaginary as those of indigenous plants long since
rejected by the sagacity of European practice. But we are not altogether
to despise the experience of nations less advanced in knowledge than our-
selves, or to suppose, because they may ascribe imaginary virtues to some
of their officinal substances, as has been abundantly done by ourselves in
former days, that therefore the remedial properties of the plants are not
worthy of serious investigation or that their medical knowledge is beneath
our notice because they are unacquainted with the terms of modern science.
It is not much above 20 years since an English officer in India was cured of
gonorrheea by his native servant, after the skill of regular European practi-
tioners had been exhausted. The remedy employed was Cubebs, the import-
ance of which was previously unknown, and the rationale of whose action is
to this day beyond the discovery of physiologists. It is of undoubted value
in urethral catarrh : and who shall say that there are not hundreds of equally
powerful remedies still remaining to be discovered. * * 1 and it
must be sufficiently apparent to all unprejudiced minds, that the resources
of the vegetabie kingdom, far from being exhausted, have hardly yet been
called into existence. It is presumptuous for the theorist to assert that he
already possesses a remedy for all the maladies that flesh is heir to; it is
mere idleness in the routine practitioner, carried away by the attraction of
spacious generalities, to fancy that one tonic is as good as another tonic, or
one purgative as another purgative. Jn reality the true cause of the differ-
ent actions of medicines upon the human body is admitted by the highest
authorities to be wholly unknown; and surely this is in itself the best of all
reasons why we should not assume that we already possess against disease
ali the remedies which nature affords ; on the contrary it should stimulate us
to reiterated enquiries into the peculiar action of new remedial agents, * *
* “And they (i.e., European practitioners) find the medicines which are
powerful in Europe, comparatively inactive in other climates. The heat ofa
country, its humidity, particular localities, food, and the social habits of a
people will predispose them to varieties of disease for which the drugs of
Europe offer no safficient remedy, and will render that which is relied upon
in one country unworthy of dependence in another. Thus the Cinchona bark
of Peru, important as it is in Europe, is, we are told, rejected by the people
among whom it grows, because it is found too stimulating and heating for
their excitable constitutions. And speaking of Ipecacuanha, Dr. Von Maritus,
who so carefully examined practically the Materia Medica of Brazil, asserts
“nullumest dubium quin Emetica in terris zonne fervidae subjects effectus
producent multo magis salutares quam in regionibus frigidioribus.”
“This last observation seems to indicate, that if emetic plants are so
much more common in hot than cold countries, it is because there is so much
greater a necessity for them, The late Mr. Burnett, and many other persons,
have asserted that every country spontaneously furnishes remedies for those
maladies which the people of the soil are naturally subject to, and that the
xliv INTRODUCTION.
foreign drugs imported into the markets of Europe would soon be superseded
to a great extent, if the properties of European plants were carefully
examined. It is contended, in illustration of this opinion, that Salicine,
obtained from our native Willows is equal in energy to Quinine, and that it is
formed by Providence in low marshy places exactly where remittent and
intermittent fevers are experienced most frequently, and with the greatest
severity * 5 * * * * * x
“Such a subject of investigation is by no means unimportant when it is
considered * 3 * that exotic drugs are not only costly, but
often so much adulterated as to be unfit for use * ® * *«
“Tt by no means follows that plants are inert because medical men have
reported unfavourably of their action. The most powerful species have had
their energy destroyed by unskilful preparation, or by not knowing at what
season to collect them. he i * * * *
the very nature of the climate of tropical countries generally causes the
properties of plants to be more concentrated and completely elaborated than
in Northern latitude.”
If.
So far the indigenous drugs have not been carefully and sys-
tematically studied. The Executive Committee of the Calcutta
International Exhibition for 1883-84, reported that ‘it
must be admitted that our ignorance of the properties and
uses of indigenous drugs is scarcely pardonable. It seems
highly desirable that the whole subject should be gone
into with greater care than has yet been done, both with the view
of weeding out the worthless from the good, and of preparing
the way for a number of the better class native drugs taking
the place of some of the more expensive and imported medicines
of Europe. It seems remarkable that so large an amount of
aconite should be collected in Nepal and exported to Europe,
in order to be re-imported into India before it can find its way to
the poor people who crowd around our dispensaries. Illustrations
of a similar nature can be multiplied indefinitely. Atropa
Belladonna, the deadly nightshade, for example, is a common
weed on the Himalayas from Simla to Kashmir, yet every ounce
of the drug used in India is imported from Europe, the Indian
plant having apparently been entirely overlooked.’*
* Official Report of the Calcutta International Exhibition, 1883-84, Vol. I,
pp. 316-317,
INTRODUCTION. xlv
But for the proper study of the subject, a work exclusively
devoted to Indian medicinal plants has been a great desideratum
in the medical literature of India. Messrs. Hooker and Thomp-
son writing as far back as 1855, said :—
‘We have had a considerable experience both in medical
and economic botany, and we announce boldly our conviction
that so far as India is concerned these departments are at a
standstill for want of an accurate scientific guide to the flora of
that country.’*
The flora of British India commenced by Sir Joseph Hooker
in 1872 is now completed. The great value of this work as a
scientific guide to the plants of this country can hardly be
doubted. The foundation of a medical botany of India should
be grounded on this work. In this medical botany should be
included all the plants that are used medicinally by the natives
of this country. A very large number, perhaps the vast majority
of these plants, will be found perfectly useless, but in the present
state of our knowledge we are not justified in excluding any
from the list. The great aim of this work being to collect and
identify the medicinal plants of the country, it should, after
giving the plants its modern scientific name, insert the synonyms
under which it was known in former times.
The value of Sanskrit and vernacular names of plants has
been much questioned by botanists for purposes of identification.
But, I think, these synonyms help a great deal towards identi-
fication. T
* Introductory Essay to the Flora Indica, p. 8, London, 1855.
{ The importance of Sanskrit names of plants was fully understood by
Sir William Jones, the President Founder of the Asiatic Society of Bengal.
More than a century ago he suggested that “ the first step in compiling a trea-
tise on the plants of India should be to write their true names in Roman
letters, according to the most accurate orthography, and in Sanskrit preferably
to any vulgar dialect; because a learned language is fixed in books, while
popular idioms are in constant fluctuation, and will not perhaps be understood
a century hence by the inhabitants of these Indian territories, whom future
botanists may consult on the common appellations of trees and flowers.”
(Sir Wm, Jones’ Works, Vol. II, London, 1799, p. 2.)
On another occasion Sir Wm, Jones said :—
“T am very solicitous to give Indian plants their true Indian appellation ;
because I am fully persuaded, that Linnzeus himself would have adopted them,
had he known the learned and ancient language of this country. * * * Far
am I from doubting the great importance of perfect botanical descriptions ;
for languages expire as nations decay, and the true sense of many appellatives
in every dead language must be lost in the course of ages; but as long as those
xlvi INTRODUCTION.
Much trouble will be saved to the experimenting physician
by the help of the country names of plants. Modern India
appellatives remain understood, a travelling physician who should wish to
procure an Arabian or Indian plant, and without asking forit by its learned
or vulgar name, should hunt for it in the woods by its botanical character,
would resemble a geographer, who, desiring to inquire by name for a street or
a town, but waits with his tables and instruments for a proper occasion to
determine its longitude and latitude.” (‘ Botanical Observations on select
Indian Plants.” Sir Wm. Jones’ Works, Vol. II P. 47, London, 1799.)
In Sanskrit every plant bears several synonyms which may facilitate in
tracing the history and identification of the plant.
“Every single word in Sanskrit,’ writes Professor Sir Monier Williams,
“is referred to dhatu or root which is also a name for any constituent element-
ary substance, whether of rocks or living organisms, In short, when we follow
out their grammatical system in all the details of its curious subtleties and
technicalities, we seem to be engaged, like a geologist, in splitting solid
substances, or like a chemist, in some elaborate process of analysis.” (Preface
to Sanskrit Dictionary p. vi.)
These Sanskrit synonyms to be of any use, should be accompanied with a
literal translation into English.
Mr. C. B. Clarke does not think that the vernacular names of plants help
much in identifying them. For he says:
“Thave observed that the eagerness to get native or vulgar names for
plants is directly proportioned to the ignorance of the enquirer, those who
know nothing about the plants and who are unable to discriminate them under
any names being always loud in their call for native or local names.”
Again, “as to the grand Sanskrit names, they are of still less value than
the vulgar ones, being founded on less actual observation, with the object of
enriching the language,’ (Preface by Mr. Clarke to his Edition of Roxburgh’s
Flora Indica, p. ii, Calcutta, 1874.)
I think these remarks of Mr. Clarke are not quite justifiable, and they are
not shared in by other eminent botanists. For instance, Sir David Brandis,
who has been called the “ Father of Indian Forestry,” says regarding the
vernacular names of plants, :—
“ The critical examination of the vernacular names of the different Indian
languages, and their derivation from the Sanskrit or other roots, will be found
a most interesting and important study. * * * * The forester should
not despise vernacular names, for in many instances they have a fixity which
systematic names do not yet possess, We all know the ever green Khirni,
and there can be no mistake about it; but botanists are not yet agreed whe-
ther the tree shall be called Mimusops indica, hexandra or Kauki. Kamela
or Kamila is a well-known small tree, its systematic name among Indian
botanists, however, which for more than half a century was Rottleria tinctoria
has now and properly been changed into Mallotus philippinensis, Again,
there can be no doubt as to the tree designated by kao, kan. Although some
botanists call it olea europea, others olea cuspidata, and others olea ferruginea.
x * * These changes of systematic names are not arbitrary—-as a rule,
they are dictated by the progress of scientific research; but they are apt
to discourage the student, and on that account, also, vernacular names merit
attention.” (Forest Flora of N. W. India, Preface: pp. xi and xii, London,
1874.)
When the Pharmacopoeia of India was issued, it was considered a great
defect in the work that it had not given the vernacular names of the plants.
In reviewing the work, a writer said :—
“ Many of the non-officinal remedies, the introduction of which to regular
practice is avowedly one of the objects of the publication of this Pharmaco-
peia, are dismissed without a single vernacular name for them being given.
The recommendation, for example, of the committee, that Hymenodictyon
INTRODUCTION. xlvll
abounds with professional herbalists. ‘There are the Musheras
in Central and Upper India, whose principal livelihood consists
in the collection and sale of medicinal roots and herbs.*
In Bengal there are the Malis, Bagdis, Kaibartas,
Pods, Chandals, Kaoras and Karangas, who principally carry
on the trade in jungle products.| In Bombay, the Chadras,
Bhils, and Gamtas are the herbalists. Now, these communities
can prove of immense service to our medical practitioners 1n
supplying medicinal plants. But as they are not trained in
any university so as to be able to understand the Latin or scien-
tific names of plants, the only way to secure their services
lies with the medical practitioners in mastering the native
names of plants. A great deal of time and trouble will be
saved by thus giving the vernacular names of plants the impor-
tance they deserve.
It is, however, proper to add that too much confidence can not
be placed in the vernacular nomenclature. In [ndia, in the same
district, one and the same name is applied to two or more
different plants. And in some instances, names without any
excelsum should be looked to as likely to prove a valuable specific for malari-
ous fevers, is pretty certain to be quite thrown away ona medical officer,
who is not an expert in botany, for not a single native name for this tree is
given either in the book itseli or in the index ; and though it might happen
to grow in forests round his station, the committee put him in possession of
no means of recognising it, * * * This very grave defect in the
Pharmacopoeia, cannot be removed by the publication of a separate catalogue
of native names, as proposed. In a second edition we hope to see not onlya
full vernacular index, but to find, following the botanical name of each
substance, as complete alist as possible of the vernacular synonyms for it
which are current in the three presidencies.” (Calcutta Review for 1869,
p. 201.)
All the above extracts will show that the importance of vernacular names
of plants is fully recognised by those whose opinion is entitled to respect on
this subject,
* An excellent account of this tribe is given by Mr. J. C. Nesfield,
M. A., Inspector of Oudh Division, Lucknow, in the Caleutta Review for
January, 1888. Mr, Nesfield writes :—“ Indian physicans (Vaidya) and Indian
druggists (Pansari) are almost dependent as far as medicines are concerned,
on what Musheras supply to them. * * It is much to the eredit of
Musheras that they have given a marked preference to the study of nature,
and opened the door to the discovering of natural remedies. In fact, their
knowledge of medicine is one of the chief characteristics of this tribe. * *
They collect medicinal herbs for sale and receive grain or money for
what they supply. * * * I know of no parallel to such knowledge as
that pcssessed by Musheras within India itself.” (Calcutta Review, pp. 40-41,
for January, 1888.)
{ Hunter’s Statistical Account of Bengal, Vol. I, p. 27,
xlvili INTRODUCTICN.
significance are invented by villagers to satisfy the curiosity of
enquiring botanists. These names are ofno use. Such being
the case, a knowledge of botany to critically examine a plant is
absolutely necessary.
Besides botanical description and vernacular nomenclature,
illustrations of plants prove a great help in identifying them.
Though illustrations of several thousands of Indian plants
are scattered in the works of Rheede, Roxburgh, Royle, Wight,
Wallich, Beddome, Brandis, and Griffith and inthe journals of
the Linnan and other learned societies, yet a very large number
of medicinal plants of this country remains to be illustrated.*
The sooner illustrations of these plants are made the better for
the cause of the study of indigenous drugs.
After proper means have been taken to identify the medicin-
al plants, so that we are quite sure that we all mean the same
thing by the same name, we should turn our attention to the
study of their properties and uses. We may commence such
study with advantage, and it will be, moreover, of historical
importance, if we first of all take into consideration the uses to
which these plants were put in ancient’times by the Hindus.
With this view, we should consult the medical works of the
Hindus, e. g., Charaka, Sushruta, Nighantu, &e.
Nor should we despise the experience and observation of the
Greco-Arabic School of practitioners regarding the uses of the
indigenous drugs. Thus the Taleef Sheriff (which has been
translated into English), is an excellent work on therapeutics,
and gives within a narrow compass the uses of some of the most
important medicinal plants of this country.
We should also take into consideration those drugs which
are in much use amongst rustics and villagers, and of which
no account is to be met with in the works of either the Hindu
or Greco-Arabic school of practitioners. It is a pity that no
attempt has yet been made to collect information from the villa-
gers regarding the medicinal virtues of plants that grow around
* Most of the above mentioned works, however, are out of print, and being
rare, are hardly within the reach of the most of the members of medical pro-
fession.
INTRODUCTION. xlix
them and the uses to which they are put. * If we turn to the
past history of our art, we find that our knowledge regarding
the properties of some of the most useful medicines has been
obtained in this empirical way.
Lastly, we should not neglect to bestow our attention on those
indigenous plants which have not been used medicinally by the
natives of this country, but are in much use in other countries.
After recording the medicinal uses, we have to commence
the more important subject, viz., that of “weeding out the
worthless from the good’ amongst these medicinal plants. For
this purpose, we have to seek the aid of chemistry. It is well-
known that plants generally owe their virtues as medicinal agents ©
to certain characteristic alkaloids and principles present in them.
Because a complete and full chemical analysis of the medicinal
plants of this country has not yet been performed, it is therefore
that there exists so much uncertainty regarding their actions.
This isolation of principles will constitute a great improvement
in pharmacy. For, then, instead of using preparations made
from plants which differ in constitution from time to time, and
vary in the strength of their active principles and physiological
characteristics, depending on the climate, season, and amount of
sunshine under which, and the soil in which, they have grown, we
should use the active principles in which the same variability is
unlikely to occur. Moreover, they would possess the advantages
of being always alike, easily assimilable and capable of ready
solubility, ease in administration and rapidity as well as certainty
of action. Then a practitioner also could carry his whole
dispensary in a portable form.t
This chemical analysis would also help us in determining
the actions of medicines in health and disease. It should,
however, be borne in mind, that chemical analysis but imperfectly
reveals the real nature of many drugs. The presence of dissociated
* Vanausadi Prakds, by Mr. Vasudev Chintaman Bapat, in Mahrathi, is
as far as I-know, the only work which gives the uses to which some of the
' medicinal plants are put by the natives of Concan.
| The alkaloids have all been discovered within the last 100 years. For
want of chemical investigation indigenous drugs are used in their crude forms,
instead of their alkaloids or active principles. Brunton’s “ Iron Age of
Therapeutics,” is one of remote and uncertain future, but I believe a great
deal of iron, if not steel, can be extracted, very useful for all practical
purposes from the stones in the shape of our indigenous drugs.
G
i | INTRODUCTION.
ions, of colloidal metals, with an action analogous to that of
ferments, and of known and unknown physical properties, such
as radio-activity, probably enter into the action of many
drugs. All the phenomena of plant life are not explicable in
terms of chemistry and physics; there are certain residual
phenomena which point to the existence of what may be called
in the present state of our knowledge, “‘ vital force.”*
It is hence, that many medical practitioners have been
disappointed with tinctures and other preparations of medicinal
plants, because such preparations did not give any satisfactory
results when prescribed to patients. Speaking of Oolut-Kumbal,
(Abroma augusta) Dr. Bhoobun Mohun Sirkar wrote in the
Indian Medical Gazette for May, 1900 :—
“Attempts have been made to administer the drug in the
more acceptable forms of tincture, pill or powder, but none prove
so efficacious as the fresh viscid sap in substance in which form
[ have used it with wonderful results.” A
It is well-known that the people of India use the juice of fresh
vegetables for medicinal purposes. But on chemical analysis,
these vegetables do not yield any peculiar chemical substances to
which their curative virtues could be justly attributed. It has
been the tendency of late, therefore, to disapprove the use of
such vegetable remedies. A well-known medical man writes in
Allbutt’s System of Medicine :—
“The chemical composition of a drug is not unfrequently
the key to its pharmacological action.............. If a drug have
no active properties, it is surely devoid of medicinal effect unless
it be a food ; for medicinal action is the outcome of the effects of
active principles on tissues. It is always possible that in any
particular drug the active medicinal agent may have escaped
notice; but in the present state of chemical science it is not
likely that undiscovered principles reside in such substances
as sarsaparilla and hemidesmus: yet these drugs are given on
* Biochemistry of plants and animals has not yet been fully investigated.
We do not know even much about the function of enzymes, regarding which
two views are held one that they area property and the other that they
are a substance, Chemistry cannot produce them. They are found only as
the products of protoplasm of living cells. It may be that many processes
taking place in living cells are the results of Enzyme activity.
INTRODUCTION. li
the testimony of experience,—a testimony no stronger than that
which has supported scores of other agents eventually discarded.
If the indications, given by the pharmacological examination of
a drug, are opposed to experience in its favour, the latter must
almost certainly be at fault.” *
But clinical experiences and observations of eminent physi-
cians on the actions of a drug are as much entitled to respect and
consideration as its pharmacological examination. So the view of
the writer quoted above does not seem to us to be sound.
The modern method of therapeutical investigation is, first,
to observe the action of a drug on a healthy animal, and then to
make the results applicable to pathological states. The ancients
recognised only one mode of studying the effects of a remedy,
and that was by the simple observation of effects produced by
drugs when administered in disease. This clinical observation
of the action of remedies has been productive of some good, but
it is questionable if much progress was effected so long as this
method alone was employed. Towards the beginning of the
nineteenth century, the necessity for ascertaining the actions of
remedies by experiments on animals, was recognised by Bichat,
Majendie, and others. This modern method of therapeutical
research promises a great success. Working on this line, Lauder
Brunton was able to use with success nitrite of amyl in angina
pectoris. Here a correct application of a known action in a drug
was made serviceable in the very first trial. The pharmacological
experiments and clinical observations will thus settle the claims
of Indian drugs on our attention. |
IIT.
The Vedic Aryans were acquainted with about a hundred
medicinal plants. When aking appoints a Purohita, he repeats
a prayer in which he entreats that all the herbs of a hundred
kinds over which King Somarules will grant him uninterrupted
happiness.
From the works of Charaka and Sushruta we learn that the
Indo-Aryans were acquainted with a large number of medicinal
* Dr. D. J, Leech in Vol. I of Allbutt’s System of Medicine, London, 1896,
lh INTRODUCTION.
plants. In Sushruta are recorded the properties and uses of some
700 of them; but all of these were not indigenous to India.
Some foreign drugs were imported into this country. In ancient
times there was a trade in drugs between the Hindoos and other
nations. Liquorice, which does not grow in this country, was ex-
tensively used in Hindoo Medicine. It grows in Asia Minor
and Central Asia, and was brought to this country by the no-
madic tribes of Central Asia. We find mention of it in Charaka
and Sashruta. The majority, however, of the medicinal plants
in these works were indigenous to this country. Their pro-
perties were known by empirical means. Information regarding
them was gathered from hunters and shepherds. For this purpose,
physicians were enjoined to penetrate forests and climb moun-
tains.
The works of Charaka and Sushruta appear to have been
composed in the pre-Buddhist period. The rise of Buddhism
gave an impetus to the study of medicine in ancient India.
The edicts of Asoka provided the establishment of hospitals at
all principal towns and cities of India for the sick and the
wounded. ‘The Buddhist missionaries penetrating the dreary
wilderness of Siberia and Central Asia preaching the tenets
of benevolence and humanity to the savage tribes, also attended
to treating the sick and the wounded. They were in one
sense medical missionaries. The teachings of the Hindoo system
of medicine were also spread to the countries which adopted
Buddhism. The Buddhist missionaries brought with thera
drugs of other nations to India, and thus enriched the materia
medica of Hindoo physicians.
The Greek invasion was not without influence on the medical
practice of ancient India. The savants who accompanied the
army of Alexander learnt much uf the metaphysical, philosophi-
cal, and medical systems from the Hindoos. The successors
of Alexander brought Greece and India into closer contact.
Commerce was established between the two countries. It was
thus that a large number of drugs of Central Asia and Asia
Minor found their way to India. Greek physicians also came
to know several medicinal plants of thiscountry. As the Greeks
INTRODUCTION. liu
learnt much of the healing art from the Hindoos, so the latter
-were indebted for their knowledge concerning several foreign
drugs to the Greeks.
The rise of Muhammadanism brought about a new era in the
history of civilization. The Arabs paid great attention to the
cultivation of science and art. Although they did not discover
or invent anything new, yet they preserved most of the known
sciences of the ancient world. Without them, it is doubtful if
the modern world would have been in possession of the philoso-
phicaland scientific lore of the Greeks or the Hindoos. Hindoo
physicians adorned the court of the rulers of Bagdad. Medical
works of the Hindoos such as Charaka, Sushruta, Nidana, &c.,
were translated into Arabic. The teachings of Hippocrates,
Democritus, and other Greek physicians were made known to
the world by the countrymen of Muhammad. When India came
to be under the Islamic power, Muhammmadan physicians known
as Yunani Hakims were patronized by the court. They were
versed in the medical lore of the Greeks. They brought with
them the teachings and doctrines of the Greek masters of the
healing art, and also made known the properties and uses of
several drugs of Central Asia. The Hindoo system of medicine,
on the rise of the Muhammadan power, came to a stand-still ;
but the Hindoos were not slow in making use of those drugs
which their Muhammadan conquerors had made known to them.
Of all the drugs perhaps the most important one imported into
India by the Muhammadans was opium. Before the Muham-
madan supremacy in India, there is hardly any mention of
opium to be met with in Hindoo works of Materia Medica. The
principal works of Hindoo Materia Medica composed during
the Muhammadan period of Indian history are :—
(lL) kaja Nighantu, by Narahari Pandita. Regarding this
work, Professor H. H. Wilson writes that “‘ from the frequent
occurrence of the Dakhini terms in explanation of his Sanskrit
text 1t is inferred that he was an inhabitant of the south of
India.” The date of composition of this work has been fixed by
the same authority at some time between the 12th and 13th cen-
turies. (Vide H. H. Wilson’s Works, Vol. V., p. 237.)
liv INTRODUCTION.
(2) Madana Pédla Nighantu, by Madana Pala, a king of
Kanauj. The late Raja Rajendra Lala Mitra placed the date of »
composition of this work somewhere in the twelfth century (vide
R. L. Mitra’s Notices of Sanskrit MSS. II, p. 264). |
(3) Bhéva Prakdga, by Bhava Migra. It treats of Anatomy,
Physiology, Medicine, Surgery, Materia Medica, and Therapeu-
tics. Its date has been fixed at about the sixteenth century.*
This work gives a very concise and clear account of all the
medicinal plants and anima! and mineral substances used medi-
cinally by Hindoo physicians. . |
Yunini Hakims, that is the Muhammadan physicians of India,
also have written a great deal concerning the indigenous drugs
of this country. The encouragement accorded to Muhammadan
physicians by their rulers led them to produce many meritorious
works on medicine. Under the patronage of the court of Dehli,
the Yunani Hakims vied with one another in paying attention
to the study of indigenous drugs. Their works are however
not of any antiquity. The Taleef Shernff is a monograph,
clearly setting forth the views of Yundni Hakims on indigenous
drugs. The Makhzan-ul-Adwiy4, which has been made much
use of by Dr. Dymock in his Vegetable Materia Medica of
Western India, is also another important work on the subject.
There are several other works by Muhammadan physicians, some
in Persian, and others in Urdu, treating of indigenous drugs.
It is during the Christian period of Indian history, that our
knowledge regarding indigenous drugs has been much increased
by the investigations and labors of botanists and physicians. The
three myrobalans of the East were eagerly sought after by the
early Portuguese discoverers of the sea-route to India. Indian
spices were also made known to Europe by them. Informations
concerning the drugs of this country are scattered in the works
of European travellers and navigators to this country during the
sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.t At the same time several
* The late Dr.U. C. Dutt has given strong reasons for the work heing
a production of the sixteenth century, see introduction to his Materia Medica
of the Hindoos.
1 A very important work was that of Garcia D’orta, named Colloquios does
simples e droges da India. This has been lately translated into English,
INTRODUCTION. lv
foreign medicinal plants, especially of America, were brought to
and naturalized in India by the Portuguese, Dutch, and other
maritime nations. Agave Americana, Ananasa sativa, Anona
squamosa, and several other native plants of America are now to
be met with throughout the peninsula of Hindustan. Von Rheede
tried to gather all the informations about the medicinal uses of
the plants of this country in his Hortus Malabariea, which should
be looked upon as the first systematic work by a Kuropean, giv-
ing the medicinal uses of the plants of India. But little attention
was paid to the medicinal plants of this country till the founda-
tion of the Asiatic Society of Bengal. The Society was estab-
lished mainly through the exertions of Sir Willam Jones, who
was its first president. He was as great a botanist as a classical
scholar. He looked upon the Society as corresponding in its
aims and objects to the Royal Society of England. The Asiatic
Society has fulfilled the expectations of its gifted founder. Sir
William Jones himself pointed owt the importance and necessity
of studying the Indian medicinal plants. In a paper on the
design of a treatise on the plants of India, read by him before
the Bengal Asiatic Society, he said that “Some hundreds of
plants which are yet imperfectly known to Kuropean botanists
and with the virtues of which they are wholly unacquainted,
grow wild on the plains andin the forests of India. The
Amarakosha, an excellent vocabulary of the Sanskrit language,
contains in one chapter the names of about 300 medicinal
vegetables; the Medint may comprise many more; and the
Dravydbhidhéna or Dictionary of natural productions includes,
I believe, a far greater number, the properties of which are
distinctly related in medical tracts of approved authority.”
The example set by Sir William Jones was not lost upon his
successors. Roxburgh, the Linnaeus of Indian Botany, collected
all the informations about the medicinal plants of this country
in his Flora Indica. Professor Lindley in his work on Flora
Medica is indebted for his information regarding the medicinal
plants of India to Roxburgh’s magnum opus. Roxburgh’s
Flora Indica was an authority on the medicinal plants of this
* Sir Wm, Jones’ Works, London, 1799, vol. II, p. 2.
lvi INTRODUCTION.
country till the publication of the Pharmacopeia of India.
Mr. Clarke in his edition of Roxburgh’s Flora Indica writing
in 1874, truly observed that “Roxburgh contains all the
Economie Indian Botany known to him, and we have added
very few economic facts since. * * * We have had plenty
of Government and other reports, some very large and expensive
ones it is true, but we have very little economic work by persons
competent as botanists. * * * Roxburgh is most trust-
worthy in his Economic botany, and contains virtually all that
is known on the subject.’’*
In the beginning of the nineteenth century, John Flemming
contributed a valuable paper on the medicinal plants of this
country. It was a monograph of no inconsiderable value and
was published in the Asiatic Researches, Vol. XJ, for 1810 under
the title “‘ A Catalogue of Indian Medicinal Plants and Drugs
with their names in Hindustani and Sanskrit.” For the first
time, the scattered information on the subject was collected and
placed before the medical profession.
The most important work, a work which is referred to by all
writers on indigenous drugs composed during the early part of
the last century, was the Materia Indica of Ainslie. He spent
the period of his Indian exile in Madras, and has given a very
satisfactory account of the drugs in common use in that Presi-
dency.
The formation of the Medico-physical Society of Calcutta,
contributed not a little to the study of indigenous drugs. In
the Transactions of that Society were described for the first
time some of the vegetable drugs of this country. Wallich,
Horace Hayman Wilson, Dewan Ram Comal Sen, and several
others brought to the notice of the profession many native
remedies.
The labors of Dr. J. F. Royle deserve special mention ; for
he paid especial attention to the economical plants of this coun-
try. The Botanical Gardens of Saharanpore owe a great deal
to his labors. In his works on the Antiquity of Hindoo Med1-
cine, Materia Medica, and Botany of the Himalayan mountains,
* Clarke’s edition of Roxburgh’s Flora Indica, Calcutta, 1874, Preface, p. iii,
INTRODUOTION. lvil
he brought tc the notice of the medical profession several medi-
cinal plants in common use amongst the inhabitants of India.
The advantages which Saharanpore possesses for the naturali-
zation of plants of the colder regions induced him to try and
cultivate the medicinal plants of other countries. He also contri-
buted an excelleat paper on the Bazar medicines to the Journal
of the Bengal Asiatic Society. *
Mention should also be made to the labors of the Agri-
Horticultural Society. The Society with its branches in different
parts of India has rendered some help to the cause of indigenous
drugs, as is evident by the Transactions of the Society.
Sir William O’Shaughnessy, who was the first Director of
Telegraphs in India and occupied the chair of Chemistry at the
Medical College, Calcutta, spent many years in investigating
the subject of indigenous drugs. Several drugs were for the
first time chemically analysed by him. Dr. Wallich, who was
at that time in charge of the Calcutta Botanical Garden,
rendered him much help in identifying the medicinal plants of
India. The combined labors of O'Shaughnessy and Wallich
have produced the valuable pharmacopeeia of Bengal, published
under the authority of the Government of Bengal in 1844. No
pains were spared by O’Shaughnessy to make use of the labors
of his predecessors. The publication of this work gave a fresh
stimulus to the study of inligenous drugs. ‘The subject even
engaged the attention of chemists and pharmaceutists of Europe,
and several drugs were admitted as officinal in the pharmaco-
poeias of other countries.
The holding of exhibitions has been the most important
means in increasing our knowledge of indigenous drugs. I
doubt if the amount of information which we possess at present
about indigenous drugs could have been derived from any other
source. ‘l’he idea of exhibitions originated with the late Prince
Albert, under whose auspices the first one was held in London
in 1851. Dr. Royle was placed in charge of indigenous drugs, but
I do not think the first exhibition, which was rather a trial, made
* This paper was published under the title “ Articles of Materia Medica
obtained in the Bazars of India,” in the first volume of the Bengal Asiatic
Society’s Journal,
H
lyiii INTRODUCTION.
any material addition to our knowledge of the subject. In the
second International Exhibition in London of 1862, Dr. J. F.
Watson was placed in charge of the indigenous drugs. For
the first time, several indigenous drugs were brought to light.
In the interval between the first exhibition of 1851 and the
second one of 1862, several exhibitions were held in different
parts of this country. But I do not think they added anything
to our knowledge of indigenous drugs.
The publication of the Pharmacopceia of India in 1867
under the authority of Her Majesty’s Secretary of State for
India marked an epoch in the history of the subject. To this
day, that stands out as the authoritative work on the native
remedies of thiscountry. “ With the view, firstly, of bringing
to the notice of the profession in India those indigenous drugs
which European experience has proved to possess value as
medicinal agents, and which may be employed as efficient sub-
stitutes for imported articles; and, secondly, of remodelling
the Bengal Pharmacopceia of 1844, Her Majesty’s Secretary of
State for India in Council was pleased to sanction the publica-
tion of a Pharmacopceia for India based upon the British
Pharmacopoeia, which, while affording all the information
contained in that work of practical use in India, would embody
and combine with it such supplementary matter of special
value in that country as should adapt it to meet the require-
ments of the Indian Medical Department.” *
The information that lay scattered among a large number
of periodicals was brought together in this work and made
accessible for reference to the medical officers serving in this
country. Between the publication in Calcutta of the Bengal
Pharmacopoeia in 1844, and the issue of the Indian Pharma
copceia in 1868, that is during the period of twenty-four years,
great advances were made in our knowledge regarding the me-
dicinal properties and therapeutic uses of the indigenous drugs.
The establishment of Medical Colleges and schools in this
country also advanced our knowledge of indigenous drugs. The
graduates whom the colleges turned out directed their attention
* Preface to the Indian Pharmacopeeia, p. vi.
INTRODUCTION. lix
to the subject. They were not slow in recognising the import-
ance of the study of indigenous drugs. There were other
laborers also in the field. Dr. Waring, who edited the Indian
Pharmacopeeia so creditably, was one of the most painstaking
and careful observers of the properties and uses of indigenous
drugs. His attention was drawn to the subject when serving
out in Burma. The stock of his European medicines having
been exhausted, he was in great perplexity and hardly knew
what to do. In such a crisis, he turned to the medicinal plants
of the country. His extensive knowledge of Botany stood him
in good stead greatly. He found indigenous drugs to answer
his purposes as satisfactorily as the costly imported medicines
of Kurope. The series of papers under the title, “ Notes on
some of the principal Indigenous Tonics, Anthelmintics, &c., of
India,” published in the early volumes of the “Indian Annals
of Medical Science,” now defunct, shows the careful and pains-
taking manner in which he had studied the subject.
The use of the Pharmacopceiaasa text book in the colleges
and schools of this country, has also been productive of some
good. The Pharmacopcia Committee was not wrong in impart-
ing an educational character to their publication. The native
remedies having been rendered familiar during the period of
studentship, have been often made use of by Indian Medical
Graduates.
Mention should also be made of the establishment of the Forest
Department and the School of Forestry in this country as helping
in increasing our knowledge of indigenous drugs. The forest
officers have brought to light several plants used medicinally
by the natives of this country. The late Dr. Stewart in his Pun-
jab Plants, mentioned a large number of medicinal plants used
by the rustics and villagers of the Panjab. Mr. Gamble and other
forest officers have also noticed the medicinal plants of other
parts of India. The increase inour knowledge of the proper-
ties and uses of the indigenous drugs by these means has not
been inconsiderable.
The Calcutta International Exhibition of 1883-84 has done
much towards the study of indigenous drugs, Credit is due to
lx INTRODUCTION.
Mr. T. N. Mukerjee and Sir George Watt, who spared no pains
to make the Exhibition of indigenous drugs as complete as
possible. The Dictionary of the Economie Products of India,
originally projected by Mr. Mukherji, but subsequently complet-
ed by Dr. G. Watt, contains informations from all possible sour-
ces, as to the uses and properties of indigenous drugs.
IV.
“The only way to illumine the whole field of native thera-
peutics,’ wrote an intelligent foreigner, “is to survey it in
small tracts and sift the value of those drugs peculiar to each
PLOVINCG: "22.47 There is a wide feeling that there is a bene-
ficence in the scheme of nature which provides in every country
suitable remedies on the spot for the ill to which hurnanity is
locally most prone. Very little has been done so far to in-
corporate in the practice of physicians in the country the
medicines which in India nature scatters broadcast from her
lap |
It is necessary to pass in review the principal works which
have advanced our knowledge of the subject. In order to do
this, we should take into consideration those works which treat
of the drugs of the different provinces of this country. In fact,
excluding the ‘“‘ Pharmacopceia of India,” the “ Pharmacogra-
phica Indica” and Watt’s “ Dictionary of the Economic Products
of India,” all the works which have made their appearance deal
with drugs and medicinal plants of certain provinces only. For
obvious reasons this arrangement is a good one.*
I have already stated the great stimulus that was given to
the study of the subject by the establishment of the Asiatic
Society of Bengal. Calcutta as till recently the Capital of India
possessing one of the finest Botanical gardens in the world afforded
great facilities for the study of the subject. Roxburgh, Fleming
and Royle were the first to write about the medicinal plants and
their uses in the Asiatic Researches and the Journal of the Bengal
Asiatic Society. But there was no systematic treatise on the
* Of the drugs used by the ancient Hindus, the best account in English
is the work on Hindu Materia Medica by the late Dr. Udoy Chand Dutt. This
work requires re-editing.
INTRODUCTION. lxi
indigenous drugs of Bengal till the publication of O’Shaugh-
nessy’s Bengal Dispensatory in 1842. Before the publication of
this work, information concerning indigenons drugs was scat-
tered in the journals and transactions of several learned societies,
which were not easily accessible to all members of the medical
profession. Mr. Louis DaCosta wrote in the Journal of the Ben-
gal Asiatic Society for May, 1837, “ it is a desideratum to know
how the natives have treated the subject of medicaments—what
of good their books contain—what of error. Our medical prac-
tice pays, perhaps, too little attention to vegetable remedies, of
which the orientals possess an infinite variety, many inert but
many active, and many also quite unknown to Europeans.” The
Bengal Dispensatory supplied a long-felt want on the subject.
This was followed in 1844 by the Bengal Pharmacopeeia. These
two works form important landmarks in the literature of indi-
genous drugs. They were not free from errors. Even the
author acknowledged that his multifarious duties prevented him
from bestowing that amount of attention on the subject which
its importance demanded. But considering the difficulties he
had to contend with, the scanty materials which existed on the
literature at his time, I think great credit is due to him for his
works. He was one of the pioneers in this field of research. And
it should not be forgotten that his Pharmacopoeia of Bengal
subsequently formed the groundwork of the Pharmacopceia of
India.
The next work on the “ Indigenous drugs of Bengal” is that
of Kanay Lal Dey. That gentleman is a well-known authority
on the subject. In 1862, for the International Exhibition held
in London, he forwarded indigenous drugs chiefly of Bengal.
The catalogue of drugs exhibited by him was subsequently pub-
lished in book-form at the request of the Inspector-General of
Civil Hospitals of Bengal. This work was a decided improve-
ment on O’Shaughnessy’s Pharmacopeia and Dispensatory.
No other work on the indigenous drugs of Bengal deserves
any notice. Mr. T. N. Mukerji’s “ Catalogue of Amsterdam
Kxhibition” is a useful one, but it is principally compiled from
the above sources,
Ixii INTRODUCTION.
There is no work treating of the indigenous drugs of Assam,
Orissa, or of Behar (excepting Irvine’s short account of the
Materia Medica of Patna, published in 1848)., Notices of some
of the medicinal plants and indigenous drugs of Assam
and Orissa are to be found in the Gazetteer volumes of those
provinces.
There have been a host of medical men to work out the
medicinal plants and indigenous drugs of Madras. In the early
days of the East India Company, Madras, the so-called benighted
Presidency of to-day, attracted more scientific and medical men
than any other part of India. It was on the Madras side that
most of the illustrated works on Indian Botany were prepared.
Rheede’s ‘“‘ Hortus Malabarica,’ Roxburgh’s “ Coromandel
Plants,” Wight’s “ Icones,’’ Beddome’s “ Flora Sylvatica”’ were
all prepared by men who labored in that Presidency. Ainslie’s
‘Materia Medica of Hindustan ” published in 1813, and “ Materia
Indica” published in 1826, are still works of reference on the
indigenous drugs of Madras. Waring was another authority on
the Madras indigenous drugs. His labors have been embodied
in the Pharmacopeceia of India.
Bidie’s “ Paris Exhibition Catalogue of Raw Products of
Southern India” is a useful publication on the indigenous
drugs of Madras. In the Madras Quarterly and Monthly
Journal of Medical Science, there are several papers from his
pen on the subject of indigenous drugs.
Moodeen Sheriff will always occupy a prominent place
amongst the workers on the subject of indigenous drugs. His
Supplement to the Pharmacopceia of India established his repu-
tation as a pharmaceutist of no mean order. His posthumous
work on the “ Materia Medica of Madras,” has brought our in-
formation on some of the indigenous drugs of that Presidency
up to date. It is unfortunate, however, that this work did not
receive the last finishing touch of the author.
he indigenous drugs of Bombay, though neglected for a
long time, have recently received proper attention. Dalzell and
Gibson’s “ Bombay Flora,” published in 1861, paved the way
to the better study of the subject. Birdwood’s “ Vegetable
INTRODUCTION. lxiil
Products of Bombay,’ published in 1862, was the first work that
gave a systematic account of the Bombay drugs. In the
Pharmacopeeia of India published in 1867, the Bombay drugs
were not adequately represented. But since then, due princi-
pally to the labors of Sakharam Arjun and Dymock, the
Bombay drugs have been far better worked out than those of
any other part of India. Sakharam Arjun’s ‘‘ Bombay Drugs”
was published in 1879. He wasa skilled botanist, being the
occupant of the Chair of Botany in the Grant Medical College.
This publication was intended to serve asa catalogue of the
Indian drugs in the Museum of the Royal Victoria Hospital at
Netley. Dr. Sakharam Arjun succeeded in correctly identifying
some of the bazar drugs and brought to the notice of the
profession a good many medicinal plants used by the natives
of Bombay. |
Dymock’s “ Vegetable Materia Medica of Western India”
is by far the best work on the indigenous drugs, not only of
Bombay, but of India generally. It bears strong testimony to
his having patiently worked at the subject for a large number
of years. The Pharmacographica Indica will remain, for many
years to come, the standard work of reference on indigenous
drugs.
The medicinal plants and drugs of Sind have not yet been
properly studied. The only work on the subject is that of
Murray on “ Plants and Drugs of Sind.” Murray, neither being
a medical man nor a skilled botanist, compiled his) work from
other sources and, as such, the work is of doubtful value as a
guide to the plants and drugs of that province.
Our knowledge of the medicinal plants and drugs of the
Punjab is also scant and meagre. Honnigberger’s work named
“Thirty-five years in the Kast” was the first one mentioning
the Punjab medicinal plants and drugs. Honnigberger was a
homceopathic practitioner and was physician to Ranjit Singh.
The work is hardly of any value, and is very seldom referred
to now-a-days.
The Punjab Exhibition of 1864 brought for the first time
to light the drugs of that province. Mr. Baden Powell described
Ixiv | INTRODUCTION.
the raw products in his well-known work on the Punjab
products. Dr. Burton Brown, the late Principal of the Lahore
Medical College, was the reporter on the drugs of the Punjab.
Asachemist anda botanist Dr. Brown was well qualified to
properly discharge his duties asa reporter. And up to this
date, his report is the sole authentic guide to the drugs of that
province.
Dr. Stewart, as Forest Officer, in his work on ‘“ Punjab
Plants,” noticed some of the medicinal plants of that province.
He freely acknowledged the great help he derived from Dr.
Brown in identifying many medicinal plants. Dr. Stewart’s
work is very valuable and, together with Dr. Brown’s Report
above referred to,is the only work mentioning some of the
medicinal plants of the Punjab.
Of the medicinal plants and drugs of the United Provinces
of Agra and Oudh we know very little. Mr. Atkinson’s work
on the “Economic Products of the North-West Provinces”
is the only work treating of the drugs of those provinces.
The medicinal plants and drugs of the Central Provinces
and Rajputana have not been properly worked out. It is
highly desirable that these provinces should receive, at the
hands of botanists and medical men, that amount of attention
which they deserve.
Thus it will be seen that, although there are many works
on the medicinal plants and drugs of different provinces of
India, yet a great deal remains to be done for the drugs and
medicinal plants of Cashmere, Beluchistan, Sind, Punjab,
United Provinces of Agra andOudh, Behar, Orissa, Assam,
Central Provinces and Rajputana. Owing to the publication
of the Pharmacographica Indica and Watts ‘ Dictionary of
the Economic Products of India,” there is not the same diffi-
culty now to work out the subject which the early laborers
in this field of research experienced For, not only the
Flora of British India projected by Hooker has heen com-
pleted, but Floras of most of the provinces of India have
heen in recent years prepared by some of the noted Indian
botanists. Thus the Bengal Plants by Sir David Prain, the
INTRODUCTION. Ixv
Gangetic Flora describing plants of the United Provinces of
Agra & Oudh by Mr. J. F. Duthie, Flora of Bombay by
Dr. Theodore Cooke, Flora of the Central Provinces by
Mr. Haines, Flora of Madras by Mr. Gamble, Panjab Plants by
Colonel Bamber, Flora Simlensis by the late General Collett,
Plants of Baluchistan by Mr. Burkill, and Flora of Assam under
preparation by Rai Bahadur Upendra Nath Kanjilal, will be of
great help to those who are interested in the study of the medi-
cinal plants of this country. Ofthe Indian States of India, the
plants of Kashmir were worked out principally by Jacquemont
and Royle; of Nepal by Wallich and recently byMr. J. H. Burkill ;
of Bhotan and Sikkim recently by Messrs. Burkill and Smith ;
of Cutch by Revd. Father Blatter ; of Mysore in the Gazetteer
Volume of that principality; and of Baroda and Kathiawad
States by Mr. Jayakrishna Indrajit in Guzerati.
V.
The outlook is not so gloomy now as it was more than
twenty-five years ago, whenI commenced the study of the sub-
ject. The Petit Laboratory established in Bombay was almost the
first institution intended to work out the pharmacology of Indian
drugs. For this purpose, the late Dr. K. N. Bahadurji was
appointed to its charge.
The Indian Medical Congress held in Calcutta in 1894 record-
ed the following resolution :—
“ That it be recommended to the consideration of the Government of India
that an extended use of indigenous drugs is most desirable.” |
It was on this resolution that the Government of India
appointed the Indigenous Drugs Committee which held their
first meeting in Calcutta on January 3rd, 1896. In appointing
this Committee, it was stated,
The points to which the Government of India desire more particularly
to invite the attention of the Committee, with a view to their careful consi-
deration, are the practicability, as well as the utility, of—
(4) encouraging the systematic cultivation of medicinal plants indige
nous to India ;
(b) encouraging the increased use in Medical Depots of drugs of known
therapeutic value ; and
(c) sanctioning the manufacture of stable preparations of certain drugs
at the Depots.
Regarding the above the Government of India desire that the Committee
I
lxvi INTRODUCTION.
should further consider, and report their opinion as to the action which
would be best calculated to give the suggested encouragement, The Com-
mittee should further consider, from a practical point of view, the question
of initiating, as a Government measure, experiments to test the reputed
therapeutic value of indigenous drugs. The Government of India, as at
present advised, are inclined to the opinion that such investigations can
more profitably be left to the enterprise of private individuals.
This Committee has so far published two useful reports.
The Ayurvedic practitioners are holding conferences every
year in different cities of this country, in which medi-
cinal plants and drugs are exhibited. ‘This will greatly
advance the cause of the more extensive use of indigenous
drugs. The chemistry of Indian medicinal plants is being
investigated by several chemists in different laboratories of
India, as is evident from their reports published from time to
time in journals of Chemical Societies and of other learned
institutions. The quarterly journal, named ‘“‘ Food and Drugs,”
of Calcutta, now defunct, published several interesting papers
on indigenous drugs. There are also a few workers in Tata’s
Research Institute, Bangalore, investigating this subject. Fifty
thousand rupees have been donated to the Tropical School of
Medicine recently established in Calcutta, by His Highness the
Maharaja of Durbhanga, and ear-marked for the investigation
of the properties and uses of indigenous drugs.
But at present there is no Pharmaceutical Society or School
of Pharmacy in this country to carefully study and investigate
the subject of indigenous drugs. The establishment of such
an institution is highly desirable ; so also of farms of medicinal
plants. Regarding the growing of medicinal plants, Mr. F.
A. Miller writes in the Journal ‘“‘ American Pharmaceutical
Association III, pp. 34-38” that the time has arrived to reduce
the work of drug cultivation to an exact science and to
determine the commercial possibilities of the most promising
forms, in the same manner as has been done in agricultural and
other economic farms.’’*
The present war, as mentioned before, emphasises the
* [Chemical Abstracts for February 20th, 1914, p. 786.]
Mr. R. P. Craford writing in Scientific American Supplement, September
8, 1917 on “ Reducing drug plant cultivation to a science,” says, “that drug
plant cultivation is far from easy and the institution that works out these
INTRODUCTION. Ixvil
necessity of extensively growing medicinal plants especially in
India where, with little difficulty, economic plants of all lands
can be cultivated.*
The establishment of medicinal farms in well selected locali-
ties* will exercise scientific control over the cultivation of medici-
nal herbs and plants. Regarding the advantages of conducting
a farm of this nature Messrs. Burroughs Wellcome and Co., who
have established such a one, write :—
“1. Imli ... | Refrigerant,
Terminalia chebula Halela ... | Astringent.
Rhus coriaria Samak .. | Astringent.
Hot MEDICINES.
Semecarpus anacardium | Bhilawa : . | Acrid.
Corylus aveliana .. | Kindak : ... | Demulcent.
Dracocephalum Roylea- | Balangu “< ... | Aromatic,
num,
Zingiber officinale Sonth ... | Aromatic.
Moschus ahs Mushk ... | Aromatic.
Aquillaria agallocha 'U’'d ic) [LOnie,
Caryophyllus aromatica | Karanful ... | Aromatic,
Amber ; Kahruba eto) VROnIC.
Narcissus tazetta Nargas saa) | Arid,
DRY MEDICINES,
Prunella sp—, Ustuk hudus ... | Aromatic.
Raw Silk Abresham ... | Inert.
Centaurea Behmen Bahman ... | Tonic.
Polypodium .. Bisfaij of eLOnie.
Dracocephalum Roylea- Balangu ... | Aromatic.
num,
Psoralea corallifolia Babchi soa) tL LOnIe:
Laurus cinnamomum Darchini ... | Aromatic.
Laurus cassia Taj ... | Aromatic,
Pastinaca Shakakul ... | Demulcent.
Crocus sativus Zafran ... | Inert,
Mentha sativa Pudina ... | Aromatic,
Myristica moschata Jaiphal ... | Aromatic.
LLL SSNS
Ixx A NOTE.
Scientific name. Native name. Use,
MoIst REMEDIES.
Phyllanthus emblica ... | Amla pe .. | Astringent,
Tamarindus indica owe | clinalla S46 ... | Purgative.
Silica ie .- | Tabashir ... Jas, | Merb:
Vitis vinifera ... | Zirishk son ... | Demulcent.
Camphora ... .. | Kafur ie ... | Aromatic.
Onosma sp——, .. | Gauzaban ... Se Lone:
Coriandrum sativum ... | Dhanyan ... ... | Aromatic.
Rosa as ... | Gul sirkh ... ... | Astringent.
Nymphea ... ... | Nilofar pi ... | Inert.
Citrus aurantium .- | Narangi ... ... | Aromatic.
From the above list it will be seen that many of the cold remedies, are
what are used in European therapeutics astringent medicines, while the hot
remedies are principally aromatics; but that very various remedies are
classed under the terms moist and dry.”
BIBLIOGRAPHY.
In the preparation of this work, names of some of the most important
publications consulted, are given below :—
Ainslie’s Materia Indica,
Baden Powell's Punjab Products,
Balfour’s Cyclopedia of British India.
Bapat’s Vanausadi Prakasa (in Marathi).
Beddome’s Ferns of British India,
Bentley and Trimen’s Medicinal Plants,
Birdwood’s Bombay Products.
Bonavia’s Oranges and Lemons of India,
Brandis’ Indian Trees.
Collett’s Flora Simlensis.
Cooke’s Bombay Flora.
Dalzell and Gibson’s Bombay Flora.
Dey’s (Kanailal) Indigenous Drugs of India.
D'’orta's (Garcia) Colloquiosdos simplese drogas, da India,
Drury’s Useful Plants of India.
Duthie’s Flora of the Upper Gaugetic plain.
3 Fodder Grasses of Northern India.
Dutt’s Materia Medica of the Hindus,
Dymock’s Vegetable Materia Medica of Bombay.
s Pharmacographia Indica,
Fluckiger and Hanbury’s Pharmacographia,
Gamble’s Indian Timbers.
Honnigberger’s Thirty-five years in the Hast.
Hooker’s Flora of British India,
Jaya Krishna Indraji’s Vanaspati SAstra (in Guzerati),
Kanjilal’s Forest Flora.
Kirtikar’s Poisonous Plants of Bombay.
Kurz’s Forest Flora of Burma,
Khory’s Materia Medica of Bombay.
Lindley’s Flora Medica.
Maiden’s useful native plants of Australia.
Moodeen Sheriff's Materia Medica of Madras.
5 Supplement to the Pharmacopeceia of India,
Mukerji’s Amsterdam Catalogue,
Murray’s Plants and Drugs of Sind.
Nairne’s Flowering Plants of Bombay.
O’Shanghuessy’s Bengal Dispensatory,
$j - Pharmacopoeia,
Pfleider’s Five hundred Native plants.
Prain’s Bengal Plants.
Ixxii BIBLIOGRAPHY.
Roxburgh’s Flora Indica.
Sakharam Arjun’s Bomkay Drugs,
Stewart’s Punjab Plants.
Talbot’s Forest Flora of Bombay Presidency.
Trimen’s Hand-book of the Flora of Ceylon,
Waring’s Bazar Medicines,
= Pharmacopeeia of India.
Watt's Commercial Products of India.
Dictionary of Economic Products of India.
9?
Journals etc.
Agricultural Journal of India.
” Ledger.
5 Bulletins and Memoirs.
Annals of Indian Medicine,
Asiatic Researches.
British Medical Journal.
Chemical Abstracts.
Indian Forester.
x Forest Records and Bulletins.
Bs Medical Gazette.
3 Lancet.
Gazeteer Volumes of the different provinces of India.
Journal of the Bengal Asiatic Society.
Board of Agriculture of England.
Bombay Natural History Society.
Chemical Society.
Society of Chemical Industry.
Linnean Society.
Pharmaceutical Journal.
Records of the Botanical Survey of India.
Reports of the Indigenous Drugs Committee.
Year-book of Pharmacy.
Ete., EHte., Ete.
INDIAN
ME DrCUNATL PLANTS.
N. O. RANUNCULACEA,
1. Clematis Nepaulensis, D.C. H.F.BR.1., 1. 2.
Syn. :—C. montana, Don.
Vern. :— Pawanne, birri, wandak. (Pb.) Ghantiali (Kumaon).
Habitat :—Temperate Himalaya, from Garhwal to Bhotan.
A slender, nearly glabrous climber. Leaves ternately
divided, common petiole 1-14in. Leaflets 1-2 in. elliptic —lanceo-
late, sometimes very narrow, eitire, toothed or 3-lobed,
3-nerved ; lateral oblique, half as long as, or shorter than, the
terminal leaflet or lobe which is 2-3 by 4-3 in. Flowers many,
pedicels 1-2 in. long with 2 hyaline bracts joined into a cup,
pubescent above the cup. Bud sessile in the cup. Sepals 4,
erect, cream-coloured, oblong, silky outside. Filaments gla-
brous, tapering from a broad flat base ; anthers short. Achenes
flat, margined, hairy; style 14 in. Jong, long in fruit.
Parts used :—The leaves.
Medicinal Properties and Uses:—-In Kanawar, the leaves
are said to act deleteriously on the skin. (STEwart).
The leaves and stems, since they contain an acrid prin-
ciple which acts deleteriously on the skin, may be used for
purposes of vesication.
2 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
N.B.—It is not improbable that C. Napaulensis, D.O, and C. barbellata,
Edgew, and some other species of clematis are used for the same purpose as
C. Nepaulensis, D.C. There is very little difference in the appearance of
these species, and so they are very easily mistaken one for the other.
ne: triloud, i eyne A eeBR 1, 1:
Sansk. :—Laghu karni.
Vern:—Moravela, Morvel, Moriel, ranjai (Bomb.).
Habitat:—Mawal district mountains of the Deccan, and
W. Concan.
An extensive climber. Leaves 1-2 in., silky small simple
or one-ternate, entire or 1-3-toothed or lobed, elliptic-ovate or
cordate, d-nerved. Panicle many-flowered. Lower bracts leafy.
Flowers 14-2 in. diam., white. Sepals spreading from the base,
4-6, membranous, oblong, silky outside. Filaments glabrous,
narrow-linear, connective of anthers not produced. Petals O.
Stamens any. Carpels many, with a pendulous ovule. Pruit—
a head of achenes, with a long feathery style.
Parts used :—The leaves.
Medicinal Properties and Uses:—The juice of the leaves,
combined with that of the leaves of Holarrhena antidysenterica,
is dropped into the eye for the relief of painin staplhyloma;
about 2 drops being used. Vaidya Rugnathji of Junagad says
the whole plant is a purgative.
It is said to be used as a remedy in leprosy, blood di-
seases and fever by Sanskrit authors. (S. Argun).
3. ©: Gouriana, Oro. BeBe. 14. Roxb, 457,
Vern.:—Morvel, ranjai (Bomb.), Marathi; Belkun, Bel-
kangau (N. W.).
Habitat:—In the hilly districts, from the Western Himalaya
to the Eastern Peninsula, Ceylon, and the Western Peninsula.
An extensive woody climber. Stem thick, striate. Branches
widespread, purple, pubescent when young. Leaves pinnate
or bipinnate or biternate. Petiole and rachis elongated.
Leaflets stalked, unequal, 2-33 in. long, ovate, or oblong-lan-
ceolate, acuminate, shining above, entirely or distantly toothed,
cordate or rounded at base, rather coriaceous shining, wholly
N. 0. RANUNCULACER. 3
‘glabrous above, slightly pubescent beneath. Flowers yellowish
or greenish white, 2!n. diam., small in dense axillary panicles.
Sepals ovate or oblong, revolute, puberulous, 3-%. in., margins
tomentose. Filaments narrow-linear. Achenes hairy, lanceo-
late, Style 14-2 in. long, narrow oblong, in fruit very slender,
aliny.
Medicinal Properties and Uses :—The leaves of the fresh
stems, if bruised and applied to the skin, cause vesication.
They abound in an acrid poisonous principle. Wart. 11. 369.
4. Anemone obtusiloba, Don. H.F.BR.1., 1. 8.
Syn. Anemone discolor, Royle.
Vern. :—Rattanjog, Padar (Pb.). Kakriya (Kumaon).
Habitat :—Temperate and Alpine Himalaya, from Kashmir
to Sikkim ; altitude 9-15,000 ft.
A perennial herb, densely tufted, glabrate, or softly hairy.
Rootstock woody, fibrous, clothed with old root-sheaths.
Radical leaves, many stalked, suborbicular, deeply cordate ;
Segments broad, cuneate, variously cut and lobed, rarely shortly
petiolate. Scapes 6-12 in., 1-3--flowered ; invol. leaves 3-fid.
Flowers white purplish or golden; pedicels long, slender.
Sepals silky outside, generally lead-coloured near the claw.
Achenes strigose, rarely glabrous. Very variable in size, hairi-
ness and colour of flower.
Parts used :-—The root and seeds.
Medicinal Properties and Uses :—In Hazara the pounded root,
which is acrid, is mixed with milk and given internally for
contusions. In Bessahir it is said to be used as a blister, but
to be apt to produce sores and sears (Srewart). ‘The seeds, if
given internally, produce vomiting and purging. ‘The oil ex-
tracted from them is used in rheumatism. (WatT).
Anemonin is found in this plant,—It oceurs in many of the Ranunculacee ;
it is a toxic substance, and produces paralysis of the central nervous system,
The compound has the formula C,, H,, O;, and is deposited in rhombic
erystals melting at 152°, I is volatile with steam, and, on exposure to air at
ordinary temperatures, is slowly,converted into anemonie acid ; the oxidation
4 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
proceeds more quickly if platinum black, hydrogen peroxide, or barium
peroxide is employed, J. Ch. 8. 1898 AT. 727.
(2) Butin J. Ch, S. 1896 AT. 623, the formula given for Anemonin is C,, H;
O,. It is also stated there that it yields methyl and ethyl derivatives,
which are apparently ethereal salts, showing that it is the anhydride of a
dicarboxylic acid. Dimethylanemonin, C; Hz; (COOMe),, melts at 109-110°, me-
thylanemonin at 174-176°, diethy] anemonin at 47°, and ethylanemonin at
168-170°. (3) The said dicarboxylic acid is a ketonie acid. (4) By oxidation,
anemonin yields succinic and oxalic acids. (5) By hydrolysis of the dialkylie
salts before mentioned with alkali and amorphous acid, C,, H3 O,+2H,0O is
formed, but hydrolysis of them with HCl yields a crystalline acid, C,, Hg,
O,+H.O. The amorphous acid gives coloured, the crystalline acid colourless,
salts. (6) Anemonin is a saturated compound, for by reduction it yields a
saturated hydvoxy-acid, and absorbs neither chlorine (Hiibl’s solution) nor
bromine,
Dd. Thalictrum foliolosum, D.C. u.F.BR.1., 1. 14.
Vern. :—Pinjari ; Shuprak (root-pili-jari) (H.); Pila-jari,
pengla jari, barmat (root-mamira) (Kumaon); Gurbiani, pash-
maran, phalijori, Chitra-mul, Keraita, Mamira (Pb.); Chaitra
(Kashmir); Mamiran (Bombay).
Habitat :—'Temperate Himalaya ; Khasia hills.
A tall perennial rigid herb. Stem 4-8 ft. glabrous. Leaves
exstipulate, pinnately-decompound ; petiole sheaths auricled.
Leaflets $-% in. rarely 1 in., orbicular. Panicles much branched,
bracts small. Flowers polygamous, white, pale green, dingy
purple. Sepals 4-5. PetalsO. Stamens many, filaments filiform ;
anthers beaked. Ovule 1, pendulous. Achenes usually 2-5, small,
oblong, acute at both ends, sharply ribbed.
Parts used :—The root.
Uses :—It has been found useful as a tonic. ‘I adminis-
tered it in the form of a tincture to some extent when at the
European General Hospital, Bombay, and found it a good bitter
tonic, comparable with gentian.” (DyYMook.).
The root is largely used as an anjan, or application for
ophthalmia in Afghanistan and throughout India.
In the Punjab, the root is used as a purgative and diuretic,
(BaDEN POWELL).
N. 0. RANUNCULACEA. 5
The bruised root having been given to large dogs in the
quantity of 10 grs. to 2 ounces, no particular effects were
observed,
“Tt has been used in the Hospital of the Medical College
in several cases of ague, and as a tonic in the convalescence from
acute diseases.
“5 grs. of the powder, or 2 grs. of the watery extract,
given thrice daily, have in some cases prevented, and in several
moderated, the accession of fever, and at the same time acted
gently on the bowels. The only sensation experienced was
warmth at the epigastrium, and a general comfortable feeling.
“Another species of Thalictrum (flavum) is common in
France, where it is termed ‘the poor man’s rhubarb,’ as a sub-
stitute for which medicine it is generally employed. The Indian
species is easily procurable from the hills, though not known
in the bazars of the lower provinces.
“Tt deserves extensive trial, and promises to succeed well
as afebrifuge of some power, and a tonic aperient of peculiar
value.
‘Dose of the powder.—5 to 10 grs. as a tonic and ape-
rient, in the interval of intermittent fevers, and in convalescence
from acute diseases.” (O'SHAUGHNESSY).
“Tt lessens the intensity of fever, and acts gently on the
bowels ; thus it isa good substitute for rhubarb. As collyrium,
itclears the sight. The snuff prepared from it clears the brain.
It relieves toothache.” (R. N. Kuory).
6. Ranunculus scleratus, Linn. H.F.BR.1., 1. 19.
Syn. :—R. Indicus, Roxb. 458.
Vern.: —Kaf-es-saba(Arab.) ; Kabikaj (Pers.). Polica (Tirhut) ;
Shim (Kumaon).
Habitat :—River banks in Bengal and Northern India;
marshes of Peshawar; warm valleys of the Himalaya ; unknown
south of the Nerbudda.
An annual glabrous, erect yellow-green herb.
6 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
Stem usnally 6-12 in., sometimes 1-3. ft., succulent, hollow.
tadical leaves 4-12 in. across, Jong-stalked, deeply 3-lobed,
segments lobed, obtusely toothed, near the top. Stem leaves
shortly stalked, 3-parted, segments narrow, lobed and _ toothed.
Flowers 4-4 in. diam., numerous, petals pale-yellow. Sepals re-
flexed. Receptacle oblong, hairy. Achenes glabrous, in oblong
heads, ultimately becoming cylindrical and longer.
Parts used :—The whole plant.
Uses:—It was formerly used in Europe by professional
beggars to produce or maintain blisters or open sores intended
to excite sympathy. RoxsurcH remarks that it has no native
name, and that its properties are apparently unknown. It cer-
tainly possesses a very powerful principle, and one would expect
to find it taking a place in the practice of herbalism. Water
distilled from a decoction retains its acrid character, and, if this
be allowed to slowly evaporate, it leaves behind a quantity of
highly insoluble crystals of a very inflammable character.
The fresh plant is poisonous, and produces violent effect
if taken internally. The bruised leaves form an application to
raise blisters, and may also be used to keep open sores caused
by vesication, or by other means (Murray).
iso Caltha palustris, Linn. WE. BRaAs Ii.
Vern. :—Mamiri, baringt (Pb.).
Eng. :—The marsh marigold.
Habitat :—Marshes of the Western temperate Himalaya,
from Kashmir to Nepal, altitude 8-1U,000 feet Simla, common
on marshy grounds of Chor.
A glabrous perennial herb. Rootstock thick, creeping. Stems
6-18 in. often tufted, erect, robust. Leaves shining, chiefly
radical, 2-5 in, across, long-stalked, orbicular or kidney-shaped,
deeply serrate; teeth small, close, regular. Stem-leaves alter-
nate, smaller, the upper. sessile, embracing the stem like
an involucre. flowers regular, few, 1-2 in. diam., terminal.
Sepals 5-6, petal-like, bright yellow, oval or oblong-obtuse,
N. O. RANUNCULACE, js
imbricate. Petals none. Stamens many. Carpels many, sessile,
many ovuled, Style short, curved.
Fruit a head of narrow, flattened, many-seeded follicles,
beaked with the persistent styles.
OUse:—In Hazara, the root is considered poisonous.
(STEWART).
8. Coptis teeta, Wall. H.F.BR.I., 1. 23.
Vern. :—Tita (Ass.); Mahmira (Sind,; Mamira (H.).
Habitat:—Met with in Mishmi mountains, east of Assam,
in temperate regions.
Small stemless herbs.
Rootstock horizontal, perennial, golden’ yellow, woody,
densely fibrous, very bitter. Leaves ternatisect, glabrous,
petioles 6-12 in.; leaflets 2-3 in., ovate-lanceolate, pinnatifid,
lobes incised, terminal largest. Scape equalling the leaves.
Flowers 1-3—pedicelled, regular, small, white on slender leafless
scapes. Bracts leafy. Sepals 5-6, 4 in. oblong—lanceolate, acute.
Petals 5-6, narrow, ligulate, obtuse, $ shorter than the sepals.
Carpels pedicelled, spreading. Ovules many. Follicles many-
seeded. Seeds with a black crustaceous testa. Mishmi nuts,
Bengal.
Part used:—The root.
Use:—It is a bitter tonic, useful in fevers and atonic dys-
pepsia.
9. Delphinium denudatum, Wall. H.F. BR. 1., 1. 25.
Vern.:—Nirbisi, judwar (H.); Nilobikh (Nepal)
(Simla).
>; Manila
Habitat :—West temperate Himalaya, from Kashmir to
Kumaon, in grassy places.
Glabrous or slightly downy herbs. Stems 2-3 ft. branched.
Radical—leaves 2-6 in. across, orbicular, long-stalked, divided
8 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
nearly to the base, segments 5-9, narrow, pinnately lobed, often
toothed ; stem-leaves few, shortly stalked, upper sessile, more
or less deeply 3-lobed, lobes narrow, mostly entire. Flowers
few, scattered, 1-1$ in. long, spur cylindric, nearly straight.
Sepals spreading, varying from deep-blue to faded grey. Petals
blue, the lateral ones 2-lobed, hairy (Collett). Anterior petals
deeply 2-fid, hairy on both surfaces. F'ollicles 3, inflated, glab-
rous or sparsely hairy. (Hx. ¥F. and Thoms.).
Use:—The root is used in Bashahr for toothache and also
as an adulterant for aconite (STEWART).
An alkaloid, introduced into commerce under the name of delphocurarine
(Merck) has been extracted from the roots of a number of Delphiniums by
means of an 8&0 per cent, solution of alcohol containing tartaric acid. Delpho-
curarine consists, in reality, of a mixture of bases, and behaves plysiologi-
cally like curare (compare Lohmann, Pfitiger’s Archiv 1902, XCII, 398). It
forms a white, amorphous powder which has a very hitter taste and an alkaline
reaction, and is readilysolublein dilute acids. A small quantity of crystal-
line compound, C,3H3, O;N, has been isolated from delphocurarine by means of
ether anda mixtureof light petroleum ; it crystallises in needles, melts at
184°-185°, is rather readily soluble in alcoho], ether, chloroform, or benzene,
butonly sparingly so in light petroleum, and contains 18 per cent, of
methoxyl. The platinum and gold sajts form pale reddish yellow powders,
the former containing Pt. 13°69 per cent. and the latter Au 23°29.
J. Ch. 8. 1903, AT. 650.
10. D. ceruleum, Jacq. H.F.BR.1., I. 25.
Vern. :—Dakhanga (Pb.).
Habitat :— Alpine Himalaya, from Kumaon to Sikkim.
An erect herb. Stem 3-12 in., much-branched from the base,
leafy, spreading. Leavessuborbicular, 14-14 in. diam., 5-7 lobed,
lobes cuncate—oblong, incised or pinnatifid, segments linear.
Radical Jeaves divided to the base. Flowers solitary in long
branches or few in a loose raceme, pale blue, hairy. Sepals
shorter than the nearly straight spur. Spur subulate. Anterior
petals obovate or obcoridate, a little hairy. Follicles 5, hairy.
Use :—The root is applied to kill the maggots in the wounds
of goats. (STEWART.)
11. D. Brunoinanum, Royle. 4.F.BR.1., 1. 27.
Vern. :—Nepari (Kumaon); Kasturi (Garhwal); Sapfulu
N. 0. RANUNCULACEA., 8)
(Ravi); laskar, spet, panni supald, ruskar, liokpa (Sutlej) ; La-
dara (Ladakh); Mandwal (Pangi).
ITabitat :—Alpine, West Tibet.
An erect herb. Stem glabrous or downy below, glandular
pubescent above, 6-12 in., simple below, leafy. Leaves 5-fid to
the middle, lobes sharply cut or toothed, 3-4 in, diam. lobes
cuneate-ovate, petioles very long. Inflorescence corymbose ;
corymbs sometimes compound. flowers large, pale blue, hairy;
tracts 3-5 —partite, upper simple, oblong or linear, Sepals conni-
vent, 1 in., membranous, orbicular, veined ; longer than the conic
and inflated spur. F'ollicles 5-6, 2 1n., viseidly pubescent.
Uses:—The juice of the leaves of this plant is used in
Kurram to destroy ticks in animals, but chiefly when they affect
sheep. In Leh it is considered so poisonous that the dew from
the leaves falling on grass is said to poison cattle and horses.
(AITCHISON).
“It is remarkable for the very powerful odour of musk,
which js not peculiar to this species of the genus, but exists
in other high alpine species, which form a peculiar group,
with large half-closed membranaceous flowers, whence the
mountaineers erroneously suppose that the musk-deer feed upon
them, and thereby communicate the peculiar odour to their
glandular secreticns. The D. Moschatum, Munro is now, by
Hooker and Thomson, rightly referred to the present plant.”
Some other species of Delphinium are also used me-
dicinally, or their roots are employed to adulterate Aconites.
Thus Delphinium Cashmirianum, Royle, (H. F.BR.I., J. 26),
Hig:—Royle Ill: t. 12, found in West Tibet and Tibetan
Himalaya, from Kumaon:to Kashmir, and called in Punjabi
Amlin, 1s used to adulterate Aconites; since, according to
Atkinson, the cylindrical tuberous roots of this plant are abso-
lutely identical with the ordinary nirbisi roots.
ACONITE.
There are about 24 Indian species of Aconite which may be
classified as (a) non-poisonous and (b) poisonous. The poisonous
2
10 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
properties are due to the roots containing bikhaconitine, pseudo-
aconitine, or indaconitine.
The non-poisonous Aconites, the active principles of which
are either Atisine or Palmatisine, are (1) A. heterophyllum, Wall;
(iz) A. palmatum ; (iz) A. rotundifolium ; (iv) A. violaceum.
The poisonous aconites are (2) A. falconeri, (22) A. laciniatum ;
(142) A. lethale ; (2v) A. spicatum ; iv) A. deinorrhizum; (vz) A.
Balfourii ; (viz) A. Chasmanthum ; (viz) A. soongaricum.
12. Aconitum lycotonum, Linn. H. F. BR. 1., 1. 28.
Vern. :—Bika (Hj; Khanik-El-Zeb (Arab.).
Habitat :—Himalaya, from Chitral to Kumaon, mostly in
forests, locally abundant, from 5,000—12,000 ft. Kashmir.
Root perennial, elongate, more or less cylindric, ultimately
breaking up into separate or anastomosing strands. Stem erect,
simple, 3-6ft., glabrous or pubescent, much branched. Leaves
palmately deeply 5-9-lobed, 6-10 in. diam., lobes cuneate-ovate ;
lower leaves long-petioled, upper sessile. Racemes branched,
long, tomentose, bracts minute. Flowers pale yellow or dull
purple, variable in size; helmet with a short beak and long
cylindrical dorsal prominence. Follicles 3, spreading; testa
plaited.
Uses :—This species also vields much of the aconite of Euro-
pean commerce.
Dr. Stapf writes:—The root does not appear to be used
medicinally, and its chemistry is unknown. Dr. Jowett’s notes
quoted by Dr. Watt, in Agric. Ledger 1902, No. 3, p. 89, reter
to the chemistry of the European A. Lycotonum.
15. A. palmatum, Don)? Prodr. nam. Bes
Pep. Seeley
Vern. :—Bikhma, Vakhama (Bomb.); Vakhamo (Guzr). Bis-
hawa (H.’
Habitat:—Alpine Himalaya of Nepal, Sikkim and the
adjoining part of South Tibet, from 10,000-16,000 feet.
N. 0. RANUNCULACER. 11
Roots biennial, paired, tuberous; daughter-tuber shortly
conic to long-cylindrie, often irregularly shaped, 4 to more than
10 em. long, 0°75-3 em. thick, simple or branched, sometimes
flexuous or twisted, bearing root-fibres, some of which are
thread-like from the base and break off easily, while others are
much thickened at the base or thick-cylindric, light-brown,
smooth, fracture more or less horny and brownish in the thick-
est part of full-grown samples, almost farinaceous and white
towards the tips and in the root-branches, cambium discon-
tinuous, forming isolated strands of very varying shape and size,
cylindric or tangentially flattened or crescent-shaped in cross-
section, taste purely and persistently bitter; mother-tubers
similar, but smaller, shrunk more or less hollow, and brown
internally. Innovation-bud, short, conic from broad base
Stem erect, sometimes shortly flexuous in the upper part, simple
or nearly so, inclusive of the inflorescence, 2-4ft. high, stout,
hollow, shining, glabrous. Leaves scattered, rather distant,
up to 10, rarely more, the lowest usually withered at the time
of flowering, quite glabrous, or the uppermost finely pubescent
on the nerves below; petioles slender, 4-10 cm. long; blade
orbicular-cordate to reniform with a very wide sinus (1-2 em.
deep), 6-10 em. high from the sinus to the tip, 7-15 cm. across
d-or the uppermost 3-palmati-partite to $ or #, rarely more (to &
in the inner incisions), divisions obovate cuneate to broadly
lanceolate-cuneate or the outermost trapezoid, 3-lobed to about
the middle or the outermost 2-lobed, intermediate lobe often
elongated like others, acutely inciso-dentate or apiculately cre-
nate. Inflorescence :—A very loose leafy panicle or raceme, 10-20
em. long, glabrous, or pubescent in the upper part; rhachis
rather slender ; floral leaves, like the preceding cauline leaves,
passing into the ovate or deltoid, dentate, shortly petioled
bracts ; bracteoles similar to bracts, but smaller, and sparingly
dentate or entire, above the middle of the pedicels or even close
to the flower ; pedicels slender, curved, ascending, ultimately
more erect, the lower up to 10 cm. long. Sepals bluish, or
variegated white and blue, glabrous at least outside ; upper-
most helmet-shaped, helmet obliquely semi-orbicular (from the |
side) or more depressed and gaping very shortly or obscurely
12 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
beaked, 20-24 iim. high, 18-24 mm. long from tip to the base,
10-12 mm. wide (seen from the side), lateral margin very slightly
concave or almost straight, lateral sepals contiguous with the
helmet, obliquely orbicular-quadrate, not clawed, 18-20 mm.
long; lower sepals obliquely oblong or elliptic—obtuse to
acute, 12-15 mm. long. Nectaries glabrous, extinguisher-—
shaped; claw erect, or the upper-end more or less leaning
forward, 16-18 mm. long; hood sub-cylindric, 4-8 mm. long,
oblique to almost horizontal, top gibbous posteriorly, honey-
gland occupying the gibbosity or the whole top, lip extremely
short, crenulate, very broad. Filaments glabrous, 8 mm. long,
narrowly winged to or beyond the middle, wings gradually
alternated. Carpels 5, subcontiguous in the flower, but soon
diverging, narrowly oblong, gradually passing into the short
style, quite glabrous. Follicles subcontiguous or somewhat
‘diverging in the upper part, oblong, obliquely truncate, 2°5-3
em. long, 5-6 mm. broad, loosely reticulate. Seeds blackish,
obovoid, about 3 mm. long, round in cross-section, obscurely
winged along the rhaphe, transversely lamellate, lamelle dark,
undulate.
Uses :--Nothing definite is as yet known of the medicinal
properties of this reot. I[¢ is helieved to be non-poisonous as
well as tonic and antiperiodic.
It has also earned some repute in the treatment of cholera
(SAKHARAM ARJUN).
From the roots of this, an alkaloid, named Palmatisine has been isolated
at the Imperial Institute, which crystallises well, and in some respects
resembles atisine. J. Ch. S. 1905T, 1655.
14. A. ferox, Wall. H. F. BR. 1., I. 28.
Habitat :—Temperate, sub-Alpine Himalaya, from Sikkim to
Garhwal.
Sanskrit :—Visha (Poison) ; Vatsanabha (resembling the navel
of children).
Vern.:—Bish, bachnak, mitha zahar; Singyabish ; telya-
bish (H.); Kat bish, Mitha bish, Sringibish, (Beng.); Bachnag
(Mar.); Vashanavi (T’'am.); Vasanabhi, nabhi (Tel.) ; Vatsanabhi
(Mal.); Vasanabhi (Kan.\, Shingadio-Vachnég (Guz.).
N. 0. RANUNCULACES. 13
Roots:—biennial,. paired, tuberous; daughter-tuber ovoid-
oblong to ellipsoid, 25-4 em. long, about 1-15 em. thick, with
a few filiform root-fibres, dark-brown externally, fracture scarcely
farinaceous, yellowish, taste rather indifferent, followed by a
strong tingling sensation, cambium continuous, forming in
cross-section a slightly sinuous ring ; mother-tuber much shrunk
and wrinkled, with numerous root-fibres, outer sieve-strands, sur-
rounded by a mantle of sclerenchymatie cells. Innovation bud
conic, 4-5 mm. long; scales ovate, prominently finely nerved,
persistent. Stem erect, with or without a slender hypogeeous
base (up to 3 em. Jong) which emits numerous fine roots near
the upper end, simple erect, 40-90 em. high, rather slender,
eovered with short spreading yellow hairs in the upper part,
glabrous below, hollow. Leaves scattered, distant, excepting
the lowest 2 or 3 which are usually delayed at the time of the
flowering, up to 7, glabrous, or the uppermost very sparingly
hairy ; petioles slender, the lower up to 25 em. long and much
dilated’ at the base, uppermost very short; blade orbicular-
cordate to reniform in outline with a rather wide sinus (up to 8
em. deep) up to ll em. high from the sinus to the tip, up to 20 em.
across, 5-pedati-partite to the very base or almost so in the
inner, and to 2-;8, in the outer incisions, divisions deltoid from
a cuneate base on the outermost trapezoid, intermediate division
3-lobed to the middle, middle lobe elongate, pinnate-laciniate
to inciso-dentate, ultimate segments or teeth acute or very acute,
inner lateral divisions similar, but less symmetric, outermost.
2-lobed or 2-partite, all lacinie, more or less linear-lanceolate and
divaricate, the outermost overlapping and thus closing the sinus :
uppermost blades, sessile or subsessile, inuch smaller or dis-
sected. Inflorescence a loose raceme 10-25 em. long, often
with slender, erect, few-flowered additional branches frorn the
leafy base; rhachis slender, densely yellow-pubescent to sub-
tomentose ; floral leaves like the preceding leaves, but much
reduced, passing upwards into trifid or entire and Jinear-lanceo-
late bracts ; bracteoles at or below the middle, resembling reduced
biacts, very often suppressed ; pedicels slender, erect, the lowest
at length up to 7 em. long. Sepals blue, hairy ; uppermost
helmet-shaped, helinet semi-orbicular in profile, shortly beaked
14 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
?0-—24 mm. high, 17—20 mm. from tip tc base, 7 —9 mm. wide ;
Jateral sepals slightly contiguous with the helmet, oblique,
orbicular-obovate, broadly clawed, 16 mm. long, 14 mm. broad ;
lower sepals deflexed, oblong’ subacute, 10 mm. long. Nectaries
glabrous ; claw erect; hood oblique to subhorizontal, dblong,
gibbous on the back; lip deflexed, lancevlate, acute, entire.
Filaments glabrous, about 7 mm. long, narrowly winged, wings
gradually alternate. Carpels 5, conniving and contiguous, tomen-
tose, gradually passing into the style. Follicles oblong, obli-
quely subtruncate, 15—20 min. long, 4-5 mm. broad, dorsally
sub-convex, loosely tomentose or at length almost glabrous,
conspicuously reticulate. Seeds obovoid or obpyramidal, 2°6—3
mm. long, winged along the raphe, transversely lamellate on the
faces, lamelle undulate.
Habitat :—Alpine Himalaya of Nepal.
Part used :—The root.
Uses :—This drug is officinal in both the British and Indian
Pharmacopeeias.
Extremely poisonous as the name indicates, It is very
probably, says Stapf, the source or one of the sources of the
“ Bish Bikh” or “ Hodoya Bish” of Hamilton.
“A few years ago I took the white variety, Bachnég, myself
in small quantities, and found that its internal use is not
attended with more danger than that of the European aconite
root “Aconitum Napellus). Since that period, | have employed
it very extensively in my practice, and do not hesitate in saying
that it 1s one of the most useful medicines in India. Its bene-
ficial influence over diabetes is very remarkable, the immoderate
flow of urine beginning to diminish from the very day of its
use, with a proportionate decrease in the saccharine matter. Its
control over spermatorrhcea and incontinence of urine is equally
great, It has lately been found useful in some cases of paralysis
and leprosy. The advantages of this drug over all other
varieties of the Indian aconite root are that it is not only much
milder, but also more certain and uniform in its actions.’’
(MoHIDEEN SHERIFF).
N. O. RANUNCULACER, 1
Nr
i AasNapellus Lins HereBR L128.
Vern. :—Dudhiabish ; Katbish ; Mitha-Zahar; Tila cachang ;
Mohri (Kashmir and Panjab Himalayan names). The root in
Kashmir is called Ban-bal-ndg, Vasa nabhi (Tel.); Dudhio
Vachanag (Guz.).
Habitat: —Temperate, Alpine Himalaya, from 10,000 feet to
the highest limit of vegetation in the N.-W. Provinces.
An annual erect herb, starting from an elongated tuberous
conical rootstock. Roof 2—4 in. long, and sometimes as much as
an inch in thickness. ‘This root tapers off in a long tail, while
numerous branching rootlets spring from its side. If dug
up in the summer, it will be found that a second and a younger
root (occasionally a third) is attached to it, near its summit, by
a very short branch and is growing out of it on one side. This
second root has a bud at the top which is destined to
produce the stem of the next season. It attains its maximum
development at the latter part of the year, the parent root,
meanwhile, becoming shrivelled and decayed. The dried root
is more or less conical or tapering, enlarged, knotty at the
summit, which is crowned with the base of the stem. It is from
2—3 or 4 inches long, and at the top from $—1 in. thick. A
transverse section of a sound root shows a pure white central
portion (pith) which is many-sided and has at each of its
projecting angles a thin fibro-vascular bundle. (Fliickiger and
Hanbury). Stem :—-Stiff upright herbaceous, simple, 3-4ft. high,
clothed at its upper half with spreading dark-green leaves, which
are paler on their underside; glabrous or slightly pubescent,
often decumbent. Leaves 3-—5 or more inches long, nearly
half consisting of the channelled petiole, palmati-partite ;
very variable in size. ‘The blade which has a_ roundish
outline, is divided down to the petiole into three principal
segments, of which the lateral are sub-divided into two or
even three, the lowest being smaller and less regular than
the others. The segments, which are trifid, are finally cut
into 2 or 5 strap-shaped pointed lobes. The leaves are usually
glabrous and are deeply impressed on their upper side by veins
which run with but few branchings to the tip of every lobe.
16 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
The uppermost leaves are more simple than the lower, and
gradually pass into the bracts of the beautiful raceme of dull blue
helmet-shaped flowers which crown the stem. ‘The taste of the
leaves is at first mawkish, but afterwards persistently burning.
The taste of the fresh root has a sharp odour of radish which
disappears in drying. Its taste which is at first sweetish soon
becomes alarmingly acrid, accompanied with a sensation of
tingling and numbness. (Fltick. and Hanb.). Flowers $-lin.,
long. “Bright or dull greenish blue” (Hk. F., and Thoms.).
Sepals 5, petaloid, posterior (helmet) vaulted, the rest flat.
Petals 2-5, two posterior clawed ; limb hooded and enclosed in
the helmet. Helmet shallow, tapering to a slender beak, 3 times
as long as ligh.Racemes:—Simple, few—or many-flowered, or
sparingly compound. Bracts entire or trifid. Stamens many.
Folitcles 3-5 in. in indian forms; hairy, sessile. Seeds many.
Testa smooth. This is a very variable plant.
“Recent investigations into the Chemistry of the Indian
Aconites, and my own examination of a great mass of herbarium
material, many times richer than that which was at the disposal
of the authorsof the Flora Indica, as wellas histological studies
concerning the root-tubers of the Indian Aconites, have con-
vinced me that the European Aconitum Napellus does not occur
in India, either in its typical form or what we might be justified
in. calling varieties of it.” (Annals of the Royal Botanic Garden,
Calcutta, Vol X, p. 121. ‘The Aconites of India’ by Dr Otto
Stapf).
Part used :—'lhe root.
Use :—lIts febrifuge and tonic properties are mentioned in all
works on Materia Medica.
16. A. heterophyllam. Wall,” aa GRaets Zo.
Syn. :—-A. cordatum, Royle.
Sanskrit :—Sanskrit writers describe two varieties of this
root :--(1) white and (2) black. The synonyms of the white
variety are :—Ativisha (very poisonous) ; Sukla Kanda (white
root); Visha (poisonous); Prativisha (Counter-poison or anti-
dote). The Synonyms of the second variety are :--Shydma
N. 0. RANUNCULACER. | Sf
Kanda (black root) ; Sitashringi (white-horned,; Bhangura
(frail) ; Upavishanika (the horns or rootlets turned upwards.
Vern :—Atis (H.) ; Ati-vadayam (Tam.) ; Ati-vasa (Tel.) ; ,
Mohand-i-gujsafed ; hong-i-Safed (Kashmir) A’is (Bhotie) Sukhi-
hari, Chitijari ; Patris or Patis; bonga (Pb.) ; Atavishni-Kali ;
Ativish or Ativakh (Guz.); Ativish (Mar.).
Habitat :---Common in the Subalpine and Alpine Zone of the
Himalaya, from the Indus to Kumaon, from 6,000 to 15,000 ft.
Stem :—Erect, leafy, 1-3ft., simple or brancbed from the
base, glabrous below, puberulous above. Leaves 2-4 in. broad
ovate or orbicular. Cordate, acute or obtuse; cauline sharply
toothed, the lowest long-petioled and not amplexicaul. Racemes
often panicled, many-flowered. Bracts sharply toothed, upper
3-fid or entire. Flowers more than 1 in. long, bright blue,
greenish blue, with purple veins. Helmet half as high as long,
shortly beaked. F'ollecles 5, downy. Testa smootb.
The roots contain an alkaloid, atisine, Coo Hai N On, (Alder
Wright) or C,, H;, N. Os (Broughton). (See Sohn., p. 4,) and
Aconue acid, C, A, O,.
In T)ymock’s Mat. Medica. of W. 1., (2nd edition, p. 7), it
is said:—‘‘ The English notices of this are to be found in
Hindu works on Materia Medica, Sharangdhar and Chakradatt,
where it is recommended as a remedy in fevers, diarrhoea, dys-
pepsia and cough, also as an alexipharmic.” “The author of
the Makhzan-ul-Adwiya says it is aphrodisiacal and tonic, checks
diarrhoea and removes corrupt bile.” Up to very recently, English
physicians in India administered it as an antiperiodic in doses
of about 30 grains, every 6 or 4 hours. Dr. M. Sheriff considers
that the ordinary doses are only useful asa tonic, and that 2
drams or more should be given as an antiperiodic. Probably,
says Dr. Dymock, the native estimate of the drug, as given
above from the Makhzan, is not far from truth, v2z., that it is
tonic and digestive and often useful in dyspepsia with diarrhcea
(Pharmacographia Indica, Vol. I., p. 16, 1890, Bombay). Dr.
Tribhuvandas. M. Shah of Junagadh says it is anthelmintic and
antifebrile, in doses of 10-30 grains. It can be given to children
in fevers.
3
18 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
The alkaloid Atisine of Broughton, from experiments made
on rabbits, appears to be non-poisonous. (Dymock). Dr. Dymock
says that Atis is an ingredient in Bal-Golz, a pill given to infants
to keep them quiet, which contains thirty-one drugs, of which
three are narcotics, viz., Bhang, opium and Datura, and the
remainder bitters, aromatics. (Ph. Indica, p. 15, Vol. I.)
Part used :—The root.
Use :—The root is cfficinal in the Indian Pharmacopceia.
Tonic and antiperiodic properties are attributed to it.
17. A. Soongaricum, Stapf.
Stapf writes :—‘‘Of all the Indian species of Aconitum which I have seen,
this comes nearest to the A. Napellus of Kurope; and if that species is taken
in a broad sense, A. Soongaricum might perhaps be included in it as a variety,
the principal differences being in the small size and shape of the tubers and
the peculiar long-beaked helmet. The long, linear, usually entire lacinize of
the leaves also are unusual in A. Napellus; still they occur occasionally.
The fruits and seeds may possibly. when known, add other distinctive
characters.” (1. ¢. p., 142.)
Vernacular name—unknown.
Habitat :—- Alpine region of the mountain ranges of Gilgit
and Turkestan.
Roots :—Biennial, paired ; tuberous: daughter-tuber conic,
slender, 2-2°5 em. long 0’°7 em. thick, with very few root-fibres,
brown externally, fracture horny, brown, taste faintly sweetish
bitter, followed by a very slight tingling sensation, cambium
continuous, forming a scarcely sinuous ring in cross-section ;
mother-tuber similar, more or less shrunk. Innovation-bud
conic, about 5 mm. long; scales scarious, soon decaying or
sprouting. Stem erect, simple, moderately robust, quite glabrous,
rarely slightly pubescent in the upper part, up to 7 dm. high.
Leaves scattered, lowest usually decayed at the time of flowering,
intermediate remote, upper more approximate, glabrous ; petioles
more or less widened at the base; lower up to 12 cm. long,
upper 1-2 cm. long; blades more or less cordate-orbicular or reni-
form in outline, with a wide or narrow sinus, 2—5 cm. deep ;
5—9 cm. from the sinus to the tip, 8—12 cm, across, 5-partite to
the very base or in the outer incisions almost to the base; inner
3 divisions similar, rhomboid in outline from a narrow cuneate
N. O. RANUNCULACER. 19
base, 2°5—3'5 cm. wide, 3-lobed to or beyond the middle or
pinnate-laciniate, lobes or laciniz broad-linear, obtuse to shortly
acute 1°5-5 cm. long, 3-5 mm. broad, entire or the larger with
1-2 coarse teeth or linear lobules, outer divisions 2-fid beyond
the middle, inner segment 2-3-lobed, outer often entire, linear.
Inflorescence an erect dense or somewhat loose, terminal raceme
6-18 cm. long, or with additional branches from the upper leaves,
glabrous or sparingly softly pubescent ; lower bracts foliaceous,
3-partite, with mostly entire long linear segments, considerably
exceeding the pedicels, intermediate linear, entire, up to 2-5 cm.
long, upper filiform, short; pedicels slender, erect or often
adpressed to the rhachis, lower 1'5—2°5 em. long; bracteoles
linear, above the middle of the pedicel, sometimes close to the
flower. Sepals blue, pubescent, ciliate; uppermost helmet-
shaped ; helmet clawed, equally curved on the back and in front
(seen in profile), descending into along slender beak, lateral
margin deeply concave, 16-18 mm. high, 12-15 mm. from the
tip to the base, 5-6 mm. wide at the top; lateral sepals oblique,
obovate-orbicular, shortly clawed 13-17 mm. long, not conti-
guous with the helmet; lower deflexed, sub-horizontal, elliptic to
oblong, obtuse or sub-obtuse, 10-15 mm. long. Nectartes
glabrous ; claw slender up to 12 mm. long; hood erect, 5 mm.
long, top gibbous at the back; lip oblong-ovate, crenulate,
as long as the hood. Filaments glabrous or sparingly hairy in
the upper part, 7-8 mm. long, winged below, wings gradually
or abruptly contracted. Carpels 3 lanceolate-oblong, gradually
passing into the style, somewhat diverging, glabrous or almost
so. Mature Follieles and seeds unknown. Young follicle
distinetly diverging, inserted on the enlarging torus.
Use.—“' The root does not appear to find its way to the
bazars of India. This species has not as yet been chemically
investigated, and it is just possible that it may be found to
contain aconitine.’—(Watt).
18. A. Chasmanthum, Stapf. Annals Royal Bot.
ard. Calcutta, Vol. X, pt. I., p. 142.
Vern.—Mohri (Jhelum Basin); Piun (Jhelum Basin); Ban-
bal-nag (Kashmir.)
20 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
Habitat :—Subalpine and Alpine zone of the Western Hima-
laya from Chitral and Hazara to Kashmir, between 7,000 and
12,000 ft.
Roots :—Biennial, paired, tuberous; daughter-tuber conic to
conic-cylindric from a broad base, 2°5-3°7 (rarely 5) em., 12-18
mm. thick, bearing more or less numerous root-fibres, leaving
behind the indurated bases when breaking off, bark brown to
blackish brown, smooth or wrinkled when dry, fracture cartila-
ginous, hard, white within the cambium ring, brownish without ;
taste slightly bitter, followed by a very persistent strong tingling
sensation, cambium continuous, forming a wide central strand,
sinuous in cross-section ; mother-tuber shrunk, deeply grooved
and wrinkled, black outside, brown right through. Innovation-
bud conic, short from a very broad base. Stem erect, simple,
inclusive of the inflorescence, 60-120 cm. high, rather stout,
crispo-pubescent above, glabrous below, or almost glabrous
all along. Leaves numerous, usually more distant in the lower
part and crowded in the upper, or more equally distributed,
the lowest on petioles up to 7°5 cm. long, the upper shortly
petioled or subsessile, passing into the floral leaves, quite
glabrous, somewhat fleshy, lower and intermediate blades
orbicular, reniform in outline, 4-6 em. high, 5-9 em. across,
3-palmati-partite almost to the very base, intermediate segment
obovate-cuneate, long attenuated at the base, 3-lobed to the
middle or beyond, lobes liciniate, or the middle lobe pinnati-
partite, ultimate liciniz linear, acute to very acute, lateral
segments deeply 2-partite and liciniate with the inner division,
similar to the intermediate segment and the outer 2-lobed
and smaller, uppermost lobes similar to the preceding, but
sinaller, relatively longer and more sparingly divided. In-
florescence a long, narrow, stiff, dense or loose raceme, often
over 30 cm. long, often leafy below, and sometimes with slender,
erect additional branches from the base, crispo-pubescent ;
rhachis stout ; floral leaves like the preceding leaves, but. still
less divided or entire, passing into the linear to filiform bracts ;
bracteoles, if any, small; pedicels slender, the lowest at length
2°5-3'5 em. long and adpressed to the rhachis when mature.
Sepals blue or whitish and variegated with blue, crispo-pubescent
N. 0. RANUNCULACES. Pal
or almost glabrous ; uppermost helmet-shaped, helmet more or
less depressed into a distinct and often long and slender beak.
15-10 mm. high, 12-18 mm. long, from the tip to the base, 5-7
mm. wide (seen from the side), lateral margin conspicuously
coneaye, lateral sepals not contiguous with the helmet, except
near the base, obliquely suborbicular or almost square, shortly
or obscurely clawed, 12-15 mm.long and broad, lower sepals
oblong, obtuse, 9-12 mm.long. Nectaries extinguisher-shaped
glabrous, claw 5-6 mm. long, leaning forward in the upper part ;
hood short, wide, very obtuse, top slightly gibbous on the back,
honey-gland occupying the whole top or the gibbosity. Fila-
ments glabrous or very sparingly hairy, winged ; wings gradually
or abruptly attenuated. Carpels 5, glabrous, rarely or sparingly
hairy on the back, conniving abruptly, contracted into the short
style, back convex. follicles oblong, truncate, 10-16 mm. long,
contiguous or with slightly divergent tips, glabrous. Seeds
brown obovoid to obpyramidal, 3°5 mm. long, equally 3-winged,
wings thin, faces smooth.
Properties and uses.—The root contains, according to Profes-
sor Dunstan, aconitine, but in very small proportions. It seems
that it is sometimes used in Northern India as a substitute for
the imported tuber of Aconitum Napellus (Wall).
Aconitum Chasmanthum, Stapf.—This was for sometime supposed to be the
European Aconitum Napellus, but is now known to be a distinct species.
The plant is known as ‘ Mohri.’
The alkaloid which has been obtained from the plant proves to be excep-
tionally interesting, since it represents a compound intermediate between the
aconitine of the European Aconitum Napellus and the pseudo-aconitine of the
Indian Aconitum ferox, This alkaloid is named indaconitine.
Properties.—Indaconitine is soluble in acetone, chloroform, alcohol, or
ether, but practically insoluble in light petroleum or water.
By the addition of light petroleum to a solution of the base in alcohol,
chloroform, or ether, well defined crystals may be readily obtained.
A peculiar property of indaconitine which sharply distinguishes it from
aconitine is its capability of crystallising in ‘severa] forms from the same
solvent. The cerystalline form appears to depend on the purity of the
substance and on the strength of the solution. By rapid crystallisation, the
base is deposited from ether in rosettes of needles, but if allowed to erystallise
slowly, or if the substance is not quite pure, it is obtained as transparent,
hexagonal prisms or large, irregular masses. If a somewhat concentrated
D2 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
solution is decanted from a flask, the indaconitine crystallises on the sides,
either in a characteristic fern-like form or in thin, circular layers of silky
needles.
Indaconitine crystallises uncombined with its solvent.
The melting point of indaconitine, if immersed in the bath at 150° and the
temperature slowly raised, is 202-203°. Crystallographically, indaconitine very
closely resembles aconitine, and on further investigation may prove to be
isomorphous,
Composition.—C., H,, O,, N, requires C=64:86; H=747, and N=2°22
per cent,
Physiological action.—This differs in degree only, and not in kind, from that
of aconitine and pseudo-aconitine. As in the case of other “ aconitines,” the
toxic action of indaconitine is virtually abolished by the removal of the
acetyl group, which occurs in the formation of indbenzaconine, an alkaloid
which is scarcely poisonous.
19. A retundrfoloum, Ver, and ior
Syn :—A. napellus, var. multifidum, Duthie.
A. napellus, var. rotundifolium. Hk. f. and Th.
Halitat:—Alpine zone of Turkistan to the North-Western
Himalaya, and the Safed Koh of Indo-Afghan frontier.
Roots :—Biennial, paired, tuberous ; daughter-tuber short, or
long, conic or subeylindric, 1—2.5 cm. long, 6-8 mm. thick, bear-
ing long fine root—fibres breaking off easily ; bark very thin,
whitish to brown, smooth, fracture pure white, farinaceous ; taste
slightly bitter, almost indifferent ; cambium discontinuous, form-
ing 4-5 isolated, very slender cylindric strands arranged in a
ring ; mother-tuber more or less shrunk, wrinkled, dark brown to
almost black, brownish internally. Stem erect or ascending
from a short (1°5 cm.) hypogzous base, simple, 15-40 cm. high,
terete, slender, crispo-pubescent in upper part, glabrous below.
Leaves mostly basal, 4-5 rarely 8, gathered in a loose rosette
above the hypogzous part of the stem, coétanous with the
flowers, somewhat fleshy, glabrous or scantily pubescent on long
(4-13 cm.) petioles which are dilated and more or less sheathing
at the base ; 1-2 or rarely more, higher up on the stem or very short
petioles; lower blade, orbicular-cordate or almost reniform in
outline, with a narrow sinus (0'7-2 cm. deep), 1-3°5 cm. high
N. 0. RANUNCULACER, oe)
from the sinus to the tip. 2-6 cm. across, 5-7-palmati-partite
to 4-2 in the inner, to } or less in the outer incisions, divisions
broadly ovate-cuneate, 3- or (the outermost) 2-lobed to or
beyond the middle, lobes narrow, sparingly crenate or inciso-
crenate, crepae subobtuse, calloso-apiculate; cauline blades
similar to the lower, but smaller, less divided, with narrower
and longer lobes and more pubescent. Inflorescence a shor’
(up to 8-9 cm.), few-flowered, usually loose raceme, or with a few
slender, few-flowered, additional branches from the uppermost
of the much reduced leaves, crispo-pubescent to tomentose ;
lowest bracts 5-3-partite, very narrow divisions, or like the
upper entire, linear, as long as or longer than the pedicels,
uppermost much reduced or suppressed ; bracteoles, if present,
‘minute; pedicels slender, lowest up to 2 cm. long, upper much
shorter, erect in the mature state, more or less adpressed to the
rhachis. Sepals pale or purplish blue or white or variegated,
with saturated veins, more or less pubescent, overlapping at the
base only in the fully open flowers ; uppermost navicular, more
or less beaked, obliquely erect, 12-20 mm. high, 15-25 mm. long
(from the beak to the base), 4-7 mm. broad, obliquely clawed;
lateral sepals oblique, broadly obovate or suborbicular, about
15 mm. long, 10-13 mm. broad; not or obscurely clawed, lower
sepals deflexed, elliptic-oblong, or elliptic-obtuse, about 8 mm.
long. Nectaries glabrous, extinguisher-shaped; claw very
slender, 12-15 mm. long, leaning forward in the upper part,
hood horizontal, or more or less deflexed, saceate, very obscure,
top often widened and gibbous in front, lip 2-lobed, lobes often
narrow aod rather long. Milaments glabrous, very rarely with
a few minute hairs, winged to the middle, wings gradually
alternated or running into minute teeth. Carpels usually 5
(4 or 6), contiguous, oblong, abruptly contracted into the style,
softly villous. /ollicles contiguous or almost so, oblong, truncate
at the top, 9-13 mm. long, softly hairy. Seeds brown, obpy-
ramidal, 3-angled, obliquely truncate at the top, 2°5-3 mm.
long, angles unequally winged, wings hollow, faces smooth.
General Properties :—On the authority of Col. Monro, the roots
of the Alpine form, it appears, are eaten by the hillmen of
Kanawar as a pleasant tunic, uuder the name of Atees (Stapf).
24. INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
20. A. deinorrhizum, Stapf. sp. nov.
Fig. :—Stapf. Annals Roy. Bot. Gard. Calcutta, Vol. X, pt. 11,
t 103.
Habitat :-——Alpine Himalaya of Bashahr.
Vernacular name—mohra, maura bikh.
Roots : —Biennial, tuberous, paired ; daughter-tuber conical,
rather elongated, up to 6°5 cm. long, and at the upper end
up to18 mm. thick, with very few filiform root-fibres, brown
externally, fracture scarcely farinaceous, whitish, taste indifferent,
followed by a strong tingling sensation, cambium discontinuous,
broken into strands, arranged in a ring, the smaller circular in
cross-section, the larger tangentially flattened ; mother-tuber
similar, more or less shrunk, wrinkled, with long filiform root-
fibres. Innovation-bud a very low, broad, obtuse cone; scales
very broad witha clasping base, decaying after sprouting.
Stem several feet high, erect, straight, simple, terete, sparingly
and finely crispo-pubescent in the upper part, otherwise
glabrous, shining, or in young plants sparingly pubescent all
along. Leaves up to 10 or 12, scattered, lower usually decayed
at the time of flowering, the upper 6-8 rather distant, sparingly
hairy when young, especially towards the margins and on the
nerves below, soon glabrescent ; petioles slender, mostly 5-7 em.
long, dilated at the base; blade reniform or ovate-reniform in
outline, with a very wide sinus or an almost truncate base,
5-pedati-partite almost to the base (to 72-33 in the inner, to 3-4
in the outer, incisions), inner divisions subequal or intermediate,
distinctly longer, rkombic from a cuneate base, up to 8 em. (or
the intermediate to 10 cm. long), 5-6°5 em. broad, 3-lobed to
the middle, intermediate lobe much longer than the lateral,
lobes deeply laciniate, laciniz linear or broad-lanceolate, entire
or sparingly inciso-dentate, shortly acute or subobtuse, outer
divisions asymmetric, usually to or beyond the middle, otherwise
similar to the inner, but smaller. Inflorescence straight, racemose,
simple or sometimes with an additional branchlet from near its
base, 30-40 cm. long, narrow, not very dense, greyish, crispo-
pubescent ; lowest bracts similar to the preceding leaves, or like
N. 0. RANUNCULACES. 25
the rest much reduced, coarsely and sparingly dentate, the upper-
most very small; pedicels erect, slender, lower up to 6°5 cm. long,
upper much shorter ; bracteoles linear, up to 4 mm. long, or on
the lower pedicels broader and sparingly dentate. Sepals blue,
crispo-puberulous ; uppermost helmet-shaped, helmet more or
less oblique, depressed, 15-20 mm. high, 17-22 mm. from the tip
to the base, about 7 mm. wide (in profile), slightiy concave
towards the base in front and produced into a short beak and
broadly clawed ; lateral oblique, sub-orbicular, scarcely ungui-
culate, ciliate, 14-18 mm. long; lower oblong, 10 mm. long,
obtuse, deflexed. Nectaries hispidulous all over; claw almost
straight, 12-13 mm. long; hood leaning forward, gibbous near
the top on the back, 5 mm. long, lip short, broad, emarginate,
reflexed. Filaments hairy in the upper part, 8-L0 mm. long,
winged beyond the middle, wings abruptly contracted. Carpels
3, oblong, conniving in the flower, then sub-divaricate, ad-
pressedly greyish-pubescent, contracted into the rather long
style. Follicles unknown. Seeds obconic, 3 mm. long, terete
with numerous small, short transverse lamelle.
Properties and uses.—Watt quotes in Agric. Ledg., G. G.
Minniken as saying that in Bashahr the poisonous aconites
are collectively called Mohra. The poisonous principle of this
aconite is pseudo-aconite.
21. . Watlichi, Hook: nrei, 1. 119:
Habitat :—Temperate Himalaya, Nepal and Sikkim.
Welsh Poppy.
A prickly perennial herb; slender, stellately pubescent and
softly hairy in tender parts. Stem 4-6 ft., leafy, branched.
Leaves 8-12 in., pinnatifid, oblong or obovate. Lanceolate,
glaucous beneath, long-petioled. Flowers much panicled, purple
1-14 in. diam., many, pedicels short. Sepals densely pubescent,
not setose. Petals 4. Stamens numerous; filaments slender ;
anthers erect. Style distinct, persistent, stigmatic lobes clubbed.
Capsule 1 in., elliptic-oblong, 5-valved, densely bristly, seeds
many, small, rugose.
Part used :—The root.
Use :—The root is used as a narcotic in Kashmir.
N. O. FUMARIACE:.
66. Hypecoum procumbens, Linn, H.¥.B.1., 1. 120.
Habitat :— Drier parts of the Punjab, Peshawar, Multan and
the Salt Range.
A low, annual glaucous herb. Stems procumbent, many,
3-12 in., slender. Leaves 2-3-pinnatisect, 2-4 in.. Segments
linear or oblong, upper sessile, whorled. Flowers few, 1 in.
diam., yellow, pedicelled. Outer petals 3-lobed. Inner petals
with the lateral segments linear-oblong, obtuse, midlobe entire,
retuse or 2-fid, toothed or fimbriate (H. f. and Th.). Fruit
14-24 in., € in. broad, curved, sub-compressed, at length break-
ing up into l-seeded joints.
Parts used :—The leaves.
(7ses:—The juice has the same effect as opium. ‘The leaves
act as diaphoretic. (Murray).
WN. O. FUMARIACEA. 85
67. Corydalis Govamana, Wall. H.¥F.B.1,, 1. 124.
Sans. :—Bhutakesi.
Vern. :—Bhutkis, bhutkesi (H. and B.)
Habitat :—Western Himalayas, 8-120,00 feet, from Kumaon
to Kashmir.
Herbs with a presistent woody reotstock, which latter is often
branched, crowded with red leaf-sheaths. Stem stout, 1-2 ft., as
thick as the thumb, almost naked, or with 1-2 leaves near the
top. Radical leaves nearly equalling the stem, many oblong,
2-pinnatisect, long-petioled, cuneate, lanceolate, cut into linear
segments, 2 near the base. Cauline leaves 1-2 or 0. Racemes 2-4
in.long, terminal, dense, many-flowered. Bracts broadly
cuneate, exceeding the pedicels cut about the middle. Flowers
1 in. long, bright yellow, posticous petal convex, back wing very
broad, limb shorter than the curved slender spur. Capsule 4-4
in. Style persistent, half its length.
Part used :—The root.
Uses :—The root is supposed to be tonic, diuretic and altera-
tive, and is prescribed in syphilitic, scrofulous and cutaneous
affections, in the dose of from 10 to 30 grains. The drug is
also often used in the form of a decoction or tincture. (Watt).
638°C: ramosa) Wall? HF.B.1., 1. 125.
Habitat :— Alpine Himalaya, from Sikkim to Kashmir.
A glaucous herb. Stem procumbent, ‘veak-branched, 1-2
ft. (dwarf at high elevations), often leafy, flexuous. Radical
leaves few or many, long-petioled, 2-3-times divided ; alternate
segments small, narrow-oblong or linear. Leaves finally decom-
pound. Racemes terminal, many, lax, many-flowered. Bracts
cut into linear lobes, 1-5 in., Howers 4 in. long, yellow ; posticous
petal dorsally winged, hooded or shorter than the obtuse spur.
Style persistent, pedicels deflexed. Capsules ovate-oblong,
obtuse. Seeds shining, numerous.
Hooker mentions 3 varieties,
Use :—Dr. Aitchison, in his Flora of the Kurram Valley,
says that in Kurram this is employed by the natives in the
treatment of eye diseases, like all other plants, with yellow sap.
It is there called Mamtran.
86 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
69. Fumaria parviflora, Lamk. u.e.B.1., 1. 128.
Syn. :—-F. officinalis, Bedd.
(Sanskrit) Parpat.
Vern.:—Pitpapada, (Hind. Dec.); Ban-sulpha (Beng.) ;
Pittapapado (Guj.); Khasudlio (Dr. Shah); Kshetra Parputi
(Hindi); Shahatara, Shatra (Pers., Sind.); Tura (Tam.); Cha-
tarashi (Tel.) Khairuwa (Kumaon.)
Habitat :—Indo-Gangetic plain, lower Himalaya and Nilghiri
Mts. : a weed of cultivation. Gujrat and the Konkan.
An annual glabrous herb, pale green, much-branched.
Stem diffuse, 4-24 in. Rootstock usually perennial. Leaves
pinnately divided ; leaflets deeply-lobed ; segments very narrow,
flat, lobed or entire. Flower pale pink or white, tips purple, 4-4
in. long, in numerous, short racemes, 1-2 in.; bracts lanceolate,
outer petals dissimilar, upper one broad, concave, produced at the
base, in a short rounded spur, less than 4 the length of the petal ;
lower one flat, narrow. Inner petals narrow, clawed, keeled
(Collett). Sepals lanceolate, much smaller than the coronal-tube.
Pedicels exceeding the bracts. Lower set of stamens spurred at
the base, the spur projecting inside the petal-spur. Fruit, a very
small globose, l-seeded nutlet, rugose, when dry, rounded at the
top, with two pits.
Pittapapada is foundas a weed, usually cultivated in fields
in the Dekkan, the Konkan and Sindh. Described by Dalzell
and by Woodrow. It has been found by Jaya Krishna Indraji
at Porebunder.
Part used :-—The entire plant, except the root.
Uses:—The dried plant is regarded as efficacious in low
fever, and is also used as an anthelmintic, diuretic, diaphoretic
and aperient, and to purify the blood in skin diseases. (Baden-
Powell).
Along with black pepper, it is used in the treatment of ague.
(Royle). Mahomedan writers describe the plant as diuretic and
alterative, aperient and expectorant. (Dymock.)
It has been prescribed by Dr. T. M. Shah of Junagadh
usefully as a tonic in Dyspepsia and in mild fever.
N. 0. GRUCIFERZ. 87
Dr. Thornton is of opinion that the drug is useful in leprous
affections.
The authors of the Pharmacographia Indica describe the
drug as beneficial in dyspepsia due to torpidity of the intestines
and as a valuable remedy in scrofulous skin diseases.
N. O. CRUCIFERAH.
70. ‘‘ Matthiola incana R. Br. u.F.B.1., 1. 131.
Habitat :—Cultivated in the gardens of N. India.
Vern. :—Todri safed (Pb. Sind).
A shrubby, erect, hoary herb. Stem 1-2 ft. ; branched.
Leaves oblong-lanceolate, entire; rarely obscurely toothed
Raceme 1-2in. Flowersin May-June. 1-2 in. diam., purple
to violet. Siliqua glandular, 2-4 in., 4 in. broad. Seed orbicular,
winged.
Hooker says that it is the “ Queen-Stock”’ of English
gardens where it is treated as an annual or biennial.
Parts used :—The seeds.
Uses:—The seeds are said to be aphrodisiac ‘Stewart).
The seeds are of three kinds, yellow, red and white; used in
infusion in cancer, are expectorant, mixed with wine given
as an antidote to poisonous bites (Dr. Emerson).
71. Cherranthus Chiert, Linn. 8.¥.B.1., 1. 132.
The English wild “ Wall-flower”’.
Habitat :—Not indigenous, but cultivated in gardens
in North India.
Vern. :-—Todri Surkh, Lahoori shuboo (H); Khueri (B).
Stem shrubby, erect, bushy, branched in a determinate
manner; branches angular, leafy, hoary, with close bristly
silvery hairs, chiefly directed downwards, like those on _ both
sides of the leaves; though some point the contrary way, on
the leaves as well as the siliqua, being perfectly distinct from
others. Leaves crowded, stalked, lanceolate, acute, almost
8& INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
invariably entire ; the lower-most, if any, more or less of a minute
silvery hoariness especially at the back. Flowers corymbose,
sweet-scented. Petals always of a uniform bright golden
yellow, not stained with brown or blood-red as in the Garden
Ch. Cheiri of England, though the calyx is purplish. Siliqua
racemose, erect 14-2 in. long, covered with close hairs chiefly,
if not altogether, pointing upwards. Style prominent, crowned
with a cloven stigma. Seeds flat, with a narrow membranous,
deciduous border at one side as well as the summit of each.
Farts used :—The flowers and seeds.
Uses:—The flowers, said to be cardiac and emmenago-
gue, are used in paralysis and impotence. The seed is also
used as an aphrodisiac (Irvine'.
The dried petals are much used in Upper India as an
aromatic stimulant (O’Shaughnessy).
The flowers are employed to make a medicated oil; for
this purpose they are boiled in olive oil; this prepared oil
is much used for enemata (Year-Book of Pharmacy, 1874, p.
622).
By extracting the flowers with low-boiling solvents, a dark-coloured
pasty extract is obtained which (after evaporation of the solvent and separa-
tion from fatty and waxy matters by strong alcohol) yields, on distillation
with steam, a yellowish oil of unpleasant odour having a specific gravity
of 1°001, and distilling under 3 mm. pressure between 40° and 150°C. the
yield is about 0°06 per cent. The alcoholic solution shows a feeble bluish
fluorescence. A highly diluted alcoholic solution possesses the characteristic
odour of the flowers. The oil is found to contain :—Compounds resembling
mustard oil, ketones and aldehydes (having the odors of Violets and Haw-
thorn), nerol, geraniol, benzyl, linalool, indole, methyl antheranilate, acetic
acid (probably in combination with benzyl alcohol and linalool), salicylic acid
(probably as methyl salicylate) and traces of phenols and lactones. (J, Ch. I.
July 15,1911, p. 829).
Cheiranthin is obtained by evaporating the alcoholic or aqueous ex-
tract of the leaves or seeds of the wall-flower, removing the inactive oils by
light petroleum, treating with lead acetate, and finally salting out the gluco-
side with magnesium, Sodium or ammonium sulphate, when it separates in
small yellow flakes, from which the salts may be removed by means of alcohol
and ether. It may also be precipitated by tannin, and in either ease still
contains an active alkaloid which may be removed by shaking with ether or
ethylic acetate. Cheiranthin brings about the characteristic rest is frogs.
J. Ch. S, UXXVI., pt. I (1899), p. 378.
N. 0. CRUCIFERZ. . 89
The physiological action of Cheiranthin resembles that
of the digitalis compounds. _
Cheirinine, C,,H3,,0,7;N,, obtained from the alcoholic senna of the
seeds of the wall-flower, crystallises in small, colourless needles, melts
at 73--74°, and is soluble in warm water, alcohol, ether, chloroform, or ethy-
lacetate. The aqueous solution is neutral and gives precipitates with
the ordinary alkaloidal reagents. The physiological action of cheirinine
resembles that of quinine. © Bee | re
The seeds also contain choline. J. Ch. S. LXXVIII. pt. I. (1900) p. 186.
(Za Nasturtium omenale, Bh. br. uF-.B.L.,
1. 133.
Eng. :—The Water-cress.
Ver, :—Piriya halim (Kumaon).
Habitat :—Rohilkhand, Punjab (N, India). Found near all
hill-stations, but probably introduced. Simla in ‘iaeliies: Ceylon,
found naturalized at Kandy (Trimen).
An aquatic. Stem creeping and floating, much branched.
Leaves pinnate, the upper with 3-7 pinules and a terminal one,
the lower cut into 3 repand segments. Flowers white, in short
racemes. Petals longer than the sepals. Pods 3—1 in,, stalked,
spreading or bent upward ; seeds small, 2-seriate. =
Ose:—Used as a salad, on account of its appetizing and
anti-scorbutic properties.
The essential oil consists chiefly of phenylethylenethiocarbimide, C;H;.
CH,.CH,.N: CS, which was identified by converting it into the thiocarbamide.
The glucoside from which these are derived, is named ‘ gluconasturtiin,’ se
is regarded as having the constitution—
CH, Ph.CH,.N.C(S.C;H,,0,).0.SO,K+«H,O, but could only be obtained as
a syrup ; by decomposition with silver nitrate, it gives ‘ silver nasturtiate,’
CH, Ph.CH,.N:C(SA,).0,S0,A,+2H,O, which also forms a crystalline
compound with 2NH,, but loses this at ordinary temperatures.
When acted on by sodium thiosulphate, silver nasturtiate gives a clear
solution which probably contains the sodium salt, but soon decomposes into
sodium sulphate and the thiocarbamide, which can then be extracted with
ether. J. Ch. S. 1899 A I, 930.
From this plant phenylethylthiocarbimide, CH,Ph,CH.NCS is obtained.
Silver nasturtiate is soluble in ammonia in the presence of ammonium
nitrate, but is precipitated by nitric acid, and is decomposed by sodium
12
90 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
thiosulphate into phenylethylthiocarbamide and sodium sulphate. When
an attempt was made to prepare an additive compound of the silver salt with
ammonia, it was found that some of the silver was replaced at the same time
by ammonium, It is noteworthy that the seeds do not contain an appreciable
quantity of any enzyme capable of hydrolysing the glucoside. J. Ch. S, 1900.
AT, 49.
73. Cardamine pratensis, Linn. H.F.B.1., 1. 138.
Habitat:—Hassora in western Tibet.
A perennial glabrous herb. Stem 1 ft. Rootstock some-
times bearing small fleshy tubers. Leaves pinnate; leaflets
of the radical leaves orbicular or ovate, terminal longer; those
of the cauline leaves linear-oblong entire, in equi-distant pairs,
angled, shortly petioled. Flowers large white or lilac, corym-
bose when young. Petals spreading three times as long as
sepals. Pods L-in., linear, erect. Style short.
Use :—Used as a salad for the same purpose as Nasturtium
officinale.
14. Parsetia Jacguemontu, Hf. and.’
H.F.B.1., I. 140.
Vern :—Mulei, farid buti, Jathia, farid muli (Pb.)
Habitat :--Sandy places in the Punjab and Sindh.
An erect, rather rigid, hoary perennial herb, covered
with closely adpressed hairs attached at their middle. Stems
12-18 in., branches virgate. Leaves 4-1 in., linear-oblong
or linear. Flowers large; buds elliptic ; Sepals acute, strigose ;
Petals half as long as the sepals. Stigma short, suberect.
Pods narrow linear or linear-oblong, 14-2 by 4-34 in., com-
pressed; valves flat, nerveless or faintly one-nerved; seeds
2-serlate.
75. F. Hamiltoni, Royle. a.F.B.1., 1. 140.
Habitat :—Upper Gangetic plain and the Punjab, from
Agra westwards.
A rigid, hoary undershrub, with forked virgate branches
in the Salt Range of the Punjab, Leaves linear, Flowers”
N. O. CRUCIFERZ. 91
spicate, distant, large; buds cylindric, sepals obtuse 3-% in.,
hoary. Petals linear, obtuse, twice as long as the sepals. Pod
elliptic-oblong 3-3 by 4-4 in., erect, broad ; valves flat, mid-rib
indistinct, or sometimes prominent; style very short. Seeds
usually 2-serlate.
76. EF. Aegyptiaca Turr. H.F.B.1., 1. 140.
Vern.:—Mulei, farid buti, lathia, farid muli (Pb.).
Habitat :—Punjab, in the Salt Range.
An erect rigid perennial, covered with dense and _ fine,
closely-adpressed pubescence; branches long, erect, virgate.
Leaves linear, very narrow. Flowers small, in long spicate
racemes. Buds small, subglobose; sepals, obtuse, strigose,
margins scarious. Petals obovate, a little longer than the sepals,
pink. Pods 4-1 by 35 in., linear ; valves almost nerveless ; septum
transparent; style slender. Seeds 1-seriate.
Medteinal Properties and Uses:-—All the above three
species are considered specific for rheumatism in the Punjab.
They are pounded and taken as a cooling medicine (Stewart).
77. Sisysmbrium Sophia, Linn, u.F.B.1., 1. 150.
Habitat :—Punjab, in the Salt Range and near Peshawar ;
Temperate Himalaya, from Kumaon to Kashmir, Simla, Western
Tibet.
An annual, erect, glabrous or finely pubescent herb.
Stems 1-2 ft. Leaves numerous 14-2 in., sessile, twice or
thrice pinnatisect; segments short, thread-like. Flowers pale
yellow; pedicels slender, ebracteate. Pods glabrous, slender,
1in., slightly flattened, curved, erect, or spreading, cylindric ;
mid-rib prominent ; stigma subsessile.
_ Use:—The Seeds are used medicinally as a substitute or
adulterant for those of S. Irio. (Stewart).
(OBO wT tO) Dinnyd.E-B.1., 1-150)
_ Vern.:—(Seeds) Khub kalan (Hind).; Naktrasa, Jangli
sarson, Khub Kalan, Khaksi, (Pb.) Parjan ; (Merwara) ; Jangli-
92 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
Surson, (Sindh) ; Khakshi (Bomb.); Rantikhi (Mar.); Khakshir
(Pers.) |
Habitat :—Northern India, from Rajputana to the Punjab.
An annual or biennial, tall, glabrous herb. Stem 1-3 ft.,
quite glabrous or slightly pubescent at base. Leaves petioled,
runcinate, pinnatifid, segments remote, spreading, toothed not
auricled; terminal large, sometimes hastate. Pedicels slender.
Flowers yellow, minute. Fruiting pedicels slender, young pods
overtopping the raceme. Old 3-nerved. Pods 14-2 in., slen-
der, erect, glabrous, subtorulose.
Parts used :—The seeds.
Use :—The seed is expectorant and restorative, and used
externally as a stimulating poultice (Dymock.)
It is also said to be a febrifuge (Stewart.)
79.- Brassica nigra, Koch. H4.¥F.B.1., 1.156.
Syn. :—Sinapis erysimoides, Roxb. 499.
Sans. :—Sarshap.
Vern. :—Rai, Kali rai, tira, taramira, lahi, banarsirai,
jag-rai, asl-rai, ghor-rai, makra-rai (H); Réai-Saron, (Bom). ;
Kadagho (Tam); Avalo (Tel.); Bile Sasive, Karisasive, sasive,
(Kan).; Ahor, Suraj, Kali-surson (Sindh) ; Kali Sarson (Kumaon).
i Habitat :—Cultivated in various parts of India.
An annual, 2-3 ft. high, rigid, branched, more or less
hispid. Leaves 4-8 in., -petioled; lower lyrate, upper entire.
Racemes naked. - Flowers 4-3 in. diam., bright. yellow.
Sepals spreading. Pods %-% in., subulate; valves keeled,
torulose ; cells 3-5-seeded. Seeds oblong. aie
Parts used :—The seeds.
Uses:—The seeds of this plant are used in medicine‘as
poultice, being a useful and simple rubefacient and vesicant.
Mustard poultices prove highly serviceable in cases of febrile
and inflammatory diseases, internal congestions, spasmodic,
neuralgic, and rheumatic affections. “Mustard flour in water is
highly recommended as a‘speedy and safe emetic. a
N. 0. CRUCIFERAE. 93
-~. -The seeds act as a digestive condiment, if taken moderately:
Tf swallowed whole they operate as a laxative, and for this
purpose are sometimes prescribed in dyspepsia and other com-
plaints-attended with torpid bowels ‘ Watt).
. The pure fresh oil is a stimulant and mild counter-irritant
when applied externally. Assuch, itis very useful in mild
attacks of sore-throat, internal congestion, and chronic muscular
rheumatism (Surg. D. Basu, Faridpur).
The oil rubbed on the feet and the bridge of the nose cut
short a head cold in one night. Ihave never seen it fail. In
slight bronchitic affections of children, it makes a very useful
mild counter-irritant application to the chest. It is also a very
useful application in ordinary sore-throat (Surg. K. D. Ghose).
805-8. campresiiis, Lian. H:¥.B.1., 1. 156.
Syn. :—Sinapis dichotoma and 8. Glauca. Roxb. 497, 498.
- Vern. :—Sarson, Sarson-zard, bara-lai, Sheta-Shirsa, banga-
arson, pila-sarson, rara-sarson, pili rai (H.); shwet-rai (B.} ;
Sarashire, raira (Guj.); Hile-rayan (Deck.).
Habitat :—Cultivated throughout India.
(Variety Sarson, Prain F. B. Ind. I 156 under B.
campestris, sub-species Napus). Stem 4-5 ft... unbranched
or branching only near the top. Leaves glaucous, all (except
the lowest 2 or 3), with stem clasping basal lobes; lower leaves
pinnati-partite, 6-8 by 2-3 in., terminal lobe much the largest ;
upper leaves oblong or lanceolate, 23-3 in., more or less pinnati-
fid. Flowers nearly } in. diam. Pods various, erect or pendent,
sometimes 3 or 4-valved ; erect pods2 in., pendent pods 3-34 in.
long, including the beak ; beak conical, up to 1 in. Seeds 30-80
ina pod. A cold weather crop inthe plains and hills, up to
6,000 ft. Indian Colza. Native name Sarson.
Parts used :—The seeds.
Uses:—The oil, combined with camphor, forms an effica-
cious embrocation in muscular rheumatism, stiff neck, &c. The
seeds mixed with hot water form an efficient counter-irritant
94 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
poultice. The oil used in dengue fever with great benefit.
Used for rubbing on the chest in bronchitis. Action similar to
mustard, but less effective.
Si DP Juncea,. 1. Ff and I) aw Bie 157.
Syn.:—Sinapis ramosa, Roxb; 8. cuneifolia, Roxb, S.
rugosa, Roxb. 498 and 499.
Sans. :—R&ajika (Kumaon.)
Vern. :--Rai, Sarson, Sarson-lahi, gohna-sarson, bari-rai,
barlai, badshai-rai, Khas-r4i (H); Rai sarisha, (B); Asur
(Kashmir); Rai (Guz.); Mohari; rayi (Mar.).
Habitat :-——Cultivated in India.
A tall, erect, branching annual, rarely glaucous, or hispid
at the base only. Stem 3-6 ft., much-branched. Lower leaves
petioled, sometimes pinnatifid, upper large, lanceolate, toothed,
subsessile. Terminal lobe much the largest. Blade of the
basal leaves 6-8 by 2-4 in., toothed; upper leaves 2-24 in.,
entire. Flowers bright yellow; sepals spreading 4 in: diam.
Pods 24-24 in. including the beak, linear-lanceolate; beak
narrowly-conical, $ in.; valves with a prominent mid-rib. Seeds
small, dark rugose, globose, about 40 in a pod.
Parts used :—The seeds.
Uses :——“‘ The seeds commonly met with in the bazaars of
India, which, from their colour, may be denominated Brown
Mustard Seed, possess properties similar to those of the black
and white mustard seed, for which they may be employed as
an efficient substitute, especially in the preparation of mustard
poultices.” (Pharm. of Ind.)
“Externally used in internal congestions, in spasmodic,
neuralgic, and rheumatic affections, and in morbid states of
the cerebro-spinal system, as an emetic. Taken internally, it
acts as a digestive.’ (Bombay Pharmacopceia Committee).
82. . Hruca sativa, Lam. 4.F.B.1., 1. 158.
Eng. :—The rocket.
Vern. :—Safed-sarsu (Bombay).
N. O. CRUCIFER. 95
_ Anannual or biennial herb, glabrous or slightly hairy,
glaucous. Stem 6-18 in., erect, branching. Leaves sessile, 1-4
in., pinnatifid ; segments coarsely toothed, terminal, one broad ;
upper leaves smaller, sometimes very entire. Flowers pale
yellow or white, $ in. across in racemes; veins dark. Sepals
erect, lateral, slightly saccate. Petals clawed. Stigma capitate.
Pods erect, pressed against stem, oblong-ovoid, 3-1 in., nearly
terete, pro'!onged in a flat-pointed, seedless beak half the length
of the valves. Seedsin two rows. Cotyledons folded longi-
tudinally over the radicle (Collett.)
Cultivated as a field-crop in N. W. Provinces, for the
oil expressed from the seed. Simla. An escape; cultivated in
Central India, Western Himalaya, Upper Gangetic valley.
Use :—It has properties similar to those of the water-cress
and the cuckoo flower. It is acrid and used for purposes similar
to those of Mustard.
The seeds are dark brown or dark grey and yield 30°8 per cent. of clear
yellow oil with a slight mustardlike odor and taste. Sp. gr. at 15° C., 0°915
Saponification value, 175°7; iodine value, 101°6. The oil could probably be
used as a substitute for rape or colza oil. 100 seeds weigh only 0°25 grm.
Bulletin Imperial Institute 1913.
83. Capsella Bursa-Pastoris, Moench, H.F.B.L,
jo 1USSL |
Habitat :-—A cosmopolitan weed in the vicinity of cultiva-
tion throughout temperate India.
‘An annual herb, more or less covered with forked hairs ;
root long, tapering. Stems erect, 6-18 in., branched. Radical
leaves variable, usually pinnatifid, sometimes lanceolate, ter-
minal lobe broadly triangular ; segments nearly entire ; upper
leaves pinnatifid, lobed at the base, stem-clasping ; uppermost
lanceolate. Flowers small, 4, in. diam. ; white, racemed. Sepals
spreading, equal at the base. Pods nearly flat, triangular or
obcordate, about + in. broad. Seeds many, in two rows, oblong,
punctate; radicle incumbent.
Use:—‘ This very common weed is bitter and pungent,
yields a volatile oil on distillation identical with the oil of mus-
tard, and has been used as an antiscorbutic, also in hematuria
Y6 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
and other hemorrhages, as well as in dropsy.” (U. S. Dispen-
satory.) |
84. Lepidium sativum, Linn. 4.F.B.1., 1.159. ~
Sans. :—Chandrasura. ee
Vern. :—Halim (Kumaon) chausaur (H.); Assalia, Abliva,
(Bomb.); Ali verai(Tam); Adit-yalu (Tel.) ; Halim, aleverie (B.) ;
tezak (Pb.); Ahero(Sind.); Asalio halim(Guz.); Allibija. (Kan.).
Habitat :—Cultivated throughout India.
An annual, erect, glabrous herb. Stems erect, 6-18 in.,
branched. Radical leaves twice-pinnatisect, long-petioled.
Cauline sessile and usually entire, say Hooker. f. and T.
Anderson ; pinnatifid or lanceolate, says Sir Henry Collett.
Flowers small, white, in long racemes. Sepals erect, equal at
the base. Pods ovate, 2? in., notched at the tip; margins
winged, wings narrow. Pods orbicular-ovate (H. f. and T).
Pedicels adpressed. Seeds one in each cell. MRadicle in-
eumbent, cotyledons divided. |
In Simla fields; flowers in April and May.
It is the garden cress of Europe and Asia.
Parts used :—The seed and leaves.
Use:— According to the Sanskrit writers, the seeds are
described as tonic and alterative, efficacious in hiccup, diarrhoea
and skin diseases (U. C. Dutt).
The Mahomedan writers consider the seeds to have aph-
rodisiac and diuretic properties; they recommend them for the
dispersion of certain chronic enlargements of the spleen, &c.,
and as an alterative in various diseased conditions supposed to
be produced by cold humors (Dymock).
According to Honigberger, the plant in the Punjab was
administered in cases of asthma, cough with expectoration and
bleeding piles. The root is used in secondary syphilis and
tenesmus.
According to Bellew, the seeds are also considered to be
galactagogue in the Punjab, and are administered after being
boiled with milk, to cause abortion. O’Shaughnessy found the
drug answer asa gentle and warm aperient.
N. O. CRUCIFER. O7
Moodeen Sheriff writes of the seeds thus:—*“ Externally,
it is of great service in all the diseases in which the mustard is
resorted to. The thick and very gummy mucilage of the seeds
acts as a mechanical antidote in cases of poisoning by irritant
substances, enveloping the poisonous particles and sheathing
the mucous membrane of the stomach and intestine.” He
regards the seed as a more satisfactory rubefacient than that
of mustard prepared in India. According to him, the
mucilage obtainable from the seeds may be used as a substitute
for imported tragacanth and gum Arabic. “ The best medicinal
property of this drug, is its usefulness in dysentery and dysen-
teric diarrhoea. The coarse powder and the thick and very
gummy mucilage of the seeds appear well-suited to allay the
irritation of the mucous coat of the intestines in those
diseases, and they thus relieve or check their symptoms to a
considerable extent.
The leaves are gently stimulant and diuretic, as a salad,
serviceable in scorbutic diseases (Balfour). The oil extracted
from the seeds is also used medicinally.
When prepared by steam distillation from the finely cut plants, the
essential oils of L. sativum consist principally of benzylthiocarbimide ; this
is always mixed with benzylic cyanide, especially if the plants are only
coarsely cut before the distillation. Both compounds are produced by the
decomposition of a glucoside, the former by the action of the ferment myrosin,
and the latter by the action of boiling water and acids. The glucoside could
not be obtained in crystals, but when decomposed by silver nitrate gave an
insoluble silver derivative, which dissolved at once in ammonia, separating
again in a crystalline form with two molecules of ammonia; to this compound
the formula CH, Ph° N: C (SAg). O. SO, Ag-+2NH, is assigned, and the acid
from which it is derived is named ‘ tropaeolic acid ;’ the glucoside, to which
the name of ‘ glucotropeolin’ is given, is regarded as having the constitution—
CH,Ph.N : C (8,C;H,,0,). O.SO,K2H,0.
When acted on by sodium thiosulphate, silver tropzeolate gives a clear
solution which probably contains the sodium salt, but soon decomposes into
sodium sulphate and the thiocarbimide, which can then be extracted with
ether. J. Ch. S, 1899A T, 930.
85. FRaphanus sativus, Linn. H.F.B.1., 1. 166.
Vern. :—Muli (H.); Mula (B.); Mulli (Dec.); Mullangi,
(Tam., Tel. and Kan.) ; Moore (Sind.), Tara mira, muri mungra,
(Ph.).
13
98 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
| A coarse rough annual, edible, cultivated throughont
India in gardens. Root fleshy, pungent, variable in size and
form. Leaves roughly pilose; lower ones lyrate. Flowers
variable, usually white or lilac, with purple veins. Pods in-
dehiscent, terete, lin. to 2ft. (R. caudatus), more or less
constricted between the seeds, prolonged beyond the valves in a
pointed beak, about half the length of the pod. Seeds
separated by pith.
Parts used :—The seeds, and root.
OUses:-~The seeds are diuretic, laxative, and lithontriptic,
and the roots used for urinary and syphilitic diseases. Stewart
says the seeds are considered to be emmenagogue in the
Punjab.
The seeds, in doses of one drachm, are useful in gonorrhcea.
The root is a reputed medicine for piles and gastrodynic pain
(Watt).
The juice of the fresh leaves is also used as a diuretic and
laxative.
In full and repeated doses, the seeds sometimes produce
vomiting, but this is so rare that they cannot be regarded as
an emetic (Moodeen Sheriff).
N. O. CAPPARIDEAL.
86. Cleome viscosa, Lann. H.F.B.1., 1. 170.
Roxb. 501.
Syn. :—Polanisia icosandra, W. & A.
Sans.:—Barbara, Karnasphota, Tilparni, Adityabhakta.
Vern. :—KaAanphuti, Hulhul, Purhur (H.); Boogra (Pb.);
Hoor-hooria (B.); Kathoree (Sind.), Kanphuti, Pivala tilavana,
(Bomb.); Nayavayhe, Nahikuddaghoo (Tamil); Kukawominta,
(Teling.); Kat-kuddagho (Mal.); Jangli-hulvul, Choorai-ajwani,
(Dec.) ; Tinmani, Tilwan (Guz.). Wal-aba, Ran-manissa (Sin-
halese).
Habitat :—Throughout tropical and warm India; Bombay,
Thana, Gujerat, Ceylon,
N. 0. GAPPARIDE®. O99
An annual herb, 1-3ft., erect, sparingly branched, softly
sessile, ovate, entire, terminal the largest, lateral often unequal
at base ; petioles 4-1 in., becoming shorter above and uppermost
(bracts) often sessile; flowers lemon-yellow, $ in. diam., on
axillary pedicels } in. long; sepals ovate, acute; petals twice
the length of sepals, obtuse long-clawed, 2 approximate, 2
divaricate; Stamens 12-24, anthers curled, blue-black; pod
2.4 in. without a gynophore, erect, linear, cylindrical tipped by
glabrous blunt style, very viscous; seeds black, finely ridged
on back.
A common weed incultivated ground. Throughout the
tropical regions of the world.
Parts used :—The seeds, leaves and roots.
Uses :—The seeds used as anthelmintic and carminative by
the Vytians (Ainslie) ; the juice of the leaves poured into the
ear to relieve ear-ache, and the bruised leaves are applied to the
skin as a counter-irritant.
In Cochin China, the whole plant, bruised, is used for
counter-irritation and blistering. (O'Shaughnessy).
According to Moodeen Sheriff, the seeds are anthelmin-
tic, rubefacient and vesicant. The seeds are valuable in expelling
round worms, and also as a rubefacient and vesicant in all the
complaints in which mustard is used. The leaves are also
useful in the same way as a local stimulant, and the juice
possesses a curative influence over some cases of otalgia and
otorrhcea. The seeds are used internally in powder with
sugar, aud externally in the form of a poultice or paste by
bruising with vinegar, lime-juice or hot-water, and their juice
for the use of the ear is pressed out by bruising them without
water. As arubefacient and vesicant, the seeds under examina-
tion are much superior to the mustard seeds in this country,
and quite equal to the mustard imported from Europe.”
Used by the aboriginals of Australia to relieve headache.
In the United States, the roots are said to be used as a vermifuge.
Phe weep. ty E888, ps 179.
The seeds are given occasionally in fevers and diarrhoea
(Lindley).
100 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
At the 2nd Australasian Medical Congress, held at
Melbourne, in January 1889, Surgeon-Major K. R. Kirtikar
exhibited a specimen of oil obtained from the seeds of Cleome
viscosa, Linn. (prepared by the late Mr. Periera of the Bombay
Medical Stores), and made the following observations on the
occasion. ‘‘ The plant bas a great reputation as a remedy for
chronic Otorrheea. ‘The action is chiefly antiseptic, as it contains
a powerful volatile principle, not unlike in smell to that of
mustard. This. active principle has, besides, stimulating
properties.”
87. Gynandropsis pentaphylla, DC. 4.F.B.1.,
ie Be
Syn.:—Cleome pentaphyla, Linn.; Roxb. 500, 501.
Sans. :—Surjavarta ; Arkapushpika.
Vern. :—Hirhfr, hulhul, karaila, churota (H.); Harhuriya
Kandla, bansarisha, arkahuli, Sadahurhidia (B.); Setakata arak,
Guma (Santal.); kathal parhar (U. P.); Halhal (Dec.); kinro,
(Sind.), 'Tilavana, mabli (Mar.): velai, neivaylla, kadughu (Tam.) ;
VaAminta, vela-kura, (‘Tel.); tai-véla, kara-vela, véla (Malay.)
Habitat :—A common weed throughout the warm parts of
India. Very common in Ceylon in waste and cultivated ground.
An erect, branched annual 2-4 ft. Stem shaggy with
long, white, spreading hair. Leaves 5-foliate, leaflets sessile,
broadly ovate, acute, entire, pubescent on both sides and
ciliate, pale beneath, terminal largest, 13-2 in.; petiole 2 in.,
stout, hairy and rough with prickles; flowers at first distinctly
corymbose, afterwards in long erect racemes, bracts of 3 sessile
leaflets, many empty. Pedicels over $ in., viscoid, pubescent ;
sepals narrowly lanceolate, acute gladular-pubescent; petals
rotundate, with a long narrow claw thrice the length of sepals,
all curved upward ; stamens inserted about half-way up; ovary
on summit of a gynophore, linear-oblong, very glandular; style
0, stigma capitate, flat; ovules numerous ; pods 2-3 in., linear,
slightly curved, somewhat compressed, viscid, pubescent. Seeds
helicoid-reniform, rough, dark brown (Trimen).
N. 0. CAPPARIDER. 101
Petals white or very pale pink, with pink claws, gynophore
and stamens purplish.
The internodes of the floral axis (gynophore) between the
whorl of petals, stamens and ovary are remarkably developed
in this plant (Trimen).
Parts used :—The seeds, leaves and root.
Uses: —Sir W. Jones observes that its sensible qualities
seem to promise great antispasmodic virtues, it having a smell
much resembling assafcetida, but comparatively delicate.
According to Dr. Wight (Zllust. 1., p. 34), the bruised leaves
are rubefacient and vesicant, producing a very copious exuda-
tion, affording in many cases the relief obtained from a blister
without its inconveniences. ‘The expressed juice is a popular
remedy, in high repute as a local application in otalgia, both
amongst the natives of India and the settlers in the West Indies,
where the plant is also indigenous. Dr. J. Shortt states that
the seeds are used as a substitute for mustard, and yield a good
(fixed ?) oil. (Ph. Ind.).
The seeds are anthelmintic and rubefacient,and are employ-
ed internally for the expulsion of round worms, and, externally as
a counter-irritant. The juice of the leaves is used in otalgia.
The leaves are applied externa!)y to boils to prevent the form-
ation of pus. A decoction of the root is said to be a mild
febrifuge.
The seeds yield to ether about 25 per cent, of a thick greenish, drying
oil, having an acid value of 6°43; saponification value, 1946, and iodine
value, 119. 5. [D. Hooper, Ann, Rept. Indian Museum, Industrial section
1908-9].
88. Mcerua arenaria, H. f. and 'T. 4.F.B.1.
1. 171.
Vern. :—Pumichakarei (Tam.)}; Puta-tiga (Tel.); Vika
(Guzerati).
Habitat :—Western Himalaya. Dryer parts of the N. W.
Provinces. Southern and Central India ; Ceylon.
A large woody climber, or straggling shrub, with divari-
cate branches ; bark smooth, pale. Leaves 1-2 in. oval or
102 iNDIAN MEDICINAL PiAN‘S.
oblong-oval, very obtuse or retuse, entire, glabrous, glaucous,
somewhat fleshy ; petiole + in. Flowers few, rather large, in
terminal corymbose racemes, without bracts ; pedicels. 2 in.,
smooth ; Calyx-lobes + in, lanceolate, acute cr obtuse, reflexed.
Petals distant, + in., ovate, acute, erect, veined, green. Stamens
much exceeding petals, spreading; filaments white, anthers
green; gynophore + in., ovary short, truncate. Fruit yellow,
1-3 in. (Brandis) ; a berry 1-2 in. long, fleshy, irregularly, and
interrupted by moniliform, smooth, many-seeded; each seed
portion forming almost a separate berry. Cotyledons fleshy,
involute. Flowers green, sweet-scented.
Part used :—The root.
Use :—The root slightly resembles liquorice root in ap-
pearance and taste. It is said to be used as an alterative, tonic
and stimulant. -
This plant has two varieties:—Var. 1. glabra. Hooker’s Ie.
|e Ge eee B27
Var. 2. scabra. Camb in Jacq. Voy. Bot. 22, t-23, 24.
Niebuhria oblongifolia, Royle Ill. 73.
89. Crateva relagiosa, Forsk. H.F.B.1., 1. 172.
Syn.:— Capparis trifoliata, Roxb. 426.
Sans. :—Varuna ; asmarighna.
Vern. :—Barua, barun, bilasi, bila, biliana(Hind.) ; Barun,
tikto-shak (Beng.); Tailadu, bun boronda (Mechi); Purbong,
(Lepcha) ; Barua, barnahi, (Pb.); Raj Bela, bel (C.P.); Vaya-
varna, Chatavarna, hadavarna, kunla, warnna, karvan (Bomb.) ;
kumla,; karwan (Mar.) ; maralingam, marvilinga, narvala, (Tam.) ;
(Nirvala vituse) (Xan., Mal.) ; uskia, usiki, asiki maun, ulimidi,
urimidi, urimitti, tella ulimidi, tella vule (Tel.).
Habitat :—Near streams in Malabar and Canara; culti-
vated elsewhere in India.
A moderate-sized, spreading, unarmed, deciduous, tree.
Bark grey, + in. thick, with long horizontal wrinkles. Wood
yellowish-white, when old turning lght brown, moderately
N. 0. CAPPARIDEA. 103
hard, even-grained. Pores moderate-sized, numerous and uni-
formly distributed, often sub-divided, each pore surrounded
by a whitish ring. Medullary rays very wavy, fine and moder-
ately broad, the distance between the rays slightly greater than
the transverse diameter of the pores (Gamble). Branches with
large white lenticels. Leaves clustered at the ends of branch-
lets, common petiole 2-4 in. long; leaflets 3-6 by 14-24 in.,
abruptly or gradually acuminate, pale beneath, ovate-lanceolate
or ovate, the lateral fom an oblique basis ; petiolules articulate.
Flowers 2 in. diam.; “cream coloured” (Brandis); “large
greenish yellow at length purplish ’ (Hooker, f. and Thoms.) ;
appearing with the leaves, in terminal corymbs. Petals ovate or
oblong, obtuse or acute; claw 4 as long as the limb. Berry
ovid or globose, 2-3 in. diam ; rind hard, rough, with numer-
ous white specks; very variable. Seeds +in. long; numerous,
reinform, in a yellow pulp. |
Parts used :—The bark, leaves, and root- eal
Uses:— The bark is demulcent, antipyretic, sedative, alter-
ative, and tonic; and the fresh leaves and root-bark are
rubefacient.
The bark is useful in some cases of urinary complaints
and fever, and in some mild forms of skin diseases in which
sarsaparilla is generally resorted to. It also relieves vomiting
and other symptoms of gastric irritation. The fresh leaves
and root-bark, particularly the former, are very efficacious in
all the affections in which mustard poultice is indicated.
“Bruised well with a little vinegar, lime-juice or hot
water and applied to the skin in the form of a poultice or paste,
the fresh leaves of C. religiosa act as a rubefacient and _ vesicant
so efficiently that I donot hesitate in saying that they are not
only much superior to the mustard seeds in this country, but
also quite equal, if not superior, to the flour of that drug
imported from Europe. From 5 to 10 or 15 minutes is the
time required for them to produce their full effect as a
rubefacient, and if kept longer than this in contact with the
skin, they begin to act asa vesicant. The existence of one or
two plants of C, relsgiosa in each Hospital and Dispensary will
104 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
certainly save them from the cost of the supply of Europe
mustard for external use. The plant grows well with ordinary
care.”
“The fresh root-bark of this plant is also a very good
rubefacient and vesicant, but it is rather too dear and not
procurable in large quantities. The bark of the stem is very
thick (from 1 to 2 inches when fresh, and from 4 to 1 inch
when dry), greenish brown on the outer side, and grey or
pale-white internally and on the inner side, and almost tasteless
and odourless. It is one of those barks which can be easily
reduced to a coarse powder, immediately after its renioval from
the stem.” ‘Moodeen Sheriff).
The bark of the stem and root of this plant constitute
the principal medicine of the Hindoo Pharmacopeceia for calcu-
lus affections. It is said to promote the appetite, decrease the
secretion of the bile, act as laxative and remove disorders of
the urinary organs. (U. C. Dutt).
In Bombay, the leaves are used as a remedy for swelling
of the feet, and a burning sensation in the soles of the feet *
The leaf-juice is given in rheumatism in the Concan, in doses of
= to 3 tolas, mixed with cocoanut juice and Ghz. In caries of
the bones of the nose, the leaf is smoked and the smoke
exhaled through the nose. The bark and the leaf pounded
and tied in acloth are used as a fomentation in rheumatism
(Dymock).
90. Cadaba imdica, Lams Hee ie
Syn. :—Stroemeria tetrandra Vahl. Roxb. 267.
Vern. :—-Kodhab (Sindh, and Hindi) ; Habab (Bomb.) Che-
moodda (Tel.). ;
Habitat :—Western Peninsula, Sind, Concan, Deccan and
Coromandal Coast, on old walls and in waste dry places.
A shrub often straggling or half-climbing, much-branch-
ed, glabrous or pubescent. “Bark brown, sometimes rough,
N. O. CAPPARIDER. 105
with horizontal lenticels. Wood white, moderately hard, close-
grained. Pores small, numerous, in long radical strings bet-
ween the fine, wavy medullary-rays, usually one or two rays
without pores between the string. Faint, rather distant, con-
centric lines which may be annual rings’ (Gamble). Leaves
simple, 1-l4in., ovate or oblong, acute, obtuse or miucronate.
Flowers yellowish white or greenish white, 1 in. diam. ; corymbs
few-flowered, terminal; bracts smal], subulate. Sepals
ovate; claw of petals narrow. Petals 4, limb oblong. ovate;
Stamens 4. Disk process 3 in. curved pink, smooth, fimbriate.
Fruit cylindric, dehiscent, 1-13 in. long, irregularly torulose ;
pulp orange. Flowers October-March.
| Uses :—The leaves and root are considered deobstruent
and anthelmiutic, and are prescribed in decoction in uterine
obstructions (Murray. 55.)
Ol C. farinosa. Forsk) /H.¥.B.1., i. 173.
Habitat: -Dry places in the Punjab, at Multan and
in Sindh.
A straggling, much-branched shrub. Wood white, soft,
even-grained ; Pores small, single or few or many in radial
strings between the rays, there being usually a few rays without
pores between each pair that contains them. Medullary rays
very fine, regular, numerous. Leaves }-$ in. rarely 1 in., hoary,
ovate or oblong, obtuse. Jlowers as in C. indica, but petals
very narrow, 4, spathulate. Stamens 5. Fruit 3-14 in. cylind-
ric (Hooker, f. and Thoms. :—‘‘Delessert’s Icones represent 6
stamens, we find 5 only. Fl. B.I. Vol. I, p. 173.
Uses :—It is used medicinally in Sindh.
92. Capparis spinosa, Linn, H.F.B.1., 1. 173.
Syn. :—C. Murrayana, Graham.
Vern. :—Kabra, ber (H.); ulra Kanta (Kumaon); Kaur,
Kiari, bauri, ber, bandar, bassar, Kakri, Kander, taker, borar,
Keri, Kaba, barari (Pb.). ; Kalvari (Sind.) ; Kabar (Bom).
14
106 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
Habitat :—Hot Western Himalayan Valleys eastward to
Nepal, Sindh, the Punjab, and Western Peninsula in the Maha-
baleswar hills.
A diffuse, prostrate or trailing shrub. Buds long; green
branches and young shoots pubescent or covered with soft
caducous white, green or yellowish tomentum. Stipulary thorns
yellow, hooked or nearly straight. Leaves orbicular or broadly
ovate, entire, mucronate, 1-2 in. diam; petioles ~ in. long.
Flowers 1-3 in. across, white, large showy, axillary solitary;
pedicels 1-2 in. long, thickened in fruit; filaments long, slender,
purple. Ovary on a slender, filiform gynophore. Fruit 1-3 in.
long, many-seeded, oblong, ribbed on a stout gynophore, bent
downwards when ripe, fey dehiscent, crimson inside ;
seeds numerous, uniform.
Parts dea :—The root and root- bark.
Uses :—The author of the Makkzan-ul-Advia considers the
root-bark to be bot and dry and to act as a detergent and as-
tringent, expelling cold humours ; it is therefore recommended
in palsy, dropsy, and gouty and rheumatic affections ; the juice
of the fresh plant is directed to be dropped into the ear to kill
worms, just as Cleome juice is used in India; all parts of the
plants are said to have a stimulating and astringent effect when
applied locally (Dymock). In Kangra, the macerated roots are
applied to sores (Stewart). Ainslie notices its use as an external
application to malignant ulcers.
‘The dried bark of the root is considered. diuretic, and
was formerly employed in obstructions of the liver and spleen,
amenorrhoea, and chronic rheumatism.’ (United States Dis-
pensatory). |
The flower buds contain caper-quercitrin, having the formula C,, H,,
O,,-. On hydrolysis, this yields caper-quercetin C,,; B,, O,, in addition to
glucose and isodulcitol: The amount of sugar formed -on hydrolysis is as
follows :—
Sugar as isodulcite, Quercetin,
per cent. ae per cent.
Caper-quercitrin oa ee 56°73 .. 49°61
J. Ch. S. LXVI, pt. I. (1894), p. 299.
N. O. CAPPARIDEX. 107
93. C. Zeylanica, Linn. u.¥.B.1., 1. 174.
Syn. :—C. acuminata, Roxb. 424, Clarke’s Ed.
Vern. :—Wageti or Govindphal (Concan). Kalokera (B.)
Authoondy kai (Tam.).
Habitat :—Common in the Carnatic and Malabar; occa-
sional in the Western Deccan.
A rigid wiry, much-branched shrub, glabrous, armed ;
shoots sometimes puberulous. Leaves broad, ovate to lanceo-
late, usually acute and mucronate, reticulate beneath ; 3-1} in.
coriaceous, shining above, sometimes pubescent beneath (Hf.
and Th.). Brandis says:—‘‘ Leaves ovate-lanceolate, pale be-
neath, 14-4 in. ; secondary and reticulate tertiary nerves promi-
nent.” Flowers 2 in. diam., solitary, axillary or 2-3 on a short
shoot; -sepals 4, free, mostly imbricate in bud. Petals 4; 2
lower petals yellowish, changing to red-brown ; pedicels 1-2 in,
slender. Brandis says the petals are white, with a basal blotch
of yellow which turns purple. Trimen says the flowers are
white; the 2 upper petals, usually with a basal blotch of yellow,
afterwards purple; anthers pale blue. Stamens numerous, in-
serted on a small disc. Filaments longer than the petals. Ovary
oblong, pubescent, on a slender gynophore. Fruit 2 in., ovoid,
smooth; bright scarlet when ripe, fleshy ; orange-pink when
ripe, says Trimen. Seeds many, embedded in pulp, colytedons
convolute.
.Uses:—The root is reported to be a cooling medicine in
the Concan (Dymock). The green fruit is sliced, dried, cooked
and eaten in Ceylon, says Trimen. The people of Bombay do
the same.
94. C. Heyneana, Wall, u.F.B.1., 1. 174.
Vern. :—-Chayrukha (H.),
Habitat :—From South Conecan and Canara to Travancore.
An erect, much-branched evergreen shrub, with minute
straight stipulary thorns. Young parts red, floccose. Leaves
ovate, lanceolate, acute coriaceous dark green, shining above,
reddish, strongly ribbed and veined beneath. Blade 3-6 in. by
108 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
4.5 in.; petiole about 2 in. long, stout. Flowers large, 3 in.
across, solitary or in terminal bracteate, short racemes ; bracts
linear, red-tomentose, pedicels 14 in. long. Petals pale blue or
white, the lower two each with a yellow spot atthe base. Fila-
ments as long as the petals. Gynophore 1-1} in. long; ovary
tomentose. Fruit ovoid, beaked, size of a large olive. |
Uses:—The leaves are used for rheumatic pains in the
joints, and its flowers as a laxative drink. (Voigt. 74.)
95., Cc aphylla, hotly, Ate ie ee
Sans. :—Karira.
Vern. :—Karil, Karer Kurrel, lete, Karu (H.) ; Kari (Behar,
Bom.); Kirra Kerin, Karil, Karia, Karis, teuti, delha pinju
(Pb.), Kiral, Kirrar,’ dorax Kiram, Kiam, iirad= (Sind) mien
(Guz.); Kera, Karil (Mar.); Karyal (Deck).
Hahitat:—In the arid desert tracts of the Punjab, Rajputana,
Guzerat, the Deccan and S. Carnatic.
Shrubs dense, much-branched, glabrous, with thorns in
pairs, straight; leaves (only on young shoots) glabrous, linear,
pungent, buds pubescent. Branchesslender, glabrous. Flowers
1 in. diam., red-brown, in many-flowered corymbs, on_ short
shoots. Outer sepals subvalvate, ciliate, innersaccate. Stamens
18-20. Fruit 42 in., glabrous, long beaked.
Parts used :—-The shoots, fruit and bark.
Uses :—The bark is described by the Hindoo writers as
bitter and laxative, and is said to be useful in inflammatory
swellings (U. C. Dutt.) The fruit is eaten pickled in Bombay by
Hindus, Bhatias especially.
In the Punjab, the top shoots and young leaves are made
into a powder and used as a blister (Stewart); it is also used
in boils, eruptions and swellings, and as an antidote to poison;
also in affections of the joints (B. Powell).
According to Surg.-Major Calthrop, the fruit when eaten
causes obstinate constipation. It is used largely in the Harriana
aud Karnal Districts as an astringent.
The top shoots and young leaves are very efficacious in
relieving toothache when chewed. (Murray, Plants and Drugs
N. 0. CAPPARIDEZ. 109
of Sindh, p. 154) The fruit is pickled by Banyas of Bombay,
1,e., natives of Surat.
Dr. Dymock says that the plant possesses somewhat siml-
lar properties to C. spinosa.
96. O. sepiaria, Linn., H.F.B.1., I. 177, Roxb.
425.
Sanskrit—KAkadani, Gridhranakhi.
Vern. :—{Uiun, garua hins (Pb; Kanta-gur-Kamai, Kalia
Kara (B.); Kanti Kapali (Uviya); Kanthar (Guz.); Nella-uppi
(Tell.); Kanthérrel (Marathy).
Habitat :—Dry places throughout India, from the Punjab
and Sindh to Burma and Carnatic.
A straggling large, wiry-branched shrub or small tree.
Branchlets pubescent, hoary or tomentose. Dark-brown, ¢ in.
thick, often studded with thorns in pairs. Wood white, hard,
sometimes with occasional rings of dark liber-like tissue. Pores
moderate-sized, scanty, in white rings. Medullary rings short,
fine to moderately broad. Faint white concentric bands across
the rays (Gamble). ‘Thorns recurved, being modified stipules.
Leaves ovate-oblong, obovate or oblong lanceolate, subacute or
retuse, elliptic or elliptic-lanceolate, penni-nerved, downy
(rarely glabrous) beneath ; 3-14 by 3-2 in.; petiole ys in. Flowers
white 3-3 in. diam., in many flowered sessile or shortly pedun-
cled umbels ; pedicels slender or filiform, 4-2 in. ; sepals oblong
or ovate ; petals narrow, oblong. Ovary ovoid, pointed; gyno-
phore 4-3 in. Fruit pisiform, black when ripe. Flowering
time—Tebruary-May ; “Rainy season ’’—says Kanjilal, in Upper
India.
Uses :—Said by the Sanskrit writers to be useful in
fevers caused by deranged bile and wind. Also considered
alterative and tonic and useful in skin diseases :U. C. Dutt.)
The plant possesses febrifugal properties.
Cin nc hormida. Linn. {. HB.Fa., 1, 178.
Syn. :-—C. zeylanica, Roxb. 425,
Sans. :—Hunkaru,
110 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
| Vern.:—Ardanda (H. Sindh. and Deck.), Ulta-Kanta,
bipuwa-Kanta (Kumaon'; His, Karvila, hiungarna (Pb.);
Karralurra (Oudh); Katerni (Gond.); gitoran (Ajmere). Burn
asaria, Bagni, Bagnei Baguchi (Santal.); Bagrani (Monghyr) ;
Oseriva (Uriya); Wagatti, wag, Tarti, .Taranti (Bomb);
gowindi (Mar.) ; Atanday, attandax, Katalli Kai (Tam.); Adonda,
arudonda (Tel.).
Habitat :—Gangetic Valley, as far north as Saharunpore ;
Western Peninsula and Chittagong, Ceylon, Malaya and the
Philippines,
A climbing shrub, with long divaricate branches, young
shoots, with rufous scurfy tomentum. Leaves oval-lanceolate
or oblong, obtuse, strongly apiculate, tomentose when young,
afterwards glabrous and shining; petioles short, stipular spines
recurved. Flowers rather large, 14 in. diam. ; supra-axillary,
solitary or 2 or 3 together, above one another, in a vertical line ;
peduncle 4-% in., tomentose. Sepals rufous-tomentose outside.
Petals twice as long, hairy. Stamens much longer than petals.
Gynophore 1 in.; Ovary ovoid, apiculate, with 4 placentas.
Fruit subglobose, 14 in. diam., on a greatly thickened stalk,
many-seeded. Petals white, stamens crimson.
Parts used :—The leaves, root, and root-bark.
Uses:—In Northern India, the leaves are used as a
counter-irritant and as a cataplasm in boils, swellings and piles
(Atkinson. )
In Chutia Nagpur, the bark, along with native spirit, is
given in cholera ‘Rev. A. Campbell.)
In Madras, a decoction of the leaves is used in syphilis.
(Surg-Major Thompson). Watt 1. 132.
The root-bark is sedative, stomachic and anti-idriotic ;
the leaves also slightly stomachic. The root-bark is useful in
relieving some of the symptoms of gastric irritation, as vomit-
ing and pain, and in improving appetite. It has also proved
itself useful in a few cases of excessive perspiration, which it
checked to a great extent.. The leaves also possess the pro-
perty of improving the appetite (Moodeen Sheriff).
N. O. VIOLACER. ; 111
N. O. VIOLACEAS.
98. Reseda odorata, Linn. H.F.B.1., 1. 181.
Habitat :—An English annual herb, cultivated in Indian
gardens in the cold weather.
(Sweet-mignonette). Annual or perennial. Stems diffuse,
of varying height, 1-2 ft. generally, clothed with bluntish
lance-shaped leaves, entire or three-lobed. [lowers in long,
loose, terminal racemes. Calyx 6-parted ; petals creamy, finely
cut into numerous divisions. Anthers red. Seeds numerous,
in an ever open capsule.
(Favourite Flowers of Garden and Greenhouse by Edward
Step, F. L. S., London, 1896. Vol. L, p. 65).
Use :—It 1s put to the same uses as violets.
Chemistry :-—The root yields an oil, on distillation, which
smells of radishes, has a ight brown color, a sp. gr. of 1067
at 15°, and: a rotation of +1° 30’ ina 100 mm. tube. This oil is
phenylethylthiocarbamide, for, when heated with strong hydro-
chloric acid, it yields phenylethylamine hydroclorids, carbon
oxysulphide and hydrogen sulphide being evolved; phenyl-
ethylthiocarbamide is produced when it is heated with alcoholic
ammonia. Diphenylethyloxamide melts at 186° and phenyl-
ethylthiocarbamide at 137°. (J. Ch. S. 1895, p. 218).
99. Viola serpens, Wall. H.F.B.1., I. 184.
Vern, :—Banafsha (H.); thungtu (Kumaon\.
Hubitut :—Moist woods, ete., throughout the temperate
Himalaya, Khasia Hills, Pulney and Nilgiri Mountains, Ceylon.
A perennial herb, with a slender ascending root-stock,
usually giving off long prostrate, glabrous, rooting branches.
Hooker says: ‘‘Stolons and stems usually long, leafy and
flowering.” Leaves 1-14 in,, broadly cordate-ovate, acute or
obtuse, crenate-serrate, more or less hairy on both surfaces;
petioles usually longer than leaves, hairy, especially at ‘the
upper part ; stipules free, fimbriate. Flowers 3-3 in., nodding ;
112 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
peduncle longer than leaf, slightly hairy ; bracts setaceous.
Sepals lanceolate, very acute. Petals oblong spreading; spur
not inflated (Trimen); saccate. say Hooker f, and Th. Stigma
oblique. Capsule 4 in. long, globose or subglobose, pubescent,
valve dehiscing irregularly. Seeds few.
Use :—This species also yields Banafsha of the Bazaars,
and is considered to have medicinal properties similar to those
of V. odorata. In the Punjab, a medicinal oil is prepared from
it, called raughan-1-banafsha.
100. V. odorata, Linn. H.F.B.1.,1. 184.
Vern. :--Banafsha(H.; Dec.; Bom.; Guz.) ; Banosa (Beng.);
Vayilethe (Tam.)
Habitat :— Kashmir.
A glabrate or pubescent herb. Root-stock stout. Stem
very short or O. Stolons slender. Leaves tufted, in the
Kashmir plant, 4-1 in. diam., broadly ovate-cordate, obtuse,
erenate, tip rounded, nearly glabrous. Stipules entire or tooth-
ed, subulate, lanceolate. Sepals rounded at tip, very obtuse,
spur nearly straight, short, cyiindric, style inflated above ;
stigma decurved.
Parts used:—The flowers used dry.
Uses :—By the Mahomedan hakims, it is generally consi-
dered cold and moist, and is especially valued as a diuretic and
expectorant, and as a purgative in bilious affections.
O’Shaughnessy experimented with the dry plant as a
substitute for Ipecacuanha, but without success.
Moodeen Sheriff considers it antipyretic and diaphoretic,
and very useful in relieving febrile symptoms and excitement
in all forms of fever, particularly in combination with other
drugs of the same class.
A certain amount of interest is attached to the leaves of
the violet on account of an apparent improvement following the
employment of the fresh infusion of the leaves in a case (L. ’05,
i. 713) in which it was alleged that a patient might have been
suffering from malignant disease. A handful of the leaves was
N. 0. VIOLACER. 113
soaked in a pint of boiling water for 24 hours and the liquid
poured off, divided into 2 parts, 1 part being taken internally
during the 24 hours, and the other used as a fomentation. An
apparent recovery from a presumably malignant growth of the
mouth resulted.
An examination of the leaves of the common violet (viola
odorata) in the Lancet laboratory (L. ’05, i. 1085) showed
the presence of two crystalline bodies, one glucosidal and
the other alkaloidal in character, and also a dark green oil.
Alcohol was found a much more effective solvent than an aqueous
menstruum ; in view of the employment of an aqueous infusion,
the latter point is of interest.
The alkaloid isolated behaved, chemically, much in the
same way as Emetine, the principal alkaloid of [pecacuanha. It
asabeemmestated (ees: seeO5" 46710. Di. 05. 22, 977.5) P.
J. ’05, 12. 869) that any activity which violet leaves possess
is due either to the glucoside, the product of its decomposition,
or a natural ferment associated with it. Reckoned as viola-
quercitrin, the glucoside from Princess of Wales violet leaves
amounted to 5 p. c. of the weight of the fresh leaves. A fresh
infusion was found to extract nine-tenths of the glucoside
present in the leaves. No volatile constituent was isolated,
no alkaloid could be detected, no salicylic acid was found. The
presence of a glucoside was proved, but the glucoside was not
isolated. Objection has been taken to the evidence of the uses
of violet ieaves having been unfortunately collected chiefly by
unskilled persons, and that it has therefore been lacking in
definiteness, and consequently in value. After the definite
expression of the opinions mentioned in the above reference,
it is disappointing to find in a paper read before the Therapeu-
tical Society, October 30th, 1906, and reported in the Lancet,
06, w. 1318, that all attempts to isolate and identify a glu-
coside from violet leaves have failed ; similarly, there was no
evidence of a ferment being present ; the only positive facts
resulting from the experiments being that the leaves and their
preparations yield under certain conditions glucose.
It has been pointed out that the reputation of Violets for
15
114 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
the treatment of malignant growths was founded on the use
of wild Violets, at least as far back as James I, and that it is
therefore desirable that in any inquiry into the subject wild
Violets should be used, such as have been used for centuries,
and not a recent cultivated Violet, as employed at the present
time. In the light of the above remarks, the varieties officinal
in the Continental Pharmacopeeias will be of interest. It will
be noted that wild violets are officinalin the German and
Swiss Pharmacopeeias, and cultivated Violets in the Austrian.
(Peter Squire’s Companion to the British Pharmacopceia,
18th edition (1908), pp. 1235-1236).
| A syrup is made from the petals which is a favourite
remedy for infantile disorders.
The root isa powerful emetic, and is frequently used to
adulterate ipecac. A dose of from forty to fifty grains of the
powdered root acts powerfully.
A principle called violine is present in all parts of the
plant, analogous in external characteristics to the emetine of
ipecacuanha, and possessing the same emetic properties. It
is an alkaline substance, and forms salts by its union with
acids ; it is soluble in alcohol, but hardly so in water.
The flowers were used in olden times as remedies in many
disorders, and were supposed to be especially serviceable to the
eyes and in ague.
The seeds were formerly believed to counteract the effect
of a scorpion’s sting.
Syrup of violets is a favorite medicine for cough and
hoarseness. The French make great use of violets in their
confitures and household remedies; and we have seen and
partaken of a delicate sweetmeat composed simply of the violet
flower prepared with sugar, yet retaining its delicious perfume.
(Sowerby’s English Botany).
101. V. cinerea, Boiss, o.7.84., 1. 185,
Vern. :—Banafsha (Sind. and Pb.)
Habitat :—Dry hilly region of the Punjab and Sindh.
_N. 0, VIOLACEH. TiS
-. A small herb. Stem short, glabrous 1-6 in., slightly
powdery; diffuse-branched. Leaves elliptic-ovate or lanceolate,
acute, obscurely crenate, 4-3 in., apiculate; petioles as long;
spitules leafy fimbriate. Peduncles slender, bracts subulate.
Flowers small, axillary, + in. diam. Sepals lanceolate,
aristate. Spur very short, secreting honey within it. Style
clavate, compressed; stigma lateral of two oblong parallel
dises. Fruit 3-} in., elliptic, acute.
Use :—This plant. is used medicinally in Sind, in the same
way as V. odorata.
102. Lonidium suffruticosum, Ging, H.F.B.1.,
ed vel |
Syn. :—Viola suffruticosa and V. enneasperma, Roxb. 218.
Sans. : ---Charati (Ainslie).
Vern. :—Ratanpuras (H. and Bomb.); Noonbora (B.);
Suryakaiti ; nilakobari ; Pooroosharatanum (Tel.) ; Orilaihamaray,
(Tam.) ; Oorelatamara (Malayal.) ; Tandi, Sol; bir Surajmukhi
(Santal.).
_ Habitat:—From Bundelkhund and Agra to Bengal and
Ceylon.
A glabrous or pubescent, very variable perennial herb,
6-12 in., branches diffuse, woody. Leaves linear or lanceolate,
serrate-toothed, sub-sessile, 34-2 by ,4-} in., lower leaves
broader. Stipules subulate, gland-tipped. Flowers solitary
axillary, red. Pedicels shorter than the leaves. Sepals
5, subequal, not produced at the base. Petals variable, 4,
oblong, acute or mucronate, the 5th with aclaw and large
oval or orbicular limb. Filaments distinct, bearing the
anthers low down. Anthers free, 2 or 4 of them gibbous or
spurred at the back, the two interior ones usually having a nec-
tarial gland at the base. Ovary ovoid. Style clavate, incurved.
Stigma oblique. Capsule 3-valved, sub-globose, few-seeded,
valves, not elastic. Seeds globose, striate, testa crustaceous.
Parts used :—The leaves, stalks and root.
116 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
Use :—The leaves and tender stalks are demulcent, and
are used by the natives in decoction and electuary; they are
also employed in conjunction with some mild oil in preparing
a cooling liniment for the head (Ainslie). The Santals employ
the root in bowel complaints of children (A. Campbell). Dr.
Moodeen Sheriff considers the drug to be demulcent and refri-
gerant and useful in some cases of gonorrhcea and of scalding
of urine.
In the United States Dispensatory, it is stated that the
root of a species of lonidium has attracted some attention in
the treatment of elephantiasis.
N. O. BIXINEA.
103. Cochlospermum, Gossyprum, D.C. H.F.B.L.,
Eee IEE
Syn. :— Bombax gossypium, Linn. Roxb. 515.
Vern. :—-Kumbi, gabdi, ganiar, galgal, gangal (H.) ; Hopo
(Santal.) ; Gulgal (Kol.) ; Gangam (Gond.) ; Kantapalas (Uriya) ;
Kumbi (Pb.); Gajra, Kumbi (U. P.) ; Gungu, kong, gondugogu
(Tel.); Tanku, Kongillam (Tam.); Bettatovare, arisina burga
(Kan.) ; Chimapunji (Mal.) ; Ganeri (Bhil) ; Kadachogund (Guj.);
Kalir-gond, kathalya gonda (Mar) ; Sisibaha, Udal (Chutia Nag-
pur). Katiré, (Hindi).
For the gum:—Nat-Ka-Katera, Nat-Ka-Katera-gond,
(Deck.) ; Katera (H.); Tanaku-pishin (Tam.) ; Kondagogu-banka,
Konda-gogu-pisunu (Tel.) ; Shima-pangi-pasha (Mal.)
For the cotton:—Pili-Kapas-Ki-rui, Katere-Ki-jhar, Kiriu
(Deck.); Tanaku-paruthi (Tam.); Konda-gogu-pathi (Tel.);
Shima-pangi-paruthi (Mal.).
Habitat :— Dry hills, Garwal, Bundelkhund, Behar, Orissa
and the Deccan ; also commonly planted near temples.
A small deciduous tree, with a few short thick spreading
branches. “Bark 1 in. thick, fibrous, deeply furrowed ; inner
substance red. Wood extremely soft, greyish-brown ; no heart-
wood. Pores large, scanty, often subdivided into compart-
ments. Medullary rays broad, visible on a radial section as
N. 0. BIXINER. 117
long rough plates’ (Gamble). Branchlets tomentose. Leaves
near the ends of the branchlets, palmately 5-lobed, 4-9 in. diam.,
lobes shortly acuminate entire, grey-tomentose beneath, old
leaves glabrous. Petioles slender, 4-6 in. Flowers 4-5 in.
diam.; golden yellow in few-flowered terminal panicles. Sepals
silky. Petals obovate, notched. Capsules pear-shaped, 3-4 in.
long, 5-lobed. Flowers—February-April. Seeds covered with
a kind of silk-cotton, called the “Kapok” fibres of India.
Parts used :—The gum and cotton.
Uses:—The gum has been proposed as a substitute for
tragacanth. It is used in coughs, also in gonorrhea (Indian
Medical Gazette, 1875, p. 39).
In Patna, the dried leaves and flowers are used as sti-
mulants. (Irvine, p. 78).
104. Bixa Orellana, Linn. H.F.B.1., 1. 190.
Vern. :—Latkan, Watkana (H. and B.) ; Kong, Kuombi
(Santal.) ; Jarat, Jolandhar (Ass.); Gulbas (Uriya); Powasi
(Chittagong) ; Reipom (Manipur) Shal-ke-pandi-ka-jhar (Deck.) ;
Kisri, Kesari, Kesuri, Shendri (Mar. Bom.) ; Jupharachettu, Jafra
vittulu-chettu, Kurungu-menjivittulu-chettu (Tel.); Japhra-
maram, Jafra-virai-maram (Tam.); Kuppamankala, Rangamali
(Kan.) Korungoomunga (Mal.) Gowpurgee (H.).
Habitat :—-Cultivated throughout India for the dye.
A large evergreen shrub or small tree. Bark brown, § in.
thick. Wood pinkish-white, soft, even-grained, Annual rings
marked by a line without pores. Pores moderate-sized, in
radial strings of 3 to 6, prominent on a vertical section. Medul-
lary rays fine, closely packed, bent round the pores, or groups
of pores, so that the distance between the rays is less than
the transverse diameter of the pores (Gamble). Leaves simple,
4-8 by 23-5 in., cordate, acuminate, glabrous. Stipules minute.
Petioles slender, 2-3 in. Flowers in terminal panicles, bisexuai,
large, 1-2 in. diam. ; pink or white; purple say H. f. and Th. ;
sepals 5, imbricate deciduous. Petals 5, contorted in bud.
Anthers numerous, opening by two terminal pores. Ovary
l-celled ; style slender, curved; stigma notched ; ovules many,
118 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
on 2-parietal placentas. Capsule reddish brown, clothed~ with
soft prickles, 1$ in., ovoid or sub-globose, base intruded;
dehiscence loculicidally 2-valved ; placentas on the valve. Seeds
many, covered with ared pulp (originally fleshy papille on
the testa) which yields the well-known dye. Albumen
farinaceous ; Embryo large ; cotyledons flat.
Parts used : --The seeds, seed-pulp and root-bark.
Uses :--Astringent and slightly purgative, also a good
remedy for dysentery and kidney diseases. The pulp (a well-
known colouring matter) surrounding the seeds is astringent
(Roxburgh.). The seeds are cordial, astringent, and febrifuge
(Lindl... 7
~The root-bark is antiperiodic and antipyretic, and the
seeds slightly astringent and a very good remedy for gonorrhea.
The seeds also possess the antiperiodic and antipyretic properties,
but to a less extent.- - 3 wee a4;
The root-bark is of great use in uncomplicated inter-
mittent, remittent, and continued fevers. The seeds are very
useful, particularly in the form of decoction. They are also use-
ful in the above varieties of fever, but inferior to the root-bark
in this respect.
The root-bark is one of those antiperiodic medicines,
which can be used during the absence as well as the presence
of pyrexia in the intermittent fever ; and this remark is also
applicable to the seeds as an antiperiodic (Moodeen Sheriff).
The seed pulp is used by the American Indians to paint their
body all over for full dress, and this use of it is said also to pre-
vent mosquito bites
105. Flacourtia Cataphracta, Roxb. H.F:B.1.,
L293. nox 1ou-
Sans. :-—Prachin-amalaka. |
Vern. :—Paniyala (B.); Talispatri (H.;- Tel.; Tam.). Jag-
gam, Jan-Gama, Tambat (Bom.) Tdmbat (Mar.).
Habitat: —Nepal eastward, Bengal, Assam, Chitagong.
The Konkan. 8. India. Burma. Occasionally in Saharanpur.
N. O; BIXINES. . 149
Brandis describes this as a middle-sized deciduous tree.
Whereas Kanjilal, writing about the same tree as found in
the Sal Forests of Dun, says it is a small evergreen tree. Bark
smooth. Wood hard, close-grained, reddish or orange-red,
brittle. Stem armed with compound spines “ up to middle age,”
says Kanjilal. Young shoots slightly pubescent. Leaves 3-5 in.
long, ovate or ovate-lanceolate, long-acuminate, crenate, thin but
tough, quite rounded. Petiole 3,-3 in. long. Flowers de-
ciduous, very small, in irregular glabrous racemes. Sepals hairy
within, edges ciliate. Stigmas 4-6, capitate. Ovary flask-shaped,
narrowed into a short cylindric or conical style. Fruit globose,
$-2 in. diam., purple when ripe, crowned by the persistent
stigmas on peduncles, 4-4 in. long, very acid, dark purple when
ripe. Stones 10-14, flat.
Parts used :—The leaves, shoots, bark and fruit.
Use:—The fruit is recommended as useful in bilious
conditions and, like most acid fruits, it no doubt relieves the
nausea and checks the purging (Dymock). The fruit is most
delicious. :
The leaves and young shoots taste like rhubarb, and are
supposed to possess astringent and stomachic properties, and
are prescribed in diarrhoea and weakness ( Watt.)
The leaves are said to have diaphoretic properties.
‘106. §F. Ramonicht, L’Herit. u.r:p.i, 1; 193.
vAR. Sapida, Roxb.739.
Sans. : —Swadu-kantaka.
Vern. :—Bilangra; bhanber; Kanju, handi; kattar ; katti;
bowchi (H.); Bincha; Katai; Tambat (B.); Katail (Palamow) ;
Serali; Mehlo Sarlarka (Kol.); Merlee (Santal.); Bonicha;
Baili; Baincho (Uriya); Arma-Suri; Katien (Gond.) Kank :
Kanki; Bilati (C. P.) Swadu-kantaka; Taémbat; Kaikun;
Pahr Bhekal Kakad (Bombay) ; Kanregu (Tel.). Gupra (Coorg).
Habitat :—In Southern India and Ceylon. Throughout
the forests of the Sewalik Division, Mussoorie, and Malkot Hills,
and the valleys of Jaunsar, from the Punjab Eastward,
126 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
Rajputana, Bihar, Ceres! India, Dekkan and the Konkan and
South Peninsula. In Manipur.
There are many varieties of this in India, north and
south. ‘The description given by Trimen of variety Sapida is
about the best suited for the plant known in the Konkan.
The leaves of the Indian plant are deciduous. Gamble
says they fall in January-February, and the new foliage appears
in April and May. Flowers from March-November. In Ceylon,
the flowering time is January and February. The trees
growing in the forests of the Sewalik Division, Mussoorie, and
Malkot Hills and in Jaunsar are deciduous; the bark whitish-
grey, says Kanjilal. Trimen says it isa small tree, with long
simple spinous twigs on the young branches and often large,
compound, branched spines on the trunk. Bark rather smooth,
grey ; young shoots pubescent. Leaves 2-3 in., broadly ovate,
acuminate, obtuse, acute at base, more or less crenate-serrate,
glabrous or pubescent on the veins beneath, thin. Petioles + in.,
often pubescent. Flowers small, in little few-flowered axillary
raceme clusters; male flower sepals reflexed, ciliate; female
flower sepals very small, ciliate ; disk annular. Ovary globular;
stigmas 95-6, nearly sessile, recurved. Berry globular, 4 in.,
diam., pulpy, smooth, marked with scars of fallen stigmas.
Fruit red or brown, dark inky, when ripe. Seeds 4-6, strongly
lobulated.
Parts used :—The seeds, gum, bark and fruit.
Uses:—According to Sanskrit writers, the fruits are
sweet, appetising and digestive. They are given in jaundice
and enlarged spleen (U. C. Dutt.)
After child-birth among natives in the Deccan, the seeds
are ground to powder with turmeric, and rubbed all over the
body to prevent rheumatic pains from exposure to damp winds.
(Dymock.)
The gum is given along with other ingredients for cholera.
The bark is applied to the body along with that of
Albizzia, at intervals of a day or so during intermittent fever, in
Chutia Nagpur (Revd. A. Campbell). The Species of Albizzia is
not mentioned (K. R. K.).
N. (OIBIXINE #1710 : jel
S 107-F. sepiaria, Roxb. u.¥.8.1., 1. 194. Roxb. 739.
Vern. :—Kondai (H.); Sherawane, hargal, dajkar, jidkar
khatai, kingaro (Pb.); Atruna; tambat (Bombay); Conrew,
kana regu (Tel.); Sottacla (Tamil); Couron moeli (Malay.) ;
Jootay Karoonday (Dec.) ; Bainch (C. P.) |
Habitat :—Throughout Bengal, the Western Peninsula,
notably in the north of Thana district, Ceylon.
A small, thorny shrub or tree. Bark yellowish-red, thin.
Wood light red, hard, close and even-grained. Stem much
branched, with the branchlets ending in sharp pointed rigid
spines. Leaves 1-2 in., in fascicles, cuncate-ovate, or oblong,
tapering to a petiole, very obtuse, more or less crenate-serrate,
glabrous, stiff. Flowers yellowish dicecious, solitary or few, very
small, in axillary racemose clusters shorter than the leaves.
Sepals acute; pilose. Disk lobular, stigmas 3-4, very short,
recurved, usually separate, on very short styles. Berry like a
pea, globular, $ in., smooth, purple, acid-sweet when ripe, much
appreciated, as it makes a refreshing drink with sugar and
water. ‘Thorns usually bearing flowers and fruit
_ Use :—This tree yields an antidote to snake-bite from
an infusion of the leaves and roots. The bark triturated in
Sesamum oil, is used as a liniment in rheumatism (Wight;
Ainslie; Rheede.) The ripe fruit, pea-shaped, is very
savoury.
108. Gynocardia odorata, R. Br. H.F.B.1., 1. 195.
Syn. :—Chaulmoogra odorata, Roxb. 740.
Vern. :—Chaulmoogra, Chhalmugra, Choulmungri (Hind.,);
Chaulmugri, petarkura (Beng.); Kadu (Nepal); Tuk-kung,
(Lepcha) ; Chaulmugra (Bomh.) ; Tungpung (Magh.).; Talienne,
(Sing.) ; Brinjmogra (Pers.) ; Ta fung-tsze (Chinese).
Habitat :—From Sikkim and the Khasia hills eastwards to
Chittagong.
A moderate-sized evergreen tree, perfectly glabrous,
readily recognized by the hard round fruits which grow on the
16
122 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
stem and main branches. Branches slender and flexuous. Bark
; in., thick, grey, smooth. Wood hard, close-grained, yellow or
light-brown. Pores very small, in radial lines. Medullary
rays white, very numerous and prominent ‘Gamble). “Leaves
bifarious, coriaceous, oblong or linear-oblong, abruptly acumi-
nate, quite entire, shining above; largest 6-10 by 3-4 in.,
strongly reticulate beneath; petiole 7-1 in. long. Flowers
sweet-scented, yellowish, in large fascicles on the trunk, solitary
or a few together in the leaf-axils, diceous, very variable in
size, 4-2 in. diam.; the females largest. Peduncles 1-3 in.
Bracts basal, minute. Calyx coriaceous, cup-shaped, 5-toothed.
Petals 5, with a ciliate scale at the base of each male flower.
Stamens numerous, filaments woolly, anthers basifixed, linear.
Female flowers: staminodes 10-15, villous. Ovary 1-celled,
styles 5, stigma large, cordate; ovules numerous, on 5 parictal
placentas. Fruit globose, 3-5 in. diam.; rind thick, hard, rough.
Seeds 1 in. long, obovoid, immersed in pulp. Cotyledons flat,
in oily albumen.
Uses :—It is officinal in the Indian Pharmacopeeia. The
oil has been very successfully used in leprosy.
“Tt has been very favorably reported on in many medical
publications, especially as a remedy for leprosy, psoriasis,
eczema, scrofula, phthisis, lupus, marasmus, chronic rheu-
matism, and gout. The preparations most in repute in Europe
are the pure oil, gynocardic acid, and an ointment prepared
from the oil.* * * Perhaps the most satisfactory and trustworthy
results have been those obtained in the treatment of chronic
and acut eczema, and other forms of skin disease” (Watt.)
Prior to 1900 it was believed that the “ chaulmoogra oil’’ was obtained
from its seeds. But now it is known that, that oil is obtained from the seeds
of Taruktogenos Kurzii. Chaulmoogra oil, at the ordiaary temperature, is a
solid (m. p, 22-23°) the oil from the seeds of Gynocurdia odorata is a liquid,
Furthermore, Chaulmoogra oil is optically active and consists chiefly of the
glycerylesters of members of the Chaulmoogric acid series, whereas the oil from
gynocardia seeds is opticially inactive, and contains neither Chaulmoogric
acid nor its homologues.
Gynocardia oil consists of the glycerylesters of the following acids :—
(1) linolie acid, or isomerides of the same series, consisturing the largest
proportion of the oil ; (2) palmitic acid, in considerable amount ; (3) linolenic
N. O. BIXINER. 123
and isolinolenic acids, the lattter preponderating; and (4) oleie acid, in
relatively small amount.
In addition to the fatty oil, gynocardia seeds contain 5 per cent, ofa
crystalline glucoside, gynocardia, C,,H,,O,N, 14 H,O, and a hydrolytic enzyme,
gynocardase.
(Power and Barroncliff, Trans., Ch. S. LXXXVIHII, p, 896, et seq.)
Gynocardin, anew cyanogenetie glucoside. Power and Gornall have
(shown Chem. Soe, Proc., 1904) that when the seeds of Gynocardia odorata
are crushed and brought into contact with water, hydrogen cyanide is
formed, owing to the presence in the seeds of a cyanogenetic glucoside,
which was isolated and designated gynocardin, They have determined its
constitution. Four Kilos of the powdered gynocardin seeds were first extracted
with cold petroleum, for the complete removal of the fatty oil, and then with
25 per cent. alcohol. On expelling the alcohol from the extract, a dark syrupy
residue was obtained, which soon formed a paste consisting chiefly of a
_erystalline substance ; this was separated from the mother-liquor, digested
for several minutes with warm ethylacetate, and again separated. A further
quantity of the crude glucoside was obtained from the syrupy alcoholic
mother-liquor, by first mixing it with “ prepared saw dust,” drying the mass
and extracting it with ethylacetate, which slowly removes the glucoside.
The crude glucoside was purified by dissolving it in water, treating the solu-
tion with animal charcoal, and evaporating under diminished pressure toa
syrup, which set to a hard cake of colourless crystals which were dried on
porous earthenware. The yield Was 200 grams, Gynocardia forms colourless,
glistening, prismatic needles of the compositien C,,H,,O.N+14H,0O ; the water
is expelled at 115°C, The anhydrous compound melts at 162°-163°C, and has
the optical rotation (a) D2l°=+72°5° in aqueous solution. It is readily
hydrolysed at the ordinary temperature by gynocardase; an enzyme
contained in the seeds, but only with difficulty by boiling with 5 per cent.
hydrochloric or sulphuric acid. Dextrose and hydrogen cyanide were isolated
from the products of the reaction, but the third substance, C;H,0;, which
should be produced, according to the equation :—
C,3H,,0,N+H,0=C,H,,0;+C,H;0,+HON, is decomposed by secondary
reactions, Gynocardin differs from other known cyanogenetic glucosides in
its relatively great stability towards acid hydrolysing agents. Itis hydro-
lysed by treatment with barium hydroxide solution, ammonia and the barium
salt of gynocardic acid C,,H,,O,CO,H, being formed, according to the
equation: C,,H,,0,N+2H,0O=C,.H,,0).Co,H+HN;. This acid forms dextrose
and an acid, C,H,,.O,, on hydrolysis with acids. The results obtained indicate
that gynocardia is the dextrose either of the cyanohydrin of a trihydroxy—
aldehde or ketone, in accordance with one of the following formulae :
C,H,(OH,.CH(CN)0O.C,H,,0., or
C,H,(OH), C(CN), O0.C;H,,0;.
The enzyme gynocardase was isolated by treating the finely-ground seeds
with light petroleum to remove the fatty oil, and then digesting them with
water at the ordinary temperature, for 24 hours. The filtered liquid was
treated with twice its volume of alcohol, and after standing for some hours,
124 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
the precipitate was filtered off, washed with alcohol and dried in vacuo over
sulphuric acid. The yield was two per cent, of the weight of the seeds.
(J. S. Ch. I 1-5-1905, pp. 55—8).
109. Hydnocarpus Wightiana, Blume. H.F.B.1.,
1, 196.
Vern. :— Kowti (called #€t in Rajapur, Ratanagiri District,
whence the purest oil of seed, can be procured, Kadu-Kavata
(Bomb.); Kosto (Goa); Maravettie (Tam.); Morotti, (Mal.);
Jangli badam (seeds) ; Jangli badam ka tel (oil) (Dec.): Niradi-
vittulu (seeds; ; niradi-vittulu-nune (oil) (Tel.)
Habitat :—Western Peninsula, from the S. Concan along
the Coast range.
A tall tree. Wood whitish. Twigs usually brown, pubes-
cent (rarely glabrate), as are the receemes. Leaves 4-9 by 1$-4 in.,
corlaceous or membranous, sometimes deeply obtusely serrate
or toothed, elliptic or oblong-lanceolate, long, acuminate, base
round, acute or subcordate. Petiole 3-3 in. Flowers 1 in.
diam., solitary or racemed, white, pentandrous. Sepals green,
pubescent, 3 inner ones longer. Petals cillate, twice as long
as the ovate, fimbriate scales. Stamens villous at base, equalling
the petals. Female flowers with imperfect stamens. Ovary
densely pubescent. Fruit a berry, 2-4 in., of the size of a small
orange, with a hard rind, many-seeded, tomentose. Seeds
obtusely angular, embedded in pulp, testa crustaceous, striate.
Albamen oily ; colyledons very broad, flat.
Parts used :-——The seeds. ih.
Use:—The seeds have long been used as a domestic
remedy upon the Western Coast, in certain obstinate skin dis-
eases, ophthalmia, and a dressing for wounds and ulcers. The
oil expressed from them is used in scabby eruptions mixed with
an equal portion of Jatropha cureas oil, sulphur, camphor and:
lime-juice. For scald head, equal parts of the oil and lime
water are used as a liniment. The oil has been recommended
as a substitute for Chaulmogra, and is being used in the
Bombay Presidency, with satisfactory results. In the Konkan
also, the oil has a reputation as a remedy for. Baursati in horses.
[XC 00. BIMINE Ase t Cy 125
- The fatty oil from its seeds very closely resembles Chaulmoogra oil,
both in physical characters and in chemical composition. _ The acids obtained
-from the oil consist chiefly of Chaulmoogrie acid and a lower homologue of
the same series. This new acid has the formula: C,;H,O, and is designated
hydnocarpic acid.
Hydnocarpic acid crystallises from alcohol in glistening leaflets, melts at
60° and has [a]p+68° in chloroform solution. Like Chaulmoogric acid, it
contains only one ethylenic linking, and, therefore, in consideration of its
formula, C,;H,;0. {CnHyn—40,) must possess an alicyclic grouping.
(Power and Barroweliff, Transactions, Ch. S. Vol. LXXXVII, p. 884 et seq.
“110. Taraktogenos Kurzu, King.
Syn. :—Hydnocarpus heterophillus, Kurz.
? ' Vernacular :—Kalanzo. (Burm.) (Gamble). Kalawaso
(Burm.) (Brandis).
Habitat:—Estern and Southern slopes of the Pegu Yoma,
very frequent in Martaban ; forests of Sylhet ; Chittagong ;
Minbu district, Upper Burma. urea)
An evergreen tree 40-50 ft. Shoots, young leaves and
inflorescence tawny, pubescent. Leaves thinly coriaceous, entire,
7-10 in., lanceolate or oblong-lanceolate. Secondary nerves
very prominent beneath, tertiary, numerous, transverse and
parallel. Sepals 4. Petals 8, broadly ovate, ciliate, each with
a flat, fleshy pubescent gland at the base. Stamens 24, free,
filaments hairy. [Fruit size of -an orange, tawny, velvety.
Seeds numerous, embedded in a pulp.
Use :—This is the tree which yields the Chaulmoogra
seeds and oils of commerce, and not gynocardia odorata, R. Br.
The seeds of Taraktogenos kurzii (King) and not of Gyhocardia odorata
yield the oil. The seeds contain a hydrolytic enzyme and also an unstable
cyanogen compound, which reacts with the enzyme, when the seeds are
erushed, giving rise to hydrogen cyanide. On expression, the seeds yielded
30°9 p.e, of a fatty oil, which had the following constants: m. pt., 22°-28° C;
sp. gr., 0-951 at 25° and 0°940 at 45° C$ [a]*°p = +52°; acid value, 23°9 ; saponi-
fication value, 213; iodine value, 103°2. On hydrolysis, the fatty oil yielded
glycerol, a very small amount of phytosterol, C,;H,,,OH (m. pt. 182°C.) and
a mixture of fatty acids (m, pt, 44°-45°) [a]p=+52°6° in chloroform ; acid value,
215 ; iodine value, 103°2), which consisted chiefly of several homologous acids
belonging toa series C°H,°,0, containing a closed ring and one ethylenic
linking, no member of which has hitherto been insolated froma fatty oil.
The highest of these homologues present, which was isolated in a pure con-
126 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
dition, separates from most of the usual organic solvents in glistening leaflets
(m, pt. 68°C, b. pt. 247°-248°) 20 mm., [ajJp=+56° has the formula C,,H3,0,,
and is designated chaulmoogric acid. It combines with only two atomic pro-
portions of bromine or iodine, Palmitie acid also was identified,and there
is reason for assuming the presence ofa near homologue or homologues of
chaulmoogrie acid, but belonging to the series having the general formula
Cy H4n-,04, with two ethylemic linkings, Undecylic acid and hydroxy acids
were proved to be absent, and an individual acid corresponding to hypogeic
acid, could not be isolated. The “ gynocardic acid”’ of all previous investi-
gators is believed to be a mixture of several substances. ‘The “ presscake”’
yielded, besides formic and acetic acids and a very small amount of volatile
esters having the characteristic odor of the seeds, an appreciable amount of
a neutral oily substance, C,,H3,0, (b. pt. 214°—215° 18 mm.; sp, gr., 0-9066 at
16°/16° C., [a]p>= +42°4°) which is isomeric with chaulmoogric acid.
Mr. P. C. Chattopaddhyaya has analysed the seed and pub-
lished his results in the American Journal of Pharmacy for
1915 pp. 473-483 of which the following is the Summary.
A SAMPLE of cold drawn oil from genuine seeds of Taraktagenos Kurzit
(true chaulmoogra seeds) and an oil derived from supposedly genuine, but
probably mixed seeds, by hot expression, were examined. The former was
a pale yellow oil and remained liquid at 15°C., whilst the latter was a
brownish yellow buttery substance which was separated by filtration into
about equal parts of a clear oil and a solid fat (chaulmoogra fat) before
analysis, The following values were obtained :—
I~
NY
—_
eal 9.011
3)
eS
a
6
LG-601
o>)
Zz
9-606
‘anyea
1098]
6-896
L0-€GP
“TO
enteAa
*‘yruodesg
6-68
1-61
pozelAgoor| ‘on[ea
[4909V
9-TTT
6:86
SOT
v-S01
“ONn[VA
OUIpOr
1q8H
6-883
SP-08%
§-82%
LG.LTZ
9E- 96.
‘On[CA
‘jruodeg
91-64
66-09
*ploe O10[0
Sv ‘O[vO
‘on[va
Pproy
‘plow o19008
UI [OS
‘plow oTj00"
Ur [0S
*O oLO1
"4904
eVUSTVA
‘oO oG-E8
‘O 98
“4S04
SuoUINe JL
‘O 0o&§&
‘O oh&
‘DO GE
O oLG
YO G16
6) ob] i
“qd
‘JIPI[OS
[lO possoidxe
qoy mory sproe £49%4
*[lo possoid xe
poo mouy spioe AqIey
qey vasoomMpNeYyO
[Io possoidxea 4OF]
jlo posseid xo plog
ee ee
128 INDIAN: MEDICINAL PLANTS.
These results indicate that the genuine oil consists almost wholly of
- triglycerides of lauric, chaulmoogric, and linolic aids; whilst the doubtful oil
is a mixture of tri- and diglycerides.
On neutralising the oil with aleoholic potash and adding a dilute solution
of calcium, magnesium, or zinc chloride, the corresponding metallic salt of
“gynocardic acid’”’ is precipitated. Calcium and magnesium “ eynocardates a
are white crystalline substances slightly soluble in boiling water and most
soluble in boiling alcohol, whilst zine “gynocardate” is~ white and
crystalline, insoluble in water and only very sparingly soluble in
boiling alcohol, 10 drops of the genuine oi] stirred with 1 drop of
sulphuric acid gave a yellow coloration, changing rapidly to reddish-brown
and finally to dirty brown, whilst the doubtful oil gave similar colour
changes, but the final coloration was olive-green, this reaction being also
given by the fatty acids from both oils and hy chaulmoogra fat.—
J. Oh. I, Nov. 15, 1915.
But in the American Journal of Pharmacy, for 1915 (pp.
493—500), Mr. Frederick B. Power severely criticises the above
paper.
He emphasizes the statement that chaulmoogra (Taraktogenos) oil and
gynocardia oil are totally unlike, both in their physical characters and
chem. compn. Along with data establishing the authenticity of his oils,
Mr. Power gives the following: Physical characters: (1) chaulmoogra oil:
soft solid at ordinary temp., m. 22—3°, d,, 0.951 and dy, 0°940, [api +52: 0°;
acid value 23.9, sapon. value 213°0, I value 103°2, (2) Gynocardia oil: pale
yellow liquid at ordinary temps., odor resembling that of linseed oil, d,,
0°925, acid value 4:90, sapon. value 197°0. I value 152.8. Chemical composi-
tion: (1) chaulmoogra oil: (from the seeds of Taraktogenos Kurezii, King),
optically active, consists, to a large extent, of the glyceryl esters of
optically active acids of an entirely new type, represented by the general
formula CnHo.n—,O0., having a cyelic structure. The acid present in the
largest proportion possesses the formula C,,;H.,0,, m, 68°, [a]p+56°, and
has been designated chaulmoogric acid, while a lower homolog, C,H 4,04,
m. 60°, [a]p +68°, has been termed hydnocarpic acid, on account of having first
been isolated from a hydnocarpus oil (J. Chem. Soc. 87, 888 (1905)).. Both of
these acids are beautifully cryst. substances, from which a number of derivs.
have been prepd., and their constitution has also been definitely established
(O. A. 1, 1561, 2114). Inasmuch as acids of the above described type had
hitherto not been known to occur in a fatty oil, they have been classified by
Lewkowitsch (‘Chemical Technology and Analysis of Oils, Fats and Waxes’’)
under the-heading of “the chaulmoogrie acid- series.’ Chaulmoogra oil
contains, furthermore, a relatively small proportion of palmitic acid and a
phytosterol. (2) Gynocardia oil (from the seeds of Gynocardia odorata,
R. Br.) is completely devoid of optical activity, contains none of the members
of the chaulmoogrie acid series, and has been shown to consist of the glyceryl
esters of the following acids: (cf. J. Chem. Soc, 87, 896 —900 (1905') ; (1) linolie
acid, or isomerides of the same series, constituting the largest proportion
N. O. PITTOSPOREE 129
of the oil, (2) palmitic acid, in considerable amt, (38) linolenic and isolinolenic
acids, the latter preponderating, and (4) oleic acid, in relatively small amount.
A phystosterol, m. 133°, was also isolated. Both the physical properties and
chem. compn. of the above mentioned oil render it evident that the chaul-
moogra oil of European commerce could never have been obtained from
Gynocardia seeds, On the other hand, representative samples of commercial
chaulmoogra oil have been found to agree closely in character with the oil
expressed from genuine Taraktogenos seed, thus completely confirming, from
the chem. side, the botanical observations of Prain (Pharm. J. 64, 522 (1905);
66, 596 (1901)) with respect to the source of chaulmoogra oil. Gynocardia
seeds contain, besides the fatty oil, the cryst. cyanogenetie glucoside, gyno-
eardin, C,,H,,O,N, which has, likewise, been made the subject of a complete
chem, investigation (J. Ohem. Soc., 87, 349-57 (1905); 97, 1285—9 (1910)).
Mr. Power also notes that the total compn. of chaulmoogra oil, as given by
Chattopadhyaya, is equal to 110%, which is obviously an error. Chemical
Abstracts, Jan. 10, 1916 p, 89.
N. O. PITTOSPOREA.
111. Puttosporum floribundum, W. and A.
HEB. I., 1: 99,
Syn. :—Celastrus verticillata, Roxb. 209. |
Vern.:—Tibilti (Nepal); Bongzam (Lepcha); Yekdi;
Yekadi (Bomb.) ; Vehkali ; Vikhari; Vehyenti; yekadi (Mar.).
Habitat :—Subtropical Himalaya, from Sikkim to Garwhal.
Khasia hills and Mishmi ; Western Peninsula, Conean to the
Nilgiri.
A small evergreen tree, very handsome. ‘Bark very thin,
light greenish-grey, with very prominent horizontal lenticels,
up to nearly >in. long. Wood white, moderately hard, close-
grained. Pores small, often sub-divided or in strings, scanty
or irregularly distributed. Medullary rays fine to moderately
broad” (Gamble). Branches often umbelled, glabrous. Leaves
pale beneath, margin waved, 4-6 in. (Brandis). 2-8 by 1-3
in. (H. f. and Th.), glabrous, shining, coriaceous, acute or
acuminate, lanceolate or oblong-lanceolate. Flowers yellow,
numerous, small, pubescent, in much-branched, terminal,
compound, dense corymbs, sometimes leafy below; branches
1-3 in., spreading, glabrous or pubescent ; sepals ovate, obtuse
or acute, subciliate. Petals erect, claws connivent. Stamens
17
130 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
5, erect; anthers 2-celled, introrse, bursting by slits. Style
glabrous. Ovary pubescent, sessile, incompletely 2-3-celled.
Ovules 2 or more on each placenta. Capsule glabrous, 2 in.
diam.; pisiform, woody 2-rarely 3-valved; valves coriaceous,
placentiform in the middle. Seeds 1-4, occasionally numerous,
smooth, embedded in a pulp.
Uses:--The bark is bitter and aromatic, and is said by
natives of the Western Ghats to possess narcotic properties. It
is used in doses of 5 to 10 grs. as a febrifuge, and in doses of
50 grs., is believed to be a specific for snake poisoning ; 5 to
10 grain doses of the dried bark given with benefit in chronic
bronchitis. It is a good expectorant, but in one or two cases
in which it was tried in Bombay, it gave rise to dysenteric
diarrhoea (Pharmaco. Indica).
The late M. C. Periera of Bandra, an Assistant in the
Bombay Medical Stores, used to prepare a tincture of the bitter
bark, In exhibiting a specimen of the Tincture at the Thera-
peutical Section of the International Medical Congress of
Australasia, held in Melbourne in January 1889, Surgeon Major
K, R. Kirtikar said thus :—‘“The tincture contains a volatile
oil which is said to act as an antisepticand stimulant to the
mucous membrane of the bronchi. The dose of the tincture
is a drachm and a half, thrice daily in water or honey.”
(See p. 948, Proceedings of the Second Session of the Australa-
sia Congress.)
In Travancore, half-a-teaspoonful doses are given internally
in leprous affections, and the oil beaten up with the kernels
and shells of castor oil seeds, is used as a remedy for iteh,
(Dymock.}
In physiological action, the oil is alterative, tonic, and a
local stimulant, and appears also to have a specific effect on certain
skin diseases. It has been recommended for trial as a local
application in rheumatism, leprosy, sprains and bruises, scia-
tica, chest affections and phthisis, ophthalmia, and the various
forms of skin diseases. Internally it may be prescribed in
doses of from 15 minims to 2 drachms in cases of leprosy,
various forms of cutaneous disease, secondary syphilis and
N. 0. POLYGALACER. 131
chronic rheumatism. It must, however, be employed with
caution, as 1n certain cases it is said to act as a gastro-intestinal
irritant, producing vomiting and purging ( Watt.)
N. O. POLYGALACEA:.
112. Polygala crotalarioides, Ham. H,F.B.1.,
tacOl:
Vern. :—Lil Kathi (Santali).
Habitat :—Common in Simla, in rock-crevices. Temperate
Himalaya, from Chamba Hill to Sikkim, Khasia Mts.
A perennial, densely hairy herb. Rootstock woody, often
tuberous. Stems thick, short,. decumbent. Branches long,
spreading. Leaves nearly sessile, ovate or oblong-ovate,
3-2 in. Bracts sessile. [lowers purple, crowded in axillary
racemes. Calyx persistent. Keel-petal crested. Capsule
heart-shaped, fringed. Seeds hairy. Strophiole, with 2 small
ovate appendages.
Parts used :—The entire plant and the root.
Use:—-Used medicinally by the natives in catarrhal
affections ; deserving of further attention. (Ph. Ind., p. 29.)
Royle states that the plant was sent to him with the infor-
mation that the root was employed as a cure for snake-bite
by the hill people of the Himalaya. This fact is of interest,
since P. Senega is similarly used in South America (Watt.)
113. P. chinensis, Linn, H.F.B.I., 1. 204.
Syn. :—P. arvensis, Willd ; Roxb. 531.
Vern. :—Meradu or Miragu (H.); Gaighura (Santal.) ; Negli
(Mar.) Pili Bhoysana (Guj. and Porebunder).
Habitat :—Throughout India, from the Punjab to Pegu,
and in the Western Peninsula. In Porebundar State (Barda.
Mt.)
An annual herb, most variable, usually procumbent,
leafy, rather stout, 3-10 in. high, glabrous or pubescent.
132 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
Leaves excessively variable, 4-2 in. long, sometimes quite
obcordate, at others almost orbicular, at times narrow, linear,
rather thick and coriaceous, glabrous, ciliate, hoary or pubes-
cent, margins usually flat, opaque. Racemes axillary and extra-
axillary, much shorter than the leaves, truncate, almost
capitate. Bracts persistent, at least till the flower expands.
Flower $-} in. long. Wings longer than the sub-orbicular,
notched, ciliate, narrowly winged, capsule green, falcate,
obovate, acute; margins membranous; crest of corolla very
small. Seeds silky, strophiole with 3 short appendages.
Part used :—The root.
Use :—In Chutia Nagpur, the root is given medicinally in
cases of fever and dizziness \Campbell).
114. P. telephioides, Willd. u.¥F.B.1., 1. 205.
Habitat :-—-Western Peninsula, Carnatic and Travancore. ©
An annual herb; stems very many from an annual
woody root, prostrate, not exceeding 2-4 in. in height, pubes-
cent. Leaves sessile, 3-2 in., margins usually recurved,
glabrous, often imbricate, very thick, obovate or oblong, obtuse
or acute. Bracts caducous before flowering. Flowers 7 in.
long, fascicled on very short, extra-axillary peduncles ; outer
sepals acute, wings herbaceous, oblique, acuminate. Capsule
glabrous; not ciliate, 7g in. broad and long, deeply notched ;
valves margined. Seeds minute, silky, strophiole minutely
3-appendiculate.
Use:-—Used in catarrhal affections by the natives of
Madras. (Ph. Ind., p. 29.)
N. O. FRANKENIACEA.
115. Frankenia pulverulata, Linn, 4.F.B.L,
Sergi bes
Vern. :-—Khareeya (Sindh. )
‘Habitat :—On the Sea Coast of Sind; also on the salt
plains of the Punjab, and probably also in Cutch.
N. 0. CARYOPHYLLER. 1838
An annual herb, slender, prostrate, diffuse, exceedingly
branched. Leaves obovate, retuse or hoary beneath, 4-¢ in.,
very shortly petioled. Branches wiry, leafy, 6-18 in. long.
Flowers pink, shorter than the leaves. Calyx cylindric, glab-
rous, strongly ribbed. Petals small.
Use:—Valued by native practiticners in the fresh state
for its mucilaginous and aromatic properties ; exhibited in the
form of decoction in empyreuma (Murray.)
N. O. CARYOPHYLLEA.
116. Saponara Vaccaria., Linn. 4.F.B.L.,
Reo i.
Syn. :—S. perfoliata, Roxb. 385.
Vern. :—Musna (Santal. ; H.) ; Sabuni (B.).
Habitat :—In wheat fields throughout India.
An annual herb, tall robust, simple or sparingly branched,
perfectly glabrous, 12-24 in. high. Leaves 1-3 by 2-3 in., acute,
cauline, linear-oblong. Radical leaves oblong, cauline sessile.
base rounded or cordate. Flowers erect in dichotomous cymes.
Pedicels slender, more or less tubular, 5 in., with 5 broad green
nerves, ventricose in fruit. Calyx-teeth triangular, margins
searious. Petals short, obovate, rosy. Stamens 10. Styles two.
Capsule included, broadly ovoid. Seeds large, globose, black.
granulate.
Part used :—The sap.
Use:—The mucilaginous sap of the plant is used by the
natives in the cure for itch (Murray.)
It is considered by natives to have febrifuge and tonic
properties in long continued fevers of a low type (S. Arjun.)
The decoction of an allied species, Saponaria officinalis,
has been employed both in France and Germany as an external
application to the itch. It has also been given internally in
gout, rheumatism, and some other disorders.
Saponaria officinalis contains a principle, called Saponine, which is
white, amorphous, and has a taste first sweet, then styptic, and finally acrid,
134 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
It is a powerful sternutatory, and is soluble in water, The solution froths
when agitated, like soap. When acted on by alkalies, saponine is converted
into saponic acid. The detergent properties of the plant appear to depend
on this substance (Sowerby’s English Botany).
The Indian species does not seem to have been as yet chemically
analysed.
117. Polycarpea corymbosa, Lam. H.F.B.1.,
1. 245.
Vern. :—-In Poreburden it is called the small-leaved
Okharad.
Habitat :—Throughout India, Ceylon, Burma. Found on
Burda Mt., in Porebunder State (J. Indraji).
An erect or decumbent annual or perennial herb. Stems
6-12 in., erect or ascending, much dichotonously branched ;
branches very numerous, wings diffuse, 4-10 in. long, spreading
from the centre, hoary, tomentose or glabrescent. Leaves
numerous, narrow, linear or subulate, pseudo-verticillate (Un
opposite clusters), 3-1 in., acuminate, acute or obtuse, much
exceeding the stipules. Stipules lanceolate or subulate,
scarious. Flowers crowded in conspicuous terminal dichotomous
silvery cymes, g§ in. Sepals somewhat unequal, 5, free with
scarious white margins, shining white or coloured, narrowly
lanceolate, 75 in, very acute, keeled on the back, glabrous or
pilose, much exceeding the petals and capsule. Petals 35,
truncate, white, much shorter than the sepals. Style 1, tip
5-toothed. Capsule much shorter than the calyx opening by 3
valves. Seeds numerous, rough, pale-brown, small.
Use :—In Pudukota, used both externally and internally
asa remedy for the bites of venomous reptiles (Pharmaco-
graphia Indica, Vol. 1, 158). In Porebunder it is similarly
used as pounded leaves for bites from animals. Its pounded
leaves are also used with molasses in the form of a pill in
jaundice by the villagers of Porbunder.
The pounded leaves are also used over boils and in-
flammatory swellings. as poultice, warmed or cold (J. Indraji.).
N. O. PORTULACER. 135
N. O. PORTULACEAL.
118. Portulaca oleracea, Linn. H.F.B.1., 1. 246,
rox, oo |
Sans. :— Loni.
Vern.:—Khursa, khurfa, kurfe-ka-sag, lonia, muncha,
lunia, kurfa, munya, kulfa lunuk, nonkha, chhota-lunia, bara-
lunia, luniya-kulfah; Seeds=khurfe-ke-bij (Hind.); Baraloniya,
munya, chhotalunia, kulfi; Seed =tukhm-kulpha, baraloniya-bij
(Beng.) ; Puruni-sag (Uriya) ; Mota uric alang (Santal.) ; Luniya,
nunia lunak, desi-kulfah (U. P.); Luniya-kulfah, lunak
-(Kumaon); Lonak, kulfa, luniya, kundar ; Seeds=dhamni (Pb.) ;
Murlai, tursbuk, warkharai (Pushtu); Lonak (Sind.); Ghol,
gholu, (C. P.); Kurfah, gol, moti ghol (Bom.); Bhuigholi (Mar.);
Loni (Guz.); Khulfe-ki-bhaji; Seeds=khulfe-ke-bin} (Dec.) ;
Parpu-kire, passelie kiray, caril-kiray, parupu, puropu-kiray,
earic-kiray : Seeds=parpu-kire virai, pedda-pail-kuru, boddu-
pavili kura, ganja-pavili-kura, batchali aku : Seeds=pappukura-
vittula, pedda-pavila-kura vittulu, boddu-pavili kura-vittulu,
(Tam.); Pappu-kura, pedda-pavili-kura, boddu-pavili-kura,
ganga-pavili-kura (Tel.); Duda gorai (Kan.); Korie chira
(Malay.); Kourfa kara-or, baqlatul humga, buklut-ul-kukema,
khurfa. Seeds=bazrul-baglatul humga (Arab.); Cholza, khur-
fah, turuk, kurfah, kherefeh, turk: Seeds=tukhme-khurfa
(Pers.).
Hatitat :—Throughout India, in all warm climates. Found
in the Himalaya. An abundant weed, in cultivated grounds,
throughout Ceylon.
A short annual herb, with stout, glabrous, numerous,
prostrate or ascending subsucculent branches, 3-1 ft. Leaves
alternate, +-14 in., rounded-truncate, crowded beneath the
branches, oblong spathulate, very obtuse, thick pale and
glistening beneath. Petiole very short. No stipular append-
ages. Infloresence of few-flowered terminal heads, either solitary
or in dichotomous cymes. Flowers sessile, inconspicuous, with
a few ovate, pointed, scarious scales. Petals 4-5, yellow, about
136 INDIAN MEDICINAL PJ.ANTS.
equalling the sepals, very delicate or soon falling off or 0.
Stamens 8-12. Style 3-8-fid. Capsule dehiscent transversely,
inclosed in sepals, the free portions of which also separate by
transverse division and come away with the lid. Seeds
numerous, muricate, dark brown. The flowers are yellow and
open only for a few hours in the morning. Flowers all the year
round.
Parts used :—The plant, leaves, and seeds.
Uses:—The plant has long been used as a domestic
remedy by the Hindus, and was early noticed by European
writers. Ainslie writes thus of P. quadrifida which posesses
the same properties:—‘‘ The bruised fresh leaves of this acid
and pleasant-tasted purslane are prescribed by the Tamool
practitioners as an external application in akki, erysipelas ; an
infusion of them is also ordered as a diuretic in dysuria, to the
extent of half-a-tea-cupful twice daily.” He further mentions
that in Jamaica, P. oleracea is employed as a cooling and
moistening herb in “burning fevers.” Bruised, it is applied
to the temples to allay “excessive heat” and pain, and _ that
the juice is “ of use in spitting of blood.” Dymock says that
both species are supposed by Arabian and Persian writers
to be cold and moist, and to have detergent and astringent
properties. The plant and seeds are recommended by them
in a great many diseases of the kidneys, bladder, and lungs,
which are supposed to be caused by hot or bilious humours.
They are also praised as an external application in burns,
scalds, and various forms of skin disease (Mat. Med., W. Ind.).
Moodeen Sheriff describes the seeds as demulcent, slightly
astringent, and diuretic; the leaves as refrigerant, astringent,
diuretic, and emollient. He believes, both to be “ very useful’
in some cases of strangury, dysuria, irritation of the bladder,
hematuria, hematemesis, hemoptysis, and gonorrhea. “In
addition to this,’ he writes, ‘‘ the seeds seem to have some
beneficial influences over the mucous membrane of the intestinal
canal, and therefore relieve tormina, tenesmus, and other dis-
tressing symptoms in many cases of dysentery and mucous
diarrhea. This is particularly the case when they are combined
N. O. PORTULACER. 137
with some other drugs of similar nature.” He recommends
the fresh succulent leaves as a cooling external application in
the place of ice or cold lotion. The seeds and juice of the
fresh leaves may be best administered in the form of a draught,
from thirty grains to one drachm of the former, and from one
to two fluid ounces of the latter (obtained by pressing the
leaves) being the dose. He recommends either of these as
substitutes for spirits of nitrous ether, Pareira-brava, tragacanth,
elm-bark, rhatany, copaiba, and ice.
By Natives generally at the present day, the herb is chiefly
valued asa refrigerant and alterative pot herb, particularly
useful as an article of diet in scurvy and tiver disease. In
addition to the properties above detailed, the seeds are believed
inthe Punjab to be vermifuge.
The juice of the stems may be applied with advantage to
prickly heat, as well as to the hands and feet when a burning
sensation is felt.
Hig: P. quadrifida, Linn., H.F.B.1., 1. 247.
Syn. :—P. meridiana, Roxb. 391.
Sans :—Laghu Lonika
Vern. :—Chounlayi, loniya, khate chawal (Hind.) ; Nuniya,
chhota lunia (Beng.); Lunak, haksha, lunki-buti (Pb.); Kota,
chaval-ke-bhaji, barika, ghola (Bomb.}; Luni(Guz.}; Ran Ghol
(Mar); Choulayi-ki-bhaji, ghol-ki-bhaji, chowli (Dec.); Soin-
parpu-kirai, pasarai-kirai, siru-pasarai-kirai, passeli-kirai(Tam.) ;
Sanna-pappu, sanna-pavili, goddu _ pavili, pedda pavili, sunpail
kura, pavili, kura, payalaku, sanna payala (‘lel.) ; Hali bachcheli
(Kan.); Hin-gende-kola (Sing.) ; Baqlatul-vamaniah, baqlatul-
aarabbiyah budelut-ul-mobarik (Arab.)
Habitat :—Throughout the warmer parts of India.
A diffuse, annual, succulent herb. Stem filiform. Rooting
at the nodes; nodal appendages pilose, more or less copious.
Leaves flat 3-3 in., opposite, very shortly petioled, ovate or
ovate-lanceolate. Flowers terminal, solitary. Calyx-tube 3-im-
mersed in the extremity of the axis, surrounded by a four-
leaved involucre, and long silky hairs. Petals 4, yellow;
18
138 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
stamens 8-12 (Hooker); anthers two-celled. Style filiform,
4-fil. to the middle. Ovary half-adnate. Fruit a capsule
dchiscing transversely. Seeds minutely tubercled, compressed.
Parts used :—The leaves and seeds.
Uses: —The leaves are similar to those of P. oleracea.
The seeds also possess identical qualities to those of the former
species.
120... P. tuberosa, Roxb. H.F.B.1., 1-241, moxm
391.
Vern. :—Loonak (Sind.}; Dhamnee—the seed ; Bodda kura
(Tel.)
Habitat:—Behar, Sind, the Punjab, and the Western
“Peninsula.
A diffuse, succulent, perennial herb. Root tuberous, 2-3
in., slightly fusiform. Stem short, 2-3 in., spreading from
the root, witha few branches towards the extremity, villous.
Leaves 3-3 in., alternate, fleshy, linear; nodal appendages
= in., of sparingly tufted brown hairs. Flowers yellow, in
small terminal clusters, surrounded by about 8 leaves and tufted
hairs. Stamens 20. Style filiform, 5-cleft. Seeds black,
granular. i
Use:—The fresh acid leaves are used medicinally ; an
external application is prescribed by native practitioners in ery-
sipelas and an infusion in dysuria (Murray, 96.)
N. O. TAMARISCINE A.
121. Tamarix gallica, Linn., H.F.B.1., 1. 248.
Syn. :—T. Indica, Willd.
Sans. :—Jhavooka, Shavaka.
Vern. :—Jhau (H. & B.); Jhav-nu-jhada (Gnz.); Pilchi,
Koa; rukh; lainya; jhau; lai (Pb.); Atru-shavukhu-maram
(Jain); Eru-saru-manu (Tel.); Ler, lai, jhau (Sind.),
The galls :—Baramaéi; barri main (H.); Magiya main.
(Bomb.) ee
N. O. TAMARISCINER. 139
The manna :—Gazangabin and Gazanjabin (Arab., Pers.,
and Bomb.)
Habitat: —Throughout India, near rivers, and along the
sea-coast.
A glaucous, gregarious, small tree or shrub. Bark rough
greenish-brown, that of young branches’ reddish-brown,
smooth, with small whitish specks. Wood whitish, occasionally
with a red tinge, open and coarse-grained, fairly hard and
tough, but not strong. Pores small and moderate-sized, numer-
ous, more so in spring wood. Medullary rays numerous, broad,
but short (Gamble). Annual rings distinct (Brandis). Leaves
minute, not sheathing, apex acute, patent or loosely appressed.
‘Flowers mostly bisexual, pentamerous, white or pink, crowded
in long slender spikes, collected in dense panicles at the ends
of branches and forming a large wregular mass of flowers.
Bracts shorter than flowers. Disk slightly 5-or 10-crenate ;
filaments not dilated at base; styles short, stigma often almost
sessile. Capsule #s in. long, more than twice the length
of the withered sepals supporting it. Flowering time, August
to February (Brandis).
Parts used :—The galls and manna.
Uses :—The galls are employed medicinally by the natives
as an astringent. Dr. Stocks speaks highly of the astringent
properties of the galls, and from personal experience recommends
a strong infusion of them as a local application to foul, sloughing
ulcers and phagedenic buboes. By the natives they are also
administered internally in dysentery and diarrhoea (Ph. Ind.,
p- 29.)
The Hakims consider the manna to be detergent, aperient
and expectorant (Dymock.)
122, 1. diovea, Roxb., 8.¥:B.1., 1. 249, Roxb: 274.
Sans. :—-Pichoola.
Vern. :—Lei; pilchi (Pb.); Gaz., lao (Sindh.\; Lal-jhau
(Beds EL.)
Habitat :-—From Sindh and the Punjab to Assam and the
Western Peninsula, near and in the bed of rivers, and on the
sea-coast.
140 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
A gregarious glaucous shrub or small tree. Bark, with
reticulate cracks showing the red inner bark. Wood moder-
ately hard, outer portion white. Pores small to moderate-sized
in groups or short radial lines, more abundant and larger
in the spring wood. Medullary rays very prominent, short,
fine to very broad, very prominent on radial section. The
distance between the rays is generally three or four times
the transverse diameter of the pores. The tree gives a
gum of bitter sweet flavour (Gamble). Leaves sheathing,
sheath tubular, apex acuminate, closely appressed, with a broad
white margin. Flowers dicecious, pentamerous, purple or hght
pink, in stiff compact cylindrical pedunculate spikes often
forming loose panicles at the ends of branches. Bracts as long
as or nearly as long as the flowers. Male flowers: stamens alter-
nating with the 5 lobes of the fleshy disk, anthers distinetly api-
culate. Female flowers: 5 thin linear staminodia ; styles
filiform, thickened at the end, longer than the ovary. Capsule
#; in. long, about twice the length of the withered sepals and
petals at the base. |
Use:—The twigs and galls are used in medicine as an
astringent (Stewart).
123. -f_ articutata, Vanl. WF Bi 24:
Syn. :~- T. orientalis, Forsk.
Vern.:--Faras, farwa, marlei (Pb.); Asrelei (Sind:}. The
galls : —Choti-main (1.}; Magiya-main (Bomb-); Lal-jhau (B. & H.)
Habwtat :—- Sind and the Punjab.
A moderate-sized tree, with an erect trunk, frequently
6-7 ft. in growth. Bark grey, rough; wood white moderately
hard. Annual rings indistinct. Pores moderate-sized, often in
groups or sub-divided, or singly between the medullary rays,
scanty. Medullary rays short, fine to very broad, the distance
between the :ays somewhat greater than the transverse diameter
of the groups of pores; prominent on a radical section as. irregu-
larly-shaped plates, giving the wood a handsome silver grain
(Gamble). Branchlets articulate at base of sheath, often. grey
with saline efflorescence. Leaves sheathing, sheath 1'o in. long,.
N. 0. TAMARISCINES. 14]
obliquely truncate, apex triangular, acute, adpressed. Sheath
and apex with impressed glands. [lowers bisexual or mone-
cious, loosely scattered on long slender spikes which are
generally collected at the ends of branches in loose panicles.
Bracts shorter than flowers; stamens 5. Disk entire or indis-
tinctly 5-lobed. Capsules 3 in. long. Flowering time, May to
September. The extremities of branchlets and the leaves
on older branchlets are shed during the cold season ; new shoots
and leaves come out about May.
Parts used :-——The bark and galls.
Uses: -The galls are employed as an astringent (Royle). |
The bark is bitter, astringent and probably tonic. (Ph. Ind.,
‘p. 20.)
The bark powdered and, in combination with oil and
Kamala, is used as an aphrodisiac by the natives. It is also
employed as an application in eczema capitis, and other diseases
(Watt). j
124. Myriearia elegans, Royle., H.F.B.1.,1. 250.
Vern. :— Humbu ? Umbu (Pb.)
Habitat :— Western Himalaya from Garwhal to Ladak.
A bush, with smooth, striate slender stem. Leaves oblong-
ovate or oblanceolate, narrowed at the base, often crowded.
Bracts, ovate, about twice as long as the pedicels, but short
acuminate, with narrowly membranous margins. Flowers 3 in.,
lateral lax ; white (Brandis.) Sepals connate below, much short-
er than petals, obtusely triangular at apex. Stamens connate
for one-fourth of their length, 10, alternately long and short,
monadelphous. Ovary tapering, with 3 sessile stigmas; placentas
basal, very short, adnate to the middle of the valves ; ovulesmany.
Seeds exalbuminous, with a usually stalked plume. Embryo
OMOn) Ls: :
Use:—The leaves form an application to bruises, &c., in
Lahout (Aitchison).
142 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
N. .0. HYPERICINE Ai.
125. Hypericum patulum, Thunb., H.F.B.1., 1. 204.
Vern. :—Tumbbhul (Behari).
Habitat: —Throughout the Temperate Himalaya (Sikkim
excepted), from Bhotan to Simla and Chamba; also in the
Khasia Mountains and Yunnan.
A shrub. Leaves distichous, $-l4 in. long, narrowed
rhoraboid or elliptical, very shortly petioled, black-dotted and
rusty beneath ; margins reflexed. I[*lowerslin. diam. Sepals
in. Petals yellow, orbicular or elliptical, longer than the
stamens. Styles equalling the ovary, but exceeding the stamens.
Capsules obtusely conical, $-4 in. long.
Dr. Hooker writes in the Botanical Magazine, for Febru-
ary Ist, 1868 :—
“Tt is a native of Japan, where it was discovered by
Thunberg ninety years ago, * *. Asa species, it is very nearly
allied to the H. wralum, Hamilton, of Nepal, and will probably
prove to be a large-flowered variety of that plant. It is very
variable in the foliage, which is flat or has recurved margins,
and is green or rust-coloured beneath.” |
Part used :— The seed.
Use :—The scented seeds are employed as an aromatic sti-
mulant in Patna, where they are imported from Nepal (Irvine).
126:. 1. perforatum, Linn, are 1 Zoe:
Vern. :—Balsant, dendlu (H. & Pb.)
Habitat :—Temperate Western Himalaya, from Kumaon to
Kashmir. |
A perennial herb. Stems erect, 2-edged, 18 in., with
slender stolons branched above Leaves oblong or ovate, pel-
lucid-punctate, #in., obtuse, with radiating veins, paler beneath,
with black dots. Cymes corymbose, 3-chotomously branched ;
flowers 1 in., sepals 3 in., 5, linear, acute connate; 3-delphous
at the base ; margins of the sepals eglandular. Petals persistent
with black glandular edges. Ovary 3-celled; styles twice the
N. 0. HYPERICINER. 143
length of the ovary, equalling the stamens. Capsule 2 in.,
egg-shaped.
Parts. used :— The leaves and the whole plant.
Use :—It is recommended in Arabian medicine as a vermi-
fuge, also used to cure piles, prolapsus uteri et ani (Honning-
berger, Vol. IT., p. 289,. The herb is bitter and astringent,
and was recommended by Arabic writers as a detersive, reso-
lutive, anthelmintic, diuretic and emmenagogue and, externally,
as excitant, but it does not appear to be used in modern
medicine (Watt).
The plant is certainly astringent and aromatic; taken
internally, it occasionally acts as a purgative, but not powerfully.
In country districts, it is sometimes used still as a medicine, and
oil, in which the shoots or flowering tops have been steeped, is
sold by herbalists as ‘‘oleum hyperial.” The leaves have beer
used as a vermifuge (Sowerby’s English Botany).
N. O. GUTTIFERA:.
Gareimia Mangostana, Linn., H.F.B.1., 1. 260,
Roxb. 441.
Vern. :—Mangustan (Bomb.); Mengkop (Burm.).
Eng. :—The Mangosteen.
Habitat :—Cultivated in some parts of the Madras Presi-
dency; as at Barliyar in the Nilghiri Hills; Tenasserim. Malay
Peninsula (doubtfully wild). Gamble says it has never been
successfully grown in Northern India as it requires, a very hot,
moist and uniform climate. ‘Home unknown; cultivated in
moist regions of tropical Asia.” (Brandis). Found in Cochin-
China, Java, Singapore. |
An evergreen, small, conical tree, 20-30 ft., glabrous.
Branches many and decussate. Under favourable circumstances,
says Brandis, the tree attains 60ft. and more. ‘ Bark dark
brown or almost charcoal-black, inner bark yellowish. Wood
brick-red, hard. Pores moderate-sized, scanty, single or in small
groups surrounded by loose tissue, the groups very irregularly
-144 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
rn together into more or less concentric patches, sometimes
long and continuous, more often subdivided. Medullary rays
moderately broad, not very numerous, of the same colour as the
patches” (Gamble). Leaves thickly coriaceous, 6-10 in. by
23-45 in.; nerves regular, close inarching, with an intramarginal
one ; numerous, parallel “ alternating with shorter intermediate
nerves (Brandis). Petiole short, thick. Flowers tetramerous,
“bisexual, solitary or in pairs at the ends of branchlets, 2 in.
diam.” (Brandis). Male flower in 3-9-flowered terminal fas-
cicles ; pedicels short. Sepals orbicular, concave, persistent.
Petals broad, ovate, fleshy ; yellow, red or purple. Stamens sur-
rounding the rudimentary ovary in four masses ; indefinite ;
filaments slender, flat at the base and sometimes connate, anthers
ovate-oblong, 2-celled. Hermaphrodite flowers, 2 in. diam.,
solitary or germinating at the tips of young branches; pedicels
4in., thick, woody. Sepals and petals as in the Male. Stamens
many, filaments slender, connate below. Female flower :—
Ovary, 4-8-celled, stigma sessile, thick 5-8-lobed, ovate, solitary.
Fruit, a berry as large as an orange, globose, smooth, dark
purple; pericarp or rind firm, spongy, thick, full of yellow
resinous juice. Seeds large, flattened, embedded in snowy-white,
or pinkish delicious pulp, which is botanically called the aril.
This pulp it is that gives the fruit its value as one of the finest
fruits of the Eastern Tropics, and one of the most highly appre-
ciated, delicious products of the Eastern and Western Hemis-
pheres. Flowers from November to February. Fruit ready in
May and June. Pierre has examined more than 1,500 Mangos-
teen trees, without finding a single male flower. But he adds
that several species produce male flowers when young, and female
flowers at a later age. (Brandis).
I have seen a tree of thisin the Dapoli English Church
(Mission)—K. R. K.
Parts used :—The rind, fruit, bark and leaves.
Use :—The rind is used as an astringent medicine for diar-
rhoea and dysentery. It has been found very useful in chronic
diarrhoea in children by Waring and others. (Ph. Ind., p. 31.)
It has also been used as a febrifuge (Dymock).
N. O. GUTTIFERE. 145
According to Rumphius, the bark and young leaves are
employed by the Macassars in diarrhoea, dysentery and affections
of the genito-urinary tracts, and also as a wash for aphthe of
the mouth.
In exhibiting before the Melbourne Medical Congress of
January 1889, a powder and a liquid extract of mangosteen from
the fruit-rind prepared by the late Mr. M. C. Periera of the Bom-
bay Medical Stores, Surgeon Major Kirtikar said thus :—“ The
value of these preparations hes in the yellow resin which the rind
of the fruit contains a character of the fruits of the Guttifers.
The resin acts like all other resins as a stimulant to the intes-
tinal canal. Iam not sure whether the crystallisable substance,
‘mangostine, which Schmidt has obtained from the rind, has any
particular therapeutic property. It is worthy of a trial, as the
preparations are largely used by the Natives of Western India
in chronic cases of the intestinal canal. Waitz recommends a
decoction of the powdered rind as an external astringent appli-
cation. I have no doubt that the resin adds to the value of this
local remedy, by mechanically constricting the parts gently —an
effect very often produced by uniform light bandaging.” (Con-
gress Proceedings, p. 948).
A strong decoction has also been recommended as an exter-
nal astringent application ( Watt.)
The fruit is said to have come into use of late years in
European medicine as a substitute for Bel ( Watt.)
Mangostin (A) occurs in all parts of the Mangosteen tree, The dried
fruit-skins contain about 5% each of a crystalline resin (A) and non-erystal
resin. (A) was first. isolated by Schmidt, who assigned the formula C,, H,, O..
(A) has the typical resin properties, burning with a smoky, luminous flame,
causing friction and vibration when rubbed between the fingers, and dissol-
ving in alkalis, ale., Ht,0, and many other solvents. (A) was obtained by
coneg, the alk. ext, of the dried skins in vacuo, shaking the syrupy residue
with H,O, and dissolving the dried insol, portion in warm PhH containing a
little Et,0. Recrystd. repeatedly from ale, containing a little H,O, it forms
flat, pale yellow needles, m, 181-2°. The analyses and mol. wt. detns, in PhO H
and (CO, Me), gave results agreeing with C,, H,,0;. (A) is insol.in carbo-
nates, dissolves in alkalies with a red color, and is repptd, by CO, and acids
and gives a greenish brown color with FeCl. It contains 1 MeO and 2
phenolic OH, the latter being shown by titration and by the action of Me, SO,
and dil. ag. KOH, which yield dimethyl-mangostin, C,, Hj, O;, faintly yellow,
19
146 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
silky needles, m. 123°. (A) and warm HNO, gave (CO, H),, even when HOAc
was used as diluent. Concd. KMNO, also gave (CO, H),. Fusion with 5 parts
KOH at about 250° gave a volatile oil with the odor of AmOH. The aq.
soln. of the fusion was acidified and extd. with Et,O, yielding BzOH,
isolated as the Ca salt. In another expt. the aq. soln. of the fusion
was satd. with CO,, shaken out with Et,O and then with alc., which did not
mix with the soln. The alc. soln, containing K salts was evapd., acidified with
H, SO,, and distd. with steam. The resulting volatile acids were purified
threugh the Ba and Na salts, and finally sepd. as the Ag salts, HOAe and
C, H,-CO, H were found. Boiled with HI for 12 hrs., (A) yields a substance, C,,
H,, O;, faintly yellow, silky needles, m. 1£80-1°, changes into short rhombs
with identical properties on standing overnight in the mother-liquors when
erystd. from alc., gives a deep green color in ale. with FeCl,; its methyl
derivative, prepd, with Me,SO, and aq. KOH containing a little ale. to
facilitate soln, m. 216°; the monoacetyl derivative, using Ac, Oand NaOAc.,
m, 218-9°.--Chemical Abstracts, Aug. 10, 1915; p. 2061.
128. -G-andiéa: Chas. WE Ba eo
Syn. :—G. purpurea, Roxb. 443.
Vern.:—The fruit, Ainsul, Kokam (Bomb.); Brindad
(Goa); the oil, Kokam tel (Bomb.); the bark, Ratamba-sal,
(Bomb.); Murgal mara (Tam.).
Habitat :—Western Peninsula, ghats of Concan and
Canara.
A slender tree with drooping branches, branchlets black.
“ Bark Lght brown, rather shining, very thin, smooth. Wood
greyish white, hard; many dark concentric lines, resembling
annual rings, without or with very few pores; very numerous,
narrow, anastomozing white brands, in which the scanty
moderate-sized*° pores appear. Medullary rays moderately
broad, white, regular” (Gamble). Leaves red, when young
2-4 in., thickly membranous, lanceolate, occasionally oblanceolate,
nearly sessile, mucronate, rarely obtuse. Secondary nerves
slender, 6-10 pair, a few shorter, very slender ; intermediate nerves
between. Flowers tetramerous, small. Sepals orbicular, outer
small petals rather smaller. Male flowers: a central, round or
4-sided mass with crowded, numerous, 2-celled anthers; in ter-
minal 3-7-flowered, often pedunculate cymes ; pedicels +in. long.
Anthers numerous, 2-celled on short filaments crowded ona
N. 0. GUTTIFERA. 147
central hemispherical receptacle. Hermaphrodite flower: soli-
tary. Stamens 10-18, in 4 bundles alternating with petals.
Female flowers solitary, terminal, shortly strictly peduncled.
Ovary 4-8-celled ; stigma 6-7—radiate, each ray with 2 lines of
tubercles. Ovary 5-7-celled, says Brandis. Fruit globose, as long
as a sma!l orange, purple, not grooved. Seeds 5-8, embedded,
compressed in a reddish acid pulp. Flowering time, November-
February. Fruit ready, April-May.
Parts used :—The fruit, seeds, and bark.
Use :—The Apothecaries of Goa prepare a very fine purple
syrup from the juice of the fruit, which is used in bilious
affections. The bark is astringent, and the young leaves, after
having been tied up in a plantain leaf and stewed in hot
ashes, are rubbed with cold milk and given as a remedy for
dysentery (Dymock.) |
The oil of the seeds is. officinal in the Indian Pharma-
copeela for the preparation of ointments, suppositories and other
pharmaceutical purposes. It has been used as a local appli-
cation to ulcerations, fissures of the lips, hands, &c. (Ph. Ind.,
pool)
Regarding the oil, Modeen Sheritf writes :—“ I have used
it internally in my practice, and have found that its best
medicinal properties are its usefulness in phthisis pulmonalis
and some scrofulous diseases, and in dysentery and mucous
diarrhoea.”
The oil is used by the natives as a remedy for excoriations,
chaps, fissures of the lips, &c., by partly melting it and rubbing
on the affected part. It is solid at ordinary temperature.
129. G. Morella, Desrouss. H.F.B.1., 1. 264.
Syn. :—G. pictoria, Roxb., 444. G. elliptica, Wall.
Vern. :-—The tree=Tamal, the drug=ghotaghauba, gota
ganba, tamal (Hind.); the tree=Tamal, the drug=tamal
(Beng.}; the drug=Ausaraherevan (Dec., C. P.); the tree=
Tamal, the drug=revachini sira, tamal (Mar.) ; the drug=
Makki, iréval-chinip-pél, the oil=makki (Tam.); the drug=
Révalchini- pal (‘Tel.); the tree=Arsinagurgi mara, aradal, punar
puli; the drug=Tamal (Kan.); the tree=Daramba (Malay.)
148 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
This is the Gamboge tree, and yields abundant of that
pigment. The gamboge of commerce, says Trimen, is obtained
from Siam, and is the produce of a variety (Var. pedicellata,
Hanb.) of this species, recently raised to the specific rank as G.
Hanburii H. F. (Fig. 33. Med Plants. Bentley and Trimen).
Habitat :——-Forests of Eastern Bengal, the Khasia Moun-
tains, the Western Peninsula, in Malabar, Canara and Ceylon.
A small pyramidal tree, with spreading branches. Bark
smooth brown, young twigs quadrangular. Wood hard, yellowish
brown. Leaves 3-44in., broadly lanceolate or oval, acute at base,
subacute, shining, paler beneath ; lateral veins very oblique,
inconspicuous ; petioles tin. Flowers greenish white, sessile, in
axils of fallen leaves ; Male 2 or 3 together, Female solitary ;
Sepals and petals 4 each, the latter longer ; Male flowers :—
Stamens monadelphous ; filaments combined into a sub-quad-
rangular central column, but free at their summits ; anthers
dehiscing transversely. Female flowers :—Stamens about 12 ina
ring round the ovary, connate at base ; Ovary globular, smooth ;
4-celled ; stigma peltate, irregularly lobed and tubercled. Fruit
small, in., globose, surrounded at base by persistent sepals,
glabrous. Seeds 4, ovoid, kidney-shaped, slightly compressed,
testa finely muriculate, blackish-brown.
Parts used :—The gum and branches.
Use:—The gamboge is officinal in the British and Indian
Pharmacopeeias. It is considered a valuable hydragogue ca-
thartic. It also possesses anthelmintic properties. It is used
in dropsical affections, amenorrhea, obstinate constipation, and
as a vermifuge.
The stem rubbed with water is a household remedy
amongst natives, as a local application to rising pimples and
boils, and often cuts them short. ‘Dr. Gray in Watt's
Dictionary.)
130. G. xanthochymus, Hook. f., H.F.B.1.,
1. 269.
Syn. :—Xanthochymus pictorious Roxb., 445.
Vern :—Dampel; tamal, (H.); Tamal, (B); Tepor, Tezpur,
N. 0. GUTTIFERES. 149
Tilnor (Assam) ; Manho-la (Garo); Dampel, onth, osth. (Bomb) ;
Jharambi (Mar.); Jwara, memadi tamalumu, chitakamaraku,
(Tel.) |
Habitat :—Eastern Bengal and the Eastern Himalaya,
from Sikkim to the Khasia Mountains, Eastern Peninsula,
Western Peninsula, the Circars, and from the Bombay ghats
southward. There is a tree in the Victoria Gardens, Bombay.
A medium-sized evergreen tree. Bark brown, #in. thick,
exfoliating in small round scales. Wood dark-greyish-brown,
very hard, and close-grained ; concentric bands thin, white,
numerous. Pores very scanty, moderate sized, scattered and
unevenly distributed. Medully rays fine, white, numerous, but
irregular. Yellow gum copious (Gamble). Foliage dense, dark
green, shining. Branchlets quadrangular, dilated below the nodes.
Leaves thickly coriaceous, obiong or elliptic-oblong, acute ; blade
S-14in.long, petiole 3-lin.long, thick-channelled on the upperside,
secondary nerves numerous, parellel with shorter intermediate
nerves. [lowers white, fasciculate on thick uneven, axillary
protuberances. Pedicels lin., petals $in.. orbicular spreading,
thin. Male flowers: Stamens in d broad bundles of 3-5, on a
fleshy lobed disk. Bisexual: Ovary 5-celled, stigma 5-lobed.
Fruit dark yellow, 2-3in. diam, of the size of an apple, 5-celled :
subglobose, pointed. Seeds 1-4, oblong.
Use:—The fruit, which is yellow and of the size of a small
apple and very acid, sweetish when ripe, edible, is used for the
same purposes as that of G. indica; it is dried and made into a
kind of Amsutl. In bilious conditions, a sherbet made with
about 1 oz. of the Amstl, with a little rock-salt, pepper, ginger,
cumin and sugar, is administered (DyMmock.)
131. Ochrocarpus longifolius, Benth. and
Hook., H.¥.B.1., 1. 270.
Syn. :-—Calysaccion longifolium, Waght.
Nagakésaram-pushpam (Sans.)
Vern. :— Nag-késar-ké-phtl (the flowers), (Hind.) ; Nagésarer-
phfil (the flowers), (Beng.) ; Surangi, tambra nagkesar (Bomb.) ;
£50 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
Ran undi, sweet, 1.e., godt undi, und (Koncan); Punnag, suringi
(Mar.); Rati-nag-kesar (Guz.); Nadgap-pu, nagashap-pu,
nagésar-pu, (the flowers), (Tam); Sura-poona (Tel); Wanai,
laringi (male), pine (female), suringi, gardundi (Kan.); Seraya
(Malay.).
Habitat :—-Forests of the Western Peninsula, from Canara
to the Concan.
A large evergreen tree, young branches terete, youngest
4-gonous—** Bark reddish-brown, ¢in. thick, exudinga red gum.
Wood red, hard, close and even-grained. Pores moderately
broad, very numerous, the distance between them equal to or
less than, the diameter of the pores. Annual rings marked by
a dark line. Lines of soft texture numerous, but indistinct.
Numerous resin-ducts in radial long cells, which appear as
shining lines on a horizontal, and black points on a vertical
section’ (Gamble). Leaves 5-9 by 2-24in., thickly coriaceous,
dark green, base rounded, mid-rib stout, prominent, veins few,
indistinct, very slender, united by innumerable venules, which
give the dried leaf a very beautifully lacunose appearance ;
petiole short, stout, +in. Flower-buds globose, used to dye
silk. Flowers highly fragrant, in dense fascicles. Male
and bisexual, Zin. diam., on nodes clothed with subulate brac-
teoles in the axils of fallen leaves, or on the old wood. Pedicels
lin. slender. Calyx bursting in 2 valves, reflected during the
flowering. Petals 4, acute, thin, deciduous, white, tinged
yellowish red, almost orange. Stamens many ; Style subulate,
Sitgma broad, discoid. Fruit obliquely ovoid, pointed, 1 in.
long, tipped by the hard pointed style, stipitate, l-seeded.
“Flowers often hermaphrodite, and used for dying silk’
(Beddome). Flowering time January, to March, in the Konkan
forests.
Part used:—The flower-buds. Fruzt edible, when ripe,
sweet, refreshing.
Uses:—The flower-buds possess astringent and aromatic
properties, and are sometimes prescribed medicinally (Dymock. )
The flowers are stimulant and carminative. They are use-
ful in some forms of dyspepsia and in hemorrhoids. (MooDEEN
SHERIFF. )
N. 0. GUTTIFERE. 151
132. Calophyllum inophyllum, Lin., H.¥.B.1.,
[ea fas woxb: 450.) Alexandrian Laurel.
Sans :— Punnaga.
Vern.:—Sultana champa, Surpan, surpunka undi (H.);
Sultan champ4, punnag (B.); Polong punang, (Uriya* ; Surangi,
purreya, duggerful, undi (Sind.); undi (Bomb.) ; Udi (Cutch.);
Surfan, undi, surpanka (Dec.) ; Undi, undelar wundi, surangi,
nagchampa, pumag, undag (Mar.); Bintango, punna, Ponna
(Mal.); Pinnay, pungam, punnaivirar, punnagam (Tam.); Puna,
punds, ponna pumagamu, ponna-chettu, ponna-vittulu (Tel.) ;
Wuma pinne, ponna bija {( Kan.)
Habitat :— Western Peninsula, Orissa and South India.
Aun evergreen, middle-sized, ornamental tree or shrub,
glabrous. Buds only with minute rusty hairs. ‘‘ Bark grey or
blackish brown, smooth. Wood reddish brown, moderately
hard, close-grained. Pores moderate sized, arranged in groups
or oblique strings. Medullary rays extremely fine and numerous,
bent round the pores. Occasional interrupted concentric lines
of darker, but softer tissue, prominent on all sections” (Gamble).
Leaves elliptic, elliptic-lanceolate, or obovate, coriaceous ; blade
4-8in., by 3-4in., narrowed into petiole, 4-lfin. long, shining on
both surfaces ; veins many fine. Flowers scented, pure white,
zto lin. diam., in axillary raceines ; Racemes in upper axils loose,
4-6in. long, shorter than the leaves, lax, few-flowered. Pedicels
slender, 1-2 in. Petals 4, like the inner sepals. Stamens
numerous ; filaments in 4 bundles. Rumphius and Blume
say that the petals are sometimes 6-8. Ovary globose, stipitate ;
style much exceeding the Stamens. Stigma peltate, lobed.
Fruit yellow, round, 1 in. diam., smooth, pulpy. The seeds
yield oil used for lamps ; often cultivated.
Parts used :—The oil of the seeds, and seeds.
Uses:—-The kernels of this tree yield a grateful-smelling
fixed oil, held by the natives in high esteem as an external
application in rheumatism. Irom the bark exudes a resinous
~ substance, ‘l'acamahaca, said to resemble myrrh, and to bea
useful remedy for indolent ulcers. (Pharm. Indica.)
152 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
The gum which flows from the wounded branches, mixed
with strips of the bark and leaves, is steeped in water, and the
oil which rises to the surface is used as an application to sore-
eyes. Horsfield says that in Java the tree is supposed to
possess diuretic properties (Drury).
Rheede says that the tears which distil from the tree and
its fruit are emetic and purgative.
The oil exercises a great beneficial influence over the
mucous membrane of the genito-urinary orgaus, and is therefore
highly useful in the treatment of gonorrhoea and gleet. Ex-
ternally, it isa good and useful embrocation in rheumatism
and gout. ‘The watery paste of the kernel of the seeds, applied
to the painful joints and dried by the heat of fire, often affords
a great relief in the same diseases, and may be resorted to in
the absence of the oil.
Although there is nothing in the sensible properties of
this oil to indicate a poisonous character, yet, as far my know-
ledge extends, it has never been administered internally in
this or any other country. Having satisfied myself by personal
use that it 1s neither detrimental to life nor deleterious to health
up to acertain quantity, | employed it in my practice and found
it to beavery valuable drug. It acts as aspecific on the
mucous membrane of the genito-urinary organs, and its control,
therefore, over gonorrhoea and gleet is very considerable. It is
so certain and speedy in its action that its good effect in the
above diseases is often noticed a few hours after the exhibition
of its first dose (MooDEEN SHERIFF.)
The leaves soaked in water are employed as an application
to inflamed eyes, in the Archipelago (Dr. Rice, New York).
The fixed oil, expressed from the keruvels of the seeds, is said
to cure scabies (B. Gupra, Pooree.)
According to the Hindoo writers, the bark is astringent
and useful in internat hemorrhages (U. C. Dutt.)
¢€
The juice of the bark is used as a purgative, and is said
to be very powerful in its action. (SURGEON Peacock, Nasik.)
In rheumatism, the natives use the oil as an external appli-
cation (E. A. Morris, Madras). Watt’s Dictionary.
N. O. GUITIFERA, 153
Oil from the seeds cf Calophyllum inophyllum. The seeds contain
22°38 —31'5 H,O and 50°—55 oil per cent, The oil has a yellowish-green
colour, an odour resembling fenugreek, a bitter taste, and, on keeping,
fatty glycerides are deposited. It solidifies at 3°, melts again at 8°, and
has a sp. gy. 0°9428 at 15°, Reichert-Meissl number 0°18, saponification
number 1960, acid number 28°45, iodine number 92°8, refracto-meter
number 76 at 40°; it contains 0°25 per cent. of unsaponifible matter.
The increase in weight due to oxygen absorption, when measured by Livache’s
method, amounted to 0°25, 0-71, 1:32, and 1°84 per cent. after 18, 40, 64, and
136 hours. Treatment with 5 per cent. soda solution removes the resinous
constituents. The purified oil solidifies at 4°, melts again at 8°, and has
Reichert-Meissl number 0:18, saponification number 191, iodine number 86.
The fatty acids of the oil are chiefly palmitic, stearic, and oleic. J. Ch.S. Vol.
88 pt. 2, page 277,
The seeds are brownish black, almost spherical, #—1 inch in diameter and
consist of an easily-broken shell surrounding 2 round, soft, whitish kernel
which weighs about 4 grms. The kernels contain 13 per cent, of moisture and
a9 per cent, of viscous, green, bitter oil. |
Some samples of kernels from Bengal contained 3'3 per cent. of moisture
and 714 per cent, of oil having the Sp. gr. at 15°C, O° 950; acid value 45°9 ;
Saponification value, 193-203 ; iodine value, 97°7.
The oil isexcellent for soap making. The residual cake is bitter and
therefore suitable for use as a manure.
Bulletin Imperial Institute 1913.
Iaot °C, Wighhanum, Wall. wwe.., 1, 274.
Syn. :—C. decipiens, Wight ; C. Spurium, Chois.
Vern. :—Kalpun, kutt-ponne bobbi, (Kan).; Cheru pinnay,
putengi (Tam.); Tsirou-panna (Mal.); Cherupiani, sarapuna
(Bomb.) ; Trai (Mar.)
Habitat :—Western ghats, from the Konkan to Travancore.
A middle-sized evergreen tree, almost entirely glabrous.
“ Bark yellow, very characteristic. Wood hard, red. Pores
large and moderate-sized, uniformly distributed. Medullary rays
very fine, not very distinct. Numerous, interrupted wavy and
anastomosing connective bands of soft tissue (Gamble). Young
shoots 4-gonal, often pruinose. Leaves rigidly coriaceous,
obovate, obtuse or oblong-cuneate ; 2-4 by 14-2in. ; veins most
prominent on the undersurface ; petiole din. Racemes from the
axils of all the leaves and sears of fallen ones, several-flowered,
shorter than the leaves. Peduncles and pedicels slender. The
Racemes are shorter than the leaves. Flowers +-din. diam.
Sepals 4, very thin, strongly-veined. Petals 0 (or 4 small ones
20
154 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
visible in the bud, Wight). Fruit 1 by 2in. ellipsoid. Anderson
says that he never found petals in any of the buds he opened.
Medicinal use :—Bouton, in his Medical Plants of Mauritius,
says that the resin obtained from this plant acts as a “ vulnerary
resolutive and anodyne.” The oil obtained from the seeds is
used as medicine in leprosy and cutaneous affections, and
in infusion, mixed with honey, in scabies and rheumatism
(Wart ii, 33.)
134, Mesua.-ferrea, Linn: WE Bil 1 aie
Roxb. 437.
Syn. :—M. speciosa, Chois ; M. coromandeliana, Wight.
Sans. :-- Nagakesara.
Vern.:—Nagkesar; naghas (H. and B.); Nageshvoro,
nageswar (Uriya); Nahor (Assam.); Nagchampa; thorlachampa
(Bom.; Nagchampa, thorlaé chumpa (Bombay); Nagachampa;
nagchampha (Mar.); Naugal; Mallay naugal ; nagap-pu; Nagas-
hap-pu (Tam.); Naug (Tinnevelley); Naga Kesara; naga
kesaramu ; gejapushpam ‘Tel.); Naga sampigi; Nassampige
(Kan.‘; Behetta-cham-pagam ; velutta-chenpakam (Mal.).
Habitat: —Mountains of Eastern Bengal, the Eastern
Himalaya and the Eastern and Western Peninsulas.
A large evergreen glabrous tree ; trunk erect, straight ;
twigs slender sub-4-angled. “Bark jin. thick, reddish-brown, -
peeling off in flat thin cakes, having a slightly roughened
surface. Wood somewhat resembling that of Calophyllum, but
much harder and heavier. Heart-wood red, dark, extremely
hard. Pores moderate-sized, scanty, often filled with yellow
resin, singly or grouped, or in oblique strings of varying length.
Medullary rays extremely fine, uniform, equidistant, very
numerous. Numerous fine wavy lines of dark-coloured tissue,
regular and prominent, but of very different lengths (Gamble).
The young shoots at first brilliant red, then pink, gradually
passing into dark green (Brandis). Leaves coriaceous, 2-6 by
14 to 14in., drooping linear-lanceolate, base acute or rounded,
dark green and shining above, covered more or less with a fine
waxy meal beneath ; veins very fine, close-set and equally
N. 0: GUITIFERA. 155
inconspicuous on both surfaces ; petiole 4-3in. Flowers very
fragrant, usually terminal and solitary or in pair, nearly sessile
bisexual, 3-4in. diam. Flowers, Feb-April. Sepals 4, in 2 rows,
thick orbicular, with membranous margins, inner pair largest.
Petals 4, imbricate, spreading cuneate obovate, pure white.
Stamens indefinite, Anthers as large, oblong, linear, basifixed,
golden yellow. Ovary 2-celled, 2 ovules in each cell; style
filiform ; stigma peltate. Fruit pointed, conically ovoid, 1-14in.,
2-valved. Valves tough, supported by the enlarged sepals. Seeds
1-4, testa smooth, hard, shining, dark brown; embryo a fleshy
homogeneous mass.
Parts used.—-The flowers, kernel, bark and leaves.
(Tse.—The flowers are considered by the Hindu physicians
to have astringent and stomachic properties, A paste made
of the flowers with butter and sugar, is used in bleeding piles
and burning of the feet. (U. C. Dutt.)
The flowers and leaves are used in Bengal as antidote to
snake poison (O’Shaughnessy). The bark is mildly astringent
and feebly aromatic (Dymock) ; the oil of the seeds is used as an
embrocation in rheumatism in North Canara (Ph. Ind., p. 32),
and found useful in the treatment of itch by K. L. Dey.
In many localities, the flowers are used for cough, especially
when attended with much expectoration. Rheede states that
the bark is given as a sudorific combined with ginger.
Moodeen Sheriff considers the flowers of Mesua ferrea
and Ochrocarpus longifolius to be stimulant and carminative
and useful in some forms of dyspepsia and in hemorrhoids.
The seeds resemble chestnuts in colour and form. The
kernel yields 79°48 p.c. of a brown non-drying oil, partially
soluble in alcohol, and gives an orange coloration, with a mixture
of sulphuric and nitric acids. The residue contains 24°14 p. c.
of proteins. (J. Ch. I, for Aug. 31, 1910, p. 1019.)
The seeds are brown and generally pear-shaped ; they consist of a shiny,
brittle, woody shell containing asingle buff-colored kernel, Shell 34 per cent.,
kernel 56 per cent, The kernels contain 76 per cent. of reddish brown oil
with a sweetish smell and slight bitter taste. The oil became semi-solid on
standing at 15°C. Sp-gr. at 15° C, 0:935; saponification value, 204; iodine
value, 90. The oil is useful in soap making. The residual cake is bitterand
probably poisonous; it would only be of value as manure.
[Bulletin Imperial Institute 1913.]
156 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
N. O. TERNSTRGUMIACE AK.
135. Schima Wallichii, Choisy, H.F.B.1.,1. 289.
Syn.—Gordonia integrifolia, Roxb. 426.
Vern. :—~ Makusal, Chilauni, makriyaé Chilauni (H.!; Dingan
(Khasia) ; Boldak (Garo.), Jam (Cachar); Sumbrong (Lepcha) ;
Gugera (Goalpara).
Habitat :—Eastern Himalaya, from Sikkim to Bhotan.
Assam, Chittagong and the Khasia Mountains.
A large evergreen, with papery leaves, 80-LOOft. Bark, black
or dark grey, with deep vertical cracks. Wood rough, red, mo-
derately hard, shrinks much in seasoning, but is durable. Buds,
branchlets, petioles and upperside of leaves pubescent, some-
times tomentose. Leaves 6-7 by 2-3in., elliptic, tapering or
rounded below, acute or slightly acuminate, glabrous and
reddish-veined above, reticulate, and more or less pubescent
beneath, entire or obscutely crenate-serrate, with forked lateral
veins., petiole 3in., pubescent. Peduncles rather slender, $-2in..
with minute white warts. Bracts tin., alternate, narrow, oblong,
retuse. Flowers 1$-2in. diam., white, fragrant. Sepals din. long,
with pubescent-ciliate margins, glabrous, or slightly pubescent
outside ; petals pubescent outside at the base. Stamens yellow.
Fruit in. diam., pubescent when young, afterwards minutely
warted.
Use:—“‘The bark is nearly black externally, with deep
clefts ; the liber is made up of an abundance of white, needle-
shaped cells, which are readily detached and act as cowage, in
producing painful irritation, when brought into contact with
the skin.’”’—Gamble.
N. O. DIPTEROCARPEAE.
136. Dupterocarpus turbinatus, Gaertn f.
HE B.0, 1. 2959, JvQm cao:
Vern.—Gurjun, tiliya gurjun (Beng.) ; challan (Kan ).
The Balsam, garjan-ké-tel (H. and Bom.).
N. O. DIPTERROCARPEAE. 157
A lofty evergreen tree. Young branches compressed. Wood
rough, soft to moderately hard ; sap wood white, heartwood
red-brown, but not durable. Leaves ovate or ovate-lanceolate,
entire or sinuate-crenate, acute, base rounded ; 5-12 by 23-7in ;
glabrous on both surfaces or slightly pubescent, especially on
the nerves and margins; lateral nerves 14-18 pair. Petiole
1$-31n. ; stipules with dense stellate canescene, pubescent. to-
wards the apex, varies greatly in regard to the pubescence of
young shoots, leaves and inflorescence. Racemes 3-5-flowered.
Flowers 3in. diam ; Calyx-tube obconic, hairy, subspheroidal,
mouth contracted, unenlarged lobes deltoid-ovate. Petals pinkish
white. Nut pubescent.
Habitat.—Eastern Bengal and Eastern Peninsula, from
Chittagong and Pegu to Singapur ; notin Ceylon, nor in the
Konkan.
Use :—The oleo-resin is applied externally to ulcers, ring-
worm, and other cutaneous affections (Watt.) It is stimulant
of mucous - surfaces, particularly that of the genito-urinary
system ; and also diuretic. In gonorrhcea and other affections
in which copaiba is generally employed, it has proved an
effectual remedy (Ph. Ind., p. 32). Quite recently it has been
brought prominently to notice by Dr. Dougal], of the Andamans,
as aremedy for leprosy ; but, as far as] have heard, the new
remedy is not likely to prove successful (Dymock).
The best medical properties of this oil are its usefulness
in gonorrheea and gleet, and in all forms of psoriasis, including
lepra vulgaris. In gonorrhoea and gleet, it is at least equal
to Copaiba, and the only difference between these two drugs
is that the former ‘Gurjun balsam) requires to be used in
a much larger dose (311 to 3111) to produce the same effect
as the latter. As Gurjun balsam is always used in the form
of emulsion with mucilage, the largeness of its dose is no
disadvantage. With regard to its usefulness in psoriasis and
lepra vulgaris, [am not aware of any other local stimulant
which is more efficacious in those diseases than this drug. I
have either cured or relieved many cases of the above affections
by the use of this drug, with little or no assistance of internal
158 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
remedies. The internal use Gurjun oil is also attended with
benefit in some cases of true leprosy, in its early stage ; but its
efficacy in this respect is greatly enhanced with the addition of
from five to ten drops of Chaulmugia oil to each drachm of it.
If well mixed in the above proportion, the combination of Chaul-
mugra ol cannot be detected. Some years ago, I had received
a bottle of Gurjun oil of this kind from a medical friend, which
proved more useful in a case of true leprosy than all its varieties
in the bazaar, but I did not know the existence of Chaulmugra
oil in it, until I was informed of it. (Moodeen Sheriff.,
Balsamum Dipterocarpi (gurjun—or gardjan balsam, garjantel, wood-oil)
is a product of various species of the genus Dipterocarpus, indigenous in
South Asia. About 80—82 per cent, of it consists of an essential oil, which can
be removed by distillation with steam; this boils at 255° and has sp. gr. 0°912
at 15.° Of the residue, gurjoresen, C,,H,,;0,, forms the chief part, amounting
to 16—18 per cent. of the balsam ; it is amorphous and melts at 40—43°. Only
about 5 per cent. of the balsam consists of resin acids; the bulk of these
dissolves in 1 per cent. ammonium carbonate solution and is amorphous ; the
rest is insoluble, but dissolves in 1 per cent, sodium carbonate solution; this
part was obtained to some extent in a crystalline state,
The deposits, largely crystalline in character, which had formed in vari-
ous samples of gurjun balsam, were submitted to examination. They consist
of crystalline resin-aicohols or resin-phenols, but yet are insoluble in alkalis,
in these respects resembling amyrin, C,,H.,O0. A substance obtained from
Hirschsohn, and designated by him “ neutral substance from gurjun balsam,”
consisted of such a hydroxy-compound, gurjuresinol, C,;H,.‘OH, probably
identical with metacholestol (Mach, Abstr., 1895, i, 384) and copaivic acid
Keto, Abstr., 1902, i, 167); it melts at 131—132° and forms acetyl and benzoyl
derivatives melting at 96° and 106—107° respectively. The crystalline gur-
juturboresinol, from Dipterocarpus turbinatus, has the composition C,5H390,,
and melts at 126—129°; it is probably identical with Merck’s copaivie acid
and Trommsdorfi’s metacopaivie acid (Brix, Abstr., 1882, 65). Hirschsohn's
“sodium salt from gurjun balsam.” when purified by recrystallisation, con-
tained 3°6 percent. of sodium; it consists of gurjuresinol along with the
sodium salt of gurjoresinolic acid, C,;H,;0,; the acid is erystalline and melts
at 254—255°. J. Ch. S. Vol, 84. part 1. p. 771.
137. D. tuberculatus, Roxb. u.F.B.1.. 1. 297;
Roxb. 410.
Habitat :—Chittagong and Burma.
A large deciduous gregarious tree. “ Bark dark grey. Wood
dark red-brown, hard. Pores circular, large and moderate-sized,
N. 0. DIPTERROCARPEAE. 159
often filled with resin, rather unevenly distributed. Medullary
rays prominent, moderately broad, with a number of fine rays
between each pair of broad ones ; the distance between the
broader rays equal to or up to twice the transverse diameter of
the pores, the small rays passing through or round the pores’.
(Gamble). Young branches compressed, glabrous or canescent.
Stipules 4-5in. long, greenish, tomentose. Leaves 10-18 by 5-14
in., cordiform, acute, base cordate or truncate, margins sinuate-
crenate, undulate ; lateral nerves, 15 pair; petiole 4-5 in.
Racemes 5-6in., simple or 2-fid, 4-7-flowered. Flowers large,
rose-coloured ; petals I4in. long, tomentose outside. Fruiting
calyx-tube obovate, velvety when young, glabrous when mature,
between the segments produced into 5 sharp knobs. Calyx-
tube in fruit 1+ by 1 in,, mouth contracted, wings 4-5 by 14-141n.,
linear-elliptic, obtuse, 3-nerved. Nuts tomentose.
Use :—-According to Mason, the oleo-resin of this tree is
used with assafoetida and cocoanut oil as an application for large
ulcers.
nce Oealatis ioc Hh Be i 205, hoxb. 439.
Vern :—Garjan 'B.);
Habitat :—Chittagong. Andamans, Pegu, ‘Tenasserim,
Siam, Combodia.
A very large tree with a grey bark. Sapwood white ;
heartwood reddish-grey, moderately hard, smooth, mottled
(Gamble). Shoots and stipules pubescent. Leaves ovate or
elliptic, acute, pubescent beneath, margin ciliate ; secondary
nerves 12-15 pair, blade 4-6 in. Petiole softly hairy, 1-14 in.
long. Wings on fruiting calyx-tube, broad, half the diameter
of the tube or more. Raceme about 7-flowered.
The medullary rays consist of two classes of cells, long and
short. The former up to 0°12 in. long, are filled with wood oil.
Use:—This species yields, like D. turbinatus, most of the
Gurjun Balsam of commerce.
139. LD. incanus, Roxb. H.F.B.1., 1. 298. Roxb.
439.
160 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
Habitat : —‘ Pegu, South Andamans (common), Chittagong
(doubtful), Tongkah in Siam on the East Coast of the Malay
Peninsula, at its north extremity,” says Brandis. Roxbugh says
thus :—“ Gurjin is the vernacular name at Chittagong where
the tree grows to a great size, and is said to furnish the largest
proportion of the best sort of wood oil or balsam.”
All tender parts softly hairy, pubescent, compressed,
branchlets, young shoots and petioles. Leaves ovate, with the
base somewhat tapering, obtuse, soft and villous, 6 by 44in.,
thinly pubescent on both surfaces, margins cilliate, lateral nerves
strongly marked, 12 pair, pubescent beneath. Petiole 2in,,
softly pubescent. Calyx-tube (in flower: softly pubescent,
strongly winged. (W. T.. Thiselton Dyer). “ Spikes, axillary,
half the length of the leaves; belly of the Calyx simply fine-
winged,’ Roxb, (Op ev). Flowers in Noy.-Dec. Seed ripens in
April, Stamens indefinite.
Use: —The species also yields most of the Gurjun Balsam
of Commerce.
140. Shorea robusta, Gortn., H.F.B.1., 1. 306.
Roxb. 440.
Sans. :-——Sala. Asvakarna.
Vern. :-—Sal, sala, salwa, sakhu, sakher, sakoh (resin)=
rall dhuna, damar (Hind.); Sal, shal (resin)=rall dhuna (Beng.) ;
Sarjmu, serkura. (Kol); Sarjom, Sontal ; Sorgi Bhumi, sekwa,
sekwa oraon, bolsal (Garo); Sakwa (Nepal) Tatural, (Lepcha) ;
Salwa, saringhi (Uriya); Sal, sarei, rinjal {(C. P)= iSall tkandar
sakhu, koron (N.-W. P.); Koroh (Oudh); Sal, seral (resin) = ral,
dhua (Bomb.) ; (resin)=rala, guggul (Mar.) ; (resin)= ral,
(Guz.) ; (resin)=guggala (Khan.);
Habitat :-—'Tropical Himalaya, and along its base, from
Assan to the Sutlej, Eastern districts of Central India, Western
Bengal Hills.
A large gregarious tree, deciduous, but never quite leaf-
less. Bark off young tree smooth, with a few long, deep, vertical
cracks ; of old trees 1-2 in. thick, dark-coloured, rough, with deep
N. O. DIPLTERROCGARPEAER. 161
longitudinal furrows. Wood. Sapwood small, whitish, not dur-
able ; heartwood brown, pale, when first cut but darkening on
exposure, coarse-grained, hard, with a remarkably cross-grained
and fibrous structure ; the fibres of alternate belts in the wood
on a vertical section, running in opposite directions, so that when
the wood is dressed, a very sharp plane is necessary, or it will
not get smooth ; does not season well. Leaves, when full grown,
glabrous and shining, 6-10 by 4-Gin., petiole 3-1 in., stipules $in.,
falcate, pubescent, caducous.—(W. T. Thiselton Dyer). 4-12 by
2-7 in., ovate-oblong, acuminate, tough, thinly coriaceous ; lateral
nerves 12-15 pair, twice near the apex, very slender, base cordate
or rounded ; petioles terete (Kanjilal). Flowers in large lax
terminal or axillary racemose panicles covered with white
pabescence. Calyx-tube short, adnate to the torus ; segments
ovate, all accrescent in fruit. Petals pale yellow, about 4 in.
long, narrow, oblong, lanceolate, bearded, minutely trifid at apex.
Ovary 3-celled ; style subulate. Fruit 4 in. long, ovoid, acute,
rather fleshy,.indehiscent, white—pubescent. Wings 9, 2-3 in.
long, spathulate, narrowed at the base, brown when dry, some-
what unequal, with 10-12 straight parallel nerves.
The tree yields, when tapped, a large quantiy of white
opaline resin, which 1s burnt as incense. An oil is extracted
from the fruit which is used for burning and to adulterate
with ghee. The fruit is formed into flour and eaten by the
poorer classes in times of scarcity (Kanjilal).
This is the principal tree of the Siwalik Division. In
Nepal, it attains 100-150 ft., with a clear stem, to the first
branch of 60-80 ft., and a girth of 20-25 ft. (Brandis). Within
the limits of the Siwalik and Jaunsar Flora, it is seldom more
than 80 ft. in height, and 6 ft. in girth, unless hollow inside
(Kanjilal). ‘Tropical Himalaya and along its base, from Assam
to the Sutlej. Hastern Districts, Central India, western Bengal
einllise | iC Wee TS Dyer):
Parts used :—The resin and leaves.
Use:—By the Hindoo writers, the resin is regarded as
astringent and detergent, and is used in dysentery, and for
fumigations, plasters, &c. The resin thrown over the fire gives
21
162 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
out thick volumes of fragrant smoke, and is much used for fumi-
gating rooms occupied by the sick (U. C. Dutt).
The superior kinds of Sal resin are efficient substitues for
the Pine resins of the European Pharmacopeceias. (Beng. Disp.,
psec.)
Dr. Sakharam Arjun states (Bombay Drugs’) that he has
seen shorea resin, mixed with sugar, given with good effect in
dysentery.
According to Mr. Campbell, the leaves are used medici-
nally by the Santals.
The resin is used by native doctors for weak digestion,
gonorrhea, and as an aphrodisiac (Wart.)
It is not prescribed internally, but used occasionally for
fumigation of rooms and houses, to remove bad odours. It does
not destroy offensive smell, but rather conceals it under its thick
and odoriferous smoke. There is every reason to think that it
will prove itself an efficient ingredient in many ointments and
plasters, if employed, instead of pine and othcr resins (MooDEEN
SHERIFF. ).
141 S.- Pambuggaia, Roxb. meray) 1 eee
Roxb. 440.
Vern.:—Kala-damar, (H.; B.; and Mar. and the Dec.) :
Kalo-damar, (Guz.) ; Karapu-damar ; Tumbugai-pishin (Tam.) ;
nalha-damar; Nalla-sojan (Tel.) ; Kara-kundurukam, Tum-
bugaipasha (Mal.)
Habitat :—Western Peninsula, forests of Cudapah, and
Palaghat in Mysore.
A “ gigantic dammer-preducing ” tree. Bark dry, rough,
with deep vertical fissures, ike those of Shorea robusta. Wood
smooth, harder than that of Sal, but similar in structure and
much smoother. Leaves 23-3 by 13-43 in. (Beddome), ovate or
oblong-cordiform, acuminate; base truncate or emarginate,
glabrous on both surfaces, lateral nerves about 8 pair. Petiole
1-2 in. Panicles terminal, 8 in. long, hoary or nearly glabrous.
Flowers shortly pedicelled, buds densely hoary. Stamens about
N. 0. DIPTERROGARPEAE. 163
30. Anthers with a hairy appendage. Stigma 3-lobulate. Capsule
3 in. long, ovoid, acuminate, pubescent above ; bases of fruiting
Calyx-segments 3 in. long., ovate, hoary ; wings 13-12 by 3 in.,
spathulate, obtuse, 8-10-nerved.
Part used :-—-The resin.
Use :—It is an external stimulant. Not used internally.
To all appearance, it will form a good basis for some plas-
ters and ointments (MooDEEN SHERIFF).
iz. Vateria, Indica, Lanna. H.8.B.1., 1. 313.
Roxb. 436.
Vern. :—Sufed-damar; kahruba, sandras (H.): Koond-
rikum, vellikoondricum (Tam.); Vellakoondricum, Peinimarum
(Malay); Dupa maram (Kan.); Dupadu, (Tel.); Chandrus (B.) ;
Ral (Bomb.).
Eng. :—Indian Copal, Piney varnish, or white Dammar
Tree.
Habitat :—Western Peninsula, from Canara to Travancore.
A large handsome evergreen tree; young shoots and _ in-
florescence clothed with a scurfy stellate tomentum (Brandis).
Bark whitish grey, rough, 2 in. thick, peeling off in round thick
flakes. Sapwood white, with a tinge of grey or red; heartwood
light grey, rough, moderately hard, porous. Pores large,
often subdivided, ringed. Medullary rays fine and broad, very
prominent on all vertical sections, while on radial section they
appear as rough plates, with shining fibres between them.
The distance between the broad rays is generally greater than
the transverse diameter of the pores. Annual rings doubtful,
though distinct (Gamble). Leaves coriaceous, glabrous, elliptic-
oblong ; blade 4-10 by 23-33 in., obtuse or minutely acuminate,
base rounded or emarginate ; petiole 1-1? in. long, secondary
nerves 14-16 pair, prominent beneath as well as midrib. Sti-
pules 2 in., obliquely lanceolate, acute. Flowers }-$ in. across,
one-ranked, erect, in large terminal panicles, loosely corymbose ;
pedicels longer than Calyx-segments, which latter are lanceolate,
obtuse, canescent on both surfaces, Petals spreading, shghtly
164 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
pubescent outside. Stamens 39-40; filaments short; anthers
linear, hairy at base, glabrous above, cells unequal, the outer
longer ; appendix of connective as long as the anther. * Ovary
tomentose, style filiform, stigma minute. [rait ovoid, 2-23 in.
long, splitting open into valves, fruiting-Calyx small, segments
reflexed. Cotyledons filled with fat (Piney tallow)--- Brandis.
Piney gum—resin, says Gamble, (P. 85, Indian Timbers), makes
an excellent varnish. One of the handsomest trees in Madras
and Travancore.
Parts used :—The oil, and resin.
Use :—Under the influence of gentle heat, it combines with
wax and oil and forms an excellent resinous ointment ; it forms
a good substitute for officinal resin (G. Bidie.) From the fruit
is obtained a solid fatty oil, which has obtained considerable
repute as local application in chronic rheumatism and some
other painful affections. It might be employed asa basis for
ointments, &c. (Ph. Ind., p. 33.) Fine shavings of the resin
are said by Irvine to be administered internally to check
diarrhoea (WATT).
N. O. MALVACEAH.
143. Althea officinalis, Linn., U.F.B.1., 1. 319.
This is the English Marsh-mallow, which yields ‘“ Gui-
mauve,’ the sweet soft lozenges of which are used for sore-throat.
Vern. :—The flowers, Gul-Khairu (Hind. and Bomb.) ; She-
maituti (Tam.) |
The fruits, Tukm-i-khitme (Pers. and Bomb.)
The roots, Resha-i-khitme (Pers. and Bomh.\
Habitat :—Kashmir.
A perennial, uniformly downy herb. Stem erect, 2-3 ft.
Leaves ovate or ovoid, simple or slightly lobed, annular, base
scarcely cordate, unequally toothed. Stipules linear-subulate.
Flowers peduncled, in axillary clusters, 1-2 in. diam., rosy.
Bracteoles linear-lanceolate, half the length of the sepals.
Anthers subglobose. Ovary many-celled; ovules one in each
N. 0. MALVACER. 165
cell. Carpels numerous, ultimately separating from a short
torus. Seed solitary in each carpel, ascending.
Parts used :—The flowers, carpels, leaves and root.
Uses :—The Mahomedans describe it as a suppurative and
emollient ; they use the leaves asa poultice and for fomenta-
tions; mixed with oil, the leaves and flowers are applied to
burns and parts bitten by venomous reptiles. The root boiled
with sugar is prescribed in coughs and irritable condition of the
intestines and bladder. ‘The decoction is also used as an emol-
lent enema, and in making ointments (Dymock.)
The root should be gathered in the autumn from plants
‘not less than two years old.
Emollient cataplasms are prepared from the rounded root.
The root -contains a little starch, nearly twenty per cent
of gum or mucilage, some uncrystallizable sugar, and a crys-
tallizable principle, besides other unimportant constituents. The
mucilage lies like the fecula in small cells, in the form of minute
grains, which may be obtained pure by washing the chopped
root in rectified spirit, and allowing them to subside. A yel-
lowish white powder is thus procured, consisting of microscopic
transparent grains, which seem intermediate between true gum
and perfect starch. The crystalline principle “althaein ”’ seems
to be identical with the “asparagin”’ of asparagus. (Sowerby’s
English Botany.)
Betaine can be obtained from the aqueous extract of the root of Althea
officinalis after removing the asparagine by precipitating it with nitric acid
and sodium phosphomolyhdate ; the free base obtained by treating the preci-
pitate with barium hydroxide forms colourless crystals, is soluble in water
and alcohol, and insoluble in ether. The hydrochloride is easily crystallised,
and does not change on exposure to the air. With potassium dichromate
solution and hydrochloric acid, betaine does not exhibit any colour reaction.
It is precipitated by picric acid, zine chloride, and auric chloride, but not
by tannin ; the aurochloride, C,H,,NO,,HAuCI,, crystallises in microscopic
plates, or in short crystals arranged in the form of a cross.
J. Ch. S$, Vol, 76 part T, p. 4.
144. A. rosea, Linn. H.F.B.1., 1. 319.
Vern.:—The same as for A. officinalis, Linn.
Fing.:— Holly-hock.
166 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
This is a cultivated, herbaceous plant in Indian gardens
from English seed.
Root biennial. Stem in garden-growth in pots, 6-10 ft.
high, erect, stout, simple, more or less hispid, with fasciculated
branched hairs.
Leaves on rather short petioles, cordate, five-to seven-
lobed, the lobes angled, unequally serrated ; upperside dark
green, slightly downy, beneath pale, more downy, with fascicu-
lated stipules, large, unequally bifid. Flowers solitary, large,
handsome. Petiole short. Calyx large, five-cleft, downy, striated,
the segments acute. Involucre monophyllous, large, cup-shaped,
six-to-nine-lobed, striated, downy, the lobes obtuse, often
bifid. ‘Staminal tube short. Anthers very numerous, pale
yellow. Ovaries numerous, collected around the dilated downy
base of the style which latter is cleft at the extremity into
several segments. Corolla of five very broad, wavy, obcordate
or somewhat cuneate petals, united at the base, often with
a pale eye or centre, surrounded with a deep, black-purple,
ring.
Parts used :—The flowers, leaves, seeds and root.
Uses :—The seeds of this plant are demulcent, diuretic and
febrifuge. ‘The flowers have cooling and diuretic properties.
The roots are supposed to be astringent and demulcent, and are
much used in France to form demulcent drinks.
In the Punjab, the flowers are given in rheumatism, and
the roots in dysentery (STEWART.)
The leaves and roots are also used for the same purposes
as of the preceding species.
Moodeen Sheriff describes the properties, and used A.
officenalis and A. rosea collectively. According to him, they
are demulcent, refrigerant and emollient. The mucilage of
the petioles, stem and roots is generally a very useful adjunct
to other medicines in dysentery and mucous diarrheea, and, in
some very slight cases, it is sufficient by itself to relieve these
diseases to a great extent. Tormina and tenesmus are the
symptoms which are most relieved by it. The decoction of the
N. O. MALVACER. 167
dry root and seeds is useful in irritable and inflamed states of
the pulmonary and genito-urinary mucous membranes.
Pe lolvarsulvesiiis Linn.. HH.B1., t. 320:
Vern.:—Khubazi (Bomb.); Kunji, tilchuni, — vilayati-
kangai-ka-per goolkheir, (H.); Vildyati-kangoi-ka-jhar (Dec.) ;
Khabajhi, (Sind.)
Habitat :-—Western temperate Himalaya, from Kumaon to
Kashmir and the Pubjab.
An erect, nearly glabrous annual herb, 1-3ft. high.
Leaves cordate, rounded, lobed; petioles 4-5 in. Peduncles
about lin. Bracteoles ovate, entire, shorter than the bell-
shaped Calyx. Corolla 13 in. diam. Petals notched, claw
bearded. Carpels reticulated, downy or glabrous.
Parts used :—All parts of the plant.
Uses :—All parts of the plant are commended in Mahom-
edan works, on account of their mucilaginous and cooling pro-
perties, but the fruit is considered to be most. efficient
(Dymock).
It is prescribed in pulmonary affections (Wart). Useful
in irritation of the skin and for fomentations. The leaves are
used as emollient cataplasms. As Gulkand used in strangury,
‘Murray, p. 98.)
The little hard fruit, tasting something lke a nut, is
commonly called a “cheese.” ‘‘ Chucky cheese” is the name
given in Devonshire to the plant, in allusion to these little
cheese-like fruits.
There is a_ tradition that Mahomed had a garment made
of the Mallow fibre ; aud he was so well pleased with it, that he
turned the plant into the more showy, but less useful geranium
(Sowerby’s English Botany).
146. .M, rotundifolia, Linn., H.F.B.1., 1. 320.
Vern.:—Sonchala (Pb. and H.); Khubazi (H.); Chan-
deree (Sind.) ; Trikala malle (Tel.) ; Kukerai (Pushto.)
168 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
Habitat. :— North-West Provinces, Kumaon, Sindh and the
Deccan.
A spreading herb, much branched, sparingly villous.
Leaves suborbicular, lobed, crenate ; petiole 6-7 in. Peduncles
14 in., deflexed after flowering. Bractebies lanceolate, half the
length of the broadly lance-shaped sepals. Corolla 1 in.
diam. Petals wedge-shaped, notched, twice the length of the
sepals; claw of petal bearded. Ripe carpels downy, flat or
wrinkled.
Parts used :—The leaves and seed.
Use:—The leaves are mucilaginous and emollient, em-
ployed externally in scurvy, and reckoned useful in piles
(HoNNIGBERGER.)
The seeds possess demulcent properties ; they are pres-
eribed in bronchitis, cough, inflammation of the bladder, and
hemorrhoids; the seeds are also externally applied in skin
diseases (WarTT).
Iai. MM parviflora, nn. A Bis 1 7e2e
Vern. :—Narr, panirak, supra, sonchol, gogi sag(H. & Pb.)
Habitat :—North-West Himalaya, Upper Benge! Sindh,
and the Punjab.
A comparatively small, spreading herb, slightly downy.
Leaves roundish, obsoletely lobed. Peduncles short, spreading
after flowering. Bracts linear. Sepals broad, acute. Petals
notched, scarcely exceeding the sepals. Claw of petals
glabrous. Carpels wrinkled.
Parts used :—The seeds and root.
Use :—The seeds are used as a demulcent in coughs, and
ulcers in the bladder (Watt).
148. Sida humilis, Walld., U4.B.1., 1. occ
Roxb. 516.
* Sida veronicifolia, Lamk, is, according to Schuma, the
Oldest name for S. humilis (Trimen),.
Sanskrit :—Bhumibala ;
N. O. MALVACER. 169
Vern. :—Junka (B.\; Bir; tandi; bariar; Jokha; sakam
(Santal.) ; Palampasi (Ta:m.) ; Cra aku (Tet) ; (Gujrat and
Porebunder) Bhoyabala; (Marathi) Bhui chikn4, Bhoybal ;
(Hindi) Bananiydr ; (Sinhalese) Bevila ; (Tam.) Palum-padu.
Habitat :—Generally distributed throughout the hotter
parts of India, Ceylon and grassy ground and waste places.
A perennial herb ; branches long, prostrate, trailing, root-
ing at the nodes, with scattered stellate hairs. Leaves variable
in size, 3-1 in., broadly ovate, cordate at base, acute, coarsely
crenate-serrate, sparsely covered with long hairs. Petiole
+3 in., hairy. Flowers pale yellow, rather small, numerous,
less than half an inch in diam. -Peduncle 1 in. or more, stiff,
slender, slightly hairy. Calyx 5-angled, segments triangular,
very acute, with stellate hairs on margin. Petals broader than
long, truncate, ripe carpels 5-pointed, slightly bicuspidate,
smooth (Trimen).
Part used :—The leaves.
Use:—-Among the Santals, the leaves are pounded, and
used as a local application to cuts and bruises. They are also
given in the diarrhoea of pregnancy (Revd. CaMPELL).
Jayakrishna Indraji says that the flowers and unripe
fruits are given together in sugar for burning sensation, in
micturition.
TAGS Oo spinosa, inns U.b.B.1.,"1. 123.
Syn. :—S. alba, L., 8. alinifolia, L., Roxb. 516.
Sans. :—Nagabala. Khar-yashtika—J. Indraji.
Vern. :—Jangli-méthi, gulsakari (Hind. and Deck.) ; Kaén-
talo-bal; (Guj. and Porebunder). (Marathi) Kanteri Tukati;
Khareti, Gulsakari ; (Hindi). Mayirmanikkam (Tam.) ; Mayilu-
manikyam (Te.); Mayirmanikkam, Katta-ventiyam (Malyal.’;
Kadu-menthya (Can.) ; Pilabarela, Bon-métl hi (Beng.) ; Koti-kam-
babila, Mairmanikam (Sinh.); Shanbalide-barri, Shamlithe-dashti
(Pers.); Kulbahebarri (Arab.).
22
170 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
Habitat:—Throughout the hotter parts of India and
Ceylon.
An erect, much-branched undershrub; stems slender,
rough, with minute stellate hairs, often with small, recurved
prickles at the nodes below the petioles. Leaves 1-1 in., oval or
oblong, obtuse, coarsely crenate-serrate, glabrous above, finely
stellate-pubescent beneath. Petiole 4-% in., stellate-pubescent.
Flowers white, 4 in., pedicels 4-# in., slender, jointed near top.
Calyx hairy, segments short, triangular, acute; ripe carpels 9,
with 2 long, erect, rough scales, equalling the Calyx. Seeds
solitary. Radicle superior.
Parts used :—-The leaves and root.
Uses:—The leaves are demulcent and refrigerant, and are
useful in some cases of gonorrhoea, gleet and scalding urine.
The decoction of the root-bark and root is used as a
demulcent in irritability of the bladder and in gonorrhcea, says
J. Indraji.
The root acts as a gentle tonic and diaphoretic, and is
employed in mild cases of debility and fever.
The leaves are bruised in water, strained through cloth
and administered in the form of a draught; the root is used in
decoction, prepared in a similar manner to that of 8. caprini-
folia (MooDEEN SHERIFF).
150... Socaprimfolia, Linn Jae sae:
Syn. :—S. acuta, Burm. S. lanceolata, Roxb. 517.
Sans. :—Bala Phanijivika (J. Indraji).
Vern. :—Kareta (B. and H.); Vishaboddee (Tel.); Bariaca
kareta (Hind.); Pila barela, koreta, bon-méthi (Beng.) ; Isbadi,
Isarbadi (Dec.); Bala, jangli-méthi (Bomb.), Tupkaria, tukati,
chikana pata (Mar.) ; jungli methi (Guz.) ; Maloconni (Malay.);
Vata tirippi, malaitangi, mayir-manikkam, visha-boddi, chiti-
mutti, mutu-vapulogum (Tam.)
Habitat :—Throughout the hotter parts of India and Ceylon.
A perennial undershrub, generally distributed throughout
the hotter parts of India. Leaves nearly glabrous, narrow,
N. O. MALVACE. 171
acuminate, serrate, about 2-3in., linear-lanceolate ; sometimes
hoary beneath. Stipules linear-subulate, 2 or 3, sometimes
longer than the petiole ; many-nerved. Petiole 7-7¢ in. Pedun-
cle jointed in the middle, as long as the petiole. Flowers :—
Sepals triangular, acute. Calyx-tube subglobose. Petals yellow,
twice the length of the Calyx. Staminal-tube dividing at the
summit. Corolla of 5 petals, free above and connate below, and
adnate to the tube of the stamens. Ovary :—Carpels 5-9,
rugose, awned, whorled. Styles as many as the carpels.
Stigmas terminal. Fruit a capsule. Seeds solitary, radicle
superior.
Part used :—The root, juice and leaves.
Use:—By the Sanskrit writers, the roots of the different
species of Szda are regarded as cooling, astringent, tonic and
useful in nervous and urinary diseases, and also in disorders
of the blood and bile (Durtr.)
In the Concan, the root is applied with Sparrow’s dung to
burst boils (Dymock).
The root is intensely bitter, and is prescribed in infusion,
and in conjunction with ginger, in cases of intermittent fever.
It is considered by the Hindoo practitioners as a valuable
stomachie and useful remedy in chronic bowel complaints ;
the dose, a small tea-cupful, twice daily. The leaves, made
warm and moistened with a little gingili oil, are employed to
hasten suppuration (Ainslie). In Bengal, the expressed juice
of the leaves is used in the form of an electuary, in the treat-
ment of intestinal worms (O’SHAUGHNESSY).
The authors of the Bengal Dispensatory, after a trial of
the roots, were unable to satisfy themselves as to its febrifuge
action, but it was found to promote perspiration, to increase
the appetite, and to act asa useful bitter tonic. In Goa, the
Portuguese value it as a diuretic, especially in rheumatic affec-
tions. They also use it asa demulcent in gonorrhoea, and Muhama-
dans believe this to have aphrodisiac properties (DYMOCK.)
When administered in the form of a strong decoction, the
root of this plant has diaphoretic, antipyretic, stomachic and
172 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
tonic properties, and has been found very useful in febrile
affections and some forms of dyspepsia, and also in mild cases
of debility from previous illness. (MoopEEN SHERIFF.) -
151, S.. rhombifolia, Dinn., Wee, 2 toca
LOO: eOkd¢
Sans.:—Atibala (Sanskrit) Mahabala, Pitapushpa.
Vern.:—Lal-bariala or berela (Ben. and Hind.) ; (Sinha-
lese) Kotikan-bevila; (Tamil) Chittamaddi; (Porebunder and
Gujrat) Khetara ubal dana; (Marathi) Chikna, Sadeva ; (Hindi)
Sahadeva, Pitabala ; Sahadeva. J.—Indraji.
N. B. Sahadevi (Sanskrit) is the name of Vernonia cineria.
(eee
Habitat :—Throughout India.
A shrubby, erect herb ; perennial, very variable, glabrous,
or with scattered stellate hairs. Leaves polymorphous, gene-
rally more or less rhomboid, underside hoary, rarely green;
tapering at the base. Stipules linear-setacous, longer than the
petiole. Peduncle longer than the petiole; rarely less than
twice as long as the petiole, axillary, or clustered at the ends of
the branches. Flowers mostly yellow; rarely white. Sepals
deltoid, acuminate. Carpels smooth or reticulate, 10, awned or
not, as long as the Calyx (Maxwell T. Masters). This species
and its allies yield good fibre. Widely distributed through-
out India and Tropics in both Hemispheres.
Use:—The medicinal properties of this species resemble
those of other species.
152. 8S. rhombifoila, Var. retusa, Linn. .F.B.1.,
1. 324., Roxb. 517.
Vern.:—Jangli-méthi (H. and Dec.); Ban-méthi (Beng.) ;
Mayir-mannikkam (Tel.) Arb :—Hulbahe-bari. Pers :—Sham-
blide-bari.
Stems prostrate, thick and woody, much-branched. Leaves
very small, cuneate-obovate, retuse, apiculate; ripe carpel,
N. O. MALVACER. L73
usually with beaks, as long asthemselves. [lowers yellow, be-
coming white when fading.
The stems afford a good fibre.
A very common weed in Ceylon in the dry country.
Use: —The root is held in great repute by natives in
the treatment of rheumatism (Ph. Ind.). The stems abound
in mucilage, and are employed as demulcents and emollients
both for external and internal use.
153. 8S. rhombifolia, Var. rhomboidea, Roxb.
Hee Bee eho ethoxy.) lig)
Syn :—S. orientalis, Cav. Diss I; t. 12.
Sans.:—Mahabala.
Vern.:—Swetberela (B.); Sufed-bariyala (H.}; Athiballa-
chettu (Tam.*
Leaves rhomboid, hoary beneath; peduncles jointed at
the base; carpellary awns very short inflected. The flowers
expand at noon (Roxb. )
Use :—Medicinal properties resemble those of other spe-
eles (WATT.)
108 Se COmRdOlNG, Joti; Ti, ine oe
hoxb. O17.
Sans. :—Batyalaka ; Bala.
Vern. :—Kungyee, kharati, bariar (H.) ; Barila, bala (B.) ;
Chikna (Mar.); Kharenti (Pb.); Bariara (Sind.); Muttava,
kobirsir bhaji (Konkan); chiribena, tettagorra chettu, tella antisa,
(Tel).
The seeds. Beejbund (H.); Hamaz, chukai (Pb.).
Annual or perennial, downy, erect. Leaves 14-2 by 1-14 in.,
ecordate-oblong obtuse crenate, very downy on_ both surfaces,
petiole as large as the leaf. Stipules linear, half the length of
the petiole. Peduncles jointed near the flower, lower distant,
longer than the petioles, upper crowded, very short. Flowers
rather small. Carpels furrowed at the back, sides reticulated,
174 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
10-awned, awns longer than the Calyx, covered with stiff
reflexed hairs. Flowers with the other species in the rainy and
cool season.
Generally distributed throughout Tropical and Sub-Tro-
pical India. A Tropical weed.
Parts used :—The root, seeds and leaves.
Use:—A decoction of the root with ginger is given by
Hindu physicians, in intermittent fever. It is also administered
in fever accompanied by shivering fits and strong heat of body.
The powder of the root-bark is given with milk and sugar for
the relief of frequent micturition and leucorrhoea. In diseases
of the nervous system the root is used alone, or in combination
with other medicines. (Dutt.)
The seeds are reckoned aphrodisiac, and are administered
in gonorheea. They are also given for colic and tenesmus
(Stewart). In the Conean, the leaves, with other cooling leaves
are applied in ophthalmia ; the root-juice is used to promote the
healing of wounds, and the juice of the whole plant pounded
with a little water is given in + seer doses for spermatorrhoa
(Dymock.)
155. UU. -sinuata, » Lann: HF Bil, 1. Roxb.
519.
Vern. :—Lotloti, Kunjuya (H.); kunjia (B.); Mota bhedi-
janelet (Santal.); Beri lat (Chutia Nagpur); Tapkote (Bomb.) ;
Piliya Mankena (Tel.).
Jayakrisna Indraji gives the following Vern. names :—
(Porebunder and Gujrat) Wagdat Bhindo; (Marathi) Lichi,
Ramkapshi; (Hindi) Kanjia, Lotaloti; (Sinha lese) Hiwepula.
23
178 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
Habitat :—Generally distributed over the hotter parts of
India and is a weed in waste open ground in Ceylon.
A perennial herb. Stem 2-4ft., much branched, finely
stellate-hairy. Leaves very variable, 14-3in., rotundate, usually
deeply palmately cut into 5 lobes, which are again lobed or
pinnatifid, serrate, stellately hairy on both sides. Flowers
bright pink, on short stout, hairy pedicels, axillary, solitary.
Sepals 5, connate below into cup-shaped Calyx. Petals 5,
connate and united to tube of stamens. Stamens monadelphous,
anthers nearly sessile or 5-celled. Bracts a little shorter than
the Calyx. Ovary 5-celled, with one ovule in each. Styles 10.
Ripe carpels rounded on back, densely stellate-hairy, set with
stiff long spines, with deflexed prongs at the extremeties (Tri-
men). An oval glandular pore is situated at base of midrib,
beneath, in both U. lobata and U. sinuata.
Use:—In Chutia Nagpur, the root is used as an external
application for lumbago.
160... repanda, Roxb. \HK BN, Tap so
Roxh. 519. |
Syn. :—U. Spectosa, Wall.
Vern. :—Sikuar (Santal.).
Habitat :—North-West India, Upper Gangetic plain and
the Western Peninsula.
Shrubby, stellate-hairy. Leaves roundish or somewhat
lobed, shortly petioled, rough above, midrib glandular, at the
base beneath ; lower 2-24in. long, roundish, rarely lobed, cordate
at the base, repand-serrate, upper lanceolate. Flowers racemose,
in alternately leafless clusters. Bracteoles $-3in., subcoriaceous,
exceeding the membranous Calyx; 5, subulate, connate below
into a cup; sepals united for half their length; Corolla pink,
twice the length of the bracteoles. Carpels smooth, unarmed.
Seed ascending smooth.
Use:—The root. and bark are believed by the Santals to
be a cure for hydrophobia (Campbell).
“N. O. MALVACER. 179
i6te Pavonia * odorata, Willd.” H.¥.B.1.,
If ool LOX De aa).
Sans, :—Bala Heivera.
Vern. :-—Sugandha-bala (H.); Kala-vala (Bomb.) ; Peramu-
tiver paramutha, mudda pulagam (Tam.); Erra kuti (Tel.) ;
Balarakkasi, gida (Kan.); Kalo Walo (Guj.).
Habitat :—North-West Provinces, Sindh, Banda and Wes-
tern Peninsula.
An erect herbaceous plant, with sticky hairs, glandular,
pubescent. Leaves 24 by 3in., cordate-ovate, with 3-5 shallow
pointed lobes; lower petioles longer than the blades. Pedun-
cles as long as the leaves, 1-flowered, clustered at the ends of
the branches. Bracteoles 10-12, linear. Sepals lanceolate.
Corolla pink, twice as long as the Calyx. Carpels obovoid,
dehiscent, unarmed, wingless. Styles 10. Stigmas capitate ;
ovule one in each cell. Ripe carpels separating from the
axis. Seeds ascending. eta)
Part used :—The root.
Use :—The root is fragrant and aromatic, and possesses
cooling and stomachic properties; used in fever, inflammation
and hemorrhage from internal organs (U. C. Dutt). According
to Taylor, the root is prescribed as an astringent and tonic
in cases of dysentery.
The therapeutic properties of the root are probably due to
the carminative quality of the odorous matter it contains, to-
gether with the mucilaginous character commonly met with in
members of N. O. Malvaceee.
162. Hibiscus furcatus, Roxb., H.P.B.1., 1. 335.
Roxbsa2 7.
Vern. :—Huligowri (Kan.) ; Napiritta (Sinhalese).
Habitat :—-Hotter parts of India, from Bengal to Ceylon.
A large, scrambling or climbing, semi-shrubby perennial ;
stems more or less tomentose or glabrous, set with numerous
180 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
scattered, sharp, decurved, hooked prickles. Leaves 2-3in.,
roundish in outline, deeply palmately cut into 3-5 lanceolate,
acute, shortly serrate segments (the lower often entire), glabrous
or pubescent, usually very prickly on the veins beneath ;
petioles as long as or longer than leaves, stout, horizontal,
cylindric, very prickly. Stipules, linear-lanceolate. Flowers
large, 23-4in.; pedicels 1-3in., very prickly ; bracteoles 10-12,
linear setaceous, bristly, lower half spreading or reflexed, upper
half erect, with a small deflexed leafy appendage at the middle ;
sepals connate half way, ovate, very acute, sharp pointed, 4in.,
enclosed in thickened and enlarged, connivent Calyx, covered
with very coarse appressed bristly hair; seed compressed,
rough with scattered papille grey brown. Flowers yellow, with
dark crimson centre. This isa very handsome climber. There
seems to be no published figure of this common plant, says
Trimen 1893. Talbot has done it since. (See his Forest Flora
of Bombay).
Very common in Ceylon, over trees and bushes in the
low country, hotter parts of India, from Bengal to Ceylon (Max-
well. T. Masters).
Use:—Roots infused in water make a cooling drink for
the hot weather (Talbot).
163); “A micranthus, Winn.) 1K BAS ieee:
Vern. :—(Porebunder) Adb&ti Buporio, Darianu jhad ;
(Kutch), Ktrfdvel; (Tamil) Peru-maddi. (Gujrati) Chanak
Bhindo; (J. Indraji.)
Habitat :—Hotter parts of India, from the North-West
Provinces, eastward and southward to Ceylon.
Shrubby, with slender rod-like spreading branches, thinly
covered with stellate bristles. Leaves 2-1 in., ovate or oblong,
quite entire or serrate, glandless, rough with bristly hairs ;
petioles very short. Peduncles axillary, as long as or longer
than the leaves. Bracteoles linear, shorter than the Calyx.
Flowers white or pink, 4 in. diam. Sepals lanceolate. Corolla
reflexed. Anthers whorled. Capsule globose. Seeds cottony,
variable.
N. O. MALVAOEE. 181
Use :—In Ceylon itis valued as a febrifuge (Duthie’s
Flora Upper Gangetic Plain, Vol. I, p. 89).
G4 et cannobinuss Linn. Wer B.1., F. 309.
hoxb. a2:
Sans.:
Machika, Phalamla, Rajjuda-Ambashté, Ambalika.
Nah ; garmikura.
Vern.:—San. (H.); Mesta-pat (B.); Ambadi (Dec.);
Palungu (Tam.); Ghongu-kuru. (Tel.); Dare kudrum (Santal.) ;
kanuriya (Orissa); kudrum (Behar); Sajjado (Sind).; Pim-
drike gida, holada (Kan.).
, (Porebunder and Guj.) Bhindi Ambdt ; (Marathi) AmbAdi ;
(Hindi) Patsan Arwbar?. (J. Indraji.)
Habitat :—Generally cultivated : apparently wild east of
the Northern Ghauts.
An annual or perennial herb. Stem glabrous, prickly.
Lower leaves entire, cordate, upper deeply palmately-lobed, lobes
narrow serrate ; mid-nerve glandular beneath. Petiole prickly,
lower much larger than the blade. Stipules linear, pointed.
Peduncles very short, axillary. Bracteoles 7-10, linear, shorter
than the Calyx. Sepals bristly, lanceolate, connate below the
middle, with a gland at the back of each. Corolla large, spread-
ing, yellow with a crimson centre. Capsule globose, pointed
bristly. Seeds nearly glabrous. All parts agreeably acid.
Parts used :—'The seeds, leaves and juice.
Use:—The seeds are used as an external application to
pains and bruises, and are said to be aphrodisiac and fatten-
ing.
One tolé of the juice of the flowers, with sugar and
black pepper is a popular remedy for biliousness with acidity
(Dymock). The leaves are purgative.
165.. Hf. Sabdariffa, Linn., u:F.B.1., 1. 340.
Vern. :—Lal-ambadi, Patwé (H. Bomb.); Mesta, (B); Lal-
ambadi (Sind.); Sivappu-kashuruk-kai (Tam.); Erra-gom-kaya
(Tel.); Polechi (Mal); Arak kudrami, togat arak. (Santal.);
Pulachakin, pundibija (Kan. ),
182 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
Hing.:—The Roselle of India or Red Sorrel of the W.
Indies.
Habitat :—-Cultivated in hotter parts of India.
An erect, cultivated annual shrub, glabrous, unarmed. Stem
purple. Leaves entire or 3-lobed, serrate, midrib glandular
beneath ; petiole 2 in. Peduncle solitary, axillary, shorter than
the petiole. Bracteoles and Calyx accrescent. Bracteoles 8-12,
linear, adnate to the base of the Calyx. Sepals dotted, acuminate,
bristly, connate below the midrib into a purplish fleshy cup.
Corolla 23 in. diam., yellow. Capsule ovcid, pointed, villous,
shorter than the Calyx. seeds reniform, sub-glabrous.
Parts used :—The seeds, fruit and leaves.
Use:—The succulent calyx is used for the preparation of
what is called in Bombay Bazaars “ Roselle” jelly or Rozal
jelly, and, when dried, as an article of diet like tamarind is
used much in curries. In bilious conditions, a diet drink
is made | oy boiling it with water and adding a little salt,
pepper, asafoetida and molasses (Dymock).
Moodeen Sheriff recommends a decoction of the seeds as a
draught, in doses of from 1 to 2 drs., 3 or 4 times a day, in
dysuria and strangury, also in dyspepsia and debility.
The fruit possesses anti-scorbutic properties. The leaves
are regarded as emollient. They are often cooked as vegetable
and in curries. K. R. K.
The food plant roselle, Hibiscus Sabdariffa has recently been introduced
into tho Philippine Islands and is the sole representative of a type, in which
the calyx supplies the chief edible portion of the plant, After flowering, the
calyx thickens and enlarges until it assumes the appearance of a large bud,
which is harvested for making jam or jelly of a brilliant red colour and
pleasant acid taste, and for the preparation of syrup and wine. The chemical
compositlon of the calyx is very similar to that of the cranberry, comprising
inter alia 3°31 per cent. of malic acid, 0°83 per cent. of invert sugar, and 0°24
per cent, of sucrose. The malic acid present consists entirely of the dextro-
rotatory modification, which form has never previously been identified in plant
composition, and the acidity of the fruit is due entirely to it, analysis proving
the absence of Tartarie and Citric acids. The roselle leaves contain about 1°25
per cent. and the stems about 0°60 per cent, of dextro malic acid, in conse-
quence of which, both stems and leaves can be utilised in conjunction with the
calyxes, when a brilliantly coloured food product is required.
J. Ch, I, Jan, 31, 1913 p. 104.
N. 0. MALVACEA, 183
160;7 Hi Abelmoschus Linn. WE Bi. 1. 342.
Roxb. 526.
Syn. :—Abelmoschus moschatus, Monch.
Sans. :—Lata-kasturika.
Arab. :-—Hab-ul-mishk.
Vern. :—Kasture, kala-kasturi (B); Mushk-dana (H);_ kas-
turu-benda (Dec) ; kattuk-kasturi (Tam); karpura-benda, (Tel);
kasturi-bhenda (Mar) ; kapu kimissa ‘Singh.)
Habitat :—Throughout the hotter parts of India ; most low
country Ceylon. Found wild, says Trimen, or much cultivated in
tropical countries. |
An annual hispid, herbaceous plant, with long deflexed hair,
tall, 2-3 ft. high. Leaves polymorphous, ovate-cordate or more
usually palmately cut into 3-5 acute lobes, dentate-serrate, hairy
on both sides; petiole usually longer than leaves, with long
deflexed hairs. Stipules small, subulate. Flowers large, 3-4 in.,
solitary, often appearing to be terminal, bright yellow, with a
purple centre. Pedicels stout, curved, much thickened beneath
the flower. Bracteoles 8, distinct, linear, hispid, much shorter
than Calyx. Sepals completely connate, save at their point into
a tube which splits down one side. Capsule 23-3 in., ovate-
ovoid, acute, hispid ; seeds kidney-bean-shaped, striate.
Parts used :—The seeds, root and leaves.
Uses:—The Hindus regard the seeds as cooling, tonic and
carminative. |
The Arabic and Persian writers consider them to have sto-
machie and tonic properties. The author of the Makhzan-ul-
Adwia recommends a mucilage prepared from the roots and
leaves of the plant in gonorrhea. In Bombay, the seeds are
rubbed to a paste with milk, and used to cure itch (Dymock).
In the West Indies, the seeds are given in the cure of snake-
bite, being administered both internally and externally (Watt).
The late Dr. Moodeen Sheriff used a tincture of the seeds and
considered it stimulant, stomachic and anti-spasmodic, and
recommended its exhibition in cases of nervous debility, hysteria,
and a tonic for dyspepsia.
184 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
167. H. eseulentus, Linn., H.¥.B.1., 1. 343.
Roxb. 529. 7
Syn. :—H. longifolius, Roxb. Fl. Ind. III. 210. Abelmoschus
esculentus, W. and A.
English name: —Lady’s finger.
Sans. :—Tindisa ; Gandha-mula.
Arab. and Pers. :—Bamiya.
Vern. :—Bhindi ram-turai (H.); Dhénras, ram-torai (B.);
Bhenda (Bom.); Bhindu Guz.); Bhéndi (Dek.) ; Vendaik-kay,
vendi (Tam.); Penda, benda-kaya (Tel.).
Habitat : —Cultivated throughout India.
A cultivated, annual, tall herb, with rough hairs. Leaves
coarsely toothed ; petiole 6 in., more or less bristly. Stipules
subulate. Peduncles about 1 in. Bracteoles 1 in., linear-subulate.
Flowers yellow with a crimson centre. Staminal-tube antheri-
ferous throughout. Fruit 6-10 by iin., pyramidal-oblong,
glabrescent, cells 5-8-seeded. Seeds striate, hairy.
Parts used :—The fruit, seeds and capsule.
Use:—The Mahomedan writers describe it as cold and
moist, and beneficial to people of a hot temperament (Dymock'.
Roxburgh recommends it in irritating cough. The
mucilage from the fruits and seeds is useful in gonorrohcea and
irritation of the genito-urinary system. In the Indian Pharma-
copceia, the immature capsules are officinal for the preparation of
a decoction, to be used as an emollient, demulcent and diuretic
in catarrhal affections, ardor urine, dysuria and gonorrhea.
163:- A. haceuss, Gain. Gace ee a
LERCS.€ Oa eAzE
Syn.:—Paritium tiliaceum, W. and A.; Hibiscus tiliaceus,
Linn.
Vern.:—Bola, chelwa (B.); Bania or baria (Orissa) ; Bel-
pata (Bomb.). (Sinhalese) Beli-patta.
Habitat :—Coasts of both Peninsulas and Bengal.
N. O. MALVACEA. 185
A small, much-branched tree. Young shoots and inflor-
escence pubescent. Bark grey, inner-bark fibrous. Wood soft,
grey, heartwood purplish. Leaves entire from a cordate hase,
nearly orbicular, shortly grey-pubescent; blade 3-8 in. diam.
Petiole 1-5 in. long. Stipules broad, early deciduous. Flowers in
axillary or terminal few-fid racemes. Bracteoles 10, connate,
half the length of the Calyx. Corolla 2-3 in. diam., pale yellow,
with a crimson centre, red in the evening. Staminal-tube 14 in.,
antheriferous all the way down. Capsule 10-celled, ovoid, pointed
above, 5-valved. Seeds slightly pilose, reniform.
Parts used :—The bark and root.
Use :—The bark is used in medicine (Watt). The root is
said by Irvine in his Materia Medica of Patna to be febrituge,
and employed in the preparation of embrocations.
~ 1695 4. Rosa-Sinensis, Linn., H.4.B.1., 1. 344.
Roxb. D2.
Sans. :—Japa.
Vern. :—Joba, juva, oru (B).; Jasoon or jasund (H. and
Dec.); shappathup-pu, (Tam.) ; java-push-pamu (Tel.) ; Dasvalada-
huvvu (Can.); jastit-nt-phiél (Guz); Jasvan (Mar).
Pers. :—Angharee-hind.
Habitat :—Cultivated in gardens throughout India. I have
seen 12 varieties in the Bombay gardens with cream-coloured,
fawn-coloured, white and scarlet-blotched, pink, deep crimson,
scarlet, with double and single-petalled flowers. It serves as a
good roadside plant in Bombay. K. R. K.
A shrubby perennial plant, cultivated in gardens. Stems
woody, branched, not prickly. Leaves entire at base, coarsely
toothed at apex, nearly glabrous, ovate, acuminate. Stipules
ensiform. Bracteoles 6-7, linear, half the length of the bell-shap-
ed Calyx. Peduncles axillary, solitary, as long as or longer than
the adjoining leaf. Sepals $= in.; lanceolate, connate below the
middle. Corolla 3 in. diam., variously coloured with a deep purple
or black blotch inside, near insertion or base of petals.Staminal-
tube exceeding Corolla. Capsule roundish, many-seeded.
24
186 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
The juice of petals is much used in colouring sugar,
confectionary pink (K. R. K.), and to ‘ black’ leather-shoes
(Masters). :
Parts used :—The flowers, leaves and root.
Use:—The flowers are considered emollient, and an in-
fusion of the petals is given as a demulcent.
The flowers fried in ghee (clarified butter) are administered
by natives for checking excessive menstruation, The leaves are
considered emollient and aperient (Murray, p. 63). The buds
are employed in the cure of seminal weakness and cystitis;
the root is valuable in coughs (S. Arjun).
Moodeen Sheriff reports favourably of an infusion of the
petals as a demulcent and refrigerant drink in fevers (Ph. Ind).
In Bombay, the roots are dried and sold in the shops as a
substitute for Althea. In the Concan, the fresh root-juice of the
wild flower variety is given, in doses of two tolas with milk,
sugar and cumin for gonorrhea, and the root powdered is given
with an equal quantity of lotus-root and the bark of Eriodendron
anfractuosum, in the same manner, for menorrhagia, the dose of
the three being 6 massés each. (Dymock).
Dr. Moodeen Sheriff recommended an oil, made by mixing
the juice of fresh petals and olive oil in equal portions, and
boiling till all water is evaporated, as a stimulating application
for the hair.
170. Thespasia populnea, Corr., H.F.B.1., 1.
345. Roxb. :
Syn. :—Hibiscus populneus, Roxb. 522.
Sans. :—Gardhabhanda, Parisa, Suparshvaka.
Vern.:—Dumbla (Sundribuns); (Hindi) P&éruspipal Gayj-
dand, Paras pipul (H.); Poresh, parash, paresh-pipal (B.); Poris,
portia, pursa Pursha-maram (Tam.); gangaraya (Tel.); Bend
(Guz.); Bhendi, Bhend (Bomb.). (Sinhalese) Suriya, (Tamil)
Kavarachu, Puvarachu.
N. O. MALVACER. 187
*
Habitat :—Tropical shores of Bengal and both peninsulas,
Ceylon.
A middle-sized, evergreen, rapid-growing tree. Heartwood
small, dark red, smooth ; sapwood soft. Leaves cordate, acumi-
nate, entire on both sides, with minute, peltate scales ; blade
3-5 in., petiole 1-4 in. Flowers axillary, solitary or 2 together.
Bracteoles none, or early deciduous. Calyx cup-shaped, truncate.
Corolla yellow, passing into purplish pink when withering, 2 in.
diam. Capsule dehiscent ori ndehiscent ; 1$ in., oblong, depress-
ed, scaly, ultimately glabrescent. Seeds silky, pilose or powdery
on the surface (Maxwell T. Masters).
Parts used :—The bark, fruit, seeds, flowers, root and leaves.
Uses :—The fruit yields a yellow, viscid juice, which forms a
valuable local application in scabies and other cutaneous diseases
in South India. The affected parts of the body are daily washed
with a decoction of the bark (Watt). Ainslie says that a
decoction of the bark is given internally as an alterative.
Dr. Waring tried it in scabies and other cutaneous diseases ;
in some cases, it exercised a favourable influence, but in the
majority it was productive of little or no benefit.
In Tahiti, the fresh capsules, bruised and applied to the
forehead are said to cure migraine; the yellow sap exuding from
the peduncles is considered a cure for the bites of insects, espe-
cially .of the centipede ; it is also useful in sprains, bruises, and
all cutaneous affections. In Mauritius, the bark is described
as depurative, as used in dysentery, hemorrhoids; the juice
of the fruits being applied to warts.”’ Christy's N. C. P., No. x,
p. 43.
Rumphius speaks highly of the value of heartwood as a
remedy for bilious attacks and colic, and in a kind of pleuro-
dynia from which the Malayas often suffer.
In the Central Provinces, the root is taken as a tonic.
In the Concan, the flowers are employed in the cure of itch ;
and the leaves are employed as a local application to inflamed
and swollen joints (Dymock).
188 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
171. 7. Lampas, Dalz and Gibs. H.F.B.L, I.
343.
Syn. :—Hibiscus Lampas, Roxb. 524.
Vern.:—Bankapas (B); Bonkapsi. (Santal); Bonkapash
(Assam) ; Ran bhendi (Mar.); Adavipratti, condapatti, rondapatti
(Tel). Parus Piplo (Guj). |
Habitat :—Tropical Himalaya, from Kumaon eastwards ;
Bengal and the Western Peninsula.
A subarboreous, herbaceous plant, not prickly ; portions
downy. Leaves palmately-lobed, 5 in. diam., cordate, 3-lobed ;
lobes spreading, acuminate, sparingly stellate, pilose above,
tomentose beneath, midrib, with a glandular pore at the base
beneath ; petiole 24 in., downy. Stipules subulate, peduncles
axillary or terminal, panicled, 3-flowered. Bracteoles 4-8, subu-
late, deciduous. Calyx of 5-subulate, sepals, connate below the
middle. Corolla campanulate, yellow, with a crimson centre.
Capsule ovoid, pointed, villous, 5 rarely 4-valved or 3-valved ;
valves hispid, glabrescent. Seeds glabrescent.
Tropical Himalaya from Kumaon eastwards, Bengal, the
Western Peninsula, Burma, Ceylon.
Use:—The root and fruit are employed in Chutia Nagpur
as a remedy in gonorrhea and syphilis (Campbell).
172. Gossypium herbaceum, Linn., H.F.B.1.,
1.046. Roxb. 519:
Sans. :—Karpas.
Vern. :—Rui, kapas (H.); Tula (B.); Parutti, (Tam.’; Pratti,
(Tel.). Kapus (Mar), Kapas (Guj.).
Eng. :—The Indian cotton.
Habitat :—Cultivated in India, Ceylon.
An annual or perennial herb or shrub, nearly glabrous
or more or less hairy, and with a few scattered glandular points.
Leaves cordate, 3-5 ; or rarely 7-lobed, usually with a gland
on the undersurface of the midrib. Leaf-lobes broadly ovate or
N. O. MALVACER. 189
acuminate. Stipules ovate-lanceolate, entire or slightly toothed.
Peduncles shorter than the petiole. Bractcoles not divided
below the middle, equalling the capsule, sometimes, entire or
nearly so. Calyx truncate or obtusely crenulate, much shorter
than the bracteoles. Petals spreading, ovate or crenulate.
Flowers yellow, with a purple centre, rarely wholly yellow or
white or purple. Capsule ovate, globose, mucronate, 3-5-valved.
Seeds 5-7 in each cell, ovoid. Cotton white, brown, rarely
yellowish, overlaying a greenish or greyish down. I have
a fabric, a coat made out of cloth, turned out at the Thana Jail
(Konkan), nearly twenty years ago out of the fawn-coloured
-cotton-fibre found on some plantsin the Jail gardens, unex-
pectedly yielding the fawn-coloured cotton. It is unknown
whence the seed of such plants came (K. R. Kirtikar).
Parts used :—The bark, seeds, leaves, flowers and root-bark.
Uses :—The Eastern physicians consider all parts of the
cotton plant to be hot and moist; a syrup of the flowers is
prescribed in hypochondriasis, on account of its stimulating and
exhilarant effect; a poultice of them is applied to burns and
scalds. Burnt cotton is applied to sores and wounds to promote
healthy granulation ; dropsical or paralysed limbs are wrapped in
cotton, after the application of a ginger plaster ; pounded cotton-
seed, mixed with ginger and water, is applied in orchitis. Cotton
is also used as a moxa, and the seeds as a laxative, expectorant,
and aphrodisiac. The juice of the leaves is considered a good
remedy in dysentery, and the leaves with oil are applied as a
plaster to gouty joints; a hip-bath of the young leaves and
roots is recommended in uterine colic.
The cotton-wool is applied to burns; the seeds are said to
increase the secretion of milk, and are also said to be useful in
epilepsy, and as an antidote to snake-poison. The root is diu-
retic, emenagogue and demulcent, and the leaves in decoction
are tonic, and said to be used in fever and diarrhea (Athkin-
son).
In India, the cotton seeds are employed to procure abortion.
Cotton root-bark is officinal in the United States Pharmacopceia,
190 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
also a fluid extract of bark; it appears to have first attracted
attention from being used by the female negroes to produce
abortion. It acts like ergot upon the uterus, and is useful in
dysmenorrhcea and suppression of the menses when produced
by cold. A decoction of 4 ozs of the bark in 2 pints of water,
boiled down to one pint, may be used in doses of 2 ounces every
20 or 30 minutes, or the fluid extract may be prescribed in
doses of from 30 to 60 minims. Cotton-seed tea is given in
dysentery in America; the seeds are also reputed to be galac-
tagogue (Dymock).
Compared with ergot, the root of the cotton-plant causes a
more natural contraction of the uterus; but the former drug
appears to be the more active during parturition. Gossypium
ean be given with impunity. In gynecological practice ergot
cannot compare with gossypium, the rapidity of action is not
so necessary, and the remedy can be given without any un-
pleasant secondary or after-effects, as is frequently complained
of during a prolonged course of ergot subcutaneously or per-
os.’ (I. M. G., November, 1884. pp. 334-5).
The herbaceous part of Gossypium herhaccum contains
much mucilage, and is used as a demulcent.
Cotton-seeds have been employed in the Southern States
of America with great asserted success in the treatment of
intermittents. A pint of the seeds is boiled in a quart of water
toa pint, and a teacupful of the decoction is given to the
patient in bed, an hour or two before the expected return of
the chill. (U. S. Dispensatory).
The seeds are considered a nervine tonic and are given
in headache, ete.
Cotton-seed is said to increase the secretion of milk, and
cotton-seed oil is largely utilized for this reason in the feeding of
cows. The reason of this physiological action, and the constituent
of the seed which produces it, are not known. In order to apply
this to women, attempts have been made to purify the seeds, and
a preparation, bearing the name of lactagol, has been the outcome
of these investigations. It is a fine white powder, having a not
N. 0. MALVACEA. 191
unpleasant taste. The patients take it well, and it does not pro-
duce any disturbances of digestion. The action on the breast
becomes evident after the patient has taken the powder for three
or four days and has swallowed from 25 to 80 grams. The
effect on the breasts is that they become fuller, that the baby is
able to suck for a longer period, and that at the end of the meal
the mother does not complain of pain in the breasts. ‘The action
does not appear to be lost if one discontinues the lactagol for
one day, but 1f one leaves it off for two or three days the secretion
becomes less. If one uses it in women, who have already been
suckling for some time, one finds it necessary to give nearly
double the amount before the action is obtained.—B. M. J. Epi-
tome, August. 6, 1904.
The flowers contain a coloring matter, a glucoside, named
gossypetin, C,,H1203. It forms glistening, yellow needles,
closely resembling quercetin in appearance, and is readily
soluble in alcohol, but only very sparingly in water. Concentrated
alkaline solutions dissolve it, forming orange-red solutions,
which, on agitation and dilution with water, become green, and
finally assume a dull brown tint. Ammonia behaves very
similarly. Alcoholic lead-acctate gave a deep red precipitate
in the cold, passing into dull brown at the boiling point, and
alcoholic ferric chloride a dull, olivegreen liquid. Sulphuric
acid dissolves it, forming an orange-red solution.
Fusion with alkali.— When gossypetin is fused with caustic
potash at 200-220,° two crystalline decomposition products
are obtained, melting at 210° and at 194-196° respectively ; these
consisted of phloroghucinol and protocatechuic acid. J. Ch. S.
loli) Wl oney anes 249)
When the phenolic constituents of cotton-seed oil are purified by repeat-
ed fractionation from acetic acid solution, a crystalline product is obtained
which can be further purified by crystallisation from a mixture of alcohol
and dilute acetic acid ; this substance, to which the name of gossypol is given,
has a composition corresponding fairly well with that required for the for-
mula Cy, Hyg O;.
Gossypol crystallises in glistening, golden seales, melts at 188°, dissolves
readily in alcohol benzene, chloroform, ether, acetone, or acetic acid, but not
in water. Sulphuric acid dissolves it with a beautiful, cherry-red coloration,
similar to that observed with impure cotton-oils. Alkalis give a yellow
192 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
solution, which soon becomes violet and then gradually loses its colour ; the
violet colour is developed immediately when hydrogen peroxide is added to
the alkaline solution. Alkaline solutions of gossypol reduce both Fehling’s
solution and ammoniacal silver nitrate. An alcoholic solution gives a dark
green coloration with ferric chloride, which becomes dark reddish-brown on
adding alkalis. The acetyl and benzoy] derivatives are very soluble in organic
solvents, and were not obtained in crystalline form ; bromine and nitric acid
also act on gossypol, but definite products were not isolated. Gossypol is
not a glucoside. An analysis of the lead salt indicates the presence of two
hydroxyl groups. Gossypol gives a grey shade, with iron mordants.—J. Ch. 8.
1899 A I. 821.
173. G. arboreum, Iann. 4.¥.B.1., 1. 347.
Roxb: 5202.
Vern :—Nurma, deo kapas. (H.); Budi Kaskom, bhoga
kuskom (Santal.); Manna, radhia, nurma (N.-W. P.); Kapas
(Pb.) ; Deva Kapusa (Mar.) ; Samparuthi (Tam.); Patti (Tel).
Habitat :—Plains of India, in gardens, but generally
cultivated.
Arborescent or shrubby plant, rarely an herb. Branches
purple, pilose. Leaves nearly glabrous, one-glandular, deeply
palmately 5-7-lobed, lobes linear oblong, mucronate, con-
tracted at the base, often with a supplementary lobe in the
sinus. Stipules ensiform. Flowers purple, rarely. white.
Bracteoles nearly entire, cordate, ovate, acute. Petals spread-
ing; staminal-tube antheriferous for its whole length. Capsule
about 1 in., oblong, pointed. Seeds free, covered with white
wool overlying a dense, green down. Cotton not readily separ-
able from the seed.
Uses:—In Bombay, the root is used in the treatment of
fever,
In the Konkan, the root, rubbed to a paste within the juice
of patchouli leaves, has a reputation as a promoter of grauula-
tion in wounds, and the juice of the leaves, made into a paste
with the seeds of Vernonia anthelmintica, is applied to eruptions
of the skin following fever. In Pudukota, the leaves ground
and mixed with milk, are given for strangury (Dymock).
The petals squeezed and soaked in human or cow’s milk,
N. O. MALVACEZS. 193
are used as a soothing and effective application for conjunctivitis
of infants (Dr. Thompson in Watt’s Dictionary).
The cotton is a very useful external remedy in burns, scalds,
and some other surgical diseases. ‘T’he seeds exercise some good
influence over gonorrhea, gleet, chronic cystitis, consumption
and some catarrhal affections. The fresh young capsules and
shoots have been observed to produce good effects in some cases
of dysentery and gonorrhcea. The control of the seeds over
gonorrhea and gleet is more manifest when combined with
some other drugs, a prescription for which is given below.
Take of the cotton seeds, from two to four drachms; fruit of
Cuminum cyminum (cumin seeds), from one and a half to
three drachms; fruit of Pzmpinella Anisum, (anise seed), from
one to two drachms; and the szlzcious concretion of Bambusa
arundinacea (tabshir), from fifteen to thirty grains. Bruise
and rub all these ingredients well in a stone mortar, with three
or four ounces of water and pass the liquid through cloth. This
draught is to be used four or five times in the twenty-four
hours, according to the severity of the symptoms (Moodeen
Sheriff).
174. Kydia' calyeona, Roxb. 4.¥.B.1., 1. 348 ;
Roxb: 52 1.
Vern.:—Pola, ptla, pulipatha, potari, choupultea (H.) :
Baranga, bhotti. (C.P.) Ktbinde (Nepal.) ; Potri, pandini, podda,
kunji (Tel.); Boldobak (Garo); Vdranga, varangada, warunyg,
moti, potarf (Bomb.); bittia gonyer, pata dhamin (Kol); Poshka
olat, (Santal.); Derki (Karwar); sedangtaglar (Lepcha) : kopa-
sia (Uirya) ; Pulli, pila, pola (Pb.} ; Bendi, bende-naru, bellaka
(Kan.); Buruk, bosha, kunji (Gond.) nihoty Lirwani (Guj.).
Habitat :—Tropical regions of the Himalaya, from Kumaon
eastward, and throughout the Western ghats. Dun and Saha-
ranpur gardens. Burma.
A moderate-sized, deciduous tree or large shrub. Bark grey,
exfoliating in large strips, rough, with large white specks on
25
194 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
branches. Young parts covered with grey stellate hairs. Leaves
downy beneath, 4-6 in. by 3 in. diam., rounded, cordate, pal-
mately 5-7-nerved, more or less lobed, midlobe longest, glabrous
above or with thinly scattered hairs, closely felted beneath ;
petiole 1-2 in. Flowers numerous, white or pink, $-% in. across,
polygamous, generally dicecious, in much-branched axillary or
terminal panicles. Bracteoles 4-6, oblong, spathulate, downy,
nearly as long as the Calyx; Calyx campanulate, 5-lobed, seg-
ments ovate, acute, accrescent and spreading in fruit, Petals
clawed, adnate to the staminal-tube, longer than the Clayx,
obcordate. Stamens monadelphous, the tube shorter than the
petals and split halfway into 5 segments, each bearing at the
apex 3-5 sessile anthers. Capsule subglobose, 3-valved. Seeds
reniform, furrowed.
Use:—Among the Santals, the leaves are pounded and
made into a paste and applied tothe body for pains. They
are also chewed, when there isa deficiency of saliva. (Revd. A.
Campbell.)
175. Adansonia digitata, Linn. H.¥.B.1., 1. 348.
Roxb. 513.
Vern.—-Gorakh Amli, amali, (H.); kalp briksh (Ajmere) ;
Hathi-khatyan (Dec.) ; gorakh chintz, choyari chinch (Bomb.) ;
Marjath Anai-puliyaroy Parutti, (Tam.); Sima-chinta (Tel.) Go-
rakh Amli (Porebunder) ; Rukhdo, Chor Amli (Guj.); Gorakh
Chinch (Marathi) ; Katu-imbul (Sinhalese).
Arab. :—Hujed.
Eng. :—The baobab or monkey-bread tree of Africa.
Habitat :—Cultivated in various parts of India and
Ceylon.
A deciduous large tree, 60-70 ft. high, very handsome,
though stumpy when in foliage. Trunk short, thick, of great
diam. Stem grey at base, rapidly narrowing upward, like a
cone, throwing out very widely spreading branches. Bark soft,
glaucous, thick. Leaves digitate, glabrous, pubescent beneath,
when young; leaflets generally 5-7, 3-4 in. long, obovate or
WN. 0. MALVACER. 195
oblong-lanceolate, acuminate, attenuated at base, entire or sinu-
ate at the margins. Flowers white, solitary, axilllary, pendu-
lous, long-peduncled (often more than 12 in.). Bracteoles 2.
Calyx thick, coriaceous, fleshy, cup-shaped, 5-cleft, tomentose (?)
externally and clodded with silky hairs internally. Petals
obovate, adnate below, to the stamens. Staminal-tube thick,
dividing above into numerous filaments ; anthers long, linear,
reniform or contorted, Il-celled. Ovary ovoid. Style long,
filiform, divided atsummit into as many radiating stigmas as
there are cells to the ovary. Cells of ovary 5-10. Fruit pen-
dulous, oblong-obovoid, downy, woody, brownish-green, indchis-
cent, 8-12 in. long. Seeds about 30, kidney-shaped, brown,
immersed in tough fibres and a mealy, reddish fawn-coloured,
slightly acid pulp, which becomes powdery as the pulp matures.
Trimen says the Roman Catholics call it “ Judas’ Bag,” be-
cause the fruit contains 30 seeds.” Mr. Crawford of Ceylon Civil
Service gives the circumference of the largest stem (in 1890) as
61 ft. 9 in., whilst the tree is only 30 ft. high. A tree at Put-
talam, in Ceylon, is mentioned by Kmerson Tennent as being
70 ft. in height and 46 ft. in girth (1848). In the village of
Matunga (Bombay), in 1896, along the principal road going to
Sion Hill, there was a large tree on the left hand side, of a
similar enormous size. In the Thana District, I have seen several
such trees in a Mahomedan graveyard on the right hand side
while going from Thana by the Colset public Road to the Colset
Bunder. Similar trees are mentioned as growing in Bengal.
Originally, a Native of Tropical Africa, it was introduced into
India and Ceylon by Arabian traders. It is now a naturalized
plant, and grows all over India, along the coast of Gujrat,
Central Provinces, Bengal. Into Ceylon also it was introduced
by the Arabs. The Baobab trees, at Mannar have long been
well-known.
The disproportionately large, short trunk is remarkable.
The wood is pale-coloured, soft and porous. It is said by Lisboa
that the pulp is refrigerent and diuretic. The bark has been
proposed as a substitute for quinine. Its liber affords excellent
fibre. The pulp of the fibres is used for paper-manufacture.
196 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
The following was said by Major Kirtikar at the Mel-
bourne Medical Congress, in exhibiting an extract from the bark
prepared by the late Mr. M.C. Periera of Bandra :—About
30-40 grains a day, in small doses, are given every third or fourth
hour in Intermittent Fevers. The fruit pulp is acid and
makes a very pleasant refrigerent drink. When unripe, the
fruit pulp is mucilaginous, but as it gets ripe, it assumes the
appearance of dry pith, containing dry, powdery, acid, starch-
like stuff, enclosed in bundles of fibre and surrounding the seeds.
Walz has extracted an active principle from the Bark, called
Adansonin. The pulp is an astringent in diarrhea, like gallic
acid.
Parts used :—The fruit, bark and leaves,
Use :—It was introduced into India by the Arabians. In
Africa, it is used for dysentery, and the leaves are made into
poultices and used asa fomentation to painful swellings, or
the leaves dried and reduced to powder are called lalo by the
Africans, and are used to check excessive perspiration. (Royle.)
Duchassing recommends the bark as an antiperiodic in fever.
In Bombay, the pulp, mixed with butter-milk, is used as an
astringent in diarrhcea and dysentery. In the Concan, the
pulp with figsis given in asthma, anda sherbet made of it,
with the addition of cumin and sugar, is administered in bilious
dyspepsia. It is also given for this affection with Emblic myro-
- balans, fresh mint, rock-salt, and long pepper. (Dymock.)
The fruit has been analysed by Messrs. Heckel and
Schlagdenhauffen. The authors think that the pulp is rightly
used by the natives as a remedy in dysentery.
The pulp is beneficial in pyrexia of any form of fever, by
diminishing the heat and quenching thirst. It has recently
proved itself very successful in relieving the night-sweats
and febrile flushes in a severe case of consumption. The bark
is useful to some extent in simple and in complicated cases of
continued and intermittent fevers (Moodeen Sheriff.)
N. O. MALVACEZ. 197
176. Bombax Malabaricum D.C., 4.F.B.1.,
1. 349. Roxb. 514.
Syn. :— B. heptaphylla, Rowb.
Sans. :—Shalmali; mocha. Rakta Shalmali. Maha vriksha,
Panch-parni, kalpa vriksa.
Vern. :—Semul or Sémal, shembal, semur, pagun, somr,
ragat-seiibal, ragat-sémar, kAnti-séubal (H.) ; Rokto-simul, simul
(B.); simbal, shivlan (Pb.) Del (Kol); Edel (Santal}; Bouro,
(Uriya); Boichu, panchu (Naro); Sunglu (Lepcha); Sanvari
K4ntesava saer, somr, semuel, shembal, (Bom.) ; Lavara, Simbo,
samar, kante-savar, kanterisamar, shevari, tamari savari, (Mar.) :
Rato-shemalo, shemolo, shimlo, shimul shimar, (Guz.); Kanton-
K4-Khatyan, kanto-ka-sémul, lal-katyan (Dek); Mundlabfraga-
chettu (Tel.); Pula, Mul-ilava-maram, mulilaun (Tam.); Pula-
maram, mul-lilava, mullia-pfila (Mal) ; Mullu-biiragam-ara, burla,
(Kan.) ; Wallaiki (Gond.); Katseori ;Bhil.).
Habitat :—Tropical Eastern Himalaya, and throughout the
hotter forest regions of India, Ceylon, Burma, Sumatra.
A very large deciduous tree, with branches in whorls, 5-7,
spreading horizontally, and stem with buttresses at base. Bark
grey, when young, with conical prickles, with corky base, when
old with long irregular vertical cracks. Wood white when
fresh cut, turning dark on exposure, very soft, perishable.
No heartwood, no annual rings. Leaves digitate, glabrous.
Leaflets 5 or 7, lanceolate, 4-8 in. long, common petiole as long as
or longer than the leaflets. Flowers appearing before the leaves,
large, scarlet, occasionally white ; Calyx inside silky—tomentose.
Petals 2-3 in. long, stellate-tomentose on both faces. Filaments
numerous, pluri-seriate, much longer than the staminal
column ; 5 innermost forked at the top, each with an anther, 10
intermediate shorter, outer very numerous (Maxwell T. Masters).
Brandis says the filaments are about 70; the numerous outer
ones united in 5 clusters. Anthers long, afterwards twisted.
Petals 5, oblong, recurved, fleshy, twice the length of the
stamens. Style longer than the stamens. Capsule 6-7 in.,
oblong, hard, woody, downy, 5-valved. Valves silky within.
198 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
Seeds glabrous, embedded in silky wool. This is the silk-cotton
tree of the Konkan.
Parts used :—The gum, seed, fruit, tap-root, bark; cotton
and flower.
Uses:—The gum or dried juice, mocha-ras, which tbe tree
yields, is used as an aphrodisiac. The root has stimulant and
tonic properties. The bark and the root are emetic. The
young roots, dried in the shade and powdered, form the chief
ingredient in the musla-semul, a medicine highly thought of
as an aphrodisiac; it is also given in impotence. The gum
contains a large proportion of tannic and gallic acids, and may
be successfully employed in cases requiring astringents. The
gum has also tonic and alterative properties, and is used in
diarrhea, dysentery, and menorrhagia.
The dry flowers, with poppy seeds, goats’ milk, and sugar,
are boiled and inspissated, and of this conserve two drachms
are given three times a day in hemorrhoids (Medical Topography
of Dacca, by Dr. Taylor). |
“Tts gum is useful in diarrhoea; dose: 20-30 grs., with
equal parts of sugar (Surg. T. Anderson, Bijnor;. The taproot
is used for gonorrhcea and dysentery (Mukerji, Cuttack). The
leaves, singed and beaten, or rubbed with water to a pulp, make
a useful application to glandular swellings (Forsyth). Watt’s
Dict. 1. 491.
The gum is astringent and demulcent ; the seeds nutrient
and demulcent; the young fruit stimulant, diuretic, tonic,
aphrodisiac, expectorant, and exercises a great beneficial in-
fluence over the membranes of the genito-urinary organs; the
tap-root is demulcent, tonic, slightly diuretic, and aphrodisiac ;
the bark is demulcent, diuretic, tonic, and slightly astringent ;
and the cotton is employed only externally for its mechanical
properties (softness and elasticity) in padding splints and
covering burned and inflamed surfaces, &c.
The gum is useful in diarrhoea, dysentery and other
affections in which kino and catechu are beneficial. The
therapeutic uses of the seeds are similar to those of the seeds
N. O. MALVACER, 199
of Gossypium herbaceum, G. Arboreum and G. Barbadense. The
benefit of the dry young fruits in calculus affections and
chronic inflammation and ulceration of the bladder and kidneys,
including strangury and all other forms of dysuria, except
those depending on mechanical causes, is remarkable. The
fruits are also useful in weakness of the genital organs and in
most of the disorders in which gentian and calumba are resorted
to. As therapeutic agents, the tap-root and the bark, in the
forms of decoction and extract, are nearly identical in their
usefulness with Mdrdtimoggu, and therefore employed in almost
the same affections. The cotton of B. Malabarieum is useful in
all the surgical cases, &c., in which the cotton of Cochlosperum
Gossypium is employed, and the manner of using it is also the
same.
There is no drug in India which enjoys a greater reputation
as an aphrodisiac and tonic in native medical works than the
tap-root of the young plant of B. Malabaricum. There is no
doubt that it is one of the useful drugs in this country, but the
exaggeration of its good effect in some of the Indian writers is
so great, that it is quite ridiculous and not worth mentioning
here. I have recently given a trial to this drug in my practice,
and found it to be a good demulcent tonic, and slightly aphro-
disiac, but nothing beyond it. Imay also state that even the
good influence, which it does exert occasionally on the genital
organs, is neither certain nor uniform. The great practical
objection to the use of the Semal-mush is that it is neither sold
in the bazar, nor procurable always in any garden or field.
Besides, there 1s no medical property in it, which, according
to my own experience, is not possessed in equal degree,
if not more, by the dry young fruits and bark of B. Malabaricum.
In fact, the Mardati-moggu is not oaly the cheapest and most
abundant, but also the best and most useful of all the parts of
the above plant which are used as medicines. The young fruits
seem to possess some soothing or special action on the mucous
membrane of the genito-urinary tract, and have therefore proved
themselves more useful than Pareira Brava in some of the
diseases in which the latter is indicated (Moodeen Sheriff).
200 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
“The gum exudes only from those portions of the bark which have been
injured by decay or by insects, since incisions in the healthy bark do not
cause the gum to flow. The gum first exudes in the form of a white, opaque,
viscous mass, which readily turns red, and finally dries into hard, brittle,
mahogany-coloured tears, the larger of which are hollow in the centre, the
cavity being produced during the gradual drying of the jelly-like mass which
first exudes from the tree. The fresh exudation contains about 84 per cent,
of moisture which it loses on drying in air. The gum is best collected
during the early part of the hot season—from March till June—since it has
then lost most of its moisture, and consequently is less liable to ferment and
deteriorate when it is stored,**
“Chemical properties of the gum,— The gum contains a considerabie quantity
of tannin and belongs, in fact, to that class of tannin materials which Procter
has classified as being of ‘mixed and doubtful constitution.’ It contains also
catechol tannin.”
“ Hydrolysis of the gum.—Boiling the original substance with dilute acid,
probably hydrochloric acid, yields a red coloured solution, together with
an insoluble residue which possesses the colour of crimson lake. For brevity’s
sake this amorphous product willbe referred to as ‘Semul red.’ It is only
very moderately soluble in alcohol, and, therefore, this colouring matter does
not possess the solubility ordinarily attributed to the phlobaphenes. The
filtrate from the hydrolysis deposits a small quantity of a dark red, amorphous
powder, and ifthe tannin substances be removed by means of precipitation
with lead acetate, and the excess of lead in solution be removed from
the filtrate by means of sulphuretted hydrogen, then the residual liquid,
freed from sulphuretted hydrogen, will reduce Fehlings’ solution.”—J. Ch. I
29-4-1911 p. 469.
177. Hriodendron anfractuosum., D.C. H.¥.B.1.,
IP Shoe
Syn. :—Bombax pentandrum, Roxb. 513.
Vern. :—Safed simal, senibal, hatian (H); Swet Simal (B.);
Havam (Tam.); Buruga, pir, buraga-sinna (Tel.); Pania, paniala
(Mal.) ; Khatyan, safed-khatyan (Dec.); shamicula, sapheta sdvara,
shalmali, pandhari sAvar (Mar.) ; Biliburga, bili-barlu (Kan.),
Habitat :—Forests, throughout the hotter parts of India,
Ceylon. Native of Malay.
A moderate-sized, deciduous tree. Bark greyish brown,
green when young, peeling off in round bosses. Wood yellowish
or brownish white, soft. Trunk straight ; the primary branches
horizontal, in whorls of three; young parts, glabrous. Leaves
N. 0. MALVACEA. 201
closely placed, on long glabrous petioles, digitate; leaflets 5-7,
on short, winged stalks, 3-5 in., lanceolate, acute at both ends,
finely cuspidate, entire or serrulate near tip, glabrous, paler
beneath, stipules % in., linear-filiform, deciduous. Flowers
cream-white, faintly scented; 13-2 in., in axillary clusters of
2-8 appearing with the young leaves at the ends of branches,
drooping; pedicels about 1 in., no bracteoles. Calyx 4 in.,
tubular-campanulate, with very shallow lobes, glabrous outside,
lined with dense appressed hairs at the base within; petals
twice as long as Calyx, spreading, obovate-oblong, acute, densely
tomentose outside, nearly glabrous within. Stamens a little
longer than the petiole, erect. Ovary glabrous. Capsule 33-4 in.,
surrounded at base by persistent Calyx, ovoid-fusiform, blunt,
tardily dehiscent from base upwards by 5 septifragal membran-
ous valves, d-celled, cells densely lined with long white silky
hair which is deciduous, so that the valves are ultimately
glabrous and areolate within. Seeds over + in., compressed-
globose, quite glabrous, blackish, each surrounded by a copious
crumpled mass of silky hair. ‘Though each seed appears to have
a separate investment of cotton, this is quite unconnected with
the testa and really arises from the inner side of the wall of the
capsule and from the central axis. It is ultimately separated
from these, and is then a mere stuffing round the seeds. This
silk-cotton is called Kapok in Malay. A bright red gum is
afforded by the stem.
Uses: —The tree yields a gum, called Hatyan gond, which
is astringent and used as a remedy for bowel complaints
(Watt.)
The unripe fruits are regarded as demulcent and astrin-
gent.
The roots are also used medicinally, like those of Bombax
Malabaricum (which see).
“The leaves are ground into a paste and administered in
gonorrhoea” (Surgeon Thomas).
“The gum is also used in the incontinence of urine of
children ” (Surgeon-Major Ratton.)
26
202 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
“The root of the young plant is also used in cases of
ascites and anasarca, when it acts as a diuretic.” (Dr. Thornton)
Watt’s Dictionary.
‘The Kapok tree, Hriodendron anfractwosum, grows in almost all tropical
countries and resembles the cotton plant, in that it yields a fruit containing
fine fibrous material in which the seeds are embedded. The East Indian tree,
Bombax malabaricum is also known as “ kapok”’ and in commerce no distine-
tion is made between the oils derived’ from these two sources, ‘The seeds
contain about 23 per cent of oil, and yield about 17 per cent by pressing.
Expressed oils yielded by ‘kapok’ seeds from Java, East Africa, Ceylon, and
Keuador had the following characters: sp. gr. at 15°C. 0°9235 to 0°9326 ; refrac-
tometer reading at 40°C. 51°7 to 59°7 ; iodine value, 85°24 to 93°78 ; saponif, value
189-2 to 1945. Reichert-Meissl value, 0°20 to 0:66; Polenske value, 0°40; acid
value, 18°5 to 210-2; insoluble fatty acids, 95°60 to 95°76 p.c. The fatty acids
had : iodine value, 86°8 to 98:96 ; saponif value, 199°0 to 202°7; solidif pt., 269°C
to 31°8°; m. pt., 32°2 to 34:2. The expressed oil from Bombax seeds had: sp. gr.
0°9300 ; refractometer reading at 40°C., 57:0 ; iodine value, 73°59 ; saponif value,
194°3; acid value, 3°0.; insoluble fatty acids, 95°61 p.c. The fatty acids from
kapok oil yield a hexabromide melting at 112° to 114°C. Kapok oil resembles
cotton seed oil, and gives a strong reaction with Halphen’s reagent; it is not,
however, used so extensively as cotton seed oil for edible purposes.—J.
C. Ind. September 15, 1918. Page 874.
The air-dried kapok seeds contain 25°6 per cent of fatty oil. The oil
does not become entirely clear till warmed to 28°-29°C. The sp. gr. at 15°C is
0:9218 for expressed commercial oil, and 0°9198 for extracted oil, The refractive
index at 40°C is 1-4630. When dissolved in toluene, the oil is optically inactive.
In Engler’s viscometer, the viscosity is 11°5 at 20°C. compared with water,
The iodine value of the expressed oil was 887, and 93°3 to 94°5 for the
extracted oil. The acid values were 216 for expressed oil and 3-4-4°6
for extracted oil. The saponification values were 192°3 for the expressed
oil, and 196°3 for the extracted oil, The acid values were 21'6 for
expressed oil and 34-46 for extracted oil. The saponification values
were 192°3 for the expressed oil and 1963 for the extracted oil. The Reichert
—Meissl value was 0'8, and the Polenske value varied between 0°14 and 0°34,
The fatty acids melted at 34°-35°C, and when freed from phytosterol they
melted at 36°C, Characteristic reactions were obtained by the Halphen,
Becchi and nitric acid tests. The oil did not show any drying properties
It was found to consist principally of the triglycerides of palmitic, oleic, and
linolic acids. A small amount of a phytosterol, m. pt. 136°C was isolated.—
J.C. Ind. September 30, 1918, page 917.
N. O. STERCULIACES, 203
N. O. STERCULIACE Zh.
hi, sterculia feuda, Linn, W.8.8.1., 1. 354,
Roxb. 510.
Vern. :—Jangli-badam (H. and M.‘; Jungli-badam, pun
(Bomb.); Kuo-mhad, virhoi (Goa); Goldaru, nagalkuda (M) ;
Pinari, kuddurai-pudduki, kudra-plukku, pinari-marum (Tam.) ;
Gurapu-badam (Tel); Bhatala penari ( Kan.)
Habitat :—Western and Southern India, Burma, Ceylon.
A large deciduous tree. Bark thin, white. Wood grey,
spongy, soft. Branches whorled, horizontal. Leaves digitate,
crowded at the ends of branches. Leaflets 7-9, elliptic lanceo-
late, about 6 by 2in., pubescent when young, adult glabrous
beneath. Petioles 3in. Stipules ensiform, caducous. Panicles
erect, numerous-flowered, spreading (formed immediately under
the leaves of the present year, Roxb.), branches glabrous, ulti-
mate pedicels shorter than the flower, jointed in the middle.
Bracteoles minute. Flowers polygamous, red, yellow or dull
purple. Calyx deeply 5-parted, $-$ in. diam., dull orange
coloured, campanulate ; lobes oblong-lanceolate, spreading, vill-
ous within, much longer than the tube. Anthers 12-15. Car-
pels 5 downy; style curved. Follicles as large as the fist,
woody, scarlet, oblong, boat-shaped, shortly beaked, villous in-
side, nearly glabrous outside. Seeds black, 10-15, in each follicle.
Cotyledons thick, fleshy ; albumen O.
Flowers dull orange. Smelling most offensively, with the
odour of carrion. The great pendulous bright red follicles gap-
Ing open and showing the black seeds which are very striking
objects (Trimen). The seeds are eaten roasted.
Parts used :—'The leaves, seeds and follicles.
Uses :—The leaves are considered as repellent and aperient.
Loureiro informs us that the seeds are oily, and when swallow-
ed incautiously they bring on nausea and vertigo. Horsfield
adds that the capsule is mucilaginous and astringent. (Ainslie.)
hice oeurens boro) Hh Bi. 1.500, Roxb. 507.
Vern. :—Gutlt, kilu, gutlar, buli (H.); Odla (Ass.); Pand-
ruka, kandol, kardi sardol, sardora (Bomb.) ; Makchtind; Gur-
204 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
karanj (Mundari,) Tele (Ho); Burkinda (Mundart, (Bomb.) ;
Kavalee talbsu (Tel.); Vellay putali(Tam.); Kalru (Ajmir).
Habitat :—N. W. India, Assam, Behar, Eastern and Wes-
tern Peninsulas, Ceylon dry country.
A large deciduous tree. “‘ Bark 4 in. thick, very smooth,
white or greenish grey, exfoliating in large thin irregular papery
flakes. Wood very soft, reddish brown, with an unpleasant
smell, with light coloured sapwood, always feels wet or oily.
Pores large, often oval and sub-divided, very scanty, frequently
filled with gum. Medullary rays moderately broad, on a radial
section prominent as long, dark undulating bands, giving the
wood a mottled silver-grain; the distance between the rays is
larger than the transverse diameter of the pores. Alternate dark
and light concentric bands across the rays”? (Gamble). The
bark gives good fibre. The colloid gum is called Katira.
Leaves crowded at the ends of branches, tomentose beneath,
neatly glabrous above,; simple, cordate, shallowly-palmately-
5-lobed ; lobes entire, acuminate, blade 8-l2in., petiole 6-10in.
long. Flowers yellow, small, in crowded, erect, more or less
pyramidal dense panicles, clothed with a dense sticky tomen-
tum of glandular stellate hairs; a few flowers bisexual, mixed
with a large number of male flowers. Staminal-column short ;
anthers about 20. The gynophore short, thick. Calyx in.
diam., campanulate, 5-parted, lobes acute, spreading. Fruit
4-5 follicles, yellow-pubsecent, sessile, radiating, ovoid, thickly
coriaceous. Carpels, 3 in. long, red when ripe, covered outside
with stiff stinging bristles. Seeds 3-6 in each carpel, oblong,
dark brown. This tree is often associated with Boswellia
throughout the Peninsula (Brandis).
Uses: —The leaves and tender branches steeped in water
yield a mucilaginous extract, useful in pleuro-pneumonia in
cattle (Watt.)
The gum, known as karai-gond, is used as a substitute for
tragacanth in Bombay (Dymock).
The Santals consider the gum a useful medicine in throat
affections. (Revd. A. Campbell.)
N. 0, STERCULIACEX. 205
Causes intolerable itching, if touched or handled; oil
removes the hairs, and the itching, effectually (J. J. Wood’s
Plants of Chutia Nagpur, p 89) )
180. 8S. scaphigera, Wall. H.F.B.1., 1. 361.
Habitat : —Chittagong.
A tall, deciduous, glabrous tree. Leaves glabrous, oblong-
lanceolate, l-nerved, 12-14 by 6 in., coriaceous, base rounded.
Petiole 4-5 in., thickened at the top. Flowers panicled. Calyx
tin., pilose, campanulate, five-parted, lobes reflexed. Male
flowers :—Stamens 10-15. Anthers 16-15, pilose. Ovary villous
on a long slender stalk, 2-celled, with a ring of sessile anthers
at the base. Style filiform; Stigmas 2-lobed, subcapitate.
Follicles large, leafy, boat-shaped, dilated at the base, opening
long before maturity, at first pilose, ultimately 6-8 by 3-4 in.,
venose-reticulate, 1-2 seeded. Seeds globose, solitary, albumin-
ous ; cotyledons pale-green, radicle next the hilum.
Part used :—The fruit.
Use:—The fruit is used is China as a remedy for
dysentery.
181. Helicteres isora, Linn,, H.F.B.1., 1. 365.,
Roxb. 506.
Sans. :—Avartanl.
Vern, :—Marosi, marorphali, jonka-phali, kapasi, bhendu
(H.); Antamora (B.); Vurkatee (Sind.); Dhameenee (Dec.) ;
Murad Shing (Marathi); Kawun (Bomb.); Aita (Gond); Valum-
birikai (Tam.) ; Gubadarra (Tel.)
Habitat :—Dry forests throughout Central and Western
India, from Behar as far west as Jammu, and the Western Penin-
sula. In the Thana Adawlat Garden (1881) there is a beautiful
plant six feet high. K.R.K. Ceylon low country.
Arborescent or shrubby. Leaves 3 by 24 in., bifarious,
obliquely cordate, roundish, obovate, often lobed, shortly acumi-
nate, serrate, scabrous above, pubescent beneath ; petiole + in.,
as long as the linear subulate stipules. Peduncles 2-3 together,
in a short axillary cyme. Bracteoles small, subulate. Flowers
206 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
14 in. Calyx gibbous, laterally compressed, somewhat 2-lipped.
Petals reflected, red at first, fading to lead colour, very unequal
in size, 2 lower the largest, claw winged. Staminodes 5 emargi-
nate scales. Stamens 10, anthers ovate. Ovary at the top of
the Staminal-column, 5-lobed, 5-celled. Styles awl-shaped,
more or less united, slightly thickened and stigmatose at the
tips. Ovules many in each cell. Follicles spirally twisted,
cylindric, beaked, pubescent.
Parts used :—The fruit, root, and bark.
Uses :—The fruits are made into liniment for sores of the
ear (Ainslie.)
_ They are also internaliy administered for colic, according
to the ancient “doctrine of signatures.”
Sloane speaks of the juice of the root havimg virtues in
empyema aud stomach affections. Leaves are used in Jamaica
for decoction for clysters (Murray.;
In the Konkan it is used in snake-bite and diahetes
(Dymock). Itis also used in an thelmintic diarrhee, dysent-
ery. Dose of powdered bark one wAl* to tola.
The root and bark used by the Santals for the same purposes
as the fruit (Revd. A. Campbell.)
According to Moodeen Sheriff, it is demuleent and mild
astringent, and useful with other drugs in the griping of bowels,
and flatulence of children.
182. Pterospermum suberfolium, Lam , H.F.B.1.,
iz 367.
Syn. :—P. canescens, Roxb. 512.
Sans. :—Moochukunda.
Vern. :—-Muchukunda, muskunda (B.); Belo giringa
(Uriya); Lolagu (Tel.); Taddo (T'am.); Muchkand (BH. and B.)
Naji (Burm.); Velenge, venangu (Sing.) ; Muchkund (Marathi).
Habitat :— Western Peninsula (Konkan and Kanara). For-
ests of Orissa. The N. Circars; the Carnatic; Burma. Ceylon,
dry low country.
>
* A a ae 6 gra ins (Jeweller’s weight in Western India.) It is the
scarlet seed of Adenanthera pavonin, Linn, .
N. 0. STERCULIACER. 207
A moderate-sized tree, with thick longitudinally cracked
bark. Wood light red, moderately hard. Branchlets and in-
florescence densely clothed, with fine ferruginous or tawny stel-
late hairs. Leaves distichous, 2-4 in., from a rounded base
ovate-oblong, acuminate, often irregularly lobed in the upper
part, upperside glabrous, underside white or yellowish, filled
with fine stellate hairs. [lowers yellowish-white, sweet-scented,
peduncles short, axillary, sometimes bearing 2-3 flowers ; brac-
teoles, deciduous, linear. . Sepals linear, fleshy, brown tomentose
4-5 in. long, 3-4 in. broad. Petaisa little larger then the sepals,
but brown and thinner, white. Capsule 2-3 in. long, 2 in. diam.,
attenuate into a stalk 3-% in. long, tapering at apex to a point,
‘brown velvety. Seeds winged, numerous.
Use:—The flower made into a paste with kanjika (rice
vinegar) forms an application for hemicrania (Dutt).
In the Conean, the fowers and bark of this, and P. acerifo-
lium, are charred and mixed with kamalaand applied in suppur-
ating small-pox. (Dymock.) The sweet scent of the flowers is due
to the small glands on the outer side of the thickened sepals. The
sepals are much used by the Bombay High-class ladies in their
hair on account of the lasting fragrance of the glands. (K. R. K )
tSo8, Pr aeertjolium, Willd. H.F.8.1., 1 368,
Roxb.-f538.
Sansk :—IKarnikara.
Vern. :—Kanak-champa, kaniar, katha-champa (H.); Mach-
kunda (Santal); Laider (Michi.); Karni-kara, kanak-champa
‘Bomb.); Matsa kanda (Tel.); Toungpetwun, tha-majam wei-
soke (Burm.).
Habitat :—From the N. W. Himalaya in Kumaon, to
Chittagong and Concan.
A tall evergreen tree. ‘‘ Bark thin grey, smooth. Sap-
wood white; heartwood soft to moderately hard, red. Pores
scanty, small oval or elongated, generally sub-divided, visible
on a longitudinal section. Medullary rays fine, very numerous,
undulating, not prominent, uniform, equidistant. Innumerable
very fine concentric lines (Gamble). Leaves obovate, polymor-
208 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
phous, cordate or peltate, coarsely-toothed, palmately nerved,
glabrous above, white tomentose beneath ; blade 10-40in. by
6-12 in.; petioles 5 in. long, stout. Flowers axillary, very large,
and fragrant. Sepals linear brown tomentose without, paler
within, 6 by 5in. Petals white, shorter than the sepals. Stami-
nodes club-shaped, stouter and longer than the filamented
anthers. Staminal-column glabrous, 1-5in. long, filaments
slender. Gynophore longer than the staminal-column. Ovary
5-angled, densely brown-tomentose ; style long, stout with a
club-shaped stigma; ovarian cells many-ovuled. Capsule 4-6
in. long, 5-angled ; 5-celled. Seeds numerous, winged ; albumen
mucilaginous, scanty ; cotyledons thin, folded. (Talbot. P. 149,
Vol. I, Forest Flora, Bombay Presidency and Sind, 1909).
Parts used :—The leaves, bark, and flowers.
Uses :—The down on the leaves is used to stop bleeding
in wounds (Gamble). The flowers are used as a general tonic
(T. N. Mukerji).
184. Pentapetes phoenicea, Linn. H.F.B.1.,
i oll. Roxb: 17.
San.:—Raktaka, Bandhuka, bandhujiva, arka-vallabha,
pushpa rakta.
Vern. :—Kat-la4la, Doopahuria (B.); Guidu. Paria (Pb.)
Bare baha (Santal); Témbdi dupari (Mar.); Nag-pu (Tam.) ;
Dopahariya, dopohoria (H.) ; Bare baha (Santal) ;
Habitat :— Throughout the hotter parts of India.
Annual herbs, branched, 2-5 ft., glabrous, or with a few
scattered stellate hairs. Leaves 3-5 in., l-nerved, crenate-ser-
rate, petiole lin. Stipulessubulate. Peduncle simple, axillary,
as long as or longer than the petiole, 1-2-flowered, jointed near
the flower. Bracteoles half the length of the Calyx. Flowers
red, opening at noon and closing at the following dawn. Hence
in Bombay it is called Dupari or Madhuk. (See A collection of
Marathi Poems, Navanita, page 406, 4th edition, Bombay).
Sepals 5, stellate-hairy, with a few bristles, lanceolate. Petals 5,
N. O. STERCULIACER. 209
obovate. Stamens 20, connate at the base, 15 fertile in groups
of 5 each, alternating with 5 staminodes, which are nearly as
long as the petals. Anthers 2-celled, extrorse; style entire,
twisted ; Stigmas5. Capsule subglobose, bristly, half the length
of the persistent Calyx, 5-valved, dividing longitudinally. Seeds
8-12, 2-serrate in each cell; not winged. Cotyledons plaited,
2-partite.
Parts used :—The fruit and root.
Uses :—The fruit is officinal on account of its mucilaginous
properties. The root is employed as a medicine by the Santals
(Revd. A. Campbell).
185. Hriolena quinquelocularis, Wrght.
Hee Be OL:
Vern :—-Bhawat (Chutia Nagpur).
Habitat :—Behar ; Western Peninsula, chiefly on the west
side, from Bombay southwards ; Chutia Nagpur; Nilghiri Mts.
Belgaum Ghats (S. Mahratta country), Coimbatore.
A tree, herbaceous portions stellate hairy. Leaves round-
ish, toothed, apex acute, shortly acuminate, base cordate, 24-3
in., each way, palmately-7-nerved, thinly stellately hairy or
glabrascent’ above, whitish and softly pubescent beneath.
Petioles 2in. Bracteoles a little distant from the flower, minute,
caducous, entire or lobed. Cymes at end of branches ; peduncles
longer than the leaves; stellate-hairy. Pedicels shorter than
the flower, jointed above the middle. Flower-buds ovate, oblong.
Sepals 2in. Petals equalling sepals; claw broad, pubescent.
Column as long as the petals. Stigma revolute, 5-10-lobed.
Style hairy. Capsule 17in., oblong, pointed, 5-10-valved ;
valves not tubercled, usually villous at the angles. Seeds
numerous. Flowers in July and August.
Use: —Poultice of root heals wounds ‘J. J. Wood’s Plants
of Chutia Nagpur, p. 89).
27
210 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
186. Abroma augusta, Linn., H.F.B.1., 1. 375,
Roxb. 510.
Syn. :-—A. fastuosum, Gertn.
Vern. :—Ulatkambal (B.); Olatkambol (Bomb.)
Habitat:—Throughout the hotter parts of India, from
the N. W. Provinces to Sikkim, Khasia Mountains, and
Assam. Unknown in the Western Peninsula of India.
A small tree native or cultivated throughout the hotter
parts of India. Branches and branchlets downy. The bark
yields a beautiful silky fibre like that of hemp, and the shrub
has often been recommended for growth as a crop. Wood
light brown, soft. Pores moderate-sized, subdivided usually
into 2 or 3 partitions. Medullary rays very short, brown,
and very fine, bent round the pores whose diameter is greater
than the distance between them’ (Gamble). Leaves 4-6 by
4-5in., repand, denticulate, ovate from a cordate base, often
lobed or angled; basal nerves 5-7, upper smaller, narrower,
entire, glabrescent above, soft-pubescent below. Petiole $-lin.
Stipules linear, dociduous, as long as petiole. Inflorescence
soft-pubescent. Peduncles “extra axillary’ (Brandis), with two
or three purple bisexual flowers. Flowers 2in. diam. Sepals
lin., persistent, lanceolate, free nearly to the base. Petals cover-
ed in bud, deciduous; claw concave. Staminal-tube short,
4-petaloid. Staminodes alternating with sessile anthers. Cap-
sule 14in., obpyramidal, ultimately glabrous, thrice as long as
the persistent Calyx, membranous, 5-angled, 5-winged.
Parts used :—The root, bark and leaves.
Uses :—The root-bark has been brought to notice asan em-
menagogue by Mr. B. M. Sircar, in the Indian Medical Gazette,
for 1872. In the I. M. G. for May 1900, he wrote :—% Forty
years ago | first came to know the medicinal properties of this
indigenous plant as a good emmenagogue in menstrual dis-
orders. . . . The officinal part of the plant is the fresh
viscid sap, which abounds in the thick, easily seperable bark of
the root and is insoluble in water.
N. 0. STERCULIACER. TE
ce
I have generally used the medicine during the
period of the menses, commencing from two days before its
appearance (when the pain precedes the flow) three days
during the flow and two days after its cessation. In case of
no premonitory pains, the medicine is given from the first day
of the flow for seven days successively with equally good
results.
‘A single administration during the menses generally cures
the disease and brings on conception in young married
WOMICHG woe.
“Attempts have been made to administer the drug in the
more acceptable forms of tincture, pill or powder, but none
prove so efficacious as the fresh viscid sap in substance, in which
form I have used it with wonderful results.
‘Menstrual disorders, and notably the varieties of dysme-
norrhcea, are very prevalent in this country, and it seems nature
has supplied it with a simple efficacious medicine by endowing
the roots of an indigenous plant with such singular virtues.
It is noteworthy that the roots branch out in numerous tender
offshoots, superficially under the ground, and can be easily taken
out in abundance.”
Dr. J. H. Thornton considers that it is useful in the
congestive and neuralgic varieties of dysmenorrhea, and that
it regulates the menstrual flow and acts as an uterine tonic. It
should be given during menstruation, with black pepper. The
dose is said to be half a drachm of the fresh viscid juice of the
root-bark (Am. Journ. Med. Sci., p. 276, 1873).
The infusion of fresh leaves and stems in cold-water is de-
mulcent, and very efficacious in gonorrhoea (Surgeon Meadows,
in Watt’s Dictionary.)
187. Guazuma tomentosa, Kunth, 4.F.B.1.,
i obo:
Vern. :—Nipal tunth (Beng.) Of the bark :—Bandoq-ke-
jhar-ki chhal (Dec.); Tain-piichli-pattai (Tam.); Udrik-patta
(Tel.) ; Rudrakshi (Kan.).
12? INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
Habitat :—Generally distributed, and frequently cultivated
in the warmer parts of India and Ceylon.
A small tree, a native of Tropical America, but fre-
quently cultivated in the warmer parts of India and Ceylon.
Bark brown rough. Wood white or yellowish or light brown,
soft, even-grained. Annual rings faintly marked. Pores mod-
erate-sized, fairly numerous, often subdivided. Meduallary
rays moderately broad to broad, not numerous, conspicuous
in the silver-grain on a radical section. The tree is easily
grown and propagated, ‘“‘planted or run wild,” adds Gamble.
Herbaceous portions tomentose. Leaves from an unequal-sided
base, obliquely cordate, ovate-oblong or lanceolate, acuminate,
serrate, scabrid or glabrescent above, pubescent beneath ; base
5-7-nerved ; petiole short. Flowers numerous, small, yellow and
purple in terminal and axillary panicles, which are twice the
length of the leaves ; or in multifidcymes. Flower-buds globose.
Calyx 1din. bell-shaped, stellate-hairy ; sepals ultimately re-
flexed ; petals exceeding the Calyx, claw concave. 5 Petaloid
Staminodes alternating with 5 filaments each, bearing several
anthers. Anthers concealed in the hood of the petals. Capsule
d-valved, lin. long, oblong obtuse, or ovoid, woody, with obtuse
black tubercles, resembling a mulberry.
Part used :—The bark.
Use:—In Martinique, the infusion of the old bark is
esteemed as a sudorific, and as useful in cutaneous diseases and
diseases of the chest (Lindley.)
The bark is tonic and demulcent, and is used with benefit
in some of those cases in which calumba and gentian are indi-
cated (Moodeen Sheriff.)
The inner bark is esteemed as a remedy for elephantiasis
in West Indies ( Watt.)
N. O, TILIACEA.
188. Grewia tiliefolia, Vahl. 4.F.B.1., 1. 386,
Roxb. 431. 7
Sans. :—Dharmana, Dhanurvriksha; Dhanvan.
N. O. TILIACER. 213
Vern. :—Pharsa dhamani (H. and B.); Dh&aman Karkani
(Bomb ); Olat (Santal); Khesla, kasul (Gond); Thada, tharra
(Tam.) ; Charachi, tharrab, Uddpai, tada (Tel.); Thadsal, dadsal,
batala, butale (Kan.)
Habitat :—Hot dry forests throughout Western India, as-
cending 4,000 feet in the Himalaya. Western Peninsula, Burma,
Ceylon low country.
A large deciduous tree, with cinereous exfoliating bark.
Leaves ovate, sometimes rhomboidal or 3-lobed, obliquely cor-
date, acute or obtuse, acuminate at apex, bluntly crenate-serrate,
sparsely stellate-pubescent or glabrous above, stellate-tomentose,
often white beneath, stellate-pubescent on the nerves; basal
nerves 5 > blade 2-54in. by 1-4in., petiole 4-lin. long; stipules
3in. long, leafy falcate, veined and auricled, deciduous.
Flowers small, in axillary umbels; peduncles $-lin. long,
axillary, 3-8 fascicled, 3-flowered; pedicels shorter than the
peduncles; buds ovoid, grey-tomentose, 5-ribbed; bracteoles
linear-lanceolate. Sepals linear-ovate, in. long, glabrous,
white tomentose outside and yellowish within. Petals ovate,
emarginate, yellow, turning purple, much shorter than the
sepals; basal gland green and densely white-villous on the
margins and often more than ¥% the length of the petal.
Torus short-ribbed, glabrous, obscurely-toothed and_ hairy
at top. Stamens, with purple filaments and yellow anthers.
Ovary globose, villous; style longer than the stamens;
stigma’ peltate, irregularly 5-lobed. Drupe 2-4 lobed, but not
deeply, of the size of a pea, black ; lobes several-seeded.
The fruit is said to be eaten (Trimen).
Parts used :—The bark and wood.
Uses :—In the Konkan the bark, after removal of the tuber,
is rubbed down with water, and the thick mucilage strained
from it and given in 5-tola doses, with 2 tolas of the flour of
Panicum miliaceum (warri) as a remedy for dysentery
(Dymock).
The bark is also employed externally to remove the irita-
tion from cow-itch.
214 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
Colonel Cox says that the wood reduced toa powder acts
as an emetic, and is employed by the natives as an antidote to
opium poisoning.
189.° G: ‘asiatica, Tinn, afB1. 1. sous
Roxb. 431.
Sans, :—Purusha.
Vern. :—Phalsa, shakri (B. and H.} ; Phalna, pharnu (Pb.) ;
Phutiki (Tel.); Singhindamin (Kol.); Jangolat (Santal); Ta-
dachi (Tam.}; Pastaoni, shikarim-ai-wah (Pushtu); Pharaho,
phalsa (Sind).
Habitat :~~Cultivated in India, except in the Gangetic
plains and Kast Bengal, and said to be indigenous in the Salt
Range, Poonch and Oudh, Ceylon.
N.B.—Kanjilal’s Syn. of this plant is G. Asiatica Var. vestita, Wall, (See
p. 65, For. Fl. Sch. Cire., N. W. P., 3rd Ed. 1911, Calcutta).
The following is Kanjilal’s description :—‘“‘A tree with grey
bark ; branches and young plants with large white blotches.
Leaves 3-5 by 2-24 in., obliquely ovate, generally not cordate,
acuminate, minutely serrate, sometimes obscurely 3-lobed, pale
and softly downy beneath, especially when young; basal nerves
5-6; petiole generally not exceeding 4in.; stipules linear.
Flowers in densely crowded (rarely solitary) axillary cymes;
peduncles 3-3 in. long, not ribbed. Sepals slightly pubescent,
and yellow inside. Petals yellow, much shorter than the sepals.
Drupe globose, +-$ in. diam., sometimes indistinctly 2-4-lobed,
dark brown, or black when ripe.”
Kanjilal further remarks :—On comparing a number of
specimens collected by me, Mr. Duthie was satisfied that G.
elastica, Royle, was quite distinct from G. vestita, Wall., on the
grounds that in the former the innovations were dark rusty-
tomentose, the petals not glandular at the base, and the leaves
very frequently lobed. (p. 66 of cit.) Wood grey, tough, elastic,
hard and close-grained. The bark yields white fibre. Fruit
edible.
Parts used :—The fruit, leaves, bark and root.
N. O. TILIACER. 215
Uses :—The fruit is supposed to possess astringent, cooling
and stomachic properties; from it a spirit is distilled and a
pleasant sherbet. The leaves are used as an application to
pustular eruptions, and the buds are also prescribed by native
practitioners. An infusion of the bark is used as a demulcent.
(Dr. Stewart).
The Santals use the root-bark for rheumatism (Revd. A.
Campbell).
190. .G. seabrophylla, Lamk. U.F:B.1., 1.. 387,
Roxh. 430.
Vern.:—Pandhari dhaman, khatkhati (Mar.); Darsuk
(Kan.).
Habitat :—Tropical Himalaya, Garwhal, Sikkim, Mysore,
from Gujrat straight to Behar, Sub-Himalaya tract and outer
valley, from the Jumna eastward, Oudh forests, Northern
Circars, Assam, Pegu, Upper Burma (Ava), Chittagong; com-
mon in Dun and Saharanpur forests (Kanjilal).
A shrub ; branchlets, underside of leaves and inflorescence
clothed with soft, tawny tomentum. Leaves 3-6 by 4 in., often
slightly lobed, base 3-5-nerved, secondary nerves not arched,
scabrous above, pubescent beneath, roundish ovate, irregularly
serrate. Brandis says the leaves are 4-9 in. long, ovate or
obovate, tertiary nerves distinct beneath. Petiole din. ;
peduncles short, 1-4in., axillary; stipule subulate. Flowers
large, 2-3 on each peduncle, # in. Blade of petals white, ovate,
larger than often twice the length of the claw.
Cymes umbellate, says Maxovell T. Masters (Hook.);
pedicels diverging, longer than the peduncles. Bracteoles
linear-subulate, deciduous. Flower-buds obovate-oblong, ribbed.
Sepals linear-lanceolate, pubescent ; Petals notched, half the
length of the sepals, or less. Gynophore glabrous, edge
villous, 5, small tufts of hair at base, between petals. Fruit a
globose drupe, not lobed, 3-% in. diam., rind brown, crustaceous,
hairy ; stones 4, 1-2-seeded, in sweet, yellowish viscid pulp.
Parts used :—The leaves and root.
216 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
Uses:—-It is given in accordance with the “doctrine of
signatures” as a remedy for leprosy in the Concan ; it appears
to be simply mucilaginous like most of the gums. (Dymock)’
Its roots are used by the Goanese as the substitute of
Althea.
191. -G.. mllosa, Willd. ueBA., 4-368.
Vern:—Gaphni (Kol); Tarse kotap (Santal); Jalidar
kaskusri, thamther (Pb.); In zarra, pastuwanne (Pushtu ;
Dhoban (Ajmer). Kharmati (Mar). Pade Khado (Gujrat and
Porebunder) ; Luskanfi jhad (Cutch).
Habitat :—Western and Southern India, extending from
Panjab and Sind to Travancore. Gujrat, Porebundar, Kutch.
A shrub often gregarious. Branches, leaves and inflores-
cence densely silky, with long stellate hairs. Leaves not hoary
beneath, nearly orbicular, from a cordate base; 1-4 in. diam.,
rugose, transverse veins numerous, prominent and parallel,
tufts of sikly hairs in the serratures. Secondary nerves not
arched. Petiole 3-1 in. Base of leaves 5-nerved. Stipules
broad, leafy. Flowers dull-yellow, peduncles very short, in
compact axillary clusters, sometimes opposite the leaves. Bracts
oblong. Sepals oblong or linear-acute, villous, membranous,
4 in. long, clothed on both sides with short stellate hairs, out-
side aiso with simple hairs, the tips often with a long-branched
and stellate process. Blade of petal thin, twice the length of a
claw, oblong, notched, much shorter than the sepals. Fruit
globose, size of cherry, with a distinct crustaceous brown rind,
with tufts of long stellate hairs; pulp pleasant. Stones 4, 1-2-
seeded.
The sweet acid fruit is used as dessert by the poor of
Porebunder. The juice of fresh bark is used with sugar and
water for gonorrhea and urinary complaints attended with irrita-
bility of the bladder.
Part used :—The root.
Use:—The root is employed for diarrhea in Chutia
Nagpur (Revd. A. Campbell.)
N. 0. TILIACE®. 217
912 G. polygama, Roxb. H.F.B.1., 1. 898., Roxb.
431.
Syn. :—G. lancifolia, Graham, Cat Bombay Plants 21.
Vern. :—Kukur bicha (H.) ; Seta kata, seta andir (Santal) ;
Gowli or gowali (Bomb.)
Habitat :—North-Western India, and along the Himalaya,
from the Salt Range to Nepal, also Conean. Dry country,
Ceylon.
A shrubby plant or small tree. Branches _bifarious,
spreading ; branchlets, petioles, under side of leaves velvety.
Leaves almost sessile, narrow beneath, distichous 3-4 by 4-3 in.,
lanceolate, very acute serrate, base 3-nerved, nerves not arched,
secondary nerves transverse, -parallel. Stipules subulate.
Peduncles 1-5, short, axillary, slender, generally fasciculate,
about half the length of the leaves; pedicles 2-3, divergent,
shorter than the peduncle. Male flower :—Sepals 4-+ in. diam.,
linear, longer than the oblong entire petals, $in., blade equal
to claw which is hairy on back. Stamens asa rule 10-12, but
sometimes more numerous. Hermaphrodite Fl. :—Ovary very
hairy, stigma 5-lobed, lobes spreading, deeply cut into numerous
segments. Drupe 4in. diam; hairy, brownish, more or less
2-lobed. Stones 4, 1-seeded.
Use :—This plant is used by the aborigines of North-Wes-
tern Australia asa remedy for dysentery. Dr. W. EK. Armit
states that on one occasion, having had to treat dysentery
following on fever and ague, this plant was pointed out to him
by a native as a sure remedy. He collected a quantity of
leaves, and having made a pale sherry-coloured decoction of
the leaves, he administered ahout two tablespoonsful for a dose.
Repeating this every four hours throughout the night, the sixth
dose made a complete cure. “ Since then,” says Mr. Armit,
“T have tried this remedy in scores of cases, and | have never
known it to fail in any case, however serious. I have made
it a rule to inform the carriers and travellers, I meet, of the
sure cure they have always at hand in case it may be requir-
ed, and all are unanimous in extolling its truly magical
28
218 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
properties.” (Christy's New Commercial Plants, No. 7, p.
50. 1884). |
The fruit is employed asa medicine by the Santals, in
diarrhoea and dysentery. The root pounded is also prescribed
for the same diseases, and powdered in water is applied
externally to hasten suppuration, and as a dressing for
wounds. The paste dries and forms a hard coating, thus
effectually excluding air from the raw surface (Revd. A.
Campbell.)
193. Triumfetta rhomboidea, Jacquin, H.F.B.1.,
t, 395. Roxb., 390 and 391.
Sansk :—Jhinjharité (J. Indraji).
Vern. :—Chitki, Chiriyari (H.) ; Bun-ckra (B.) ; Aodaiotti
(Tam.) Nichardi (Bomb.). Jhinjudi; Nichardi (Marathi).
Habitat :—Throughout tropical and sub-tropical India,
and Ceylon, a very common weed. It grows wild and freely on
Matheran Hill.—-K. R. Kirtikar.
An annual or perennial herb, 14-3 ft., slightly branched ;
branches pubescent, with simple hairs. Leaves 1-24 in., vari-
able, the lower more cr less deeply 3-fid., the upper ovate-
lanceolate, all coarsely and irregulary serrate, simply hairy on
both sides; often tomentose and white beneath. Petiole of
lower leaves long, of upper leaves very short. Flowers small,
2in. diam., yellow, on short pedicels, clusters crowded into a
spicate inflorescence at end of branches, buds oblong, slightly
stellate-pubescent ; petals equalling sepals. Stamens 8-15.
Fruit very small, globose, jin., finely tomentose, spines less
than 4in., glabrous, hooked, cells 3-4.
Parts used: —The fruit, flowers and leaves.
Uses :—The mucilaginous and astringent properties of the
leaves and fruits of certain Triuwmfettas, called Carapixo de
Caleada in Brazil, which grow everywhere in that country,
especially on the roadside, and in the vicinity of dwellings,
render them serviceable in injections for inveterate gonorrheea.
N. 0. TILIACE®. 219
(Murray.) The bark and fresh leaves for diarrhoea; also flowers
rubbed with sugar and water are given in gonorrhoea by the
villagers of Porebunder to stop the burning caused by urine
(J. Indraji.)
All the species of this genus are mucilaginous, and are
used as demulcents, but this is the one generally so employed
The burr-like fruit is believed in India to promote
parturition (Dymock.)
lied. Oorcnorms capsular, Ilo Gish iails
oor ox. 420)
Sans. :—Kala Saka.
Vern. :—Harrawa (Shahjahanpur District) Ghinalta pat,
Narcha, Chouchen (Bombay); Chhuieht, Borachhancht (Gujrat,
Porebunder).—J. Indraji.
Habitat :—Throughout the hotter parts of India. Low-
country, Ceylon.
An annual herb. Leaves 2-4 by # in., glabrescent, oblong,
acuminate, coarsely toothed ; base generally prolonged into tail-
hke appendages ; petiole 14 in. Stipules 4-4 in. Flowers yellow,
less than half an inch in diameter; pedicillate. Capsule
oblate, subglobose, 5-celled, wrinkled, muricate, 5-valved, valves
without transverse septa. Seeds few in each cell (Maxwell
T. Masters).
Parts used: —The leaf. Dried root and unripe fruit in
diarrhoea, in decoction (Indraji.)
Use :—-'The dried leaves are used medicinally, being eaten
at breakfast-time with rice, in cases of dysentery.
The cold infusion is also administered as a tonic in dysen-
teric complaints, fever, and dyspepsia (Watt).
195. C. olatorius, Linn, H.F.B.1., 1. 897. Roxb.
429.
Sans, :—Nadika, patta, sing-gika.
Vern,:—(Gujrat and Porebunder) Chhinchdo. Moti
Chhinch ; Maha Chanchu. Singhin janascha (H.); Pat, lali-
220 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
tapat, kashta, bhungi or banpat (B.); Bun-pat (Sind) ; Ban-phal
(N.-W. P. and Pb.) ; Peratti-kirai (Tam.) ; Parinta (Tel.) Tankla,
Chunch ; Mothi Chinch (Bombay.)
Habitat:—Indigenous in many parts of India. Low
country weed in Ceylon. d
An annual herb, more or less covered with stellate pube-
scence. Leaves 2-4 by 1-2 in., nearly glabrous, ovate-lanceolate,
d-d-nerved, serrate, the two lower serratures prolonged into a
long sharp point; petiole 1-2 in., pilose. Stipules shorter
than the petioles. Peduncles 1-3-flowered ; shorter than the
petiole. Sepals small, shortly-pointed. Petals yellow, spathulate,
longer than the sepals. Fruit a capsule 2 in. long,cylindric,
glabrous, 10-ribbed, “ 10-12-times longer than broad.” (Arnold).
Beak entire. Valves with transverse partitions between the
seeds, beak long, erect. Cultivated as a potherb, or for its fibre
(Jute). The very soft pithy wood is used for county-made
sulphur-tipped matches.
Parts used :—The leaves, seeds.
Uses :—The leaves and tender shoots are eaten, and in the
dried state, known as nalita ; they are used in infusion by the
natives as a domestic medicine, being tonic and slightly feb-
rifuge,and hence used as a fever drink (Watt.) According
to Ainslie, the Hindoos reduce the plant to ashes and mix it
with honey for administration in obstructions of the abdominal
viscera.
Twining speaks favorably of an infusion of the leaves as
a useful fever drink.
Mr. Atkinson says:--The leaves are emollient, and used
in infusion as refrigerant in fevers and special diseases. ‘The
dried plant roasted and powdered, is used in visceral obstruc-
tions.
Dr. Kanay Lall Dey says:—The dried leaves are sold
in the market. A cold infusion is used as a bitter tonic,
and is devoid of any stimulating property. It can be safely
given to patients recovering from acute dysentery to restore
the appetite, and improve the strength. Six grains of the
powder, combined with an equal quantity of curcuma longa,
N. 0. TILIACEX. 221
has been used in several instances, with much success, in acute
dysentery.
In South India, the dried plant is used as a demulcent.
(Bidie.)
Powder of leaves given in dysentery 5-10 grs., with an
equal part of powdered turmeric. Powdered seeds with honey
and ginger given in diarrhoea (Vaidya Rugnathji)—J. Indraji.
The leaves are demulcent, tonic and diuretic, useful in |
some cases of chronic cystitis, gonorrhoea and -dysuria.
(Moodeen Sheriff. )
MOO locas, Lint EPR. V.-o98,
oRox bet tle Ind sii O82:
Sans. :—Kaunti. :
Vern. :—Kadu Chunch (Bomb.); The seeds, Raja-jiren
‘Bomb.) ; Isbund (Sind) ; Tandassir (Kan.)
Habitat :—-Sind, North-Western Provinces, from Umballa
to the Punjab, Nilghiri Mountains.
An annual herb. Leaves 1-4 by lin. Elliptic-oblong
or oblong-lanceolate, crenate-serrate, with or without basal
sharp-pointed lobes; petiole very short, pilose. Peduncles
1-3-flowered, very short, opposite the leaves. Flowers small,
yellow. Capsule elongated, 8-angled ; scabrous or aculeate,
straight or curved. 3-4-angled, 3-4-valved, valves scabrous,
with transverse partitions, beak short, erect.
It would appear that the three varieties mentioned by
Wight and Arnold (Prod. I. 72) are mere individual variations.
They are :—(a) leaves ovate-oblong, capsule in pair, 3-angled ;
(b) leaves ovate-oblong, capsules solitary, 4- angled; (c) leaves
oblong-lanceolate, capsules in pairs, 3-angled.
Uses :—The seeds are bitter and administered in doses of
about 80 grains in fever and obstruction of the abdominal vis-
cera (Dymock.)
The plant, macerated for a few hours in water, yields a
mucilage, prescribed asa demulcent; seeds as a specific in
rheumatism (Murray.)
29° INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
197%, G.-fascicularis,, Ham. -w.0\B:1.)) toe
Roxh. 429.
Sans.:—Chunchu, Kshetra Chunchu.
Vern. :—Hind—Khetapat, Bankosta—J. Indraji. Hiran-
khori, Mothi Bahuphali, Bomb.); Jangli or ban-pat, bil-nalita
(B.); Chhunchhadi, Ubhibahuphali, (Gujrat and Porebunder).
Habitat :—Throughout the hotter parts of India, from
Banda to Bengal and the Western Peninsula, Porebunder.
An annual herb, erect, ramous. Leaves oblong or
lanceolate, serrated ; 1-2 by 4-4in. ; petioles very short, pilose.
Peduncles 3-5-flowered, opposite to the leaves. Flowers
yellow, subsessile fascicles, sub-pentandrous. Sepals 7g in.
Stamens about 5(W. and A.). “5-10” says Max-well T. Masters
(WH. F. B I.). Capsules linear-oblong, or cylindric, 4-6 times
longer than broad, nearly terete, villous, rostrate, with three
terminal points, 3-celled, 5-valved. Seeds numerous ; transverse
septa nearly obsolete.
Use:—It is very mucilaginous and somewhat astringent,
and is valued as a restorative (Dymock.)
In Bombay, a watery extract, mixed with sugar-candy, is
taken as a nutritive tonic. It is also given in seminal weakness
(S. Arjun), but with doubtful success—K. K. Kirtikar.
198. C. antachorus, Raesch, 4.¥.B.1., 1. 398.
Vern. :—Bahuphall, kdrand, bophalli, bahuphalli, babuna
.Pb.) ; Moodheeree (Sind); Baphuli (H.) (J. Indraji) :~-(Pore-
bunder and Gujrat) Chhikni, Chhunchh; Bethi-Bahuphali ;
Bahuphali. (Marathi) Bahuphali.
Habitat :—North-West India, from Sindh and the Punjab
to Agra, Western Peninsula, in Kathiawar, Guzerat and the
Deccan.
A perennial herb, woody 6-9 in., prostrate, much-branch-
ed from the base; branches prostrate, tortuous, imbricate
6-7in. Leaves 3-$ by 4-4in., roundish, usually wrinkled,
plicate, crenate-serrate, glabrous, the serratures not appendaged,
base rounded or cuneate; 3-nerved. Petioles $-lin. long, very
N. O. TILIACER. 223
slender; stipules subulate. Cymes leaf-opposed. Peduncles
short, stout; bracts lanceolate, subulate ; pedicels very short.
Sepals ;%sin. long, linear-oblong, apiculate. Petals longer
than the sepals ; oblong-ovate. Capsules 3-3 in. long, cylindric,
elongate, beaked, glabrous, often curved upwards, generally
straight, 4-valved.
Part used :—-The whole plant.
Uses.—The plant is rubbed down and given as a cooling
medicine. Leaves are emollient. The plant has tonic proper-
ties as a whole.
Infusion used as a fever drink (Stewart.)
Very mucilaginous, mucilage demulcent, and used in
‘Sindh for gonorrhoea (Murray). ).,H,PtCls, erystallises in lustrous, brown needles,
and decomposes at 210°. The aurichloride is difficult to obtain in a crystalline
form. The mercurichloride was also prepared, The base is only reconverted
into harmaline by prolonged boiling with alcoholic potash, and by the action
of hydrochloric acid at 150 —160° it forms harmalol. When harmaline is boiled
with nitric acid of sp. gr, 1°48, nitroanisic acid [OMe: NO, : CO,H=1: 2: 4]
is formed together with harminie acid. The former acid is derived from
methoxy- nitrophthalie acid by elimination of garbon dioxide. The harmaline
alkaloids must therefore contain a complex, OMe.C;H,(C—)C, in which OMe:
Cx C=l 34 or. 1: 4245.
The physiological effect of these alkaloids is to reduce the temperature.
J. Ch. S. 1901 A. T. pp. 405-406.
The physiological action of some of the derivatives was investigat-
ed, namely, harmine (C,,H,,ON,), harmaline (C,,H,,ON,), dihydroharmaline
(C,,H,;ON,),and apoharmine (C,H,N.,). The first three have a paralysing action
on frogs, whilst apoharmine causes increased reflex irritability and tetanus.
Harmine and harmaline paralyse the skeletal and cardiac muscle of the frog.
Harmaline has an anthelmintic action, probably by paralysing the musculature
of the parasites. In warm-blooded animals, harmine and harmaline cause
convulsions, increase of saliva, interference with respiration, and depression
of temperature, In the Hast the seeds are used as a substitute for hashish,
and in dogs itis evident that psychic disturbances occur. The drugs are
partly destroyed in the body (blood, liver, and nervous system), and partly
excreted by the kidneys and intestine.
J Chi Sy 1911, A. EE. py. 138,
On treating harmaline, harmine, apoharmine, and methylapoharmine with
bromine in acetie acid, the hydrobromides of the corresponding monobromo-
derivatives are obtained. Bromoharmaline, C,,H,,ON,Br, crystallises in
colourless, slender needles, m. p, 195°; the hydrochloride and platinichloride
are yellow. In the case of harmine, two isomeric compounds are formed. and
may be separated by heating the hydrobromides at 50°, bromoharmine hydrobro-
mide alone fusing at this temperature. Bromoharmine, C,,H,,ON,Br, occurs
in orthorhombic prisms, m. p. 275°; the salts erystallise from aleohol, but
form jellies with water. isoBromoharmine ecrystallises in long needles, m. p.
203°, and its salts erystailise from water; the platinichloride is orange-red.
248 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
Bromoapoharmine C3H,N.,Br, crystallises in long needles, m. p. 229°, and
bromomethylapoharmine, C,H,N,Br, in nedles, m, p. 196°.
On brominating, harmine in presence of sulphuric acid, and suspending the
product, Fischer's supposed tetrabromide, in hot dilute alcohol, slender
needles of dibromoharmine monohydrobromide are obtained; when treated
with ammonia this gives dibromoharmine, C,,H,,ON,Br., m. p. 209°. Fischer’s
compound appears to be the dilhydrobromide of this base.
ot) ChoS.1912, As isp. 209:
221; -Dietamnus albus., Linn. H.F.B.1., 1. 487.
Habitat :—Temperate Western Himalaya, from Kashmir to
Kunawur, and according to Royle, Jumnotrie in Garwhal.
A strong-smelling herb; shrubby below, clothed with
pustular glands. Stem stout but not woody, branched. Leaves
lft. and upwards, alternate, unequally pinnate. Leaflets oppo-
site, ovate or ovate-lanceolate, serrulate, 2-34in., sessile, dark
green, base wedge-shaped, nerves slender, petiole very stout,
angular, margined. Racemes terminal, 4ft. and upwards,
stout, strict, erect. Flowers white or rose-coloured, ldin. long,
erect ; pedicels 1-3in. ; glandular, bracteate at the base and
bracteolate usually above the middle. Calyx 5-partite ; deci-
duous. Sepals small, lanceolate. Petals 5, 4 upper in pair,
ascending, lower declinate ; elliptic-lanceolate, glandular on the
back. Stamens 10, inserted at the base of a thick annular disk ;
filaments long, slender, somewhat thickened and very glandular
below the slender tip; anthers subglobose. Ovary shortly
stipitate, deeply 5-lobed, 5-celled. Style hispid, filiform, decli-
nate. Stigma terminal. Ovules 3-4 in each cell, inserted on
the ventral suture. Fruit of 5 carpels compressed, broad,
truncate, long-beaked, elastically 2-valved, 2-3 seeded, hispid
lin. long. Endocarp horny, separable. Seeds subglobose ;
testa thin, black, shining, albumen fleshy; cotyledons thick,
radicle short.
(UJses:—Indian writers do not appear to have paid much
attention to this plant. The bark of the root was once upon
a time a favorite aromatic bitter. Storck prescribed it for
most nervous diseases, also for intermittent fever, amenorrhea,
hysteria, ete. (WarTT).
N. 0. RUTACER. PAY
222. Zanthoxylon alatum, Roxb. U.F.B.L,
T, 403nmoeh. 717.
Sans :—Tumburu.
Vern :—Tejbal, tumru (H) ; Nepali dhania (B). Sungrikung
(Lepcha) ; |
Habitat :—Hot valley of the Sub-tropical Himalaya; from
Jamu to Bhotan ; [Khasia Mountains.
Hot valleys in forest undergrowths upto 6000ft. in Jau-
nasar, Tehri-Gurhwal and the Outer-Himalaya from above
Rajpur, Dharmigadh, Tons, and Bamsu valleys; Korwa, Koti
Forest (Kanjilal), Mongbyr, Khasia and Naga hills, Hills of Vizi-
- gapatam and Ganjam.
A shrub or small tree almost entirely glabrous with a
strong aromatic smell. Bark corky. Young stems with thick
conical prickles fromacorky base. Wood close-grained, yellow,
says Gamble, white, says Brandis. Prickles shining, strong,
broad, flat on branchlets petioles and midrib; thin on older
branches, often on a corky base. Leaves alternate, imparipinnate,
small. Leaflets 2-6 pair commonly ; petiole and rachis narrowly
winged opposite, obtusely acuminate, more or less serrate, l-3 byz
by #1n., elliptic-lanceolate, pellucid-punctate ; secondary nerves
distinct. Flowers small, yellow, usually unisexual, in dense lateral
panicles; sparingly branched. Calyx 6-8-fid. Petals none.
Stamens 6-8, much exceeding the Calyx. Anthers large. Fruit
usually a solitary carpel dehiscing ventrally, size of a pepper
corn, tubercled, strongly aromatic: rugous, red; rarely 2-3.
Parts used :—Seeds, bark and fruit.
Uses :—Seeds and the bark are used as an aromatic tonic
in fever, dyspepsia, and cholera; the fruit as well as the
branches and thorns are used as a remedy for tooth-ache, also
deemed stomachic and carminative and employed to intoxicate
fish,
The carpels of the fruits, which resemble those of coriander, yield an
essential oil, which is isomeric with turpentine and is somewhat similar to
eucalyptus oil in odor and properties. The oil may be found to possess
32
250 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
antiseptic, disinfectant and deodorant properties similar to those of eucalyp-
tus.
The bark of this and of the following species contains berberine
(K. L. Day).
223. Z. acanthopodium, D. C. H.F.B.1., 1. 493.
Vern :—Nipali dhanya; tumra; tejphal; darmar (H);
Thumbul (B); Bogay timur (Nepal).
Habitat :—Hot valleys of the Sub-tropical Himalaya, from
Kumaon to Sikkim and the Khasia Hills.
A small tree. Bark gin. thick, greyish brown, shining,
studded with the large conical corky bases of the prickles,
which fall off as the tree grows. Wood yellowish white, soft.
Pores small, often in short radial lines. Medullany rays fine.
(Gamble).
Branchlets glabrous or tomentose, leaflets 2-6 pairs, lan-
ceolate, nerves distinct, glabrous or more or less pubescent
beneath, petioles and rachis narrowly winged. Cymes very
short, dense, $-lin. long, pubescent.. Flowers apetalous. Wood,
with a broad septate pith, adds J. D. Hooker.
Use :—See Z. alatum above.
224. Z. oxyphyllum, Edgew. H.F.B.1., 1. 494.
Habitat :—Himalaya, from Garhwal to Bhutan, also Khasia
Hills.
A climbing shrub, clothed with hooked prickles. ‘ Bark
greyish brown, covered with large corky lenticels, and armed
with recurved thorns on a conical corky base, often #in. high.
Wood yellowish white, soft, porous. Pores large, usually many
times subdivided radially. Medullary rays moderately broad,
bent where they pass the pores. Annual rings marked by a
white line’’ (Gamble). Leaves very variable in size, 4-12 in.,
petiole arched, usually very prickly along the back. Leaflets,
5-10 pair, alternate or opposite; in young specimens oyate-
lanceolate, very long-acuminate, crenate-serrate, pale ; nerves
very distinct beneath, in older ones more elliptic or oblong,
2-24in. to upwards of 4in., coriaceous, shining above. Cymes
much-branched, many-flowered. Flowers the largest of the
N: 0. RUTACER. P51
Indian species, lilac, +-4in. diam., umbellate on the branches
of the cyme; pedicels slender, longer than the petals. Sepals
4, small, obtuse. Petals 4, obtuse, imbricate. Ripe carpels 2-4,
of the size of a pea, tuberculated, hardly beaked. Seeds black.
Use :—See Z. alatum above.
229. Z. Hamiltonanum, Wall., 4.F.B.1., 1. 494.
Vern. :—Purpuray timur (Nepal).
Habitat :—Sikkim, Assam and Burma.
A climbing thorny shrub. Bark dark grey, with white len-
ticels, armed with short recurved prickles on a thick, nearly
cylindrical corky base, often 3in. high. Wood yellowish
_ white, soft. Pores fine, not numerous. Medullary rays fine
to moderately broad, numerous, nearly equidistant (Gamble).
Leaves 6-8in., common petiole not winged, terete, stout, very
prickly ; leaflets sub-sessile, suddenly narrowed into a broad
notched apex, base rounded, glossy on both surfaces, glabrous
or pubescent beneath, with many sub-parallel prominent arch-
ing nerves. Cymes 3-4in., panicled, imbricate. Panicles or
clusters of flowers axillary, ramifications alternate. Sepals 4.
Petals as many. Flowers green. Stamens 4, hypogynous.
Ovary l-celled; stigma capitate. Fruit globose, of 1-seeded
carpel. Seed shining black; embryo in a fleshy albumen,
radicle short, cotyledons flat.
Use :—The fruit employed medicinally like that of Z.
alatum.
996. Z. Rhetsa. D. C., H-F.B.1., 1. 495.
Syn. :—Fagara Rhetsa, Roxb. 140.
Vern. :—Tessul, Koklee, chirphal, triphal (Bomb. and Goa).
Vengurla. Rhetsa manm (Tel.); Jummina, jisumi-mara (Kan.).
Katu Kina (Sinhalese).
Habitat :-—Western Peninsula, from Coromandel and the
Conean southward. Occasionally cultivated in Ceylon.
A large tree. ‘‘ Bark cream-coloured, with thick cork
in irregular masses, studded with conical spines, about 2in.
long, and the same: in base diameter. Wood yellowish grey,
moderately hard, close-grained. Pores small, rather scanty,
25? INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
single or in radial strings of 2-4. Medullary rays short, white,
numerous, the distance between them about equal to the
diameter of the pores. Annual rings, marked by the darker
autumn wood, with few pores” (Gamble). Branches opposite.
J.D. Hooker says that the wood has broad septate pith, and the
leaves are 5-merous-foliate; petiole not winged. “The
prickly stem resembles that of the Bombax. Leaves 1-1#ft.,
clustered at the ends of the branches, equally or unequally
pinnate; petiole unarmed. Leaflets opposite, 3-5in., with short
partial petioles, recurved, ovate-oblong or lanceolate, caudate-
acuminate, upper base, rounded, lower narrow and ending in
the costa, nerves 10-12 on the upper half, fewer on the lower.
Flowers yellow, in large terminal panicles” (Brandis). J. D.
Hooker says: “‘Cymes terminal, very large, glabrous. Some-
times 13ft. broad; branches opposite, angled; bracts minute
caducous.” Flowers 4-merous, $in. diam. Petals valvate. Ovary
globose. Ripe carpels solitary, the size of a pea, tubercled.
Seed subglobose, blue-black. The unripe carpels taste like
orange peel, the seeds like black pepper.
Parts used :-—The carpels, oil, bark and root-bark.
Uses :—The fruit is used for its aromatic and stimulant pro-
perties. The Mohamedan physicians consider it to be hot
and dry, and to have astringent, stimulant and digestive pro-
perties. They prescribe it in dyspepsia arising from atrabilis ;
also in some forms of diarrhoea. The root-bark is reputed in
Goa to be purgative of the kidneys. The fruit with ajwan seeds
is powdered, steeped in water and distilled, and the distillate
given asa remedy for cholera. In rheumatism, the fruit is
given in honey (Dysock.)
The bark and root-bark are also probably equally valuable.
The essential oil is used for cholera (WatT.)
227. Z. Budrunga, Wall, 4.¥.B.1., 1. 495.
Sun. :—Fagara Budrunga, Roxb. 140.
Vern. :—Budrung (Hin.); Brojonali (Assam).
Habitat :—Tropical Himalaya, Kumaon, forests of Sylhet,
the Khasia Mountains, Chittagong, and Martaban.
N. 0. RUTACER. 253
A tree, armed with prickles. “Bark greyish brown ;
young stems covered with thick, conical prickles from a corky
base. Wood moderately hard, close-grained, white. Pores
small, uniformly distributed, often in short radial lines.
Medullary rays fine, short, numerous” (Gamble). Brandis
says that it is an aromatic evergreen tree. Gamble says :-—
“Tt is a pretty tree. When young, the stems are leafless at
the top, where the long pinnate leaves are put out umbrella-
fashion.” Leaflets 5-lO pair, glabrous, broadly crenate, with
large glands in the sinus, base very oblique ; Cymes terminal,
very large, glabrous (J. D. Hooker). Seeds aromatic, says
Gamble.
Use.—The carpels can hardly be distinguished from those
of Z. Rhetsa, and are used similarly in medicine (Wartt.)
od
(
228. Toddalia aculeata, Pers. H.F.B.1., 1. 49
Syn. :—Scopolia aculeata, Sm. Roxb. 207.
Sans. :—Kanchana; dahana.
Vern. :—Kanj (H.}; Dahan, Lahan (Rajputana); Meinkara
(Nepal); Saphijirik (Lepcha); Milkaranai, Kandvi, (Tam).
Konda-Kashinda. (Tel.); Jangh-Kal-mirchi (Bomb.). Kudur-
Miris (Sinhalese.)
Habitat :— Throughout India, in Java, Sumatra, Ching and
the Phillippines and Mauritius. Subtropical Himalaya, from
Ktumaon eastwards to Bhotan ; Khasia Mountains, and through-
out the Western Peninsula. Ceylon, bushy places, from sea-
level upto 6,000ft., very common.
A large scandent shrub, the branches covered with prickles,
on broad corky cones, often lin. high. Bark brown, thin,
with prominent lenticels. Wood porous, yellowish white.
Pores moderate-sized, often undivided, uniformly distributed.
Medullary rays very fine, uniform and equidistant, bent where
they touch the pores (Gamble). Prickles on branchlets sharp.
The woody conical lenticels terminal, in short curved spines.
Young shoots rusty, tomentose. Teaflets crenulate, greatly vary-
ing in length, in the semi-evergreen scrub, near Madras 14-2in.,
254 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
elsewhere often 4in. long (called T. floribunda.— Wall). Flowers
small, cream-coloured, in axillary panicles longer than the petiole;
4in. diam. Calyx glandular. Petals 5, imbricate. Stamens not
exceeding the petals. Ovary usually 5-celled. Style short.
Stigma 5-lobed. Ovules 2, superposed in each cell. Fruit
globose, size of a large pea, 3-5-grooved, orange-coloured, 4in.
diam.; 3-5-celled. Seeds solitary in each cell. The whole plant
hot and pungent. |
Parts used :—The root, bark, leaves and fruit.
Uses :--The root is pungent and sub-aromatic, and is consi-
dered as stomachic and tonic. Itis given in a weak infusion
to the quantity of half a teacupful in the course of the day;
the leaves are also sometimes used for the same purpose
(Ainslie). The fresh leaves are eaten raw for pains in the
howels; the fresh bark of the root is administered by the
Telinga physicians for the cure of remittent fever. I conceive
every part of this plant to be possessed of strong, stimulating
powers, and have no doubt but, under proper management, it
might prove a valuable medicine where stimulants are required
(Roxs.)
The root-bark is officinal in the Indian Pharmacopoeia,
being described as an aromatic tonic, stimulant and anti-
periodic ; useful in constitutional debility, and in convalescence
after febrile and other exhausting diseases. Dr. Bidie of
Madras says, he knows of no single remedy in which active
stimulant, carminative, and tonic properties are so happily
combined as in this drug.
Rheede states that the unripe fruit and root are rubbed
down with oil to make a stimulant liniment for rheumatism.
“T have been using the root-bark of T. aculeata in my prac-
tice during the last twelve or thirteen years, and do not
hesitate in saying that it is one of the most valuable drugs
in India. It is, as antiperiodic and antipyretic, equal, if not
superior, to quinine and other alkaloids of cinchona and to
Warburg’s tincture, respectively ; and, as a diaphoretic, deci-
dedly more efficacious than Pulv. Jacobi Vera or James’
powder, and a few other antipyretic medicines mentioned
N. 0. RUFACE. PHD
above. It, therefore, demands an especial notice of the medi-
cal profession.
‘Six drachms of the tincture or twelve ounces of the decoc-
tion of T. aculeata are equal to one bottle of Warburg’s
tincture; and ifeitherof them is used in two doses during
the presence of simple continued fever or a paroxysm of ague,
it produces the same good effect as the latter drug (Warburg’s
tincture), namely, a copious perspiration and relief of the
febrile condition; and, again, if the tincture or decoction is
repeated in the same dose during the interval of ague, every
fourth or fifth hour, for two or three days, it prevents the
return of paroxysm as successfully as very large doses of
quinine. To render the cure more perfect and complete, the
tincture or decoction should be continued in smaller doses for
four of fivedays more. ‘The beneficial influence of the tincture
or decoction of 7. aculeata in remittent fever is precisely the
same, and the only difference is that it sometimes relieves the
exacerbation and checks its return at once; and at others, it
first converts the remittent into intermittent fever and then
cures the latter in the same way as explained above. Out of
the many severe and very obstinate cases of malarious, jungle,
and other fevers, which yielded to this drug, there were several
in which quinine with arsenic was first tried and failed. As the
dose of the tincture of 7’. aculeata is much smaller than that of
its decoction, and as it can also be prepared and kept always ready
for use, itis preferable to the latter; but there is no difference
whatever between the medical properties of both preparations.
“The root-bark of T. aculeata is not only much cheaper
than quinine and Warburg’s tincture, but is also one of the
cheapest drugs in Southern India, its price being only about
2 annas per pound. In addition to this, its advantages over
quinine are that it, unlike the latter, can be freely and success-
fully administered in the absence as well as in the presence
of fever; and that, however long and frequently it may be em-
ployed, it nevex produces ringing in the ears, deafness and
some other disagreeable symptoms which are so commonly
observed in the use of quinine.
256 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
“The analogy between the medical properties of the root-
bark of JT’. aculeata and those of the root of Berberis asvatica
and some other species of Berberi is very great. The former,
however, has one advantage over the latter, which is its pro-
curability in every large bazar of Southern India ; whereas,
the Indian Barberry-root requires to be sent for from some
hills and distant places, as the Nilgiris, Shevaroy Hills, Cal-
eutta, Delhi, etc” (MooDEEN SHERIFF.)
In the Australasian Congress of 1889, held at Melbourne,
Surgeon-Major Kirtikar, in exhibiting the powder of the root,
said as follows :—‘“‘ The plant (Jangli-kaéli-mirchi) has been re-
commended by Dr. Bidie of Madras as a bitter tonic in debility,
after malarial fevers, and in convalescence from exhausting
diseases. | have tried it in the malarial cachexia of fevers and
found that it acts asa good stomachic tonic, improving the
appetite, and aiding digestion. An infusion of the root-powder,
in the proportion of an ounce of the powder to ten fluid ounces
of boiling water, makes a capital preparation. Dose, one to two
ounces, twice or thrice daily. our years ago, I obtained a few
pounds of the root from Dr. Dymock and tried it with great
advantage. The root contains a bitter principle, the exact
nature of which is yet unknown. It was once known in Kurope
under the name of Lopez-root as a remedy for diarrhoea, pro-
bably from the large quantities of yellow resin which the vascu-
lar and cortical system contain. “ The Bark,” says Dr. Dymock,
“is remarkable for its large cells filled with resin and essential
oil.” (P. 949, Proceedings of the Australasian Congress, Mel-
bourne, 1889.)
The central woody portion, the inner bark, and the external yellow
powder of the root, were separately examined.
Ten grams of the external yellow powder were digested for two hours
with 100 c.c. of boiling alcohol, filtered, and the residue again treated in
a similar manner. To the orange brown filtrate alcoholic lead acetate solu-
tion was added, drop by drop, as long as a colourless precipitate was formed,
and after this was removed by filtration, the filtrate was evaporated
to a small bulk and poured into five times its volume of dilute hydrochloric
acid. A viscous, yellow precipitate was thus obtained, which increased in
quantity on standing; this was collected upon calico, and after being rinsed
with cold, was digested with boiling water, the turbid, yellow liquid thus
obtained contained resinous matter in suspension, but this was readily
N. O. RUTACER. PAS
removed by means of ether. After boiling the clear aqueous solution, ex-
cess of hydrochloric acid was added ; and on cooling, it deposited long, orange-
colored needles, which were collected and washed with dilute HCl. To
purify this product, it was dissolved in boiling dilute alkali, and the solution
digested with animal charcoal, filtered, treated with HCl, and allowed to cool ;
the yellow needles which separated were collected, washed with water, and
allowed to dry at the ordinary temperature. The product weighed 0°35 grams.
This product was identical with Berberine.
The inner bark also contains a trace of Berberine. It contains also
some quantity of a sticky, resinous product, which is insoluble in water.or
dilute acids, but readily soluble in ether, and appeared to be identical with
the similar substance present in the yellow powder,
The central woody -portion of the root yielded no Berberine.
—J. Ch. S. 1895 T 413.
——
229. Skimmia laureola, Hook. f., H.F.B.1., 1. 499.
Syn. :—Limonia Laureola, Wall.
Vern. :—Ner ; barru; shalangli (Pb.); chumloni (Nepal) ;
Limburnyok (Lepcha).
Habitat:—Throughout the temperate Himalaya, from
Murree to Mishmi and Khasia Mountains. In Dun Mills, a
common undershrub.
An extremely aromatic, gregarious, evergreen shrub, glabrous
wholly, often a small tree in Sikkim. Branched from the base.
Branches and foliage very bright green, 3-5ft. high. Wood
close-grained, white, soft, with distinct white concentric white
lines. Wood has an aromatic scent when fresh cut. Bark thin,
bluish grey. Leaves alternate, simple, quite entire, midrib
prominent. Exceedingly variable in size, oblong-linear, elliptic-
lanceolate, or obovate-obtuse, acute or cordate-acuminate, 3-7in.
long, softly coriaceous, nerves indistinct ; petiole short, stout.
Panicles terminal, short, dense-flowered, branched. Females
smaller. Bracts and 2 bracteoles deciduous. Flowers 5-merous,
about 2in. diam., yellowish white, inodorous, shortly pedi-
celled. Sepals small. Petals oblong or obtuse; filaments
stout, subulate. Ovary ovoid, minute, conic, 4-cleft in male
flowers; style 1.
Fruit 3-zin. long, ellipsoid, red, fleshy. Seeds 1-3. Em-
bryo green. Kanjilal says the odour of the musk-deer is
propularly supposed to be derived from it.
33
258 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
Very similar to the Japanese S. Japonica, Thumb., but the flowers are
4-merous in that species.
A poisonous alkaloid, Skimmianine, has been found to be present in all
parts of Skimmia Japonica, but most abundantly in the leaves. ,It was
isolated from the latter by extracting with 96 per cent. alcohol. Skimmianine,
Cz. H,, O, N3, erystallises from alcohol, in yellow, four-sided prisms, melts at
175° 5,° and is readily soluble in chloroform or alcohol, moderately so in methyl
alcohol, very sparingly so in ether, amyl alcohol, or carbon disulphide, and
insoluble in water or light petroleum. All the solutions are neutral to
litmus. Thesolutions of the base are almost tasteless, but those of the salts
are very bitter.
Injection of skimmianine into the femoral lymphatics of Rana esculenta
or Rana temporaria afiects the appearance of the muscles at the place of
application, and renders them stiff and brittle. The neighbouring muscles
are also affected by larger doses. Voluntary motion becomes sluggish, the
breathing superficial, and the pupils contract. Reflex sensibility appeared
as a rule to increase only in the case of Rana esculenta. The absolute
strength, and the work performed by the muscles, were apparently dimi-
nished. The alkoloid has probably a direct action on the muscles of the
heart, decreasing the pulsations and causing disturbance of the diastole. The
pulse is similarly affected, even when atropine has been previously adminis-
tered. Intravenous injection, in the case of rabbits, causes general symptoms
of poisoning. Slight poisoning is accompanied by feeble spasms. The pressure
of the blood falls even when chloral has been administered, but after a time
it increases again, probably owing to the compensating contraction of the
peripheral vessels. Skimmianine has no effect on the secretion of urine.
(I. Honda Chem Centr. 1904. I1., 15-11-1512)
J. Ch, S. LXXXVIII,, pt IT., p. 152.
It is probable that the same alkaloid is also present in the
Indian species, which deserves careful examination. At my re-
quest, Mr. Satis Chandra Deb, M.A, Professor of Chemistry, Muir
Central College, Allahabad, analysed the leaves of the plant, from
which he obtained an alkaloid, but it was not in sufficiently large
quantity to determine its nature. B.D B.
230. Acronychia laurifolia, Blume. 4.F.B.1., 1. 498.
Vern. :—(Sinhalese) Akenda.
Habitat :—Sikkim Himalaya, in hot valleys; Khasia Mountains;
Assam ; Chittagong; Eastern Peninsula; Western Peninsula,
on the Ghats, from Concan to Travancore. Ceylon, moist regions,
from sea-level up to 5,000ft.; common in Malaya and Cochin-
China.
V..0. RUTACEA. 259
A small tree, with pale, smooth bark ; young twigs glabrous.
Wood close-grained, rather hairy, yellowish white. Leaves
opposite or some alternate, 3-5in., oval or oblong-oval, acute at
base, usually shortly acuminate, obtuse, entire, glabrous and
shining, especially above, dark green; petioles about $in.
Flowers pale, yellowish green ; about #in., on rather long pedicels,
loosely arranged in pyramidal divaricate, corymbose Cymes on
long, straight, axillary peduncles. Calyx-lobes short, broad ;
petioles gin., strap-shaped, acute, inflexed at tip, hairy within
the base, supersistent ; stamens shorter than petals, 4, inner
shorter, filament slightly dilated at base ; disk tomentose, ovary
tomentose, style very short; fruit nearly globular, harder in
centre, but with no distinct stone, 4-celled.
Uses :—According to Dr. Trimen, the bark is used in Ceylon
as an external application to sores and ulcers. The whole plant,
says he, when bruised, has a warm terebinthinate scent.
The leaves have an orange-like smell when crushed, and
are burnt near small-pox patients, with a view to curative
effects (STEWART),
231. Murraya Keenigit, Spreng, u.¥.B.1., 1. 503.
Syn. :--Bergera Koenigii, Linn. Roxb. 362.
Sans. :—Surabhi-nimbu ; Paribadhra.
Vern. :—Harri, Katnim (H.); Barsinga (B.); Gandla, gandi,
bowala (Pb.); (Guj and Porebunder) Kadhinimb, Kadu-pab,
Jhirang (Bomb.) Kadhi-nimb; Godanimb (Mar. and Bomb) ;
Kareé-pan, Karya-pan (Dec.); Karu-Véppilai, Karu-Vembu
(Tam.); Kari-vepa-chettu (Tel.); KariVempu, Mishta-Nimb (T'am.)
_ Karapincha (Sinhalese).
Habitat : —Along the foot of the Himalayas, from Garwhal
to Sikkim, Bengal, and southward to Travancore.
A small, strong-smelling tree, deciduous in the hot season
for a short time, umbrageous when in foliage, pubescent, nearly
glabrous, unarmed. Bark thin grey or dark grey, with shallow
netted fissures. Wood greyish white or pale brownish yellow,
hard, close-grained, durable. Branches slender, young parts
260 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
pubescent. Leaves 6-12in. long, imparipinnate, somewhat
crowded, spreading. Rachis pubescent. Leaflets 16-25, shortly
stalked, 1-2in., oval or oblong-ianceolate, very oblique at base,
slightly caudate; obtuse or emarginate, irregularly crenate,
smooth above, pubescent beneath, the lower ones smaller and
more rotundate. Corymbs in terminal panicles, penduncled,
many-flowered ; petiole about jin. Flowers white, about dinch,
in much-branched, flattened tops; “in corymbose terminal
cymes,’ says Trimen. Bracts minute. Sepals small, acute,
triangular, pubescent. Petals linear, oblong, erect, dotted with
glands, glabrous, valvate. Stamens inserted on a fleshy disk.
Filaments narrowed at top, ovary glabrous, without a gynophore,
2-celled, with 1 (rarely 2) ovules in each cell. Style long,
stigma large. Berry %-3in., nearly glubular, apiculate, rough
with glands, deep purple or black, when ripe, 2-seeded. The
characteristic change in colour of the unripe berry from green
to red, then purple, then black, when perfectly ripe, is very
noteworthy.
Parts used :—The bark, root and leaves.
Uses :—The bark and root are used as stimulants by the
native physicians. Externally, they are used to cure eruptions
and the bites of poisonous animals. The green leaves are
described to be eaten raw for the cure of dysentery; they are
also bruised and applied externally to cure eruptions (Roxb).
An infusion of the toasted leaves is used to stop vomiting
(Ainslie). In the Punjab, the leaves are applied to bruises
(Stewart). In Bombay, the leaves are given in decoction with
bitters as a febrifuge (Dymock.) The plant is noticed in the
Indian Pharmacopoeia as having tonic and stomachic proper-
ties. The root is slightly purgative (Watt).
232. Inmonia aceidissima, - Linn. 4H.F.B.1.,
1. 507.
Syn. :—L. crenulata, Roxb. 364.
Vern. :—Beli(H.}; Belsion (Chutia Nagpur) ; Bhenta (Uriya);
Keiri, Kara (Merwara); Ran limbu, naringi (Bomb.) Kawat,
nai-bel (Mar.); Toralaga (Tel.); Nai-bel (Kan).
N. 0. RUTACEA. 261
Habitat :—Dry hills in various parts of India, N.W. Hima-
laya ; in Simla ana Kumaon ascending 4,000 ft. Monghyr hills
in Behar; Assam; Western Peninsula, from the Bombay
Ghats and Coromandel, southward. Yunan, J. Anderson.
A spinous, glabrous shrub or small tree, with rigid flexuous,
woody branches, spines 4-lin. Leaves pinnate, 1-4in. long ;
leaflets petiole and rachis jointed, the former narrowly, the
latter broadly winged. Leaflets 2-4 pair, sessile, opposite, obtuse,
crenulate, 1-2in., trapezoid-ovate, obtuse and notched at the tip,
base cuneate, margins crenulate, nerves slender, reticulate.
Racemes subumbellate, Lin. long, pubescent, often leafy ; pedi-
cels slender. [Flowers tetramerous, $in. diam., white, fragrant.
Sepals small. Petals elliptic or oblong. Disk annular or
eolumnar. Ovary 4-celled, cells l-ovuled. Ovule pendulous in
each cell. Berry globose, jin. diam., 1-4-seeded, very acid.
Parts used :—The leaves, root and fruit.
Uses :—The leaves are supposed to be a remedy for epilepsy ;
the root is purgative, sudorific, and employed for the cure of
colic and cardialgia. The dried fruit is tonic, diminishes in-
testinal fermentation, has the power of resisting the contagion
of small-pox, malignant and pestilent fevers, and is also con-
sidered an excellent antidote to various poisons, on which ac-
count it is much sought for, and forms an article of commerce
with Arab and other merchants.” (RHEEDE).
Lisboa states that the berry is much used as a tonic in Mala-
bar, and that its red-coloured mucilage is considered to be an
antidote against snake-bite and the poisons of other venomous
animals,
233. Luvanga scandens, Ham u. F. B.1., 1. 509.
Sansk. :—Lavanga-lata.
Habitat :—Eastern Bengal, Assam, the Khasia Mountains.
A strong, climbing, annual, glabrous shrub, with woody flex-
uous branches and strong axillary recurved spines. Leaves
very variable, 3-foliate, thickly coriaceous ; petioles 2-5in., stout
262 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
cylindric; leaflets quite entire, 5-12in. oblong, elliptic-oblong,
lanceolate or oblanceolate, tip rounded, acute or acuminate,
shortly petioled ; nerves very faint, spreading. Cymes panicled
or subracemose, short, shortly peduncled, few-flowered. Flowers
about #in. diam., very fragrant, white. Calyx cup-shaped,
entire or irregularly 4-6-lobed, with the margin truncate.
Petals 4, fleshy (4-5, says Brandis), recurved, imbricate.
Stamens 8-10, filaments sometimes united almost to the top,
subulate, inserted round a cupular disk. Ovary 2-4-celled, style
stout, deciduous; ovules 2, superposed in each cell. Berry
oblong, yellow when ripe, size of a pigeon’s egg, rind smooth,
thick, obscurely 3-lobed, pulp resinous, odoriferous. Seeds 1-3,
pointed, ovoid ; cotyledons fleshy, albumen O.
Use:—The berries are used in preparing a perfumed medi-
cinal oil (Kakkolaka), and are sold in the bazaars of Bengal
under the name of Kakala; they must not be confounded with
Kshirakakkoli, a pseudo-bulb from Nepal, composed of from 8
to 10 ovoid fleshy scales. Kakkola and Kshirakakkoli are
chiefly of interest as being the only two constituents of the
Ashta-varga or ‘ group of eight medicines,’ which are known
to the modern Hindus. ‘The Sanskrit names of the other six
plants are, Rishabha, Jivaka, Meda, Mahameda, Riddhi and
Vriddhi. (Pharmacographia Indica, Vol I, 268).
234. Paramignya monophylla, Wight., H. F. B.1.,
me plo.
Vern. :—Kurwi Wageti ; Kari wageti, ranyid (Bomb and Goa):
Nat-Kanta (Nepal); Jhunok (Lepcha.)
Habitat :—Sikkim, Himalaya, Bhotan; Khasia Mountains ;
Western Peninsula; the Western Forests, from the Concan
southward.
A stout, climbing, evergreen, thorny shrub. Shoots densely
pubescent, the older branches, with sharp recurved axillary
spines $in. long. Bark white, corky, vertically cleft. Wood
white, hard, close-grained. Leaves coriaceous, numerous, 2-4in.,
N. O. RUTACER, 263
oval or oval-oblong, or lanceolate, rounded at base, obtuse or
acute, entire or nearly so, glabrous, except the pubescent mid rib
beneath; conspicuously gland-dotted. Petiole $in., twisted.
Flowers 2in., on short pubescent peduncle, 1-3 together in the
axils. Calyx woolly-pubescent, lobes 5, shallow, rounded. Petals
5, oblong-linear, recurved. Filaments bairy. Ovary 5-celled.
Stigma large, capitate. Berry yellow, globose, pyriform, over
lin. long, smooth. Seeds several, large, compressed (Trimen’.
Rather common in the low country, Ceylon; Sikkim, Bhutan
Khasi Hills, ‘TTenasserim, Western Ghats, South India.
Darjeeling, N. E. Himalaya.
Trimen gives Sinhalese name :—Wellangiriya.
Part used :—The root.
Use :—In the Concan, the root is given to cattle suffering
from bloody urine, or bloody fluxes from the abdomen. When
on a visit to Goa, I observed that the country people made use
of the root as an alterative tonic (DyMmock.)
Zee mOncspieiamnhiooke t. BB. Ty TDi
Vern :—Ban Nimbu (Sundribuns).
Habitat:—Kastern Sunderbuns, at Baniakhali (Prain)
Malacca.
An erect, glabrous shrub. Branches stout; spines long,
straight, below petioles, opposite and alternate, sometimes 2in.
long. Leaflets oblong, subacute, 3-4in., base cordate. Petiole
very short. Flowers in. long, solitary, small; pedicels very
short. Calyx-lobes obtuse, 5. Petals 4in., broad, oblong,
obtuse. Stamens 10, short, equal, glabrous, equalling the linear
anthers. Anthers narrow, with a long apiculus. Style stout,
cylindric ; ovary 2-4-celled, 4-ovuled, stipitate. Fruit a berry,
3-4-angled, 1-14in. long, between globose and ovoid ; 3-4-celled.
Ovules superposed in pair. Rind of fruit thick, coriaceous,
glandular. Pulp O. Seeds 2-4 in each cell; oblong, com-
pressed, narrowed at base into a short beak.
Use:—-Fruit used in cases of colic Prain’s (Flora of the
Sunderbuns, p. 291).
264 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
236. Atlantia monophylla, Correa. H.F.B.1., 1. 511.
Syn. :—Limonia monophylla, Linn. Roxb. 363.
Sans. :— Atavi-jambira.
Vern. :—MA4kad-limbu (Mar.); Narguni(Uriya ; Adavi-nimma
(Tel.) Kathe-clumichcham-param, Katyalu (Tam.); Kan-nimbe,
adavi-nimba (Kan.); Mal-naranga (Mal.); Jangli-nimbu (Dec.);
Matangnar (8S. Konkan.)
Habitat :—Sylhet at the foot of the Khasia Mountains;
throughout the Western Peninsula, from Konkan and Coro-
mandal southwards. Ceylon, not uncommon towards the north
of the Island; in dry regions common. Tamil name in
Ceylon :—Perunkuruntu (Trimen).
A small tree or shrub, with numerous rigid branches, the
elder ones armed with short spines, young parts glabrous.
Wood very hard and heavy, close-grained, yellow. Leaves
13-3in.; rhomboid-lanceolate, acute at base, obtuse, deeply
notched at apex, glabrous, thick, veiny ; petiole short, slightly
pubescent, with one or two linear or setaceous, stipular scales at
base. Flowers 4in., rather crowded in axillary umbels or
corymbs. Pedicels jin., glabrous, bracts small, ciliate. Calyx
glabrous, irregularly split to base. Petals white obovate-oblong,
obtuse, recurved. Stamens 8; filaments completely connate
into a long tube and sometimes adnate to petals at base ; anthers
broadly ovoid ; ovary oblong, glabrous, 4-celled, style short, no
gynophore. Berry globular-ovoid, 7in., with a long apiculus,
4-celled, 4-seeded.
Uses :—“ The berries of this yield a warm oil which is, in
native medicine, considered as a valuable application in chronic
rheumatism and paralysis (AINSLIE.)
In the Concan, the leaf juice is an ingredient in a compound
liniment used in hemiplegia (Dymock.)
237. Citrus medica, Linn. H.F.B.1., 1. 514.
Habitat :—Valleys along the foot of the Himalaya, from
Garhwal to Sikkim; the Khasia Mountains, Garrow Mountains,
N. O RUTACER. 265
Chittagong, the Western Ghats, and Satpura range in Central
India.
A shrub or small tree, flowering and fruiting at most
seasons growing where, says J. D. Hooker, I found it on
steep hill-sides (in Sikkim). Young shoots glabrous, purple.
Leaflets glabrous, 3-6in., elliptic ovate or ovate-lanceolate ;
petiole naked or winged. Flowers 6-10in., a raceme, small or
middle-side, often unisexual. Stamens 20-40; petals generally
more or less pink. [Fruit globose, ovoid, or oblong, often mamil-
late at the apex. The stamens are 25-55, says Brandis. Brandis
found it, says he, (1) apparently wild in the outer valleys of
Kumaon (1875); (2)in the outer valleys of Sikkim (1879) ;
(4) Damrahal, Garo Hills (1879), a tree of 6ft. girth, 40ft. high;
(5) upper Yunzalim Valley above Lomatee, in swamps and near
streams (1880). Reported to be wild in the Eastern Dun, on
the Satpura Hills and the Western Ghats in the Bombay
Presidency (Talbot), Chitagong and on the Khasi Hills (H. K.
and W.,).
Of the more cultivated forms may be mentioned the
following four varieties :—
Var. 1 C. medica proper, the Citron. Var. II. C. Limo-
num, the Lemon. Var. III. C. Acida, the sour lime of India.
Var. IV. C. Limetta, the Sweet Lime of India.
Variety I. C. Medica proper, the Citron. Roxb. 590. Leaflet
oblong, petiole short, margined or not, flowers usually numerous ;
fruit larger oblong or ovoid, or irregularly shaped, mamilla
obtuse, rind usually warted, thick, tender ; very aromatic, bitter,
scanty subacid pulp.
Sans. :-—Matulunga ; phala pura; bega pura.
Vern. :—Biaura ; limbu; Kutla ; bara nimbu (H.); Beg-pura ;
lebu; nebu; bijaura; honsa nebu (B.); Bajauri nimbu (Pb);
Bijoru; turanj; balank (Guz.); Bijapura; mahalunga; bijori;
binu (Roxb); Mahalung (M.); Turanj (Dec.); Elumich cham-
pazham ; narttam pazham (Tam.); Nimma pandu; naradabba
(Tel.); Nimbe hanu; limbu (Kan.)
Parts used :—The rind, pulp, seeds and leaves.
34
266 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
Uses :—Citron rind is hot, dry, and tonic; the pulp cold and
dry ; the seeds, leaves and flowers hot and dry ; the juice refri-
gerant and astringent, According to Theophrastus, the fruit
is an expellent of poisons. It also corrects foetid breath
(Drury.) The distilled water of the fruit is used as a sedative
(Year-Book of Pharmacy, 1874, p. 623).
The rind is made into a marmalade and is an antiscorbutie.
It is made into a preserve and is used for dysentery (Wart.)
Var. Il. C. Limonum. The Lemon.
Vern.:—Jambira; bara nimbti; pahari nimbu; _pahari-
Kaghzi (H. and Dec.); Karna nebu; gora nebu; bara nebu
(B.); kimti; gulgul; khutta (Pb.); Meté limbu; motu-limbu ;
Motu nimbu (Guz.); Thorla-limbu (Mar.); Periya-elumich-
cham-pazham (T'am.); Pedda-nimma-pandu (Tel.); Dodda-nimbe-
hanun (Ian.)
Habitat :—Cultivated in India.
Leaflet ovate, petiole margined or winged, fruit middle-sized,
ovoid, yellow, nobbed or mamillate, rind thin, pulp abundant,
very acid.
O fficenal Parts :—1. The outer part ofthe rind of the ripe
fruit (Limonis Cortex); 2. The essential oz! of the rind (Limo-
nis Oleum); and 3. The expressed juice of the ripe fruit
(Limonis Succus.)
Properties of the Rind.—Stomachic and carminative.
Therapeutic Uses.—Similar to those of Cortex Aurantil
(ante); it is, however, principally employed as a flavouring
agent.
Oil of Lemon (Oleum Limonis). Obtained either by distil-
lation or by simple expression of the finely grated rind.
It is carminative in doses of from two to four drops, but is
rarely employed in this character. It forms an ingredient in
Spiritus Ammonize Aromaticus, and in Linimentum Potassi1
Todidi cum Sapone. It has been used as a local application
in some forms of ophthalmia, but with doubtful results.
Lemon oil mixed with glycerine is applied to the eruption of
acne (WArTT.)
N. O. RUTACER. 267
Lemon Juice (Succus Limonis.)—The expressed strained juice
of the ripe frit.
Lemon juice contains citric acid, in the proportion of about
32 grains to each fluid ounce, with mucilage and extractive.
To prevent its undergoing decomposition, which it is apt to
do by keeping, a proportion of about 10 per cent. of spirits
of wine or strong brandy may be added, and the mucilage
separated by filtration. Another effectual plan is to allow the
juice to stand for a short time after expression, till the coagula-
able matter separates, then to filter and put into bottles. with
a stratum of almond or other sweet oil upon its surface.
Properties.—Valuable anti-scorbutic and refrigerant; pri-
marily, anti-alkaline ; secondarily, antacid.
Therapeutic Uses.—In scurvy, it is one of the best remedies
we possess, both as a prophylactic and as a curative. In
febrile and inflammatory affections, the diluted juice, sweetened,
forms an excellent refrigerant drink. In acute rheumatism and
rheumatic gout, in some forms of acute tropical dysentery and
diarrhoea, &c., it has been successfully employed. As an anti-
dote to some acro-narcotic poisons, it often proves effectual.
Lemon juice and gun powder used topically for scabies.-— Ph. I.
The bark of the root has been used in the West Indies as
a febrifuge and the seeds as a vermifuge (WaArTT.)
A decoction of the lemon, reported by Dr. Aitken of Rome
is said to be avery valuable remedy in the treatment of ague
(B. M. J. Oct. 4, 1884).
‘Var. IL. C. acida. The sour Lime of India.
According to Bonavia (Oranges and Lemons of India, p. 246),
it is more probable that this has descended from C. Hystrix of
Kurz than from the C medica of Linnaeus.
For figures, see Bonavia’s work Plates 238 and 239.
Syn. :—C. acida, Roxb. 589.,
Vern.:—Lebu; nebu; nimbu; kagugi-nebu (B.); Nimbu;
khatta-nimbu (Pb.'; Khata limbu (Guz.); Limbu (Mar.); Limun
nibu (Dec.); elu-mich-cham-pazham ; elemitchum ; elimichum ;
268 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
elimichum pullam (Tam.); Nimma-pandu ; nemmapundu (Tel.)
Nimbe hannu (Kan.).
Habitat :—Wild in the warm valleys of the outer Hima-
layas. Cultivated all over India.
Leaflet elliptic-oblong, petiole many times shorter than the
leaflet, linear or obovate, racemes short, flowers small, petals
usually 4, fruit usually small, globose or ovoid, with a thick or
thin rind, pulp pale, sharply acid.
Part used :—The juice.
Use:—Native practitioners consider lime-juice to have
virtues in checking bilious vomiting, and believe that it is
powerfully refrigerant and antiseptic (AINSLIE.)
Fresh lime-juice often proves effectual in relieving the irri-
tation and swelling caused by mosquito-bites (Dr. Thornton
in Watt’s Dictionary.)
Var, 1V-C-limetta, 20, ier Bad 915.
Sans. :—Madhu Karkatika.
Vern. :—Mitha nebu; nembu; mitha amritphal (H.); Mitha
nebu (B); Mitha-nimbu (Pb.); Mitha limbu (Guz.); elemiteuhm
(Tam. ; Nemma-pandu ; gajanimma'Tel.). Ertimitchi narracum
(Mal.). Sakar-Nimbu (Marathi ; Bombay;.
Habitat :—Cultivated in most parts of India.
Leaves and flowers as in Var. acida; fruit globose, 3-51in.
diam., rind very thin, smooth, adherent.to the pulp. Flowers pure
white, at times tinged pink. The pulp is never acid, even in
early stages of the fruit. Juice sweet, abundant, refreshing, “ not
aromatic,” say Brandis and Hooker. I find it slightly aromatic
with the faint flavour of the rose as grown in the Bombay and
Dekkan gardens. (K. R. K.).
Use :—Extensively used as refrigerant in fever and jaundice
(WATT). ,
238. C. aurantium, Linn. u.F.B.1., 1. 515.
Habitat :—Hot valleys along the foot of the Himalaya and
from Garwhal eastwards to Sikkim and in the Khasia Mountains ;
Manipur; mountain forests in the Peninsula.
N. O. RUTACER. 269
An arboreous, rarely shrubby, small, slender tree; young
shoots glabrous, greenish-white. Leaves glabrous, 3-6in.,
elliptic or ovate, acuminate ; petioles naked or winged ; wings
often obovate, as large as the blade or nearly so. Flowers
pure white, scented more or less; bisexual. Stamens 15-30.
Fruit globose, often depressed, 2in. diam., generally oblate,
not mammillate.
Of the more commonly cultivated forms are :—
Var. I. Aurantowm proper. C. Aurantrum, Lann. H.F.B.1.,
1. 515 ; Roxb. 590. TheSweet Orange. Petiole naked or winged,
pulp sweet, rind yellow, rarely red in India.
Sans, :-—Nagaranga.
Vern. :— Narangi ; Santara (H.); Kamala nebu; ndarangi (B.);
Suntala (Uriya); Narangi (Guz. and Mar); Kichilli; chechu ;
collungie pullam (Tam.); Ganjanimma; naranga pandu (Tel.);
Kithaboippe (Kan.); Mahura-naranna (Mal.)
Habitat :—Cultivated in India.
Parts used :—The rind and flowers.
Uses :—The dried outer portion of the rind of the fruit pos-
sesses stomachic and tonic properties. Itis useful in atonic
The water distilled from
OO ale.
dyspepsia, and general debility.
orange flowers is employed, in one or two fluid ounces, as an
antispasmodic and sedative in nervous and hysterical cases
(Ph. Ind}
The Mahomedan writers describe the rind and flowers as
hot and dry, the pulp cold and dry, and recommend the fruit in
colds and coughs, when febrile symptoms are present. The
juice is valuable in bilious affections, and stops bilious diarrhoea.
* * The peel is useful for checking vomiting, and the preven-
tion of intestinal worms. Orange poultice is recommended in
some skin affections, such as psoariasis, &c. Oranges are con-
sidered to be alexipharmic and disinfectant; orange-water
stimulating and refreshing. The essence is extracted by oil
from the rind and flowers, and is used as a stimulating liniment
()yMocKk.)
270 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
“The fresh rind of the fruit is rubbed on the face by people
suffering from acne” (Dr. Gray). “If the rind be mixed
with a little water, and then rubbed on a part affected with
eczema, much relief will be derived” (Dr. Wilson;—Watt’s
Dictionary.
Var. IL C. Bigaradia, Brandis. (The bitter or Saville
orange). Petiole usually winged, flowers larger and more strongly
scented, rind very aromatic, pulp bitter.
The Bitter or Seville Orange. Does not seem to be
cultivated in India, except in gardens.
Var. III. C. Bergamia.
The Bergamotte Orange.
Sans. :—Jambira-phalam.
Vern, :— Limun ; nibu (H.); Nebu (B,.) elumich-cham-pazham
(Tam.:; Nimma-pandu (Tel.); Cheru-narnna (Kan.).
Habitat :—Rarely cultivated in India.
Flowers small, very sweet-scented, fruit globose or pyriform,
pleasant aroma.
Part used :—The juice.
Use:—The juice of the fruit possesses properties similar to
those of lemon juice. It is often preferred to lemon juice, as
the fresh juice can be readily obtained in all parts of the tro-
pics, and as the preserved lemon juice is less effectual. It is
useful as a refrigerant drink in small-pox, measles, scarlatina
and other forms of fever. It may also be taken with advantage
in cases of hemorrhage from the lungs, stomach, bowels,
uterus, kidneys, and other internal organs (Waring’s Bazaar
Medicines).
Note.-—In the common sweet orange, the skin, peel or rind
lightly adheres to the pulp. The Nagpur Sanéra is characteristi-
cally loose-skinned. It is grown in many places in Bombay,
Poona, Aurangabad, throughout India and Burma; ona large
scale in the valley above Chelu, below Cherra Punji, and at
other places on the south of the Khasi Hills, where the fruit
ripens in autumn.
N. O. RUTACEA. 271
In Nagpur, the santras yield two crops in the year, the
first crop from November to January, and the second in March
and April (Brandis).
239.—C. decumana, Linn. U.F.B.1., 1. 516.
The Pomelo or Shaddock-Pumel. -
Vern. :—Mahanibu ; chakétra ; batavi nebu ; Sadaphal (H.);
Batavi nebu; maha nembu; chakotra ; bator-nebu (B.); chakotra
(Pb.) ; Bijoro (Sind.); Oba Kotru (Guz); Panas Popnas (Bomb.},
Papnassa; 6 pappanassa (Mar.); Bombalinas (Tam.); Edapandu
(Tel.); Sakotra hannu (Kan.).
FAabitat :—-Cultivated in India.
An evergreen tree, 30-40{t. The trees very seldom reach
higher than l0ft. in Bombay as grafts from “Goti.” Bark
thick ; young shoots pubescent. Leaflets large, ovate-oblong,
6-Jin., frequently emarginate, pubescent beneath, petiole
broadly winged. Flowers large, white, highly odorous, the scent
most delicate and delicious forming the “ Neroli Water” very
largely used by the European Jews of Bombay and obtained
from Asiatic Turkey, probably Baghdad or Basorah. Stamens
16-24, Fruit often very large, even larger than a man’s head ;
pale yellow when ripe, with juicy vesicles pink or crimson or
pale rosy inside, in great abundance in each carpel, sweet or acid,
slightly bitter in some varieties. Vesicle of pulp distinct. The
vesicular pulp is not by any means acrid, as Hooker remarks,
but acid. The rind of the fruit is spongy, and the epicarp of
it aromatic; it is used by some Europeans in Bombay for
making “ Bitters,’ like Angustura bitters for mixing drops of
it with sherry as a drink before dinner (K. R. K.),
Parts used : —The fruit and leaves.
Use:—The fruit is nutritive and refrigerant. It contains
sugar and citric acid, with much essential oil in the peel. The
leaves are said to be useful in epilepsy, chorea and convulsive
cough (Punjab Products).
In Brazil, “a gum which exudes in quantity from this tree
when it begins to decay, probably in consequence of the attack
Phe INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
of insects, is used as a remedy for coughs. Ph. J. 27th Decem-
ber, 1884.
240. Feronia elephantum, Correa, H.F.B.1.,
i 1b ox.
Sans. :— Kapitha, kapi-priya.
Vern. :—Kaith-bilin, kat-bel, kavitha (H.); Kath-bel (B.);
Kainta, kouch-bel (Santal.); Koeta (Uriya); Katori, kavatha
(Sind.); Kawat, kavith (Mar.); Kotha, kavit (Guz.); Vilém,
vallanga, vela, kavit, kaist (Tam.); Velaga, elaka, yellanga,
kapitr (Tel.); Bilwar, byala da nannu, belada, bel (Kan.);
Vilam (Mal.); Diwal (Sinhalese); Vila, villate, Meladik-kuruntu
(Tamil) Ceylon.
Habitat :—Throughout India in dry situations Java and
Ceylon, very common in the dry region.
A large glabrous, deciduous tree, armed with strong
straight axillary thorns. Bark dark or nearly black. Wood
yellowish or greenish-white, hard ; pores small or moderate-sized,
ringed, subdivided or in small patches, often filled with resin.
Medullary rays short, white, prominent, moderately broad.
Annual rings marked by a white line, and the fewer pores of
the autumn wood (Gamble). The tree yields a gum similar to
gum arabic. Leaves alternate, imparipinnate; leaflets opposite
1-4 pair, cuneate or obovate, crenate at tip; common petiole
often narrow winged. Flowers dull red, generally unisexual,
in lax panicles, male and bisexual flowers frequently on the
same inflorescence. Stamens 10-12, filaments short, subulate,
from a broad villous base. Fruit globose, gray, covered with
brownish fluff, in small chaff-like pieces, rough, 2-3in. diam.
(often more especially in the Ceylon fruit upto 4 in. K.R.K.),
rind hard, woody. Seeds numerous, oblong, embedded in fleshy
edible acid, aromatic pulp. Flowers (from February to April),
pale green, stained with red purple. Anthers dark red.
Parts used :-—The fruit, gum, leaves, bark and pulp.
Uses :—The fruit is aromatic and used as a stomachic and
stimulant in diseases of children. The gum, resembling gum-
arabic, acts as a demulcent in bowel affections. “The unripe
N. 0. RUTACER. aie
fruit is described as astringent, and is used in combination with
bela and other medicines in diarrhoea and dysentery. The
ripe fruit is said to be useful in hiccup and affections of the
throat. The leaves are aromatic and carminative’ (U. C.
Dutt). |
In Mahomedan medical works the leaves are described as
astringent, the fruit as “cold and dry, refreshing, astringent,
cordial, and tonic, a useful remedy in salivation and sore throat,
strengthening the gums and acting as an astringent. Sherbet
made from the fruit increases the appetite, and has alexipharmic
properties. The pulp, applied externally, is a remedy for the
bites of venomous insects ; if not obtainable, the powdered rind
may be used” (Dymock. )
Is sometimes used to adulterate Bael fruit.
“The leaves are aromatic and carminative, and have the
odour of anise; prescribed by native practitioners in the indi-
gestions and slight bowel affections of children” (Ainslie.)
“The bark is said to be sometimes prescribed for bilious-
ness’ (Watt).
241. Aigle Marmelos, Correa,.H.¥.B.1., ft. 516
Roxb. 428.
Sans. :—Bilva.
Vern :---Bel, sriphal (H.); Bel (B.); Bil, bel (Mar. & Guz.) ;
Bila, katori (Sind.); Lohagasi (Kol.) ; Awretpang (Magh.); Vilva-
pazham, Vilvam Tamil; (Sinhalese); Beli (‘T'am.); Maredu,
maluramu, bilva-panda, patir (Tel.); Maika, mahaka (Gond.); —
Kuvalap-pazham (Mal.); Bilapatri (Kan.)
Habitat :—Sub-Himalayan forests, from the Jhelum east-
ward, Central and South India. Ceylon (cultivated.)
A large or middle-sized tree, deciduous, glabrous, armed
with axillary, straight, sharp, spines lin. long. Branches spiny.
“Bark, 41n. thick, outer substance soft, grey, exfoliating in
irregular flakes. Wood yellowish white, or greyish-white, hard,
with a strong aromatic scent when fresh cut; no heartwood.
13)
274 INDIAN MEDICINAL: PLANTS.
Pores small, ringed, in small groups of two or three toge-
ther, sometimes, but not always, more numerous, in the
Autumn wood. Medullary rays wavy, fine, short, white, numer-
ous, uniform and equidistant. Annual rings marked by dis-
tant lines, and often by a continuous belt of pores (Gamble.)
Leaves alternate, trifoliate. Leaflets 3 generally, some-
times 5 ; ovate-lanceolate, crenate, lateral sessile, terminal, long-
petioled. Flowers 14in. diam., bisexual, 4.5-merous, greenish-
white, in short lateral panicles, with a fine, sweet, honey scent.
Pedicels and Calyx pubescent. Calyx flat, teeth small; Petals
imbricate; Stamens numerous, filaments short, sometimes fasci-
cled (J. D. Hooker), anthers linear (Brandis.) Fruit 4-6in. diam.,
globose mostly ; rind smooth grey or yellow. J. D. Hooker says
the fruit 1s oblong to pyriform. The tree is very common
in Western India. I have not seen the fruit in any of the
two latter shapes (K. R. Kirtikar.) Seeds numerous, oblong,
flat ; testa densely clothed with thick fibrous hairs, in a thick
orange-coloured, sweet, aromatic, gelatinous pulp.
Parts used :—The fruit (both ripe and unripe), root bark,
leaves, rind of the ripe fruit and flowers.
Uses: —In medicine it is used in various ways :—
(a) The unripe fruit is cut up and sun-dried, and in this
form is sold in the bazaars in dried whole or broken slices. It is
regarded as astringent, digestive and stomachic, and is pres-
cribed in diarrhcea and dysentry, often proving effectual in
chronic cases, after all other medicines have failed. It seems
especially useful in chronic diarrhea; a simple change of the
hours of meals and an alteration in the ordinary diet, combined
with bael fruit, will almost universally succeed.
The value of the fruit asa cure for dysentery is when
it is unripe. (K. R. Kirtikar.)
(b) The ripe fruit is sweet, aromatic and cooling; and,
made into a morning sherbet, cooled with ice, is pleasantly
laxative and a good simple cure for dyspepsia. The dried ripe
pulp is astringent and used in dysentery.
(c) The root bark is sometimes made into a decoction and
N. 0. RUTACER. 275
used in the cure of intermittent fever. It constitutes an ingre-
dient-in the dasamul or ten roots. ‘Used on the Malabar Coast
in hypochondriasis, melancholia, and palpitation of the heart.”
(Rheede.)
(d) The leaves are made into poultice, used in the treat-
ment of ophthalmia, and the fresh juice diluted is praised in
catarrhs and feverishness.
(e) The astringent rind of the ripe fruit is used in dyeing
and tanning. It is also sometimes used medicinally.
The expressed juice of the leaves is used in ophthalmia
and other eye affections. In Malabar a decoction of the leaves
is valued in asthmatic complaints. \ Roxb.
138.
Sans. :—Godhapadi (foot of the Iguana, from the shape of
the leaf).
Vern. :—Goali-lata (B.); Tungratrikup (Lepcha.); Edakula,
mandula, kaunem, pulimada, kanidpatige, kadepatige (Tel.) ;
Ghorpad-vel (Mar.) ; Mediya-wel (Sinhalese).
Habitat :—Bengal, Sylhet, Assam, Khasia Hills and the
Western Peninsula, from the Concan to Ceylon. |
A large climber. Stems weak, cylindric, striate, usually
covered with short pubescence, mixed with longer, brown, spread-
ing hairs; tendrils long, forked, very slender, young parts
tomentose. Leaves large, 3-foliate (Trimen), usually 7-foliate
(M.A. Lawson); the lateral leaflets usually pedately-compound.
Petiole 2-3in,, pubescent and hairy, like the stem, central leaflet
long-stalked, lateral leaflets shortly stalked, rarely simple,
usually divided into 2-3 or 4 leaflets which are unequal, nearly
sessile or shortly stalked, all leaflets acute and often oblique
at base, shortly acuminate, acute, coarsely and_ shallowly
350 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
repand-dentate, more or less pubescent on both sides, especially
beneath. Flowers white, bi-sexual, on short pubescent pedicels.
Cyme corymbose, shortly pedunculate, dichotomous, lax, spread-
ing, axillary, shorter or longer than petiole. Calyx very
shallow, segments usually 4 (rarely 5); hooked and slightly
coherent at top, pubescent outside, soon falling. Berry 2 in,
depressed, globose, cream-coloured, 2-4-seeded. Seed semi-
globose, smooth.
Use :—Sometimes used as a substitute for, or adulterant of,
V. setoSa.
This plant is used as a domestic medicine, because of its
astringency (Dymock).
305. Leea macrophylla, Roxb. H.¥.B.1., 1. 664,
Roxb. 291.
Sans. :—Samoodraka.
Vern.—Dhol-shumoodra (B.) ; Dinda (Bomb.); Samudraca
(H.) ; Hatkan (Santal); Dinda (Mar.).
Hatitat :—Throughout the hotter parts of India, from the
tropical Himalaya, as far west as Kumaon, to Bengal, Assam,
and the Western Peninsula.
Stems erect, flexuose. Leaves simple, Jin., 2-fid, broadly
ovate, sub-cordate at base, coarsely serrate or dentate or sub-
lobed, repand, glabrous and dark green above, nearly white
beneath, and pubescent, with minute-branching hairs. Cymes
puberulous, 1-ft. or more, freely-branching. Flowers white,
small. Fruit the size of a small cherry, smooth, black,
succulent.
Part used :—The root.
Uses :—The tuberous root is employed in the cure of gui-
nea-worm, and when pounded is applied to obstinate sores to pro-
mote cicatrization. According to Roxburgh, the root is astrin-
gent and a reputed remedy for ringworm (Dymock).
The root is said to yield colour for dyeing,
N. 0. AMPELID. 351
In Chutia Nagpur, it is supposed to have anodyne proper-
ties, being applied externally to allay pain (Revd. A. Camp-
bell).
The Burmans use the root as an application to wounds to
stop the effusion of blood (Masovy).
alee. -emspa Wallac rH. Bit, F605) Roxb.
Dav: | |
Vern. :—Ban-chelta (B.) ; Nalugu (Malay).
Habitat :—Sikkim, Terai, Assam Khasi hills, Dacca,
Chittagong, Lower Burma, Concan, North Kanara.
A stiff shrub. Leaves usually quinate-pinnate, stems,
_branches and petioles generally with 6-8 narrow crispid wings,
nearly glabrous ; leaflets usually 5, oblong, 4-12 in. by 13-33 in.,
deeply and irregularly serrate; secondary nerves numerous,
prominent beneath, straight, parallel one to each serration ;
tertiary nerves indefinite, parallel. Corymbs stoutish, small ;
bracts minute. Anthers distinct. Fruit the size of a cherry,
black, succulent. The crisped, winged stems and _ petioles,
_says Lawson, give to this plant a most elegant appearance.
Use :—The tubers are used asa remedy for guinea-worm,
and are said to be more efficient than those of LD. macrophylla
(Dymock).
The leaves, when bruised, are employed in Bengal as an
application to wounds. (Revd. J. Long).
DU La samouemas Willd FBI... 1. 666,
moxbe 221
Vern.—Kurkur-jihwa (H. and B.); Dino (Goa); kar-kani
(Mar.); Aukados (Tel.); Nalaigu (Mal.). Burulla guralla (Sin-
halese).
Halbitat.—Throughout the hotter parts of India. Ceylon.
A shrub, with straight branches. Leaves pinnate or tri-
pinnate, often 32 by 4 ft.; leaflets stalked, very variable in size
and shape ; nerves arcuate. Flowers greenish-white. Anthers
connate. Fruit dry, the size of a small dry cherry.
BEG INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
Parts used :—The root and leaves.
Use :—According to Rheede, a decoction of the root is.
given in colic, and it is cooling and relieves thirst.
In Goa, the root, called ratanhia by the Portuguese, is
much used in diarrhoea and chronic dysentery. The roasted
leaves are applied to the head in vertigo. The juice of the
young leaves is a digestive. In Reunion, the rvot is called Bois
de Surreau, and is said to be used as a sudorifie (Dymock).
308; -L. robusta, Roxb. H.¥.B.1., 1..667; Roxb:
ZY),
Vern:—Gino (Goa,; Haramada, hatkan (Santal) ; Gabui
(Nepal) ; Pantom (Lepcha).
Habitat: -—Sikkim Himalaya and Khasia Mts., Western
Peninsula and the Northern Circars. Jolaba, Mirya Hill,
Ratnagiri.
A large, robust shrub, 5-6 ft. Stems stout, the older parts
glabrous, the young covered with harsh, coarse, short pubescence.
Leaves 2-3-pinnate, pubescent, 1-3 ft. long, often broader leaflets
6-12 by 25-6 in. ovate or ovate-lanceolate, cuspidate, serrate,
glabrous above, pubescent on the veins beneath. Bracts large,
persistent, 5-1 in. lanceolate. Flowers larger than in the other
species. Cymes compact. Flowers larger than in the other
species. Anthers connate. Fruit black, succulent, the size of
a small cherry.
Uses:—-In Chutia Nagpur, the soft and fleshy root is
applied externally as an anodyne, and is also given to cattle for
diarrhoea (Revd. A. Campbell).
309, i: hirta; Roxby m2B! 21065! Roxb!
220.
Syn :—Leea arguata, Linn.
Sans. :—Kakajangha.
Habitat: —Sikkim Himalaya, ascending too 2,000 ft., Assam,
Vilhasi hills Silhet, the Khasia Mts., Sundarban, East Bengal,
N. 0. SAPINDACE. 353
and Chittagong. Pegu and Andaman Islands. Forests near
Karwar.
A shrubby evergreen, with coarse, scabrous branches and
petioles. Leaves hairy; leaflets 4-12 by 2-4 in., lanceolate or
ovate-lanceolate, acuminate, serrate, harsh and scabrous above,
hairy beneath, veins arched. Cymes very short and compact,
2-5 in., densely hirsute. Bracts inconspicuous. Flowers large,
anthers connate. I ruit the size of a pea, black when ripe.
Use :—It is used medicinally. The tubers and stems are
probably astringent and mucilaginous.
_N. O. SAPINDACESS.
310. Cardiospermum helicacabum, Linn.
H.F.B.L., 1. 670, Roxb. 335.
Eng, :~~Balloon-Vine, Heart Pea or Winter Cherry.
- Sans, :—Jyotishmati, Karavi.
Vern. :—Lataphatkari, nay4phatki, noaphutki, sibjhal
(B.); Hab-ul-kal-kal (seed) (Pb.); Karolio (Guz.); Kanphuti,
bodha, khibjal, Naphat (Bom.); Méda-cottan (Tam.); Walla
giilisienda, kanakaia, bidha-kakara (Tel.); Penel-wel (Sinha-
lese) ; Kagdolio (Porebunder).
Habitat :—TVhroughout India, chiefly in Bengal and the
North-Western Provinces. Ceylon, Malacca.
A sub-scandent annual. Stem slender, strongly furrowed,
slightly branched, glabrous, young parts puberulous. Leaves
biternate. Petiole long, 2-3 in., spreading or deflexed, furrowed.
Leaflets sessile or shortly stalked, ovate, tapering at base, acute,
deeply incised-serrate, glabous, thin, flaccid. Flowers very
small, g in., on slender pedicels 3-7 in., a very small cyme, termi-
nating to stiff, slender, horizontal, axillary peduncle 4 in., long,
and provided beneath the cyme with 2 opposite reflexed,
circinate or hooked tendrils. Sepals rounded, the outer pair
very small. Petals rounded, scarcely clawed; scales of upper
ones emarginate. Style very short. Capsule on a short, slender
stalk, bladder-like, 3-$in. wide, depressed-pyriform, trigonous,
45
354 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
truncate at top, winged at the angles, valves. papery, veiny,
finely pubescent. Seeds @-4in., globular, glabrous, black, the
aril heart-shaped, white.
Paris used :—The roots, leaves and seeds.
Uses :—The Sanskrit writers describe the root as emetic,
laxative, stomachic and rubefacient. Combined with other medi-
cines, they prescribe it in rheumatism, nervous diseases, piles
&e. The fried leaves are said to bring on the secretion of
the menses (Dutt). The seeds are officinal; and the root is
considered by the native practitioners diaphoretic, diuretic and
aperient. Itis mucilaginous, and imparts this property to water,
rendering it nauscous, and is thus administered in fevers.
Rheede says that on the Malabar Coast the leaves are adminis-
tered in pulmonic complaints. According to Ainslie, the leaves
mixed with castor oil, are employed internally in rheumatism
and lumbago.
The whole plant rubbed up with water is applied to rheum-
atism and stiffness of the limbs. The leaves, mixed with
jaggery, and boiled in oil, is a good specific in sore-eyes
(RHEEDE). ;
The whole plant, steeped in milk, is successfully applied to
reduce swellings and hardened tumours (Drury).
In the Punjab, the seed is used as a tonic in fever, and a
diaphoretic in rheumatism (BADEN PowELL),
The juice of the plant promotes the catamenial flow during
the menstrual period. It is also a demulcent in gonorrhoea and
in pulmonary affections (BADEN PowELL).
The Hindu practitioners in South India, especially those in
villages, frequently employ the Jeaves and root of C. helicaca-
bum in the treatment of several diseases, including rheumatism,
gravel and calculi; but I have only seen the juice of the leaves,
in about three-ounce doses, producing a good and satisfactory
result in two cases of acute rheumatism. In each of these
cases, the drug acted upon the bowels and produced four or
five loose motions, but the relief it afforded to the pain and
other symptoms of rheumatism was distinctly more than that
N. O. SAPINDACES. 355
generally observed in the same disease under the use of ordi-
nary purgatives. ‘This is the chief cause of my including the
above plant in this work (MooDEEN SHERIFF).
311. Aisculus hippocastanum, Linn. H4.F.B.L.,
i961 5%
E'ng. Horse-chestnut.
Vern :—P4 (Pb.).
Habitat :—Found in India only in a state of cultivation.
North America, Temparate Asia, Asia Minor; Central
Asia.
Large trees, often reaching 50-60 ft., with a broad pyram-
_ idal outline or shrubs. Trunk erect. Leaves opposite ex-stipulate,
digitately composite; leaflets 7, broad, unequal in size, serrate.
Flowers irregular, polygamous, interminal, more or less elongate,
branched cymiferous racemes. Cymes often 1-parous. Lobes of
gamophyllous tubular Calyx 5, unequal, imbricate. Corolla
snowy white, dashed with pink and yellow, inodorous. Petals 5,
or, the 5th place vacant, 4, unequal unguiculate; claw linear,
compressed or canaliculate; limb in-appendiculate, imbricate.
Stamens 5-8, subcentric; filaments free, interior to annular
or unilateral disk. Sub-hypogynous, erect or arcuately decli-
nate. Anthers introse, 2-rimose, dehiscent by two longitudinal
clefts. Germen (in male flower rudimentary) sub-centric, sessile,
3-locular, the ovular coat is double. Style terminal, elongate,
apex stigmatose, simple. Ovules in cells 2, inserted in the internal
angle;one ascendent ; raphe ventral; the other descendent ;
raphe dorsal. Fruit capsular, 3-locular, smooth or more rarely
echinate, coriaceous, globose or sub-3-lobed, loculicidal, cells,
1-3, 1-2-spermous. Seeds sub-globose; hilum large. Testa
smooth, coriaceous, exarillate. Cotyledons of ex-albuminous
embryo thickly fleshy, hemi-spherical, conferruminate. Radicle
arched, more or less sheathed within the testa. The pollen is
ellipsoid.
* In Hooker’s F, B, I.,, contributor W, P. Hiern says, at p. 675; ‘the
Aisculus Hippocastanum, Linn, is said to be indigenous in North India, but it
is not now known in the wild state (1875 A. D.)’’—K. R. K.
356 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
In 1874-1877 I used to see a row of some excellent, huge,
handsome horse-chestnut trees along the garden enclosing wall
of the Kensington Gardens, London (K.R K.)
Uses :—The fruit and bark have for long been regarded
as useful in the treatment of fevers as an anti-periodic.
Esculine, in doses of 15 grains, is said to have been found
useful in malarial disorders.
Composition of the fruit, after drying. Shell=16:'9%, kernel=83°1%.
The kernel, shell and whole fruit, resp., show on analysis: ash 2, 8, 1°7, 26;
protein, 12°1,5°7, 11°0; fiber, 2°1, 13°2, 4:0; oil, 6°3, 0°9, 5°3; carbohydrates,
74°5, 71°6, 74:0. The ash contains 12-83% P,O,. This nut contains no harmful
ingredient, but the relatively large proportion of bitter acid present renders
the material unpalatable. When ground and mixed with molasses these nuts
have been used as a substitute for oil-cake in cattle fodder. Drying, macerat-
ing, or boiling the nuts greatly reduces the bitter taste and increases the
nutritive value. One kg. of dried nuts is equivalent to 6 kg. of beet-roots.
Numerous methods are employed in separating the starch of chestnut,
Horse-chestnut oil is very similar to almond and mustard seed oils, The
following consts, were obtained: d,;, 0°926; n, 1:4747; Sapon. no,, 194°5;
I no, 95°4 ; R—M. no, 1:54; Hehner no., 92°9 ; acetyl no, 13°5. The acid prin-
ciple of this nut has not been clearly identified.
Chemical Abstracts for Jan. 20, 1914. p. 384.
O12. AY. mndica, Colebr. H.¥.B.1., 1. 675.
Eng. :—Indian horse-chestnut.
Vern. :—Bankhor, gugu, kanor, pankar (H.); Gun, kaunor
(Pb.) ; Kishing (Kumaon) ; Home, hanfidfim (Kashmir) ; Torjaga
(Trans-Indus).
Habitat : —Western Himalaya, from the Indus to Nepal.
A large, deciduous tree, with scaby sticky, buds. Bark
grey ; when old, exfoliating upwards in long flakes or thin bands,
which remain attached to the upper ends and hang down
outwards, having a straight appearance. Wood white, with a
pinkish tinge, soft, close-grained. A very handsome tree, reach-
ing 100 ft. or more in height, in suitable places, with perhaps
25 ft. in girth. Leaves opposite, digitate, ex-stipulate ; common
petiole 4-6in. long. Leaflets 5-9; 6-10 by 2-3} in., the centre
ones the largest, oblanceolate, or oblong, acuminate, sharply
oN. O. SAPINDACER. 357
serrate ; lateral nerves 15-22 pair, arcuate ; base acute. Petiolules
3-1 in., long. Bud scales about 1§ in. long, membranous, cadu-
cous. Flowers white, horizontal, in large thyrsoid, cyme-bearing,
terminal panicles. Calyx {-21n. long, tubular, with 5 short,
rounded lobes, often split longitudinally in open flowers. Petals
4, the place of the 5 usually vacant, white and yellow, 3-4 in.
long, clawed, unequal in breadth. Stamens 7 filiform, curved
upward, longer than the petals; anthers variable. Disk one-
sided. Ovary sessile, 3-celled; style simple, sessile, slender.
Fruit a 1-3-celled. Capsule, 12 in. long, ovoid, rough outside.
Seeds ex-albuminous, about 141n. diam. dark brown, smooth,
shining. Hilum about 3in. diam.
Use :—The fruit is used for horses in colic. It is also ap-
‘plied externally in rheumatism; for this purpose the oil is
generally extracted from the seeds (Warr),
ola ochlievehera “trijuga, “Willd., H. ¥. B, 1.,
1. 681, Roxb. 331.
Vern.—Kosum, kusum, gausam, (Hind.) ; Puvatti, (Kaders.) ;
Baru, (Santali ; Kol.) ; Kosum, kohan, kosimb, peduman, (Mar) ;
Kosum, kocham, kosumb, gosam, assumar, (Guj.); Komur,
pusku, (Gond.); Rusam, (Uriya); Kussam, kojba, (C. P.);
Samma, jamoa, gausam, kussumb, (Pb.); Pava, pu, pulachi,
zolim buriki, pumarum, pularari, puva, (Tam.) ; Pusku, posuku,
pusi, may, mayi, rotanga, roatanga, (Tel); Sagdi,’ sagade,
akota, chakota, (Kan.) ; Chendala, (Coorg); Puva, (Mal.); Gyo,
kyetmouk, kobin, (Burm.) Kon, kong, conghas, (Sing.)
Kusum is the Hindustani name for the Safflower plant, and
perhaps refers to the colouring matter of the lac-insect which
often feeds upon the tree. The seeds are called paka or pacca
in Calcutta.
Habitat.—-“ Dry, chiefly deciduous forests in the greater part
India, Burma, and Ceylon, but apparently absent from Bengal
and Assam. It is found from the Sutlej to Nepal in the lower
Himalaya, Sub-Himalayan tract and Siwalicks up to 3,000 feet,
throughout Central India, the East and West coast regions, the
Deccan and Carnatic, in all deciduous forests throughout Burma
358 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
and in the low country of Ceylon up to 2,000 feet.” (Gamble,
Manual of Indian Timbers, 2nd ed. 195.)
A large deciduous tree, leafing and flowering early in the
spring. “Bark 4in. thick, grey, ex-foliating in small. rounded
plates of irregular shape and size. Wood very hard. Sap-wood
whitish ; heart-wood light and reddish brown. Pores scanty,
moderate-sized, often oval and sub-divided, often joined by
pale, interrupted, wavy and concentric lines. Medullary rays
very fine, very numerous, wavy, uniform and equidistant, closely
packed ; the distance between the rays less than the transverse
diameter of the Pores”’ (Gamble). Leaves paripinnate 8-16 in.
Leaflets opposite, sessile, 1-10 by 3-41 in., the lowest pairs the
smallest, 1-3 in. long ; terminal pair 6-9 in. long ; deep-crimson
when young, soon changing to green. Flowers yellow (green,
says Trimen) ; male and bi-sexual, generally on different trees,
fascicled on interrupted, often slender, racemes. Hiern says
flowers are yellowish or green. Calyx small, 4-cleft. Petals
O. Stamens 8-6, longer than Calyx ; filaments more or less
hairy ; disk flat, undulate. Ovary 3-4-celled, hairy ; style rigid ;
stigma sometimes capitate, 3-4-cleft, one, erect, ovate in each
cell. Fruit 1 in. long, usually echinate. Seeds 1-2 ; testa brown,
enclosed in a succulent arillus of pleasantly acid taste. Cotyle-
dons full of oil. This is the Ceylon Oak of the English
(Trimen).
There is a female tree, found by Assistant-Surgeon
Johnstone, Sub IJ. M.S., incharge of the Andheri Nasurwanji
Wadia Charitable Dispensary in the garden of Mr. Guzdar at
Andheri (Thana District)--K. R. K., 1915.
Use:—The bark is astringent ; rubbed up with oil, the
natives use it to cure itch (Roxs.).
The oil of the seeds proves a very efficient and stimulating
agent for the scalp, both cleansing it and promoting the growth
af hair (Ph..d i. Dec, 3, 166i
The oil is used by native practitioners for the cure of itch
and acne.
The Santals use the bark by external application to relieve
pains in the back and the loins (Revd. A. Campbell).
N. 0. SAPINDACER. 359
In the Nilgiris the oil is used for anointing the body. The medicinal
effects are variously reported as purgative (in the United Provinces) and as
prophylactic against cholera (in Thana division, Bombay). It is more usual
to apply it externally in massage for rheumatism (Bombay), for the cure of
headache (Sambalpur, Central Provinces), Its application in Bombay,
Malabar, and Coorg is said to be effective in removing itch and other forms
of skin diseases, and this remedy is known to the wild forest tribes. The
powdered seeds are applied to ulcers of animals and for removing maggots.
The seeds,
The seeds are ovoid or rounded in shape, about five-eighths of an inch
long by half an inch broad, smooth, reddish-brown in colour, and marked with
an indented hilum at one end. One hundred seeds weigh 57 grains giving
an average weight of 87 grains perseed. On removing the brown, brittle
shell a dirty white kernel is disclosed with white markings on the testa.
One hundred parts of seeds afford 66 parts of kernels and 34 parts of shells.
The kernels extracted with ether or petroleum spirit yielded in the Calcutta
Indian Museum laboratory 61°4 per cent. of oil, showing that the entire seed
contains 40°5 per cent. of oil.
Mr. J. H. Walker of the Oil Department of the Gouripore Company, Naihati,
obtained a yield of 60°4 per cent. of a thick fixed oil from the kernels, which
is equivalent to 36°7 per cent, on the nuts.
Composition of seeds and oil.
The first analysis of the seeds appears to have been made by Dr. L, Van
Itallie [Apoth, Zeitung. (1889), 4°506], who separated about 36 per cent. of a
buttery fat, which he called the Macassar oil of commerce, It had a specific
gravity of 0°924 at 15° C., melted at 28° C,, had an iodine number of 53, a
saponification equivalent of 219 (1 gram required 230 mgm. of potash for
saponification), contained 91 per cent. of insoluble fatty acids and 6:3 per
cent. of glycerol, The fatty acids present included acetic, butyric, lauric,
arachie and oleic acids.
The next recorded analysis of Macassar oil is that of Dr, K. Trummel
[Apoth. Zeitung. (1889), 4518]. The oil had a melting point of 21°-22° C.
The presence of hydrocyanic acid was detected and 0°47 per cent. obtained by
steam distillation. Benzaldehyde was detected in the distillate by its
transformation into benzoic acid by the action of potassium permanganate,
Dr. Trummel in conjunction with Mr. Kwassick further investigated the
oil in 1891 (Pharm, Zeit. May 1891, 314), after confirming previous results the
authors separated the constituents of the oil. The fatty acids, with the
exception of 3°15 per cent. of free oleic acid, were present as glycerides.
Of these in combination 70 per cent. consisted of oleic acid, and of the
solid fatty acids 5 per cent. was palmitic and 25 per cent. arachic
acid, the characteristic acid of the ground-nut. Laurie acid was not
present, and of the volatile fat acids only acetic and no butyric acid
could be detected. Hydrocyanic was found in the oil and in the seeds,
being determined as 0°03 per cent. in the former and 0°62 per cent. in
360 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
the latter. No amyadalin could be detected in the seeds, but hydrocyanic,
benzaldehyde and grape sugar, possibly the decomposition products of it,
were found. A small quantity of cane sugar was also separated in the
erystallised form.
In 1893 an examination was made by Mr. R, Glenk (Amer. Journ, Pharm.
LXV. 528) of a specimen of the vil from seeds sent from Mirzapur. The
oil was described as a yellowish-white semi-solid substance having a faint
odour of bitter almonds and a specific gravity of 0942. The oil had an acid
re-action, and completely liquified at 28° C. It was readily saponified by
sodium hydrate even at a low temparature, forming a white hard soap.
Concentrated sulphuric acid acquired a reddish-brown colour on addition of
the oil. Itis soluble in chloroform, ether, bisulphate of carbon, benzene,
and the fixed and volatile oils.
Dr, J. J. A. Wijs examined the seeds in 1900 (Zeits. physic. Chem, 31:255—
257). The seeds of Schleichera trijuga were obtained from the Celebes,
and 60 per cent. consisted of kernels, The kernels had the following com-
position :—
Water = = oo ee es 3°5
Fat aoe “a “= a ee ar (ies
ProteidS — «+ vee vee ae Pee ae be
Fibre and ash... “i se aes ee ear
————=
100°0
The fat extracted by means of petroleum ether had the colour and
consistence of butter. The following constants were determined: melting
point (by the Le Sueur and Crossley method), 22° C. ; melting point of the fatty
acids, 52—54° C.; Hehner value, 91°55; saponification value (Henriques' cold
process), 215.3; iodine value (Wijs’ iodine chloride and acetic acid method),
55°0, that of the fatty acids being 589; Reichert-Meissl value, 9; acid num-
ber, 19:2; acid number of the fatty acids, 191:2—192°0 ; unsaponifiable matter,
312 per cent. The volatile acids (acetic acid with a little butyric acid) were
examined by the Duclaux method; and the ratio of the solid (45per cent.) to
the liquid fatty acids (55 per cent. with iodine value 193°2) was determined
by the Rose method. (Agricultural Ledger 1905—No. 1).
314. Sapindus trifoliatus, Linn. H. F.B.L,
is 682.
Syn.:—S. laurifolia, Vahl. Roxb. 331. 8S. Emarginata,
Vahl. Roxb. 331.
San :—-Avishta and Phenila.
Vern.:—The fruit—Ritha (Hind.); Bara-ritha, ritha (Beng.);
ud-rack, rithd, ringin, ritha, ritha (Mar.); Arithan, aritha (Guz.) ;
N. O. SAPINDACER. 361
ritha (Dec.) ; Ponnauga, pondu-kottai, pureandi, puvanti (Tam.) ;
Kunkudu chettu, kukudG, koukudu, kukudu-koyalu, kukudu-
Kayalu, Neykkoddafi, Pannalaw (Tel.); Autala, artala, thalog
morathu, kukate-kayi, kugate, auta wala, puvella, punerai gaspe-
nela, Penela (Sing. ).
Eng. :-—The Soap-nut Tree.
Habitat :—Common about the villages in South India and
cultivated in Bengal, Ceylon, Bombay. Baroda city, in the
Lakshmi Vilas Palace gardens.
A large tree. Bark shining, grey, with rough, deciduous
scales. Wood yellow, hard. Leaves 5-12 in. (usually) ; normally
abruptly pinnate. Leaflets 2-3 pair, elliptic, generally obtuse
and somewhat emarginate, at times acute, those of the
terminal pair longest, 3-7in., glabrous or especially beneath,
pubescent, with short curved or stellate hairs; base obtuse,
petioles short. Inflorescence rusty-pubscent, in terminal panicles.
Calyx rusty pubescent. Flowers 4-3 in. long, white, hairy,
greenish-white (Trimen). Sepals 5 elliptic, obtuse. Petals 4-5,
narrower, oblong or lanceolate without scales, or with two
tufts of white hair (Brandis ; “ scale of the petals membranous,
pilose, ciliate,” says Hiern. Disk concave, edge fleshy, hirsute.
Stamens 8, anthers oblong, spiculate. Ovary hairy densely
rusty, tomentose. Fruit 2-3-lobed fleshy. Drupes slightly unit-
ed, 3-¢ in. long, at length glaucescent, saponaceous. ‘There are
two forms of this tree usually regarded as distinct species,
corresponding to Vahl’s names, one with acuminate, glabrous
leaves, the other with emarginate leaves, pubescent beneath.
Part used :—The fruit.
Uses:—The fruit is described in the Makhzan-ul-Adwiya,
as hot, dry, tonic and alexipharmic. Four grains in wine
or sherbet cure colic; one miskal rubbed in water until it
soaps, and then strained, may be given to people who have
been bitten by venomous reptiles, and to those suffering from
diarrhoea or cholera. Three or four grains may be given by
the nose in all kinds of fits producing insensibility. Fumiga-
tions with it are useful in hysteria and melancholia. Externally,
46
362 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
it may be applied, by being made into a plaster with vinegar,
to the bites of reptiles, and to scrofulous swellings. The root is
said to be useful as an expectorant. Pessaries made of the
kernel of the seed are used to stimulate the uterus in child-birth
and amenorrhea. One miskal of the pulp, with one-eighth
of a miskal of scammony, act as a good brisk purgative
(Dymock).
According to Ainslie, the Vytians use it as an expectorant
in asthma. Externally, it is applied on pimples and abscesses
T. N. Mooxers1).
Honniberger recommended a tincture of the capsules in
chlorosis. If brayed in water and inserted under the lids, it
causes a copious flow of tears, and was used in ordinary op-
thalmia with considerable benefit by the late Mr. Narayan
Daji (S. Arjun). In Bombay, it is given successfully as an
anthelmintic, in four grain doses (Dymock).
Physiological Action :—Internally : emetic, nauseant and
expectorant. Through the nose: a remedy in hemicrania,
asthma, hysteria and epilepsy. Externally: detergent, and a
remedy for the stings and bites of poisonous insects, as scor-
pions, centipedes, &c.
Therapeutic Uses :—-As an emetic : nauseant and expectorant.
The pericarp or pulp of soap-nut is quite equal to ipecacuanha,
if not superior to it, and is very useful in all the affections in
which the latter is indicated. The emetic action of soap-nut
always relieves asthma to a more or less extent, and generally
more speedily than ipecacuanha and Tylophora asthmatica.
It is also useful in the same way in some classes of colic,
particularly when the latter is depending on indigestion. A
thick watery solution of the drug is often resorted to by the
natives of this country for the relief of hemicrania, hysteria,
and epilepsy. They drop a few drops of the solution in each
nostril during the fit of any of the above diseases, and it pro-
duces a temporary relief by irritating the mucous membrane
and increasing its secretion, which flows out by the nostrils or
the mouth or by both. I gave a trial to this plan of treatment,
in my own practice, not only in the above maladies, but also
N. O. SAPINDACER. 363
in asthma, and the result was pretty favourable. There was
more or less relief in almost every case of hemicrania and
asthma in which the solution was tried; but the cases of hys-
teria and epilepsy benefited by it were very few. Although
the relief afforded by the solution is always temporary, yet it
is in many cases instantaneous. The quantity of the solution
must not be more than four or five drops in each uostril, for
in one case in which it exceeded ten or twelve drops, the irrita-
tion of the membrane was severe and lasted for one or two
days. Applied in the form of paste or poultice over the parts
stung or bitten by poisonous insects, as scorpions, centipedes,
&e., the pulp of soap-nut relieved the pain in two or three
cases to my own knowledge. When bruised and agitated
in water, it forms suds like soap, and in this condition is
an efficient detergent and very useful for washing and cleaning
the body, linen and hair. The kernel of the seeds is sweetish,
nutrient, and yields an oil on expression, which is a very good
substitute for almond oil. )
I have been using the pericarp of soap-nut in my practice
for several months, and have just (August 1887)-discovered
it to be the one of the best, cheapest and commonest emetics
in India. While it is as safe as ipecacuanha and several
other vegetable emetics, it is decidedly more speedy in lis
action than all those drugs. It is however, required to be
employed in a much larger dose than ipecacuanha; but this is
no disadvantage, for it is always administered in the form of
a draught, and this draught is less nauseous and unpleasant
than that of ipecacuanha and many other emetics. As an
emetic, the soap-nut well deserves to be brought into general
use by the medical profession.
Soap-nut is supposed to be a good anthelmintic in some
native medical works, in four or five grain doses ; but this 1s not
really the case. I have used it in very large doses (4jto 41)
in many cases, and its emetic action was sometimes accom-
panied by one or two loose motions. But I have neither seen
nor heard of any of my patients passing a single round or any
other abdominal worm on any occasion. The root of the
ob4 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
scap-nut tree is woody, very hard and quite inert. The root-
bark and bark, however, contain the vegetable principle,
saponin,and form froth-lke soap, when bruised and agitated
in water. I have used each of these drugs in decoction, and
in large and repeated doses, and found them to be very mild
expectorants and demulcents. As medicines, they are so weak,
that | did not consider them worthy of being treated as such.
(MOouDEEN SHERIFF).
915. §S. Mukorossi, Gaertn. H.F.B.1., 1. 683.
There are two forms of this plant :—(1) S. detergens Row.
332 ; (2) 8S. Acuminata Wall. Royle, Ill. 139.
Sans. :—Phenila, Arista.
Vern. :—Ritha, dodan, kammar (H.); Dodan (Pb.); Ita
(Uriya).
Haltat :—Cultivated throughout N. W. India, Bengal,
Kumaon, Sylhet and Assam.
A handsome tree, attaining 60ft., deciduous. Bark grey,
wood light yellow, rough, moderately hard, compact and close-
grained. Leaves alternate, paripinnate, 12-20in. long. Leaflets
Q-10 pair; opposite or alternate, 343-6 by 1-3in., gradually
smaller towards the apex of the rachis, lanceolate, acuminate,
entire, coriaceous, glabrous ; lateral nerves numerous, petiolate
to-zin. long. Inflorescence a terminal thyrsus or compound
cymose panicle. Flowers small, regular, polygamous. Calyx-
lobes somewhat unequal, ciliate. Petals white, inserted in the
centre of the disk ; filaments 8, white, woolly ; anthers versatile.
Ovary usually 3-celled. Fruit a fleshy globose, l-seeded drupe ;
3-lin. diam. Seed smooth black, loose inside when dry. The
Saponaceous pericarp wrinkled and translucent in the dry fruit
(Kanjilal).
Parts used :—The fruits and seeds.
Uses:—The fruits are used medicinally in salivation, epi-
lepsy and as an expectorant. They are also recommended for
the cure of chlorosis (Watt).
Honnigberger states that seeds pounded with water, are
said often to put an end to an epileptic paroxysm, a small
quantity being introduced into the patient’s mouth.
N. 0. SAPINDACER. 365
From the soft parts of the dried berries, 10. 5 p. c. of the saponin, C,, H,,
O,,) is obtained. J. Ch.S. 1901 A. I. 648.
The saponin occurs in the form of salts, probably Na and K. The pow-
dered fruit shells are extd. with 95% ale,, Pb (OAc), is aded to ppt. the Pb salt
of the saponin, and the Pb salt is decompd. by H,S, the soln. evapd., dild. with
water and acidified with dil. HCl ; the saponin seps. very slowly as an almost
white floceculent ppt. It is filtered, washed with dil. ale. and purified first by
dialysis, then by pptn. from ale, with H,O. When dried it forms a white
power, sol. in ale., MeOH. insol.in H,O, Et,0, CHCl, acetone and petr. ether.
H,SO, gives a yellowish red color changing to reddish violet ; when the
saponin is added drop by drop, toasoln. in Ac,O, a violet-red color results,
NaOH added to a suspension in H,O, forms a foaming, strongly hemolytic soln.,
[a}20 +13°28° (in ale.). Fehling soln, is not reduced directly, On hydrolysis
with 3% H,SO, or ale. HC], sapogenin and d-arabinose are formed. Sapogenin,
white, odorless and tasteless plates from ale, m, 319°, insol, in H,O, Et,O,
CHCI,, acetone and petr. ether, sol, in ale., MeOH and ale. KOH. Potassium
salt, C,,H,,0,K, white needles, difficulty sol. in H,O. Barium salt, white
needles, Triacetylsapogenin, prepd. by heating a mixt. of sapogenin, AcCl
and AcONa at the b. p., fine white needles, m. 167°. Benzoylsapogenin,
m. 107°. Monomethylsapoygenin, prepd. with Me,SO,, needles (from ale,),
m. 218°.—Chemical Abstracts, for July 20, 1916 p. 1864,
316. Nephelium litcht, Camb. H.F.B.1., 1. 687.
favo. 320.0
Habitat :—Cultivated in India; originally an ative of China.
Vern :—Litehi (H.); Kyetmauk (Burm.); Lichi (Bomb.).
A handsome, evergreen tree, 30-40ft. high; clear stem
12-20ft. long, girth 3-4ft. Bark thin, grey, rough. Wood
red, hard, heavy. Pores moderate-sized, the transverse diameter
usually considerably greater than the distance between the
rays. Medullary rays very fine, very numerous (Gamble), all
parts glabrous. Leaves usually abruptly pinnate; leaflets in
6 to 8 pair, opposite, lanceolate, shortly petioled, about 3-6in.
long, acuminate, entire, coriaceous, glossy above, glaucous
beneath, the netvenation obsolete; flowers minute, greenish,
shortly pedicelled, forming a terminal branched, usually slightly
puberulous panicle, of the length of the leaves or longer ; petals
none. Stamens 6-8 ; filaments and ovary pubescent. Style with
2-stigmate lobes; fruit-lobes usually solitary by abortion,
rarely haired, oval, the size of a pigeon’s egg, covered by the
red muricate-areolate, somewhat crustaceous epicarp, l-seeded ;
the seed large, black, shining, completely covered with the
Ss
366 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
sappy, whitish or pale bluish edible, delicious, sweet arillus,
with a fine rosy smell; juice refreshing.
Uses :—In China the leaves are stated to be officinal as a
remedy for the bites of animals (Duthie in Watt’s Dictionary).
317. N. Longana, Camb. u.¥.B.1.,1. 688, Roxb.
329.
Vern. :—Ashphal (B.); Wumb, wumb-ashphal (Bomb.) ;
Vomb (Mar.); Pdvati, Nurai. (Tam.); Malahcota, Kanakindali
(Kan.); Kayetmauk (Lower Burma) ; Tawthayet (Upper Burma) ;
Mora, Rasamora (Sinhalese).
Habitat :—Westside of the Peninsula, from the Konkan
southwards. Khasi Hills. Burma.
Cultivated in N. India, Ceylon, Malaya Peninsula, Hima-
laya, from the Jhelum to Bhutan. Dehra Dun.
A large evergreen tree, attaining 50ft. Bark smooth,
yellowish grey. Wood red, moderately hard. Leaves paripin-
nate, 4-18in. Leaflets 4-10 (2-5 pair) opposite, alternate
usually rather obtuse at both ends, glabrous above, sub-glauces-
cent, glabrous or nearly so, marked with lateral veins beneath,
wavy, entire, base oblique. Panicles ample, rusty pubescent.
Flowers moncecious gin. across. Calyx tomentose, segments
5-6, narrowly imbricate. Petals pubescent, spathulate, as long
as Calyx. Stamens 6-10; in the male flower long-exserted, in
the hermaphrodite flower, as long as Calyx ; filaments hairy near
base. Anthers glabrous, ovary 2-3-lobed, hairy. Carpel usually
one, ovoid or globose, nearly smooth, yellowish-red, #in. diam.
Seed entirely enclosed by the succulent sweet edible arillus.
Use :—In China the fruit is reputed to be nutrient, sto-
machic and anthelmintic (Duthie l. c.)
The seed of the following plant belonging to this genus has been chemi-
cally analysed.
Nephelium Lappaceum, Linn. H.F.B.1., 1. 687.
The percentage composition of the ground seed is as follows, Water,
5°87 ; fat, soluble in ether and petroleum 35°07; ether extractive matter, in-
soluble in petroleum, 3°00; ash, 1°95; albumin, 889. Crude fibre, 6°90;
starch, 25°63; sugar, 1:25. The fats consist of the triglycerides of arachic
and oleic acids, together with a very small quantity of the triglyceride of
stearic acid,—J. Ch. S. LXX, pt. II, (1896), p. 209.
N. 0. SAPAINDACER. 367
318. Acer pictum, Thunb. 4.F.B.1., 1. 696.
The commonest Maple of the West Himayalan range.
Current name: Acer cultratum. Wall.
Vern. :—Kilpattar, trekhan, tarkhana, [Kakru, Kanjar,
Kunzal, jerimu, laur, tian (Pb.); Kanchali, Kainji (N. W. P.),
Kainchli, Kabfsi, Didh Kainju (Jaunsar) ; Dhadonjra (Simla) ;
Tikta, pata, bankima (Kumaon); Gudkima, potli, dumitha
(Garhwal) ; Chindia, tilani, Chitulia, (Dotial).
Habitat :—Outer and Middle Himalaya, from the Indus to
Assam at 4-9,000ft. Tibetan drinking-cups are made out of
the knotty excrescences.
A handsome, moderate-sized tree. Bark thin grey. Wood
white, soft to moderately hard, close-grained. Pores very
small, scanty. Medullary rays fine and very fine, dark, with
a pretty, fine silver-grain (Gamble), Leaves 2 to 5 by 23 to
7in., broader than long, 5-7-lobed, rather membranous, glabrous,
turning red before falling ; margins quite entire; base usually
deeply cordate, rarely truncate. Petiole 1-6in. long, slender,
flexuous. Flowers glabrous, on slender pedicels, arranged in
terminal or lateral corymbs. Sepals about Gin. long, oblong.
Petals as long as the sepals, spathulate. Stamens shorter than
the petals. Fruit glabrous ; nuts thin; wings 1-l}in. long, very
divergent, with the back sigmoidly curved. Flowers, April to
May. Fruit, June and July.
Uses :-—The knots on the stems are made into the curious
water-cups supposed by some of the hill tribes to have a medi-
cinal influence over the water.
The leaves are said to yield an acrid juice in Kanawar
which blisters the hands.
319. Dodonca viscosa, Linn. ; H.F.B.1., 1. 697.
Syn.:—D. angustifolia, Walld and D. diodea, Rowxh. 324.
Vern. :—Bandari, zakhmi (Bomb.); Aliar (H.); Sanatha
(Hazara) ; Dhasera, dawa ka jhar, Jatehmi, Sanatha, mendru ban-
mandu, Santha, mendar (Pb.); Ghurdské, vera-vena (Pushtu) ;
Pipalu (Simla) ; Virali (Tam.); Bandaru, golla pulleda bandédu
(Tel.); Bandurgi, bandrike (Kan.); Eta and Werella (Sinhalese),
368 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
Habitat :—Throughout India, from the Indus eastwards,
and southwards to Ceylon and Malacca.
A gregarious evergreen shrub or small tree. Bark thin,
grey, exfoliating, in long thin strips. Heart-wood extremely
hard and close-grained, dark brown, with an irregular outline,
sometimes mottled with black; sap-wood pale. Pores very
small, scattered or in short radial lines. Medullary rays fine,
very numerous, the distance between them equal to the diameter
of the pores (Gamble). Shoots terete or somewhat angular.
Leaves more or less viscid, with shining yellowish resin, very
variable in breadth, 1-5 by 1-1l4in., undivided, oblanceolate,
glabrous, subapiculate, base cuneate-alternate, subsessile,
margin, revolute, entire or nearly so. Cymes terminal, short.
Flowers regular, yellowish, polygamous, inconspicuous. Sepals
oblong, 5-2 imbricate or valvate, zg-Zin. long. Petals absent.
Stamens usually 8, as long as sepals in male flowers, shorter
than the sepals in hermaphrodite flowers; filaments much
shorter than the anthers. Disk inconspicuous. Ovary 3 or 4-
celled, 2 ovules in each cell. Style cylindric, 2-lobed on top.
Fruit a membranous capsule, with 2-4 broad wings from base to
style, } in. long and 3in. across, including the wings, separating
septicidally into as many valves as cells, each valve winged on
its back. Seeds opaque, dark brown or black, with a thickened
funicle.
Parts used :—-The leaves.
Uses:—The leaves of this shrub are viscid, and havea
somewhat sour and bitter taste (Dymock.)
Lindley says the leaves are used in baths and fomentations.
It is believed that the powdered leaves applied over a
wound will heal it without leaving a white scar. It is applied
in burns and scalds. Said to be useful also in rheumatism
(C. J. Peters in Watt’s Dictionary.) Said to possess febrifuge
properties.
In the Punjab, it is used in snake-bite. For this purpose,
the leaves are bruised and applied to the bitten part; juice of
the leaves is also given internally (B. D. B.).
N. 0. ANACARDIACER, 369
N. O. ANACARDIACE AH.
Scenics parvitora, loeb: H.F.B.1., I. 9;
Roxb, 274.
Habitat :—Western Himalaya, from Kumaon to Nepal.
Central India on the Pachmarhi Hills.
Vern. :—Tung, rai ting, tumra (Ph. and H.); Tunga,
tungla, dungla, tumra, rannel (N. W. P.); Samak (Kashmir).
A large shrub or small tree, unarmed, often gregarious.
“Bark thin, rough, reddish-brown. Wood dark, reddish-
brown, streaked, very hard, close-grained; sapwood lght
brown. Annual rings marked by a line and rather more numer-
ous pores. Pores small, scattered, sometimes in short radial
strings. Medullary rays fine, numerous, the distance between
them about equal to diameter” (Gamble). Branchlets, petioles,
underside of leaves and _ inflorescence clothed with dense
tomentum. Leaves trifoliate. Leaflets obovate, the lower por-
tion entire, the upper irregular, crenate. Terminal leaflets
2-3in. long, narrowed into a short marginate petiole, the lateral
sessile, smaller. Panicle large terminal, the lower branches
from the axils of leaves, bracts linear, minute, pedicels shorter
than the flower. Sepals ovate, two narrower than the others ;
petals oblong, more than twice the length of the sepals. Disk
five-lobed. Drupe glabrous, brown, shining, gin. diam.
(Brandis). |
Part used :—The fruit.
Use :—Used in Hindu medicine, and, mixed with salt, is
said to act like tamarind (Stewart.) }
321. KR. semialata, Murray, .F.B.1., 1. 10.
Syn. :—R. bucki amela, Roxb. 273.
Habitat :—Temperate Himalaya, from Banahal to Sikkim,
and the Khasi Mountains.
Vern. :--Tatri, arkhar, arkol (Pb.); Dakhmila, ddaswila
(N. W.P.); Bakkiawela (Nepal) ; Takhril (Lepcha).
A middle-sized, deciduous tree. Young parts covered
with dark grey pubescence. Resinous canal in the bark filled
with white milk which is sticky, but does not turn black.
47
370 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
Branchlets, petioles, underside of leaves and inflorescence
clothed with short, soft brownish grey pubescence (Brandis).
Leaves not aromatic, imparipinnate, over a foot long, turning
red before falling; common petiole usually winged. Leaflets
4-6 pair, opposite, sessile 2-4 by 1-2in., elliptic, acuminate,
deeply crenate or dentate, glabrous above, soft tomentose
beneath ; lateral nerves 10-15 pair, parallel ; base rounded, some-
what oblique. Panicles terminal, 6-8in. Jong, conical, dense-
flowered. Flowers yoin. diam., pale green. Sepals ovate; petals
obiong, ciliate, much exceeding the sepals. Wood soft, white,
with dark streaks. Fruit a drupe, tomentose, eaten by the
hill people (Kanjilal).
Outer Himalya Ranges, Assam, Khasi Shan and Naga
Hills. Jaunsar and Tehri-Garhwal, 3-7000ft.- Dhardgad and
Tons Valleys. Simla, the glen, Mahasu.
Galls of various shapes on branches, used for ink
(Collett). Flowers pale yellow green (Brandis).
Use :—The fruit is given in colic (Stewart.)
a2d, ibe Wallichi, Hook}. Ht 64) teal ie
Vern. :—Kambal, godumbal, arkhar (Pb.); Akoria, Kaun-
ui, bhalitin (N. W. P.); Bhalaio, chosi (Nepal).
Habitat :—Temperate Himalaya, from Garwhal to Nepal.
A small or moderate-sized, deciduous tree, attaining
50ft. Bark smooth, grey; resin-canals in bark, filled with
white milk which turns black and raises blisters in skin.
Sapwood white, soft. Heartwood reddish brown, yellow when
dry (Brandis). Branchlets, petioles, underside of leaflets and
panicles densely clothed with yellowish brown tomentum.
Leaves imparipinnate, approximate, near the ends of branches,
not aromatic, petiole terete. Leaflets 3-5 pair, quite entire,
coriaceous, elliptic or oblong acuminate, shortly petiolulate,
base rounded, upper surface pubescent or glabrous; 4-7in.
long, 2-3in. broad. Secondary nerves 18-25 pair; parallel.
Panicles axillary, much shorter than the leaves; branches
short, stout. Flowers sub-sessile, yin. diam., greenish white.
Petals longer than sepals, with dark veins, concave ; sepals
broadly ovate-obtuse. Filaments short, anthers large. Disk
N. 0. ANACARDIACES. Stk
broad, cup-shaped obscurely lobed. Drupes densely crowded,
4in, diam., globose, puberulous, epicarp dry, crustaceous,
bursting irregularly ; stone globose, very thick, bony, surround-
ed by vegetable wax.
Use :—-The juice of the leaves is corrosive and blisters the
skin (Stewart.)
azo insignis Book ~. WH. FB.1., 11. 1).
Vern. :—Kagphulai (Nepal); Serh (Lepcha).
Habitat :—Sikkim, Himalaya and the Khasi Mountains.
A small, beautiful, deciduous tree ; attains 50ft. Bark thin
grey. Wood grey, soft; heart-wood yellowish brown. Medul-
lary rays fine, numerous. Leaves 12-18in.; petiole terete.
Leaflets 6-9 by 3-44in., coriaceous, quite entire, elliptic or
oblong, abruptly acuminate, glabrous and _ shining above,
rusty, softly tomentose beneath ; nerves very numerous, as in R.
Wallichii; panicles larger, more lax and nearly glabrous.
Fruiting panicles axillary, stout, 10in. long, peduncled ; bran-
ches spreading. Drupes scattered on panicles, smaller than
in R. Wallichii, globose, gin. diam. ; epicarp thin, dry, bursting
irregularly and enclosing a globose white mass of vegetable
wax, containing a small crustaceous stone.
Use :-—The juice is a powerful vesicant (Gamble).
324. EF. succedanea, Linn. 4.F.B.1., 11. 12, Roxb.
Zhe,
Sans. :—Karkat sringi.
Vern :—Tatree, rikul (Pb). ; Kakra-Singi, kakkarsing (H.) ;
Kakra sringi (B.); Raniwalai (Nepal); Serhnyok (Lepcha) ;
Dingkain (Khasia).
Habitat :—Temperate Himalaya, from the Jhelum east-
ward. From Kashmir to Sikkim Bhutan, Khasia Mts. Tehri
Garhwal, Lambatacl. Pajidhar above Nairtwar. Valleys near
Simla (Collett). Found by me,” says Brandis, “in the Rupen
Valley, October 1874.”
A middle-sized, deciduous tree with dark grey thin
bark. Leaves imparipinnate, approximate near the ends of the
branches, Leaflets 3-6 pair, opposite, 3-6 by 1$-3in., ovate-lan-
372 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
ceolate, long, acuminate, entire, thinly coriaceous, usually quite
glabrous, lateral nerves 8-15 pair, alternating with shorter in-
termediate ones; base rounded acute or oblique, petiolules
slender, 1-2in. long. Panicles axillary, with slender and
drooping ramifications, much shorter than the leaves. Flowers
pedicelled, scarcely jin. diam., greenish yellow. Sepals
ovate-obtuse. Petals much larger, oblong or obtuse. Disk
5-lobed. Drapes 4in. diam., compressed, glabrous, rugose,
yellow or light brown; epicarp thin, bursting irregularly.
Mesocarp fibrous. Kernel compressed, hard, surrounded by
a vegetable wax (Kanjilal), “ mixed with the fibre,” adds
Brandis.
Use :—The juice of the leaves is said to blister the skin
(Stewart). The fruit is considered officinal and 1s used in Kash-
mir in the treatment of phthisis.
~ Chemistry.—The sap isa thick, nearly white, alkaline cream, superficially
oxidisable by air to an intensely black, impervious susbtance, insoluble in
the usual solvents.
‘Complete oxidation only takes place in the presence of a diastatic
ferment, luccase, which can be separated from the other essential constituent
of the sap by means of alcohol, in which it is insoluble. When precipitated
by aleohol from aqueous solution, the crude laccase dries to white, opaque
fragments, like gum, and is probably a mixture of the ferment with carbo-
hydrates, as it can be oxidised to mucic acid, and hydrolysed to galactose
and arabinose.
From the portion of the sap soluble in alcohol, a substance, laccol,
probably a polyphenol, can be precipitated by lead acetate. It is a thick
oil, insoluble in water, but soluble in alcohol, &c., and is intensely irritating
to the skin, as is the crude sap. Laccol is readily oxidisable in the air to a
reddish, viscous, or resinous substance; in alkaline solution, it behaves
like pyrogallol, blackening and absorbing oxygen with such rapidity as
to become hot; it reduces ferric chloride in alcoholic solution, forming
a black, metallic derivative.
When laccol is precipitated from alcoholic solution by an aqueous
solution of laccase, the white emulsion rapidly blackens from absorption of
oxygen; but this does not take place if the laccase solution has been boiled,
or if water alone is the precipitant. The action of laccase on gallic acid
&c., is similar, the rate of absorption of oxygen being enormously increased,
As the ferment has no action on starch, sugar, amygdalin, &c., it seems to be
the first member of a new class of “ oxidising diastases.”
Since laccase is present in many plants,it seems not improbable that
this diastase plays an important part in the respiration of plants,
J.Ch.S. 1895 AI p. 386.
N. 0. ANACARDIACER. She
325.—Pistacia integerrima, Stewart, H.F.B.1.,
Per bos
Syn.:—R. Kakrasingee, Royle, Ill. 175.
Sans. :—Karkatasringi. :
Vern. :—Kakrasingi (H. and B.); Kaka, kakar, kangar,
tuga (Pb.); Kakkatashingi (Tam.); Kakra, galls-kakra-singi
(Hind.) kakrashingt (Mar.) (Guz,); Galls :—kakrasringi (Beng.) ;
Kakhar, drek, gurgu (Kashmir); Kaugar, khaugar, kakar,
kakkar, khakkar, kakkrei, kakra, kakkeran, kakraiu, kakkran-
gehe, kakla, drek, gurgu, tauhari, taugu, shne, sarawau, masna.
Galls :—Kakra-singi Fruit:—Sumak (P. B.); Sarawau, shne,
masna, (Pushto). Galls:—Kakka-tashingi; (Tam.); Galls:—
Kakarashingi (Tel.) Galls :-—-Dusptapu chattwa (Kan.).
Habitat.—Sulaiman and Salt Ranges, Punjab. Outer
Western Himalaya, extending as far as Kumaon, Junsar and
Tehri-Garhwal.
A middle-sized, deciduous tree. Bark grey, rough. Wood
very hard, close and even-grained. Sapwood white. Heart-
wood yellowish brown, beautifully mottled with yellow and
dark veins. Young shoots red. Leaves aromatic, alternate,
impari-or paripinnate, finely pubescent when young, 6-9in.
long; leaflets 4-6 pair, usually opposite or subopposite (Kanjilal) ;
minutely petioluled, 3-6 by 1-L#in., lanceolate from an oblique
base, long, acuminate, entire, hard, coriaceous, glabrous; main-
lateral nerves about 20 pair, slender. Inflorescence a lateral
panicle. Flowers small, apetalous, dicecious. Male flowers:
Panicles 2-4in. long, compact, pubescent. Calyx gamosepalous,
3-5ft. Stamens 5-7 on a black disk; anthers large red.
Female flowers: Panicles 6-10in. long, lax, thyrsoid. Sepals
4, free, linear, deciduous. Ovary sessile, I-celled. Styles 3.
Cohering near the base. Drupe jin. diam., oblique, broader
than long, glabrous, rugose. Irregularly shaped galls, called
Kakra singi, from the leaves, often 6-7in. long.
Part used :—The gall.
Uses :—By the Sanskrit writers the gall is considered as
tonic, expectorant and useful in cough, phthisis, asthma, fever,
want of appetite and irritability of the stomach. The usual
374 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
dose is about 20 grains, combined with demulcents and aro-
matics.
Mahomedan writers describe them as hot, dry, and useful
in chronic pulmonary affections, especially those of children ;
also in dyspeptic vomiting and diarrhoea. They notice their
use in fever and want of appetite, and say that they are good
external applications in cases of psoriasis (Dymock).
The fruit of this tree is probably the swmak, sold in the
Punjab bazars and used to strengthen the digestion (Brandis).
The galls powdered, fried with ghi and a little sugar
added, may be given internally with good effect in dysentery
(Surgeon-Major Thompson, C. I. E., in Watts’s Dictionary.)
326.—Mangifera indica, Linn. H.F.B.1., I. 13,
Roxb.
Sans. :—Amra ; Chuta (the juicy) ; Madhahduta (messenger
of spring).
Vern.:—Amb, 4m(H.); Am (B.); Manga maram, maa,
mangas (Tam.); Amba (Dec.!; Makaudamu, mavi (Tel.); Ambé-
nujhada (Guz.); Mavina, mavu, amba(Kan.); Marka (Gond.);
Uh (Kol.) ; Ul (Santal.).
Eng. :—The Mango.
Habitat :—Throughout tropical India.
A large, evergreen tree. Bark thick, dark grey, nearly
black, rough, with numerous small fissures and exfoliating
scales. Wood grey, in old trees, sometimes dark brown, with
black streaks, and hard ; in younger trees coarse-grained, soft
(Gamble). Branches widely spreading. Leaves dark green,
coriaceous, oblong-lanceolate, blade 5-12in., petiole #-1Hin. ;
secondary nerves slightly arching, numerous, alternating with
shorter intermediate nerves. Panicles larger, erect, pubescent.
Flowers fragrant, nearly sessile, petals twice the length of
Calyx-lobes. Anther one, oval, purple, steritle stamens minute,
2-4. Drupe 2-6in. long, yellow when ripe. There are many
cultivated varieties all over India,
WN. O. ANACARDIACEA, 375
Parts used :—The fruit, kernel, leaves, flower, bark and
gum.
Use:—Thbe smoke of the burning leaves is supposed to
have a curative effect in some affections of the throat. Aecord-
ing to the author of the Makhzan, the Hindus make a confection
of the unripe fruit mixed with sugar, which, in times of plague
or cholera, they take internally and rub all over the body; it
is also stated in the same work that the midribs of the leaves
calcined are used to remove warts on the eyelids. Ainslie says
that the gum-resin, mixed with lime-juice or oil, is used in
scabies and cutaneous affections. The juice of the ripe fruits
dried in the sun, so as to form thin cakes, Amras or Amwaat
(Hind.), Ambapuri, Ambipoli (Bom.), Amsatta (Beng.), is used
asa relish and antiscorbutic (Dymock). |
A resin obtained from the bark of the tree is considered
anti-syphilitic (Murray). |
Resinous juice mixed with the white of an egg and a little
opium, is considered a good specific on the Malabar Coast for
diarrhoea and dysentery (Ainslie).
The unripe fruit is said to be useful in ophthalmia and
eruptions, and the seeds in asthma.
The rind of the fruit is astringent and alsoa stimulant
tonic in debility of the stomach.
The ripe fruit is considered laxative, and therefore much
prized by persons labouring under habitual constipation. The
bark and kernel are known as astringent and used in hemorrhage,
diarrhoea and other discharges. The decoction of the kernel,
either alone or in combination with bel and ginger, is gene-
rally prescribed in diarrhoea. The juice of the kernel, if
snuffed, can stop nasal bleeding. The kernel is also described
in the Indian Pharmacopeeia as an anthelmintic and containing
a large quantity of gallic acid, highly useful in bleeding piles
and menorrhagia.
Mango bark and fruit have been lately introduced by Dr.
Linguist asa medicine in Kurope; he recommends it for its
extraordinary action in cases of hemorrhage from the uterus,
lungs or intestines (Dymock).
376 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
A native article of diet, known as amecehur or ambosi
(Bom.), is made of green mangoes which have been skinned,
their stones removed andthe pulp cut up into pieces and dried
in the sun, is recommended by the Inspector-General of Prisons,
North-Western Provinces and Oudh, as a good and cheap
antiscorbutic for native troops (Dr. Emerson). |
The flowers of the mango are used either in the form of
tea or powder for catarrh of the bladder. The powder is also
used in the form of fumigation against mosquitoes (Brazilian
Drugs, Ph. J., Oct. 25, 1884).
Introduced into America in the form of fluid extract, either
from the fruit or the rind. Astringent with a specific tonic
action on mucous membranes. Its effects are great in diphtheria
and other malignant throat diseases. ‘The fluid extract applied
locally is very useful in hemorrhages. (I. M. G. February 1883,
p. 96). | | epee
The kernels of the seeds contain 475 per cent. of water, and 5:2 per
cent. of fat, which melts at 36°C, ; acid value, 12°3; Saponification value, 175;
iodine value, 54°5 ; Reichert-Meisst value, 0:2. The bulk of the fat consists of
oleodistearin. By adding alcohol. to the ether solution of the fat until
turbidity occurs, this crystallises out in fine needles; m. pt. about 44°C;
readily soluble in ether, sparingly so in alcohol.
‘[J. Ch. I. May 31, 1911, p. 634].
The gum contains 16°57 per cent. of moisture and 3°357 per cent. of ash,
and the dry substance is soluble in water to the extent of 39°36 per cent., the
solution having [a] p—2533°.. The gum contains an oxydase, yielding a red
colour with guaiacol solution.
It contains 71°42 per cent. of sugars, including 25°33 of galactose, and
35°'095 of pentoses (arabinose was also separated).
The portion insoluble in water contains moisture 10°51; and in the dry
substance, galactose 82°08; pentoses 42°87 ; total galactoses, 86°28 per cent.,
having dp+64'89°.
(P, Lemeland, J. Pharm, Chim. (1904) J. Ch, S. Vol. LXXXYI, pt. IL, p.
583.
327.—Anacardium occidentale, Linn., H.F.B.1.,
i. 20, Hoxb:, 342°
Vern. :—Kaju (H.); Hijli-badam (B.) ; Kottaimundi, Rolla
mavu (Tam.); Kajucha-bi, kaju (Mah.); gidi-mamedi, munda-
N. 0. ANACARDIACER. Bid
mamddichettu (Tel.); Jidi-vate, kempu gern bija, geru-poppu,
geru-vate, gerabija godamby (Kan.); Paranki-mava kuru,
Parangi-mavu, kappal-cherunkuru, kappa-mavakuru (Mal.) The
hon. Inayet (Burm)..
Eng.:—The Cashew Nut.
Habitat :—Hotter parts of India, especially near the sea.
Naturalised from America.
An evergreen, 10-20ft. high. Bark considerably rough.
In old trees it is deeply cracked. The juice from the stem is
thickish and resinous, slightly brownish, blackening on
exposure. From the bark comes a yellowish hard resin having
mostly the appearance of yellow amber—the Cashew gum—
soluble and used for nearly the same purpose as gum-arabic.”
Wood dark brown. Charcoal of the wood used by the iron-
smiths of Tavoy as the best for their trade. Leaves simple,
smooth, alternate, ex-stipulate, quite entire, ovate or obovate,
with a slightly rounded emarginate apex, smooth on both sides,
of a hard texture ; narrower, but obtuse at base ; 4-8in. by 3-din.
Venation well-marked, whitish and permanent on the under
surface. Nerves 10 pair, otten less, nearly horizontal, some-
times bifurcating faintly. The bark and leaves contain much
tannin. Petiole 4-$in., slightly grooved on ventral side; at
times cylindric. Panicles corymbose, branched and spread-
ing. Bracts leafy, numerous, lanceolate, hairy. Bracteoles at
base of pedicels, broadly ovate, generally lanceolate, acuminate.
Flowers small pentamerous, polygamous, jin. diam; yellow,
with pink, longitudinal stripes, often deep-crimson ; odour of
mixed cloves and cinnamon. Calyx inferior, cleft nearly to
base. Sepals erect, deciduous; the base of sepals a crescent,
forming an erect disk. Corolla alternate, linear-lanceolate,
twice as long as the sepals. Stamens usually 9, all fertile; one
of these is nearly twice as long as the rest. Stamens often
vary alternately. Filaments connate at base, free upwards.
Anthers 2-celled, introse. Pistil in the male flower minute,
with a very short style; both well-devloped in the hermayph-
rodite flower. Ovary in the hermaphrodite flower free,
campylotropous, superior, one-celled, ovoid or obcordate. Bail-
48
378 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
lon describes it as compresso-obovate or obcordate, hence
gibbous. This isa more accurate description, I think. Style
simple, solitary, filiform, eccentric, becoming convolute, as if to
bring the stigma into contact with the large anther of the long
filament (Roxb). Stigma minute, often tinged crimson. Ovule
solitary, long, conical; inserted at the summit of a suberect,
ascending panicle. Chalaza superior ; micropyle introse, inferior,
near funicle. Fruit an ash-coloured nut, kidney-shaped, dry,
shining, indchiscent. lin. long, fin. broad at hilum; some-
what compressed. Mesocarp soft, corky, lacunose, oleo-resinous.
The epicarp and pericarp coriaceous, not woody, as Baillon says.
The most noteworthy part of the plant is the succulent, fleshy,
enlarged peduncle, soft and juicy, obovoid, slightly sweet, at
times very acrid and irritating to the throat and tongue; popu-
larly sold as the Kaju fruit in the bazaar, and of which much
liquor is manufactured in Goa. Seed kidney-shaped which is the
real fruit, corresponding to the pericarp. Testa crisp, mem-
branous, and easily removable, mottled reddish-brown outside,
deep crimson inside, of an astringent aromatic taste, separable
from the kernel or milkwhite cotyledons by a resinous
fracture ; albumen absent.
Parts used :—The fruit, seeds and spirit.
Uses :—The bark is said to have alterative properties. The
tar, which contains about 90 p. ec. of anacardic acid and 10 p.c.
of cardol, has recently been recommended as an external appli-
cation in leprosy, ringworm, corns and obstinate ulcers; it is
powerfully rubefacient and vesicant, and requires to be used
with caution. In Native practice, it 1s sometimes used as a
counter-irritant. In Europe, a tincture of the pericarp (1 to 10
of rectified spirit) has been used in doses of 2 to 10 minims as
a vermifuge. According to Basiner, the subcutaneous injection
of small doses of cardol produces on cold-blooded animals
paresis, Increasing to paralysis of the extremities, stupor, para-
lysis of respiration and tetanic spasms. In warm-blooded
animals large doses are not lethal, but stupor, paralysis of the
extremities and diarrhcea occur, and, after death, congestion of
N. 0. ANAGARDIACER, 379
the intestinal lining is found. Cardol seems to be excreted
chiefly with the urine, but partially also with feces. Applied
on a small piece of lint to the skin of the breast, it raised
a watery blister in 14 hours (Am. Journ. Pharm., 1882,
Dymock).
Between the laminez of the shell of the kernel there is a
black caustic fluid, which contains an acrid, oily principle,
cardol and a peculiar acid, anacardie acid.
The spirit distilled from the expressed juice of the fruit
may be used as a stimulant (Watt.)
The kernel is nutritive, demulcent and emollient ; and the
oil emollient. In the form of mixture, the kernel is useful for all
the purposes for which the Mistura Amygdale is employed, and
also as a food in very weak patients suffering from incessant
and chronic vomiting, with two or three minims of acid hydro-
eyanic dil. in each dose. The oil isa mechanical as well asa
chemical antidote for irritant poisons. It not only protects, to
some extent, the lining membrane of the stomach and bowels
from the irritation of the poison, and prevents both the solution
and absorption of it, but also neutralizes it by forming a soap
with it, if it happens to be an alkaline. It is also a good
vehicle for liniments and other external applications (Mooden
Sheriff).
The kernels yield a light, yellow, bland oil. Niederstadt (1902) found the
saponification value to be 179°84, and the iodine value, 60°6.
The pericarp or shell yields a black, acrid and powerfully vesicating oil.
Crossley and Le Sueur determined the following constants: Specific gravity,
0°9594 ; saponification value, 45°L ; iodine value, 294°2; Reichert-Meissl value,
1°26. Though it possessed an abnormally high iodine value, practical
experiments showed it to be a non-drying oil.
328.—Buchanania latifolia, Roxb., 4H.F.B.1.,
Hie ZeyerLOND: (OOD
Sans. :—Piydla ; Chara ; Chirika.
Vern. :—Piyar, piyal, piyala, chironji (the kernel), (H.),
Chironji, peal (the fruit), chirunji (the kernel), piyal, pial, pear
(the tree), (B.); Chirauli, chiraoli (the fruit), chironji, (Pb.) ;
Pidl, payala, muria, katbhilawa, (Garhwal); Pidr, peira, paira,
paila, pairwa, perrah, (Oudh); Tarum, (Kol); Pial, (Bhumij) ;
380 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
Peea, (Kharwar); Tarop, (Santal); Charu, char, chara, charo, ©
(Uriya) ; Achar, char, char-ka-jhar, chironji (the fruit), char-ka-
gond (the gum), (C.P.); Saraka, surraka, herka, char-ka-gadh
(the gum), (Gond); Taro, tarope, (Kurku); Sir, (Bhil); Char-ki-
charoli (the kernel), (Duk); Piyal, ch4roli, char, biji, (Bommb.) ;
Charwari, (Hyderabad); Char, chironji (the fruit), (Behar) ;
Mowda or katimango, marum, kat mad, aima, kAtma-maram
(the plant), kaAtma-payam or katma param (the fruit), katma-
parpu (the kernel), (Tam.); Chara, sara, charu madudi, chiuna
mora, morli morlu-banka, morlu-chettu, chara-chettu, charu-
chettu, or sArachettu. chara-mAmidi, jAarumAmidi (the plant),
chara-pandu (the fruit), chara-puppu, charu-puppu (the _ ker-
nel), (Tel); Nuskul, murkalu, murukalu, (Kan.) ; Kala maram,
(Mala); Ch&roli, (Guj., Cutch); Pyal-char, (Mar.); Lonepho,
lunbo, lamboben, lombo or lonpo, loneopomaa, (Burm.)
Habitat:—A tree leafless only for a very short time.
Found in the Sub-HimAélayan tract from the Sutlej] eastward,
ascending to 2,000 feet ; throughout India and Burma, common
in the hotter and drier parts of the empire, and frequently asso-
ciated with the sal, the mahfa, and the dak.
A middle-sized tree, leafless only for a short time, attaining
50ft. Bark 1 in. thick, dark grey, sometimes nearly black,
rough, tessallated, with regular ‘“boss’’-like prominence.
Wood greyish brown, moderately hard, with a small, dark-
coloured heart-wood (Gamble). Leaves 6-10in., very coriaceous
or hard, nerves prominent, 15-20 pair, stout or nearly straight,
usually broadly oblong, rounded at the tip, closely reticulate,
softly hairy beneath. Petiole 4-4 in., stout, pubescent.
Panicles terminal and axillary, tomentose, shorter than the
leaves ; pyramidal branches stout, bracts small, caducous. Flow-
ers crowded, sessile, greenish white, +in. diam. Calyx 5-toothed,
petals oblong. Disk fleshy. Stamens 10, spreading as long as
the petals. Drupe black, $in., subglobose, slightly compressed,
edible. Stones hard, bony, 2-valved. Seed oily, edible, pleasant
to taste when fresh, soon gets rancid on keeping.
Parts used :—The fruit, seed, gum, roots, leaves.
Uses :—By Hindu writers the fruit is said to be sweet and
N. 0. ANACARDIACER. _ 381.
laxative ; used to relieve thirst, burning of the body and fever.
(Dutt).
The seed is very palatable and nutritious when roasted ;
used in medicine and considered heating (Irvine, Med. Top.,
Ajmere). |
It yields a gum said to be administered in diarhcea. The
oil extracted from the kernels of the fruit is used as a substi-
tute for almond oil in Native medicinal preparations and con-
fectionery. It is also applied to glandular swellings of the
neck (Watt).
In the Jhansi District, the kernel worked up into an
ointment, is used in skin diseases.
In the Central Provinces, the roots and leaves, pounded and
mixed with butter-milk, are taken in cases of diarrhcea. The
-frait is used by Hakims in tonic medicines and for applying to
the tongue when inflamed or very hard.
It is believed to cure pimples, prickly heat and itch.
In Berar, kernels pounded and applied outwardly are
used as a remedy for itch ; also employed by women to remove
spots and blemishes from the face. (The Agricultural Ledger,
1900, No. 9.)
In the Bombay Presidency, the kernel is employed as a
tonic, being sometimes substituted for the almond.
In the Madras Presidency, the gum with goat’s milk is given
internally for intercostal pains.
It is used to flavour preserved preparations of milk, such as
Berfi, Basundi, Pédhé, Halva of the white gourd; preserved
cocoanut sweets, such as Khobripdék, in Bombay, Surat,
Ahmedabad, Poona.
The kernels are brown and mottled with darker brown, and laterally com-
pressed like vetch seeds, They yield 586 per -cent. of oil (Church), which
commences to congeal into a white semisolid mass at 18°5°,
Crossley and Le Sueur obtained the following constants: Specific gravity
at 100°, 0°8942; melting point, 32°; acid value, 15°4; saponification value,
193°6; iodine value, 57°3; Reichert-Meissl value, 0°33; refractive index,
1°4584 ; insoluble acids and unsaponifiable, 95°8 per cent.
329.—Melanorrhea usitata, Wall, H.¥.B.1., 11. 25,
Eng. :—The Varnish Tree.
382 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
Vern. :—Khen (Manipur); Soothan (Tel.); Thitsi (Bur-
mese).
Habitat :— Manipur.
A large, deciduous tree. Bark dark grey. Wood dark red,
with yellowish streaks turning very dark after long exposure ;
very hard. Branchlets very stout, velvety. Petioles, underside
of leaves, and panicles softly tomentose. Leaves obovate or
oblanceolate ; 6-14 by 4-6in., base cuneate ; nerves 28-30 pair,
stout, straight. Petiole flattened, winged, 4-lin. Panicles 1ft.
long, peduncled. Flowers white, lax, tin. diam.; pedicels
slender; petals pubescent. Stamens many, 20-30. Calyx
calyptriform, beaked, pubescent. Petals 5-6, eventually 2-4in.
long, linear-oblong, obtuse, coriaceous, reticulated, gland-dotted,
pubescent. Drupe red, glaucous; $-3in. diam., stalk thick,
tin. long, supported by the oblong, stellately-spreading,
enlarged petals, 2-4in. long. Pedicel 4in. The tree yields
the black Burmese lacquer or varnish from incisions made into
the bark, while the tree is in leaf (Brandis).
Use :—The thick, greyish fluid, which is found in every
part of the plant, has been used in medicine as an anthelmintic
with great successe If the juice be too much handled, it causes
erysipelas-like swellings in certain constitutions, which are
cured by the application of an infusion of teak wood.
Separation of Constituents.
Pure Thitsi extracted with hot alcohol,
|
|
Residue shaken with dry ether Aleoholie extract contains Urushic acid
nd filtered, (about 85 per cent.)
|
|
| a ee
Residue boiled with water. Filtrate, distilled, dried and again
|
extracted with hot alcohol.
Residue oily or fatty matter Extract contains last traces of
(small quantity). Urushie acid.
2h eine Lives
| .
final residue is Diastatic matter Aqueous extract contains Gum.
(about 2 per cent). (Total (Gives the ordinary reactions
nitrogen in this diastase=4°7 of gum arabic. Amount about
per cent.) 3 per cent.)
N. O. ANAGARDIACER. 383
The present investigation has proved with the aid of the method outlined
above that the most important and main constituent of the Burmese natural
vy rnish is urushie acid, which amounts to about 85 per cent. in the pure
unadulterated specimens. (Mr. Puran Singh’s paper in the Indian Forest
Records, Vol, I. part IV.)
330.—Odina wodier, Roxb., H.F.B.1., 11. 29,
Roxb. 336.
Sans :—Jingini.
Vern. :—Jingan, kashmala, kaimul, mowen H.); Jival,
bohar, ghadi (B.); Odiya-maram, wodier, Odi, (Tam.); Odai-
manu (Tel.); Shimti; Mui [Bomb. and Sind]; Mooi, indramai
[Uriya].
(Porebunder) Mavedo; (Guj.) Mavédi; (Marathi) Shimtt,
Mewéa, Moyini; (Hind.) Jingan, Mayini;
Habitat :—Throughout the hotter parts of India. Ceylon.
Burma, Andaman Isles. |
A moderate-sized or large, deciduous tree. Bark 4in. thick,
compact, grey, smooth, exfoliating in small! irregular plates.
The stem affords gum. Wood moderately hard, close-grained.
Sapwood large white; heart-wood scanty, light red when fresh
cut, turning reddish brown on exposure. Leaves imparipinnate.
Rachis 6-10in., cylindric, glabrous, swollen at base. Leaflets
3-4 pair, opposite; 2-6 pair, says Trimen, and a terminal one,
shortly stalked or nearly sessile, 3-45in., lanceolate, acute or
rounded, often unequal at base, more or less caudate-acuminate,
entire or faintly crenate, glabrous, shining and deeply tinged
with pink when young. Pinkish yellow. Flowers small, nearly
sessile, pinkish yellow, appearing when the tree is bare of
leaves. Inflorescence: the flowers are in small clusters, laxly
arranged on elongated, slightly branched, stellate, pubescent,
axillary panicles, appearing with the young leaves on the new
shoots. Calyx minute, hairy. Petals oblong-oval, obtuse,
reflexed in female flowers. Ovary oblong, large, glabrous.
Styles very stout, divaricate. Drupe about 4in., reniform,
ovoid, obtuse, compressed, smooth. Stone reniform, very hard.
Parts used :—The bark, gum and leaves. The bark yields
a gum.
384 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
Use:—The bark, powdered and mixed with Margosa oil, is
considered by the Vytians a valuable application to old and
obstinate ulcers. [Ainslie]. The gum beaten up with cocoa-
nut milk, is applied to sprains and bruises, and the leaves
boiled in oil are used for a similar purpose [Wight].
In the Indian Pharmacopeia the astringent properties of
the bark are noticed, and its use as a lotion in impetiginous
eruptions and obstinate ulcerations. The late Dr. Bholanath
Bose recommended a decoction of the bark as an astringent
gargle.. Powdered bark used for leprous ulcers as a paste
in Ratnagiri. ,
The juice of the green branches, in a four-ounce dose
mixed with two ounces of tamarind, is given as an emetic
in cases of coma or in insensibility produced by opium or other
narcotics [Taylor’s Topography of Dacca. |
A decoction of the bark is useful internally in some cases
of atonic dyspepsia and general debility, particularly if it is
combined with tincture of gentian, calumba, &c. [Moodeen
Sheriff].
In Burma, a decoction of the bark is used for tooth-ache.
In some parts of the Madras Presidency and Burma, the
leaves are used for all local swellings and pains of the body.
They are first boiled and then applied.
331.—Semecarpus anacardium, Linn. f. H.¥.B.1.,
i: 30, Roxb. 268:
Sans. :—-Bhallataka, Arushkara.
Arab. :—Habbul-fahm.
Pers. :—Biladur.
Vern. :—Bhela, bhilatira (H.); Bhela, bhelatuki (B.); Bhallia
(Uriya) ; Konghi(Lepcha) ; Bhilavan (Dec.) ; Shenkottai, sheran-
kottai (Tam.); Jidi-Vittulu (Tel.); Cherun kuru (Mal.); Girt
(Kan.) ; Bibba (Bomb.) ; Bhiamu, (Guz.)
Eng. :—The Marking-Nut Tree.
N. 0. ANACARDIACER. 385
Habitat :—Tropical outer Himalaya, from Sirmoor to Sikkim,
and throughout the hotter parts of India, as far east as
Assam (absent in the Eastern Peninsula).
A handsome tree, 20-40ft. high; deciduous, girth 4-6ft.
Bark lin thick, dusky grey ; wounds on bark yield a brownish
soft gum which dissolves slowly in the mouth. Wood ash-
coloured, reddish white or brown; even, but open-grained ; full
of acrid juice, causing irritation and swelling. Leaves gener-
ally closely arranged at the extremities of the branchlets of
numerous spreading branches; simple, alternate, very coriace-
ous, flat ; 9-30in. by 5-12in., cuneate, oblong or obovate-oblong,
rarely linear-oblong. Apex rounded, margins entire, cartilagin-
ous. Base rounded, cordate or cuneate ; surface opaque above,
slightly pubescent, especially when young, whitish or glaucous
and thickly pubescent beneath. Nerves 16-25 pair, stout,
slightly arched, pale whitly. Venation marked coarse on the
under surface. Petiole 1-2in., densely puberulous; small,
4+.tin, diam., subsessile, fascicled in erect tomentose compound
terminal panicles. Bracts and bracteoles fugacious Aistivation
imbricate. Female and Hermaphrodite flowers 14-4in. long,
longer than the almost sessile male flowers. Calyx 5-fid. ;
segments deciduous. Corolla greenish white or greenish yellow;
petals 5, 3 or 4 times the length of Calyx, oblong, pointed at
the apex, inserted under the margin of the disk, sessile, glab-
rous, very spreading. Disk annular, broad, between stamens
and ovary. Stamens 5, alternate, inserted on the margins of
the disk; imperfect or sterile in female flowers, equal, dis-
tinct ; filaments subulate from a somewhat dilated base, of the
length of petals. Anthers ovoid or elliptical, yellow. Ovary
free, sessile, one-celled, densely appressed, tawny, hispid.
Styles 3, divergent, incrassate. Stigma subclavate, shortly
2-lobed or retused. Ovules inserted at apex of the cell. Pen-
dulous from a basal funicle. Male flowers often on a separate
tree. Calyx and Corolla as in the hermaphrodite flower, but
smaller. Filaments 5, of the length of petals. Anthers much
larger than the hermaphrodites. Pistil absent or abortive.
Fruit, a drupe, lin. long, and about as broad or 3in., ovoid,
49
386 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
obliquely ovoid or cordate-ovate, with a slight obtuse notch on
either side under the apex; unequally compressed; slightly
convex in some parts, and quite plain in others; cup fleshy,
orange-red, smooth, succulent, sweet, edible when ripe, formed
of the thickened disk and accrescent Calyx-base. Pericarp
smooth, shining, black, thick; containing between the outer
and inner laminz roundish or oblong cells, fuil of corrosive
resinous juice. This juice is white when the fruit is young,
darkening on exposure to air. Inthe mature fruit, it is brown-
ish or perfectly black ; inner lamina hard, rugose, outer smooth,
leathery, less hard. Seed pendulous, with a swollen or umbil-
licate funicle (Lubbock).
Testa coriaceous, inner coat somewhat fleshy. Embryo
thick, milk-white. Plumule ovate-leaved, veined, conduplicate,
very thin. Cotyledons fleshy, thick, white, irregularly plano-
convex. Albumen absent. Radicle superior, minute, connate
with the apex of the cotyledons, always directed to the hilum.
Parts used:—The fruit.
Use :—In Hindoo medicine the ripe fruits are regarded as
acrid, heating, stimulant, digestive, nervine and escharotic, and
are used in dyspepsia, piles, skin diseases, nervous debility, &c.
(Dutt).
Mahomedan writers consider the juice of the pericarp to be
hot and dry, useful in all kinds of skin diseases, palsy, epilepsy
and other affections of the nervous system. Externally, it is
applied to cold swellings, such as piles (Dymock).
The Hakeems administer it for weakness of memory, epilepsy,
etc. They consider it to be injurious to the liver, inflames the
blood, and can produce melancholia, insanity, frenzy, ete.
(Honnigberger.)
The Telingee physicians use it as a specific in all kinds of
venereal affections (Roxburgh). A brown gum exudes from
the bark which the Hindus regard as a valuable medicine in
scrofulous, venereal and leprous affections (Ainslie). An oil
from the nut acts as a vesicant in rheumatism and sprains
(Ainslie).
N. 0. ANACARDIACER. BOT
In Goa, the nut is used internally in asthma after having
been steeped in butter-milk, and is also given as vermifuge.
In the Concan, a single fruit is heated in the flame of a: lamp
and the oil allowed to drop into a quarter-seer of milk ; this
draught is given daily in cough, caused by relaxation of the
uvula and palate. The juice of the root-bark is also used
medicinally on account of its acrid properties (Dymock).
The bruised nut is applied to the os uteri by the native women
to procure abortion (Ph. Ind). Basiner found that within 12
hours the brown oil of the nut raised a black blister ; this should
be carefully protected from touch, as the fluid causes eczematous
vesicles on any part of the body it may come in contact with.
He has also noticed painful micturition, the urine being reddish
brown and bloody, and painful stools, as a sequel to the
external application of the oil (Am. J. of Pharm., 1882,
Dymock). | : |
“T have used the black, thick and acrid oil of the
marking-nut, prepared either by expression or with the aid of
heat, or the nut itself in the form of electuary, pretty extensively
in my practice, and found it so efficacious in acute rheumatism
that it may be considered a specific in that disease. The drug
is also of great service in asthma, and more or less beneficial in
secondary syphilis, hemorrhoids, neuralgia, epilepsy,
anzesthesia, paralysis, lepra, psoriasis and a few other cutaneous
affections. Externally, the oil is a very cheap and pretty useful
counter-irritant, but requires great care and caution in its
employment. It should not be applied much or continuously
to any part, but always in the form of parallel lines by means
of a long needle or wire. In very severe cases, these lines may
be crossed with other parallel lines in an opposite direction.
In either case, when the blister is risen, it should be pricked
and the serum allowed to dribble away ; and then the use of
poultices for two or three days renders the part very clean and
fit to be dressed with simple dressing, carron oil or plantain
leaves. The nut is more useful in hemorrhoids in the form of
fumigation than the internal administration of its oil or
electuary; but unfortunately its smoke is attended with bad
effects in some constitutions. Out of the two severe and painful
388 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
cases of piles [ treated with fumigation, one suffered from a
swelling on the face, chest and abdomen with an erysipelatous
blush; while the other was quite free from all these symptoms.
Both, however, were much benefited by the remedy in one siting
Although I have not seen any case of bad effects from internal
use of the marking-nut, yet there is no doubt that it is an irritant
poison in a large quantity or overdose ’ (Moodeen Sheriff).
‘“ Marking-nut is one of the few drugs which I have found
more or less useful in all the diseases for wich it is recommended
in Native and other medical works. These works, however,
speak of the usefulness of the drug in rheumatism in a very
casual manner and only asa local application; but, according
to my Own experience, it is, as an internal remedy, so useful
in the acute form of that disease that it deserves a special
attention. Used in full and repeated medicinal doses, the
relief it affords is very great and satisfactory, and I do not
hesitate in calling it a sovereign remedy in acute rheumatism.
It is certainly more sure and speedy in its action than salicylic
acid, salicylate of soda, colchicum, &c., and therefore the best
drug for the above complaint. The more recent and acute
the disease is, the more speedy and successful this meedicine
proves. Many of the patients suffering from acute rheumatism
who were brought to me in doolies or other vehicles, and who
were quite unable to sit or move without assistance, were able
from the use of the electuary or the acrid oil of this drug to
return to me walking on the 6th or 7th day after their first vist.
On a few occasions, again, I was pleasantly surprised to see
them walking lamely and coming to me on the very next or
3rd morning to say they were much better. In the latter case
the patients were all youths or very young men.
‘With regard to the preparations of the marking-nut I have
described (electuary and acrid oil), there is no difference
between the therapeutic uses of them, particularly in the
treatment of acute rheumatism; but the patients generally
prefer the former on account of its very pleasant taste. The
number of the doses of these preparations I have generally used
in the 24 hours is 4, and the dose of both is the same, vzz., from
N. 0. ANACARDIACER., 389
one.and a half drachm to two drachms and a half. In some
very severe cases, when the patients were very strong and
robust, the dose was increased to three drachms ; but the average
dose is two drachms, which is the one [| have mest frequently
employed in my practice. As soon as the patients are much
relieved and able to walk about to some extent without
assistance, I generally omit the drug and complete the cure with
milder or less active medicines, such as salicylate of soda,
colchicum, alkalines, and with stimulant embrocations.
“In chronic and muscular forms of rheumatism, however,
the marking-nut is not half as useful as it is in its acute variety,
and I am therefore unable to speak much in its favour in the
treatment of the former diseases.
‘“ Marking-nut isalsoa good therapeutic agent in asthma, but
the relief it affords in so small doses as those mentioned in some
books, is very slight. To secure its best effects in this disease
it should be used repeatedly and in doses similar to those
I generally employ in acute rheumatism. Gout is so rare
among the Natives of this country that I never had an
opportunity of using this drug in any well-marked case of that
disease during the last two years; but from its great influence
over acute rheumatism; I am almost sure that it will also
produce good results in the acute form of the former.
“There is a notion among the Natives of Southern India that
the internal use of the marking-nut is apt to produce sore mouth
or ptyalism, but I have never met with a single instance of
of these bad effects, though I have administered the drug in
many cases and in so large and repeated doses as those explained
above.
“ During the employment of the marking-nut, either external-
ly or internally, the least appearance of a rash or redness of the
the skin, or an itchy or uneasy sensation in any part of the
body, should be considered as a sign of the bad effects of the
drug, and it should, therefore, be stopped immediately. Spiritus
ammoniz aromaticus is to be freely administered, with some
demulcent drinks, such as infusum lini; and some oil, olive or
cocoanut, should be constantly smeared over the affected part
390 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
or parts. This is generally sufficient to check the above
symptoms; but if they get worse and become more developed,
they must be treated with some other and stronger remedies
according to their nature’ (Moodeen Shariff).
~In the Indian Medical Gazette for March 1902, Dr. Hem Chan-
dra Sen, Teacher of Materia Medica, Campbell Medical School,
Calcutta, published an interesting paper on the Therapeutics of
Semicarpus anacardium. According to him :—
“The oil has very powerful antiseptic properties, but is too
strong an irritant to be used medicinally for any such purpose.
“The oil mitigated with butter or ghee (a dram of the oil to
four ounces of ghee) is used in scaly skin eruptions, e. g.,
psoriasis, etc. The affected part becomes softened with marked
rapidity and a normal condition returns. The strength may be
varied according to indications.
‘This application also does good in leucoderma. Sometimes
the fruits are fried in mustard oil, and the oil is used for this
purpose. The leucodermic spots show foci of fresh deposition of
pigments; and, after a prolonged use, distinct change of color
is generally noticed.
+ * * *-
‘“ The oil is irritant to the whole of the digestive tract, in big
doses. In medicinal doses, it increases appetite and powerfully
increases the secretions.
“Partly by its own direct stimulating action, and partly by
its powerful cholagogue action, it often acts as a purgative also.
= oo a *
7
“The kernel of this and of S. Occidentale has no irritant
properties at all. It tastes like almonds, and is a good nutritive
food. In fact, it is used in the preparation of sweetmeats in
some districts of India.
a % eet it
‘“‘ Asa general alterative, it 1s often used to increase appetiie,
* = The power of digesting fats is said to be enormously
increased, It is also a powerful carminative.
N. O. ANACARDIACER. 391
“In chronic enlargement of spleen, it can be used with ad-
vantage when there is no hepatic complication of any marked
degree and fever. at
‘*S, anacardium is a good cardiac tonic. Under its influence
many neurotic cardiac troubles are noticed to subside in a short
time. The rate of the heart beat is usually increased.
“The drug i is a general respiratory stimulant. It has been
tried by me with success _in several cases of pneumonia in the
Campbell Hospital, as well as in private practice. The condi-
tion generally improves within three or four days—an ounce
of the decoction (strength two drams of the bruised fruits to the
ounce),—once or sometimes twice a day having been used.
“Tf a fruit is heated in the flame of a lamp and a drop of the
oil allowed to drop in a pint and a half of milk, the milk can
be used successfully in relaxation of the uvula and cough,
especially in children. * * The potency of the drug in
asthma is very remarkable. The drug not only relieves the spas-
modic attacks, but also tends to cure the disease by prolonged
use. A course of treatment with the drug for a month or so,
in winter, is highly beneficial for asthmatics.
“S. anacardium has a very pronounced action in subduing
all forms of neuritis. In peripheral neuritis, including beri-
beri, I have used the decoction with milk and ghee in gradually
increasing doses, with very satisfactory results.
Seas * * *
“In Sciatica, the drug often acts like a charm. The patients
feel relieved usually within 48 hours. A chronic case of Sciatica
- recovered completely in a month, with the administra-
tion of the decoction in increasing doses.
x *
“The use of the drug in paralysis is especially noteworthy.
I have found the drug efficacious in both the spasmodic and
flaccid varieties of the disease. Several cases of paraplegia,
spastic and simple, and many others of hemiplegia with secon-
dary rigidity, have been successfully treated with the decoction.
“It is also one of the most powerful emmenagogues,
392 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
and produces good effects in dysmenorrhoea. In inflammations
around the uterus (pelvic cellulitis and peritonitis) it has been
used with much benefit.
‘“‘S. anacardium is a powerful diaphoretic. It is very useful
in scaly skin diseases.
“It is believed by the Indians that if the drug be taken
internally in small, but gradually increasing, doses in the winter,
it makes one free from coughs and colds and senile degenera-
tions.
* *
‘Winter is the best season for the use of S. anacardium. It
being a very heating remedy, its dose cannot be pushed to any
length in summer.
als ss
‘““T have been using this drug for more than six years, with-
out seeing any bad effect other than erythematous rash. In the
Campbell Hospital 1 have made many bed-ridden cases of
disseminated sclerosis walk about in the hospital compound.
As an alterative, it is very useful in secondary and tertiary stages
of syphilis. ;
“T have used it successfully in two cases of epidemic cope
of the legs recently.”
332. Holigarna Arnottiana, Hook f. H.F.B.1., U.
36. |
Vern. :—Bibu; hulgeri (Bom.); MHolgeri (M.); Kagira,
Kutugeri (Kan.)
Habitat :--Western Peninsula, from the Concan southward
on the Ghats.
Leafy handsome trees with stout-branches, Leaves 6-9 by
2-3in., coriaceous shining above reticulated or glaucous not
beneath; cuneate-obovate decurrent. Nerves 10-20 pair,
strong nearly straight; petrole 4-lin., rather slender. Panicle
of compound racemes, axillary and terminal, shorter or longer
N. 0. ANACARDIACER. 393
than the leaves. Flowers crowded minute; males ¢in. diam.,
enveloped in tomentum. Drupe Lin., oblique oblong, rounded
at the top, quite glabrous, long pedicelled.
Use:—The fruit and bark are employed medicinally
(Beddome ; Lisboa).
SOON Hongo iaenocb. EB, MW. a, lox,
AGT
Vern.:—Barola (B.); Sudra bibo (Mar.); Holeger (Kan.) ;
Khreik (Magh.).
Habitat :—Chittagong.
A large, evergreen tree, with black acrid, resinous juice,
young shoots rusty-tomentose, branches stout. Wood light
grey, soft, light. Leaves quite glabrous, reticulated beneath,
shining above, coriaceous, cuneate, obtuse or acute, 6-9 by 2-3in.;
narrowed into petiole, 4-lin. long, secondary nerves 10-20
pair. Petiolar spurs early deciduous. Panicles of compound
racemes, axillary and terminal, shorter or longer than the
leaves. Flowers ?in. long, rusty tomentose within and with-
out, crowded ; anthers red. Drupe glabrous, lin., obliquely
oblong, rounded at the top.
Use:—Morton states that the fruit and bark are employed
medicinally, but require to be prescribed with caution, as they
are apt to give rise to dangerous symptoms. The tree exudes
a black, resinous, acrid, and poisonous juice from the trunk
and rind of the fruit. The secretion is of a powerfully
caustic nature and blisters the skin. The blistering principle
is due to Anacardie Acid.
334. Spondias mangifera, Willd, H.F.B.1., I. 42,
Roxb. 387.
Sans.-~ Amrataka.
Pers. —Darakhte-moryam.
Vern.— Amra, amara, ambodha (H.) ; Amra (B.); Tangrong
(Garo.) ; Kaétmaéa (Tam.); Aravi mamadi(Tel.); Jangli am, am-
bada (Bomb.); Amra, amara, ambodha, ambra (Hind.); Amra,
ambra (Beng.); Amburri (Kol.); Amara (Assam); Tongrong;
50
394 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
adiai (Garo.); Amara (Nepal); Kouchiling (Lepcha); Kat, Am-
boham (Mal. S. P.) ; Ambuda (Uriya) ; Ambera (Kurku) ; Hamara
(Coond); Amra, amurs, bohamle, amara, amabara (Kumaon),
(Bahamo); Ambara (P. B.); Ran-amb, jungli am (Deccan) ;
Ambada, jangli-am, ambada, amra amarah, (Bomb.); Ro amba,
ambada (Mar.); Kat-maa, rhanamb, mariman, chedi, katmora,
Ampullai (Tam.) ; Putille, kaders ambala_ chettupita, briksh,
amnivuru, mamidi, amatum, adivio-mamadie toura mamidi
(Tel.) ; Amte, ambatte mara, amate, pundi (Kan). Corre, kyorce
(Burm); Aimbcrella (Sing.); Darakhte-moryam (Pers.).
Habitat.—Throughout India, from the Indus eastwards and
southwards to Molacca and Ceylon.
A large, glabrous, deciduous tree. Bark smooth, aromatic
grey, with short shallow, longitudinal wrinkles. Wood soft,
light grey. Leaves 1-1 ft. ; petiole slender. Leaflets 3-5 pair,
quite entire, elliptic-oblong, acuminate 2-9 by 1-4 in., shortly
petiolulate, shining, more or less oblique; secondary nerves
nearly straight, 10-20 pair, joined at the ends by a prominent
nerve, running along and close to the edge of the leaf-blade.
Flowers pentamerous, white, nearly sessile, clustered on stout
ramifications of a sparingly-branched, terminal panicle, poly-
gamous, nearly sessile. Calyx 5-toothed, deciduous. Petals
5, about 7, in. long, oblong, greenish white, spreading. Disk
cupular, crenate. Stamens 10, inserted below the disk;
filaments subulate, shorter than the petals; anthers versatile.
Ovary sessile, free. Carpels 4-5 distinct in flower, coalescing
into a single stone in the carpels. Drupe 13-2 in. long, ovoid or
oblong, fleshy, smooth, acid and rose-scented, yellow when
ripe. Putamen fibrous and filled with cavities outside. Seeds
2-5, of which only one is perfect.
Parts used.—The fruit, bark, leaves and gum.
Use.—The pulp of the fruit is acid and astringent, and is
considered useful in bilious dyspepsia (Dymock). The bark is
sometimes used as a refrigerant medicine (T. N. Mukerji).
It is also useful in dysentery; and the juice of the leaves is
used for ear-ache (Atkinson).
N. 0. CORIARIZ. 395
The fruit is an useful antiscorbutic. The gum, in the form
of mucilage, is a useful adjunct to other medicines for the pur-
pose of suspending heavy powders, ete. The pulp, when boiled,
has a faint rosy smell.
N. O. CORIARIAL.
339. Coriaria nepalensis, Wall. H.F.B.1., 1. 44.
Vern —-Masuri, makola, (H.); Lizaklo, (Sutlej); Raselwa,
archarru, pajerra (Simla); Bhojinsi, (Nep.); Mosroi, Gangeru,
Gangaru (Jaunsar); Ayar (Kumaon); Gogsa, Makala (Garh-
wal), Tons Valley.
Habitat :--Jaunsar and Tehri-Garhwal, 4-8.000 ft., fairly
common among shrubby vegetation on hill sides and in ravines,
occasionally in the Saharanpur Siwaliks, e. g., Chillawali Ran.
Outer Himalaya, from the Indus to Bhutan, ascending to
8,000 ft. in the west and to 11,000 ft. in Sikkim. The name
of the Hill Station Mussoorie (properly Masuri) is said to have
been caused by the abundance of this plant on the site.
A deciduous, straggling shrub or small tree, says Gamble.
A large shrub with long spreading branches, says Kanji Lal.
Bark reddish brown, rough. Wood grey, hard, beautifully
mottled. No heart-wood. Branchlets quadrangular. Leaves
2-4 by 1-23} in., ovate oblong, cordate, acuminate, obscurely
serrulate, 3-7-nerved at the base, sometimes puberulous
beneath. Petiole 0-75 in. long. Racemes 2-6 in. long, usually
clustered. Flowers } in. diam., greenish yellow. Fruit 3-4 in.
diam., dark-brown or black.
Fl.—April, May. Fr.—June and July. Fruit edible.
Branches browsed by sheep.
It is called the Mussoorie-berry (Kanji Lal).
Use.—The leaves are used to adulterate senna, and act as a
poison in large doses. The fruit is said to produce symptoms
like tetanus (Watt).
396 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
N. O. MORINGACEA.
336. Moringa pterygosperma, Gaertn, H.F.B.1.,
I. 45.
Syn. - Hyperanthera moringa, Vahl, Roxb. 368
Eng. Drumstick plant’; Horse-radish.
Sans. Sigru-valkalam, Sobh4njan-valkalam, Sobhanjan-m4-
lam, Sigru-milam, Sobh4njan-pushpam, Sigru-pushpam.
Vern.—Of the | flowers—Sajnah-ké-phil, Ségvé-ké-ph4l,
Sahinjan-ké-phal, Hind. Mungé-ké-phél, Duk. Murungai-pa,
Tam. Munaga-puvvu, Tel. Murinna-pi or Muringa-pé,
Malyal. Nugge-gida-huvvu, Nugge-havvu, Can. S6jna-phal,
Sajinaphaél, Guz. Munga-cha-phila, Mah. Murangdmtl, Cing.
Dondalon-péén, Bur.
Of the bark—Horse-radish bark, Moringa bark, Hng. Sajnah-
ki-chhdl, Ségvé-ki-chhal, Hind. Mungé-ki-chhél, Duk. Murun-
gai-pattai, Tam. Munga-patta, Tel. Muringa tél, Malyal.
Nugge-grida-patte, Can. Sdjna-sal, Beng. Mungé-cha-patte,
Badadi-shinga-chapatte, Mah. Muranga-potta, Cong. Dondalon-
khav, Bur.
Of the root- bark —Horse-radish root-bark, Moringa root-bark,
Eng Sajnuh-ki-jar-ki-chhal, Segvé-ki-jar-ki-chhdl, Hind. Mungé-
ki-jar-ki-chhdl, Duk. Murangai-vér-pattai, Tam. Munaga-veru-
patta, Tel. Muringa-véra-t6l, Malyal. Nugge-béru-patte, Can.
Séjna-mil-sal, Beng.
Of the root—Horse-radish root, Moringa-root, Eng. Sahjana-
ki-jar, Ségvé-ki-jar, Hind. Munge-kt-jar, Duk. Murangai-vér,
Tam. Munuga-véru, Tel. Muringa-véra, Malyal. Nugge-béru,
Nugge gida-béru, Can. Sojné-mél, Beng. Sajina-jad, Guz.
Dondalonmi, Bur.
Hahitat.—Forests of Western Himalaya, Oudh, and cultivat-
ed elsewhere, throughout India.
A fairly large, pretty tree. Bark 1 in. thick, corky, grey, with
longitudinal cracks. Roots pungent, with the taste of horse-
radish. Wood-cells large, prominent. Leaves 1-24ft. long,
N. O. MORINGACES. 397
usually 3-pinnate ; petioles, sheathing at the base ; pinnze oppo-
site, 4-6 pair; pinnules opposite, 6-9 pair, the uppermost 1-
foliolulate; a hairy gland between each pair of pinnee and
pinnule. Ultimate leaflets opposite, 2-gin. long, obovate or
elliptic, entire, membranous, pale beneath. Flowers Lin.
diam., strongly honey-scented. Sepals linear-lanceolate, reflexed.
Petals 3-3in. long, linear spathulate, white, with yellow dots
near base. Filaments villous at base. Ovary hairy. Capsule
9-20in. long 1-3in. broad, 3-gonous, linear, pendulous, longitudi-
nally ribbed, slightly constricted between the seeds. Seeds
3-cornered, winged at the angles, about lin. long, including
the wings.
Itis one of most easily propagated trees of the Western
peninsula by cuttings. Flowers and fruits in abundance twice
or at times, thrice a year.
Use.-—The root is described by the Sanskrit writers as
acrid, pungent, stimulant and diuretic, and is applied externally
as a rubefacient. The seed is said to be stimulant, and is given
in ascites arising from enlargement of the liver and spleen.
The root and bark abortifacient. Kanai Lal Dey, quoted
by Chevers (I. B. Lyons Medical Jurisprudence). See, K.
R. Kirtikar’s Poisonous Plants,’ Bombay, P. X. Jl. Bombay
N. H. Society, Vol IX.
A decoction of the root-bark is recommended to be given
with asafoetida and rock salt in inflammation, abscess and
calculous affections. ‘The gum of the tree, mixed with sesamum
oil, is reeommended to be poured into the ears for the relief of
otalgia (Dutt).
Mahomedan writers describe the flowers as hot and dry, and
consider that they expel cold humours, disperse swellings, act as
a tonic and diuretic, and increase the flow of bile. The juice
of the root with milk is diuretic, antilithic and digestive, and is
useful in asthma. A poultice made with the root reduces
swellings, but is very irritating and painful to the skin. The
pods have anthelmintic properties.
Ainslie says that the Native doctors prescribe it as a stimu-
lant in paralytic affections and intermittent fever, in doses of
398 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
about one scruple; and that they also employ it in epilepsy and
hysteria, and consider it a valuable rubefacient in palsy and
chronic rheumatism. According to Fleming, the oil of the
seedsis used as an external application for rheumatism in
Bengal. ;
In Bombay, a decoction of the root-bark is used asa foment-
ation to relieve spasm. In the Conean the bark of the wild
tree is ground with plumbago root, pigeon’s dung and chicken’s
dung, and applied to destroy guinea-worms. [Four tolas of the
juice of the leaves of the cultivated tree are given as an emetic.
The gum is said to be used to produce abortion; it would be
quite possible to use it as a tent to dilate the os uteri, as it is
very tough, and swells rapidly when moistened. The root is
accepted by Europeans as a perfect substitute for horse-radish
(Dymock.* The seeds (called by the French pozsqueniques and
chicot, are used in venereal affections in Sindh (Murray).
The fruit is- administered hy Hakeems in affections of the
liver and spleen, articular pains, tetanus, paralysis, &. The
root is used for soreness of the mouth and throat ; and the gum
for dental caries (Honnigberger).
The fresh root is stimulant, carminative, stomachic and
stimulant-diuretic ; and the flowers also possess a slight sti-
mulant property. The bark and root-bark used externally are
rubefacient and vesicant.
I have found the root in the form of “compound spirit”
very useful in fainting, giddiness, nervous debility, spasmodic
affections of the bowels, hysteria and flatulence. The flowers
are often resorted to as an aphrodisiac by the Native medical
practitioners in Southern India; but they have completely failed
in my hands, though I have tried them in very large doses.
They are at most a slight stimulant, but have not been found
useful even as such in any particular disease. Applied
externally, in the form of a paste, the fresh root-bark and the
bark act as a good vesicant and rubefacient. The former
is much superior to the latter in this respect (Moodeen
Sheriff.)
The seeds yield oil of ben, which formerly had a reputation of being a thin
oil suitable for fine machinery, Jamaica seeds consist of 40 per cent. of husks
N. O. MORINGACER. 399
and 60 per cent. of kernels. The oil gave 60 per cent. of liquid oil and 40
per cent. of white solid fat. Seeds from Northern Nigeria contained 33°4 per
cent. of oil, Meggitt (1907) obtained 25°65 per cent. of oil in the sweet variety
and 22-62 per cent. in the bitter variety.
Lewkowitsch expressed the seed in two stages and obtained a cold pressed
and a hot pressed oil. The examination of these two oils gave the following
numbers: Specific gravity at 40°, 09018, 0°8984 ; acid value, 49°71, 100°5 ;
saponification value, 179°5, 178°7 ; unsaponifiable matter, 1:67, 269 per cent. ;
iodine value, 100°3, 88 ; titer test of fatty acids, 32°, 38:2°.
Ben oil is said to consist of the glycerides of oleic, palmitic and stearic
acids and of a sulid acid of high melting point, probably arachidic acid. (Agri-
cultural Ledger for 1911-12 No. 5 p. 136).
337. M. Concanensis, Nimmo. 4.F.B.1., U. 45.
This may possibly be the red-flowered species, alluded
to by Roxburgh ‘II 308), as occurring near Maldah (FI. Br.
Ind.).
Vern. :—Mooah (Sind.); Sainjnah (Raj. ; Con.).
Habitat :—Rajputana, on dry hills, Sindh and the Concan.
A tree, glabrous except the young parts and the inflores-
cence. Bark thick, soft, corky. Wood white. soft, Pores large,
often sub-divided, enclosed in white rings, scanty. Medullary
rays fine, numerous, the distance between them less than the
diameter of the pores (Gamble. Leaves generally bipinnate,
very rarely tripinnate, reaching 1} ft. long. Primary pairs
5-6, distant, 4-8in.. long, the primary rhachis thickened at the
base as well as the secondary articulation, with a gland at
each articulation. Leaflets 4-6 pair, with an odd one, broadly
elliptic or sub-orbicular, obtuse at both ends, often retuse at
the apex, of variable size, 3-1y by 34-1 in., pale beneath,
articulated, with a slender petiole 74-3 in. long ; nerves 4-8 pair,
slender, distinct. Flowers in lax divaricate, thinly pubescent
panicles, reaching 1% ft. long, pedicels 3-3 in. long, articulated
with the flower; bracts minute, caducous. Flowering time.
October to December. Calyx thinly tomentose, about 3-4 in.
long ; segments white, oblong, reflexed. Petals yellow, veined
with red, oblong, or oblong-spathulate, the lower about 2 in.
long. Stamens 5-fertile and 4-5 stammodes; filaments hairy at
base. Capsule straight, acutely triquetrous, slightly constricted
between the seeds 1-14 ft. long; valves hard, 3-2 in. broad.
400 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
Seeds white or pale yellow, 3-angled, 2-% in. long, 3-winged.
Wings very thin, hyalive.
Use :— The roots, as of M. pterygosnerma, have a pungent
flavor, and are said to be used as a substitute for horse-radish.
(Murray).
N. O. CONNARACEA.
338. Rourea santaloides, W. and A. H.F.B.1., 11. 47.
Vern. :—Vardhara (Bom.); WAékeri (M.); Huleshadiabally
(Kan.).
Habitat :—-Western Peninusia, from the Concan to Travan-
core.
A semi-scandent or small tree. Branchlets slender. Bark
shining, purplish; buds pubescent. Leaves imparipinnate,
rachis, 3-6 in., slender, curved, glabrous. Leaflets often al-
ternate, 1-3 pair (2 or 3 pair and a terminal one—Trimen), glab-
rous, coriaceous, very shortly stalked, shining above, 2-3 in.,
(2-5 in.—Trimen) oval or lanceolate. Elliptic or ovate-lanceolate,
caudate-acuminate, rounded at base, with prominent reticulate
venation beneath. Secondary nerves, arching, conspicuous.
Flowers white, small, +in., on slender jointed pedicel, with a
minute, hairy bracteole at the joint; arranged in lax, slender,
erect or ascending glabrous, recemose panicles, several of which
arise from leaf-axil. Calyx-segments strongly imbricate, or-
bicular, very obtuse, glabrous. Petals much longer than sepals,
oval-oblong, spreading. Stameus erect. Ovary glabrous; styles
spreading. Fruit a capsule (Brandis), $-l1 in. long. Follicles
+ in. or a little more, cylindric, falcately curved, tapering to a
point, apiculate, striate, surrounded at base by a leathery cup
formed of the much-enlarged and elongated sepals, dehiscing
ventrally, z.e., along the inner suture. Arillus orange-colour-
ed. Seed about #in., oblong ovoid. Cotyledons plano-convex.
Fiowers in April, says Trimen ; May-Oct., says Brandis.
Halitat :—Ceylon up to 3,000 ft. Malabar coast, evergreen
forests of the Western Ghats, from the Concan southwards.
Singhalese (Kirindi-wel).
N. 0. LEGUMINOS&. 401
Use :—The root is used as a bitter tonic in rheumatism,
scurvy, diabetes and pulmonary complaints. Many fanciful
virtues are attributed to it by the Natives; it is believed to
promote the growth of a fcetus in utero, the development of
which has been arrested (S. Arjun).
The root is also used as an alterative and tonic, for the same
purposes as Sarsaparilla, in syphilis, &c. Externally, it is
applied to ulcers and other skin diseases.
N. O. LEGUMINOSAN.
339. Crotalaria burhia, Hamilt, u.F.B.1., 0. 66.
Vern. :—Sis, sassi, meini, pola, khippi, buta, khep, bhata,
bul, lataia, kharsan, kauriala (Pb.); Drunoo (Sind.); Ghagti
(Mar.) ; Ghangaro (Guz.)
Habitat :—In the sandy plains of Sind and Punjab, and the
desert regions of Cambay. Western Rajputana and Guzerat.
Also in Afghanistan.
An erect, pro-cumbent shrub. Branches numerous, slender,
flexible and rush-like when young, stiff and rigid when old.
Leaves simple, small and scanty. Stipules O, linear or oblong.
Flowers yellow, 6-12, far apart, on large raceme forming ter-
minal, divaricate, rigid panicles. Calyx toothed, with long,
dense, silky hairs ; teeth lanceolate, as long as Corolla, 4-4 inch.
Corolla yellow, scarce exserted (J. G. Bakar). Pod oblong,
d-4—seeded, rather longer than the Calyx.
Use :—The branches and leaves are used as a cooling medi-
cine (Stewart).
340. C. prostrata, Roxb. H.¥.B.1., 11. 67, Roxb. 548.
Halitat :—Plains, from the Upper Ganges to Ceylon, ascen-
ding the Himalaya to 6,000 ft.; also in Upper Burma and
Java.
Copiously branched herbs, with flexuous, trailing, slender
stems, finely silky, or with yellowish brown hairs. Leaves
close, simple, obovate-oblong, rather oblique; nearly sessile,
1-14 in. long, obtuse, pale, glaucous below, produced (cordate)
51
402 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
on the lower side at the base. Stipules O or small, not decur-
rent. Peduncles finely silky, usually twice the leaves. Race-
mes all lateral, leaf-opposed, usually reduced to afew flowers ;
minute, hairy bracteole at the joint ; arranged in lax, slender,
erect or ascending glabrous,-recenose panicles, several of which
arise from leaf-axil. Calyx-segments strongly imbricate, or-
bicular, very obtuse, glabrous. Petals much longer than sepals,
oval-oblong, spreading. Stamens only 2-4; bracts subulate,
very minute. Calyx ;’g-3in., densely silky ; teeth linear, long.
Corolla small, yellow, not exserted. Pod linear-oblong, glabrous,
nearly sessile, 3-2 in. long, 12-15 seeded.
Use:—Used by the Santals in derangement of the sto-
mach.
s4i> . C: aliida, Heyne. wre. 1. 7h.
Syn. C. montana, Roxb. 547.
Vern. Ban-methi (H).
Habitat :~-Tropical region through India proper and Ceylon,
ascending to 5,500 ft. in Kumaon, and to 6-7000 ft. in the West
Himalayas. Burma, Malay Peninsula and Islands, extending
to China and the Philippines. |
A perennial herb or small under-shruh, with short woody base
and very numerous ascending, slender branches 6in.-2ft. long,
covered with short, adpressed hair. Leaves numerous, rather
close, small, $-4 in., shortly stalked, linear-spathulate, acute at
base, obtuse truncate or retuse at apex, apiculate, glabrous and
minutely punctate above, silky with adpressed hair beneath,
without stipules. Flowers bright yellow, small, numerous, on
slender pedicels, secund, in lax terminal racemes. Bracts
minute, often on the Calyx-tube. Calyx-segments gin., the upper
linear-oblong, very obtuse, the lower linear-lanceolate, acuminate,
all very finely silky. Petals about as long as Calyx. Pod #in.,
oblong-ovoid, not stalked, tipped with hooked base of style,
glabrous, brown ; seeds 6-12.
Use :—The root is used as a purgative.
342. C. verrucosa, Linn. H.F.B.1., U. 77.
Syn. :—C. angulosa, Lamk., Roxb. 550.
N. 0. LEGUMINOS2. 403
Vern. :—Ban-san (B. and H.); Vuttei-khilloo-khilloopie
(Tam.); Ghelegherinta (Tel.); Tirat (Bom. ).
Habitat :—Tropical regions of the Himalayas and Ceylon.
A copiously-branched, erect annual, scarcely shrubby, 2-3ft.
high. Branches at first puberulent, soon glabrescent, acutely-
angled. Stipules foliaceous, 4-lunate, not decurrent. Leaves
simple, thin, obscurely downy beneath, reaching 4-G6in., ovate,
usually acute ; the base deltoid, usually obtuse. Racemes
moderately close, lateral and terminal, not panicled, 12-20-
flowered, ift. or more long; bracts linear, very minute ;
pedicels equalling or shorter than calyx. Calyx 4 in., obscurely
downy, teeth lanceolate, twice the tube. Corolla twice the
calyx, yellow, white and blue. Pod finely pubescent, 1-1} in.
long, 10-12-seeded. | |
Uses :-—The juice of its leaves is used in medicine ; it 1s sup-
posed to be efficacious in diminishing salivation. Itis pres-
cribed by the Tamil doctors, both internally and externally, in
cases of scabies and impetigo (Ainslie). |
343. C. zuncea, Linn. .F.B.1., 0.-79, Roxb. 545.
Vern.:—San (H. and B.); Janab-ka-nar (Dec.) ; Jenappa-
nar (Tam.); -Jenapa-nara (Tel.) Ans&i suilé (Assam); Sini,
tig-san (Sind.) ; Janapa, pulivanji (Mal.) Sanabu, shanabina,
pundi (Kan.).
Habitat :—The plains of India.
A stiff annual herb, several feet high, with slender, virgate,
rigid, thinly silky, terete, multisulcate branches. Stipules O
or minute, subulate. Leaves simple, rather distant, linear or
oblong, rather obtuse, firm, usually 14-3in., shining on both
sides, with thin, short, brown, silky hairs. Bast fibre very valu-
able for cordage, knowr in commerce as Sunn. Racemes lateral
and terminal, not panicled, loosely 12-20-flowered, reaching a
foot long ; bracts very minute, linear. Calyx 4-%in. long,
densely clothed, with ferruginous, velvety hairs: teeth linear-
lanceolate, very deep. Corolla bright yellow, glabrous, slightly
exserted. Pod 1-1{ in. long, clothed with short-spreading
presistent, silky hairs ; 10-15-seeded.
Use :—The seeds are used to purify the blood.
404. INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
344. OC, medicaginea, Lamk. u.F.B.1., 1. 81.
Syn. :—-C. procumbens, Roxb, 551.
Vern. :—Gulabi (Pb.).
Habitat :—Tropical regions of the West Himalayas and
India. |
A diffuse, perennial, herbaceous plant, with slender, much-
branched stems, diffuse, }-lft. long, thinly silky upwards.
Stipules setaceous, very minute, deciduous. Leaves trifoliate.
Leaflets #-in. long, retuse, emarginate, glabrous above,
obscurely silky below. Petioles shorter than the oblanceolate
leaflets. Racemes copious, 2-6-flowered, terminal and _ leaf-
opposed. Peduncles exceeding the leaves ; bracts minute,
linear. Coralla twice the calyx. Calyx thinly silky, campanulate,
Zin. deep ; teeth linear, exceeding the tube. Corolla yellow.
Pod. 3in. long, glabrescent, obliquely subglobose, small,
sessile, 2-seeded.
Use :--This plant is officinal in the Punjab.
345. Trigonella occulta, Delile. H.F.B.1., 1 87.
Habitat :—Sind, the Punjab and N.-W. Provinces.
An annual herb, diffuse, densely czespitose, glabrous or
sub-glabrous, with slender stems, a few inches long. Leaves
pinnately 3-foliate, toothed. Stipules deeply laciniate. Petioles
exceeding the sharply-toothed, minute, oblanceolate cuneate
leaflets. Flowers 2-4 together, in copious, sessile, axillary clus-
ters. Calyx ¢in., campanulate, teeth linear-setaceous. Corolla
slightly exserted; petals free from the staminal-tube. Pod
elliptical, short, turgid, scarcely exserted, glabrous, usually
2-seeded.
Use :—The seeds are used in dysenteric affections (Murray).
346. T. Fonum-grecum, Linn. 4.F.B.1., 0. 87,
Roxh: 588
Sans. :—Methi.
Arab. :—Hulbah.
Pers. :—Shamlit.
N. 0. LEGUMINOS. ‘405
Vern. :—Methi(B. and H.}; Vendayam (Tam.); Mentulu
(Tel.) ; Menthya (Kan.).
Habitat :--Cultivated in many parts of India, but is wild in
Kashmir and the Punjab.
Annual, robust, erect, sub-glabrous herbs. Stipules not la-
ciniate. Leaflets toothed, 3-lin. long, oblanceolate oblong.
Flowers 1-2, sessile in the axils of the leaves. Calyx 4-3 in.,
teeth linear. Corolla much exserted. Pod 2-3in. long, turgid,
10-20-seeded, with a long, persistent beak, often falcate.
Use:—Fenugreek seeds are considered carminative, tonic,
and aphrodisiac. Several confections made with this article
are recommended for use in dyspepsia with loss of appetite,
in the diarrhcea of puerperal women, and in rheumatism
(Hindu Mat. Med.) An infusion of the seeds is given by the
Natives to small-pox patients as a cooling drink. Mahomedan
writers describe the plant and seeds as hot and dry, suppurative,
aperient, diuretic, emmenagogue, useful in dropsy, chronic
cough, and enlargements of the spleen and liver. A poultice
of the leaves is said to be of use in external and internal
swellings and burns, and to prevent the hair falling off. The
flour of the seeds is used asa poultice, and is applied to the
skin in cosmetic (Dymock). The use of fenugreek asa medi-
cinal agent is now obsolete in Europe and the United States.
Formerly the seeds were employed in the preparation of emol-
lient cataplasms, fomentations and enemata, but were never
given internally. The powdered seeds are stil] used in veteri-
nary practice (Bentley and T'rimen).
The seeds being toasted and afterwards infused are used
by Native practitioners in Southern India for dysentery
(Ainslie.) In the Concan, the leaves are used both externally
and internally, on account of their cooling properties (Dymock).
Fenugreek.
Analysis of 2 samples gave the following results :—
Nitrogenous matter Ves .. 13°74 and 13°02 p.e.
Rat ace Bic sie .. Sol and 3°54 _,,,
Crude fibre spe ian = ol band 29:36 ,,
Nitrogen-free extract BE we 45°79 and 48°14 : .,,
Ash as ie tok vy eas arid -5°04, 5 in the
dry matter.
406 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
The pure ash contained (per cent.)
K,0 Na,0 CaO MgO Fe,0, P,0,
ys iter ES Y/ 7°60 30°73 =: 1°19 ATL 8:24
2. ~A18°B5 7°55 28:92 0:96 5°08 7°87
S0, Sid, Cl.
1. 435 21°97 123
2, 391 25°19 0°99.
In composition, fenugreek ——— Trifolium incarnatum.—J. Ch. S.
LXXVIII. pt. II. 1900, p. 364.
Trigonella Feenumgrcecum.
The crushed seeds yield only 00-14 per cent. of a light brown, neutral,
volatile oil, possessing the distinct odour of the seeds. It has the sp. gr. 0870
at 13°5° and [a]jp =+8°% It is readily soluble in absolute and 90 per cent,
aleohol , but its solubility in 80 per cent. alcohol is only 1: 460.—J.S. Ch. I.,
April 15, 1903, p. 439.
347. Melilotus parviflora, Desf., H.F.B.1., I. oe
‘Syn. :—Trifolium indicum, Linn. Roxb. 588.
Sans. :—Vana-methika. |
Vern. :—Sinjee (Pb ); Zir (Sind.) ; Banmethi (H.)
Habitat :—Western Peninsula, Bengal and U. P.
An under-shrub, 2-3ft. high, with firm, slender branches and
membranous leaves, thinly clothed with adpressed grey hairs. ©
The branches soon turn glabrescent. Stipules minute setaceous.
Petioles 3-2in. Leaflets always 3, obovate, the end one 1-12
in. long, etallied the side ones opposite. Racemes congested,
6-12-flowered, usually sessile, seldom over an inch long. Calyx
r-zin., white-canescent; teeth long, setaceous. Corolla purp-
lish-red, twice the Calyx. Pod straight, tetragonous, 6-10-
seeded, not torulose, 3-14 in. long; the firm glabrescent valves
obtusely keeled.
Use.—The seeds are said to be useful in bowel complaints
and infantile diarrhea, given as a gruel (Murray).
348. M. officinalis, Willd., u. F. B. 1., 11. 89.
Syn.:—Trifolium officinale, Willd. Roxb. 588.
Vern. :—Aspurk (H.) ; Tireer (Pers.); Bun-piring (B.).
Habitat :—Nubra and Ladak.
N. 0. LEGUMINOS&. 407
A biennial herb. Stem much taller than that of M. parviflora,
Desf. Stipules linear, acuminate. Leaves, with toothed pin-
nately 3-foliate leaflets. Leaflets obovate or oblanceolate, retuse
or emarginate. Racemes denser and not quite so long as M.
parviflora. Calyx z4in. Corolla linear, yellow, odorous, usually
three times as long as Calyx. Standard the same length as the
wings and keel. Pod distinctly stipitate, hairy, 3,in. long,
1-2-seeded ; not obtuse.
Use: --Said to possess styptic properties, also employed in
bruises (Watt.). 7
349. Cyamopsis psoralioides, D.C., H. F. B. L,
He 02.
Syn. :—Dolichos fabzeformis, Willd., Roxb. 564.
Vern. :—-Gowar (H.); Kauri, phaliguar (Pb.); gawar or
Godi bavachi (Bomb.); Buru raher (Santal).
Habitat :— Plains from the Himalaya to the Western Penin-
sula. Cultivated in Bombay, Surat, Ahmedabad, Deccan.
A robust, erect annual, 2-3 ft. high, clothed with adpressed
grey hairs attached by the middle. Leaves 3-foliate. Leaflets
13-3 by 4%-2in., elliptic, acute, sharply dentate (the teeth
generally ending ina weak spine, clothed on both sides with
adpressed medifixed hairs, base acute ; main nerves prominent.
Petiolules of the lateral leaflets 1/8 in., those of the terminal
ones 1/4-4in. long. Petioles 1-14 in. long, sparsely hairy. Stipules
1/4-3/8in. long, linear setaceous, subulate persistent. Flowers
small, 6-30in. copious, close, short-peduncled, axillary, close
racemes ; pedicels short, hairy ; bracts linear-subulate, persistent,
3/16 in. long. Calyx hairy outside, 1-1/4 in. long to the ex-
tremity of the longest tooth ; teeth very unequal, the lowest two
the longest linear-subulate, the upper 3 shorter, triangular, acute.
Coralla slightly longer than the Calyx ; standard slightly orbi-
cular. Anthers uniform, apiculate. Ovary sessile ; many-ovulate ;
style incurved at apex; stigma capitate. Pod thick, fleshy,
straight, sub-tetragonal, 14-2in. long, slightly pubescent. Seeds
5-6, square, slightly compressed. .
408 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
Use :— Its stem and leaves appear to be officinal under the
above name (Stewart). Pods used as a vegetable among the
Hindus.
a0: - Indigofera, linifolia, hetz, 7.8 ae
O27 Womb: ee:
Vern.:—Torki (H.); Bhangra ({B.); Taudikhode-baha
(Santal) ; Burburra, pandharipéle, bhangra, torki (Bomb.).
Habitat :—From the Himalayas throughout India.
An annual; the whole plant persistently silvery, hoary.
Stems slender, copiously branched, both at base and upward,
4-lft. Leaves simple, sub-sessile, $-lin. long, typically linear,
acute, but varying to obovate, obtuse, with a mucro. Stipules
minute, setaceous. Flowers 6-12; in copious, dense, sub-sessile
Racemes. Calyx yg in., silvery; teeth long, linear-setaceous.
Corolla bright red, 2-3-times the Calyx. Pod hard, mucronate
silvery under, 7g in. thick.
Use :---Itis given medicinally in febrile eruptions (Honnig-
berger).
The Santals use the plant in amenorrhea along with Eu-
phorbia thymifolia (Revd. A. Campbell).
jal. 41. glandulosa; Walid. ver Bees tenses
Roxb. 583:
Vern. :—Vekhariyo (Guj.); Barbed (Sholapur); Gavacha
matmaudi (Bomb.); Vekhariyo, baragadam, barapatalu, boomi-
dapu, barapatam (Tel.).
Habitat :—Plains of the Western Peninsula and Bundel-
khand.
An annual, with elongated, slender branches, clothed when
young with spreading hairs not at all argenteo-canescent.
Leaves distinctly petioled, always 3-foliate. Stipules setaceous,
minute ; petiole nearly as long as the leaflets. Leaflets oblan-
ceolate, membranous, 3-1 in. long, green above ; hairs adpressed,
obscure, pale glaucous, with copious distinct black dots below.
Heads 4-1n. long, sessile. Corolla 3-4 times the Calyx. Caylx
yyin., pubescent; teeth long, setaceous. Pod brown, finely
_ _N. 0. LEGUMINOSE: ©: 409
pubescent, oblong, tin. long, ee 1- 2-seeded, (1-seeded, says
J. G. Baker). .
~ Use:—The seeds are employed as a nutritive tonic.
, ee enneaprylla, ~Linn., {H:¥.B.1i,, 1. 94,
Roxb. 584. | :
Sans. :—Vasuka. |
Vern.:—Cheppoo-neringie (Tam.); Cherragaddaun (Tel.) ;
Bhiuguli (Mar.) ; Kenneggilu (Kan.) ; Cheru-pullate (Mal.).
Habitat :—From the Himalayas throughout. the plains of
India.
A thinly, silvery-hoary annual or biennial. Stems densely
ceespitose, 1-17ft., trailing, much-branched; leaves nearly sessile,
7-1 1-foliate, $-1din. long. Leaflets firm, oblanceolate, alternate ;
stipules minute, setaceous. Ee 12-20-flowered, dense, short
peduncled or sessile. Calyx 7-4in., hoary; teeth ene seta-
ceous. Corolla slightly exserted. Pod oblong, 2-seeded, 4-tin.
long, eylindric, thinly hoary.
_Use:—The juice of this plant is used as an ees
peer and. diuretic; and is considered alterative in old
venereal affections (Ainslie).
353. I. aspalathoides, Vahl., H.F.B.1., U. 94.
~ Syn. :—I. aspalathifolia, Roxb. 582, 583.
Vern. :—Shevenar-vaymboo (Tam.); Manueli (Mal.); Nil
(Pb.); Shiva-malli (Kan.)
_ Habitat :— Plains of Carnatic.
A low undershrub, with copiously spreading, rigid, terete,
woody branches and argenteo-canescent branchlets. Leaflet
1-5, pale green, with a few obscure adpressed hairs, oblanceo-
late, 72-4 in. long, often complicate. Pedicels erecto-patent, $-3
in., almost as long asthe leaf, much shorter than the pod.
Calyx scarcely #; in. ; teeth Lobe) linear. Corolla red, 4in.
Pod straight, glabrous, ae 3-8 in. long. 6-8-seeded.
Uses:—The leaves, flowers and tender shoots are said to
be cooling and demulcent, and are employed in decoction, in
leprosy and cancerous affections. The root is chewed as a
52
A410 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
remedy for toothache and aphthe. The whole plant, rubbed
up with butter, is applied to reduce oedematous tumors. A
preparation is made from the ashes of the burnt plant to re-
move dandruff from the hair. The leaves are applied to ab-
scesses; and an oil is obtained from the root which is used to
anoint the head in erysipelas (Ainslie and Rheede).
o04. I. trifoliata, Linn., 4.¥.B.1., 1. 96.
Syn.:—I. prostrata, Willd., Roxb. 583.
Vern. :—The seeds—Wekaria (Bomb.).
Habitat :—From the Himalayas throughout India.
Use:—The seeds are prescribed along with other mucila-
ginous drugs as a restorative (Dymock).
gor 1. paucfelra Delile, i r.s1., 1. 97) komm
D835.
Vern :—Kuttukkarchammathi (Tam.). )
Habitat :—The plains of Sind and the upper Gangetic basin.
A shrub, reaching 4-6ft., with copious woody branches
which, along with the sub-coriaceous leaves, are argento-canes-
cent. Leaflets 3-5, alternate, firm, oblanceolate oblong, $-1 in.
long, sometimes solitary on the branches; petiole short, but
distinct. Racemes_ short-peduncled, 20-50-flowered, reaching
3-4 in. long. Calyx silvery 2 in.; teeth lanceolate, cuspidate,
as long as the tube. Corolla red, 3-4-times the Calyx, thinly
silvery externally. Pod 3-2 in. long, glaucous, distinctly toru-
lose, 6-8-seeded, recurved.
Parts used :-—The root and stem.
Uses:—It is considered an antidote to poisons of all kinds.
The root boiled in milk is used as a purgative, and a decoction
of the stem as a gargle in mercurial salivation (Watt.)
356. J. tinctoria, Linn. .F.B.1., 1. 99, Roxb. 585.
Sans. :—Nila.
Vern. :—Nil (H. B.); Averi (Tam.) ; Ameri (Malay.); Neelie
(Tel.); Nil guli (Bomb.); Jil, nil (Sind.).
Eng. :—Common indigo.
Habitat :— Cultivated throughout India, for Indigo.
This is the universally cultivated Indigo.
_ N. 0. LEGUMINOSE. 41]
A shrub, 4-6ft. high, with twiggy, woody, thinly silvery,
branches. Leaves 1-2in. long, leaflets 9-13, large, obovate-oblong,
opposite, membranous, turning blackish when dried ; petiole
3-lin. Racemes lax, nearly sessile; 2-4in.. long. iowrers
smal]. Calyx gzin., silvery, teeth as long as ‘the tube. Corolla
2-1 in., reddish-yellow. Pod #-lin. long, gin. thick, glabres-
cent, nearly straight, scarcely at all recurved, 8-12-seeded, not
torulose.
Uses :—Both ainda and Manemedavs consider the plant to
have attenuant properties ; they prescribe it in whooping cough,
affections of the Jungs and kidneys, palpitation of the heart,
enlargement of the spleen or liver, and dropsy. Indigo applied
to the navel of children is said to act upon the bowels; it is
applied to the hypogastrium to promote the action of the bladder.
A poultice or plaster of the leaves is recommended in various
skin affections, and is used as a stimulating application to old
ulcers, hemorrhoids, &c. Indigo is applied to the bites and
stings of venomous insects and reptiles to relieve the pain, also
to burns and scalds. Ainslie notices the use of the root by the
Hindus i in hepatitis (Dymock.) }
_ The extract is given in epilepsy and nervous disorders.
It is also used in bronchitis, and as an ointment in sores
‘(Watt).
An infusion of the root is given as an antidote in cases of
‘poisoning by arsenic. (Surg. Thomas in Watt's Dictionary).
oof. IL. pulchella, Roxb. H.F.B.1., 11. 101, Roxb.
585, 986.
Vern. :—Sakena, hakua (H.); Uterr, jhurpur (Kol.); Dare-
huter, lili-bichi (Santal) ; Hikpi (Lepcha); Girhul (Kharwar);
Baroli (Mar.) ; Togri (Bhil.) ; Chimnati ; Nirda (Mahableshwar.)
Habitat :—Throughout the Himalayan tract and the hills of
India.
A shrub, 4-6 ft. high, the trunk reaching the thickness of a
man’s leg. Branches sulcate, thinly coated with grey adpressed
hairs at first, soon glabrescent. Leaves short-petioled, 3-Gin.
long ; leaflets opposite, obtuse, often emarginate, usually 3-lin.
long, pale green above, glaucous below, thinly coated, with short
412 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
adpressed grey hairs, ovate-oblong, 13-17, su-bcoriaceous. “Sti-
pule abortive or very minute; bracts exceeding the buds,
usually boat-shaped, with cusp. Racemes short-peduncled,
moderately close, 1-3in. long ; pedicels short. Calyx 7, in. long,
argento-canescent; teeth short, deltoid. Corolla bright. red,
glabrous externally, generally 3-3in., reaching 3-Zin. long;
the standard 2in. broad, reflexed in the expanded flower. Pod
straight, turgid, glabrous, 13-1éin. TS 8- 12-seeded.
Part used :—The root.
Use:—A decoction of the root is given by the Santals for
cough ; and a powder of the same is applied externally for pains
in the chest (Revd. H. Campbell).
The interesting ‘ Notes on Indigoferze,’ recently ‘published by Dr. Prain
and Mr. E. Baker in the Journal of Botany, reveal many facts, which, apart
from their historical and geographical interest, are of great importance in
regard to indigo-culture in India In their opinion, I. tinctoria {taken in-the
wide sense) may be considered aS representing 38 distinct forms, as follows :—
Form 1, This is the wild indigo which was found in Nubia by Kotschy
in 1841 ; and specimens agreeing with it have since been collected in Central
India. The plant was probably unknown to Linnzeus and also to. DeCandolle
Regarded as a distinct species, its correct name would be 1: Bergii, Vatke; -
FORM 2, This is the southern, or the Madras and Ceylon cultivated ir in-
digo. It is also J, tinctoria, Linn. Sp. Pl. (in part), and DeCandolle’s var.
macrocarpa of that species. It is found in a semi-wild state in the Jumna
ravines, near Agra and Muttra, also in Merwara (Rajputana), where it is not,
and probably never has been, cultivated. Itis called “ Jinjini ” in Rajputana,
where its seeds are collected and eaten in years of’ scarcity, no other use
being made of the plant. This form has been collected in a similar wild
condition in many other localities more or less distant from its true : area of
cultivation, - - seehitaMchy Caiv ein ast :
Form 3. I,sumatrana, Gertn. Fruct. ii, 371, t. 148, Syn. L indica, Lamk
—Vern. Nil. This is the northern cultivated form of indigo, extending from
Behar and Tirhut to the Punjab, where its area meets that in which some
form of I. argentea is grown, and southwards to the Circars, where its area
approaches that of the Madras cultivated form of I. tinctoria, According to
Dr, Prain, this is the form that was first introduced into the W. Indies from
the E. Indies, and in America it is the usual one met with. It also occurs in
Trop, Africa, and in Formosa. It may be distinguished botanically from the
southern form by its leaflets, which are larger, and ovate-oblong or oblong,
instead of obovate or sub-orbicular, The pods also of I. swmatrana are short-
er, thicker and blunter at the apex, and they are usually more numerous
and straighter than in the Madras form. This northern form of indigo
is an important rainy-season erop within the area. (Duthie’s Flora of the
Upper Gangetic Plain, Vol. Tp. 255), 0 | ri 52 a 5 eae
- N. 0. LEGUMINOSAE. — 4AT3
358. Psoralea cons ee Lann,: 1P:B.1., 11.2103;;
Roxb. 588. a a
Sans. :—Sugandha, kantak, avalgiga, vakuchi, sonia-raj. _
Vern. :—Buckchi, babchi(H.); Hakuch (B.); ); Bawachi (Bomb.);
Karpoo-garishi, karpugan, karu, Por citele (Tam.)- rears
gestum, bapungie (Tel.) ; Kourkoal (Mal.); Bawchan (Duk.);
Babehi (Pb.). oo here a
e Habitat : :—Plains ; from the Himalayas throughout India
proper. oe
An erect, annual, herbaceous under-shrub, i 3ft. high. Bran-
ches firm, copiously gland- dotted. The plant under preser-
vation lives for several years, six or seven or even more,
reaching a height of 6 or 7 ft. Leaves simple, distinctly petioled,
roundish, 1-3in. long, inciso-repand, firm in texture, both
sides conspicuously dotted with black dots, very glabrescent.
Racemes dense, short. Flowers 10-30, in dense, copious, long-
peduncled heads. Calyx nearly sessile, 2in., teeth lanceolate,
long, the lowest long. Corolla yellow, a little ee Pod
small, black, sub-globose, glabrous.
Use : —Native works on Materia Medica describe the seeds
as hot and dry, or, according to some, cold and dry, laxative,
stimulant and aphrodisiac. They are recommended in leprosy, ~
and other chronic skin diseases, and are given internally and
applied externally as a plaster; they are also said to be useful
in bilious affections and as an anthelmintic (Dymock). :
In southern India, they are used as a stomachic and deob-
struent, and prescribed in lepra and other cutaneous diseases
(Ainslie’. |
"An oleature of Bavchi for use. in leprosy internally nd
externally was once prepared by Mr. D. 8. Kemp, so far back
as 1370). |
Jn the Concan, the eeatle _are used in making a perfumed
oil which is applied to the skin (Dymock.).. Rai Bahadur K. L.
Dey speaks highly of the oleo-resinous extract. of the seeds,
diluted with simple ointment, asan application to leucoderma.
After application for some days the white patches appear to
become red or vascular; sometimes a slightly painful sensation
414 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
is felt. Occasionally some small vesicles or pimples appear ;
and if these be allowed to remain undisturbed they dry up,
leaving a dark spot of pigmentary matter, which forms as it
were a nucleus. From this point, as well as from the margin
of the patch, pigmentary matters gradually develop which: ulti-
mately coalesce with each other, and thus the whole patch
disappears. It is also remarkable that fresh patches are arrest-
ed by its application (Ph. J., Sept. 24th, 1881), Extensively
tried in Bombay by Bhao Daji and others as a remedy in leprosy,
and, I believe, with some success. Several species of Psoralea
have been used medicinally in America, and have been found
to act as gently stimulating and tonic nervines. Tried in
leprosy with a certain amount of success (Dymock.) ,
The seeds yield 20°15 per cent. of a thick, reddish-brown oil to ether,
_ Fat : Specific gravity at 100°, 0°9107 ; acid value, 39°18 ; saponification value,
204°6 ; Reichert-Meissl] value, 6:9 ; iodine value, 79°9 ; unsaponificable, 1°73 ;
butyro-refractometer at 25°, 79°5°,
Fatty acids (insoluble) : per cent. 88°38; melting point, 32°8 ; iodine odin
83°06 ; neutralisation value, 192°4 ; mean molecular weight, 291° 5, (A. K, SUS )
(Agricultural Ledger 1911-12—No, 5, ‘P. 139.)
359. Colutea arborescens, Linn. Var Nepalensis,
HEB, 1. 103,
Vern. :—Braa (Ladak).
Eng. :— The Bladder Senna. 7 |
Habitat :—Arid valleys of the inner Himalayas.
A sub-glabrous shrub, 6-10 feet high, unarmed. Leaves
imparipinnate ; leaflets 9-13, obovate, pale green, 3-2- in.
long, often emarginate, obscurely silky in the young state.
Racemes as large as the leaves, axillary, laxly 3-4-flowered.
Flowers yellow, showy. Calyx 3-zin. Corolla 2 inch long;
standard furnished at the base with two nipple-shaped papille.
Pod 3-2in. long, faintly downy when young, splitting at tip
before ripening.
Use :—The leaves of this plant are purgative, and are used
to adulterate officinal senna. (U. S Dispensatory).
N. 0. LEGUMINOSEH. 415
360. -Mundulea.suberosa, Benth: u.¥. B. I, I: 101.
Syn.:—Robinia suberosa and R. Senuoides, Roxb. 568.
Habitat :—Hill-valleys of the Western Peninsula and Ceylon.
_ Astout, erect shrub, with thick corky bark. Branches, rachises,
pedicels and leaves beneath densely sericeous. Leaves odd-
pinnate. Leaflets 6-10-jugate, oblong, lanceolate, coriaceous,
13-2in. long. Flowers in close, terminal racemes. Pedicels
Ds) times the campanulate Calyx. Corolla 3/4-1 in. long, reddish,
thinly silvery. Pod 3-4in. long, densely sericeous, 6-8-seeded,
both sutures thickened, so as to form prominent borders. -
Uses:—The seeds are used in Southern and Western India
as a fish poison. ‘They stupely the fish, which are then et
taken by the hand.
The seeds and bark contain a greenish walla resin, ealnible
in carbon bisulphide, benzol, chloroform, amylic alcohol; ether;
hot alcohol, and cae in caustic alkalis, with a bright allow
colour.
The leaves contain, besides the resin, an organic acid and
9 per cent of ash [Pharmacographia Indica, Vol. I., p. 417].
Sole 7 Lephrosia. punpurea, Pers: He. Ba., 1. 112.
Syn. :—Galega purpurea, Roxb. 587.
Sans. :—Sarapunkha.
Vern. :—Sarphunka (H.); Ban-nil (Beng.) ;\ Bansa. (Pb.) ;
Jangli-kulthi (Bomb.) ; Kolluk-kaéy-velai (Tam.).; Vempali (Tel.)
Jhila (Guz.) ; Hun, nali, jangli-kulthi (Dec.) ; Kozhin-nila (Mal.).
Habitat :—From the Himalayas throughout India.
A copiously-branched, sub-erect, herbacous perennial. Stem
glabrescent or finely downy, 1-2ft high, slender, terete. Leaves
odd-pinnate, short-petioled, 3-6in. long. Stipules linear, subulate,
ascending or reflexed; leaflets 13-21, narrow, oblanceolate, obtuse,
green, glabrescent above, glaucous, obscurely silky below.
Racemes copious, all leaf-opposed, 3-6in. long, lax ; lower flowers
fascicled; pedicels 1/8-1/4in., bracts minute. Calyx }$-#in., closely
silky. Calyx teeth narrow, cuspidate, as long as the tube. Corolla
1/4-1/2 in., red, thinly silky. Pod 13-2 by 1/6 in., broad glabres-
416 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
cent, or finely downy, slightly recurved, 6-10-seeded. Style sub-
glabrous, penicillate at the tip.
Parts used :—The root, root- back and seeds.
Uses :—Native works on Materia Medica describe this, plant
as -deobstruent and diuretic, useful in cough and_ tightness of
the chest, bilious febrile attacks, obstructions of the liver, spleen
and kidneys. They recommend it as a purifier of the blood and
for boils, pimples, &e. The author of the Makhzan mentions its
use in combination with Cannabis Indica leaves (two parts of
the former to one of the latter) as a remedy for bleeding piles,
and with black pepper as a diuretic, especially useful i in gonor-
rhea (Dymock).
‘The root is bitter and given by Native practitioners ~ in
dyspepsia and chronic diarrhoea (O’Shaughnessy).
Thc plant is used internally as a purifier of the blood, and
is considered a cordial. An infusion of the seeds is given as a
cooling medicine (Dr. Stewart).
The plant appears to act as a tonic and laxative
(Dymock).
In Ceylon, it is employed as an anthelmintic for children
(Thwaites).
In the Punjab, an infusion of the seeds is believed to be
cooling (Stewart.)
Fresh root-bark, ground and made into a pill, with a little
black pepper, is frequently given in cases of obstinate colic,
with marked success (Surgeon-Major Levinge of Madras, in
Watt’s Dictionary.)
362. T. villosa, Pers., H.F.B.1., 11. 113, eo 587.
Vern. :— Vaykkavalai (Tam.)
Habitat :— From the Himalayas to Ceylon.
Habit of T. purpurea, but stems lanceolate, firmer and more
woody, clothed with short, adpressed white hairs. Leaves nearly
sessile, 2 3in. long, stipules linear, ascending or reflexed.
Leaflets 13-19, grey green, glabrescent above, persistently
silky below, narrow, oblanceolate, often emarginate. Raceme
half a foot or more long. Lower flowers indistinct, fascicled,
N. 0. LEGUMINOSZ. 417
often in the axils of the leaves; pedicels very short, bracis
setaceous, plumose. Calyx {-zin. deep, densely silky ; teeth
setaceous, lower exceeding the tube. Corolla pale red, not
much exceeding the calyx. Pod 1-14 in. long, 1/6-1/5in. broad,
densely, persistently white, velvety, much recurved, 6-8-seeded.
Style glabrous, flattened, penicillate at the tip.
Use.—In Pudukota, the juice of the leaves is given in dropsy.
(Pharm. Ind.) :
363. Sesbania cegyptica, Pers., H.F.B.1., 1. 14.
Syn.—Aischynomene seshan, Linn., Roxb. 570.
Sans.—Jayanti.
| Vern.—Jét rasin (H.); Ravasin (Dec.) ; Jayanti or Byojainti
(B.); Shevari (Mar.); Jait, jaintar (Pb.); Champai, carcum
chembai (Tam.) ; Kedangu (Mal:) ; Suiminta (Tel.).
Habitat—From the Himalayas throughout the plains of
India.
A weedy, tree-like herb, 6-10ft. high, or 15-20ft. at
times, short-lived soft-wooded. Bark brown. Wood white,
extremely soft. Leaves paripinnate, numerous rachis 23-4in.,
slightly pilose, without prickles, furrowed above, swollen at
base, 38-6ft. long. Leaflets 9-20 pair, linear-oblong, very
shortly stalked, $-3in., obtuse, apiculate, glabrous or nearly so,
rather glaucous. Branches nearly glabrous, young parts silky.
Flowers few, rather large, on very slender pedicels, in very lax,
slender, pendulous axillary, stalked racemes. Calyx glabrous,
broad, companulate ; segment very shallow, acute. Pod 8-9in.,
pendulous, very narrowly linear, dehiscent, sharply beaked,
usually somewhat twisted, weak, slightly torulose. Seeds 30 or
more, greenish grey, separated by distinct transverse bars. The
flowers are pale yellow, the standard dotted on the back with
purple, or orange and purple (Brandis).
Uses.—The author of the Makhzan says that the seeds
reduce enlargement of the spleen (Dymock). The seeds are
applied in the form of ointment to eruptions, for which the juice
of the bark is also given internally. They are also said to be
stimulant emmenagogues (Waitt).
58
418 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
_ The leaves are applied in the form of a poultice to hydrocele
and rheumatic swellings; also to promote absorption or sup-
puration of boils and abscesses (T. N. Mukerji).
In the Punjab, the seeds are applied externally, mixed with
flour, for itching of the skin.
In Dacca, the juice of the fresh leaves is given as an anthel-
mintic (Taylor).
The root, well bruised and made into a paste, is an excellent
application for scorpion-stings (N. C. Dutt, in Watt’s Dic-
tionary). |
564. 8S. aculeata, Pers., H.F.B.1., 11. 114.
Syn.—Aischynomene spinulosa, Roxb. 570.
Vern.—Brihut-chakrand (H.); Dhanicha (B.); Errajilgna
(Tam.); Bhuiavali, ranshevari (Mar.).
Habitat.—From the West Himalayas throughout the plains
of India.
A soft-wooded, suffruticose, erect, herbaceous annual, reach-
ing several feet high, the branches and leaf-rachis, with small,
weak prickles. Leaves abruptly pinnate, reaching 3-lft. long ;
8-10 times longer than broad; leaflets glabrous, 20-40 pair,
linear, obtuse, mucronate; petioles usually sprinkled with minute
cartilaginous points (W. & A.). Racemes axillary, peduncled,
erect, lax, often about half the length of the leaves, few-flowered.
Flowers pretty large (more than half an inch long), on slender
pedicels. Calyx 4in., glabrous. Corolla §-4in., pale yellow ;
standard dotted with red. Pod 6-9in. by #in., straight or rather
falcate, beaked with the persistent style.
Use.—The seeds are mentioned by Baden Powell in his list
of drugs.
365. S. grandiflora, Pers., H.F.B.1., 11. 115.
Syn.—schynomene grandiflora, Linn. Roxb. 569.
Agati grandiflora, Desv. Coronilla grandiflora, Willd.
Sans.—Vaka.
Vern.—Basna (H.); Bak (B.); Bagfal (Sunderbans); Agasta
(Bomb.); Agati (Tam.) ; Avisi (Tel.) ; Agase (Kan.).
N. 0. LEGUMINOSAE. 419
Habitat.—Cultivated in South India and in the Ganges,
Doab, and in Bengal.
A short-lived, wooded tree, attaining 20-30ft., with virgate
terete branches. Bark light brown, smooth. Wood white,
soft. Leaves 4-lft. long. Leaflets 10-30 pair, oblong, glaucous,
1-14ft. long. Flowers 2-4in., short axillary racemes, 3in. long,
red or white. Calyx lin. deep, glabrous, shallowly 2-lipped.
Calyx-cup full of honeyed-juice. Pod 10-12in. long, or more,
4in. broad, compressed, tetragonous, falcate, firm, not torulose,
the sutures much thickened.
Parts used.—The bark, leaves, flower, and roots.
Use.—In Bombay, the leaves or flowers are made use of
by the Natives, their juice being a popular remedy in nasal
' eatarrh and headache: itis blown up the nostrils and causes
avery copious discharge of fluid, relieving the pain and sense
of weight in the frontal sinuses. The root of the red-flowered
variety, rubbed into a paste with water, is applied in rheuma-
tism. From 1 to 2 tolas of the root-juice are given with honey
as an expectorant in catarrh. A paste made of the root, with
an equal quantity of stramonium root, is applied to painful
swellings. The leaves are also said to be aperient (Dymock).
An infusion of the bark is given in small-pox (T. N.
Mukerji).
The bark is very astringent and is recommended as a tonic
by Dr. Bonavia (Ph. Ind.)
A poultice of the leaves is a popular remedy in Amboyna
for bruises. The juice of the flowers is squeezed into the eyes
to relieve dimness of vision (Murray).
The flowers and pods are used in Bombay in curries and
fritters. The taste of the pods, when cooked as a vegetable is,
somewhat mawkish. Some don’t mind the mawkish taste, and
eat them largely (K. R. K.).
063. Astragalus tribuloides, lelile, H. F. B. L.,
if. bac:
Vern, :— Ogai (Pb.).
Habitat :—Plains of the Punjab.
420 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
Annual weeds, with basifixed hairs. Stems slender, densely
czespitose, trailing, ift., densely clothed upwards,with ascending
white hairs. Leaves distinctly petioled, 1-24in. long ; leaflets
mostly close, densely clothed, with long white hairs on
both sides. 13-15, oblong-lanceolate, acute. Stipules minute.
Heads dense, sessile, 6-10-flowered. Calyx tubular §-Zin., densely
matted ; teeth setaceous, shorter than the tube. Corolla pale
yellow, little exserted. Pods 3in. long, turgid, linear oblong,
densely pubescent, the cluster often spreading from the stem,.-
like the spokes of a wheel from the axis. Stigma glabrous ;
seed 10-12.
Use :-—The seeds are used medicinally, on account of their
demulcent properties.
o04. A. hamosus, Linn. H.F.B.I1., 11. 122.
Vern.:—Taj-badshahi, katila, pdrtak, parang (H.);
Akhil-ul-malik (Pb.).
Habitat :— Plains of the Punjab at Lahore and Peshawar.
Annual weeds, with basifixed hairs. Stem hairy, robust,
1-2ft. Leaves distinctly petioled, 4-4ft. long; leaflets distinctly
stalked, pale green 3-tin. long, 18-25, oblong, emarginate,
glabrescent above or thinly matted with silvery hairs on both
sides. Heads 6-20-flowered ; peduncles much shorter than the
leaves, dense. Flowers small, yellow. Calyx 2in., matted with
mixed black and white hairs, teeth subulate, as long as tube.
Corolla half as long again as the Calyx. Pod #-lin. long,
cylindrical quite glabrous, much recurved, nearly bilocular,
16-18-seeded. Stigmas glabrous.
Use :—It has emollient and demulcent properties, and is
useful in the irritation of the mucous membranes. The pods
are officinal.
Is laxative and used in nervous affections ; made into a paste
with vinegar it is employed externally in headaches. Is said to be
lactagogue and to be used incatarrhal affections (Dr. Emerson.)
aod. A, multiceps, Wall, A.F.B.1..) i. les4
Vern. :— Kandiara, katarkanda, pisar, sarmul, kandei (Pb.)
Tinain, diddani (Afg.).
N. 0. LEGUMINOSZ. 421
Habitat:—West Himalayas, Temperate Zone, Simla,
Kumaon and Garwhal.
Low shrubs, with basifixed hairs. Main stems not produced ;
branchlets, with densely crowded nodes. Tufts densely con-
gested, armed with the very crowded leaf-rachises which are
14-3in. long Stipules 4in., lanceolate, adnate only at the very
base ; leaflets 21-31 mostly crowded, obovate oblong, ,-tin.
long ; thick in texture, dull green, clothed with silky hairs.
Pedicels ;4,-3in. ; bracts linear, exceeding the pedicels. Flowers
1-2 together in leaf axils, usually not peduncled. Calyx gibbous,
3in., thinly silky ; teeth linear setaceous, half as long as the
tube. Corolla #in, yellow; standard exceeding wings and
keel ; stigma naked. Pods sessile, oblong, turgid, bilocular,
12-14-seeded, clothed with fine grey silky hairs.
Use :—The seeds are given for colic, and also for leprosy
(Stewart).
366. Tavernierea nummularia, D.C., H. F.B. 1.,
i. 140.
Vern. :—Jetimad (Sindhi, Bombay.).
Habitat :—-Plains of Sind and the Punjab ; Deccan.
A copiously-branched under-shrub, 1-2ft. high, with slender,
finely canescent, terete branches. Leaves shortly petioled,
usually 3-foliate. Leaflets very variable in size, 4-lin. long,
obovate-oblong or nearly round, thick, pale green, thinly can-
escent beneath, the side ones not opposite. Stipules free,
minute, lanceolate, scarlose. Racemes few or many-flowered,
usually exceeding the leaves. Calyx 4-tin., thinly silky.
Corolla red, glabrous, g-3in. Joints of pod 1-4, roundish.
Use:—The leaves of this plant are said to be useful in the
form of a poultice, as an application to sloughing ulcers to
keep them clean (Murray 123).
367. Alhagi maurorum, Desv. H.F.B.1., 11. 145.
Syn, :—A mannifera, Desv, Hedysarum Alhagi Linn., Roxb.
574.
429 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
Habitat:—Plains of the U. Provinces, upper Ganges
and the Concan.
Sans. :—Durlabha, girikarnika, yavasa.
Arab. :-—Alhaju, haj, aaqul, shoukuljaimal.
Pers. :—Shutarkhor, khareshutar.
Vern:—Jawasa (H. and Bomb.); Dulalabha (B.);
Girikarmika (Tel.) ; Oosturkhar, kas-khandero (Sind). —
The Manna, Taranjabin.
A low shrub, armed with copious sub-patent, hard pungent
spines 3-lin. long. Leaves simple, drooping from the base of
the spines or branches, oblong, obtuse, rigidly coriaceous glab-
rous. Flowers 1-6 from a spine, on short pedicels. Calyx
glabrous 74,-¢in. Corolla reddish, 3 times the Calyx. Pod one
in. long or less, faleate or straight.
Duthie writes (Flora of the Upper Gangetic Plain, Vol. I., p.
280) that “ the true A. maurorum of Tournefort, with silky
pods, does not occur in India.”
Uses:—The plant is described by Sanskrit writers as
laxative, diuretic and expectorant, the thorny flower, stalks and
branches being the parts used. No reference is made by them
to the manna.
In Mahomedan works it is considered to be aperient, attenuant
and alexipharmic. A poultice or fumigation with it is
recommended to cure piles. The expressed juice is applied to
opacities of the cornea, and is directed to be snuffed up the
nose as a remedy for megrim. An oil is prepared with the
leaves as an external application in rheumatism ; the flowers are
applied to remove piles (Dymock).
The manna is not produced by the Indian plant, but is
imported from Persia and Bokhara. It is described by the
author of the Makhzan as aperient and cholagogue, more
digestible than ash manna, expectorant, a good purifier of the
blood from corrupt and adust humors when given in diet
drinks, such as barley water, &c; diuretic, and, with milk,
fattening and aphrodisiac. (Dymock).
N. O. LEGUMINOSA. 493
In the Concan, the plant is sinoked along with black datura,
tobacco, and-ajwan seeds as a remedy for asthma (Dymock).
The infusion has a diaphoretic action (Surg. Barren, in
Watt’s Dictionary).
368. Uraria picta, Desv. H.F.B.1., 1. 155.
Syn. :—Doodia picta, Roxb. 582.
Vern. :—Dabra (H.); Sankar-jata (B.); Deterdane (Pb.);
Prisniparni (Mar.) ; Pitavan, pitvan (Guz.).
Habitat :—From the Himalayas throughout India.
An erect, little-branched, suffruticose perennial, 3-6ft. high.
_ Stems robust, finely, downy. Petiole 1-2in. Leaves stipulate;
upper leaves 5-9-foliate. Leaflets 4-6, rarely 9, rigidly sub-
coriaceous, glabrous above, reticulato-venulose, minutely pu-
bescent below, 4-8in. long, 4-lin. broad ; lowest simple, round
or oblong. Flowers in dense cylindrical racemes, 4-L{t. long,
z-ain. broad. Bracts brown, scariose, deciduous, not distinctly
ciliated ; upper lanceolate, lower acuminate, ovate ; pedicels
¢-in., abruptly recurved at the tip after flowering. Corolla
purple, slightly exserted. Joints 3-6, glabrescent, polished,
often whitish.
Use :—In Bombay, the plant is supposed to be an antidote
to the poison of the phtrsa snake (Echis Carinata) (Dymock).
The fruit is applied to the sore mouths of children
(Stewart).
369. U. lagopoirdes, D.c., H.F.B.I., 11. 156.
Syn.:—Doodia lagopodioides, Roxb. 581
Sans, :—Prisniparni.
Vern. :—Pitvan (H.); Chakulia (B.); Dowla. (Bomb);
Kolaponna (Tel.).
Habitat :—Tropical Zone, Nepal and Bengal.
A suffruticose perennial. Stems densely czespitose, woody,
slender, pubescent, trailing. Petiole }-lin. Leaves l-and 3-
foliate, intermixed. Leaflets many, of both kinds, obtuse,
rounded at the base, 1-2in. long, glabrous above, finely downy
424 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
below, orbicular or oblong. Heads of flowers short, dense,
oblong-cylindrical, always simple, 1-2, rarely 3-in.: long, under
lin. thick ; bracts sub-persistent, distinctly ciliated. Pedicels
densely crinate, not longer than Calyx. Calyx 4-Zin. ; lower teeth
setaceous, densely plumose. Corolla scarcely exserted. Joints
1-2, brown polished, finely pubescent.
Use :—-This plant is an ingredient of the Dashamiila Kadha
(Decoction). and is thus much used in Native medicine. It is
considered alterative, tonic, and anti-catarrhal, but is seldom
used alone (Dutt).
According to Sushruta, it was given with milk to women in
the seventh month of their pregnancy to produce abortion.
The properties attributed to it are probably entirely
fanciful (Pharm. Ind.)
370. Alysicarpus longifolius, W. & A., H.F.B.L,
ie POLE
Habitat :—Plains, scattered throughout India proper.
Stems stout, ascending, sub-glabrous, reaching 4-5 ft. Leaf-
lets oblong and lanceolate, 3-6 in. long, the flowers adpressed
to the finely hairy rachis; pedicels 74 in. Calyx 3 in.; teeth
lanceolate, 4-5 times the length of the funnel-shaped plicate
tube. Pod 4-6-jointed, usually exserted, ;4 in. broad, turgid
moniliform, marked with only a few faint raised vines.
Use:—The roots are sweet like liquorice and are called
liquorice by the Indian peasants, and used as a substitute for
the same.
371. Arachis hypogaea, Linn, H.F.B.1., 1. 161,
Roxb. 252.
Vern. :—Mung-phali ; vilayeti-mung (H).; Mat-kalai; chini-
badam ; bilati-mung (B.); Bhui-mung; (Sind.); Bhui-shing
(Bom.); Bhui-mug ; bhui-chane (Mar.) ; Chini-mung ; bhui-chana
(Guz.); Ver-kadalai; nila-kadalai; kadalaikai; manilla-kottai
(Tam,) ; Veru-sanagalu ; manilla-ginjalu ; nila-sanagalu (Tel.) ;
Bhuimug. (Kan).
Habitat :—Cultivated in many parts of India.
N. Q. LEGUMMINOS2. 425
A diffuse annual herb. Root annual. Stems or rather
branches, many, diffuse, hairy, from 2-4 ft. long. Leaves
alternate, pinnate. Leaflets 2 pairs, oval and obovate, slightly
hairy underneath. Petioles longer than the leaflets, with the
base enlarged into a stem-clasping sheath with two ensiform
processes. Flowers axillary, two or three together blossoming
in succession. Bracts a common exterior pair to the fascicle
and small proper ones tothe several flowers. All are membranace-
ous tapering to a fine point and ciliate. Calyx with a very
long, filiform, slender tube ; mouths two-parted ; the upper lip
three-cleft, with the middle division emarginate ; the lower lip
lanceolate, and rather longer. Corolla papilionaceous resupi-
nate of a bright yellow colour. Vexillum round, emarginate,
large in propertun to the other petals inserted with the wings
and carina partly on the base of staminiferous tube and partly
on the mouth of the tube of the Calyx, wings free obliquely ovate,
concave, longer than the carina which is at base two-parted ; the
upper half in curved and subulate; Filaments ten united into
one fleshly tube with a groove, but opening on upper side.
Anthers alternately sagittate and ovate. Germ (ovary) ovate,
lodged on the base of the sessile tube of the Calyx. Style long
and slender. Stigma even with the anthers, and bearded on the
inside. Legume oblong leathery, swelled at each seed, reticu-
lated with prominent nerves, one-celled not opening spontane-
ously, nor are the sutures very conspicuous; length various
but in general about as thick as the little finger. Seeds from
one to four, ovate, smooth, of the size of a French bean. The
manner in which the young minute germ (ovary) of the plant
acquires pedicels, sufficiently long to allow it to thrust itself
into the ground to the depth of one, two or even three inches
where it grows and ripens its seed is truly wonderful. Roxburgh
further observes: “to understand the admirable economy it
must be observed that the flowers are most perfectly sessile, two,
three or four in the axils of ten leaves, and that the germ is
lodged in the very base of the tube of the Calyx. Soon after
the flower decays the germ acquires pedicels, after which it
lengthens fast, it then enters the earth, and when the legume is
perfectly formed, it will generally be found as deep in the earth
54
426 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
as when full grown, I therefore conceive that it buries itself to
its greatest depth before seeds begin to enlarge, and while the
germ is only on obtuse point.”
Found all over the warm parts of Asia, In the Dekkan and
Concan.
Parts used :—The nut and oil.
Uses :—The oil may take the place of olive oil. “In Bombay
the oil is expressed at the Government Medical Store Depot
for pharmaceutical purposes, to the extent of about 6,000 lbs.
annually. It is used as a substitute for olive oil” (Dymock).
“The experiments of Winter in the United States is that it is
well adapted for the preparation of cerates and ointments, but
that it would not serve as a substitute for olive oil in the prepar-
ation of lead plaster. Falicres found it to possess great aptitude
for the nitric solidification, hence he has recommended its use
in the preparation of Unguentum Hydrargyri Nitratis”’ (Bentley
and Trimen). “The unripe nuts are sweet and are given to
women whose supply of milk is insufficient for their children;
the uuripe nuts are less oily and, therefore, more easily digested”
(SuBBA Rao).
Leather has shown that the Mauritius variety of ground-nut contains from
44 to 49 per cent. of oil, while the indigenous varieties contain only 40 to 44
per cent. Newer samples have more recently been imported and it has been
noticed that they are uniformly more rich in oil than the local kinds. These
figures refer to the proportion of oil in the kernels, The proportion by
weight of unhusked nuts to kernels is as 4to 3. The bulk of the Indiau manu-
facture of the oilisin the hands of owners of native rotary mills. Mills of
the European pattern have been tried in South India, but they could not
compete with the crude native mills as the cake from the former was too dry
and powdery. Recently mills have been opened in Calcutta and elsewhere in
Bengal for the manufacture of the oil and have created a large import traffic
inthe nuts. The nuts having been shelled the expression is carried out in
two stages. The first expression is carried out at the ordinary temperatute,
and the cold drawn oil is nearly colourless, has a pleasant taste and is used
as a salad oil. The second expression is made at a temperature of 30° to 32°
and yields an oil suitable for edible purposes and for burning. Sometime a
third expression is made at a higher temperature and givesa turbid oil
suitable for soap making. Arachis cake contains the highest amount of
proteins of all known oil-cakes, That from non-decorticated nuts contains 5°35
per cent. of nitrogen and 0'9 per cent. of phosphoric acid, and that from the
kernels contains 7'9 per cent, of nitrogen and 1°35 per cent. of phos phoric acid,
N. 0. LEGUMINOSAE. 427
Arachis oil has the following constants: Specific gravity at 15°, 0°917 to
0°920 ; solidifying point, about zero ; saponification value, 185°6 to 194°8;
iodine value, 83°3 to 100; Reichert-Meiss] value, 0.0 ; Maumene test, 49°.
Insoluble fatty acids and unsaponifiable, 94:87 to 95°86 ; melting point, 22° to
29° ; iodine value, 95°5 to 103°42 ; mean molecular weight, 281°8.
Arachis oil can be identified and detected by the isolation of arachidic
acid, a constituent melting at 745°. About 10 grms. of the oil is saponified,
neutralised and treated with lead acetate. The lead salt is extracted with
ether and the insoluble portion is decomposed and the fatty acids dissolved
in 50 c.c. of 90 per cent, hot alcohol. On cooling the alcoholic solution, a crop
of crystals will be obtained which should amount to 5 per cent. of the oil and
melting between 74° and 755°, (Agricultural Ledger, 1911-12—No. 5, pp : 137-
138.)
372. Ougeinia dalbergioides, Benth, u.¥.B.1., 11. 161.
Syn. :—Dalbergia ougeinensis, Roxb. 532.
Sans. :--Tinisa sejganduna.
Vern. :—Sandan, asainda, tinnas, timsa (Hind.); Tinis
(Beng.); Bandhona (Uriya); Ruta (Kol.); Rot (Santal); San-
dan-pipli (Nepal) ; Tewsa(Bhil.) ; Sér, shermana, tinsai (Gond.) ;
Rutok (Kurku); Shanjan, painan, tinsa, sildan (N.-W. P.);
Telus, sannan, séndan (Pb.): Tunnia, (Banswara); Tinsa,
karimattal, kala phalas tinnas, (C. P.); Tiwas, tunus, tunnia,
telas, sandan, timsa (Bomb.); Kala palas, tewas, tiwas, tanach
(Mar.); Dargu, tella motuku, nemmi chettu, manda motuku
(Tel.); Kari mutal, (Kan.)
Habitat :—Sub-Himalayan tract from the Sutlej to the Tista ;
also Central India and the West Coast.
A. moderate-sized, deciduous tree 20-40ft., sometimes gre-
garious, with a short and often irregularly-shaped trunk.
Bark éin. thick, hght brown, sometimes with bluish patches,
with regular longitudinal and horizontal cracks. Wood hard,
close-grained ; sap-wood small, grey ; heart-wood mottled, light
brown, sometimes reddish-brown. Leaves pinnately 3-foliate,
distinctly petioled, stipellate. Leaflets coriaceous, unequal,
the terminal largest, broad-oval, the lateral opposite, oblique,
edges undulate or slightly crenate, 3-6in. long. Flowers very
copious, white or pale pink, on long slender pedicels, in dense
fascicles or on short racemes, forming loose heads on old wood,
428 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
1-2in. across. Pedicels 3-#in., filiform, downy or glabrous.
Calyx 3-3in.; teeth obtuse. Stamens diadelphous; anthers
uniform. Pod oblong-linear, 2-3in. long, flat-veined, slightly
contracted between the seeds, scarcely dehiscent ; seeds 2-5, flat.
Uses:—The bark when incised furnishes a kino-like exudation,
which is used in cases of dysentery and diarrhoea (Lisboa). But
its efficacy is very doubtful (K. R. K.). According to Campbell
(Econ. Prod., Chutia Nagpur), a decoction of the bark is given
among the hill tribes, when the urine is high coloured. In the
Central Provinces, the bark is said to be used as a febrifuge.
373. Desmodium tiliefolium, G. Don. H.F.B.1., 1. 168.
Vern. :—Motha, sambar, shamru, chamra (H.); Chamyar
marfara, gur-kats, dud-sambar, pirhi (Pb.).
Arab. :—Sad-koofi.
Pers. :—Mushk-Zamin.
Habitat :— Himalayas, from the Indus to Nepal.
A small, erect, shrubby plant ; branches slender, terete, finely-
downy. Leaves 3-foliate. Leaflets obtuse or sub-acute, thick,
flexible, sub-coriaceous, green, glabrescent above, densely hoary
beneath ; end one obovate, 2-3in. long, entire or obscurely
repand, base deltoid or rather rounded. Petiole 2-3 in. Racemes
copiously lax, often lft. long, axillary and terminal, the latter
often copiously panicled with lower branches again compound.
Bracts lanceolate. Pedicels }-3in., ascending, finely downy.
Calyx $in., downy ; teeth deltoid, shorter than the tube.
Corolla 2-gin. Pod 2-3 in. long, iin. broad ; joints 6-9, longer
than broad, thinly clothed with adpressed silky hairs.
Use :—The roots are considered carminative, tonic and diu-
retic, and used in bilious complaints. (Dr, Emerson.)
374. D. gangeticum, D.C., H.£.B.1., 11. 168.
Syn. :—Hedysarum gangeticum, Linn., Roxb. 575.
Sans. :—Salaparni.
Vern. :—Sarivan (H.); Salpani (B.); Salwan, ddye (Bomb.) ;
Tandi-bhedi-janetet (Santal), Gita-naram, kolaku-ponna (Tel.).
N. 0. LEGUMINOS. 429
Habitat :—From the Himalayas throughout India.
A slender under-shrub. Stem 2-3ft. high, suberecit, woody,
slightly angular, clothed with short grey down upwards. Leaves
imparipinnate ; petiole 7-17in. Leaflets oblong, ovate to narrow-
lanceolate, membranous, 3-6in. long, acuminate glabrous above,
more or less pubescent beneath. Secondary nerves 8-10 pair.
Racemes slender 6-12in. long, axillary, mostly terminal, pedicels
ascending. Flowers white, yin. long, jointed ; §-3 by ggin. Calyx
under ?,in., finely downy, teeth lanceolate. Corolla 3-gin.
Pod faleate, 6-8-jointed, 3-¢ by 7hin., glabrescent or clothed
with miuute hooked hairs.
Use:—By Hindu writers it is regarded as a febrifuge and
anti-catarrhal. It forms an ingredient of the Dasamula Kwatha
or decoction of ten herbals; this decoction is used in remittent
fever, puerperal fever, inflammatory affections within the chest,
affections of the brain, and many other diseases supposed to
be caused by the derangement of all the humors (Dutt).
Bio. D. polycarpum, D.C: H-F.8.1., 1. 171.
Syn. :—Hedysarum purpureum, Roxb., 578.
Vern. :—Bephol (Santal.).
Habitat :—Himalayas, and everywhere in the plains.
An erect or sub-erect undershrub, with woody, slightly angu-
lar, slender branches, clothed upwards, with short adpressed
grey hairs. Petiole $-lin. Leaves imparipinnate. Leaflets sub-
coriaceous, green, glabrous above, thinly clothed, with adpressed
grey hairs beneath ; end one obovate-oblong, obtuse, 1-3in. long;
side ones smaller. Racemes terminal and lateral, close, short-
peduneled, i-3in. long, the end one sometimes branched;
bracts %-gin.; pedicels 2-jin.; glabrous. Calyx Lin.; teeth
acuminate, exceeding tube. Corolla under tin. Pod 4-3in.
long, 4 1n broad, glabrescent or minutely downy, 5-8-jointed
(J. G. Baker).
Use :—The Santals use a preparation of this plant in faint-
ing and convulsions (Revd. A. Campbell).
Oe rrenorvmiO)C. | H.F.B.1.,.11. 173.
Syn, :—Hedysarum triflorum, Linn., Roxb. 577.
430 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
Vern. :—Kudaliya (M. & B.); Moonoodda-moddoo (Tel.) ;
Jangli or Ran methi (Bombay).
Habitat :—Everywhere in the plains, throughout India;
Kumaon and Kashmir.
Trailing herbs, 2-12ft., stems czespitose, very slender, copious-
ly branched, clothed with fine spreading hairs. Leaves 3-foliate.
Stipules lanceolate, persistent ; petioles ¢-jin.; leaflets obovate,
4-5in., truncate or emarginate, with a few adpressed hairs below.
Flowers 1-3 together, without a common peduncle in the axils
of the leaves. Bracts deciduous. Pedicels4-3in. Calyx pubes-
cent, yo-¢in.; teeth very long, setaceous. Pod #-din. long, Fin.
broad, 3-5-jointed distinctly, pubescent ; upper suture straight,
lower slightly indented.
Use :— The fresh leaves are applied to wounds and abscesses
that do not heal well (Wight).
A paste of the bruised leaves with kamala is applied to in-
dolent sores and itch. In the mofussil, the fresh juice of the
plant is given to children for coughs (S. Arjun). In Ceylon,
it is used in dysentery (Watt).
oii. Aprus precatorius, Linn: FB eld a
Roxb. 544.
Sans. :—Gunja.
Vern.:— Rati (H.); Kunch (B.); gumchi (Guz.); Maspat
(Nepal) ; Kawet(Santal.) ; Latuwani(Ass.) ; Gundumani (Tam.);
Ghurie-ghenza (Tel.).
Habitat :—From the Himalayas, throughout India.
A perennial twiner. Stems numerous, scarcely woody,
slender, glabrous, with long internodes. Leaves spreading,
pinnate, rachis 2-4in., thickened at base, very slender, chan-
nelled, very glabrous. Stipules minute, setaceous. Leaflets
20-24 (10-20 pair) or more, opposite, very shortly stalked,
quickly deciduous, about #in., oblong, obtuse at both ends,
minutely apiculate, glabrous above, slightly hairy beneath, thin;
flowers pale violet, rather small, shortly stalked, several together
on very short, swollen, knob-like branches, crowded at-ends of
N. O.. LEGUMINOSAE. A431
short, curved, swollen peduncles, usually shorter than the
leaves. Calyx glabrous or very likely silky. Pod 14-1% by #in.
wide, flat, oblong, truncate, with a sharp deflected beak, finely
silky. Seeds 3-5, rather over fin. ovoid, usually bright scarlet,
with a black patch on top, highly polished as if covered with
red lac.
The flowers are sometimes white, when the seeds are of that
colour, with the black on top; sometimes the seeds are mixed
black and white (J. G. Baxen).
Parts used :—The roots, seeds, and leaves.
Uses :—The watery extract of the root is useful in relieving
obstinate coughs (K. L. Dey).
Formerly, the root was considered to be a perfect substitute
for liquorice, but experience has shewn this to be erroneous.
By Sanskrit writers the root is described as emetic and
useful in poisoning. Internally, the seeds are described as
poisonous and useful in affections of the nervous system, and,
externally, in skin diseases, ulcers, affections of the hair, &c.
The seeds reduced to a paste are recommended to be applied
locally in sciatica, stiffness of the shoulder joint, paralysis, and
other nervous diseases. In white leprosy, a paste composed of
the seed and plumbago root is apphed as a stimulant dressing.
In alopecia a paste of the seed is recommended to be rubbed
on the bare scalp (U. C. Dutt).
The seeds are used as a purgative, but in large doses are
an acrid poison, giving rise to symptoms resembling those of
cholera. The poisonous property is generally believed to be
in the red covering of the seed (Surg.-Major Jayakar).
When boiled with milk the seed is said to havea very
powerful tonic action on the nervous system (Barren) .
Taken internally by women, the seed disturbs the uterine
functions and prevents conception. For the latter purpose,
4 to 6 seeds are swallowed every day, in 2 doses, for several days,
after each menstruation.
lam aware of one successful case under this treatment
(Moodeen Sheriff).
432 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
The powdered seeds are taken as snuff in cases of violent
headache arising from cold (Mr. Mukerji).
The boiled seeds are said to possess powerful aphrodisiac
properties (Surg.-Major Houston).
The seeds reduced to a paste are used for contusions and to
reduce inflammation.
If the leaves are steeped in warm mustard-oil and applied
over the seat of pain in rheumatism much benefit will be
derived (Surgeon-Major W. Wilson).
The juice of the fresh leaves, mixed with some bland oil, and
applied externally, seems to relieve local pain (Surg.-Major
B. Gupta).
Abrin, which has been subjected to tryptic digestion and the proteids
salted out, gives no biuret reaction; its poisonous characters remain
unaltered, and it agglutinates red blood corpuscles as intensely as the
unaltered abrin which contains proteids. Abrin, whether united to proteids or
not, gives a precipitate with antiabrin blood serum, Abrin corresponds on the
whole with ricin, but differs from it, in that its agglutinating properties are
resistant to pepsin—hydrochlorie acid, even more resistant than its
poisonous action.
J. Ch. S. 1902, A I. 408.
378. Cicer arietinum, Linn., H.F.B.1., 1. 176,
Roxb. 566:
Vern :—Chana, bit (H.); Chhola (B.); Chana, harbhara
(Bomb.) ; Kadalai (T'am.) ; Senagaloo (Tel.); Kadala (Malay).
The vinegar—Chanakamla (Sans.); Chane-ka-sirkah (H.);
Chana-amba (Bomb.) ; Kadalai-kadi (Tam.)
Habitat :—Commonly cultivated in the Northern Provinces
and Nilghiris.
An annual herb, viscose, much-branched. Leaves pinnate,
rigid, 1-2in., with usually a terminal leaflet. Leaflets close,
oblanceolate or oblong. Stipules small, with a few long teeth.
Corolla scarcely half as long again as the Calyx. Flowezs in
axils of the leaves; peduncle 3-4in. Calyx 1-1, teeth linear,
2-3 times the tube. Pubescence of pod short and fine. Pod
oblong, 7-lin., turgid, narrowed into the persistent style, Seed
solitary generally ; exceptionally double one upon the other,
without septal division.
N. 0. LEGUMINOSA. 433
Commonly cultivated in the Northern Provinces and Nilgiris.
The best gram comes to Bombay from Gujrat—Jambusar.
Use :—The vinegar is mentioned by the Sanskrit writers as
a useful astringent which might with advantage be given in
dyspepsia.
According to Dr. Walker) Bomb. Med. Phys. Trans. 1840,
p. 67), the fresh plant put into hot water is used by the Por-
tuguese in the Deccan, in the treatment of dysmenorrhcea ; the
patient sits over the steam (Dymock).
Chick peas are extensively used in southern Bulgaria in the form of ‘ Leblebi-
ji’ prepared by roasting them in a special way for a long time at 105-115",
Another perparation called ‘Ssimitt’ is made by fermenting a mass obtained by
soaking the coarsely ground peas for 8-15 hours in water at 32-35°. The fer-
mentation produces H, H, S, CO,, butyric, lactic, and succinic acids, sugar, Ht
O H and its higher homologs, leucine, asparagine, etc,, phenol, and aromatic
“substances. Analysis of 24 samplesof chick peas before roasting showed :
moisture 9°20-13°0%, protein 19°10-27°05%, fat 4°6-6°10%, starch 44°89-52°80%,
ash 2°36-4'30%, crude fibre 2°40-4°60%, lecithin P, O, (10 samples) 0°102-0°136%,
and total P, O, (LL samples) 0°784-0°902%.
After roasting (leblebiji), the analysis was as follows: moisture 4°90-7°20%,
protein 23°80-26°10%, fat 5°20-7-00%, ash 2°00-3°43%, crude fibre 1°62-3°15%,
lecithin P, O, (10 samples) 0°133-0°161%, and total P, O, (11 samples)
0°964-0°992%.
An analysis of chick pea fat gave the following consts.: d,,0°9369-0°9376,
solidification pt.—1950, n,, 73°5-74, sapon. No. 240, acid No, 0°3-0°5, ester
No. 239°5., R-M, No. 4°51, Polenske No 1°l, Hehver No. 91°6, I No. 110-119,
unsapon, 0°43, m. p. fatty acids 250, I no. fatty acids 129. The sprouting
peas contain oxidase, Tymase, protease, diastase, and aform of reunin.
[Chemical Abstracts, Jan. 20, 1914, pp. 384-5.]
Se MUac Usman Ouse HoR.BI., It. £79)
Roxb. 567. |
Sans. :—Triputi.
Vern. :—Kesari (H.); Teora (B.); Mattar (Sind;.); Lakh
(Mar.) ; Lang (Guz.).
Habitat :—Spread throughout the Northern Provinces, from
the plains of Bengal to Hazara, Kashmir and Kumaon.
An annual herb, with winged stems, glabrous, much
branched, with equally pinnate leaves, ending in a tendril ;
leaflets 2, linear or lanceolate, stipules broad, entire. Petiole
winged, terminated by a long tendril. Flowers solitary ;
55
434 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
peduncle rather longer than the petiole. Calyx $-din.; teeth
lanceolate, sub-equal, twice the tube. Corolla jin., red,
bluish or white. Pod 14in. long, oblong, winged on the
back, glabrous, 4-5-seeded.
Uses.—The expressed oil of the seed is powerful and a
dangerous cathartic (O’Shaughnessy).
It has long been known to produce toxic symptoms when
used for a prolonged period. ‘This condition, known as lathy-
rismus, has been investigated by Dr. B. Suchard. The chief
effect produced is upon the muscles of the lower extremities,
especially on those below the knee. In horses also paralysis
of the hinder extremities takes place, and death has followed
from bilateral paralysis of the laryngeal recurrent nerves and
consequent asphyxia. The laryngeal affection has not, how-
ever, been observed in the human subject (Lancet, June 30th,
1888, p. 6312).
380. Glycine Soja, Sieb and Zucc, H.F-.B.1.,
i. 184.
Syn. :—Dolichos Soja, Linn., Roxb. 563.
Vern. :—Gari-kulay (B.); Bhat, bhatwan (H.); Hendedisom
horee (black-seeded), puddisomiioree (white-seeded variety)
(Santal) ; Tzu-dza (Naga); Seta, kala-botmas (Parbat) ; Musa, gya
(Newar) ; Khajuwa (Eastern Terai) ; Bhut (Kumaon).
Eng.—The Soya Bean.
Habitat.—Tropical Himalayas, from Kumaon to Sikkim
Khasia and the Naga hills.
An annual, stout, suberect, climbing upwards, stem densely
clothed with fine ferruginous hairs. Leaves long-petioled. Leaf-
lets 3 membranous, ovate, acute, rarely obtuse, 2-4 inches long.
Racemes few-flowered, congested, sessile. Calyx +4 in, densely
hairy. Calyx-teeth long, setaceous. Corolla reddish, little exsert-
ed. Pods usually only 2-3, developed in the axil of each leaf,
linear-oblong, recurved, densely pubescent, 13-2 in by 4-2 in
3-4 seeded, subtorulose.
ty)
Use.—A decoction of the root is said to possess astringent
properties (Watt).
N. 0. LEGUMMINOSH. 435
Soya bean oil contains 94-95 p. c. of fatty acids (present as glycerol esters)
of which about 18 per cent. consist of saturated acids (palmitic acid) and
about 80 per cent. of liquid unsaturated fatty acids. The latter were found
to consist of about 70 per cent, of oleic acid, about 24 per cent. of linolic
acid and about 6 per cent. of linolenic acid, Samples of the oils labelled
“ purified’ and “ unpurified” had the following characters respectively :—
Sp. gr.at 15°C., 0°9260, 0°9265 ; solidif. pt.—11°5°C.,—12°C.; refractive index at
40°C., 1°4630, 1:4680 ; acid value, 5°7, 1°71; saponification value, 192°3, 194°3;
iodine value (Hibl, after 18 hours’ action), 131:3, 132°67 ; Reichert-Meisel
value, 0°75, 0°75; Polenske value, 0°78, 1:08; elaidin reaction, positive.
Exposure of the oil for six months (in daylight) to moist air increased the
acid value, but lowered the iodine value. Pure oxygen both in the absence
and presence of moisture, had no influence on the iodine value,
The phyto sterol of Soya beans. The unsaponifiable portion of Soya
bean oil amounts to about 0°7 per cent., which is easily separated into a
crystalline portion (about 55 per cent.) and a liquid portion (about 45
per cent.) by means of petroleum ether (b. p. 50° C.) in which the latter is
soluble. The crystalline portion consists of two substances (a) about 2°4
per cent. of a phytosterol, melting at 169°C,, which has two double linkages
and is strongly laevorotatory, It is identical with the stigmasterol isolated
from Calaban beans by Windans and Hauth; (b) about 97 per cent. of a
laevorotatory phytosterol with one double linkage and melting at 139°C, The
liquid portion of the unsaponifiable portion of Soya bean oil consists of
unsaturated oxygenated compounds, which give the phytosterol reaction.
Elementary ‘analysis gave the same proportion of carbon and hydrogen as in
the case of phytosterol (b). Experiments made to separate the phytosterol-
like constituent of the liquid portion by Windans’ method with digitonin
were unsuccessful. .
(J, Ch. I, September 30, 1911, p. 1124).
381. Teramnus labialis, Spreng, H.F.B.1., 11. 184.
Syn :—Glycine labialis, Linn., Roxb. 565.
Sansk. :—-Mashaparni (fresh-leaved), krishna-vrinta (black-
stalked), Kamboji (a shell), Haya puchhika (horse-tailed), Mansa
masha (flesh weighing 2 tolas), Sinha-mukhi, (lion-mouthed),
Swada masha (having sweet flesh), Maha-saha (having great
power).
Vern.—Mashoni (H.) ; Mashani (B.).
Habitat.—Plains, from the foot of the West Himalayas to
Ceylon.
Habitat :—Plains from the foot of the West Himalayas to
Ceylon, Burma and Penang. Cosmopolitan in the tropics.
Natal.
436 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
A twining herb. Stems wide-climbing, slender, with a
few adpressed hairs. Stipules minute ; lanceolate, deciduous ;
petiole $-l1$in. Leaflets 3, membranous or subcoriaceous, small
acute or subobtuse, green, with a few adpressed hairs above,
grey and more hairy below, the end one ovate or oblong,
1-2in. long. Racemes 1-4in. lax, usually long, usually pe-
duncled, elongated, the pedicel fascicled. Calyx 4—-tin.; teeth
lanceolate, as long as the tube. Corolla reddish. Pod linear,
glabrous, recurved, 14-2in. long, 8-10 seeded.
Use.—It is used in Hindu Medicine. Its properties are des-
scribed in the Nighantu as follows :—
The Mashparni is bitter, cooling, sweet, astringent, and dry.
It produces semen, strength, and blood. It cures consumption
and fever and disorders of wind, bile and blood.
382. Mucuna monosperma, D.C., #.F.B.1.,
11, 185.
Syn.—Carpopogon monospermum, Roxb. 553.
M. anguina, Wall.
Vern.—Sougarvi, mothi-kuhili (Bomb.); Pedda, enooga,
doola-gunda (Tel.).
Habitat.—East Himalayas, tropical zone, Khasia, Assam,
Chittagong and the hills of the West Peninsula.
A large, woody climber, the young branches clothed with
rufous, deciduous tormentum. Leaves large, rachis 24-44in.,
with red, deciduous pubescence. Stipules deciduous. Leaflets
on short swollen stalks, 2-4, rotundate or broadly oval, shortly
acuminate, smooth above, more or less closely pubescent
beneath, lateral ones unequal-sided. Flowers large, 14in.,
bright violet, keel green, on divaricate pedicels, 4in. long,
6-10in.,a lax pubescent receme (or panicle), shorter than
leaves. Calyx sparingly clothed with red bristles; upper seg-
ments wanting ; standard often with a few bristles on back. Pod
2in.; broadly ovate-ovoid, shortly-stalked, somewhat curved,
with a short decurved beak, with a broad double horizontal
wing along both sutures and several (about 6) broad, erect,
distinct wings extending from them at right angles nearly half
N. 0. LEGUMMINUSA. 437
way down the sides, the whole covered with orange-red,
deciduous wool mingled with irritant red bristles. Seeds
solitary, nearly circular, compressed, dark brown, hilum linear,
extending round 3 of the edge.
Part used.—The seed.
Use :—-The seed used as an expectorant in cough and asthma,
and is applied externally as a sedative (Peters’.
383. M. gigantea, D.C., H.F.B.1., 11. 186.
Syn. :—Carpopogon giganteum, Roxb. 554.
Vern. : — Kaku-valli (Mal.)
Habitat.—Plains of the West Peninsula, Ceylon, Malaya.
A large, woody climber, with slender, glabrous branches.
Stem thin, but sometimes 250ft. long. Leaflets ovate, acute,
glabrous when mature; flowers on long slender pedicels,
almost umbellate at end of long peduncles. Pod 4-6in,
apiculate, with broad double wings along both sutures, but
without wings or plates on the sides, densely covered with
adpressed, chestnut-brown, irritant bristles.
Uses.—Used mn rheumatic complaints. The bark for this
purpose is pulverized, mixed with dry ginger, and rubbed over
the parts affected (Rheede).
a04 9 MM oruriens, D.C, ure... i. 187.
Sans.--Atmagupta, kapikachhu, vanari.
Vern. :—Kiwach, goucha (H.); Alkusa (B.) Konatch (Nepal.) ;
Kach-kuri (Dec.); Kuhili (Bomb.); Kavach (Mar.); Kivanch
(Guz:); Punaik-kali (Tam.); Pilliaduga (Tel.); Nayik-korana
(Mal.) ; Nasaguni-gida (Kan.)
Habitat :—Cosmopolitan in the Tropics, from the Himalayas
in the plains to Ceylon and Burma. Western Peninsula, Assam,
Khasi Hills.
A semi-woody climber, annual or perennial, with slender
terete branches, usually clothed with short, white, deflexed
hairs. Leaves large, rachis 3-5in.; sparingly deflexed, hairy.
Leaflets 3-4in., on short thick hairy stalks, terminal ones smaller
and rhomboid-oval, lateral ones very unequal, with the lower
half greatly dilated, all acute, mucronate, pubescent above,
438 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS,
densely covered with shining, silvery, adpressed hair beneath ;
flowers dull, dark-purple, the keel yellowish-green, numerous,
14-14in. long, on short pubescent pedicels, usually two or three
together at intervals, on a slender pubescent raceme 6-12in, long.
Bracts $in., lanceolate, hairy, soon falling. Calyx densely silky,
2 upper segments completely connate; lower much longest.
Pod 23-3in. by about gin. broad, linear, blunt, faleately curved
at both ends, a longitudinal rib along whole length of each
valve, but without wings, densely covered with close, rather
weak, orange-brown, irritant bristles, pointing backward and
readily detached, 4-6-seeded, with partitions between them.
Seed ovoid, +tin., compressed, brownish, mottled with black,
hilum oblong, not half the length of seed.
Parts used.—The seeds, root and legume.
Use.—According to Susruta, the seeds are aphrodisiac; the
root is tonic and useful in nervine diseases (Dutt).
Ainslie says that a strong infusion of the root, mixed with
honey, is prescribed by the Tamool doctors in cholera.
The use of the hairs of the mucuna pod as a vermifuge to
expel ascarides appears to have originated in the West Indies, no
mention of such an employment of them being found in Indian
works (Dymock). :
The pods are officinal in the Indian Pharmacopeeia, to be
used as an anthelmintic.
In the West Indies, a decoction of the root is reckoned a
powerful diuretic and cleanser of the kidneys, and also made
into an ointment for elephantiasis. Leaves are applied to
ulcers. A vinous infusion of the pods is said to bea certain
remedy for dropsy (Drury).
The root is prescribed as a remedy for delirium in fever in
Chutia Nagpur. Powdered and made into a paste, it is applied
to the body in dropsy, a piece of the root being also tied to the
wrist and ankle. The seed is believed to absorb scorpion-
pioson when applied to the part stung (Revd. A. Campbell).
An ointment prepared with the hairs acts externally asa
local stimulant and wild vesicant. (Watt.)
N. 0. LEGUMMINOSE. 439
385. Hrythrina indica, Linn., H.F.B.1., 1. 188,
Roxb 541.
Sans. :—MAandala.
Vern. :—Pangra, panjira, furrvd (H.); Palita mundar ‘B.) ;
Muruka-marum (Tam.); Modugu, badide-chettu (Tel.) ; Mooloo-
moorikah, dudup (Mal.); Paravalada-mara (Kan). Birsing
(Kol.); Pangara, phangra, pan. ara (Mar.); Panarawes, pararoo
(Guz).
Habitat:—From the foot of the Himalayas throughout
India.
A deciduous, quick-growing tree, attaining to large size.
Bark thin, smooth, grey. Outer bark, says Gamble, yellowish,
smooth and shining, peeling off the thin papery flakes. “‘ Struc-
ture like that of E. suberosa, Roxb,” ; says Gamble, further,
“Inner bark, fibrous, wood very soft spongy, white, fibrous
but tough.” Young twigs thick set, with small straight, hori-
zontal, broad-based, sharp, black prickles; leaf-scars conspicu-
ous. Leaves very large, deciduous, rachis 6-12in., smooth,
dilated at base, stipules none or very nearly caducous. Leaflets
4-6in., on short swollen stalks, readily disarticulating, roundish-
ovate, acute, glabrous and green on both sides, the terminal one
largest: stipels thick, roundish, persistent. Flowers numerous,
large, generally scarlet, the wings and keel crimson ; on stout
puberulous, peduncles horizontally spreading. Pedicels, about
4in. long, arranged in 2’s ord’s, and closely crowded on the upper
half of very stout, rigid, puberulous racemes, 6-12in. long, 2-4
of which diverge horizontally from the summit of the branches.
Calyx (before expansion of flowers) tubular, 12in., covered with
deciduous tomentum, upper segment subulate, sharp but not
rigid, two lateral similar but smaller lowest, one longer doubled
over the rest to form blunt point to the bud, soon splitting along
the back (between the upper teeth) to the base, and the whole
curved down like a spathe-standard, nearly 3in. Wings less
than lin. Keel-petal in. Stamens much exserted and project-
ing in front of flowers, 24in. Pod 5-6in., cylindric, torulose,
beak sharp, curved, about lin. long. Seed, 3-8, beanlike, about
lin. long, chocolate coloured, dull, shining.
440) INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
Very common in the Concan and North Kanara.
I have seen a white-flowered vareity, and a deep scarlet one in
the Thana Forests (K. R. K.) A variety, with pink flowers, is
noted by Moon, says Trimen.
Parts used :—The bark, juice and leaves.
Uses :—The bark is used medicinally as a febrifuge and
antibilious (Watt).
In the Concan, the juice of the young leaves is used to kill
worms in sores, and the young roots of the white-flowered
variety are pounded and given with cold milk as an aphro-
disiac (Dymock).
It is anthelmintic and useful as a collyrium in ophthalmia.
The leaves are applied externally to disperse venereal buboes
and to relieve pain of the joints (Kanai Lal Dey).
The fresh juice of the leaves is used as an injection into
the ear for the relief of ear-ache, and as an anodyne in toothache
(Dr. Thornton, in Watt’s Dictionary).
386. Butea frondosa, Roxb., H.F.B.1., I. 194,
Roxb. 540.
Sans.:--Palas.
Vern.:---Dhak, palas, tési-ka-per, kakria, kankeri, chichra
(H.) Palas (B.); Chalcha (Bundelkund) ; Mureet (Kol.); Murup
(Santal) ; Paras, faras (Behar); Palasi, bulyethra (Nepal);
Lahokung (Lepcha) ; Pordsu (Uriya); Chiula, puroha (Bom.) ;
Palds-ka-jhar, tesu-k4-jhar (Duk.); Khakara, Khakhado,
khakhar-nujhada (Guz.) ; Khakar, palas (Cutch); paras, palas,
phalasa-cha-jhada, kakracha-jhada (Mar.); Porasan, parasa,
murukkan, puraishu, purashu, palasham (Tam.); Moduga,
mohatu, tella-modugu, méduga-chettu, paladulu(Tel.) ; Muttuga
thorés, muttuga-mara, muttuga-gida (Kan.) ; Pilach-cha, muruk-
ka-maram (Mal.).
Eng.:—The Forest flame.
Habitat: —Common throughout India and Burma, often
gregarious. Ceylon, N. W. Himalaya.
An erect, moderate-sized, deciduous tree, reaching a height
of 40-50ft., with a cracked trunk and irregular branches. Bark
N. 0. LEGUMMINOSA. 44]
tin. thick, fibrous, grey, exfoliating in small irregular pieces;
exuding from cut and fissures a red juice which hardens into
a ruby-coloured gum similar to Kino. Wood grey or grey
brown, white or brown, if cut up fresh and quickly seasoned,
soft and durable (Gamble). Trunk crooked and irregular.
Young shoots densely pubescent. Leaves large, rachis 5-8in.,
slender, pubescent when young, swollen at base. Stipules
small, linear-lanceolate, deciduous. Leaflets 4-8in., unequal,
the terminal the largest and rhomboidal, orbicular, the lateral
ones ovate-oval, dilated in lower half, all very obtuse, glabrous
above when mature, closely and finely tomentose, and with
much raised reticulation beneath. Flowers large, 1$-2in. on
velvety drooping pedicels, $#-lin. long, 2-3 together from the
swollen nodes of rigid stout racemes coming off from woody
-tuberosities. Bracts small, deciduous Calyx finely velvety
outside, lined with white, silvery hair. Segments acute. Keel
very deeply boat-shaped, acute. Pod pendulous, 5-8in., by
about $in. wide, on a densely, woody stalk, #in. long, obtuse,
thickened at sutures, leathery, transversely veined, densely
but finely pubescent, especially at end. Seed l4in., flat, broadly
oval, smooth reddish-brown. Flowers orange-scarlet, very
silvery outside, with silky hair, so that the buds are white.
Uses :—The Gum.—This 1s known as Bengal or Butea Kino.
Nearly the whole of the so-called Kino of our bazaars is this
substance. Dr. Waring (in his Bazaar Medicines, p. 31) remarks
that this is of little moment, since it appears to be equally
effectual. He says: “It is an excellent astringent, similar to
catechu, but being mild in operation it is better adapted
for children and delicate females. The dose of the powdered
gum is 10 to 30 grains, with a few grains of cinnamon.” The
addition of a little opium increases the efficacy.
The fresh juice is used in phthisis and hemorrhagic affec-
tions. It is also employed as an application to ulcers and
relaxed sore-throats. As an astringent, it is given in diarrhea
and dyspepsia, In the Concan, it is prescribed for fevers.
“The use of the gum as an external astringent application is
mentioned by Chakradatta ; it is directed to be combined with
56
442? INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
other astringents and rock-salt. He recommends this mixture
as a remedy for pterygium and opacities of the cornea’ (Dr.
Dymock, Mat Med., W. Ind., 187). U.C. Dutt informs us that
the ancient Hindus used the gum as an external astringent only.
The seeds internally are administered as an anthelmintic,
but regarding the reliance which can be put upon their action
considerable difference of opinion prevails. Some medical
men think that they can be advantageously substituted for
santonine, while others view them as much less powerful.
They have at the same time a warm purgative action which
often proves injurious to their anthelmintic property. They
are, however, largely used in the treatment of round-worm.
The following extract from Dr. Waring’s Bazaar Medicines
will be found to give the leading facts regarding these seeds:
Butea seeds are thin, flat, oval or kidney-shaped, of a maho-
gany-brown colour, 14 to 13 inches in length, almost devoid
of taste and smell. European experience has confirmed the
high opinion held by the Mohamedan doctors as to their power
in expelling lumbrici or round-worms, so common amongst the
Natives of India. The seeds should be first soaked in water
and the testa or shell carefully removed; the kernel should
then be dried and reduced to powder. Of this the dose is 20
grains thrice daily for three successive days, followed on the
fourth day by a dose of castor-oil. Under the use of this
remedy, thus administered in the practice of Dr. Oswald, 125
lumbrici in one instance, and between 70 and 80 in another,
were expelled. It has the disadvantage of occasionally purging
when its vermifuge properties are not apparent: in some in-
stances also it has been found to excite vomiting and to irritate
the kidneys, and though these ill effects do not ordinarily
follow, yet they indicate caution in its employment.” (Bazaar
Medicines, Waring, pp. 31-32). In the Bhévaprakdsa, the use
of the seeds of the paldsa as an aperient and anthelmintic is
noticed ; and they are directed to be beaten into a paste with
honey for administration. Sdarangadhara also recommends
them as anthelmintic (Dr. Dymock). Externally, the seeds,
when pounded with lemon-juice and applied to the skin, act
N. 0. LEGUMMINOSA,. 443
as arubefacient. I have used them successfully for the cure
of the form of herpes, known as dhobie’s itch (Surgeon-Major
Dymock, p. 188). When made into a paste, they are used as a
remedy for ringworm.
The flowers are astringent, depurative, diuretic, and aphro-
disiac ; as a poultice, they are used to disperse swellings and
promote diuresis and the menstrual flow. They are given
to enciente women in cases of diarrhoea, and are applied ex-
ternally in orchitis.
The leaves are described by the Makhzan-ul-Adwiya as
astringent, tonic, and aphrodisiac, are used to disperse boils
and pimples, and are given internally in flatulent colic, worms,
and piles.
The bark, according to Rheede’s Hortus Malabaricus, is given
in conjunction with ginger in cases of snake-bite.
“T have tried the seeds of B. frondosa internally in numer-
ous cases, and they are neither purgative nor febrifuge, at least
not in one-drachm doses,—the largest quantity I have yet
used. There is, however, no doubt that they are anthelmintic,
at least to some extent. Administered in powder, morning
and evening, for 2 or 3 days, and followed by a dose of some
purgative, they generally expel from 1 to 3 or 4 round-worms,
but failure is more frequent than success. That these seeds
are not powerful enough to act always against the worms, is
proved by the expulsion of the latter in Jarge numberg in
many.cases by the use of santonine immediately after having
failed with butea seeds. Both the kernel and the testa of the
seeds possess the anthelmintic property. Dose of the powder
for an adult from 30 grains to 1 drachm. Four grains is an
average dose for a child of 4 years.
The inspissated juice of this plant (the Butea Kino of Indian
commerce) is a good astringent, and as such is useful in all
the complaints in which the true Kino is indicated. It has
been used in the same forms as those of the latter, but in
somewhat larger doses,—viz., from 15 to 40 grains (Honorary
Surgeon Moodeen Sheriff, Khan Bahadur, Madras).
444 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
This is a fairly useful anthelmintic and a good substitute
for santonine, in some cases acting very well, indeed.
Preparations.— Powdered seeds, dose fifteen to thirty grains
twice or thrice a day, followed by castor-oil on the succeeding
morning. The gum has been only lately used in this hospital ;
but as an astringent, it is found to be a useful substitute for
kino in the ordinary cases of diarrhoea and dysentery, of chil-
dren especially. Preparations and dose, &c., are similar to
Kino.” (Apothecary F. G. Ashworth, Kumbakonam). The
leaves are astringent and used by the Natives as a poultice
to dispel tumorous hemorrhoids, buboes, ete. The seeds are
anthelmintic in doses of 20 grains. The gum is very astrin-
gent, and, in doses of five grains, most useful in checking
serous diarrhcea. In large doses, it is efficacious in hemorrhage
from the stomach and bladder. A strong solution of the
gum is said to be a useful application for bruises and erysi-
pelatous inflammations.” Surgeon R. A. Barker, Doomka.
The seeds contain 18°2 per cent. of fat (Waeber, 1386). The oil is yellow,
nearly tasteless and solidifies at 10° (Lepine). Brannt records the specific
gravity at 0°927.
301. B. superba, Roxb. H.F.B.1., 11. 195, Roxh.
541.
Sans. :—Lata-palasa.
Vern. :—Tiwat, tiwas, palas-wél (Bom.); Tiga-muduga (Tel.) ;
Lata-palash (B.) ; Nari-murup (Santal) ; Vél-khakar (Guz.); Bel-
palas (Dec.) ; Kodi-murukkam, kodi-palsham (Tam.); Balli-mut-
taga (Kan.); Valliplach-aha, valli-muruk-ka (Mal.).
Habitat :—Forests of the Concan, Bengal, Orissa, Burma,
Oudh, Central India, and the Circars.
A gigantic climber. Bark dark brown, thick, very fibrous.
Wood dark-brown, very porous aad fibrous. It yields a gum
like Kino. Stems thick as a man’s leg. Does not differ from B.
superba in botanic characters; leaves and flowers scarcely
distinguishable from B. superba. Leaflets and flowers larger,
says J. G. Baker. Leaflets chartaceous, acuminate, says Brandis.
Flowers of a gorgeous orange colour on pedicels 3 times the
length of Calyx. Lower Calyx-teeth lanceolated, deltoid. Keel
N. 0. LEGUMMINOSA. 445
much curved, acute, 4-5 times as long as the Calyx. Pod
distinctly stalked.
Use :—As a remedy for the poisonous bites of animals, the
people of the Concan use the root with an equal proportion of
the root of Nyctanthes and Woodfordia floribunda, the seeds
of Cassia tora and Vernonia anthelmintica and the stem juice of
Trichosanthes palmata made into a paste with cow’s urine, as a
local application, and administer Aristolochia indica internally.
In the heat-eruptions of children the leaf-juice is given with
curds and yellow zedoary (Dymock).
388. Pueraria tuberosa, D.C. H.F.B.1., 11. 197.
Syn. :—Hedysarum tuberosum, Roxb. 580.
Vern. :—Bidari-kand, bilai-kand (H.); Shimeeya, batrajee
(B.); Sural, siali (Pb.); Daree, goomodee (Tel.); Gorabel
(Raj.); Dari (Bomb.) ; Karwia-nai (Guz.).
Habitat :—Hills of the Konkan, Dekkan, Canara, West
Himalaya, Simla, Kumaon, Orissa, Nepal, Circars, Behar,
Chota Nagpore.
A large-deciduous, pubescent climber, with woody tubercu-
lated stem, tuberous rooted. Bark brown 2in. thick, peeling
off in vertical strings. Wood very porous, soft, perishable,
white when fresh cut, afterwards turning brown, fibrous.
The pretty purple blue flowers appear before the leaves. Leaves
of 3 leaflets. Leaflets broadly ovate, entire or sinuate, pointed,
long stalked; smaller equally sided. Flowers 2
3
small clusters, crowded in long, panicled racemes. Calyx jin.
in. long, in
densely covered with red brown hairs; teeth short acute, 2
upper nearly or quite united. Standard orbicular ; keel nearly
straight, obtuse, slightly shorter than the wings. Upper
stamen free at both ends, but connected at the middle with
the sheath formed by the others. Ovary hairy ; style glabrous,
abruptly incurved at base; stigma small capitate, pod flat,
densely grey, hairy, 2-3in., deeply constricted between the
seeds, tipped with persistent style-base. Seeds 2-6, separated
by partitions.
Parts used :—The roots.
Use:—The root peeled and bruised into a cataplasm is
446 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
employed by the Natives of the mountains where it grows to
reduce swellings of the joints (Roxburgh).
Also given as a demulcent and refrigerant in fevers (Watt).
In Nepal, it is employed as an emetic and tonic, and is also
believed to be lactagogue.
389. Phaseolus trilobus, Ait. H.F.B.1., 11. 201,
Roxb. 558.
Sans. :—Mudgaparni.
Vern. :—Mooganee (B.); Trianguli-mugani (H.); Rakhal-
kulmy (H.); Pilli-pe-nsara (Tel.) ; Pani-pyre, nari-payir (T'am.) ;
Arkmut, mukuya, Jangli math (Bomb.). |
Habitat :—Wild, and commonly cultivated throughout India.
Perennial or annual twiners. Stems trailing to a length of
1-2ft., glabrous, slender, diffuse, at times slightly hairy, the hairs
being deciduous. Stipules inserted above the base, 2? 7in.,
oblong. Leaflets more or less deeply 3-lobed, with the central
divisions spathulate, membranous, glabrous, or with only a few
obscure loose or short hairs, rhomboid or ovate, 1-2in. long.
Flowers in a close deltoid head, on a peduncle, that usually
overtops the leaves; pedicels very short. Olayx campanulate,
i,-+,in., pale yellow, teeth deltoid. Corolla under iin. long.
Pod 1-2 by 4in., subcylindrical, glabrous, recurved, 6-12 seeded.
Use :—The Leaves are said to be tonic and sedative, and
used in cataplasms for weak eyes (O'Shaughnessy, p. 317).
Said to be administered in Behar in decoction, in cases of
irregular fever (Murray 126).
390.° Pl Mungo Linn., 4.7.8.1., 1) 203; Roxb:
556,
Sans. :—Mudga.
Vern. :—Mung, mingi, muji (Pb.); Harimfing (H.) ; Hali-
mtng (B.); Mug (Mar.); Mag (Guz.); Puchapayrté, sirupayaru,
patche-paira (T'am.); Wuthulu, patcha-pessara (Tel.); Hesaru,
hesaru-bele (Kan.).
Habitat :—Wild, and universally cultivated in the plains
throughout India, ascending to 6,000 feet in the N. W. Himalayas.
N. 0. LEGUMMINOSA. 447
Stems annual, sub-erect in the typical form, 1-2ft. high, copi-
ously branched from the hase, clothed with fine, long, deciduous,
brownish, silky hairs. Stipules 4-din. long, attached near the
base ; leaflets membranous, with scattered adpressed hairs on
both sides, 2-4in. long, roundish, acute or sub-obtuse, deltoid or
rather rounded at the base. Flowers about half a dozen at the
very end of short peduncles, clothed like the stems; pedicels
very short. Calyx g-gin.; lower tooth deltoid or lanceolate.
Corolla 2-din., yellow. Pod 14-2din. long by 4-din. sub-cylindrical,
slightly recurved, 10-15-seeded.
Use :— The pulse is used as a diet in fever. Considered by
the Natives cool, hght and astringent, but is difficult to digest ;
and is used to strengthen the eyes (Watt).
Var radiatus, Linn’ H.¥.B.1% 1, 203, Roxb. 557.
Sans. :—MAsha, hurita. |
Vern. :-—-Mash, mah (Pb.); Mash-kalai (B.); Urud, urid,
dord, thi-kiri (H.); Udid (Mar.); Adad, arad (Guz.); Patchay-
‘pyre, panny-pyre (Tam.) ; Minu-mulu, karu-minu-mulu, patsa-
pesalu (Tel.); Hasaru, uddu (Kan.); Cherupoiaar (Mal.).
Stems elongated, twining, densely clothed, as are the
peduncles and pod, with ferruginous, deflexed, silky hairs; leaf-
lets membranous, entire, rarely faintly-lobed ; lateral ones obli-
quely ovate, pointed, terminal one rhomboid, oblong. Legumes
smaller than those of Phaseolus Mungo, Linn. Seeds black,
6-8in. each pod.
Use :—The seeds are much used in medicine, both internally
and externally, in paralysis, rheumatism and affections of the
nervous system. Also used in fever, considered hot and tonic,
useful in piles, affections of the liver and cough.
The root is said to be narcotic by Royle (O'Shaughnessy),
aud prescribed by the Santals as a remedy for aching bones
(Campbell).
aol Vigna cationg, Endl. H.F.B.1., 1. 205.
Syn. :—Dolichos Catiang Linn., Roxb. 560.
Sans. :— Rajamfsha.
Vern. :—Lobiya, raish (H.); Barbati (B.) ; Chowlai (Mar.);
448 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
Ghangra (Santal); Urohi-mahor-pat (Ass.); Chaunro ‘Sind);
Caramunny-pyre (Tam.); Boberlu, alu-sundi, duntu-pesalu,
bobra (Tel.) ; Tada-gunny, kursan-pyro, alasandi (Kan...
Habitat :—Native, and universally cultivated in the tropical
zone. ‘
An annual sub-erect or twining plant, always glabrous or
nearly so.. Stipules 2-3in. long, attached and persistent; leaf-
lets membranous, 3-6in. long, acute, very variable in shape,
broad or narrow-ovate, or ovate-rhomboidal, with the two sides
below the middle prolonged into obtuse lobes. Peduncles often
exceeding the leaves, 3-6 flowered ; pedicels very short. Calyx
glabrous, under #in.; teeth lanceolate or deltoid-cuspidate.
Corolla yellow or reddish, twice the Calyx. Keel not prolonged
into a beak. Pod in some of the cultivated forms one or even
2ft. long, under 4in. broad, edible seeds 10-20.
Use :—Considered hot and dry, diuretic and difficult of
digestion, and is used to strengthen the stomach (Baden
Powell).
392. Clitoria Ternatea, Linn. H.F.B.1., 11. 208,
Roxb. 566.
Sans. :-~Aparajité, asphota.
Vern. :—Kalizer, visnukranti, kava-thenthi (H.); Aparajita
(B.); Kéajah, gokaran (Bomb.); Kakkanam-kodi (Tam.);
Dhanattar {Pb.); Garani (Guz.); Dintana, tella, mella, tella-
dintana, nila-dintana (Tel.); Vishnu, kantisoppu, kirgunna,
gokarna-mul (Kan. ).
Habitat :— A common garden flower all over India.
A climber, with terete, slender downy stems. Stipules, linear,
petioles $-lin. Leaflets ovate or oblong-obtuse, subcoriaceous,
1-2in. long. Bracteoles roundish, obtuse, 4-3in. long. Calyx
3-Zin. ; teeth lanceolate, half as long as the tube. Corolla 13-2in.
Standard lin. broad, bright blue or white with an orange centre.
Pod 2-4in. long, flattish, the valves not keeled on the face ; 6-10
seeds.
Parts used:—The root, seeds, leaves and juice.
Use:—Sanskrit writers describe the root as laxative and
diuretic, useful in ascites, fevers, &c. (Dutt).
N. 0. LEGUMINOSAE. 449
In the Concan, 2 tolas of the root-juice are given in cold milk
to remove the phlegm in chronic bronchitis ; it causes nausea and
vomiting. The juice of the root of the white-flowered variety
is blown up the nostrils as a remedy for hemicrania (Dymock).
Mr. Mooden Sheriff speaks highly of the infusion of the root-
bark as a demulcent in the irritation of the bladder and urethra ;
it acts at the same time as a diuretic, and in some cases as a
laxative. |
The seeds are purgative and aperient (Ph. Ind.).
The infusion of the leaves is used for eruptions (Watt).
The juice of the leaves, mixed with that of green ginger, is
administered in cases of colliquative sweating in hectic fever
(Taylor).
The juice of the leaves mixed with common salt is applied
warm all around the ear in ear-aches, especially when accom-
panied with swelling of the neighbouring glands (A. C.
Mukerji, in Watt’s Dictionary.)
oda. Uolichos biflorus, Linn, H.F.B.1., 1. 210,
Roxb. 563.
Sans. :—Kulatha.
Vern. :—Kalatt, kulat, barat, gulatti (Pb.) ; Koolthee (H.);
Woolawooloo (Tam.); Kurti-kalai (B.); Horec (Sautal) ; Gahat,
kalath, kulthi (Kumaon); Wulawalli, ulava (Tel.) ; Hural, hurli
(Kan.).
Habitat :—Himalayas to Ceylon.
An annual downy climber, rarely glabrescent. Stipules
basifixed, gin. lanceolate, scariose ; leaflets entire, membranous,
ovate, acute, 1-2in. long, at first finely pilose on the faces.
Flowers 1-3 together in the axils of the ieaves ; without a com-
mon peduncle. Calyx 4in., downy, teeth long, lanceolate, setace-
ous, much exceeding the tube. Corolla yellow, $-jiu. long.
Keel narrow, obtuse, rather shorter than the standard. Style
filiform, minutely penicillate round the stigma, not bearded
down the edge. Pod downy, 14-2 by 4-3in., much recurved,
tipped with the persistent style. 5-6 seeds.
Use:—The seeds are used medicinally in the Punjab.
57
450 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
(Stewart). ‘The decoction is used by Native females in leucorr-
hoea and menstrual derangements ; it is also given to parturient
females to promote discharge of the lochia (S. Arjun).
Sanskrit writers recommend the use of the pulse as a demul-
cent in calculous affections, cough, etc. Its employment is said
to reduce corpulence. ‘The wild variety is said to be particularly
serviceable in eye diseases (Dutt). i
394. Cajanus indicus, Spreng. H.F.B.1., 1. 217,
Roxb. 567.
Syn :—Cytisus Cajan, Willd. Roxb. 567.
Sans. :—-Adhaki-tubarika.
Vern:—Tuvar, arhar, arhar-ki-dal (H.); Arhar, oror, orol
(B.) ; Kohlu, kehlu (Simla); Dangri, arhar, dinger, tohar (Pb.) ;
Tur (C. P.); Tuvero, turdal (Guz.); Tura, tuver (Bomb.); Turi,
tur (Mar.); Tuvvar, tir (Duk.); Thovaray, tuvarai (Tam.);
Kandalu (Tel.) ; Togari, tovaray (Kan.) ; Tuvara (Mal.).
An erect shurb, widely cultivated ; with slender sulcate grey
silky branchlets. Leaves 3-foliate. Stipules minute, lanceolate.
Leaflets 3, minutely stipellate, oblong-lanceolate, suture sub-
coriaceous, thinly silky above, densely beneath, indistinctly
gland-dotted. Flowers in sparse, distinctly peduncled, corymbose
racemes, often forming a terminal panicle ; pedicels downy, 2-3
times the Calyx. Calyx 4in. Corolla 3 times the Calyx ; stand-
ard yellow, or beautifully veined with red. Pod 2-3 by 4-2in.,
finely downy, tipped with the lower half of the style, linear,
straight, narrowed at both ends, 3-5-seeded, torulose, with obli-
que linear depressions between the non-strophiolate seeds.
Habitat :—Cultivated throughout India.
Use :—The pulse is said to be easily digested and suitable
for invalids. It is said to be hot and dry; it produces costive-
ness, and is used in cold diseases. ‘The leaves are used in
diseases of the mouth. The expressed juice of the leaves is
given with a little salt in jaundice (B. D. B.).
The pulse and leaves are mixed and made into a paste which is
warmed and then applied over the mamme to check the secretion
of milk (Lee of Mangalore.) A poultice made of its seeds will
check swellings (Ummegudien, Native doctor, Madras, Watt).
N. 0. LEGUMINOSA, 451
395. Cylista scariosa, Ait. H.F.B.1., 11. 219.
Vern. :—Rén ghevada (Mar. ).
Part used :—The root.
Habitat :—Woods of the Concan, Dekkan, Canara and Orissa.
A woody, climbing shrub, with slender, finely downy
branches Leaves 3-foliate. Leaflets minutely stipellate,
sub-coriaceous, ovate, or sub-rhomboidal, acute, 2-4in. long,
thinly grey, downy above, densely downy below. Flowers in
copious, distinctly peduncled, lax or dense racemes; bracts
long, membranous, ovate, caducous; pedicels short, densely
pubescent. Corolla yellowish red, 4in. long. Calyx finally
l-14in., teeth scariose and persistent, the lowest much the
largest and boat-shaped, lin. broad, the two side ones smaller
than the two upper. Corolla enclosed in the Calyx, the petals
equal in length. Keel much incurved, truncate. Stamens dia-
delphous ; anthers uniform. Ovary subsessile, l-ovuled ; style
long, filiform, stigma capitate. Pod small, oblique, oblong,
enclosed in the Calyx.
Use :—The root is collected by the herbalists and sold asa
remedy for dysentery and leucorrheea. It is also applied exter-
nally along with other drugs to reduce tumours. Its most re-
markable property is astringency ; a reddish lucid juice issues
from it when cut, which, on drying, becomes black and brittle,
and may be seen adhering to the short pieces of the dry root which
are offered for sale (Pharmacographia Indica, Vol. I., p. 451).
396. Flemingia strobilifera, R. Br. 4.¥.B.1., 1. 227.
Vern. :—Kasrant (Oudh) ; Simbusak (Santals) ; Bolu (Darjee-
ling), Bundar, Kanphuti (Bomb).
Habitat :—Himalayas, from Simla and Kumaon to Assam,
Khasia and Chittagong.
An erect shrub, 5-16ft. high. Branches slender, terete, velvety.
Leaves obovate, lanceolate, sub-coriacoous, 3-8in. long, green,
glabrescent above, thinly silky, especially on the raised parellel
erecto-patent ribs below. Stipules scariose, linear, 4-3in.;
petiole stiffly erecto-patent, -lin. Recemes 3-6in. long,
452 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
usually simple, the slender zigzag rachis densely grey-downy ;
bracts erecto-patent, short petioled, deeply cordate, $-lin. long,
obscurely cuspidate in the typical form. Calyx +in., finely
pilose; teeth lanceolate, exceeding the tube. Corolla purple,
little exserted. Pod oblong, turgid, +-2in. long, finely downy,
2-seeded (J. G. Baker).
Use:—The roots are used by the Santals in epilepsy (Rev.
A. Campbell).
397. EF. chappar, Ham., .¥.B.1., 11. 227.
Habitat :—Eastern Himalayas, Behar, Ava.
General habit and inflorescence just as that of Flemingia
strobilifera (R. Br.) Branches terete, with a thin coating of
adpressed hairs. Leaves nearly as broad as long, rotundo-
cordate, or broad cordate, acuminate, 2-4in. Sub-coriaceous, green,
glabrous above, minutely dewy, grey below ; petiole 14in. long.
Recemes often panicled. Rachis more woody than in F. Strobi-
lifer, the pubescence shorter. Bracts firmer, less distinctly
veined, much broader than long. Calyx g-lin. ; teeth lanceolate,
as long as the tube. Corolla twice the Calyx. Pod as in
F. Strobilifer.
Use :—It is used just like the preceding species.
398. F. grahamiana, W. & A. .F.B.1., 11. 228.
Hebitat :—Nilghiris.
A low, erect shrub, with tomentose young shoots. Branches
sub-terete. Stipules lanceolate, +-4in. Caducous; petiole 4-lin.
erecto-patent not winged. Leaflets obovate, obtuse or sub-acute,
sub-coriaceous, 2-3in. long, plicate, glabrous above, grey-silky,
especially on the ribs beneath many of the veinlets are raised.
Bracts linear erecto-patent, firm sub-persistent, 4+in. Spikes
dense, oblong, 1-2in. long, often fascicled. Calyx shaggy,
3in., teeth plumose, linear-testaceous subequal. Corolla not
exserted. Pod oblong, 3in. long, finely pubescent, and often
covered with red viscous glands.
Use:—The source of Wars remained unknown until 1884,
when it was ascertained to be the glands of the pod of F. Graha-
miana; but, as faras I can ascertain, the drug has never been
collected in India (Dymock).
N. 0. LEGUMINOSZ. 453
399. F. congesta, Roxb. H.¥.B.1., 11. 228, Roxb. 572.
Vern :—Bara-salpan, bhalai (B. & H); Batwasi (Nepal) ;
Nipitmuk (Lepcha); Dowdola (Bom.).
Habitat :—From the Central Himalayas throughout India.
Var.—nana, H. F. B., Il, p. 229.
Vern. :—Supta-kasunit (H.).
Syn. :—F. nana, Roxb. 572, F. procumbens, Roxb. 571.
Habitat :—Central and Eastern Himalayas and Concan.
An erect, woody shrub, 4-8ft. high, with terete, glabrescent,
old and rather angular sulcate, silky, young branches. Stipules
linear, 4in.; caducous; petiole 1-4in. suleate down the face;
not winged. Leaves digitately 3-foliate ; leaflets subcoriaceous,
thin, not plicate, 4-6in. long, narrowed to a long point, and
downwards to a rather rounded base, green, glabrous above,
thinly grey-silky beneath. Recemes dense, subspicate, axillary,
oblong, 1-2in. long, sessile, often fascicled; bracts caducous,
linear or lanceolate, $-4in. long, silky on the back, not at all,
rigid ; pedicels short. Calyx 4-3in., densely clothed with
adpressed, shining, pale-brown, silky hairs, teeth linear-lanceo-
late, the lowest exceeding the others. Corolla scarcely exserted,
keel obtuse. Stamens diadelphous, anthers uniform. Pod ob-
long; 2in. long, obscurely downy, 2-seeded.
Uses :-—It is remarkable that its native properties are ap-
parently quite unknown to the Native doctors (Watt).
_ The roots are used by the Santals as an external applicant
to ulcers and swellings, mainly of the neck (Revd. A. Campbell).
From this is obtained the coloring product Waras. Waras consists of a
purplish, resinous powder, which covers the seed pods, From Waras is
obtained a compound, Flemingin, C,, H,., Oz (J. Ch. S, 1898 T., p. 660),
400. Dalbergia Sissoo, Roxb. H.F.B.1., I. 231,
Roxb. 533.
Vern :—Sisam, sisu, sissai (H.); Shisu (B.); Tali, safedar
(Pb.); Sissai (Oudh); Nukku-kattai, zette (Tam.); Sissukarra
(Tel.).
Habitat :—Plains throughout India proper, ascending to
5,000 feet in the Central Himalayas.
Parts used :—The bark, roots, leaves, mucilage.
454 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
A large, erect, deciduous tree. Bark between 4-4 in. thick,
grey, exfoliating in narrow, longitudinal stripes. Wood very
hard, close-grained ; sapwood small, white ; heart-wood brown,
with darker longitudinal veins. Branches finely greyish, downy.
Leaf-rachis zigzag. Leaflets large, 3-5, roundish, with a very
distinct cusp, firm, soon glabrescent, J-3 in. long. Flowers in
short axillary panicles, which latter are much shorter than the
leaves, the erect patent branches densely pubescent, racemoso-
corymbose; pedicels short. Calyx gin. deep, downy; teeth
very short, the lowest rather the longest, lanceolate. Corolla
yellowish, twice the length of the Calyx; standard with a long
claw and round limb. Stamens Qin one bundle, the sheath of the
filaments being split only along the top. Pod thin, straight,
strap-shaped, pale brown, glabrous, 13-4 by 4-gin., obtuse, with
a stalk twice as long as the Calyx, 1-4-seeded. Seeds tin. long,
kidney-shaped, flat.
Uses :—The raspings of the wood are officinal, being consi-
dered alterative (Beddome).
Useful in leprosy, boils, eruptions and to allay vomiting.
(Punjab Products.)
The roots are said to be so astringent that they are neither
eaten by rats nor ants. The oil is applied externally in cutane-
ous affections (Atkinson).
The mucilage of the leaves mixed with sweet-oil is a good
application in excoriations. A decoction of the leaves is given
in the acute stage of gonorrhea ( Waitt.)
The seeds give 9-1 per cent of oil.
401. D. sympathetica, Nimmo. 8.F.B.1., 11. 234.
Vern. :— Pentgul (Bomb.) ; Titabli (Goa).
Habitat :—Hills of the Western Peninsula.
A large, scandent shrub; stems armed with blunt or sharp
twisted or straight spines, 6-10in. long. Leaves 4-6in. long;
rachis softly pubescent ; leaflets 11-15, ovate-oblong, obtuse, or
emarginate, coriaceous, thickly covered with grey or brown-silky
hairs especially beneath, 3-1 by ,3-4in. ; petiolules 7,in. long.
Panicles peduncled ; the ultimate branches secund, corymbose.
N. 0. LEGUMINOSZ. 455
Calyx 7: in. long, with a pair of obtuse, hairy, adpressed
bracteoles. Corolla twice as long as the Calyx. Stamens 10,
monadelphous, deeply divided into 2 bundles of 5 each, ovary
pubescent. Pod thin, strap-shaped, apiculate, 2-4 by #-i in.,
1-3-seeded, thinly brown-tomentose, the place of the seed
distinctly marked ; stalk short (‘l’aLBor).
Use:—The leaves are used in Goa as an alterative. The
bark is used as a lép to remove pimples (Dymock).
102.° PD lanceolaria, Linn. W.F.B.1., 11. 235.
Syn. :—D. frondosa, 266, Roxb. 534.
— Vern :—Takoh, bithéa (H.); Chakemdia (B.); Piri \Kol.);
Chapot-siris (Santal.); Bander-siris (Nepal) ; Passi (Raj.) ; Dand-
ous (Sind); Jakolt, harrani, gengrt (Bomb.) ; Kanrchi, dandusa
(Mar.); Barbat, parbati (Banswara) ; Gengri (Panch Mahals) ;
Nal-valanga (Tam.); Erra-pachchari, pedda-sopara, yerra-patsaru,
pasarganni (Tel.).
Habitat.—Plains from the West-Himalaya to Ceylon. N.
Kanara, Konkan and (Khandesh), from Ajmer to Behar. Sikkim,
Terai. A beautiful tree when covered with flowers and young
leaves (BRANDIS).
A large erect, deciduous tree, with glabrous branches. Bark
qin. thick, compact, grey, smooth, exfoliating in thin, rounded
patches. Wood white or yellowish-white, moderately hard ;
no heartwood (Gamble’. Leaves 3-6in. long, stipules minute,
caducous. Leaflets about 15, ovate or obovate, obtuse, emarginate
glabrous, dark-green above, much paler beneath, coriaceous,
+-14 by $-3in. ; lateral nerves numerous, parallel, prominent on
upper surface (Talbot). Brandis says :—“ Leaflets 11-17, 1-2in.
long, not black when dry, ovate or obovate, obtuse, secondary
nerves more distinct than the reticulate veins joining them.
Flowers in short, unilateral and axillary panicles, with spreading
branches.” “ Panicles,” says Talbot, “ clothed with rufous pubes-
cence, large lax, terminal and axillary, appearing when the tree
is bare of leaves.” Calyx brownish-purple, the two upper Calyx-
teeth obtuse, the 3 lower acute. Corolla pale, pink; standard
broadly obovate. Stamens 10, in 2 bundles of 5 each. Pod
456 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
13-4 by 4-#in., narrowed at both ends, glabrous, 2-3-seeded,
long-stalked, oval, compressed (TALpBot).
Uses:—The bark and an oil obtained from the seeds are
medicinally used by the Natives (Beddome).
The Santals use the bark along with that of Flacourtia
Ramontchi as an external application during intermittent fever.
The leaves and the roots are also employed medicinally (Rev.
A. Campbell).
403. D. volubilis Roxb. HF.BA., . 1. Zoo
Roxb. 536.
Vern, :—Alei, Munganver (Bomb.) ; Bandee-gurjun (Tel.) ;
Bhatia, bankhara (H.); Bir-munga, nari-siris (Santal.) ; Nubari
(Uriya) ; Rangdi (Mal.); Bhatia (Kumaon).
Ha!ntat.-—Sub-Himalayan tract, from Kumaon eastward; Oudh
forests, Bihar, Central and Southern India. Phoondaghaut, near
Sawantwadi, in the Bombay Presidency. Common in Burma
and the Andamans.
- A large scrambling or climbing unarmed tree, with green
glabrous, circinate branches, 2. e., often bent and twisted
into spinal hooks. Bark thin, brown, peeling off in flakes,
wood light-brown, hard (Gamble). Leaves 4-6in. long ; rachis
pubescent. Leaflets 9-13, elliptic or obovate, often minutely
mucronate at apex, 1-2in. long (Brandis); or 11-13, thin glabrous,
oblong, obtuse, apiculate, terminal largest ; petiolules sin. long.
(Talbot). Flowers small, curved, pale-blue, in compact, large,
pubescent panicles. Corolla pale-lilac, says Talbot. Stamens
10in., 2 bundles of 5 each. Pod 2-3in. long, #in. broad,
l- rarely 2- seeded, linear-oblong, obtuse, stalked, glabrous,
thickened and veined opposite the seeds
Use :—In the Concan, the juice of the leaves is applied to
aphthe, and used as a gargle in sore-throat. The root-juice,
with cumin and sugar is given in gonorrhoea (Dymock).
404. D. spinosa, Ltoxb. H.F.B.1., 11. 238. Roxb.
536.
Habitat :—Tidal forests along the coasts, from Chittagong to
Tenasserim ; also on the Ghats and on the coast of the Western
Peninsula.
N. 0. LEGUMINOS#. 457
A large shrub, sometimes scandent. Bark blackish-grey,
rough, vertically fissured. Wood brownish-white, in alternate
bands of varying width of woody and bast texture and with
a dark-red, hard centre (Gamble’. “A rigid, wiry, scrambling
shrub” says Brandis, “ with soft, silvery white wood, armed
with stout divaricating branchlets, ending in pungent spines.”
Talbot thus describes the plant :—* A stiff, erect, glabrous shrub,
with horizontal branches, spine-tipped at the ends.” Entirely
glabrous. Leaves fascicled on the node of branches ; leaflets
7-11, often nearly opposite, ovate-oblong, ¢-3in. long. Flowers
yellowish-white, in congested, sessile, axillary panicles; pedicels
short. Calyx ;,in. long, minutely downy, teeth short, obtuse.
Corolla twice as long as the Calyx. Stamens 10in., a single
“sheath, sometimes in 2 separate sheaths of 5 each. Pod Lin.
lorg, reniform, coriaceous, flat, 1-seeded, brown, glabrous.
Use :—The roots powdered absorb alcohol, and a spoonful
of the pewder in a tumblerful of water is said to be sufficient to
destroy, in less than half an hour, the effects of alcohol, even in
cases bordering on delirium tremens (Kurz).
405. Pterocarpus santalinus, Linn. Fil. u.F.B.1.,
lie 2a oe tox: So0:
Sans. :-—Raktachandana.
Vern :—Ragat-chandan, lalchandan, undum (H.); Rakta-
chandan (B.); Shenshandannum, segappo-shandanum (Jam.);
Krragandhapuchekka, kuchandanum (Tel.); Kempu-gandha
(Kan.); Ooruttah chundanum (Mal.); Lal-chundan (Dec.);
Raktachandan, ratanjli (Bomb.).
Habitat :—South India, chiefly Cuddapah, North Arcot and
the southern portion of the Karnool District.
A smooth tree, attaining 25ft. Bark blackish-brown, deeply
cleft, both vertically and horizontally into rectangular plates.
Wood extremely hard. Sapwood white, heartwood dark,
claret-red to almost black, but always with a red tinge, orange-
red when fresh cut, the shavings giving an orange-red colour.
Branches obscurely grey-downy. Leaflets 3, rarely 4 or 5,
broad-elliptic, obtuse, 13-3in. long, underside pale and clothed
58
A58 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
with fine adpressed hairs. Flowers few, in short axillary or
terminal racemes. Calyx $-4in., teeth deltoid, minute. Limb
of standard not longer than the Calyx. Stamens 2-3, monadel-
phous.
Use:—There are three kinds of sandalwood, according to
the Sanskrit writers—white, yellow and red. The red variety is
considered astringent, tonic, and is used as a cooling external
application for inflammation and headache. (Dutt.)
Considered by the Natives a hot remedy, useful in bilious
affections and skin diseases, also in fever, boils, and to
strengthen the sight. It also acts as a diaphoretic, and is ap-
plied to the forehead in headache (Baden Powell).
The wood, rubbed up with water, is advantageously em-
ployed as a wash in superficial excoriations of the genital organs
(Surgeon-Major Gray). Used also over swelling of eyelids for
reducing the swelling, (K. R. K.)
A decoction of the legume is useful as an astringent tonic
in chronic dysentery, after separation of the slough (Surgeon-
Major Shircore, Watt’s Dictionary).
406. PB. -marsupium, Roxb. aE Bly cae:
Roxb. 536.
Vern. :—Bija, bijilar, peetshola (H.); Biblé, huni, asan
(Bomb.); Kandamiruga-mirattam, vengai (Tam.); Gandum-
rugam-nettura, peddagi, pedei, zegi (Tel.) ; Karin-thagara (Mal.)
The gum—Kamarkas (tI.); Chinai-gond (Bomb.).
Halitat:—All parts of the Madras Peninsula, extending
North to the Rajmahal Hills in Bihar and Central India.
A large, deciduous tree. Bark gin. thick, grey, with long
vertical cracks, exfoliating in small pieces of irregular shape
and size. Wood very hard, close-grained, giving a red resin ;
sapwood small ; heartwood yellowish-brown, with darker streaks.
Leaves with soft adpressed hairs while young, dark green,
shining. Leaflets 5-7, coriaceous, elliptic-obtuse, emarginate,
sometimes shortly acuminate, glabrous when full grown.
Secondary nerves 15-20 pair, with intermediate ones joined
by prominent reticulate veins. Flowers yellow or white,
pedicels much shorter than Calyx, in terminal panicles. Calyx
N. 0. LEGUMINOSA. 459
peduncles, and pedicels clothed with dark-brown hairs.
Stamens monadelphous, the sheath deeply 2-fid. Corolla
twice the length of the Calyx, 3-4in., finely downy; teeth
deltoid, the two upper ones largest. Pod 11-2in., broad,
often 2-seeded ; orbicular ; wing about }-3in.
Uses :—Not noticed by Sanskrit or Mahomedan writers.
Natives on the Coromandel Coast use the gum for toothache
(Ainslie;. The bark of the tree is used in Goa as an astringent
(Dymock. Kino is officinal in both Indian and British
Pharmacopeeias. It is used as an astringent in diarrhoea and
pyrosis. Its action being milder, it is better adapted for children
and delicate females (Ph. Ind).
| Rumphius states that the gum cures diarrhoea, and the
bruised leaves are useful as an external application to boils,
sores, and skin diseases.
407. Pongamia glabra, Vent. H.F.B.1., 11. 240.
Syn. :—Galedupa indica, Lam, Roxb. 538.
Sans. :—Karanja, naktamla.
Vern. :—Karanja (H. & B.); Pungam-maram (Tam.); Ka-
nuga-chettu, kranuga (Tel.); Kidaémar (Mar.); Pongam,
unnamaram (Mal.) ; Sookechein (Pb.).
Habitat :—Central and East Himalayas to Ceylon. Found
especially near the coast, and commonly met with in the Concan.
A moderate-sized tree, almost evergreen. Bark soft, jin.
thick, greyish-brown, covered with tubercles. Wood moderately
hard, white, turning yellow on exposure; no heartwood, leaves
opposite
law f
imparipinnate, glabrous, brightly green; leaflets 5-7
’ sub-coriaceous, without stipels, ovate, shortly acuminate, 2-din.
long. Flowers in simple, peduncled, axiliary, pubescent racemes,
nearly as long as the leaves, white and purple. Corolla Zin.,
standard silky on the back. Stamens 10, the 10th filament
free at the base, in the middle connate with the rest. Pod
woody, glabrous, turgid indehiscent }-jin. thick, 13-2in.
long, with a short decurved point. Seed 1, 13-2in. long, oily.
Uses :-—|n Hindu medicine, the seeds are used as an external
460 INDIAN MEDIOINAL PLANTS.
application in skin diseases. The expressed oil of the seeds
is used in these diseases as well asin rheumatism. A poultice
of the leaves is applied to ulcers infested with worms (Dutt).
The juice of the roots is used for cleaning foul ulcers and
closing fistulous sores (Ainslie).
The fresh bark is used internally in bleeding piles. A
decoction of the leaves is used for medicated baths and
fomentations in cases of rheumatic pains (S. Arjun).
The oil is useful in cutaneous affections (Ph. Ind. 79).
Gibson speaks very highly of the oil as a remedy in scabies,
herpes and other cutaneous diseases of asimilar nature. It
should be mixed with an equal quantity of lime or lemon juice
and well shaken, when it forms a rich yellow liniment which I
have used successfully in porrigo capitis, pityriasis and
psoarlasis; in an obstinate case, hydnocarpus oil, camphor and
sulphur may be added with advantage. For destroying worms
in sores, the juice of the karanj, nim and nirgondi (Vitex
negundo), hence called kidam4r, 7.¢, killer of worms or
cutaneous vermin, is in common use. In leprosy, the leaves
of the karanj and chitrak, mixed with pepper and salt, are
powdered and given with curds (Dymock). K. R. Krishna
has used it in cases of Eczma Sicca locally with benefit, with
one dram of Zine Oxide to one ounce of the oil.
Useful in whooping cough and chronic bronchitis (Sur-
geon B. Evers, 1. m. s., March 1875, p. 66.)
Regarding the oil, Mr. Hooper writes :—
It is a thick oil, of a light orange-brown colour, with a bitter taste,
probably due toa resin. By extracting the kernels with ether 33°7 per cent.
ofa buttery mass of a dirty yellowish colour was obtained. The residual cake
contains 23°3 per cent. of proteins. Should a demand arise for this oil it
could be obtained to an unlimited extent in Bengal.— (Agricultura! Ledger
1911-12—No. 5 p, 140.)
The oil from its seeds at 15°, is a buttery mass of a dirty yellow colour.
Two samples gave the following figures: Sp. Gr. (°9352-0°9240 at 40°;
Saponification number, 178-183'1 ; iodine number, 94:0-89°4; Reichert-Meissl
number, 1:1; unsaponifiable matter, 9°22-6:96 per cent; refractometer number,
78°0-70'0 ; free fatty acids (as oxalic), 3°05-0°5 per cent. The first values were
given by a sample extracted in the laboratory with ether; the second by a
specimen obtained from India(Julius Lewkowitsch, Analyst, 1903, 28, 342-343.
N. 0. LEGUMINOSE. 461
408. Sophora tomentosa, Linn. 4.¥.B.1., 1. 249,
Roxb. 348.
Habitat :—Shores of the Eastern and Western Peninszlas
and Ceylon.
An evergreen shrub or small tree. Branches, leaves and
inflorescence shortly and thinly grey-tomentose. Branches
virgate and persistently downy. Leaves 3ft long. Leaflets
flexible, subcoriaceous, thick, obliquely elliptic-obtuse, 2in.
long, 11-17, dull grey-green, the veins immersed on both surfaces.
Flowers sulphur-yellow, in terminal racemes, which latter are
Aft. long; pedicels densely silky, articulated a little below the
Calyx. Calyx nearly truncate, very oblique 4-8in. Corolla
-8-3in., blade of standard round, veined. Pod without wings
or ridges, 4-6in. long, hoary, 6-10-seeded, the oblong, hoary,
seed-bearing joints separated by a narrow, long, seedless neck
as long as or shorter than the seed-bearing joint.
Use:—Mr. I’. M. Bailey states that the roots and seeds
have been considered as specifics in bilious sickness in New
South Wales (Mr. Maiden in the Ph. Journal, for Sept. Ist,
1889, p. 180).
Considerable quantities of sophorine were extracted from Sophora tomen-
tosa, and very carefully compared with pure cytisine, C,, H,, N,O, with the
result that these two alkaloids proved to be identical. During this investi-
gation, many new characteristics of cytisine were determined, and new
derivatives formed.
The rotatory polarisation of cytisine nitrate is [d]p—98°26, the co-effi-
cient of refraction, 1°34449. Cytisine gives no reaction with strong sul-
phuric acid, or with that acid and sugar, cerous oxide, or Vanadie acid.
Fréhde’s reagent, and evaporation with phosphoric acid, likewise yield no
reaction, Erdmann’s reagent causes an orange-yellow coloration ; concen-
trated nitric acid, on warming, a reddish yellow coloration, which becomes
rather darker on the addition of potash ; strong sulphuric acid and potassium
dichromate, a green coloration ; evaporation with hydrochloric acid leaves
a yellow residue ; calcium hypochlorite gives no coloration.
Methyloytisine hydriodide, G,, H,; Ng O, HL; prepared by the action
of methylic iodide on the free alkaloid, yields colourless crystals; its
solution gives a rotary polarisation, [d]p=—81°, and a refractive index of
135427. The platinochloride erystallises is orange-yellow needles; the
aurochloride in:golden-yellow needles.
With bromine, cytisine yields an orange-red compound containing 4 atoms
462 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
of bromine, 2 of which are removed by digesting it with silver nitrate. The
compound probably has the formula—
Ci, Hin N5O Br, 2 HBr.
As both ulexine and sophorine are now proved to be identical with
cytisine, this alkaloid has been shown to be present in the various species
of cytisus ; in ulexeuro-paens, and in sophora tomentosa (By P. C. ‘Plugge,
Archiv, Pharm, 1894, pp. 444-460, J. Ch. S. 1895 A. I. 159.
409. Cesalpinia bonducella, Fleming, H.F.B.L.,
1. 254, Roxb. 356.
Syn. :—Guilandina Bonducella, Linn.
Sans. :—Kuberakshi, pftikaranga, latakaranja.
Vern. : Katkaranj, katkaranga, katkalejé, karanju, karan-
java, katkalijaé, katkuliji-sagar-ghéta (H.); Nata, natd-karanja,
natéi-koranja (B.); Bagini (Santal.); Zang, kup (Lepcha); Kat-
karonja (Oudh); Karaunj (Kumaon); Kilgach, katkaranja
(Ajmere); Gataran (Jabalpur) ; Kirbut (Sind.); Kakachia, gajga,
kachki (Guz.'; Sagaragota (Cutch); Sagurghota, gaja (Bom.) ;
Sagaragota, gajaga, rohedo (Mar.); Gaja, gutchka, gudgega
(Duk.); Gajkai, gajagakagi, gajega (Kan.); Kazhar-shikkay
kalichi, kali-balli shikkay, gechchakkay (Tam.); Gach-chakéza,
gachclia ,Tel.); Kazhanchikkurn, kinauchik-kuru (Mal.).
Habitat :—From the Himalayas, throughout India.
A scandent, prickly shrub. Bark light-brown. Wood hard.
Leaves over a foot long; Pinne 6-8 pair; 3-8in. long; stipules
large, 2-fid; rachis and its branches armed with recurved pri-
ckles. Leaflets 6-10 pair on each pinna, opposite 7-1 by £-3in.,
oblong or elliptic, obtuse, mucronate, membranous, downy
beneath, minutely petioluled. Racemes 6-12in. long, gradually
denser towards the top; pedicels }-,% in. long, finely rusty to-
mentose. Petals 3-Zin. long, oblaceolate, yellow, the smallest
spotted with red. Pod 2-3 by 14-2in., coriaceous, dehiscent,
thickly beset with sharp wiry prickles, 3-#in. long. Seeds
2-3, ,oin. long, globose or ovoid, shining, lead-coloured, with
numerous very fine horizontal cracks when dry (KANJILAL).
Uses :—In an official report, the Madras Committee for the
proposed revision of the Indian Pharmacopceia, remark that
“the seeds are very useful and cheap and antiperiodic, anti-
pyretic and tonic; valuable in all ordinary cases of simple,
N. 0. LEGUMINOS. 463
continued and intermittent fevers. They have also been found
useful in some cases of asthma.”
In Madras, an ointment is made from the powdered seeds
with castor 011 and applied externally in hydrocele and orchitis
(Watt. 11 406.)
In Malay, the young leaves are used in intermittent fevers
and for expelling intestinal worms ' Dr. Ch. Rice, Watt. ii. 5).
The seeds are officinal in the Indian Pharmacopoeia, and
useful in malarial fevers.
In disorders of the liver, the tender leaves are considered
very efficacious (T. N. Mukerji).
In Cochin China, the leaves are reckoned as a de-obstruent
and emmenagogue and that an oil expressed from them is useful
in convulsions, palsy and similar complaints (Drury,.
The seeds of Ocesalpina bonducella yield an alkaloid, for which the
name natin is suggested. The oil has D270 9132, iodine value 96°1, and
saponification value 292°8.
J. Ch. IT. 15-4-1912, p. 357.
AOC bonduc,-moxb. HW B.Ny It. 1255. Roxb.
358. |
Habitat :—The Eastern and Western Peninsulas.
Very near C. Bonducella, Fleming, from which it differs
by its more robust, less downy branches, larger leaflets (often
2-3in. long), the absence of the reduced stipular pinna, by its
smaller erect, not squarrose, bracts and more tropical dispersion
(J. G. Baker). |
(Jses :—The seeds of this are of a yellow color. Messrs Heckel
and Schlagendenhauffen have obtained from the cotyledons of
both kinds a bitter principle as a white powder. Clinical experi-
ence is reported to have proved bevond doubt that this bitter
principle represents the therapeutic properties of the seed, and
Dr. Isnard reports that in doses of 10 to 20 centigrams its effects
in intermittent fever equal those of the salts of quinine. (Ph.
Journal, July 31st, 1886, pp. 8 and 12 )
PE eC NUOd Alin HEB ioIl. 205.
Syn. :—C. paniculata, Roxb. 358.
Vern. :—Kaku mallu (Mal.).
464 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
Habitat :—Chitagong, Sylhet, and the Eastern and Western
Peninsulas.
A large, scandent, prickly shrub. Branches slender, very
flexuous. Prickles copious, dark-coloured, hooked. Pinne 2-5
pair. Leaflets distinctly petioluled, 13-2in. long, obtuse, coria-
ceous, glossy above. Racemes axillary and terminal, copiously
panicled, with spreading branches; pedicels as long as the calyx.
Calyx glabrous, }gin. Petals scarcely exserted. Filaments densely
woolly in the lower half. Pod 2in. long, broad oblong, coriaceous
pointed at both ends, hard indeliiscent, rather turgid, 1-seeded.
Use :—The roots of this plant are said to be diuretic; they
have been reported as useful in gravel and stone in the bladder,
and the juice of the stem has been used externally and in-
ternally in eye diseases. For the same purpose are used also
the roasted fruits, which have a bitter taste. The finely
rowdered leaves have also been administered to women im-
mediately after delivery as a tonic to the uterus (Wart. 11. 10).
412. -C. Sappan Linn. 4.¥.8.1., i. 255; Roxb.
306.
Sans. :—Patang.
Vern. :—Bokam, tairi, patang (H. B.); Teri (Santal) ; Bokmo
(Ooriya) ; Patang-na-lakaru, patang-mu-lakado, bakam (Guz.);
Patang-ki-lakri (Duk.); Patang (Mar.); Patanga, vatlangi,
vattéku, vartangi (Tam.); Bakantr, bakapu. okaunkatta,
pattanga-katta, bakaun-chekka, bukkapu-chekka (Te).); Patan-
ga-chekke, sappanga (Kan.) ; Chappanum (Mal.).
Habitat :—The Eastern and Western Peninsulas.
A small sub-glabrous tree or struggling shrub. Wood hard.
Sapwood white, heart-wood orange yellow, says Gamble. The
heart-wood is red and takes a fine polish says Talbot. Prickles
small and few. Leaf-rachis $ 1 ft. long, leaflets No. 30 moderately
small oblong very oblique subsessile corinceous, Pinn No. 24.
Panicles often as long as the leaves, the young branches,
slightly perruginous-pubescent; bructs large, lanceolate cadu-
cous ; pedicels $ in. Calyx 3 in. Glabrous. Filaments densely
worthy in the lower helf, slightly exserted. Ovary grey velvety.
Pod 3-4 in, by L} in. sub-compressed, polished oblique oblong
N. 0. LEGUMINOSE. ABD
woody 3-4 seeded indehiscent, with a hard recurred beak at the
upper angle.
The dye is obtained from the pods and also from the heart-
wood used specially for colouring silk.
Part used :—The wood.
Uses :— Ainslie says that the Vytians consider a decoction of
the wood as a powerful emmenagogue, and remarks that the
Cochin Chinese hold the same opinion.
The Indian Pharmacopoeia recommends it as a good substi-
tute for logwood.
Dr. Ross of Delhi considers it useful in some forms of skin
diseases, lichen especially, given internally as a decoction.
Assistant-Surgeon Bhagwan Das of Rawalpindi has found it
useful as an astringent tonic in atonic diarrhoea (Watt. II. 11).
Sic. pileherrima,oiwarte WEB. 11, 255;
Roxb. 356.
Vern. :—Krishnachfréa (B.); Ratuagandi (Kan.).
Habitat :—Cultivated in gardens throughout India.
A large glabrous shrub, armed with a few scattered
prickles on branches. Bark silver grey, studded with prominent,
but small length lenticels. Wood hard ; Sapwood white, heart-
wood orange- yellow, glabrous. Pinne 12-18 pair. Leaflets 20-24,
small sessile, close, membranous, oblique-oblong. . $-8in. long,
very obtuse. Racemes very broad, the lower pedicels 3-4in.
long. Calyx §-8in., glabrous. Petals round, crisped, reddish
yellow to orange, or bright-yellow, with a distinct claw. Fila-
ments varying in colour, according to the colour of the petals, 3-4
times the length of the Corolla, much exserted. Pod nearly
straight, 2-3in. long, thin, ligulate, flat, glabrous, 6-8-seeded.
Use:—The leaves, flowers and seeds are largely used in
Native medicine (Watt).
Hie On seniaria, inoxcb. H.E.BiL., i. 206, Roxb:
aot.
Vern. :— Uru, dri, arlu, rel, aila, hyderkajhar (H.); Phul-
wai, uran, kando, uri (Pb.) ; Chillu (Duk.); Hotsige (Kan.).
Hing. :--Mysore Thorn.
59
466 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
Habitat :—Himalayas to Ceylon and Ava. Sutlej Valley.
Basantpur, Sabatbu, Western Peninsula.
A straggling, woody, thorny, stout climber. Branches finely
downy, with small yellow prickles. Bark yellowish white,
corky, with corky excrescences bearing strong thorns.” Wood
light-brown, moderately hard, with masses of reddish-brown
harder wood near centre (Gamble). Leaves 2-pinnate, 10-L8in
Leaflets 10-24, opposite nearly sessile, oblong, 3-lin., obtuse;
Trimen from Ceylon notes 20-24 leaflets (10-12 pair); 2in.,
sessile, closely placed, over-lapping, oblong, very obtuse, pubes-
cent on both sides, thin. Flowers large, bright, chrome-yellow ;
filaments crimson, 1din.; pedicel 1-ljin., stout, hairy, ascend-
ing. Racemes terminal, large, 6-12in. long, erect. Bracts
iong, lanceolate, acuminate, caducous. Calyx finely, but densely,
pubescent. Segments very obtuse, petals shortly clawed, reflexed.
Stamens much exserted. Filaments woolly for more than lower
half. Ovary sessile, style glabrous; stigma small. Pod glabrous,
cuspidate, nearly flat, obliquely oblong, 2-3 by lin., tipped with
the persistent style base. Seeds 4-8, mottled (Collet); 6-8.
oblong, 2in., greenish, mottled (Trimen) ; compressed.
Use :—In Chamba, the bruised leaves are applied to burns.
(Stewart, p. 60).
415. C.digyna, fottl. 4.F.B.1., 1. 256.
Syn.:—C. oleosperma, Roxb. 356.
Vern. :—Vakeri-mul (H. and Bomb.); Umul-koochi (B.);
Nooni-glika (Tel.) ; Vakeri-che-bhate (Bomb.).
Habitat :—Eastern and Western Peninsula, Assam, Bengal,
Chittagong, Burma, upper and lower; Sambalpur (C. P.). Cey-
lon. Eastern Himalaya.
A large, scandent, woody shrub, sparingly prickly. Branches
glabrous, purple, with hooked brown prickles, which latter
are scattered and uniform. Young parts rufous-pubescent.
Leaves narrow, main rachis 6-8in., with 9-12 pair of pinne,
with rachis 13-2in. pubescent. Leaflets 20-24 (10-12 pair),
2 in., sessile, closely placed, overlapping, oblong, very obtuse,
pubescent on both sides, thin, dark-green, membranous.
Flowers 5in., yellow; pedicel lin., horizontally divaricate,
N. 0. LEGUMINOSZ. 467
slender; raceme stalked axillary, 6-8in. Bracts setaceous,
falling very early. Calvx glabrous, segments separating from
flat base. Stamens a little exserted. Filaments very woolly for
more than basal half. Petals orbicular, yellow, the upper
streaked with red (Brandis). Trimen from Ceylon simply
says flowers yellow. Brandis is more accurate. I have seen the
plant on Malabar Hill, Bombay, and in Ratnagiri District, on
Rajapur Hills. Developes a big starchy tuber or tubers several
feet underground from the roots.
Pod oblong, glabrous, 13-2in. long, 2-4-seeded, turgid,
torulose.
Parts used :—The roots.
Use :—The root is used in Native practice, and has marked
astringent properties. It might be used as such (S. Arjun).
It is given internally, in 6 masa doses mixed with milk, ghee,
cumin and sugar, in phthisis and scrofulous affections ; when
sores exist it is applied externally as well; a kind of tuberous
swelling which is found on the root 1s preferred (Dymock).
In some parts of Burma, the root, pounded and mixed
with water, is drunk as a febrifuge by some pecple, and is said
also to have an intoxicating effect.
Previous investigations have shown that the pod-cases of
Caesalpinia digyna are useful as a tanning material; of six
samples, one contained 45°45 per cent. of tannin (referred to the
dry substance), whilst in the other five the tannin content ranged
from 53°82 to 59°89 per cent. The plant occurs plentifully
in a wild state in Burma and in Bengal and Assam, and its
cultivation in India has been recommended. An experiment
consignment of the whole pods was sold recently in London
at £14 per ton. As practically the whole of the tannin is
contained in the pod-cases, a very large quantity of the seeds
would be available if the pods were used commercially as a source
of tannin, The results of analyses indicated that if finely ground
and mixed with a cheap ground pulse, the seeds might be used
for cattle-feeding in India, but they could not be exported
PROMI One Ineo. Lay LOl2 735.
“ The powdered seeds yield to ether 25°83 per cent. of a thick light colored
oil worthy of further investigation.” Agricultural Ledger, 1911-12 No. 5, p. 188.
468 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
416. Wagatea spicata, Dalz. H.F.B.1., 11. 260.
Vern. :— Wagati, Wakeri, Kuldgajga(M.); Hooliganji, Vagati
(Kan.).
Habitat :— Western Presidency.
A robust, woody, prickly, climbing shrub, with long trailing
prickly branches. Leaves abruptly bipinnate, 2-1ft. long and
broad. Pinnee 8-10 pair ; leaflets glabrous, elliptic-oblong, 1-2in.
long, nearly sessile, oblong, acute, rigidly sub-coriaceous,
venulose. Flowers nearly subsessile, in long dense spikes,
bright scarlet on a thick furrowed brown-velvety rachis. Bracts
minute, lanceolate, cuspidate. Calyx scarlet, campanulate, 3in.,
segments 5, the lowest much longer than the others. Petals
orange, 5, equal, oblanceolate, inserted with the stamens on the
side of the disk lining the Calyx-tube. Pod indehiscent, 4-5-
seeded, more or less constricted between seeds.
Use: --The pods (Tere pods). contain a large proportion of
tannic acid. Roots used in cases of pneumonia (Talbot’s List
of Trees, Shrubs and Woody Climbers of the Bombay Presidency,
2nd edition, p. 143). Bark yields a dye material and is used
as an application for skin diseases.
A417. Cassia Fistula, Linn. 8 F.B.1., U1. 261, Roxd.
348.
Syn. :—Cathartocarpus Fistula (Pers.).
Eng. :—The Indian Laburnum or Purging Cassia.
Sans. :—Suvarnaka, araghadha, rajataru.
Vern. :—Amaltas, girmalah (H. and D.); Alash, ali, karangal,
kiar, kaniar (Pb.); Rajbriksk, kitola (Kumaon); Rajbriksha
(Nepal); Chimkani (Sind.); Sundah, sonali, 4multas, bandarlati
(B.); Nurnic (Santal.); Hari (Kol.) ; Sonalu (Garo) ; Sanaru (Ass.);
Bandolat (Cachar); Sandari or Sunari (Uriza); Kitawali, sitoli,
itola, bhimarra, sim (N. W. P.); Warga (Oudh); Jaggarwah,
raila, pirojah, karkacha (C. P.); Jaggra, jugartia, kambar, rera
(Gond.); Bahava, bhawa, baya, bawa(Mar.); Garmal or Sarmala
(Guz.); Kouraih-kay, sharak-kouraik-kéy, koue (Tam.); Reylu,
N. 0. LEGUMINOSZ. 469
rélarala, réla-kayalu, suvarnam (Tel.); Konak-kaya(Ma.); Kakee
(Kan.).
A moderate-sized, deciduous tree, at times large, erect,
glabrous in all its parts. Bark $in. thick, compact, greenish-
grey and smooth when young, dark-reddish brown and rough
when old, extoliating in many-sided patches. Wood very hard ;
sapwood large; heart-wood varying in colour from grey or
yellowish-red to brick-red, darkens much on exposure (Gamble).
Youngest shoots silky. Branches slender. Leaves 12-18in.
long. Leaflets 4-8 pair, ovate or ovate-oblong, acute or shortly
acuminate, base cuneate ; 2-5, 14-3%in., sub-coriaceous, glabrous
and bright-green above, pale, and more or less silvery-pubescent,
particularly on nervation beneath; lateral nerves numerous,
1
branching: petiolules +-4in. long:
b) + 2
oD?
stipules minute-pubescent.
Flowers large, fragrant, bright-yellow, in lax pendulous racemes,
12-20in. long; Pedicels 14-23in. long, pubescent; bracts
minute, caducous. Calyx 4in. long, divided to the base;
segments oblong, obtuse, puberulous. Corolla 14in. across ;
petals obovate, veined, shortly clawed. Stamens all antheri-
ferous ; 3 lower largest, with curved filaments, and oblong anthers,
dehiscing longitudinally ; 4, with short filaments, the anthers
dehiseing by basal-pores; the remaining 3 short, anthers with-
out pollen. Pod cylindrical, }-2ft. long, lin. thick, pendulous,
smooth, shining, dark-brown indehiscent; seeds numerous,
horizontal, in black sweet pulp and completely separated by
thin transverse dissepiments ; small, ovoid, slightly compressed,
smooth, shining, yellowish-brown, cotyledons flat, albumen horny
(TALBOT).
Parts used :—The pulp, root-bark, flowers, bark, leaves and
roots.
Uses:—In Hindu medicine, the pulp is used as a cathartic ;
and the root is also deseribed as a laxative, useful in fever, heart
disease, retained excretions, billousness, &c. (Dutt). In the
Makhzan-El-Adwiya, the pulp is described as lenitive, useful for
relieving thoracic obstructions and heat of blood, and is a safe
aperient for children and women. Externally. it is said to be a
good application for gout, rheumatism, &c. The flowers are
470 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
made into a confection known as Gul-kand and viewed asa
febrifuge. From 5 to 7 of the powdered seeds are prescribed
as an emetic, and the shell of the pod rubbed down with saffron,
sugar and rose-water, in difficult parturition (Dymock). In the
Concan, the juice of the young leaves is used to cure ringworm
and to allay the irritation caused by the application of the mark-
ing-nut juice (Dymock).
The root is given as a tonic and febrifuge (Bellew). Dr.
Irvine found the root to act as a strong purgative (Top. of
Ajmere.)
It is officinal in the Indian and British Pharmacopceias.
A poultice made of the leaves is said to relieve the chilblains
which are common in Upper Sind. It has been beneficially
used in facial paralysis and rheumatism when rubbed into the
affected parts. Internaily, it is given as a derivative in paralysis
and brain affections.
By steam-distilling the finely powdered fruit of Cassia fistula,
a dark-yellow volatile oil, possessing a honey-like odour, is
obtained. The oil forms an amorphous mass at ordinary
temperatures, melts at 41°C, and has a faint acid reaction.
The water which distils over with the oil, contains normal
butyric acid. J.S. Ch. I. April 30, 1901, p. 386.
418. C. occidentulis, Linn. H.F.B.1., 11. 262.
Syn. :—Senna occidentalis, Roxb 352.
Eng. :—The Negro Coffee.
Sans. :— Kasamara.
Vern. :—Kasondi, bari-kasondi or kasunda (H. and Duk.) ;
Hikal (Bom.); Kalkashundé (B.); Nattam-takarais, peya-veri
(Tam.); Kasindha (Tel.); Natram-takara (Mal.); (kasundro Guz.)
Habitat :—Scattered from the Himalayas to the Western
Peninsula, Bengal and South India.
A diffuse, sub-glabrous undershrub, a few feet high, usually
only of annual duration. Leaves $ft. long, with a single gland
placed just above the base of the common petiole. Leaflets
glaucous, foetid, acuminate, 1-3in. long, glabrous or finely
pubescent, 6-10 ovate-oblong. Racemes short-peduncled, few-
flowered, corymbose, axillary and forming a terminal panicle ;
N. 0. LEGUMINOS®. ATA
bracts thin, ovate acuminate, caducous, pedicels spreading,
1_3in, Sepals cbtuse, glabrous, 4-41n. Petals $in., yellow,
with reddish veins. Pod 4-5 by iin., rather recurved, glabrous
sub-compressed, distinctly torulose. Seeds 15-30.
Parts used :--The leaves, seeds and roots.
Uses:—Sanskrit authors regard it as possessing much the
same medicinal properties as C.Sophera. Mahomedan writers
describe it as alexipharmic useful in the expulsion of corrupt
humors and to relieve cough (Dymock).
In the Concan, 2 to 6 gunjas of the seeds are pounded and
heated with a tola of woman’s or cow’s milk, which is strained
and given once a day as a cure for the convulsions of children,
or 6 masha doses may be given to the mother or wet-nurse. In
‘France and in the West Indies, the seeds are employed asa
febrifuge. An infusion of the root is considered by the Amer-
ican Indians to be an antidote against various poisons (Wy-
mock). The seeds and leaves are used externally in cutaneou:
diseases (T. N. Mukerji).
In the West Indies, the root is considered diuretic and the
leaves taken internally and applied externally are given in
cases of itch and other cutaneous diseases. ‘The root is said by
Martius to be beneficial in obstructions of the stomach and in
incipient dropsy (Lindley). Among the country people of
Porto Rico, a decoction of the leaves, roots and flowers is highly
prized in hysteria. I have tried its effects in some cases and
found it relieve the spasm. It is useful for expelling wind
accumulated in the intestines of dyspeptic, nervous women. It
is also used asa tonic and febrifuge (Dr. Amader in Ph. J.,
28-4-88).
The whole plant is purgative. Dose of leaves about 90
grains.
Professor Clonet has analysed the seeds. The following abstract of his
views and results taken from the Year-Book of Pharmacy, 1876, . 179, will be
found instructive :—
‘‘Ratty matters (olein and margarin}, 4°9; tannic acid, 0°9; sugar, 2:1 ; gum,
28°8; starch, 2°0 ; cellulose, 34:0; water, 7:0 ; calcium sulphate and phosphate,
erysophanic acid, 0°9 ; malic acid, sodium chloride, magnesium sulphate, iron,
silica, together, 0°4 ; and achrosine, 13°58 parts in 100. The latter substance
472 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
was obtained by exhausting the powder of seeds, previously treated with
ether, by means of alcohol of 60 per cent ; the alcohol is distilled off, the
syrupy residue treated with absolute alcohol, which dissolves out various
constituents, leaving a solid brown-red mass, having when dry a resinous
fracture, and being soluble in water, to which it communicates a garnet
colour. It contains C, H, O, N, and S, but its exact composition has not been
determined. (It is most likely a mixture of various bodies.) It is soluble
also in weak alcohol, and in acids and alkalies. The colour cannot be fixed
upon tissues by any known mordant. This circumstance induced the author
to term it achrosine, or ‘ not colouring, although being coloured itself.”
419. C. Sophera, Linn, H£.B1., 11. 262.
Syn.:—Senna Sophera, oxb. 352.
Sans. : —KAsamarda.
Vern. :—Banar, kasunda, bas-ki-kaséndi (H.); Kal-kash-
undaé (B.); Sari-kas6éndi, jangli-takla (Duk.) ; Kuwadice (Guz.);
Zan-tankla (Mar.); Ponnd-virai, periya-takar, pera-virai
(Tam.}; Paidi-tangedu, nute-kashindha, kasa-mardhakamu,
tagara-chettu (Tel.); Ponnamtakara (Mal.).
Habitat :—Common throughout India.
Closely allied to C. occidentalis, from which it differs by its
more shrubby habit, more numerous smaller narrower leaflets
and shorter, broader, more turgid, pods which are not usually
torulose when mature.
Parts used :—The bark, leaves, seeds and roots.
Use:—Supposed by Sanskrit writers to have expectorant
properties, hence the name Lasamarda.
It is noticed by Mohamedan writers as a remedy in snake-
bite, the root being given with black pepper. The bark in the
form of infusion and the powdered seeds, mixed with honey, are
given in diabetes (Drury). In Madras, the infusion of the leaves
is taken internally for gonorrhoea in its sub-acute stages, and it is
also used externally for syphilis.
The bark, leaves, and seeds are used as a cathartic, and
the juice of the leaves is viewed as a specific in ring-worm,
specially when made into a plaster in combination with sandal-
A paste made from the root is sometimes used instead
wood.
of the juice of the leaves. ‘The powdered seed is used for the
same purpose and also for itch.
N. 0. LEGUMINOSA. ATS
This plant, like several others of the same genus, owes its medicinal
activity to the presence of chrysophanic acid, sometimes called Rhein, form
C,,H;0,” (O.H.,) This substance belongs to the anthracene group of carbon
compounds, and, like alizarin, is regarded as_ dioxyan thraquinone,
C,,H;0,” el . It crystallizes in six-sided prisms, is tasteless, and may
be sublimed without decomposition ; it is contained in Goa powder (50 per
cent.), rhubarb, most varieties of dock, Lichen orcella, Permelia parietina,
Cassia alata, C. occidentalis, C. Tora, &c. As met with in commerce, it isin
the form of a light-yellow poder, soluble in benzol, chloroform, turpentine,
and inthe fixed and volatile oils to a large extent, sparingly soluble in ether
and alcohol, and insoluble in water, glycerine, and in solid paraffin. It is dis-
solved by sulphuric and nitric acids (in the latter to a less extenti, by caustic
potash and by ammonia ; fuses at 123°3 C., and boils at 232°2 C. At the latter
temperature it is decomposed into a dark-green resinous substance, which is
largely soluble in ether. Oil Jecoris dissolves twice its weight of the acid,
yielding a mixture containing 70 per cent. Oil olive, Oil Pini sylvest.,
Creasotum, Oil Terebinth., Oil Lavand,, and Vaseline, dissolve readily their
own weight of acid, yielding mixtures containing 52 per cent,
“ Taking advantage of its solubility in the fixed oils, a considerable
saving may be effected by preparing ointments direct from Araroba, Oil
olive thoroughly exhausts that substance, yielding the acid after removal of
the oil by ether in a state of purity. The Singhalese doctors take advantage
of this fact, and fry the leaves of Cassia alata, C, Tora, C. occidentalis, and C.
Sophera in gingelly or castor oil. The strained product is used as an oint-
ment for ring-worm and other skin diseases.” (Ff. Luker Macmillan, Phar.
Journ., 15th March 1879.)
E20 es Oorusi Olid, Linn, 1.U.B1., Wo 203.
Syn. :—Senna Tora and toroides, Roxb. 351.
Hing. :—The foetid Cassia.
Sans. :— Prabunatha, dadamari, dadmadan.
Vern. :—Chakunda, panevar (H. & B.); Chakaoda arak.
(Santal) ; Pawar, panwar, pawas, chakunda (Pb.); Panwar
(N.-W.P.) takala, tarota, takla, tankli (Mar.); Kawario, kovariza
(Guz.); Tankala, kowaria (Bom.); Tarota (Duk.); Ushittagarai,
tarotak Tam.:; Tagarisha-chettu (Tel.).
Habitat :—Found everywhere in Bengal, and widely spread
throughout India.
An annual weed growing up into an undershrub. Leaves
distinctly petioled, furnished with glands on the main rachis
between the leaflets ; glabrous. Leaflets 6, ovate-oblong, per-
fect, glaucous, membranous, 1-lgin. Stipules large, linear sub-
60
A474 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
ulate, caducous. Flowers usually in nearly sessile pairs in the
axils of the leaves, of the upper very crowded. Corolla small,
bright or orange-yellow: Sepals concave. Stamens sub-equal.
Pods 3-%ft. by 4 1n.; membranous, slender, sub-tetragonous,
the sutures very broad. Seeds uniseriate, flattened in the
same direction as the pod, truncately cylindrical, about gin.
long; length parallel to the suture.
Parts used :—The leaves and seeds.
Uses:—In Hindu medicine it hasa great reputation in all
kinds of skin . diseases. Chakradatta recommends the seeds
together with those of Pongamia glabra as a cure for ring-worm.
Mohamedan writers notice the closing of the leaves at night.
They consider the seeds and leaves to have solvent properties
in those forms of skin disease accompanied by induration, e.g.,
leprosy, cheloid, psoriasis, &c. (Dymock).
The leaves are gently aperient; fried in castor oil, they are
considered a good application to foul uleers. The seeds ground
with sour butter-milk are used to ease the irritation of itchy
eruptions ; and the root, rubbed on a stone with lime juice, is
supposed to be one of the best remedies for ring-worm. The
leaves are also used as a poultice to hasten suppuration (Ainslie).
A warm remedy in gout, sciatica and pains in the joints (B.
Powell.)
The medicinal properties are due to the presence of chryso-
phanic acid. (Vide a paper by Mr. Elborne on the analysis of
the seeds in Ph. J., 22 Sept. 1888, p. 242).
A21.° C. auriculata, nnn. 4.¥.B.1., 1. 263.
Syn, :—Senna auriculata, Roxb. 3954.
Eng. :—The Tanner’s Cassia.
Vern.:—Tarwar, tarver (H. & 8B.); Tarota (Berar);
Taravada (Mar.); Awal, aval (Guz.); Awla (Cutch); Avari,
ammera-verai, Avirai (Tam.); Tangedu, thagedu, tangar (Tel.) ;
Avareke, tengedu, tangadi-gida, avara-gida, taravadagida (Kan.) ;
Avara, ponnaviram (Mal.).
Habitat:—Wild in the Central Provinces, the Western
Peninsula and Sovth India.
N. 0. LEGUMINOS. 475
A gregarious, pubescent, tall shrub. Branches virgate,
irregularly-scattered, sometimes horizontally, sometimes ver-
tically arranged. Leaves nearly sessile, underside finely
grey-downy, 3-4in. long. Leaflets 8-12 pair, obovate-oblong,
or elliptic-oblong, obtuse, mueronate, 4-lin. long, with a
piliform gland at the base of each pair; stipules large, folia-
ceous, persistent. Flowers yellow in terminal corymbose,
bracteate panicels, the lowest branches in the axils of leaves, the
upper supported by pairs of stipules, Sepals concave, unequal.
Petals clawed, crisped on margin, $-l in. long. Pod 3-4 by 4in.,
then hairy, ligulate, few-seeded, glabrous, flexible, dark-brown,
with a distinct space between the unseriate seeds (J. G. Baker),
Parts used :—The bark and seeds.
Use:—The Vytians reckon the seeds amongst their refri-
gerants and attenuants, and prescribe them in electuary, in
cases in which the habit is preternaturally heated or depraved.
They also consider the powder of the dry seeds as a valuable
external remedy (blown into the eye), in certain stages of
ophthalmia. Of the electuary the dose is a small teaspoonful
twice daily (Ainslie).
Dr. Kirkpatrick brings to notice the astringent properties
of the bark, and speaks favorably of the use of the seeds as an
application to the eyes in chronic purulent conjunctivitis
(Catalogue of Mysore Drugs. Ph. Ind.)
The Singhalese pull the twigs and hold them in their hands,
or apply them to their heads for the coolness which they
diffuse : and they use the leaves in the &. of the island asa
substitute for tea (TENNANT).
422. C. obovata, Collad, H.F.B.I., 11. 264.
Syn. :—Cassia Senna, Linn. Senna obtusa, How.
Eng. :—Country Senna.
Vern. :—Bhui-tarwad (Bom.).
Habitat :—The Western Peninsula, Mysore and South India,
especially the Coromandel coast.
Sub-glabrous, scarcely shiubby, 1-4ft. high. Leaf-rachis
476 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
without glands. Leaves distinctly petioled, 2-3in. long ; leaflets
obovate-oblong, 8-12, opposite, membranous, very glaucous,
obtuse, with a minute mucro, 4$-ldin. Stipules lanceolate
persistent. Racemes distinctly, peduncled, equalling or exceed-
ing the leaves; pedicels very short. Sepals glabrous, very
obtuse. Corolla middle-sized, pale yellow, stamens very un-
equal. Pod thin, flat, oblong, much recurved, with a crest in
the middle of the valve opposite each seed, 1-14 by 2-3in.,
short-stalked, narrower suddenly at both ends, 6-12-seeded,
suture very thin.
Use :—Along with C. Lanceolata it is the principal source of
the medicinal senna leaves.
A423, C. alata We BA Bi 204,
Syn. :—Senna alata, Roxb. 354.
Sans. :—Dadraghna.
Vern. :—Dad mardan, dad-mari (B.); dad murdan, dat-ka
pat (Lt.); Dadamardana (Bom. and Mar.); Dat-kd-pata Vilayati-
agati (Duk.) ; Shimai-agati, vandukolli (Tam.) ; Sima-avisl (Tel.};
Shima-akatti (Mal.) ; Shime-agase (Kan.).
Habitat :—Met with in Lower Bengal and the Western
Peninsula.
A large shrub, with very thick, finely downy branches.
Leaves sub-sessile, 1-2ft. Jong. Leaflets 8-12 pair, oblong obtuse,
2-6in. long, minutely mucronate, rigidly sub-coriaceous, glabrous,
or obscurely downy beneath, broadly rounded, oblique at the base.
Rachis narrowly winged on each side of the face. Stipules del-
toid, rigid, persistent, articulate, #in. long. Flowers in short
pedicels, in spiciform, pedunculate racemes; the buds in yellow
caduceous bracts. Sepals obtuse; petals bright yellow, with
darker veins, broad-ovate, {+in. long. Stamens very unequal.
Perfeet stamens 7, the anthers subequal or those of 2-3 lowest
larger than the others. Three posterior filaments without an-
thers. Pod long, igulate witha broad wing down the middle
of each valve, membranous. fehiscent, straight and glabrous;
4-8 by 4-Zin. Seeds 50 or more.
Paris used :—The leaves.
N. 0. LEGUMINOSAE. 477
Uses :—The leaves of this plant are regarded as an excellent
medicine for ring-worm. They are also used in other skin dis-
eases; and considered useful in snake-bites (Ainslie).
Internally, the leaves and flowers are prescribed as a tonic
(T. N. Mukerji). The whole plant is used by the Tamul people
as a remedy in venereal, poisoned bites, and as a general
tonic (Roxb).
In eczema, I have obtained the best results by washing the
parts repeatedly with a strong decoction of the leaves and flowers.
The bark has the same properties. In cases of bronchitis and
asthma, in herpetic constitutions, I have administered the decoc-
tion of the leaves and flowers in repeated doses during the day,
relieving dyspnoeal oppression and promoting expectoration.
The medicine acts on the bowels slightly and increases the
secretion of urine (Dr. Amed, Ph. J.) (28-4-88).
The evidence collected by the authors of Ph. Ind. is strongly
in favour of its efficacy in ring-worm. The best way to apply
it is to bruise the leaves and mix them with lime juice, the
paste thus prepared is spread upon the affected part. The leaves
have also purgative properties (Dymock).
424 C. glauca, Lam, H.F.B.1., 11. 265.
Syn. :~—-Senna arborescens, Roxb. 352.
Vern. :—Konda-tantepuchettu (Tel.) ; Wellia-tagera (Mal.).
Habitat :--From the Himalayas throughout India.
A large shrub or smal! tree, with spreading, grooved, more or
less glabrous, branches. Leaves petioles 5-9in. long; rachis
adpressed, grey-pubescent, with an erect, clavate gland between
each of the 2 or 3 lower pair of leaflets. Leaflets 4-10 pair.
Stipules 4-Zin. long, linear, acute, falcate, sub-persistent; leaflets
broadly-ovate, obtuse, emarginate or subacute, the terminal
pair largest, sub-coriaceous, green, glabrous above, glaucous and
pubescent on the nerves beneath, sometimes slightly unequal-
sided at base. Flowers yellow, in axillary corymbose racemes ;
shorter than the leaves. Bracts ovate, reflexed, caducous. Calyx
yellow veined. Sepals broad-ovate, glabrous, outer two
smallest. Petals broad-ovate, obtuse, with a short claw, veined
A478 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
and pubescent on the outside. Stamens 10, perfect, subequal.
Pod thin, flat, with raised lines between, dehiscent, glabrous,
4-8in. long. “Seeds 20-30, smooth, compressed, narrow-
b]
oblong, dark-brown, shining, shallowly-pitted on the faces’
(TALBOT).
Use :—The bark and leaves are prescribed in diabetes and
gonorrhoea (Balfouz).
425. C.absus, Linn. 4.F.B.1., 0. 265, Roxb 351.
Vern. :—Chakut, chaksu, banar (H. & Duk.) ; Mulaippalvirai,
karnukaé-nam, kattukkol, edikkol (Tam.); Chanu-pélavittulu
(Tel.); karin-kolla (Mal.); Chaksie (Bom.); Kan-kuti (Mar.) ;
Chimar or Chime, chindl (Guz.); Chowun (Sind). Chaksoo
(Pb.).
Halitat:—From the foot of the Western Himalayas to
Ceylon.
An erect annual, 1-2ft. high, with stem and leaves clothed
with grey bristly viscose hairs. Leaves long-petioled. Leaflets
oblong, very oblique, 1-2in. long, obtuse, or subacute, 4in. long,
membranous. Stipules small, linear, persistent. Racemes nar-
row, equalling or exceeding the leaves. Sepals lanceolate,
bristly, g-2in. Coroila reddish yellow, very small. Pod oblique,
ligulate, 1-l3in. long, 5-6-seeded, the thin valves beset with
bristly hairs.
Parts used :—The seeds and leaves.
Use :--Mahomedan writers describe the seeds as attenuant
and astringent, and say they strengthen the sight when used
asa collyrium. In some books a plaster made from the seeds
is reeommended as an application to wounds and sores, es-
pecially of the penis. In purulent ophthalmia about a grain
of the powdered seeds, after being baked, is introduced beneath
the eye-lids (Dymock).
The receptacle of the seed possesses diuretic and stimulant
properties (Irvine, Patna).
Used as a cathartic in habitual constipation (dose 3-3 drams),
Seeds are found efficacious in ring-worm (Watt).
N. 0. LEGUMINOS. 479
426 ©. mimosoides, Linn, H.F.B.1., U. 266.
Syn. :—S. sensitiva and 8. tenella, Roxb. 355.
Vern. :— Patwa-ghas (Santal).
Habitat :—The Himalayas.
A low, diffuse, perennial shrub, with slender, finely downy
branches. Leaves 1-3in. long, with a solitary, sessile gland on
the rachis below the leaflets; leaflets 60-100, linear, rigidly
coriaceous, *-gin. long, obliquely mucronate, with the midrib
close to the upper border; stipules large, linear-subulate, per-
sistent. Flowers 1-2 together in the axils of the leaves, on short
pedicels. Sepals j-4in., lanceolate-acuminate, bristly. Corolla
little exserted. Stamers 10, alternately long and short, rarely
5 of equal size ? (K. R. K.). Pod strap-shaped, flat, dehiscent,
13-2 by Hin., nearly straight, glabrescent or finely downy ;
Septa more or less oblique.
Hooker writes in Curtis’ Botanical Magazine for December
Ist, 1870 :—-
“Cassia mimosoides is a rather common Asiatic or African
tropical and sub-tropical plant, growing on dry banks, and pre-
senting a beautiful appearance from the softness of its finely
divided, bright green, feathery foliage, elegant habit, and the
beauty of its golden flowers, which are abundantly produced
and supported on Lair-lke pedicels. Like so many tropical
ate ate ale be)
Use:—The root is given for spasms in the stomach by the
Santalis (Revd. A. Campbell, Santal, Watt II. 220).
427 Cynometra ramiflora, Linn. H.F.B.1., U1. 267.
Vern. :—Iripa (Mal.; ; Shing (B.) Irapu (Tam.).
Habitat :—The Western Peninsula and Malabar.
An evergreen, erect, unarmed tree. Bark smooth, wood
brown red, hard, close-grained. Leaflets 1-2 pair, 1-3in. long,
more or Jess coriaceous, l-jugate and 2-jugate, mixed or often
all 1-jugate, sub-sessilely oblong, subacute, very oblique, 3-6in.
480 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
long; petiole $-ljin. Flowers small, numerous, fasciculate or
in bracteate racemes, inflorescence in bud, enclosed in imbricate
deciduous scales. Calyx-tube very short, segments 4 or 35,
oblong. Petals 5, equal, stamens 10, rarely indefinite, anthers
versatile. Ovary with 2 ovules. Pod turgid, very’ rugose,
indehiscent, subsessile, with thick valves, 43-lin. long, seed
generally 1, exalbuminous, filling the cavity of the tree pod.
Use:—The root is purgative. A lotion is made from the
leaves boiled in cow’s milk, which, mixed with honey, is applied
externally in scabies, leprosy and other cutaneous diseases.
An oil is also prepared from the seeds and used for the same
purpose (Rheede).
_ 428 Hardwickia pinnata, Roxb. H.F.B.1., u. 270
Roxb. 378. 3
Vern. :—Matayen Samprani (Travancore); Kolavu (Tinnev-
elly) ; Genue (Manjarabad).
Habitat :—The ghats of Kanara, Travancore and Carnatic.
A very large, unarmed tree. Wood moderately hard ; sap-
wood large; heartwood dark-red, or reddish-brown, exuding a
red, sticky resin. Leaves, abruptly pinnate, with few leaflets.
Leaflets 4-6, alternate, petiolate, not oblique, oblong, rigidly
coriaceous, acute, 2-4in. long, venulose, the upper of the up-
permost pair sometimes apparently terminal ; midrib central
veining pinnate; petiolules 1/6-1/4in. Panicles copious, axil-
lary and terminal, formed of dense slender, cylindric racemes ;
pedicels spreading, 1/24-1/12in. Calyx broadly campanulate,
under 1/12in long, whith a pair of minute adpressed bractio-
les. Filaments twice as long as the sepals. Stigma minute.
Pod turgid, 1?-2in. long, obovoid or oblong, nearly or quite
filled up by the seed, sublignose, rigid.
Use:—The balsam of Hardwickia has been used in India
for gonorrhoea and with as much success as copaiba ,Watt).—
The oleoresin of Hardwickia pinnata was steam distilled and 34 per cent.
by weight of oil was obtained. The oil was very thick and its specific gravity
N. 0. LEGUMINOSE. 48]
at 25°C was 0°9008, optical rotation in 100 mm. tube 8°18’. It gave the follow-
ing fractions on being distilled in an ordinary flask.
Fractions by volume,
Up to 200°C ie aes sc ... About 4 drops.
240°C es fe ut --. 9 Per cent.
240— 245°C aire oy ol gacte 3
245—250°C ae 2 aes tO =:
250 —255°C bah at ap Bey 6
Above 255°C eh ac “3 torneo
: 33
It had no acid value. The iodine value (Hubl, 18 hours) was 232°67.
The constants of the oleoresin and the resin left behind after distillation
are as follows :—
The preliminary composition of the Hardwickia pinnata oleoresin is :—
34°55 | 62°80 | 2-65
Its constants are :—
Per cent.
Sp. Gr,, at 24°C ES se os ees 1-019
Acid number bts ae ik sa 72°94
Saponification number... sue ne soo SSL
Ester number ae ae a2, to. E5856
Iodine (Hubl. 18 hours) Yee one ee oo 05
The resin which forms about 63 per cent. of the sample under referene
gave the following constants :—
Sp. Gr., at 23°C ae: ase ae ass 1°098
Acid number as Ae as .» 144'27
Saponification number... se A . 806°60
Ester number ae aa vee fe 62°38
Todine value (Hubl. 18 hours) ... ie S 88°01
The oil, as reported by the Imperial Institute, London, cannot be sub-
stituted for copaiba oil. The enquiry as to the uses of the oil and the rosin
has so far given negative results.
Annual Report of the Board of Scientific Advice for India for the year
1914-15, p, 16.
429 Saraca-indica, Linn., H.F.B.1.; 1. 271.
Syn. :—Jonesia Asoka, Rox). 312.
Sans. :—Asoka.
Vern.:—Asok (H. & B.); Aseka (Cuttack); Ashunkar
(Kan.); Jdssoondi, asoka (Bomb.}.
61
482 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
Habitat :—Central and Eastern Himalayas, Kumaon, East
Bengal and South India.
A large, erect evergreen tree. Wood light reddish-brown,
soft. Occasional faint, brown concentric belts of soft tissues.
Young shoots drooping and beautifully light to deep crimson.
Leaves sessile or subsessile ; leaflets 3-6 pair, oblong or oblong-
lanceolate, acute or obtuse, 3-9in. long, rigidly sub-coriaceous.
Flowers in dense corymbs, 3-4in. diam., orange on expanding,
gradually turning bright scarlet. Peduncles and _ pedicels
glabrous, coloured. Pedicels stout, 4-Zin. long, below the ob-
long-spathulate, ascending, amplexicaul bracteoles. Sepals
4-4in., obovate-oblong. Calyx-tube, $in. long, twice the length
of lobes. Perfect stamens 7-8. Filaments thrice as long as
the sepals. Pod 6-10 by 2in., valves hard, reticulate. Seeds
4-8, oblong, compressed, I14in. long.
Use:—The bark is much used by Hindu practitioners in
uterine affections and especially in menorrhagia. A decoction
of the bark in milk is generally prescribed (Dutt).
Dr. Waring says that it proved useful in a recurring heemorr-
hoidal tumour in a member of H UH, the Maharajah of
Travancore’s family (B. M. J. and I. M. G., 1885, p. 260).
Flowers pounded and mixed with water are used in heemorr-
hagic dyseutery (Watt).
430. Tamarindus indica, Linn., 0.F.B.1., 1. 273,
Roxb. 530.
Sans. :—Tintidi; Amlika.
Vern. :——Amli ; imli (H.); Tentul (B.); Amli; Chintz (Bomb.);
Poolie (Tam.); Balam Poolie (Mal.); Chinta-chettu (Tel.) ;
Karangi (Mysore). |
Habitat :—Cultivated throughout India, as far north as the
Jhelam.
A large, evegreen, unarmed tree. Bark 4in. thick, dark
grey, with longitudinal fissures and horizontal cracks. Wood
hard, close-grained ; sapwood yellowish white, sometimes with
N. 0. LEGUMINOSAE. 483
red streaks ; heart-wood with an irregular outline, and radiating
ramifications, very durable. Leaves abruptly pinnate, with
20-40, glabrescent, close, obtuse, opposite, oblong leaflets. Ra-
cemes copious, lax at the end of branchlets, with 10-15 flowers
together. Pedicels articulated at the base of the Calyx. Bracts
boatshaped, enclosing buds, caducous. Calyx-tube turbinate,
segments 4. Petals 3, under 3in. long, unequal, variegated with
red and yellow, the 2 lower reduced to scales, perfect stamens
3, filaments united to the middle of the anthers, oblong, versatile.
Ovary stipitate, the stalk adnate to Calyx-tube. Pod thick, filled
when mature with dark brown acid pulp transversed by fibres.
3-8in. long, lin. or more broad, 3-10-seeded. Seeds brown,
shining, without albumen, the outer coat producing abund-
ant mucilage, when steeped in water for a time.
Most authors make two species of Tamarindus, the Indian
kind, with long pods, and the West Indian, with short pods;
but even those who adopt this view of the subject generally
raise a question of their specific identity. India is probably
the aboriginal country of both, whence the species was intro-
duced into West Indies. Even inthe East the Tamarinds of the
Archipelago are considered the best of those of India. The Arabs
called the tree T'amr-i-hindee, or Indian Date, from which has
been derived the generic name, Tamarindus. The inhabitants
of the East have a notion that it is dangerous to sleep under
the tree, and it has been remarked, as of our Beech in Europe,
that the ground beneath is always bare, and that no plant
seems to thrive under its branches.
In the East, the pulpy fruits of the Tamarind are preserved
without sugar, being merely dried in the sun and cured in salt.
In the West Indies, the pulp is usually packed in small
kegs between layers of sugar, and hot syrup is poured on
the whole. In order to enable them to keep without ferment-
ation for a length of time, the first syrup, which is very acid,
*Apropos of this remark it may here be observed that the Bhangi or
sweeper of the Santa Cruz Station, B. B. and C. I. Railway, has his sleeping
hut under a group of 5 or 6 tamarind trees, huge and shady, where for the
last 20 years the hut has been in use (K, R, KIRTIKAR),
484 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
is poured offand asecond is added. A very excellent preserve
is imported from Curacoa, made from the unripe pods, preserved
in sugar, with the addition of spices. (Curtis’ Botanical Magazine
for February Ist, 1851).
Use :—The ripe fruit is regarded as refrigerant, digestive,
carminative and laxative, and useful in diseases supposed to be
caused by deranged bile, such as burning of the body, costive-
ness, intoxication from spirituous liquors or dhatura, &c. The
shells of the ripe fruit are burnt and their ashes used in medi-
cine as an alkaline substance, along with other medicines of the
sort. The pulp of the ripe fruit, as well as a poultice of the
leaves, is recommended to be applied to inflammatory swellings
(Dutt’s Hindu Materia Medica). Mahomedan physicians consider
the pulp to be cardiacal, astringent and aperient, useful for
checking bilious vomiting, and for purging the system of bile
and adust humors ; when used as an aperient, it should be given
with avery small quantity of fluid. A gargle of Tamarind water
is recommended in sore-throat. The seeds are said to be a good
astringent ; boiled, they are used asa poultice to boils; pounded
with water they are applied to the crown of the head in cough
and relaxation of the uvula. The leaves crushed with water and
expressed yield an acid fluid, which is said to be useful in bilious
fever and scalding of the urine; made into a poultice, they are
applied to reduce inflammatory swellings, and to relieve pain.
A poultice of the flowers is used in inflammatory affections of
the conjunctiva; their juice is given internally for bleeding
piles. The bark is considered to have astringent and tonic
properties (Dymock).
Analysis was made of the entire seeds, and also of the kernel without the
brown covering, They had the following composition :—
Seeds. Kernels.
Water ae sie a Oo”) 9°35
Albuminoids = oe eee er 18-06
Hat as: ee wee oe 4730) 6°60
Carbohydrates ... tee we =63°22 62°88
Fibre... Te sie SOLD 66
ASR. °i. fie se ead GaOO 2°45
100°00 100°00
Nitrogen se ae ie 2°22 2°89
Phosphoric anhydride _... Hd: “40 313)
N. 0. LEGUMINOSH. 485
There is a decided difference in the compositon of the shelled and unshelled
seeds. The shells contain the undesirable constituents, namely, the tannin
matter and fibre, and the kernels represent a nutritious food, white in appear-
ance and with no disagreeable odour and taste.
The oil obtained by ether is thick and light yellow in colour. It solidifies
at 15° C,, and gave the following constants :—
Acid value ... on aS ne 0°84
Saponification value ... Be wae, ss SSS
lodine value re ae te 87°1
Fatty acids... div gel Shs 94°9
Melting point Ne 26 46°
The fatty acids crystallised twice from alcohol afforded an acid melting at
74:°5, resembling arachidic acid of ground-nut,
Elaidin reaction gives a buttery consistence. The oil is semidrying,
forming a skin only after 12 days. (Agricultural Ledger, 1907, No. 2 pp. 15-16.)
431. Bauhinia tomentosa, Linn), 4.F.B.1., 1. 275 :
Roxb. 345.
Vern. :—Kachnar (H.); Kanchani (Tam. and Tel.) Asundro
(Guz.); Chamal (Konkan); Pivalak4nchan, Apta (Mar.);
Hsamaduga (Madras). “The vernacular names Kachnar,
Kanchan, applied to more than one species of Bauhinia”
(MooDEEN SHERIFF).
Habitat :—N. W. Provinces to Ceylon.
An erect large shrub, with downy branches. Leaf broader
than long, not cordate, coriaceous, 1-3in. long, pubescent be-
neath, divided one-third down into two rounded lobes, 7-
nerved. Flowers in pairs, on short, usually leaf-opposed
peduncles, bracteoles linear. Calyx spathaceous, lin. long,
shortly trifid at top, pubescent. Petals sulphur-yellow, the up-
permost witha dark purplish blotch at base, 1$in. long, not
spreading, but forming a bell-shaped Corolla. Fertile stamens
10. Style 4-3in. Pod dehiscent, finely pubescent, distinctly
stalked, 4-5 by 3-3in., 6-10-seeded, glabrous; seeds small.
Use :—The bruised bark is externally applied on tumors and
wounds (JT. N. Mukerjee). The native practitioners in South-
ern India prescribe the small dried buds and young flowers in
dysenteric affections (Ainslie). On the Malabar Coast, a de-
coction of the root bark is administered in inflammation of the
liver (Rheede). The decoction of the root bark is also used as a
vermifuge (Surg. Hill, Manbhum).
A486 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
Applied locally in apthe. The fruit is diuretic ; an infusion
of the bark is used as an astringent gargle. The seeds made
into a paste with vinegar are said to be efficacious asa local
application to wounds inflicted by poisonous animals (Dr.
EMERSON).
432. B. racemosa, Sam. Dict. 1. 390; 4.F-.B.1.,
HW, 2/6, Roxb: 345.
Syn. :—-B. parviflora, Vahl.
Sans. :—Svetakanchan.
Vern. :—Kachnél, girial, thaur, astha, makkfna, mania,
dhorara, marvil, ghila (H.); Banraj, banraji (B.); Kaimu (Kol.);
Beriju (Santal.); Ambhota (Uriya); Manla, dhorara (C. P.);
Kostindra, taur (Pb.); Astra, bosha (Gond.); Jhinja (Ajmere) ;
Amba bhosa (Bhil.) Are-k4-jhar (Duk.); Areka, are-maram (Tam. );
Ari, are, adda (Tel.); Apta, apaté, Wanraja, Seyara (Mar.); Supta
(Kan.).
Habitat :—Met with in the Sub-Himalayan tract, in the Pun-
jab, Oudh, Bengal, Central and South India.
A small, crooked, deciduous, bushy tree. Bark #in. thick,
blackish, very rough, with deep vertical cracks. Wood brown,
hard, with irregular dark patches near the centre ; in alternate
concentric wavy band of dark hard and pale soft tissue, of nearly
equal widths, the soft bands anatomosing (Gamble). Bran-
ches drooping. Leaves broader than long, small, deeply cleft,
7-9-nerved, rigidly coriaceous, lobes rounded, clothed more or
less densely beneath with grey pubescence. I[tacemes short-
peduncled, lax, terminal and leaf-opposed, }-3ft. long, with
densely grey downy rachises; pedicels §-gin.; erecto-patent.
Calyx-tube turbinate, not more than jin. long; limb 4-$in.
not splitting up. Petals oblanceolate, yellow (J. G. Baker),
as long as the Calyx-limb, unequal. ‘ Flowers small, white,’ says
Brandis. Pale-white, says Kanjilal. Stamens 10, all perfect,
united at the base. Filaments and anthers with long hairs. Stig-
ma sessile. Pod thick, generally curved, 4-12in. long, 4in.
broad, not venulose, falcate, firm, glabrous, turgid, stalk above
an inch long. Seeds 10-20.
Parts used :—Gum and leaves.
N. 0. LEGUMINOSAE. 487
Use:—
faint pink colouration after standing some time. Mixtures containing 25 per
cent, of apricot oil cannot be detected with certainty by means oi this test,
462. PP. Cerasus, Linn. u.¥.B.1., U. 313. Roxb.
403.
Vern.:—Alu-balu (U. P.); Gildas, olehi (Pb.)
Habitat :—Cultivated in the Himalayas, the SUED ana the
United Provinces.
A middle-sized tree, the bark peeling off in horizontal
stripes. Leaves elliptic or obovate, abruptly acuminate, irregu-
larly crenate, serrate ; petioles less than breadth of leaf, 2 glands
on petiole or on the base of the blade, stipules fimbriate.
Flowers white, on long slender pedicels, in fascicles of 2-5, from
lateral, generally leaf-bearing, buds. Calyx turbinate, lobes
obtuse. Drupes glabrous, with a polished round stone.
Uses:—The bark which is bitter, is said to possess febrifugal
properties. ‘The kernel is supposed to be a nervine tonic, and
is used for the same purposes as hydrocyanic acid, of which it
contains a considerable proportion. (Warr).
518 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
463. P. puddum, Roxb. u.¥.B.1., 1. 314.
Syn.:—P. sylvatica, Roxb. 403. Cerasus pudum, Wall.
Sans.:—Padmaka, padméksh.
Vern.:—Paddam, paya (Hind.); Kongki (Lepcha); Chami-
ari amalguch (Pb.); Padma kastha, padmaka (Mar.); Padma
kathi, padmak (Guz.).
Habitat :—Temperate Himalaya, from Garhwal to Sikkim
and Bhotan.
A middle-sized or large, deciduous tree. Bark pale-brown
to dark-brown, shining, peeling off in thin horizontal shining
layers. Wood moderately hard, scented ; sapwood white ; heart-
wood nearly glabrous. Leaves conduplicate in hud, glossy,
ovate, long acuminate, sharply serrate; blade 3-5, petiole 4in.
long, one or more conspicuous glands on petiole. Stipules
pinnately or palmately divided, the divisions linear, glandular-
fimbriate. Flowers white, pink or crimson, appearing before the
leaves in umbellate fascicles, approximate near the ends of
branchlets; pedicels slender, as long as or longer than the
Calyx. Calyx turbinate, lobes ovate, acute.
Fruit, a drupe oblong or ellipsoid, obtuse at both ends.
Flesh, scanty yellow, orreddish, $-3in. long, acid, somewhat
astringent. Stone ovoid, bony, rugose and furrowed, supported
by the calyx base, from which the tube separates after flowering.
Use :--~The kernel is used in stone and gravel. The bark
contains amygdalin, and the smaller branches are sold in the
bazaars as substitutes for hydrocyanic acid in native practice
(Watt).
The seeds of the Bird cherry growing in the Himalayas yield a peculiar
oil remarkable for its siccative properties. A sample of the freshly express-
ed oil gave the iodine value (Hubl) 172. It dried to a skin in glass more
rapidly than boiled linseed oil. The pressed cake and seeds distilled with
water afforded considerable quantities of hydrocyanic acid and benzoyl
aldehyde (oil of bitter almonds.)
464. P.communis, Huds. H.F.B.1., U. 315.
Habitat :—Western temperate Himalaya ; cultivated or indige-
nous from Garhwal to Kashmir.
N. O. ROSACE. 519
A shrub or moderate-sized tree, unarmed or spinescent,
young shoots pubescent. Wood reddish brown, hard, very
close-grained, warps and splits. Leaves ovate or ovate-lanceo-
late, serrate or more or less pubescent beneath, along the nerves;
petioles shorter than greatest breadth of leaf, stipules linear,
fimbriate. Pedicels slender, 3 or 4 times the length of Calyx,
solitary or fasciculate from lateral, often leaf-bearing buds.
Calyx-tube campanulate. Drupe globose or oblong, pericarp
fleshy.
The plum.
(I) Var. Domestica.
Vern.:—Olchi, er, aor (Pb.)
A small, rigid, much-branched shrub. Branches without
pines always smooth, straight. Bark brown. Leaves ovate
lanceolate, a little pubescent and in pair. Calyx velvety
inside, flowers white appearing together with or a little before
the young leaves. Drupe 1-13in, diam ; black.
Commonly. wild and cultivated in Kashmir and Afghanistan.
Madden states that it is also cultivated about Almora.
The dried drupes are demulcent and laxative; rarely em-
ployed aione for medicinal purposes. The pulp forms an
ingredient of Confectio Senne , the Hlectuarrum lenitivum of
the old Pharmacopeeias. The fruit, stewed and sweetened,
is used as a domestic laxative (Pharmacographia).
(II.) Var. Insititia. |
Syn :—-P. bokhariensis Linn and P. aloocha, Royle.
Vern.:—Aloo-bokhara (Hind., Bom., and Pers.); Alpogada
pazham (Tam.).
Western temperate Himalaya, cultivated or indigenous,
from Garhwal to Kashmir, 5,000 to 7,000 feet in altitude.
Var.:—Insititia, Linn.
Syn.:— P. insititia, Linn,
P. bokhariensis and P. aloocha, Roxb.
Shrubby, unarmed or spinous. Leaves obovate ovate or ovate-
lanceolate, serrulate, obtuse, acute or cuspidate, nerves hairy
520 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
beneath; peduncles solitary or in pair. Calyx-tube ovconic.
Drupe globose or ovoid, drooping.
The Bokhara Plum, in a dry state, is met with in the Indian
bazaars. It is described as sub-acid, cold and moist, digestive
and aperient, especially when taken on an empty stomach,
useful in bilious states of the system and heat of body. The
root is astringent, and the gum may be used as a substitute for
Gum Arabic (Dymock). Largely imported into India and
exhibited for sale in every bazaar, being largely used as an
article of food. With a little sugar they are pleasant and
refreshing.
The oil, resembling apricot kernel oil, is prepared from the seeds, and is
used for illuminating and edible purposes.
465... P.. Padus, Linn. 6.2:8.1., 11.315.
Syn :—Cerasus corunta, Wall.
English :—The Bird Cherry.
Vern :—-Jamana (Hind.) ; Likh-aru, arupatai (Nepal); Hlo
sa hlot-kGng (Lepcha); Paras, kala-kat, gidar-dak, zambu, chdle
(Pb.’; Jaman, zamb-chile (Kashmir’.
Habitat :—Temperate Himalaya, from Murree to Sikkim
and Bhotan.
A deciduous tree attaining 50-60ft., with dark rough bark.
Wood moderately hard ; sapwood large, whitish; heart-wood
reddish-brown, with an unpleasant smell, says Gamble. Wood
handsome, “polishes well,” says Brandis. Young shoots, in-
florescence, and underside of leaves along nerves pubescent.
Leaves conduplicate in bud, from a slightly cordate base, ovate,
oblong, acuminate, serrate; stipules thin, linear lanceolate,
early caducous. Flowers white, appearing after the leaves;
Racemes 3-8in. long, at the end of short lateral (often leaf-bearing)
branchlets; bracts thin, caducous longer than buds.. Drupe
acid, globose, in. diam. first red, then dark purple, or nearly
black. Stone rugose, thick. 3
Use :-—Yields a poisonous oil, like oil of almonds, much used
in medicinal preparations (Watt),
=
N. O. ROSACA. yA |
466. Prinsepia utilts, Royle. H.F.B.1., 11. 328.
Vern.:—Bhekal, karanga, cherra jhatela (H.); Gurinda
(Hazara) ; Jinti (Chenab) ; Bekling (Kan4war) ; Chirara, jhatela,
dhatela, phalawa bhekla, dintili, bhekra, bhekala (Kumaon).
Habitat :—Dry rocky hills on the temperate Himalayas, from
Hazara to Sikkim and Bhotan, and the Khasia Mts.
A deciduous, thorny shrub, glabrous, youngest shoots very
pubescent, spines green, axillary, often leaf-bearing. Bark thin
brown, peeling off in small vertical flakes; under bark orange.
Wood red, very hard and compact, close and even-grained, but
much liable to split; pith large, separating when dry into hori-
zontal layers. Leaves lanceolate, entire or serrate, 1-5in., coria-
ceous, acuminate. Flowers +in. diam. ; white, in short racemes,
generally at the base of spines. Calyx-tube cup-shaped, lobes
5, unequal imbricate in bud; petals rounded, claw short, sta-
mens numerous, inserted below the petals in several rows,
anther-cells separated by a broad connective. Carpel one,
sessile, ovules 2, collateral. Fruit an oblique, oblong-cylindrical,
fleshy purple Drupe, 4-2in., subtended by the withered calyx.
Scar of style basal, endocarp coriaceous. Seed only one.
Use :—This shrub yields an oil, used as a rubefacient and as
an application in rheumatism and pains from _ over-fatigue
(Atkinson. )
The seeds of this shrub, known as Bhekul, yield an oil by expression which
is used in the North-West Himalaya for food, illuminating, and occasionally
in medicine. It is said to be exported in small quantities from Garhwal and
Kumaon. There are two samples in the Indian Museum ; one fromthe Kangra
Valley of a bright green colour, and the other from Bashahr in the Punjab,
Opaque and light brown in colour. In specific gravity, iodine value and
melting point of the insoluble fatty acids, the oils resemble that derived
from cotton seed.
467. Rubus moluccanus, Linn. H.F.B.1., 11. 330,
Roxb. 408.
Vern.:—Bipem-Kanta (Nepal); ‘Sufokji (Lepcha); Katsol
(Kumaon).
Habitat :—Central and Eastern tropical and temperate Hima-
laya ; Nepal; Sikkim; Assam; Khasia Mts. Eastern Peninsula.
Western Peninsula, on the Ghats from Bombay southward,
66
522 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
A prickly shrub. Stems stout, densely covered with woolly
grey or yellowish hair and set with numerous strong, hooked
prickles. Leaves simple, 34-5in., usually about as broad as long,
cordate at base, acute, more or less deeply 5-(7-)-lobed, wath ob-
tuse or subacute lobes, unequally dentate-serrate, glabrous or
hairy on veins, and bright green above, very hairy and more
or less yellowish or grey beneath, with prominent reticulate
venation and often with prickles on the main veins. Petiole
long, 1$-l4in., very hairy, with prickles beneath. Stipules
large, ovate, deeply pectinate, very silky, enclosing the buds,
caducous. Flowers white (often two recognized varieties, the
other being bright pink), in elongated terminal panicles, on
long stout pedicels; bracts oval, toothed or pectinate at end
only. Calyx densely silky-hairy, segments entire or pectinate-
ly toothed at end. Petals fully half as long as the Calyx-seg-
ments. Fruit bright red or dull purplish, succulent, carpels
numerous.
One of the varieties, named Macrocarpus Gardner, “is the
only real black-berry of Ceylon, and is large and juicy, and
when quite ripe has a good flavour’”’ (Trimen).
Use:—The fruit is considered by the Malayans a valuable
remedy for the nocturnal micturiation of children, and the
leaves a powerful emmenagogue and abortifacient (Rumphias).
468. Gerish urbanum Linn, H.F.B.1., 11. 342.
Habitat :—Western temperate Himalaya from -Murree to
Kumaon, at an altitude of 6,000 to 11,000 feet.
Erect, perennial herbs. Stems 1-3ft., stout or slender, from a
woody root-stock, sparsely hairy. Lower leaves pinnatisect, ter-
minal leaflets of radical leaves 2-3in. diam. orbicular, lobed or
crenate; lateral much smaller, often minute, sessile, broad,
variously cut and lobed. Stipules leafy, lobed and_ toothed.
Flowers erect, 4-in. diam. ; peduncle slender. Petals yellow,
narrowly obovate toothed, equalling or exceeding the Calyx-
lobes, which are acuminate and reflexed in fruit. Style in fruit,
forming an awn, +in., hooked at the tip or below it. Achenes
spreading and recurved; receptacle villous; head of hispid
achenes sessile.
N. O. ROSAGR, 523
Uses :—The root is astringent, tonic, and antiseptic, but it is
undeservingly neglected in modern practice (British Flora
Meidca).
This plant does not seem to be used for medicinal purposes
in India.
Source and composition of the essential oil of Herb Bennett
Root. A new glucoside and Enzyme.
The dried root of Herb Bennett (Geum urbanum) has a feeble odour re-
sembling that of cloves. If the plant be carefully plucked so as to leave the
root intact, there is no manifestation of the characteristic odour, but this is
at once detectable when the root is crushed between the fingers. The ex-
planation of this phenomenon was established by the following experi-
ments,
By extraction of the fresh root with boiling alcohol of 95°, distillation of
the extract under reduced pressure, extraction of all the residue with alcohol,
and precipitation of the solution by excess of ether, a substance is obtained
which is odourless, but however contains the substance which gives rise to
odoriferous principle. This proves to be eugenol.
Another portion of the root was macerated with sand and extracted with
cold alcohol of 90°. The residual powder, which contains an enzyme, was
dried at 30°. On adding to an aqueous solution of the first substance, a little
of the ferment powder, a distinct odour of cloves is at once evident. If the
ferment powder is previously heated in boiling water, the effect is not ob-
servable. It is concluded from these observations that the odoriferous prin-
ciple does not exist free in the Herb Bennett root, but is produced from some
other substance present by the action of an enzyme. The substance is a
glucoside; on addition of the enzyme to its aqueous solution, the reducing
power and the rotary power both gradually increase.
The active enzyme is characteristic, the resolution of the glucoside is not
effected by emulsin, invertase, onor by the enzyme of Aspergillus niger. It
cannot be extracted by treatment of the roots with water,
The glucoside can be isolated in globular crystals by addition of ether to
the alcoholic solution. The term gein is proposed for the glucoside, and
gease for the enzyme.— J. Ch. S. 1905 A II 345,
469. G. elatum, Wall. H.F.B.I., 11. 343.
Vern. :—Gunglu junglic (Pers.); gogjemool (Cashmere).
Habitat :—Subalpine to Alpine Himalaya; from Kashmir to
Sikkim.
Rootstock stout, woody. Leaves pinnatisect, hairy, 4-12in.,
linear-oblong ; leaflets 4-lin., close and imbricating or scattered,
uniform or the alternate smaller, terminal orbicular, all lobed
and coarsely crenate, upper all adnate by a broad base.
524 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
Flowering stems with few leaves, and 1-6 flowers. Flowers
g-ldin. diam. Calyx-tobes deltoid-ovate, acute, silky, spreading
in fruit. Petals orbicular, yellow, much exceeding the Calyx.
Carpels sessile on the base of the Calyx, clothed with long, silky
hairs. Achenes elliposoid, acute at both ends, hairy. Style
qin., slender, straight in fruit.
Use :—The root of this plant, officinal in Kashmere, is one
of the most valuable of remedies (Honnigberger). Its uses
are similar to those of G. urbanum.
470. Potentilla nepalensis, Hook, u.F.B.1., 11. 355.
Vern.:— Rattanjot (Pb.)
Habitat :—Western temperate Himalaya, from Murree to
Kumaon.
Herbs, with perennial woody root-stock. Leaves long petioled,
digitately 5-foliate, or upper 3-foliate. Stems erect, leafy-
branched, 3-flowered, stout or slender, from densely villous
to glabrate. Radical leaves 12 by 3in.; leaflets sessile ; 1-3 by
z-lgin., membranous, rarely acute, teeth obtuse or acute, base
entire, cuneate; obovate or elliptic obovate, green. Petiole
slender, cauline stipules 3-lin., ovate or oblong, lower entire,
upperlobed. Flowers pedicelled in dichotomous panicles,
3-lin. diam., petals obcordate, purple. Fruiting pedicels
sometimes 3in., divaricate. Calyx-lobes acute; bracteoles
obtuse. Achenes very numerous, minute, wrinkled on a globose,
hairy receptacle.
Use:—The roots are officinal, being considered depurative.
They are used externally in the Yunani system, the ashes being
applied with oil to burns (Dr. Stewart).
471. -P. supina, Linn: H.F.BA., 17. 359.
Syn.:—Comarum flavum, Roxb. 409.
Habitat :—Throughout the warmer parts of India, from
Kashmir to Malacca and the Nilghiri. Hills.
Root annual. Stems very numerous from the root. 6-18in.,
hairy, spreading, leafy dichotomously branched, prostrate or
suberect, stout or slender. Leaves pinnate, 4-3in., flaccidly
N. 0. ROSACA. 525
membranous. Leaflets 3-9, opposite and alternate oblong, obtuse,
lobate or serrate. Stipules ovate entire, very broad or narrow.
Petiole slender $-2in., pedicels axillary, solitary, slender, 4-3in.
Calyx-lobes obtuse or acute, as are the bracteoles. Petals
smaller than the calyx, oblong, yellow. Achenes very many,
minute, smooth or rigid; receptacle globose, villous; style
subterminal.
Use :—The roots are employed in Sind as a febrifuge (Mur-
ray, 143). The medicinal properties depend upon tannin ;
they are astringent and tonic (Dymock).
472. Agrimonia eupatortum Linn. H.F.B.1., 11.461.
Syn. :—A. nepalensis, Don Prodr.
English :—Agrimony.
Habitat :—Temperate Himalaya, from Murree and Kashmir,
altitude 3-10,000ft.; Sikkim, alt. 7-10,000ft. ; Khasia Mis.,
4-6,000ft. Mishmi Hills. Westwards from Persia to the Atlantic,
Siberia and Java. N. America. Java? (J. W. Hooker).
A slender, erect, leafy perennial herb. Rootstock woody, short
or long. Leaves 4-7in. Leaflets 6-21, sessile, alternate, often
small hairy on both surfaces, larger 1-4in. elliptic-ovate or
obovate rarely orbicular; smaller often orbicular and minute ;
petiole slender. Stipules large, leafy, lunate entire or toothed.
Racemes slender, lengthening in fruit; pedicels reflexed in
fruit; bracts 3-fid or 3-partite. Flowers tin. diam. Petals
oblong-ovate, yellow. Calyx-tube jin., hardened in fruit,
grooved, lobes conniving in fruit ; top of tube with a dense ring
of spines which become hooked in fruit and are erect, with the
outer spreading.
Use:—From the remotest times Agrimony has enjoyed a
high reputation among the herbalists of Europe; it is strange
that it should be apparently quite unknown to the native doc-
tors of India. The root is a powerful astringent, a useful tonic,
and a mild febrifuge (Watt).
473. Rosadamascena, Mill. u.¥.B.1., 11. 364.
Vern:—Gulab; Sudburg (H. and Bomb.) ; Gulappa irro-
526 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
jappu (Tam.); Gulab-kali (the flower buds.) (Guz. and Mar.) ;
Gulab, gul, gulab (Pushtu.)
Habitat :—The commonest Indian Garden Rose, cultivated
for Attar. Native country unknown.
Prickles unequal, large, hooked, sepals reflexed in Sewers
Use :—In India, rose buds are preferred for medicinal use,
as they are more astringent than the expanded flowers; they
are considered to be cold and dry, cephalic, cardiacal, tonic
and aperient, removing bile and cold humors. Externally ap-
plied, the petals are. used as an astringent. The stamens are
thought to be hot, dry and astringent, and the fruit is credited
with similar properties. A conserve made from equal parts
of rose petals and white sugar beaten together, known as
gulkand, is considered tonic and fattening, and is much used
by women and old people. Shaikh-el-Rais says that he cured
a consumptive young woman with it (Dymock).
ATA. RK. centifoha Linn. 4.¥.B.1., 1. 364, Roxb.
404.
Vern.:—Gulab (H.); (Golap (B.); Groja (Tam.); Roja (Tel.)
Paninir (Mal.) ; Gulabi (Kan).
King.:—The Hundred-leaved or Cabbage Rose.
Habitat :— A native of Caucasus and Assyria, cultivated in
India.
Styles distinct. Stem erect, prickles mixed with the glandu-
lar bristles, unequal, large, hooked, bristles numerous ; leaflets
and calyx glandular-cilliate ; flowers nodding.
Parts used :—The Petals and Oil.
Use:—The petals are said to be mildly laxative. The oil
or the attar of roses is employed in medicine to disguise the
unpleasant odor of certain ointments, and other external ap-
plications. The petals are given in the form of a syrup asa
laxative to infants (Watt).
A475. R.Galhea Linn. H.F.B.1., 11. 364.
Habitat :—Europe and Asia Minor. Cultivated in India.
Style distinct. Stem erect, prickles mixed with glandular
bristles, slender, equal. Flowers erect.
N. 0. ROSACH. 527
Use:—The dried petals are slightly tonic and astringent,
and useful in debility. They are officinal in the Indian and
British Pharmacopceias.
476. R. alba Linn. 4.F.B.1., 11. 364.
Vern.:—Swet or Sevanti gulab (H. and B.); Gul-seati (Pb.)
Syn.:—R. glandulifera, Roxb. 407.
Habitat :—-Cultivated in India.
Caucasus, Afghanistan? (J. D. Hooker).
Leaflets 5-7, large, grey, rugose, downy and pale beneath.
Flowers large white pale, or bluish, double. Sepals often
pinnatifid. |
Use :—The flowers are used as a cooling medicine in fevers,
also in palpitation of the heart (Baden Powell.) The petals
made into gulkand in Poona (a preserve with cane-sugar).
477. Cydoma vulgaris Pers, H.F.B.1., 11. 369.
Syn :—Pyrus cydonia, Linn. Rox), 406.
Vern :-—Bihi (H.); Bamtsunt, bamsutu (Kashmir) ; Shimai-
madala virai (Tam. ).
Hng :—The Quince.
Habitat : —Cultivated in N.-W. India.
A large shrub; branchlets, underside of leaves, peduncles
and calyx white-tomentose. Wood light brown, soft, even-grain-
ed. Leaves ovate from an obtuse base, entire; petioles short,
stipules oblong, obtuse, glandular-serrate. Flowers white, 2in.
across. Calyx-lobes leafy, glandular-serrate, longer than tube.
Fruit large, clothed with grey, woolly tomentum ; 5-celled ;
endocarp cartilaginous. Seeds many, testa mucilaginous.
Flowers in March and April.
Parts used :—The seeds.
Use :—The sweet and sub-acid quinces are commonly eaten
as a fruit by the Arabs and Persians, and are considered
cephalic, cardiacal and tonic. The leaves, buds and bark of
the tree are domestic remedies among the Arabs on account
of their astringent properties. In India, the seeds are consi-
dered cold, moist, and slightly astringent, and are one of the
most popular remedies in native practice, the mucilage being
528 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
prescribed in coughs and bowel complaints asa demulcent ;
externally it is applied to scalds, burns and blisters (Dymock),
The seeds act as demulcent, and are used by the natives in
diarrhoea, dysentery, sore-throat, and fever. The dried fruit is
used as a refrigerant (Watt).
Fatty oil of seeds,—Seeds were ground, dried carefully, and extracted with
ether, chloroform or light petroleum; fresh seeds yielded 15'3 per cent. of
oil, This oil was yellow and had a faint odour of oil of almonds; it hada
solidification point—13°5°, sp. gr. 0°922 at 15° solubility 4°15 parts in 100 of 95
per cent. alcohol, index of refraction 1°47248 for green, 1°47292 for red, visco-
sity 16-4 at 17° (by Schubler’s method, comparing its velocity of efflux with
that of water); it was optically inactive and showed obscure absorption
bands in the blue and violet, 1 gram neutralised 31:7 milligrams K, O. H. in
the cold (“acid number ”’), 181°7 on heating (‘‘ Keettstorfer’s ” or “ saponifica-
tion number”); 5 grams contained volatile acids, soluble in water sufficient to
neutralise 0°508 c.c. N./10 K. O. H. solution (“ Reichert-Meiss] number ”’) ; it
contained 95'2 per cent. of fatty acids, insoluble in water ‘“* Hehner’s number”),
and united with 113 per cent, of iodine (“ Hiibl’s iodine number,”’’).
By hydrolysis of the oil with lead oxide, glycerol was obtained to the ex-
tent of 4:1 per cent. A larger quantity of the oil was hydrolysed with caustic
soda, and the acids converted into calcium salts, which were then treated with
ether. From the calcium salt, soluble in ether, a liquid acid was obtained, and
purified by conversion into its ethylic salt and fractional distillation of the
latter. This acid has a sp. gr. 0°8931 and composition OH. C,,H,, COOH;
its ethylic salt boils at 223-226° under 7°5 mm., pressure; an anhydrous
barium salt, melting at 79°,and a monacetyl derivative were prepared; a
dibromide, C,3;N3,0, Br, was also prepared, and the acid was found to darken
in the air, absorbing oxygen. From the calcium salt, insoluble in ether,
a mixture of solid acids was obtained from which two were separated by
crystallisation from 70 per cent. alcohol; these were myristie acid, the
main product, and a small amount of an acid which melts at 42°, contains
C. 75°1 and H12-1 per cent., and is possibly an isomeride of pentadecylic acid,
(J. Ch. S, 1899 A. I. 822).
Pectin from Quince. This pectin is strongly dextrorotatory, [a] =181°2°,
On hydrolysis with dilute sulphuric acid, it yields arabinose; when treated
with nitric acid, it gives mucic acid, and with diastase from germinated barley
it behaves exactly like the pectin obtained from the gentian and the goose-
berry.—(J. Ch. S, 1899 A. I, 822).
478. Hriobotrya japonica, Lindl. 4.F.B.1., 1. 372.
Vern.:—Logat (H.).
Habitat :—The tree is indigenous in China and Japan. The
fruit of Saharanpur is especially in repute, says Gamble. It
N. 0. ROSAGAH. 3 529
is an ornamental tree. Much cultivated at Dehra Dun and
Saharanpur and in other parts of Northern India.
I used to see a solitary tree grown in the Thana Jail garden,
in the early eightie’s, from seed sent by my friend Mr. W. F.
Sinclair, I. C. 8., Collector of Colaba, over 25 years ago, from
Alibag, Colaba District. He subsequently was Collector of
Thana in 1894, and used to highly admire the tree for its beauty
and healthy and rapid growth in foreign soil. (K. R. Kirtikar.)
A middle-sized tree, bark thin, dark-grey. Wood pink, hard,
close-grained. Branches very robust, as thick as the little
finger. Leaves beneath and inflorescence softly densely woolly,
subsessile, narrowly oblanceolate, acuminate, nerves 10-15 pair,
strong beneath (Kanjilal). Hooker says the leaves are 6-8
by 1$-3in., nerves 12-15 pair. Petiole very short, woolly.
Flowers dull white, dense, fragrant, zin. across, in terminal
panicles which latter are 3-6in. long and broad; branches very
stout. Calyx-tube short; lobes ovate, subacute, petals broadly
ovate. Fruit ovoid intruded at top, pyriform or _ globose,
baccate, 1-13in. or even 2in. long, yellow or orange when ripe.
Seeds 2-5, dark-brown, smooth, sessile.
Flowers in August to November and December. Fruits in
March and April.
Uses:—Dr. Peokolt finds that the leaves taken in infusion,
in the proportion of 30 grams to 240 grams of water,in the
dose of a tablespoonful every two hours, produce a good effect
in diarrhoea. The tincture of the leaves is employed in indiges-
tion (Ph. J. Jan. 30th, 1886.)
The seeds contain 0'35-0°45 p. c. of fat. Specimens of the fat, prepared by
pressing (1), and by extraction with ether (II), and of the fatty acids (III)
separated therefrom, had the following characters :—Sp, gr. at 15°C., 1, 0°967;
m, pt. 1. 49°, II. 48°C. ; refractometer reading at 45°C., I. 75°5, II. 76; acid
value, I. 90°5, II. 89°5 ; III. 160 ; Saponification value, I, 179-9; I1I, 173; Hehner
value, I. 92°6, II, 92°2; Reichert-Meissl value, I. 5°4; iodine value, I. 48°7, II.
48, I1I. 58°5. The product obtained by the oxidation of the liquid fatty acids
by Hazura’s method (perm anganate, in alkaline solution) yielded to ether,
dihydroxy stearic acid of m_ pt. 234°5° C,; the residue melted at 154°-154°5°C,
Archidic and palmitic acids were detected in the solid fatty acids. J. Ch. L,,
15th February 1911, p. 140.
67
530 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
N. O. SAXIFRAGACE A.
479. Saxifrag a ligulata, Wall, 4.3.F.1., 11. 398.
Vern.:—Pakhan-bed ; Silphora (H.); Batpia, popal, shafrochi,
banpatrak, dakachru (Pb.); Pashanbheda (Bomb.) ; Kamarghwal
(Pushtu).
Habitat :—Temperate Himalaya, from Bhotan to Kashmir,
and the Khasia Mts.
Perennial herbs. Rootstock stout. Leaves ample, undivided,
with a large sheath at the base of the petiole ; 2in.-1ft. in diam.;
glabrous on both surfaces, dotted on the lower; scape corym-
bose, 6-18in. high. Petals white or red, rose or purplish, $-Lin.
long, orbicular, with a claw of variable length. Calyx-lobes erect
in fruit Fruit sub-globose; styles very long. Capsles sometimes
three-seeded, much larger than in any of the other species,
elongate, sub-pyramidal, smooth.
Part used :—The root.
Use:—The root is used asa tonic in fevers, diarrhoea and
cough, and also as an antiscorbutic. It is bruised and applied
to boils and also in ophthalmia. It is also considered absorbent
and given in dysentery (Atkinson and Dr. Stewart). In Sind,
the root is rubbed down and given with honey to children when
teething. (Murray.)
480. Dychroa febrifuga, Lour. H.f.B.1., 11., 406.
Syn.:—Adamia cyanea, Wall.
Vern :—Basak, bansik asern Nepal); Gebocanak (Lepcha);
Singnaamak (Bhutia.)
Habitat :—Temperate Himalaya from Bhotan to Nepal and
Khasia Mts.
An evergreen shrub, 5-9ft. high, somewhat virgate. Bark
yellow, peeling off in flakes; wood white, moderately hard;
young offshoots and inflorescence pubescent, with short hair.
Leaves opposite 3-8in., lanceolate, blade 3-8, tapering into the
petiole, $-lin. long ; pubescent or puberulous on the nerves,
otherwise glabrous, usually narrow, sometimes obovate-lanceo-
late. Petals 5 or 6, thick, valvate, #in. long. Ovary $ inferior
N. 0. SAXIFRAGACER. 531
Ovules numerous, on 3-5 parictal placentas. Berry finally bright
intensely dark-blue.
Use.:—The shoots and the bark of the roots are made into
a decoction and used as a febrifuge by the Nepalese (Watt).
“Tt appears to have no active effects, unless it be taken in
large quantity in the form of decoction. The natives take it in
doses large enough to make them sick, and so indirectly to cure
the fever.” |
481. Ruibes orientale Poir. H.¥.B.1., 11. 410.
Syn. :—R. Villosum, Wall. Roxb.
Vern.:—Nanghe; Phulanch (Chenab); Askiita (Laduk.);
Gwaldakh, Kaghak (Kaghan) (N.-W. P.); Yange (Spiti).
Habitat :—Kashmir and Baltistan.
A shrub 6ft. high, polygamo-diccious, unarmed, sticky,
glandular and minutely hairy. Leaves round-reniform, crenate,
obscurely 3-5-lobed, 1-l4in. diam. Bracts #in. long, linear,
often exceeding the pedicels. Racemes erect somewhat dense
in flowers, lax and pendant in fruit. Flowers small, greenish.
Calyx-tube hardly produced above the fruit. Berries glandular-
pubescent, #in. diam ; roundish yellow or reddish.
Use:—The berries taken one or two at a time, are consi-
dered by the natives an excellent purgative (Aitchison.)
N. O. CRASSULACE AH.
482. Bryophylum calycinum, Salisb. 4.F.B.1.,
u. 413.
Syn :— Cotyledon rhizophylla, Roxb. 388.
Vern. :—Kop-pata (B.); Zakhm-haiyat-k4-patta (Duk.); Malai-
kalli, runa-kalli (Tam.); Sima-jamudu (Tel.); Hlamarunna,
elamarunga, murikuti (Mal.); Lonua-hadakana-Jida (Kan.);
Ghaimari, aranmaran, Ahiravan-Mahiravan (Bomb.)
Habitat:—Throughout the tropical plains of India, uni-
versal in Lower Bengal.
A perennial, succulent, glabrous herb. Stem erect, hollow,
1-4ft. Leaves usually simple, rarely compound, with 3 leaflets,
opposite-stalked, fleshy, ovate or oblong, 3-6in., crenate, obtuse.
532 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
Flowers pendulous, cylindric, 2in. long, in a large terminal
panicle. Calyx tubular, inflated, green, tinged with red and
spotted with white, 4-toothed. Corolla tubular, twice as long as
the Calyx ; tube cylindric, green, lobes 4, tinged with red,.acute,
spreading. Stamens 8, in 2 series, inserted about the middle
of the Corolla-tube. Carpels 4. Follicles 4, many-seeded,
enclosed within the dry persistent Calyx and Corolla. (Collett).
Sutlej Valley ; Simla; throughout India. An introduced
plant, spread throughout all tropical regions. Often much
cultivated in gardens in Bombay and in the Dekkan. In Ceylon,
says Trimen, it is acommon plant on bare rocky places through-
out the low and lower montane country. Believed to bea
native of Tropical Africa. |
_ Use :—The leaves slightly toasted are used by the natives
as an application to wounds, bruises, boils, and bites of veno-
mous insects. In the Concan the juice of the leaves is admi-
nistered in + to 4 tola doses, with double the quantity of ghz;
in dysentery. I have seen decidedly beneficial effects follow
their application to contused wounds, swellings, and discolor-
ations were prevented, and union of the cut parts took place
much more rapidly than it does with the ordinary treatment
by water dressing (Dymock).
Used in the form of poultice and powder for sloughing
ulcers, it is a disinfectant (Surg. Barren, in Watt’s Dictionary,
Vol. L)
483. Kalanchoe spathulata, DC., 4.¥.B.1.,11. 414.
Syn. :—K. Varians, Wall.
Vern. :—Tatara, rungru, haiza-ka-patta (Pb. and H.); Hatho
Kane (Nepial) ; Patkuari, bakal patta {Kumaon).
Habitat :—-Tropical Himalaya, from Bhotan to Kashmir.
An erect, stout, perennial herb. Stems 4ft. high. Leaves
glabrous, spathulate-oblong, crenate, upper distant and becom-
ing very narrow, sometimes 3-foliate, with the petiole often 3-4
by 4in., frequently sessile; lower commonly 3-4, sometimes
10in., long, besides the petiole. Lowest bracts linear, narrow,
N. 0. ORASSULACER. 533
trifoliate, upper few, scattered, linear, 4-41n. long. Corymb
flattish or more rarely elongate. Flowers clear, yellow; the
Corolla-tube glabrous. Calyx in fruit often as much as in.
wide, 4-partite, elongate. Corolla, with a flask-shape tube and
spreading 4-fid limb, much exceeding the Calyx, persistent.
Stamens 8, in two series, adnate to the Corolla-tube, hypogyn-
ous scales 4, linear. Carpels 4, adnate to the base of the
Corolla-tube, attenuated into long styles; ovules very many.
Follicles 4, seeds very many, oblong, ellipsoid, with 8-15 longi-
tudinal ribs.
Part used:—The leat.
Use :—It is poisonous to goats, and the leaves are, at Lahore,
reckoned a specific for cholera. In Kangra, they are burned and
applied to abscesses. (Stewart).
484. Kalanchoe laciniata, DC., H.F.B.1., 1. 415.
Syn. :—Cotyledon lanciniata, Roxb. 388; K. teretifolia,
Haw.
Sans. :— Hemsagara (Sea of Gold).
Vern. : —Tukhmhyat, Parna-bij (Bomb.); Mala-kullie
(Tam.).
Habitat : —Tropical regions of the Deccan Peninsula, in
Bengal, at Patna and Dacca.
A suffruticose, fleshy plant. Leaves opposite, pinnatifid-
laciniate, the lobes thick, entire, sub-serrate or dentate. Cymes
panicled. Calyx 4-partite, sepals lanceolate, acuminate, spread-
ing. Corolla hypocrateriform ; tube cylindrical ; limb spread-
ing, 4-partite. Carpels 4; styles filiform.
There are 3 varieties.
Uses :--The succulent leaves are valued as an application
to wounds and sores ; they allay irritation and promote cicatri-
zation. In the Concan, the juice of the leaves is given in bilious
diarrhoea and lithiasis. (Dymock).
I can myself speak of their good effects in cleaning ulcers
and allaying inflammation (Ainslie).
534 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
The juice is used externally in bruises and burns, also to
cure superficial ulcers. As a styptic it is used on fresh cuts
and abrasions (Thornton in Watt’s Dictionary).
Malic acid from Crassulacee.—The acid was prepared chiefly from
Echeveria secunda glauca and Sedum purpuresceus (Bryophyllum calycinum
yields more, namely, about 0°23 per cent, of the leaves, but is less easily
obtainable) by extraction with boiling water, precipitation of the lead salt
and decomposition of this with hydrogen sulphide. The residue left on eva-
poration of the aqueous solution, when dried at 110° until constant in weight,
has the composition C, Hz Gg; it represents an anhydride of the acid, for the
salts prepared from it are derived from a dibasic acid, C,H; O,. The calcium
hydrogen saltis usually amorphous, but was once obtained in regular octahedra
with 6H, 0; the corresponding salt of ordinary malic acid erystallises in
rhombic octahedra. The barium salt is anhydrous, whereas ordinary barium
malate crystallises with 1 H, O. The silver salt is anhydrous, whereas
ordinary silver malate contains 5 H, O. The lead salt crystallises with 3 H, O.
No ammonium hydrogen salt could be prepared, whereas ordinary malic acid
forms a well crystallised salt of this composition, The dimethylic salt was
prepared from the anhydride and methylic alcohol by Anschiitz’s method ; it
distils at 162° under 25mm. pressure: after this has passed over, a second
product was obtained, to which reference will be made later.—J. Ch. S. 1898
A.L., p. 518 ef seq.
N. O. DROSERACEA.
485. Drosera peltata, Sm. H.F.B.1., 1. 424.
Vern. :—Mukha-jali (H.); Chitra (Pb.)
Habitat :—Throughout India.
A perennial herb. Stem erect, leafy, 3-12in. high, simple
or corymbose upward. Leaves alternate, long-petioled, lunate-
peltate. Racemes subterminal. Pedicels 3-3in. long. Flowers
white, sepals ovate, glabrous, erose or fimbriate. Styles 3, fim
briate. Seeds obovoid. Testa prominently reticuluted.
Part used :—The leaf.
Use:—The leaves of this curious and insectivorous plant,
bruised and mixed with salt, are used as a blister in Kumaon.
This same practice prevails, however, in Kanawar, without the
use of salt. All the members of this family have a bitter, acrid
and caustic flavor. If placed in milk they rapidly curdle it
(Watt).
N. 0. HAMAMELIDER. 535
N. O. HAMAMELIDEA.
486. Altingia excelsa, Noronha, H..¥.B.1., II.
429.
Syn. :—Sedgwickia cerasifolia. Griffith.
Vern. :—Silaras (H.); Jutili (Ass.); Neri-uriship-pal (Tam);
Rasa-mala (Mal.); Shila-rasam (Tel. Guz. 4nd Mar).
Habitat :—Extending from East Bengal to China and Malay.
Assam and Bhutan, Pegu, Mergui, Java, Yunnan.
A tree, 60-100ft. high. Leaves alternate, 3-44in., elliptically-
lanceolate, glabrous, acuminate on both surfaces, or with tufts of
hairs in the axils of the nerves beneath. Petiole 1-l4in Flow-
ers in dense heads; heads wrapped by a large bract, male race-
mose, female solitary. Male heads: a mass of stamens with very
short filaments, probably representing numerous achlamydeous
flowers. Anthers obverse—pyramidal, the valves when young
turned in till they reach the connective, so that the young stamen
is pseudo—4-celled, dehiscing longitudinally. Female heads
of 12-20 flowers; calyces confluent, without limb. Petals
0 (some rudimentary stamens have been taken for petals).
Ovary #-inferior, 2-celled ; styles 2, separate, deciduous. Ovules
numerous, axile. Fruit-head globose, harsh. Seeds numerous;
lowest 1-2 of each cell winged, fertile, the upper without wing
or embryo.
Uses :—Yields “the resin known as “storax.” In orchitis,
it is not possible to use this semifluid resin on the inflamed
testicle direct, but it is used over the scrotum and covered over
with dry tobacco-leaves. I have used it with success in the early
stages of Hydrocele of the tunica vaginalis. (K. R. K.).
It contains benzaldehyde, cinnamic acid and cinnamaldehyde, also a resin
and a pentosan ; esters are not present.—J. Ch. S. 1902, AT, 111.
Oriental storax is a mixture of free cinnamic acid, vanillin, styrol,
styracin, cinnamic acid—ethyl ester, cinnamic acid—phenolpropyl ester, and
storesinol, partly in the free state and partly as cinnamic acid ester.
Storesinol has the composition C,, H,,; O,, and melts at 156°—157°; it is
isomeric with the benzoresinol, isolated from benzoin, which melts at 272°C,
536 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
The composition of American Storax deviates so insignificantly from
Oriental Storax that they may beregarded as identical. The Agricultural
Ledger. 1904—No.9 p, 120.
N. O. RHIZOPHORACE A.
487. Ehizophora mucronata, Lamk. H.F.B.1., 1.
435.
Syn. :—R. Mangle, Willd. Roxb. 389.
Vern. :—-Bhorar (B.) ; Upoo-punna, adair-pouna (Tel.); Rai
(Uriya) ; Kamo, kimro (Sind.) Kandel, hariya (Bomb.*.
Habitat :-—Tidal shores, from the mouths of the Indus to
Malacca and Ceylon. Bombay, Western Coast, Bandra (K. R. K.:
A small, evergreen tree, of muddy shores and tidal creeks of
India, Ceylon, Burma and the Andaman Islands, sending down
numerous aérial roots into the mud of the mangrove swamp.
The lower part of the trunk dies early, and the tree is then
supported by a number of branching aérial roots, standing, as
it were, on stilts. Bark brown, fairly smooth, with vertical clefts.
Sapwood light-red ; heartwood dark-red, extremely hard, splits
and warps a little in seasoning (Gamble). Leaves elliptic
mucronate by the excurrent midrib, 3-7 by 13-4in., narrowed
at base. Stipules large, deciduous, enclosing the buds. Petiole
1-12in. Cymes 3-5-fid, from the axils of the current year’s
leaves. Peduncles 1-13in.; “‘ longer than the petioles,” says
Mr. Henslow, about 3-flowered ; pedicels short, thick. - Flowers
more or less drooping. Calyx-segments 4, irregular, narrowing
upwards, $in., oblong-lanceolate, keeled within, persistent and
enlarged in fruit. Petals hairy within, shorter than the Calyx-
limb, subconnivent, coriaceous, margins involute. Anthers 8.
Fruit 14-2in. long, dark brown, embryo often attaining 30in.
before falling from the tree. “ The seeds often germinate
while yet on the tree and drop as young plants into the mud
below. The roots also progress and form constantly fresh stems
supported by the buttressed roots standing out of the mud. ”
(Gamble).
N. 0. RHIZOPHORACES. 537
Use :—The bark has been tried medicinally in cases of he-
maturia.
(For notes on the medicinal utilization of the astringency of
this tree, see Ph. J. for lst Sept., 1888 ; p. 179).
488. Ceriops Candolleana, Arn. H.F.B.I., 11. 436.
Vern, :— Kirrari ; Chauri (Sind) ; Goran (B.).
Halntat :—Tidal forests, &c., from the mouths of the Indus
to Malacca and Ceylon.
A small, evergreen tree, in the tidal forests of Sindh, the
Western Peninsula, Bengal, Ceylon and the Andamans, Sea
coast of Tropical Asia, Africa and Australia. ‘“ A simple stem-
med shrub” almost reaching 25ft. in height, with a girth of
1Sin. (Schlich), and many buttresses at base’’ (Gamble). Bark
dark-red. Wood orange-red, hard. Leaves 2-3 by 1-2in.,
ovate, very obtuse, cuneate or attenuate at the base. Cymes
peduncled, branching, pedicels short. Calyx 5-cleft, lobes
linear acute ; petals 5 glabrous emarginate tip with 3-4 capitate
bristles. Stamens 10, alternately shorter ; filaments much longer
than the anthers. Ovary half-inferior, 3-celled. Style short,
stigma simple. Fruit small, club-shaped or subovate, surrounded
near base by-the reflexed segments of the calyx.
Parts used :--The bark and shoots.
Uses :—The whole of the plant abounds in an astringent prin-
ciple. ‘The decoction of the bark is used to stop hemorrhage,
and applied to malignant ulcers. On the African Coast, a
decoction of the shoots is used as a substitute for quinine.
(Watt).
489. Kandelia Rheedu, W. and A. H.F.B.L.,
1. 437.
Vern. :—Guria (B.) ; Rasunia, rasuria ‘Uriya).
Habitat :—Bengal, Burma and the Western Coast.
An evergreen shrub or small tree, with a simple stem. Bark
qin., spongy, red-brown, peeling off in small flakes. Wood
68
538 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
soft, close-grained, reddish-brown. Leaves 2-4 by 1-2in.,
elliptic-oblong, narrowed into petiole, 1-2in. long, quite entire,
dark-green above, reddish-brown beneath, glabrous. Peduncles
about liin., erect, twice-branched, dichotomously in ‘cymes.
Flowers white. Calyx surrounded at base by bracteoles,
connate into a cup, lobes 5 or 6, linear, $-3 in. long. Petals
bifid, the lobes divided into numerous capillary segments.
Stamens numerous, anthers small, filaments slender. Ovary
half-inferior, prolonged beyond the calyx into a fleshy cone,
one-celled. Ovules six, style slender, stigma 3-lobed. Fruit
lin., conicovoid, girt at the base by the reflexed calyx-
lobes.
Use :—The bark, mixed with dried ginger or long pepper
and rose-water, is said to be a cure for diabetes (Rheede).
N. O. COMBRETACEA.
490. Terminalia Catappu, Linn. u.¥.B.1., U1. 444,
Roxb. 380.
Sans. :—Ingudi.
Vern. :—Jangli-badam (H. and Bomb.) ; Nattoo-vadamcottay
(Tam.) ; Vadam (Tel.) ; Adamarram (Mal.); Taru (Kan.) ; Badaém
(B.) ; Bengali-badadm, jangli-badaéma, hatbadam (Mar.)
Habitat :—Largely planted in all India, wild in the lowlands
of Malaya and perhaps of the Transgangetic Peninsula.
A tall, deciduous tree. Branches horizontally-whorled.
Stem often buttressed. Attains 80ft. Wood red, with lighter
coloured sapwood, hard. Leaves beautifully green, turning red
before falling ; clustered at the end of branchlets, glabrous ;
petiole and midrib more or less hairy, obovate from a narrow
cordate base, 6-10in. long, petiole short, stout and channelled.
Flowers white, in slender axillary spikes, shorter than the leaf.
Male flowers at the top, hermaphrodites below. Drupe glab-
rous, ellipsoid, somewhat compressed, keeled all round, 2in.
long, pericarp fibrous and fleshy, endocarp hard, oil expressed
N. 0. COMBRETACER. 539
from the seeds. ‘The seeds are eaten, and so is the luscious and
delicious sweet acid pericarp, greedily by children and even
grown up persons.
Uses:—The kernels yield upwards of 50 per cent. of a pure
bland oil, which may be substituted for almond oil. Kept for
a long time, it deposits a large quantity of stearine. The bark
is said to be astringent (Ph. Ind.).
The juice of the young leaves is employed in Southern India
to prepare an ointment for scabies, leprosy, and other cuta-
neous diseases, and is also believed to be useful internally for
headache and colic (Lisboa).
The seeds yield 63°43 p. c¢, of oil, which in odour, taste and color
_elosely resemble true almond oil. The oil does not readily become rancid,
but becomes thick on standing, and yields an abundant deposit of stearine.—J.
Ch. I. for 31st August, 1910, page 1020. -
Grimme obtained the following constants: Specific gravity at 15°, 0°9195 ;
solidifyiug point, + 7°; “D at 20°, 1:4682; acid value, 4:1; saponification value,
185°7 ; iodine value, 77. Insoluble acids and unsaponifiable, 93°95; unsaponi-
fiable, 1°87. Fatty acids: Melting point, 48°49°; neutralization value, 198°6 ;
iodine value, 735; mean molecular weight, 282°8.
AWG. belertcas oxo, HEB... i. 445. Roxb.
380.
Sans. :—Vibhitak1.
Vern :—Bahera, bhairah (H.) ; Bohera (B.) ; Behada (Bomb.) ;
Tanrik-kay, Tani, Kattu elupay (Tam.); Tani, tandi, toandi
(Tel.).
Habitat :—Throughout India, common in the plains and
lower hills.
A very large tree, with rusty pubescence on young branch-
lets and calyx; attains a height of 60-100ft. ; trunk tall, erect,
regularly shaped ; branches spreading, forming a coppery-tinted,
bright, broad-massive crown when young, bright-green when
old. Youngest off-shoots beautifully crimson. Bark din. thick,
dark or bluish grey, uneven and tessellated by broad longitu-
dinal furrows, crossed by short, narrow, transverse wrinkles, the
old bark exfoliating in dry corky scabs. Wood light grey or
yellowish, open and _ coarse-grained, easily’ worked, but not
540 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
durable. Stem 6-10ft., at times 10-20ft. Leaves deciduous,
exstipulate, alternate, crowded at the extremities of branches,
crenulate, pubescent, broad, elliptic or ovate-elliptic, 3-8in.
long, 2-3in. broad; base often unequal, the lower margin of
the leaf tapering as it approaches the petiole and finally merges
into the upper margin of the petiole, leaving the petiole slightly
grooved at the ventral aspect. Apex obtuse, retuse, usually,
sometimes acuminate, especially in the larger leaves; margin
entire ; main lateral nerves arcuate, prominent, 5-8, often reddish.
Petiole roundish, longer than $ length of the leaf. The tree
sheds its leaves from January to March. Flowers small; male
and hermaphrodite on solitary, simple spikes, which are some-
times erect, sometimes bent, sometimes drooping; 3-6in. long,
arising from the axils of fresh leaves, just before or about the
same times of the year, as tender leaves shoot out. Roxburgh and
Brandis condemn the flowers as of a dirty-grey or greenish
colour; but the crimson markings of the Calyx and the soft down,
as also the bright yellow anthers, are by no means unattractive,
though the odour is offensive. Male flowers usually on the
upper part of the spike, sessile. Hermaphrodite flowers chiefly
confined to the lower part of the spike on short pedicels. Bracts
linear, brown, very early caducous. Calyx deciduous. Corolla
absent. Stamens 10. Filaments, 5 short, 5 long, arranged
alternately, inserted below the Calyx-segments ; the larger
ones twice the length of the Calyx. In the hermaphrodite
flowers there is an epigynous disk, brownish, densely hairy.
Style slender, filiform, projecting slightly beyond the filaments.
Stigma simple, a mere depression at the apex. Ovary tomentose,
1-celled, ovule pendulous from the apex of the cavity. Fruit lin.
long, ovoid-ellipsoid or globose, grey-velvety. Nut thick-walled
and hard.
Uses:—Sanskrit writers describe beleric myrobalans as as-
tringent and laxative, and useful in cough, hoarseness, eye-
diseases, &c. As aconstituent of trephald, or the three myro-
balans, they are used in almost all diseases. The kernel of
the fruits is said to be narcotic and astringent, and used as an
external application to inflammed parts (Dutt),
N. 0. COMBRETACER. 541
Mahomedan writers describe it as astringent, tonic, attenuant,
and aperient, useful in dyspepsia and bilious headache, also as
an astringent application to the eyes (Dymock).
_ In the Concan, the kernel, with that of the marking nut, is
sometimes eaten with betel-nut and leaf in dyspepsia; the fruit
also is used as an astringent, usually in combination with
chebulic myrobalans. There is no doubt about the narcotic
properties of the kernel. The part used in medicine is the pulp
(Dymock).
In the Punjab, it is chiefly employed in dropsy, piles, diar-
rhea and leprosy ; also occasionally in fever. When half ripe,
it is considered purgative, when fully ripe or dried, astringent.
_ Mixed with honey, it is employed as an application in cases of
opkthalmia.
The oil is considered a good application for the hair. The
gum is believed to be demulcent and purgative (Watt).
Like other kinds ef Terminalia, the Beleric myrobalans afford a yellow
fixed oil which is prepared by the poorer classes in the Central Provinces and
used as a substitute for ghee and as an application for rheumatism, Bahada
seeds yield about 25 per cent. of oil by expression which sells for 8 annas per
Seer. TWo samples from Akola and Damoh had the following characters:
Specific gravity, ‘9168, 9193; melting points 11°, 4°; acid values, 2:4, 3°9;
saponification values, 205°8, 205°3; iodine values, 79:0, 85°3; Reichert-Meissl
values, ‘76, °78; fatty acids and unsaponifiable, 94:2, 93°6 per cent., melting at
39° and 38°,
Ne “Chebulas ‘wetsor EBL. ii. 446, Roxb.
381.
Sans. :—Haritaki.
Vern.:—Hara, har, harara (H.); Haritaki (B.); Hilikha
(Ass.); Silim (Lepch.); Karedha (Uriya); Hana, Silim-kung
(Sikkim); Hard& (Dec.); Kadukai-maram (‘Tam.); Karakaia
(Tel.); Alale (Mysore).
Habitat :—-Abundant in Northern India, from Kumaon to
Bengal, and southward to the Deccan table-land.
A large or small deciduous tree. Bark 4in. thick, dark-
brown, with numerous, generally shallow, vertical cracks.
Wood very hard, brownish-grey, with a greenish or yellowish
542 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
tinge, with an irregular, dark-purple heartwood, close-grained,
fairly durable. Branchlets, leaf-buds and young leaves, with
soft shining generally rust-coloured bairs. Leaves distant,
often sub-opposite, elliptic or ovate ; secondary nerves 6-8 pair,
arching, prominent; blade 3-8in. long, petiole $-lin. long. Two
glands or swellings on petiole near top. Flowers bisexual, in.
across, sessile, dull white or yellow, with an offensive smell.
Spikes sometimes simple, usually in short panicles, terminal
and in the axils of the uppermost leaves. Bracts subulate
or lanceolate, longer than buds, deciduous. Limb of Calyx
cup-shaped, cleft half way into 5 acute, triangular segments,
woolly inside. Fruit more or less distinctly 5-angled, obovoid
from a cuneate base, sometimes ovoid or nearly globose, 1-14in.
long ; shape and size of fruit varies accordingly.
Mr. Duthie writes:—‘‘ In Northern India the tree does not
attain to any great size, but large trees, up to 100 feet in height,
are often met with south of the Nerbudda.”’
Uses:—Sanskrit writers describe chebulic myrobalans as
laxative, stomachic, tonic and alterative. They are used in
fevers, cough, asthma, urinary diseases, piles, intestinal worms,
chronic diarrhcea, costiveness, flatulence, vomiting, hiccup,
heart-diseases, enlarged spleen and liver, ascites, skin
diseases, &c. In combination with embelic and_ beleric
myrobalans, they are extensively used as adjuncts to other medi-
cines in almost all diseases. As an alterative tonic for promot-
ing strength, preventing the effects of age and prolonging life,
it is used in a peculiar way. (Dutt).
Mahomedan writers consider the ripe fruit as purgative,
romoving bile, phlegm and adjust bile. The unripe fruit is
most valued on account of its astringent and aperient properties,
and is a useful medicine in dysentery and diarrhcea. Ainslie
notices their use as an application to aphthee (Dymock).
‘The fruits are used as a medicine for sore-throat, by the
Paharias in Sikkim” (Gamble).
Recently M. P. Apery has brought to the notice of the pro-
fession in Europe the value of the drug in dysentery, choleraic
N. O. COMBRETACEA. 543
diarrhcea and chronic diarrhoea. He administers it in pills of
25 centigrammes each, the dose being from four to twelve pills
or even more in the twenty-four hours (Pharmacog. Ind.).
It is therefore possible that the therapeutic value of myroba-
lans may before long form the subject of systematic investiga-
tion (Watt).
A fruit, finely powdered, is used as dentifrice. Said to be
useful in carious teeth, bleeding and ulcerations of the gums
(B. D. Basu).
A fruit, coarsely powdered and smoked in a pipe, affords
relief in a fit of asthma. A decoction of the fruit is a good
astringent wash. A fine paste, obtained by rubbing the fruit
on a rough stone with little water, mixed with the carron oil
of the Pharmacopeia and applied to burus and scalds, effects
a more rapid cure than when carron oil alone is used (D. R.
Thompson in Watt’s Dic.). |
Water in which the fruits are kept for the night is con-
sidered a very cooling wash for the eyes. The ashes mixed
with butter form a good ointment for sores (Robb, in Watt's
Dic.). oo
_. On removing the astringent pulp of the myrobalans a hard, stony seed
remains which weighs 37°5 per cent, of the fruit. The seeds are sent in large
quantities from the Central Provinces to Bombay as an oil seed. Withinthe
seed is a kernel which yields to ether 36°7 per cent. of a yellawish, pleasant
and edible oil. A sample of the oil had an acid value of 89, saponification
value of 192°6, iodine value 87°5, and 96:2 per cent. of insoluble fatty acids and
ansaponifiabie matter. | |
Ohebulic acid:—This is obtained from the fruits in the following
manner :—The dried fruits are powdered, macerated for 10 days at the ordinary
temperature with 90 per cent. alcohol, pressed and filtered. The alcohol is
completely removed from the extract, and the residue then dissolved in hot
water ; cold water is added until no further milkiness appears, and the whole
is allowed to settle, and then filtered, To the filtrate, sodium chloride is added
until a permanent turbidity appears, and the solution is then shaken out
with ethyl acetate, which dissolves chebulic and tannic acids. To remove
the latter, the ethylacetate is distilled off, and the residue dissolved in water,
and shaken out with ether; from the aqueous solution crystals of chebulic
acid then separate on standing, and may be recrystallised from hot water.
The yield is 8°5 per cent.
Ohebulic acid, C,3 Hy, O,o+H, O, begins to melt at about 200°, and is
optically active, having [a]»>=+66-94°. The molecular weight of the an-
hydrous compound was determined by Beckmann’s boiling point method
544 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
in acetone solution. The acid seems to be manobasic and forms an amorphous
barium salt. (Cyg Hy3 Oy,)2 Ba, which is white when moist, and green when
dry, and a grey, amorphous, basic (?) Zinc salt, probably (Cy, Ho3 Ojo)o
Zn+Zn0O. These salts appear, in general, to be decomposed by water, even
in the cold. With strychnine, an acid salt, C,, H,, N .0, 9Co, Hog Ojo, is
formed. With benzoic chloride and soda, a yellowish, amorphous benzoyl
derivative, Cy3; Hy, BLz O,9, melting at 88°, is obtained. With phenyl-
hydrazine, chebulic acid yields a derivative in the form of a reddish powder,
which melts at 142°, and, when dissolved in alcohol and treated with strong
aqueous potash, yields a momentarily green, then mulberry-red, and,
finally, brownish-red coloration. (Tannic acid, similarly treated, gives a
green colour, only gradually changing to red; gallic acid, an immediate red
coloration). When chebulic acid is dissolved in alcohol, and the solution
saturated with gaseous hydrogen chloride, some ethyl gallate is formed, and,
in addition, a yellow, amorphous acid, somewhat analogous in its properties
to tannic acid. Sulphuric acid hydrolyses chebulic acid to gallic acid and
other undetermined products.—J, Ch. S. LXIV., pt. I. (1893), p. 212.
493. T. citrina, Roxb. H.F.B.1., 11. 446. Roxb. 382.
Vern. :—Haritaki; Narra (B.); Hilika, Silikka (Assam.) ;
Hortaki (Cachar); Hariha, Harira (U. P.)
Habitat :—Assam ; East Bengal; Burma.
A large tree attaining 80ft. Leaves thickly coriaceous,
elliptic lanceolate or oblong, subopposite, narrowed into a
petiole 4in., blade 3-7in.; when adult glabrous, shining,
the interstices of the nerves beneath, with sunk, close, white
tomentum ; the petiole usually with two glands at the top or
on the base. of the leaf beneath. Bracteoles linear, conspicuous
on the young spikes. Spikes terminal and lateral, often
panicled. Flowers all hermaphrodite. Calyx-teeth glabrous
without, hairy within. Young ovary glabrous. Fruit narrow,
lanceolate 2in. long.
Mr. C. B. Clarke remarks that T. citrina has a straighter stem,
a brighter foliage and narrower fruits, but ought perhaps
hardly to be reckoned a distinct species.”
Use :—The medicinal properties are similar to those of the
Chebulic myrobalan.
494. T. Arjuna, Bedd. u.¥F.B.1., 11. 447.
Syn. :—Pentaptera Arjuna, Roxb. 382.
Sans. :—Arjuna ; Kukubha.
Vern. :—Anjan, arjun, kahu (H.); Vella marda, Vellai-
maruda-maram (Tam.), Ver maddi (Tel.); Sanmadat, arjun,
N. 0. COMBRETACER, 545
anjan, jamla (Mar.); SAdado, arjun sidado (Guz.) ; Maddi,
tormatti, holematti, billi matti (Kan.).
Halitat:—Very common in the Sub-Himalayan tracts of
the North-West Provinces and Deccan:
A large deciduous tree, with huge, often buttressed, trunk,
attaining 60-80ft. Bark gin. thick, smooth, pinkish grey, the
old layers peeling off in thin flakes. Sapwood reddish-white ;
heartwood brown, variegated, with darker, coloured streaks,
very hard. Glabrous; only the inflorescence is slightly
pubescent. Leaves generally sub-opposite, hard coriaceous,
oblong, sometimes spathulate-oblong, often campanulate blade
3-6, petiole tin. long. Petiole rarely more than 3in., with
_two glands near its apex often very short. Flowers bisexual,
dull, yellow, in erect terminal panicles. Bracteoles very small.
Calyx-teeth nearly glabrous, both within and without. Young
ovary very short, covered with crisped brown or rufous hair.
Fruit lin. long, with 5-7 narrow angles, fin. broad, irregularly
marked with ascending lines.
Use :—The Sanskrit writers consider the bark to be tonic,
astringent and cooling, and use it in heart diseases, contusions,
fractures, ulcers, &c. In fractures and contusions, with excessive
ecchymosis, powdered arjun bark is recommended to be taken
internally with milk. A decoction of the bark is used as a wash
in ulcers and chancres (Dutt).
The bark is astringent and febrifuge, the fruit tonic and de-
obstruent, the juice of the fresh leaves is a remedy for ear-ache.
The bark useful in bilious affections, and as an antidote to
poisons (Baden-Powell’s Punj. Prods.) In Kangra, the bark
is used to sores, &c. (Stewart).
Regarding the physiological action of this drug, Dr. Lal
Mohan Ghoshal writes :—
(1) The drug (Terminalia Arjuna) acts as a cardiac stimulant and tonic,
increasing the force of the beats cf the heart, but slowing their number, but
never completely stopping it. The diastole is more or less prolonged.
(2) The blood pressure is increased due to the contraction of the peri-
pheral arterioles caused by the action of the drug on the vasomotor nerve
possibly.
(3) It acts asa powerful hemostatic ; only drawback for this action is
the rise of blood pressure.
69
546 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. —
(4) It helps diapedesis of red blood corpuscles.
(5) Itslighty increases the excretion in the amount of phosphates and
uric acid, but the increase is not very material to be taken into practical
account.
Regarding its Therapeutic action, he says :—
The drug is a very valuable remedy in heart diseases, specially where a
eombined tonic and stimulant action is necessary. Thus in mitral disease,
specially in later stages when the heart is feeble and flaccid, blood pressure
low and the heart dilated, the drug may be administered with admirable effect.
In aortic diseases the drug has one defect, namely, it increases the blood
pressure, and the diastole is rather prolonged, but the force of contraction
and the manner is which the aortic valves meet together may he utilised in
these forms of aortic regurgitation that are caused merely by dilatation of the
aorta, or in which the valves, although healthy, do not come in firm opposition,
or in which the regurgitation is caused by weakness of the heart.
In exhausting diseases weakening the heart and increasing the frequency
of the pulse the drug is invaluable, for, it does not exert the poisonous
action of digitalis if long continued,
The drug may be used as a good local hemostatic, but generally its use
as a hemostatic is doubtful on account of the rise of the blood pressure. In
inflammations locally and generally it may be used by causing the contraction
of the peripheral arterioles, and increasing the diapedesis, and at the same
time improving the general circulation, the drug will relieve the inflammatory
condition of the part. For this reason Chukradutta recommended it for all
sorts of inflammatory conditions, and he goes so far as to say that it heals
fractures, etc. For this reason it may be commended in pneumonic inflamma-
tions of lung, but directly it has no action on respiratory organs.
We have seen that for local inflammations the drug is very efficacious as
in the experiments performed on inflamed eyes. There the inflammation
soothed in one day although the cases were mild ones. The drug has been
suggested to be lethontryptic, but except increasing slight amount of phos-
phatic and uric acid excretion this action of the drug is doubtful.
Chemical composition :—
An extract from the bark was prepared by heating 500 grms, of pulverised
bark with 2 litres of water until only 500¢, c¢. of the fluid remained ; the
whole thing was then pressed through a fine muslin and the fluid part was
again filtered through filter when a clear dark-reddish extract was obtained.
The extract is sweetish to the taste, reduces Fehling’s solution and assumes
a dark black colour on treatment with ferric chloride and is acid to litmus.
Part of it was treated with benzene in equal parts (being acidulated first
with H,SO,) and a deposit separated out in the immiscible layer ; the im-
miscible layer was then separated by means of separating funnel and benzene
was allowed to evaporate. The residue left after evaporation was reddish-
brewn in colour and amorphous powder ; it was insolube in dilute HCl. but
partly soluble in alcohol and ether. It does not give any reaction with Iodine,
nor does it reduce Fehling’s solution, but when heated with dilute HCl, it
reduced Fehling’s solution also gave ppt, with Phosphotungstic acid. .
N. 0. COMBRETACER, 547
Thus we see that the extract when treated with benzene yielded a subs-
tance which is partially soluble in alcohol, and does not give any Iodine re-
action, reduces Fehling’s Solution when heated with dilute HCl and is pptd. by
phosphotungstic acid. From these facts we may conclude that the substance
yielded from the treatment of the extract with benzene is glucosida] in nature,
the glucosidal body was first made soluble in absolute alcohol, which was then
evaporated, and a dry brown powdery residue was left; it also gave no reac-
tion with Iodine, reduced Fehling’s solution when heated with dilute HCl.
The extract was then treated with chloroform in the same way, and a gum-
my substance was obtained which either gave Orcin reaction nor reduced
Fehling’s solution even when heated with dilute hydrochloric acid.
The extract was then further treated with absolute alcohol when a reddish-
brown-colouring matter was separated out,
It gave no reaction with petroleum either. Tannic acid was estimated
by Allen and Pleteker‘s method and total tannin (including glucotannie acid,
etc.) obtained was 12 per cent.
The bark was then burnt and the ash yielded was 30 per cent., most of
which was calcium carbonate, but traces of sodium carbonate and chlorides
of the alkali metals was also obtained. Sugar estimated from the original
solution was 17 per cent.
Thus we see that the extract from the bark yields— _
Sugar.
Tannin.
A colouring matter.
A body glucosidal in nature.
5. Carbonates of calcium and sodium and traces of chlorides of alkali
metals. (Food and Drugs No. 1 pp. 22 et seq.)
495. ‘TT’. tomentosa, Bedd. H. F.B.1., 11. 447.
Vern. :—Asan (H.) ; Piasal (B.); Ain (Bomb.); Kurruppu-
maruta-maram (Tam.); Maddi(Tel.); Hatana, Matnak (Kol.) ;
Ain, madat, yén, sadada, saj (Mar.); Ain (Guz.); Matti, kari-
matti, banapu, tore matto-madi, aini (Kan.) Sain (Bijnor) ; Sadar
(Bundelkhand).
Habitat :—Very common in Deccan and the Sub-Himalayan
tracts of the North-West Provinces, Nepal and Sikkim.
A large deciduous tree, trunk tall, regularly shaped. Bark
rough, grey to black, with long, broad, deep longitudinal
fissures and short, shallow, transverse cracks, inner substance
red when fresh. Sapwood reddish white ; heartwood dark brown,
hard, beautifully variegated with streaks of darker colour,
showing on a radial section as dark streaks which are generally
undulating. Branchlets, inflorescence and young leaves clothed
with short rust-coloured pubescence. Leaves coriaceous, hard,
Pep ipe te
548 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
elliptic or ovate, sometimes obovate-oblong ; blade 5-9, petiole
1-lin. long, nearly opposite, the uppermost often alternate ;
1-2 glands near base of midrib ; underside when full-grown, as
a rule, soft tomentose, nearly glabrous, secondary nerves. 10-20
pair. Flowers bisexual, dull yellow, in erect terminal panicles,
the lower branches in the axils of leaves. Calyx-limb, a shallow
cup, hairy within, segments 5, broad, ovate, acute. Fruit
13-2in. long, with 5 coriaceous brown wings, #-lin. broad,
and marked with numerous horizontal lines running from the
axils to the edges, which are thin and irregularly crenulate.
Use :—A docoction of the bark is taken internally in atonic
diarrhoea, and locally as an application to weak indolent ulcers.
(Ph. ind).
496. T. paniculata, Roth. u.F.B.1., 1. 448.
Syn. :—Pentaptera Paniculata, Roxb. 384.
Vern. :—Kinjal (Bomb.) ; Pe-karakai (Tam.); Neemeeri (Tel.) :
Honal, huluva, hulve, hunab (Kan.).
Habitat :—Malabar, lower hills, from Bombay to Cochin;
Nilghiri and Kurg Mountains.
A very large deciduous tree. Bark 4in. thick, dark-brown,
peeling off in flat flakes. Wood grey, with darker heart-wood,
very hard, new growths rusty-tomentose. Leaves 4-7in.,
subopposite, upper alternate, base cordate, two glands generally
present near the base of the midrib beneath. Petiole 3-d in.
long, rusty-pubescent, sessile, close set in large spreading
panicles, the front edge ovary growing out into a wing which
is 2-lin. broad.
Use :—The country people use the juice of the fresh flowers
rubbed with Parwel root (Cocculus Villosus) as a remedy in
cholera, and in poisoning with opium, 4 tolds of the juice with
an equal quantity of guava bark juice is given frequently. In
parotitis, the juice with ghi and Saindhav (rock salt) is applied.
In cholera, about 4 tolas of the juice with an equal quantity of
Paryel root is given every hour (Dymock).
497. Calycopteris floribunda, Lam. H.F.B.1. 11. 449.
Vern.:—Bandi-murududu (Tel.); Baguli, Ukshi (Mar.);
Kokoranj (Hind.) ; Marsada, Baguli (Can.)
N. 0. COMBRETACES. 5AY
Habitat :—On hot hills, alt. 500-2,500ft., abundant through-
out the Deccan, and from Assam to Singapore.
A large climbing shrub. Bark very thin, hght brown,
smooth. Wood soft to moderately hard, porous, light, reddish
brown. Branches drooping, young shoots rusty-villous. Leaves
opposite, ovate, shortly acuminate, entire. Flowers bisexual,
in tomentose terminal and axillary panicles, free portion of
Calyx infundibuliform, petals 0, stamens 10, inserted in two
lines on the inside of the Calyx-tube, the 5 upper alternating
with the Calyx-teeth. Fruit 5-ribbed, villous, din. long, sur-
mounted by the enlarged Calyx, the segments of which are 3-Lin.
long. :
Parts used :—The leaves, root, and fruit.
Uses:—The leaves are bitter and astringent, and are
chewed by the natives, and the juice swallowed as a remedy for
colic. The root ground to a paste with that of Croton oblongi-
folium is applied to bites of the phoorsa snake (Kchis carinata).
In jaundice, the fruit and various spices, of each one part, are
made into a compound powder, of which the dose is two mashas.
The fruit, with the root of Grewia pilosa, is rubbed into a paste
with honey and applied to ulcers (Pharmacographia Indica, Vol.
le oe
498. Anogeissus latifolia, Wall, H. F.B.1., 11. 450,
Roxb. 384.
Syn. :—Conocarpus latifolia, D. C.
Sans, :—Dhava. |
Vern. :—Dhaoya (H. and B.); Dhavada; Dabria (Bomb.) ;
Vallai-naga, vackelie (Tam.); Dinduga, dindlu, bejalu, dindal
(Kan.); Arma, yerma (Gond.). Bakli, Dhauri; Dhao (Bundel-
khand).
Habitat :—Very common, from the Himalaya to Ceylon, not
found in the Transgangetic Peninsula.
A large deciduous tree, attaining 80ft., but usually a small
tree. Bark smooth, whitish grey, tin. thick, with shallow
irregular depressions caused by exfoliation. Wood grey, hard,
shining, smooth, with a smal] purplish, irregularly shaped,
very hard heartwood; sapwood in young trees and young
550 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
branches yellow. lLeafless during most of the hot season.
Leaves broadly elliptic, pubescent when young, glabrous when
full grown, blade 14-33, petiole +-3in. long, secondary nerves
8-14 pairs, tertiary nerves prominent beneath. Flower-heads
4-3in. in diam., in on short peduncles, often in axillary racemes.
Ripe fruit almost glabrous, nearly orbicular; sometimes ?
(excluding the beak) by Zin., including the wings, usually
smaller, more or less rusty pubescent when young.
Use :—This tree yields a valuable gum, which is worthy of
attention (Dymock).
499. Quisqualis indica, Linn., H. F.B.1., 11. 459,
Roxb. 379.
Vern. :—Rangtin-ki-bel (H.); Vilayati-chambeli (Bomb.) ;
Irangtn-malli (Tam.) ; Rangunu-malle-chettu (Tel.).
Habitat :—Cultivated throughout India, wild probably in the
Transgangetic Peninsula.
A large, climbing, woody shrub. Bark thin, grey, peeling
off in small flakes. Wood, soft, porous. Young shoots pubescent
or villous. Leaves elliptic or ovate-oblong, acuminate, those on
leafy rambling shoots alternate, those on flowering branches
opposite, petioles articulate, the portion below the articulation
persistent, being hard and woody, hooking the branches on to
the supports. Flowers showy, first white, then red or orange,
then varnish-coloured, in different stages on one and the same
flower stalk. Bracts leafy, ovate-lanceolate, free part of Calyx
filiform, 2-3in. long, hairy within and on the outside. Fruit
seldom, never, I should say, met with in the Konkan, :Lin. long,
glossy, with 5 deep furrows between the angles. I collected a
half-ripe fruit, nearly half an inch long, in the beautiful Govern-
ment Gardens of Sydney in 1889, March. It is still in my
private Herbarium (K. R. K.).
Use :—In the Moluccas, the seeds are supposed to be anthel-
mintic. our or five of the seeds are given with honey, as an
electuary for the expulsion of entozoa in children (Ph. Ind.).
In Amboyna, the leaves are given in a ‘compound decoction
for flatulent distension of the abdomen. In China, the ripe
seeds are roasted, and given in diarrhoea and fever (Rumphius).
N. O. MYRTACER, 551
N. O. MYRTACEA.
900. Myrtus communis, Linn, H. F.B.1., 11. 462.
Vern. :—Vilayati mehndi, mfirad (H.); Sutr-sowa, fruit:
hab-ul-as (Arab.)
Habitat :—Cultivated in India. This is the common myrile,
extensively grown in India. The leaves are extensively used
by the European Jews in their religious ceremonials and by
the Natives of India of all kinds for medicinal purposes. It
extends from the south of Europe, especially the Mediterranean
region, as far as Afghanistan and Baluchistan. In Bombay,
it is a small shrubby plant, grown in gardens in pots and tubs.
: The leaves are fragrant, opposite, sometimes ternate,
ovate, smooth. of a beautiful green colour, glandular and
persistent, with short petioles. Flowers axillary, 5-petulous,
white, succeeded by a purple berry the size of a pea. (P. 333,
The Bengal Dispensary, O. Shaughnessy 1841, Calcutta.)
Uses :—In Upper India, the leaves are considered useful in
cerebral affections, especially epilepsy, also in dyspepsia; and
diseases of the stomach and liver. A decoction is employed
as a mouth-wash in cases of apthe. The fruit is carminative,
and is given in diarrhcea, dysentery, hemorrhage, internal
ulceration and rheumatism. The seeds, ground and mixed
with antimony, are used to color the eye-lids (Watt).
“The essential oil of the leaves has been esteemed in France
as a disinfectant and useful antiseptic, also used in the Paris
hospitals, in certain affections of the respiratory organs and the
bladder, and recommended as a local application in rheumatic
affections’ (Pharm. Journ., March 30, 1889: p. 782).
501. Melaleuca leucadendron, Linn. Fad A ie
11. 465, Roxb. 591.
Vern. :—Kayaputi (H. ; Cajuputte, ilachie (B.) ; Kayakuti
(Bomb.); Cajupfta (Mar.) ; Kijaptite, kayapute (Tam.)
Habitat :—Cultivated in India.
552 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
A middle-sized evergreen tree. Bark white, thick, spongy,
peeling off in papery flakes. Wood reddish brown, hard; bran-
ches slender, pendulous. Leaves alternate, coriaceous, lanceo-
late, more or less oblique, 2-5in. long, tapering into a short
petiole, with 3-7 distinct longitudinal nerves. Flowers yellow-
ish-white, sessile in erect axillary spikes, 2-6in. long, the rachis
generally prolonged and leaf-bearing. Stamens numerous, the
filaments united at their base into 5 bundles, inserted opposite
to the petals. Ovary half-inferior, enclosed in the Calyx-tube.
Capsule loculicidally 3-valved. Yields the Cajuput oil of
commerce (Brandis).
Use :—The oil is used in medicine as a stimulant and dia-
phoretic (Gamble); it is used as an external application for
rheumatism (Dymock).
It is antispasmodic; and, when externally applied, acts as
rubefacient. It is also regarded asa powerful sudorific (Watt).
The oil is officinal in British and Indian Pharmacopceias.
502. Psidium Guyava, Linn. 4.F.B.1., 1. 468,
Roxb. 396.
Var. pyriferum, Linn. (sp.), and pomiferum, Linn. (sp.)
Eing :—The guava tree.
Vern. :—Amrfit, amréid (Hind.); Piyara (Beng.); Amuk
(Nepal.); Mcdharian (Ass.) ; Segapu (Tam.); Jamia koia (Tel.);
Lal-jam, saféd-jam (Dec.); Tambada-peru, Pandhara-peru
(Bomb.)
Habitat :—A native of Tropical America and the West Indies
originally ; now quite naturalized all over India, Burma, Ceylon ;
almost wild.
A small evergreen tree or large shrub, 20-30ft. Girth 2-3ft.
pubescent on the young branches. Bark smooth, thin, greenish
grey, epidermis greybrown, peeling off in thin paper-like flakes
(K. RB. K.) Wood greyish brown, moderately hard, even-grained.
Leaves opposite, oblong to ovate, ona very short petiole 3-2in.,
usually acuminate or almost blunt, 3-5 or Gin. long, glabres-
cent above, adpressed pubescent beneath, lateral nerves 15-20.
N. 0. MYRTAOER. 553
pair, prominent parallel and very strong, with conspicuous
transversal veins and net venation between. [lowers rather
large, 14 in. across, solitary or by 2-3 or 4-2in. long, pubescent
peduncles, arising either solitary or rarely by 2-3 from the
axils the leaves ; ‘‘ fragrant,” says Kurz (Flora of Burma, Vol II,
477 ; not so in Bombay (K. R. K.) Bractlets under the Calyx 2,
subulate. Calyx-tube ovoid or globular, densely puberulous, the
lobes broadly ovate, acute, nearly as long as the adnate part;
petals broad, fully 4 in. diam. Fruit a large berry. The largest
fruit 1 have seen is from Allahabad (K. R. K.), 4in. in diam;
ordinarily of the size of an apple or pear, fleshy, many-seeded,
crowned by the Calyx-limb ; when fully ripe, yellow and glossy.
Pulp pinkish or white, edible, acid sweet.
Var. Pyriferum (P. pyriferum Linn). Peduncles 1-flowered ;
fruit pear-shaped. |
Var. 2 pomiferum (P. pomiferum, Linn): Peduncles usually
2-flowered, witha third flower in the fork; fruits globular or
ovoid.
Uses:—The bark of the root of Var. pyriferum is valued for
its astringent properties, and has been employed with success
in the diarrhcea of children. Itis generally administered in the
form of a decoction. The decoction serves a good deal in the
prolapsus ani of children. The young leaves are used as a
tonic in the diseases of the digestive functions. The bark of
the Var. Pomiferum possesses similar properties. The decoc-
tion of the leaves has been used in cholera with some success,
in arresting vomiting and diarrhoea (Pharm. Ind.).
The leaves when chewed are said to be a remedy in tooth
ache.
An oil from the leaves is of a lemon-yellow colour, and has
a faint aromatic odour; Sp. Gr. at 15° C, 0°9157; “p=—10°5’
(100mm.); ND,°=1'49638 ; acid value, 2:0; ester value, 6°4 ;
soluble in about 10 volumes of 90 per cent. alcohol.
[Schimmel’s Report, April 1910, p. 123).
The leaves have the percentage composition:—resin, 3°15,; fat, 5°99 ; volatile
oil, 0-865 ; chlorophyll, 0°395 ; tannin, 9°15 ; mineral salts, 3°95 ; cellulose, 77.
The citron-yollow aromatic resin dissolves easily in chloroform, ether, or
alcohol, melts at 189° and has the iodine number 115, acid number 89, and
70
554 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
saponification number 131. Akalis colour it yellowish-red, and strong sulphuric
acid produces a brown mass. The fat is yellowish green, has a pleasant
aromatic odour, and dissolves completely in chloroform, partially in ether or
alcohol; it melts at 235°, and has iodine number 199, acid number 95, and
saponification number 137.
The greenish-yellow volatile oil contains eugenol and dissolves in chloro-
form, ether, or alcohol ; it boils at 237° and has a sp. gr. 1°069. Sulphuric
acid colours it dark green, and bromine vapor orange-yellow. The tannin
forms a brown amorphous powder, soluble in water and alcohol, giving a
black precipitate with iron salts and reducing alkaline copper solution after
boiling with dilute sulphuric acid. Calcium and manganese are present in
the plant in combination with phosphoric, oxalic, and malic acids. (J, Ch.
S. 1905 AI. 192).
903. Hugenia jambos, Linn. u.¥.B.1., U 474,
Roxb. 401.
Vern. :-—Gulab-jaman (H.); Gulab-jamb (B.); Golapjam
(Uriya); Jamu (Sind.); Jamb (Deccan); Malle-nerale, pannerale
(Coorg); Pannerali (Kan.’.
Habitat :— East Indies.
A middle-sized tree. Wood brown, rather soft, with fairly
regular, wavy, concentric lines of loose texture Leaves thinly
coriaceous, oblong or elliptic-lanceolate, narrowed towards both
ends; blade 4-7in.,, petiole 4in., secondary nerves and intra-
marginal veins slender, but distinct. Flowers greenish-white,
2-din. across, in short terminal corymbs; composed of 2-4 pair
of opposite flowers, those of the uppermost pair often opening
first. Calyx-tube obconical, Zin. long; stamens 14in. long,
pedicel often as long as Calyx-tube. Fruit globose or pear-
shaped, 13-3in. long, yellow or pink; edible, having the faint
flavour of rose. :
Use:—In Bhamo, Upper Burma, the leaves are boiled and
used as a medicine for sore eyes (Watt).
004. Hh. operculata, Roxb. u.F.B.1., IL 498,
Roxb. 398.
Vern. :—Rai-jaman, piaman, jamawa, dugdugia, thuti (H.) ;
Topa (Kol.); Totonopak (Santal.); Boteejam (Chittagong).
Habitat :—Sub-Himalayan forests, from the Jumna_ to
Assam, Oudh and Gorakhpur forests ; Cachar and Chittagong.
N. O. MYRTACEA. 555
A large or moderate-sized evergreen tree. Leaves -turn-
ing red in the cold season. Bark, grey or light brown, rough,
with irregular hard scales, leaving cavities when they exfoliate.
Wood reddish grey, hard, rough (Gamble). Branchlets sub-
terete or 4-ginous. Leaves 3-8 by 2-4in., opposite, subcoriace-
ous, soft, dots often black (in the dried specimens), rarely
pellucid, broadly ovate or elliptic-rounded at the apex, or
obtusely acuminate, narrowed below ; lateral nerves 8-12 pair,
prominent beneath, gradually fainter towards the margin, curv-
ing into a faint intra-marginal vein. Petiole $-$in., or even Lin.
Flowers tetramerous, small, greenish, odorous, subsessile.
Cymes arranged in trichotomous lateral panicles below the
current year’s leaves, “mostly from scars of fallen leaves”’
(Duthie). Peduncles long, acutely-angled. Calyx campanulate,
with short obtuse lobes, or nearly truncate. Petals united and
falling off in one piece (operculum). Berry globose or ovoid,
4-31N., rugose, juicy, edible.
Part used :—The fruit, root, leaves and bark.
Use:—The fruit is eaten for rheumatism, the root, boiled
down to the consistence of gur, is applied to the joints by
rubbing ; the leaves are much used in dry fomentation ; the bark
is also employed medicinally (Revd. A. Campbell, in Watt’s
Dictionary).
205. EH. Jambolana, Lam. 4.F.B.1., u. 499,
Roxb. 398.
Syn. :—Sizygium Jambolanum, D, C.
Sans. :—Jamboo.
Vern. :—J4man, jam, jAmun (H.); Kalajam (B,); Chambu
(Garo); Jamu (Ass.); Naval, naga (Tam.); Nasodu, nairuri
(Tel.); Jambal (Bomb.); Jambira (Guz.)
Habitat :—Common throughout the plains of India.
A large evergreen tree, usually with a rather crooked stem
and many branches. Bark lin. thick, light grey, with large
patches of darker colour, smooth, with shallow depressions caused
by exfoliation. Wood reddish grey, rough, moderately hard,
darker near the centre, no distinct heartwood. Leaves, coriace-
ous, elliptic, or elliptic-lanceolate; blade 3-6in., petiole 4-lin.
556 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
long; secondary nerves numerous, slender, closely parallel.
Flowers whitish, scented, sessile, in compound dichotomous
cymes on the previous year’s wood, rarely axillary. Calyx-iube
turbinate, §-tin. long, base short, cylindrical, limb almost
truncate, segments very short. Petals united in a calyptra.
Stamens as long as the Calyx-tube. Fruit $-l4in. long, pink
while ripening, beautifully purple almost to black when fully
ripe, luscious, juicy, astringent to taste, but very agreeable
when eaten quite ripe.
Parts used :-—The bark, leaves, fruits and seeds.
Use:—The bark is astringent, and is used alone or in com-
bination with other medicines of its class, in the preparation
of astringent decoctions, gargles and washes. The fresh juice
of the bark is given with goat’s milk in the diarrhea of children.
The expressed juice of the leaves is used alone or in combin-
ation with other astringents in dysentery (Dutt).
The author of the Makhzan says that the fruit is useful as-
tringent in bilious diarrhcea, and makes a good gargle for sore
throat or lotion for ringworm of the head. The root and seeds
are useful astringents, also the leaves. He tells us that a kind
of wine is made from the fruit, and that the juice of the leaves
dissolves iron filings, or, as he expresses it, reduces them to so
light a condition that they float upon the surface of the liquid
asascum. This, when collected and washed, ae recommends
as a tonic and astringent (Dymock).
A vinegar, prepared from the juice of the ripe fruit, is_
an agreeable stomachic and carminative; it is also used as a
diuretic.
Recently the seeds have been used in diabetes.
The seeds of Eugenia Jambolana, Lam, contain neither alkaloid nor enezyme,
The aloholic extract when distilled in steam yielded a small amount ofa
pale yellow oil, with the following characteristics : sp gr. 0° 9258 at 20°/20°C.,
aND=2°51' in a 50m. tube. The portion of the alcoholic extract insoluble
in water contained the following substances: a mixture of fatty acids, a
small amount of a solid, melting at 78°-80°C. and anew phenolic substance,
styled Jambulol. This can be crystallised from pyridine, and forms brown
needles containing solvent of crystallisation, It has the composition, C,,
H,0,. The penta acetyl derivative forms pale-brown leaflets melting at
N. 0. MYRTACER. 557
about 335°C., whilst the pentabenzoyl derivative is colourless, and melts at
333°C, No substance of a glucosidic nature was found in the seeds.—J. Ch. I,
November 15, 1912, p. 1052.
The phenolic substance isolated from jambul seeds (this J. 1912, 1051)
which was named “ Jambulol,’’ and which has also been detected in Chinese
rhubarb (Chem. Soc. Trans. 1911, 99, 962 and Proc. 1912. 28. 96), and in Eu-
phorbia pilulifera (this J, 1913,505) has since been identified as ellagic
acid ©,,H,0, (O H.)4—A.S. J. Ch. I., August 30, 1913, p. 840.
906. Barringtonia racemosa, Blume, H4.F.B.1.,
11. 507. Roxb. 445.
Vern :—Ijjal (H.); Samudra-phal (B.); Nivar (Concan) :
Samudra (Cuddapah); Samutra-pullam (Tam.); Samudra-pao,
—Sam-stravadi (Mal.)
Habitat :—On the sea coasts, Concan.
A moderate-sized evergeen tree, attaining 50ft., glabrous.
Wood white, very soft, porous. It is a handsome tree, planted
on the road sides in Colombo, for ornament. It is found on the
west coast, from the Concan southwards near rivers and back
waters, also inland. Leaves lightly crenate-denticulate, cuneate-
oblong ovate or oblanceolate, 10 by 3in., narrowed into a very
short petiole g-zin. long. Racemes 12-18in., pendulous; flowers
cream-coloured, 23in. across, distant. Pedicels +4-+in. Calyx-
tube gin., ovate, closed in the bud, broadly funnel-shaped ;
segments 2-3, irregular. Filaments often crimson. Fruit
ovoid, 2-23in. long, obscurely quadrangular below when quite
ripe ; in ripening, attaining nearly its full length before one-
third ‘its full breadth. Exocarp very thick, fibrous.
Uses:—The root resembles Cinchona in medicinal virtues.
It has de-obstruent and cooling properties. ‘The fruit is effica-
cious in coughs, asthma and diarrhoea. The seeds are used
in colic and ophthalmia (Watt).
The kernels of the drupes with milk, given in jaundice and
other bilious diseases. ‘The seeds are aromatic; used also in
parturition (T. N. Mukerji).
The pulverised fruit is used as a snuff, and combined with
other remedies, 1s applied externally in diseases of the skin
(Treasury of Botany.)
558 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
507. B. acutangula, Gaertn. H.F.B.1., 11. 508;
Roxb. 440. | |
Habitat: —Very common, from the Himalaya throughout
India; no tree is more plentiful in the plains of Bengal.
Vern. :— Hijgal, samundar-phal, panniari, ingar (H.) ; Hijal,
samandar (B.); Kinjolo (Uriya) ; Hindol (Ass.) ; [jar (Monghyr) :
Hinjal (Santal) ; Saprung (Kol.) ; Batta, kurpa, kadamic (Tel.) ;
Hole kanva (Kan.); Ingar, ijal, samundar-phal, kana-pachethi
(Bomb.) ; Piwar, newar, tiwar, datte-phal (Mar.); Samudra phula
(Cutch) ; Niwar (Concan) ; Sjeria-samstravadi (Mal.)
A middle-sized, evergreen, glabrous tree. Bark 4in. thick,
dark-brown, rough. Wood white, shining, soft, even-grained.
Leaves obovate or oblanceolate, minutely denticulate; blade
2-5in-long, narrowed into petiole, ¢-4in. long. Flowers red, $in.
across, in long, slender, pendulous racemes 6-15din. long. Calyx-
segments rounded, ciliate. Ovary 2-celled. Fruit oblong, bluntly
quadragular, 14-14in. long, crowned by the persistent calyx lobes.
Uses.—The root is bitter and supposed to be similar to Cin-
chona in its properties. It is also held to be cooling and aperi-
ent. The seeds are very warm and dry, used as an aromatic in
colic and in parturition, also in ophthalmia (Watt). Consid-
ered by the natives of Bombay to be warm and stimulating and
emetic, often prescribed alone or in combination with other
medicines as an external application in colds. A few grains
often given as an emetic to children suffering from catarrh, and
seldom fail to induce vomiting (Dymock). The kernels pow-
dered and prepared with sago and butter are said to be used in
diarrhoea (Watt). The juice of the leaves is given in dirraheea.
The powdered seeds are used as snuff in headache (U. C. Dutt.)
The fruit rubbed in water is administered as an emetic (Lisboa).
508. Careya arborea, foxb., H.¥F.B.1.,- 1. 51],
Roxh., 447.
Sans.—Kumbhi.
Vern.—Kumbhi, vakamba, kumbh, (H. and Pb.); Kumbha,
kumbhasala, kembya, vakumbha (Mar.); Gummar (Gond.);
N. 0. MYRTACER. 559
Boktok (Lepcha) ; Dambel (Garo.); Paileepfita tammi (Tam.) ;
Kumbir (Santal); Asunda (Kol.); Budaé-durmi, buda darini;
dudippi(Tel.); Kaval (Kan.) ; Govuldu (Mysore). |
Habitat.—Throughout India, from the Himalaya to Travan-
core and Tenasserim.
A large, deciduous tree, turning red in the cold season.
Bark din. thick, dark-grey, with vertical and diagonal cracks,
exfoliating in narrow flakes ; linear substance reddish, fibrous.
Wood moderately hard ; sapwood whitish large ; heartwood dull
red, sometimes claret-coloured, very dark in old trees; even-
grained (Gamble). Leaves membranous, obovate, narrowed
into a short marginate petiole, crenate ; secondary nerves promi-
neut, 10-12 pair. Flowers 2-4in. across, sessile, with an un-
pleasant smell, each supported by 3 unequal bracts; a few
flowers clustered at the end of branchlets; petals white or
greenish white, 1-2in. long, filaments purple; ovules in 2 rows
in each cell. Fruit green, globose, fleshy, 2-3in. diam., crowned
by the persistent calyx-segments and the remains of the long
slender style:
Parts used.—The bark, flowers, juice and fruit.
Uses.—The bark is used as an astringent medicine by the
natives. “The bark is applied to the wound in snake-bite and
aninfusion of the same is given internally” (Rev. A. Camp-
bell, Manbhum).
The flowers are given in Sindh asa _ tonic after child-birth
(Murray.) In Bombay. the natives use the flowers as well as the
juice of fresh bark with honey as a demulcent in coughs and
colds (Dymock).
The fruit is also astringent and used as a decoction to pro-
mote digestion (S. Arjun, 55). It is also pickled by Banyas
of Gujrat.
‘A miner who was at work in some gold fields in Australia,
poisoned his hand, and a bad ulcer formed on the knuckle of
one of his fingers. Ordinary treatment having proved useless,
Dr. Armitt, F. L. S., tried, at the recommendation of a native,
some leaves of the Careya made into a pulp and used as a poul-
tice four times a day. In five days the ulcer had disappeared.
560 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
Having met with such success, Mr. Armitt subsequently tried
it on similar occasions and always with similar results.”—
Chrysty’s Commercial Plants and Drugs, No. 7, p. 44 (1884).
N. O. MELASTOMACEAH.
D909. Memecylon edule, Roxb. H.¥F.B.1., 1. 563,
Roxb. 325.
Vern. :—Limba (Mar.) ; Limba-toli (Kan.); Kashwa (Mal.) ;
Alli chettu (Tel.) ; Kayampoovoocheddi, Casari-cheddy, Casha-
marum (Tam.); Anjana, Yalki, Lokhande (Bomb.).
Habitat :—Eastern Peninsula and Ceylon; very common at
Mahabaleshwar and on the Ghauts, less so in S. Concan.
A shrub or small handsome tree. Bark thin, light-brown,
corky, narrowly-cleft ventrically. Wood light-brown, very hard,
close-grained. Leaves 14-34in., elliptic or ovate-acute at both
ends, hard, acuminate. Secondary nerves more or less obscure ;
petiole $-3in. Cymes pedunculate, rarely axillary, generally
above the scars of fallen leaves. Flowers brilliant blue, in a
compact cyme, medium-sized. Calyx-tube at the time of flowering
sauce-shaped ; limb truncate ; Calyx sometimes pink. Disk at the
apex of the ovary depressed, obscurely-rayed. Berry 4in. diam.,
black-purple, globose, or slightly ovoid, mouth about fin. wide.
Mr. C. B. Clarke mentions 12 varicties of this plant.
Mr. A. K. Nairne, in his “ Flowering Plants of Western India” writes :—
‘““ From the mode of growth the flowers look almost as if they were parasitical
on the tree. The colors blend in a lovely manner, and a poetical forest
officer aptly described them to me as forming ‘ globes of pink and blue and
Def)
white, like living opals’.
9)
Parts used :—The leaves and root.
Use :—The leaves are used as a cooling astringent; used in
conjunctivitis as a lotion; and, given internally in leucorrhea
and gonorrhoea, they should be bruised in a mortar and infused
in boiling water. Dr. Peters found them in use in Belgaum
as a remedy for gonorrhea of considerable reputation. In the
Conean, the bark, with equal proportion of cocoanut kernel,
ajwan seeds, yellow zedoary and black pepper, is powdered and
N. O. LYTHRACEA. 561
tied up in a cloth for fomentation or applied as a lep to bruises
(Dymock). The root in decoction is considered very beneficial
in excessive menstrual discharge (Drury).
N. O. LYTHRACEA.
D10. Ammania baccifera, Linn. H.F.B.1., 11. 569.
Syn. :—A., vesicatoria, Roxb. 143.
Vern. :—Dadmari; Jangali mehndee (H.); Dader-bootie
(Pb.); Kallar-vanchi (Mal.); Ban-marich; Aginbuti, Guren,
Bhara jambol (Bomb. and Dec.); Kallu rivi, Nirumel-neruppu
_ (Tam.); Agni vendra paku (Tel.).
Habitat :—Very common throughout Tropical India.
Annual glabrous herbs, growing in damp places; erect,
6-8in., sometimes 2ft. Lower leaves and branches usually
opposite ; cauline leaves 1-23in., usually narrow, but obtuse.
Opposite or alternate, elliptic, narrowed at the base.
Flowers in dense clusters forming knots on the stem or in
loose, but very short axillary cymes. Calyx-tube hemispherical;
teeth 4, broad, triangular, accessory folds or teeth small.
Petals usually 0 or small. Capsule globose, depressed, imper-
fectly circumsciss above the middle. Seeds black, sub-hemis-
pheric, excavated on the plane face (C. B. Clarke).
Use:—The leaves are exceedingly acrid; they are used
universally by the natives to raise blisters in rheumatic pains,
fevers, &c. The fresh leaves, bruised and applied to the part
intended to be blstered, perform their office in the course of
half-an-hour or a little more, and most effectually (Roxburgh).
The leaves are applied to cure herpetic eruptions (Fleming).
In the Concan, the juice is given with water to animals when
in heat, to extinguish sexual appetite. The plant, fresh or dried,
is administered in decoction with ginger and Cyperus root for
intermittent fevers, and its ashes are mixed with oil and applied
to herpetic eruptions (Dymock).
“ We made trials of this article in eight instances; blisters
were not produced in less than 12 hours in any, and in three
71
562 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
individuals not for 24 hours. The bruised leaves had been
removed from all after half-an-bour. The pain occasioned was
absolutely agonizing until the blister rose. We should not be
justified in recommending these leaves for further trial ; they
cause more pain than cantharides, and are far inferior to the
Plumbago (lal chitra) in celerity and certainty of action”
(O'Shaughnessy).
On the other hand, Dr. Dymock says that he has made
several experiments with an ethereal tincture of the leaves,
which leads him to form amuch more favourable opinion of
them. In several instances it blistered rapidly, effectually and
without causing more pain than the liquor epispasticus of the
Pharmacopeela.
“In a recent correspondence with the Government of India,
the Surgeon-General of Madras recommended that this plant
should be excluded from the revised edition of the Pharmaco-
peeia of India” (Watt).
The juice of the plant is given internally in spleen; but it
causes great pain, and the result is not certain (T. N. Mukerj}).
D11. A. senegalensis, Lamk. H.B.F.1., 1. 570.
Habitat :—Plains of the Punjab and of North-West Hindu-
stan.
An annual, glabrous, erect herb, growing in damp places,
6-24in. Branches sharply quadrangular, Cauline leaves 1-2in.,
opposite, elongate-oblong, sessile, sub-auriculate at the base.
Cymes peduncled, compound. Bracteoles on the cyme-branches,
minute, linear. Calyx campanulate, with 4 or 8 green lines,
becoming indistinct in fruit, teeth 4, broad-triangular. Petals
0, or caducous. Stamens 6 or 8, capsule zzin. diam., globose,
becoming ultimately red, much exceeding the Calyx-tube.
Seeds half-ellipsoid, excavated on the plane face.
Use :— Used as a blistering agent.
512. Woodfordia floribunda, Salisb. H.F.B.1.,
it, Oa
Syn. :-—Grislea tomentosa, Roxb. 317.
Sans. :—Dhataki.
N. 0. LYTHRACER. 563
Vern. :-—Dhaéi, Dhaula, Santha (H.); Dhaiphul (B.); Dhenti
(Oudh:; Dahiri (Nepal); Jatiko (Uriya); Dhaiti, Dhamatt,
Dhaoshi (Bomb.); Serinji (Tel.); Phulsatti (Mar.); Dhavadina
(Guz.).
Halitat :— Common throughout India.
A large shrub, with many long, spreading branches. Stem
more or less fluted, often with 1 or 2 concentric bands of cortical
tissue inside the wood. Bark smooth, peeling off in thin scales ;
young shoots and leaves with numerous black glands. Leaves op-
posite or sub-opposite, sometimes in whorls of 3, distichous, sub-
sessile, 2-4 by 1. 3in., lanceolate or ovate-lanceolate, usually acu-
minate, rounded or cordate at the base, entire, pale and gene-
rally grey pubescent beneath; lateral nerves 6-12 pairs, prom-
inent beneath and joined by intramarginal veins. Flowers
in short panicled, axillary cymes, rarely solitary. Calyx 4-Gin.
long, tubular, bright-red, curved oblique at the mouth ; teeth
6, short, with as many minute accessory lobes outside. Petals
6, white, acute, inserted in the sinuses of the Calyx-tube and
scarcely exceeding the Calyx-teeth. Stamens 12, much exserted,
declinate, inserted near the base of the Calyx; filaments red ;
anthers versatile. Ovary 2-celled, ovules many on axile
placentas. (The stamens and styles are of varying lengths,
the flowers thus becoming dimorphic or trimorphic.) Capsule
ellipsoid, included in the persistent Calyx-tube; seeds many,
brown, smooth. (Kanjilal).
Parts used :—The flowers and leaves.
Uses :—In Hindoo medicine the dried flowers are regarded
as stimulant and astringent, and are much used in bowel com-
plaints and hemorrhages. Two drams of the dried flowers
are given with curdled milk in dysentery, and with honey in
menorrhagia. ‘The powdered flowers are sprinkled over ulcers
for diminishing their discharge and promoting granulation
(UE.e; Dutt
“The dried flowers are astringent tonic in disorders of the
mucous membrances, hemorrhoids and in derangements of the
liver, also considered a safe stimulant in pregnancy. The
leaves are also officinal ” (Mukerji).
564 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
“The natives of Concan, in bilious sickness, fill the patients’
mouth with sesamum oil, and apply the juice of leaves to the
crown of the head. This is said to cause the oil in his mouth
to become yellow from absorption of bile; fresh oil is then given
repeatedly until it ceases to turn yellow ” (Dymock).
513. Lawsonia alba, Lamk. H.F.B.1., 11. 573.
Syn. :—L. inermis, Roawb, 325.
Sans. :—Sakachere.
Vern.:—Hena, Mehndi (H.); Marutonri, Aivanam (Tam.) ;
Goonutachettoo (Tel.); Mailanschi, Ponta-letsche (Malay); Iswan
(Belgaum); (Mar.) Mendi; Hena (Bombay).
Habitat :—Very common throughout India.
_A_ glabrous, erect shrub, with rounded branches, sometimes
spinescent. Leaves opposite #-l4 in. long, elliptic, acute at
both ends, on the tip obtuse, minutely petioled, entire, coriaceous.
Flowers tin. diam., sweet-scented, rose-coloured or white or
greenish white, in large corymbosely-branched terminal panicles.
Calyx-tube exceedingly short; lobes 4, jjin., ovate, permanent ;
petals 4, wrinkled. Stamens usually 8, inserted in pair between
the petals. Ovary free, 4-celled, ovules many, style long.
Capsule fin. diam., globular like a pea, ultimately 1-celled,
irregularly breaking up, seeds angular, on a central placenta.
Flower and fruit throughout the year.
Uses :—Arabic and Persian works describe the leaves as a
valuable external application in headache, combined with oil,
so as to form a paste, to which resin is sometimes added.
They are applied to the soles of the feet in small-pox, and
are supposed to prevent the eyes being affected by the disease.
They also have the reputation of promoting the healthy growth
of the hair and nails. The bark is given in jaundice and
enlargement of the spleen, also in calculous affections, and as
an alterative in leprosy and obstinate skin diseases ; in decoc-
tion it is applied to burns, scalds, etc. The seeds, with honey
and tragacanth, are described as cephalic. An infusion of the
flowers is said to cure headache, and to be a good application
to bruises (Dymock).
N. 0. LYTHRACER. 565
A decoction of the leaves is used as an astringent gargle in
relaxed sore throat. The fresh leaves are rubbed over the
soles of the feet in the disease known as burning of the feet ;
sometimes a paste made with vinegar is used for the same
purpose. Henne is used as an emollient poultice, and the
flowers are considered refrigerant. ‘The flowers are also used
as a soporific, being for this purpose placed in a pillow.
The oil and essence are rubbed over the body to keep the
body cool (Dr. Emerson).
The Tamil physicians of Southern India make an extract
from the flowering twigs and leaves much valued in the treat-
ment of lepra (leprosy) and other depraved habits of the body
(Ainslie). In the Concan, the leaf-juice mixed with water
and sugar is given asa remedy for spermatorrhcea, and with
milk in the condition known as “ hot and cold fits” (Dymock).
“At Apollonia (a city in Greece), I caught a severe rheu-
Se Me
matism in my feet. * * Amongst the many remedies which
IT applied Lawsonia inermis proved the most effective. Every
evening before going to bed I applied to the affected part the
pulverized herb, with as much water as was sufficient to
make a soft poultice. In the morning I washed it off, but
the place continued red; it is the same herb, indeed, with
which the fair sex in the East stain their hands and feet
(Honnigberger).
In that obscure affection termed “ Burning of the Feet,”
often met with in India, they are esteemed by the natives one
of their most valued local applications. Dr. Grierson (Cal-
enhia itied. Physs ‘LFrans., vol. in,p. 279) mentions’ an
obstinate case benefited by their use ; and the Editor, when in
Burmah, witnessed, in some cases, a great amount of tempo-
rary relief to the distressing sensation of burning from this
remedy, when numerous other means had previously failed.
The fresh leaves beaten up into a paste with vinegar, and
applied as a poultice to the soles of the feet, was the common
mode of application ; but some patients obtained greater relief
from using strong frictions with the bruised leaves over the
part. Like all other remedies, however, they not unfrequently
566 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
fail to afford more than temporary relief. (See Madras Quar-
terly Journ. of Med., vol. 1. p.. 300, 1860.) Cataplasms of
the bruised leaves, or fomentations with an infusion of the
leaves, are much employed as a local application to bruises,
sprains and other diseases. An extract prepared from the
leaves and flowers is given in leprosy (Dr. J. Newton).
Pharmacopeeia of India.
The seeds have been reported as oily, but an authentic sample from
Saharanpur examined in 1907 contained only 10-5 per cent., extracted by
ether. The iodine value of the oil was 121-6 and had the drying properties of
poppy seed oil. [Hooper in the Agricultural Ledger 1911-12 No. 5 p. 147.]
514.--Lagerstreemia F'los-Reginae, Retz., H.¥.B.1.,
iW. O17.
Vern. :—Arjuna, jaral (Hind.); Jarfl (Beng.); Gara saikre
(Kol.); Sekra (Santal) ; Ajhar, jarul (Assam) ; Bolashari (Garo.) ;
Taman, bondara (Bomb.); Bondara, mota-bondara {Concan) ;
Taman, tamana, mota bon, dara (Mar.); Kadali (T'am.) ; Chen-
nangi (Tel.); Challa, holedas4l, maruva (Kan.); Adamboe
(Malay.); yengma, kone-pyinina, pyinma (Burm.); Kamaung,
(Magh.); Murute, mfrtta-gass (Sing.),
Habitat:—A large, deciduous tree of Eastern Bengal,
Assam, Burma, and the West Coast, extending north to
Ratnagiri ; cultivated as far north as Lahore.
A large deciduous tree reaching 50-60ft., sometimes when
old having on its trunk and larger branches a few strong
straight spines, 1-3in. Bark smooth, grey to cream-coloured,
peeling off in irregular flakes. Wood shining, light-red, hard.
Leaves glabrous, 4-10in., from broad elliptic obtuse to long
lanceolate. Petiole +-4in. long. Panicles large, lower branches
often 6in., curved ascending flowers. scattered. Flowers
purplish lilac, 2-3in. across. Petiole distinct, usually in.
Calyx thick, green covered with hard white (sometimes ferru-
ginous) tomentum ; ribs 12-14, flat or round, not acute on the
back. Petals commonly lin. (sometimes more), margins erose-
undulate, hardly fimbriate. Calyx in fruit very much thickened,
finally woody, lobes triangular, spreading, stamens of equal
length. Apex of the ovary glabrous. [Fruit a Jarge capsule,
N. 0. LYTHRACER. 567
sometimes reaching l+in. by lin. ; the capsule is broadly ovoid,
the lower third enclosed in the persistent Calyx. Seed with
wing $-#in. long, pale brown. 3
Uses :—The root is prescribed as an astringent. “Its root,
bark, leaves, and flowers are used medicinally by the Natives ”
(Beddome). The Rev. J. Long, in an article on the Indigenous
Plants of Bengal, states that the seeds are narcotic, the bark
and leaves purgative (Jour. Agri-Hort. Soc. of Ind. (Old Series),
IX., 423). Dr. Thomson reports, that the fruit of the Pyenma
is used in the Andamans asa local applicaticn for aphthe of
the mouth (Jour. Agri-Hort. Soc. of Ind. (Old Series), XI., 446).
“The bark, of this and of L. indica, Linn., is considered sti-
mulant and febrifuge ’ (Surgeon-Major W. D. Stewart, Cuttack).
515. Sonneratia acida, Linn. H.F.B.1., 11. 579,
Roxb, 405.
Vern. :—Orcha, archaka (B.); Sundari guna (Uriya, ; Tivar
(Bomb.)
Habitat :—Forests of the Sind-Coast. Rather common in
Ceylon, in tidal Estuaries with the Man-groves. Also in
the Dekkan Peninsula, in the Concan Littoral, forests of
Bengal, Delta of the Indus, Sunderban, Burma, Siam, Java.
Coast, from Chittagong to Tenassarim, ascending the rivers
as far as the tides. Malay Peninsula and the Achipelago.
Brandis makes the following noteworthy observations:— This
and the other species of Sonneratia as well as a few other Man-
grove trees send up, from their widely spreading horizontal roots,
vertical branches, with soft pith-like wood which serve to
facilitate the interchange of gas between the atmosphere and
the roots buried in the mud of the tidal swamp.
A small tree, attaining 30ft. Root-branches frequent and
continuous. Wood light, soft, even-grained (Gamble). Twigs
quadrangular. Leaves nearly sessile, 24-3in., oblong-oval or
roundish, tapering to base, obtuse, sometimes apiculate at
apex, slightly fleshy. Flowers dark rose-red, large, 3in. long,
terminal, solitary, on very short thick pedicels, buds not ribbed,
blunt, but apiculate at apex; Calyx-tube, quite without ribs,
568 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
segments 6, lanceolate, acute, longer than tube; petals 6,
linear, about lin., rather longer than the Calyx-segments, per-
sistent ; stamens about 2in. erect; style considerably exceeding
stamens. Fruit broadly ovoid or sub-globular, supported on
enlarged calyx which forms a shallow cup, about 14 in.
wide, rounded and slightly depressed on top, with the persistent
tapering style-base, forming a point Lin. long in the centre.
Uses:—The fruit is used as a poultice in sprains and swel-
lings. The fermented juice of the fruit is said to be useful in
arresting hemorrhage.
516. Punica granatum, Linn. u.F.BI. 1. 58],
Roxb, 402.
Sans. :—Dadima.
Vern. :—Anar-ka-pér, dhalim, dharimb. Flowers :—Gulnar,
julvar, dérim pushp. Fruit: andr, daram, damu (H.); Dalim-
gachh. Flowers: gul-anar, unnum. Fruit: andr, dalim, darim,
darmi. Rind: anar-k4-chhilka. Seed : babul-kilkils (B.) ; Dalim
dalimba (Uriya); Dalim (Assam); Andr-k4-jar. Flower: gule-
nar. Fruit: anar (Dec.); Madala, michi. Tree, etc. Fruit : anar,
darim. Rind: nasput kushi-ala, post-anar (U. P.). Tree,
etc. Fruit: daru, daruni, dariun, danu, doan, jaman, daran,
anar. Flowers: gul andar, darim, pashk. Rind: naspal, chal-
anar. Seeds: anar-dana (Pb). Tree, etc. Fruit: anor, anar,
nargosh, ghar-nangci ‘Pushtu). Tree etc. Fruit: anar, dhalim,
dharimb, darhu. Bark: daru-jo-kul. Seeds: daru-bij. Rind:
khashi’ala-chodi (S.); Andra, dalimba (B.); Dalimba-jiada.
Fruit: dalimba (Mar.). Dadamnu-jhada. Flowers: gal-anar.
Fruit: daram, dadur, dadam (Guz.); Madalai, madalam,
mugilan. Flowers: pumadalai. Fruit: madalaip-pazham (Tam.) ;
Danimma, dadima, dalimba. Flowers: peurri-danimma. Fruit:
dadima-pandu, dalimba-pandu, danimma-pandu (Tel.) ; Dalimbe-
gida. Flowers: pushi-dulimbe. Fruit : dalimbe-kayi (Kan.)
Habitat :—Cultivated throughout India.
A large shrub or small tree. There are two varieties, one
bearing a male flower consisting of a mass of scarlet petals
which are abortive stamens, the filaments of which are a reversion
N. 0. LYTHRACER. 569
to petals ; with here and there an abortive anther or anthers ;
the second is the variety which bears hermaphrodite flowers
finally bearing fruit. Branchlets round, often spinescent.
“ Bark grey, thin, peeling off insmall flakes. Wood light-yellow,
with a small dark-coloured, irregular heartwood, hard, compact,
and close-grained ” (Gamble). Brandis says the tree is deci-
duous. Leaves opposite, often fascicled on arrested branches
commonly 1-3in. long by 4-2in. broad, narrower at both ends,
oblong-lanceolate or oblanceolate, obtuse, narrowed into a slender
petiole, intra-marginal nerve distinct or obscure. Hermaphrodite
flowers shortly pedicelled, axiliary, solitary or somewhat clus-
tered large orange red. Calyx-tube funnel-shaped, coriaceous,
adnate to the ovary below, enlarged above the ovary ; lobes
5-7 persistent on the fruit. Petals 4in., inserted in the mouth
of the Calyx-tube crumpled in bud. Stamens numerous, insert-
ed at different levels below the petals, anther-cells attached
to the edges of a broad connective. Style long, bent. Stigma
capitate. Carpels in several tiers on the inside of a hollow
receptacle, here called Calyx-tube. Ovules numerous, placentas
in some cells axile, in others parietal. Carpels coalesce early
and form a large globose indehiscent fruit crowned by the
persistent Calyx and containing under a coriaceous rind two
tiers of cells, 3in. the lower, 5-9in., the upper, tier. Seeds
numerous in each cell, and surrounded by red juice. Cotyledons
foliacious, spirally convolute.
“ An anomalous genus allied to Myrtacece through Psidium, and to Rosacece
through Cydonia.” (Duthie).
Uses :—Hindoo physicians use the fresh juice of the fruits
as an ingredient of cooling and refrigerant mixtures of some
medicines for dyspepsia. They also use the rind of the fruit
and the flowers, combined with aromatics, such as cloves,
cinnamon, coriander, pepper, etc., as a bowel astringent in
diarrhcea. ‘The seeds are considered to be stomachic, the
pulp cardiac and stomachic. No notice is to be found of the
medicinal use of the pomegranate root-bark in Sanskrit works
(U. C. Dutt).
The Arabs recommend the root-bark as being the most
astringent part of the plant, and a perfect specific in cases of
72 >
570 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
tapeworm ; it is given, in decoction, prepared with two ounces
of fresh bark, boiled in a pint-and-a-half of water till but
three-quarters of a pint remain; of this, when cold, a wine-
glassful may be drunk every half-hour, till the whole is taken.
This dose sometimes sickens the stomach a little, but
seldom fails to destroy the worm, which is soon after passed
(Dymock).
Pomegranate peel, combined with opium and an aromatic,
such as cloves, is a most useful ‘remedy in chronic dysentery
as well as in diarrhoea. A decoction of the bark followed by a
purgative, acts as an anthelmintic (Pharmacographia).
The root-bark aud rind of the fruit are officinal in the Indian
Pharmacopeeia.
There are two chief alkoloids, viz., Pelletierine and Isopelleticrine present
in the bark. These alkoloids are closely related, are liquids and volatile at
ordinary temperatures and are present to the extent of 0°'5— per cent. The
bark also contains 25 per cent of tannie acid.
N. O. ONAGRACEA.
517. Jussica suffruticosa, Linn. u.F.B.1., 1. 987.
Syn. :-—d. exaltata, Roxb. 371.
Vern. :-- Lal-bunlanga (B.); Neeroo-agheen-drapakao (Tel.) ;
Carambu (Mal.) ; Panalavanga (Bomb.); Petra da, dak ichak
(Santal). Parsati (Chutia Nagpur).
Habitat :—Throughout the greater part of India, except the
Western desert region.
A semi-shrubby perennial, erect, 2-4ft., sometimes 4-6it.,
much branching, woody below. Branches stiff, erect, cylindric,
striate, thickly clothed with short spreading hair. Leaves 2-4
by 2in., nearly sessile, varying from linear to broadly oval, but
usually lanceolate, entire, tapering to base, acute, hairy on both
sides. Lateral veins numerous, prominent beneath. Flowers
bright chrome-yellow, 14-13in. pedicels, shorter than Calyx-
tube, with two lanceolate bracts at summit. Calyx hairy;
tube quadrangular; segments four, ovate, alternate, acute,
larger than the tube. Petals 4,4-3in., wholly yellow, rotundate,
shortly-clawed, often emarginate, ninnately veined. Stamens
N. 0. SAMYDACER. BV el |
8, erect. Filaments very short; style very short ; stigma large,
quadrate-pyramidal. Capsule about lin., quadrangular truncate,
tapering down-wards, hairy, 8-ribbed, thin. Seeds minuate,
ovoid, brown, polished. Raphe prominent. :
Uses :—The plant reduced to a pulp and steeped in butter-
milk, is considered useful in dysentery ; a decoction is used as
a vermifuge and purgative (Ainslie).
In Jaspur, the root is boiled and the liquid is drunk for fever
(J. J. Wood’s Plants of Chutta Nagpur, p. 105).
518. Trapa bispinosa, Roxb: H.F.B.1., 1. 590,
— Roxb, 144.
Sans. :—Sringataka.
Vern.: --Singhara H.); Paniphal (B.); Parigadda (Tel.) ;
Karim pola (Mal.) ; Shingoda, Singodi (Guz.) ; Shingada (Mar.) ;
Shingari (Dec.) ; Shingara (Tam.)
Habitat :—Throughout India.
A floating herb much cultivated in fresh water tanks or
ponds for its delicious fruit. The roots are typically hairy, long,
fine and trailing. In the Roxburghian type, says C. B. Clarke,
floating leaves 2 by 24-3in., very villous beneath, posterior
margin entire, anterior lightly crenate; petiole 4-6in., woolly.
Fruit 1-]$in. long and broad, glabrous or hairy. but slightly ; two
opposite angles, each with an often retrorsely scabrous spine,
the other two angles obsolete.
Use :---The nuts are farinacious, and used as food ; considered
by natives cool and sweet, useful in bilious affections and
diarrhoea. The nuts are also used in the form of poultices
(Punjab Products). See K. R. Kirtikar’s paper in Vol. I
(Bombay N. H. Society).
N. O. SAMYDACEA#.
D19. Casearia graveolens, Dalz, H.F.B.1., 11. 592.
Vern :—Naro, nahraw, chila, pimpri (Bomb); Chilli, nara
or narha (Dehra Dun) ; Naro (Bijnor).
572 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
Habitat :—Garhwal and Kumaon; Sikkim; Deccan Penin-
sula, especially the Western side, common ; Burma.
A shrub or tree, 20ft, high; glabrous. Leaves 4-8 by
1-2in., broad elliptic, little acuminate, rounded or acute at the
base; petiole #in. Flowers numerous, green, with a disagreeable
odour, clustered in the axils of the leaves. Pedicels short, about
#in., jointed above the base, pubescent below the articulation.
Calyx lobes 5, sometimes pubescent. Petals none. Stamens 8,
alternating with scale-like staminodes. Fruit #in., oblong-
ellipsoid, 3-valved, glabrous, shining, 12 seeded.
This species is distinguished from C. esculenta by its less
entire, less thick, leaves, and the Calyx pubescent at its base.
Use :—The fruit is used for poisoning fish (Duthie).
- 520. . C. esculenta Hoxb =" UF. Ba. Te oe
ROxB2* of4
Vern. :—Kunda-jungura (Tel.); Kodnapragara (Tel.); Jiru
kaneli (Mal.) ; Mori, bokra (Bomb.).
Habitat :—Western coast from the Concan southwards,
and Hills of the Western Ghats. Common in the moist and
dry regions and heights of Ceylon.
A shrub or tree, with slender branchlets, bark yellowish-
white, smooth. Young parts glabrous. Wood moderately
hard, evengrained. Leaves 2-5in., from narrow lanceolate to
oval, tapering to base, shortly acuminate obtuse or sub-acute,
entire or faintly serrate in upper part, perfectly glabrous,
rather thick, petiole short, stipules persistent. Petals greenish,
stout, longer than Calyx and articulated at base, which is sur-
rounded by numerous very small bracts, few or many, ona
raised boss, in axils of past and present leaves. Calyx-segments
ovate, obtuse, persistent ; stamens 6 or usually 8 ; staminodes as
long as filaments, oblong, ciliate or hairy. Fruit broadly
ovoid or ellipsoid, $-%in. long, apiculate, glabrous or very
slightly pubescent, edible, orange-yellow, dehiscing by 3 (or 2),
thick valves. Seeds several, almost entirely covered by the
fleshy lacerate scarlet aril (Trimen).
Use :—The roots are purgative, and as such used by the
hill people (Roxb).
N. 0. SAMYDACER. 573
521. C.tomentosa, Roxb: H.F.B.1., 11. 593, Roxs,
at le |
Syn. :--~C. elliptica, Willd.
Vern. :—Chilla, chilara, bairi, bhari (H.) ; Maun (Manbhum) ;
Roré (Kol.) ; Chorcho (Santal.) ; Munkuru-kuri (Mal.;°; Girari
(Uriya); Thundri (Gond.) ; Khesa (Kurku.) ; Men, wasa, gam-
gudu (Tel.) ; Lainja, massei, karei (Mar.).
Habitat :—Common throughout India.
A small deciduous tree, attaining 25ft. Bark 4in. thick,
brittle, exfoliating in more or less square flakes. | Wood yel-
lowish-white, moderately hard, rough, close-grained (Gamble).
Branches spreading, all parts bitter. Branchlets tomentose or
nearly glabrous. Stipules sma Jl], soon falling off. Leave
obscurely serrate, elliptic-oblong, narrowed towards the apex
or lanceolate, sometimes entire, not acuminate, base acute or
rounded, 3-7 by 14-3in., tomentose beneath ; midrib and
petiole, when full grown, hairy ; petiole 4-4in. long, translucent
glands round or broad, elliptic. Flowers small, tomentose,
sin. long, densely clustered on scanty axillary tubercles, bisexual,
regular, green-yellow, shortly stalked. Calyx free, persistent, to-
mentose, 5-parted, lobes orbicular, concave. Petals O. Stamens
8, alternating with short ciliate staminodes; “Stamens 7-10
(sometimes 12, Benth.),” says C. B. Clarke; filaments free,
anthers 2-celled. Ovary superior, Il-celled; style very short,
stigma capitate; ovules numerous. Capsule more or less
succulent, ovoid, %in. long, 6-ribbed, opening by valves ;
seeds about 8 in each, valve ovoid, enveloped in a fleshy red
aril.
Use:—-The fruit is used to poison fish (Stewart). The
bark is bitter and used as an adulterant for Mallotus Phillip-
pinensis (kamela) powder. The bark is applied externally in
dropsy (Rev. Campbell, Santal.).
The leaves are used in medicated baths, and the pulp of
the fruit is a very useful diuretic (Lindley).
574 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
N. O. PASSIFLORA.
522. Carica Papaya, Linn: 4.F.B.1., U. 599.
Roxs. 736.
Eng :—The Papaw or Papaya Tree.
Vern:-—Pappiya, pepiya (B.); Papaya, papiya-amba,
popaiyah (H.) ; Arand-kharbuza, kharbuza (Pb.); Popdai (Duk.);
Papai, papaya (Mar., Cutch and Bomb.); Paputa, katha chibhado
(Sind); Papia, papdyi, kath, chibda, eranda kakdi (Guz.) ;
Pappayi, pappali (Tam.); Bappayi or boppayi, madana-anapakaya
(Tel.) ; Perangi, perinji (Kan.} ; Pappaya (Mal.).
Halitat :~-Cultivated in gardens throughout India.
Introduced from South America. A small, fast-growing
tree, usually unbranched, with milky juice. Bark thin, fleshy
within, papery outside. Wood soft, consisting of an outer ring
of fibrous wood bundles surrounding a large central mass of
cellular pith tissue. In the wood ring the bundles are wedge-
shaped, crossed ladder-like at intervals by bars in which the
rather small pores are found. Between the bundles comes the
rather indistinct soft medullary rays on the vertical outer
surface of the wood circle; the ends of the bundles form a dia-
mond, shaped network (Gamble). Leaves glabrous, palmatifid-
12-24in. across, on long hollow petioles, forming a round
tuft at the top of the stem. Stipules O. Male flowers pale-
yellow, fragrant, in long, drooping axillary panicles, generally
dicecious, but occasionally there are a few hermaphrodite flowers
ona male plant. Female flowers in short clusters. Calyx
small, 5-lobed. Corolla-male :—tubular, 5-lobed; Female:—of
5 tincar deciduous petals. Stamens 10, inserted in two rows
in the mouth of the Corolla. Ovary free, ovules numerous,
attached to 5-parieal Placentas. Fruit indehiscent, fleshy,
suleate. Seeds black, numerous, embedded in sweet pulp, the
testa consisting of an inner hard, and an outer soft, larger.
Embryo straight ; cotyledons flat, in oily albumen.
Uses :—Usea in cases of enlarged spleen. The juice esteem-
ed good for ringworm and also vermifuge (Lindley). The
seeds are also considered vermifuge (O'Shaughnessy).
N. 0. PASSIFLORE. 575
The anthelmintic properties of the milky juice of the
unripe fruit were first noticed in the 17th century by Hernandez ;
and the attention of the profession in India was called to it in
1810, by Dr. Fleming (Aszatic Researches, vol. xi.) who cites an
interesting passage from the writings of M. Charpentier
Cossigni in support of its alleged virtues. Further confirmatory
evidence has more recently been adduced by M. Bouton (Med.
Plants of Mauritius, 1857, p. 65), and it may justly be con-
cluded that the statements as to its efficacy as an anthelmintic
are founded on fact. The following mode of administration,
employed by the late Dr. Lemarchand, of the Mauritius (cited
by Bouton), it would be desirable to adopt in all future trials
with this remedy: ‘Take of fresh Papaw milk and honey, of
each a tablespoonful ; mix thoroughly, gradually add three or
four tablespoonfuls of boiling water : and when sufficiently cool
take the whole at a draught, following its administration two
hours subsequently by a dose of castor oil, to which a portion of
lime juice or vinegar may be added. ‘This may be repeated two
days successively if required. The above isa dose for an adult ;
half the quantity may be given to children between 7 and 10
years of age; and a third, or a teaspoonful, to children under
three years. If it cause griping, as it occasionally does, enemas
containing sugar have been found effectual in relieving it.
Taking the dose abovenamed as correct, the statement of Sir
W. O'Shaughnessy (Bengal Disp. p. 252), that he had adminis-
tered the milky juice as an anthelmintic, in doses of from 20
to 60-drops, without obvious effect, 1s fully explained. It is
principally effectual in the expulsion of lumbrici. On tenia it
is reported to have little effect. Anthelmintic virtues have also
been assigned to the seeds, which have a pungent taste, not
unlike that of mustard and cress, but the evidence of their
efficacy is very inconclusive. A belief in their powerfully em-
menagogue properties prevails amongst all classes of women
in Southern India ; so much so, that they assert that, if a preg-
nant woman partake of them, even in moderate quantities,
abortion will be the probable result. This popular belief is
noticed in many of the reports received from India. In them it
576 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
is also stated that the milky juice of the plant is applied locally
to the os uteri, with the view of inducing abortion. Facts in
support of the alleged emmenagogue properties of the papaw are
still wanting. It is not within the scope of this work to con-
sider the alleged power of the juice of the papaw to lessen the
cohesion of the muscular fibre, or, in homely language, to render
tough meat tender. The subject, which is discussed 2n extenso
by Sir W. J. Hooker (Bot. Mag. Nos. 2998 and 2999), Dr. Wight
(Illust., vol. ii., p. 84, et seg.) and Dr. John Davy (Edin. Med.
Phil. Mag., Oct., 1855) must still be regarded as sub-judice.
(Phe ind:): 7
Papaw leaves contain an alkaloid Carpaine, which has
been used as a heart tonic and febrifuge.
From Papaw juice is extracted Papain, which is a white,
or whitish, amorphous powder, possessing a solvent action on
animal proteids. A five per cent. solution of Papain is stated
to dissolve false membrane in diphtheria, and to be a good
application to warty epitheliomatous growths.
Injections of 4-2 grains and upwards have been success-
fully used in scirrus and other malignant tumours (B. M. J.
1906, Vol. I., ps 1439 et seg., also 1907, Vol. I. p. 135).
The leaves contain an alkaloid Carpaine,* which crystallises in anhydrous,
colourless, lustrous prisms melting at 121°, and resolidifies at about 90°; on
further heating, it undergoes partial decomposition, some subliming in
colourless needles. The alkaloid is extremely soluble in chloroform and
carbon bisulphide, more sparingly in light petroleum and alcohol, and in-
soluble in water; in alcoholic solution it is dextrorotatory, [a]Jp=+21°55°.
The base does not give a colour reaction with sulphuric acid either alone or
in presence of bromine water or vanadic anhydride; with potassium
chromate and sulphuric acid,a green coloration is produced, nitric acid
gives no reaction. The formula of the alkaloid, is C,, H,, NO,.
Carpaine does not react with benzoic chloride or acetic chloride, but,
on treatment with acetic anhydride, a compound is formed which has not
yet been investigated. Ammonia and an acid free from nitrogen are formed
by the oxidation of carpaine with sulphuric acid and potassium permanganate.
—J. Ch. S. LXIV. at I. 1893, pp. 740-741,
On methylation, carpaine yields methylcarpaine, crystallising from dilute
alcohol in small colourless prisms, melting at 71°, benzoylation of nitrosocar-
* The alkaloid is contained in leaf epidermis and to a lesser extent in the
underlying parenchyma, epidermis of leaf stalk.
N. O. PASSIFLORA. 51%
paine yields a colourless crystalline substance melting at 100°, and contain-
ing the nitroso-group unchanged; the alkaloid on oxidation with potassium
permanganate in acid solution, gives rise to a variety of compounds which
are still under investigation,—J. Ch. S, LX XII pt, I. (1897), p. 647,
Since methylearpaine, C,, H,, MeNO,, reacts with benzoic chloride, it
probably contains a hydroxyl group, A glucoside, carposide, has been
obtained from the leaves; this crystallises in colourless needles, and is
insoluble in ether, but soluble in alcohol, and in water. Its aqueous solution
reduces Fehling’s solution only after boiling with dilute sulphuric acid,—J.
Ch, S. LXXIV,, pt. I. (1898), p. 288,
Pure dried juice should give no reaction for starch with iodine, nor reduce
Fehling’s solution before or after hydrolysis.
“ A question of importance to be settled is the most serviceable form of com-
mercial papuim. And since prolonged moisture is deleterious, the juice should
be dried as soon as possible; but heat is said to destroy its activity, hence
it should be dried at a low temperature, A preparation of this kind is sold
in commerce under the name of ‘ Finkler’s Papain.’ The best method to prepare
papain is to collect the juice of the unripe fruit, mix it with twice its own
volume of rectified spirit, let the mixture stand for a few hours, and then filter
off the insoluble matter and dry in vacuo or over calcium chloride at the ordinary
temperature of the atmosphere. After being powdered it should be kept
in well-stoppered bottles ready for use. In view of a possible trade either in
India or in Europe, manufacturers are recommended to observe carefully the
precautions just enumerated. On account of caste difficulties, it might not
prove possible to introduce animal pepsin very largely into use in India, but
a good vegetable substitute might be of much value and find a ready sale.”
(Watt's Commercial Products of India.)
523. Modecca Palmata Lam. H.F¥.B.1., 11. 603.
Vern. :— Undal (Concan).
Habitat.— Western Peninsula.
A large perennial herb, becoming woody at base ; stems long,
thickened at nodes, cylindric, smooth, and shining, mottled
with purple and covered with a bloom, slightly branched.
Leaves large, 4-5in., broader than long, usually very deeply
palmately 5-lobed (rarely 3-lobed or undivided), very glabrous
and shining, especially beneath, lobes oval, narrowed at base,
shortly acuminate, acute, entire, veins conspicuous, vinous-red,
prominent beneath, where are often dots of red colour, and
between the bases of main veins 4 circular, flat, pellucid glands
as well as 2 large ones on the outer side of the lateral veins ;
73
578 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
petiole about 2in., stout, curved with 2 short, setaceous stipules
at base. Flowers rather large on short articulated pedicels in
two opposite cymes of three, on a long axillary peduncle which
is continued beyond them as a long simple tendril.. Calyx
Zin., truncate at fleshy base, broadly and squarely campanulate,
glabrous, segments triangular, acute, slightly spreading ; petals
small, distant, linear, inserted at base of Calyx-tube, rather
larger in male flower, more or less hairy ; disk wide, with 5
circular pits opposite segments with white cilia (Corona) on
their outerside, and a short blunt, erect process within each.
Male flowers :--stamens distinct, filaments very short, anthers
linear, ovary rudimentary. Female flowers :—-staminodes 5,
erect, immediately surrounding ovary, small, acute. Ovary
shortly stalked, globose, smooth, tapering into 3 long styles ;
stigmas much divided ; feathery. Fruit nearly 2in. on a stout
stalk, globose, apiculate, smooth, orange, splitting into 3 fleshy
valves. Seeds on long stalks, nearly 4in., mariculate and pitted,
black, each enclosed in large pulpy aril.
Flowers greenish-white, tinged with pink.
Use :--The root is said to be poisonous, and is used by the
Cinghalese as a medicine (‘Thwaites).
N. 0. CUCURBITACEA.
924. Trichosanthes palmata, foxb., . H.F.B.1.,
i. 600 ; ox. 695.
Sans. :—Mahakala.
Vern. :— Lal-indrayan (H.) ; M4kal (B.) ; Kaundal (Bomb.) ;
Koratti, Shavari-pazham (Tam.) ; Avvagtida-pandu (Tel.) ;
Avagude-hannu (Kan.).
Habitat :— Throughout the Eastern Tropics, from the Hima-
laya to Ceylon and Singapore.
Perennial herbs; stems long, woody below, wide climbing,
often 30ft., angular or irregularly rounded, slightly scabrous,
sometimes twisting spirally to a marked degree. Diccious.
N. O. CUCURBITACES. 579
Stems often as thick as a man’s arm, marked with paralle! rows
of irregular, small warts on either side of each fissure, noduled
and pointed, each joint $1-2 or 3in. distant; giving off leaves
on branches at joints only. Outer bark hght-grey or brown,
warts corky, peeling off easily in regular bits, often presenting
the appearance of crocodile stem. Mesophloém deep green.
Tendrils 3, or 2-fid, minutely spiral. Leaves 4-8in. long, 2-6in.
broad, 3-5 or even 7-lobed, palmate, membranous, bright green ;
lobes acute, more or less dentate-serrate, glabrous, often scab-
rous with | or 2 small glandular discs above and on the nerves
beneath ; base cordate ; nerves 3-5, petiole 1-2in. long, winding
or twisted, channelled, with several glands at apex, scabrous.
Stipules single, small, axillary. Flowers white ; delicate, in the
female, stout white in the male. Male flowers :—Racemes,
drooping 6-9 in., axillary longer than the leaves, solitary, few-
flowered. Peduncles sometimes paired, stout, 5-6in. long.
Flowers over 2in. nearly sessile, distant, each in the axil of
a very large broadly wedge-shaped, glabrous or pubescent,
lacerate persistent bract lin. or more long, often set with
broad flat glands. Calyx-segments ovate, tomentose, deeply
toothed or serrated, leafy, 1-14 in., bractlike petiole, rather longer
than the Calyx-segments, lin., wedge shaped, with many and
long filiform laciniz. Corolla 4in. diam., hypercrateriform, hav-
ing the appearance of a parasol, with its fimbriz hanging down
in beautiful tapers. Petals marked yellow at base, cuneate. Fila-
ments triadelphous. Anthers syngenzious, very anfractuous.
Female flowers solitary, smaller and more delicately fimbria-
ted than the male, axillary ; peduncle not so stout as in the male.
Calyx-teeth of the female flower less marked. Calyx-tube short.
Petals, according to some, nearly destitute of fimbriz. Corolla
altogether much smaller than that of the male. Fruit 2-4in.
diam., globose, smooth, of the size of an ordinary orange, with
a blunt nipple, brilliant scarlet, crimson ; pericarp thick ; pulp
greenish, seeds numerous, densely packed, each seed about 4-#in.
long, oblong, compressed, smooth, brownish-grey, obtuse-
margined, containing a sweet oily kernel.
Parts used :-—The fruit and root,
580 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
Uses :—The fruit pounded and well mixed with warm cocoa-
nut oi], forms a valuable application to sores under the ears and
nostrils ( Ainslie.)
The fruit is reckoned poisonous and, I am told, it is mixed
with rice and employed to destroy crows (Roxburgh).
The root is used as a cattle medicine in inflammation of the
lungs (Wight).
In Bombay, the fruit is smoked asa remedy for Asthma,
The root, with an equal portion of Colocynth root, is rubbed
into a paste and applied to carbuncles ; combined with equal
portions of the three myrobalans and turmeric, it affords an
infusion which is flavored with honey and given in gonorrhea
(Dymock).
_ The juice of the fruit or the root-barks, boiled with gingelly
oul, is used with good effect as a bath oil, for the relief of long-
standing or recurrent attacks of headache (Surgeon-Major
Thompson in Watt’s Dictionary).
920. T. eordata, Roxb; o.¥.3.1., 11.608: Roxb,
695.
Vern. :—Bhoc-koomra ; Bhfimi-kimara ; Bha-khtmba ;
Patol (B.).
Habitat :—From the base of the Eastern Himalaya in Sikkim
and Assam to Pegu. Frequent in the Khasia Terai and Cachar.
An extensive climber, with large tuberous roots and stout
branching stems; tendrills usually very stout, 3-fid. Leaves
6-8 in., entire or obscurely angular, broadly ovate-cordate,
acute or shortly acuminate, dentate-serrate, dark-green above,
and with short scattered hairs on both surfaces; petiole 2-4in.,
stout. Male racemes few-flowered; bracts large, elongate,
sheathing at the base, obovate, entire, pubescent. Calyx-tube
13in., lobes acuminate. denticulate. Fruit asin T. palmata.
(Duthie).
Parts used :—The root and flowers.
Use :—The large tuberous roots are used as a valuable tonic
and asa substitute for Oalumba (Roxburug). : In Patna, the
N. 0. CUCURBITACES. 581
dried flowers are believed to be stimulant, in doses of 2 to 5
grains (Irvine). In Dacca, the root, dried and -reduced to
powder, is given in doses of 10 grains in enlargements of the
spleen, liver and abdominal viscera. The fresh root, mixed
with oil, forms a common application for leprous ulcers
(Taylor’s Topography of Dacca).
526. T. dioica, Roxb. u.F.B.1., 11. 609 ; Roxb. 694.
Sans. :—Patola.
Vern. :—Parvar, palval (H.}; Patol (B.) ; Kombupudalai
Tam.) ; Kommu-potla (Tel.) ; Patolam (Mal).
Habitat :—Common throughout the plain of North India,
from the Punjab to Assam and East Bengal.
An annual; stems twining extensively, more or less woolly
and scabrous. Dicecious. Leaves 3 by 2in., cordate, oblong
acute, harsh sinuate-dentate, not lobed. Petiole scabrous, woolly,
8in.; tendrils 2-fid. Male peduncles paired, the second-flower-
ing, often 2in. ; male flowers not racemed, wolly without ; anthers
free. Calyx-tube 14in., narrow. Fruit 2-34in., oblong or
nearly spherical, acute, orange-red. Seeds 2-in., half ellipsoid,
compressed, corrugate on the margin. Roxburgh says stamens
three, distinct, which has been repeatedly verified in the living
plant (C. B. Clarke).
Use :-—In Hindoo medicine, the leaves are described as a good,
light and agreeable bitter tonic. The fresh juice of the unripe
fruit is often used as a cooling and laxative adjunct to some
alterative medicines. In bilious fever, a decoction of patola
leaves and coriander in equal parts, is given as a febrifuge and
laxative (Dutt).
An alcoholic extract of the unripe fruit is said to be a power-
ful and safe cathartic. According to Dr. K. L. Dey, “ the
bulbous part of the root is a hydragogue cathartic. The root
of this plant acts like elaterium, for which it can be substitut-
ed.” The old Hindoo physicians placed much confidence in
it in the treatment of leprosy. Dr. Bowser, from personal trials,
describes it as a febrifuge and tonic. (Ph. Ind.).
582 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS,
527. T. nervifolla, Linn. 4.F.B.1., 1. 609.
Vern. :—Parvar ; Palval (H).
Habitat :—Dekkan Peninsule, Western India, Quilon, and
Coorg, Tropical region, Ceylon.
A large perennial, herbaceous climber. Stems somewhat
woody below, flexible, thickened at nodes, much-branched.
Branches slender, striate, glabrous, tendrils bifid. Leaves
24-34in., ovate-lanceolate, cordate or rarely lobed at base,
very acute, mucronate, distantly denticulate, glabrous, dark-
green, paler beneath, with prominent reticulate venation.
Petiole $-lin. Flowers white; male flowers on short pedicels,
4-12in. pedunculate corymbose racemes; bract small, caducous.
Calyx-tube 2-14in., very narrow, influted above ; segments minute,
setaceous. Petals oblong, acuminate, with fimbriz much bran-
ched and very long at the end of petals, but shorter on the sides,
doubled inwards in the bud. Female flowers shortly stalked,
solitary. Calyx-tube nearly 2in., very much produced above
ovary; segments longer than in male flower. Fruit 1in.,
ovoid, shortly beaked, smooth, scarlet, pericarp thin; seeds
few, with very long stalks, ovoid, compressed, thickened
at margins, each enclosed in an envelope of scarlet pulp
(Trimen).
Use :—Medicinal properties similar to T. dioica, Roxb.
528. T. cucumerina, Linn. H.F.B.1., I. 609;
Roxs. 694.
Habtitat :—Throughout India.
Sans. :—Patol.
Vern. :—Jangli-chichonda (H.) ; Ban-chichinga, ban-patol
(B.); Jangli-padavala, Kadupadavala, pudoli, Ran-parval (Bomb.);
Plpoodel, Poodel, Kat-tup-pepudal, kadu-parval (Tam.) ; Adavi-
potla, Chaynd-potla (Tel.); Kaippam-patolam, Podavalam,
Pactavalam (Mal.).
Stem twining, more or less pubescent. Leaves cordate,
subreniform, 2-4 in. diam., pubescent or puberulous on both
surfaces, usually 5 lobed about half way down, lobes obtuse or
if acute not acuminate; petiole $in.; tendrils 2-fid. Male pe-
duncles in pairs, the earlier 1-flowered, the later raccemed ;
N. 0. CUCURBITACER. 583
occasionally in place of the earlier is found a female. Calyx-
tube lin. Fruit 1-3in. ovoid conical. Seeds 2-4in., corrugate,
half-ellipsoid, compressed, in red pulp. (C. B. Clarke).
Uses :—Mahomedan writers describe the plant as cardiacal,
tonic, alterative and antifebrile, and say that it is an useful
medicine for boils and intestinal worms. The author of the
Makhzan remarks that the Hindoos in obstinate cases of fever,
infuse 180 grains of the plant with an equal quantity of the
coriander, for a night, and in the morning add honey to it and
strain the liquor. This quantity makes 2 doses, one of which is
taken in the morning and one at night. In Bombay, the plant
has a reputation asa febrifuge ; itis given in decoction with
ginger, chiretta and honey. In the Concan, the leaf juice is
rubbed over the liver or even the whole body in remittent fevers
(Dymock).
The seeds are reputed good in disorder of the stomach on
the Malabar Coast. The unripe fruit is very bitter ; the tender
shoots and dried capsules are bitter and aperient ; they are
given in infusion. In decoction with sugar, they are given
to assist digestion. The seeds are antifebrile and anthel-
mintic. The juice of the leaves expressed is emetic and that
of the root, drunk in the quantity of 2oz. for a dose, is very
purgative. The stalk in decoction is expectorant (Drury).
D209 2 onguine han. Wn. i Ir OLO: Roxb.
69.
Sans. :—Chichinda.
Vern. :—Chachenda (H.); Chichinga (B.); Parula, Padavala
(Bomb.); Linga potla, Potla, Potla kaya (Tel.); Padavala kayf
(Kan.); Gélartori ; Pandol ; Chichinda (Pb.).
Habitat :—Cultivated throughout India.
An annual climber, much cultivated for its fruit, which is
used as a wholesome vegetable. Leaves cordate-sub-reniform,
more or less 5-(3-7-)lobed, 5-angular lobes, not acuminate,
pubescent or puberulous on both surfaces. Tendrils 3-fid. Male
flowers in a large peduncled raceme, with a small entire bract
at the base of pedicel ; female solitary, on a short peduncle, from
the same axils with the male. Fruit elongate cylindric,
584 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
sometimes contorted, 1-3 at times, 4ft. long by 1-l3in. broad.
Seeds corrugate, numerous.
“ Except in the fruit this ee altogether with T. cucumerina, of which
itis probably a cultivated form.’’ (C. B. Clarke).
Use:—The seeds are considered a cooling medicine cD. N.
Mukerji).
530. Lagenaria vulgaris, Servnge, H.F.B.1., IL.
6153.
Syn. :—Cucurbita lagenaria, Linn. Roxb. 700.
Sans. :—Alabu ; Katutumbi (bitter variety).
Vern.:—Kaddu, Lauki (H.) ; Harrea Kaddu (Dec). Lau (B.) ;
Shora-kai (Tam.); Bella-sehora (Mal.); Sora-kaya; Anapa-kai
(Tel.) ; Hunea-kuddoo (Dec.).
~The bitter variety known as:—Karwi-tumbi (H.); Tikta-
lau (B.); Kadwa-bhopla (Bomb.); Kadu-bhopali; Dudha-
bhopala (Mar._).
Habitat:—Cultivated throughout India.
A large, pubescent, climbing annual. Tendrils 2-fid.-— Leaves
often 6in. diam., softly pubescent on both surfaces, more or
less 5-angular or 5-lobed, ovate or orbicular, cordtate, dentate.
Petioles long, with 2 glands at its apex. Flowers large, white,
solitary, monccious or diocious. Male peduncle often 6in.
Female peduncle lin. Calyx-tube funnel-shaped, sub campanu-
late, teeth 5, narrow, $in., pubescent. Tetals 1-2in., 5, ovate ;
stamens 3, anthers connate, included, one l-eelled, two 2-
celled, cells conduplicate, rudiment of ovary O. Female Calyx
and Corolla as in the male. Ovary oblong, style short, with 3
bifid stigmatic lobes. Ovules many, horizontal. Fruit often
1ift. or more, usually bottle or dumb-bell shaped, thick
membranous, almost woody when old, indehiscent. Seeds
+ by 2 and tin., with an impressed groove parallel to and near
ie margin.
Uses :—-The seeds of this plant yield an oil which is used as
an application for headache. The flesh of the fruit is con-
sidered diuretic, refrigerant and antibilious. It is also some-
times made into a poultice ; when fresh, it is bitter and purgative,
N. 0. CUCURBITACEAR. 585
and is applied over the shaved head in delirium (Watt).
In the Punjab, the pulp is applied to the soles, in “ burning of
the feet.” |
The pulp of the bitter variety is powerfully emetic and
purgative. In Bombay it is used in native practice as a
purgative ; it is also applied externally as a poultice. (Dymock.)
A decoction of the leaves mixed with sugar is given in jaundice
(Drury).
D31. Luffa egyptica, Mill., u.F.B.1., 1. 614.
Syn. :—L. pentandra, Roxb. 698.
Vern, :—Ghia-turai, purul (H.); Dhundhul (B.); Nunibeerd
(Tel.); Bhol, bhatkerela, bhat-kakrel (Ass.); Palo (Nepal.);
‘Turi, lia-sada (Sind.); Dilpasand, teldoaka (C. P.); Ghosali,
parosa, parul, turi-gonsali (Bomb.) ; Turia (Guz.).
Halitat :— Very common throughout India ; often cultivated.
Extensively climbing, hairy, annual herbs; tendrils 2-3-fid.
Largely cultivated for its fruit, abundant in the rainy season in
the Concan. Leaves 4in. diam., reniform-orbicular, 5-angled
or somewhat 5-lobed, dentate, usually scabrous, punctate on
both surfaces, pubescent on the nerves beneath. Petioles 2in.
Male peduncles long, 6in.; male flowers often approximate
near the summit; pedicels short, each carrying a small ovate-
viscid entire bract, sometimes obsolete. Petals 5, 3-lin., yellow,
often with elevated, hairy, green veins. Stamens 5. Temale
flower solitary, peduncle 1-3in. Fruit elongate, 5-12in., often
much longer, clavate, smooth, 10-ribbed, or somewhat 10-angular.
Seeds 3 by nearly 4in., usually black, very narrowly winged,
smooth or very sparing, tubercled.
Use:—The seeds are said to be emetic and cathartic, Jike
those of L. acutangula. They yield an oil.
The oil is dark reddish-brown in colour, possesses a slight odour and is
semi-drying,
Lewkowitsch determined the following constants; Specific gravity at 15°,
0°9254 ; saponification value, 187°8 ; iodine value, 108°51 ; Reichert-Meissl value,
143; butyro-refractomer “ degrees,’ 62° at 40°; insoluble fatty acids and
unsaponificable, 94.8, Two samples examined in the Indian Museum were
dark greenish in colour, had acid values of 33 and 36°4, and the insoluble
fatty acids melted at 34° and 35°. (Agricultural Ledger, 1911-12 No. 5 p. 147).
74
586 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
Doc. L. acutangula, Roxb. 4.F.B.1., HW. 615;
Roxb. 698.
Sans. :—Jhingaka. 3
Vern. :—Turai (H.); Jhingé (B.); Peekunkai (Tam.j) ; Pee-
chenggah (Mal.); Beerkai (Tel.}; Janhi (Uriya); Paror jhinga
(Santal.); Ram-toroi (Nepal); Turi (Sind.) ; Dorka (C. P.);
Shirolé (Mar.); Turin, Guisoda (Guz.).
Habitat :—-North-West India; Sikkim ; Assam and Plains
of East Bengal.
Extensively climbing, hairy annuals ; tendrils 2-3-fid. Leaves
4in. diam., reniform-orbicular, 5-angled or somewhat 5-lobed,
dentate, usually scabrous, punctate on both surfaces, pubescent
in nerves beneath; petiole 2in. Male peduncles 6in., flowers
often approximate near the summit; pedicels short, each carrying
a small, entire, viscid bract, sometimes obsolete. Petals 5,
obovate, united ; stamens 3. Female flowers solitary ; peduncle
1-3in. Fruit 5-10 inches, often 2-ft. long, 10-angled, not
covered with spines or papile. Seeds numerous, close-packed,
scarcely tin. The flowers open in the afternoon.
Use:—The seeds possess purgative and emetic properties
and also yield an oil.
The pounded leaves are applied locally to splenitis, haemor-
rhoids and leprosy (Emerson). The juice of the fresh leaves is
dropped into the eyes of children in granular conjunctivitis,
also to prevent the lds adhering at night from excessive
meibomian secretion (P. Kinsley in Watt’s Dictionary).
553. L. acutangula, Var :—Amara, H.F.B,I., II.
615; Roxb 699.
Sans. :—Koshatak1.
Vern. :—Karvi-turai (H.); Ghoshalata, Kerula, Tetodhoon-
dhool (B.); Ran-turai; Kadu-sirola, Kadu-dokra (Bomb.); Sendu-
beer-kai (Tel.).
Habitat :— Nearly all India, especially the Western side.
Exceedingly near L. acutangula, but distinguished by the leaves a little
smaller and sometimes whitish. The typical L., amara has the leaves softly
pubescent at least while young, for they become in age scabrous (C. B.
Clarke).
N. 0. CUCURBITACES. 587
Uses :—Every part of this plant is remarkably bitter, the
fruit is violently cathartic and emetic. The juice of the roasted
young fruit is applied to the temples by the natives to cure
headache. The ripe seeds either in infusion or substance, are
used by them to vomit and to purge (Roxburgh), In Bombay,
the leaves are used as an external application to sores in cattle.
In dog-bite, the pulp of the fruit is given with water ; it causes
vomiting and purging. The juice is applied to different kinds
of bites, and the dried fruit is used as a snuff in jaundice. The
root with equal parts of Jasund root (Hibiscus rosa-linensis)
and Hemidesmus, is given with milk, cumin and sugar in
gonorrhea (Dymock).
In the Indian Pharmacopceia, it is described as a bitter tonic
and diuretic, and is recommended in splenic enlargements.
The kernel of the seeds forms the only vegetable emetic in
India which is equal to Ipecacuanha, in the same quantity. In
smaller doses, it is expectorant and also demulcent, owing to
its containing albumen and oil. It has a great control over
dysentery. I have used this drug and also Ipecacuanha, separ-
ately, in several cases, in the same manner and doses, and
found it to be at least quite equal to the latter. The dose of
the kernel as an emetic is from 20 to 30 grains, as a nauseant,
from 11 to 15 grains, and as demulcent and expectorant, from
0 to1l0 grains. When the kernel is rubbed and mixed with
water, it forms a greenish white emulsion, which is the only
form in which I have yet used it. (Moodeen Sheriff).
The seeds are small (17 weigh one gram,), black, irregularly pitted and
two-lobed at the base. On extraction with ether the seeds yielded 20 per
cent. of a light green oil. The expressed oil is yellowish-white in colour and
solidifies at the ordinary tempearature in England (50° Fah,, 15-50° C.).
Physical and chemical characteristics....Fat: Specific gravity at 100°,
0°9363 ; acid value, 93°7,; saponification value, 229°2; Reichert-Meissl value,
13°1; titration number of insoluble volatile acids, ;; KOH 0°83 ; iodine value,
40°12; unsaponifiable, 1:09; butyro-refractometer at 25°, 73°. Fatty acids
(insoluble) : per cent. 82°3; melting point, 44°L; iodine value, 41.9; neutra-
lisation value, 215; mean molecular weight, 260°9. (A. K, Menon, 1910.)
034. L. echinata, Roxb. u.F.B.1., 11.615; Roxb. 699.
Vern. :—Kukar-wel (Bomb.); Jung-thoree (Sind.) ; the seeds :
Wa-upla-bij (Guz.); Deodagri (Mar.).
Habitat :—Guzerat ; Sind ; Bengal ; Bombay.
588 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
An annual, climbing not extensively, sparingly scabrous
pilose, tendrils 2-fid. Leaves 1-2in. diam., cordate reniform,
orbicular, entire or obscurely 5-angular or 5-lobed, or cut almost
to the base into 5 narrow sinuate-pinnatifid segments, dentate ;
petiole 1-2in. Male peduncles normally paired, one l-flowered,
the other racemed very long, 6-in. or more, pedicel lin.
Flowers small, white, without bracts. Filaments 3, 2 with
2-celled anthers. Peduncle of the solitary female very short.
Fruit 14 by gin., ellipsoid densely covered with bristles; ribs
not visible; spines #in., ciliate ; stopple without spines, Calyx-
teeth persistent. Seeds $in., many slightly scabrous.
Uses :—In the Concan, a few grains of the bitter fibrous con-
tents of the fruit are given in infusion for snake-bite and in
cholera after each stool ; in putrid fevers, the infusion is applied
to the whole body, and in jaundice it is applied to the head
and also given internally ; the infusion has also a reputation as
a remedy for colic (Dymock).
The fruit is considered in North India as a powerful remedy
for dropsy (O’Shaughnessy). The fruit has purgative pro-
perties (S. Arjun).
535. Benicassa cerifera, Savi., H.F.B.1., 1. 616.
Syn. :—-Cucurbita Pepo, Roxb. 700
Eng :—The white melon.
Sans. :—Kashm4nda, Késh-pandaha.
Vern- :—Petha, gol-kaddaé (Pb.); Kumra, chalkumra (B.) ;
Gol-kadda, kudimah, kénhdé, kumrh4, pétha, phathia (H.);
Kumbra, bhunja (Kumaon) ; Kohala, Dangar, Bhopala (Mar.);
Kfshmand, kohula (Cutch); Bhfru-kolu, koholu (Guz.) ;
Kohala, koholen, gdlkada, Pandri chicki (Bom.); Gol-kuddu
(Sind.) ; Kaliydna-pashinik-kay (Tam.); Burda-giamada, bidide
gummadi, pendli-gummadi-kaya (Tel.); Kumpalanna; Kumpa-
lam (Mal.) ; Baide-kumbala-kayi (Kan).
Habitat :—Cultivated throughout India.
A large annual climber, softly hairy, tendrils 2-fid. Leaves
4-6in. diam., cordate, reniform orbicular, more or less 5-lobed.
N. 0. CUCURBITACER. 589
Petiole without glands, 3-4in. Flowers large, yellow, monecious,
all solitary ; without bracts. Male flowers :-—Peduncle 3-4in.
Calyx-tube campanulate, lobes 5, when young often narrow ;
leaflike, scarcely serrate. Corolla of 5 petals nearly separate;
stamens 3, inserted near the mouth of the tube, anthers exsert,
free, one l-celled, two 2-celled, cells sigmoid. Female flowers :—
peduncle 1-2in., Calyx and Corolla as in the male; ovary
oblong, densely hairy; style thick, with 3 flexuous stigmas ;
ovules numerous, horizontal, placentas 3. Fruit green,
1-14ft., often 2ft. by $ft., cylindric, fleshy, oblong, pubescent,
indehiscent,. without ribs, ultimately covered witha white
waxy bloom. Seeds many, oblong, compressed, margined, 4
by gin.
Uses :—The fruit possesses alterative and styptic properties,
and is popularly known asa valuable antimercurial. It is also
said to have cooling properties. It is considered tonic, nutritive
and diuretic, and a specific for hemoptysis and other hemorrh-
ages from internal organs. The fresh juice from the fruit given
internally, while a slice of the fruit is at the same time applied
to the temples, is said to be an efficacious cure for internal
hemorrhage. According to the Sanskrit authors, it is useful
in insanity, epilepsy, and other nervous diseases; the fresh
juice is given either with sugar or as an adjunct to other
medicines for these diseases (U. C. Dutt).
Is used extensively as a preserve by natives.
‘“The seeds possess anthelmintic properties, and are useful
in cases of tenia. The expressed oil of the seeds, in doses of
half an ounce, repeated once or twice at an interval of two
hours, and followed by an aperient, is said to be equally effica-
cious. May be used as a substitute for male fern” (Official
Correspondence from Bombay Committee regarding the revision
of Indian Pharmacopceia. )
“The fresh juice is often used as a vehicle to administer
pearl shell for the cure of phthisis in the first stage” (Asst.-
Surgn, Sakhéram Arjun, Bombay). “This is so universally
believed to be useful in pulmonary consumption that some
590 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
trials should be made in order to discover whether it has any
effect on Koch’s bacillus tuberculosis. I have seen it produce
a decided effect in arresting pulmonary tuberculosis.” (Surgn.
K. D. Ghose, u.p., Khulna.)
The preserve is given in piles and in dyspepsia, as an
antibilious food (Surgn. Moir, Meerut). “ The expressed juice
of the mature fruit possesses purgative and alterative proper-
ties. It is used in cases where the system has been affected by
mercury” (Brigade-Surgn. Thornton, Monghyr).
The preserve of the fruit is easily digestible and a highly
nutritious food in wasting diseases, as consumption (Surgn.-
Maj. R. L. Dutt, Pubna). ‘ Much used in diabetes with success-
ful results” (Surgn. E. W. Savinge, Rajamundry, Godaveri
District). Watt's Dictionary.
The seeds yield a mild, pale oil.
536. Momordica Charantia Linn, H.F.B.1., I.
616; Roxb. 696.
Sans. :— Karavella ; Sushavi.
Vern. :—Karela \H.); Karala (B.); Karla (Bomb.) ; Pava-_
kai, Pavakka-chedi (Tam.); Kakarachettu (Tel); Pandipasel
(Mal. )
[N.B.—There are two chief varieties differing in the form
of the fruit, the one being longer and more oblong, and the
other smaller, more ovate, muricated and tubercled. These
varieties are known in Bengali as Karalé and Uchhya.]
Halitat :—Cultivated throughout India.
A climbing annual herb, with simple tendrils. Leaves 1-3in.
diam., orbicular, glabrous or slightly pubescent, cut nearly
to the base into 5-7 narrow sinuate or sub-pinnati-fid lobes.
Male peduncles 1-flowered, orbicular entire. Flowers monceions.
Calyx-lobes ovate, acute. Petals #-%in., yellow. Female
peduncle 2-4in., slender, bracteate near the base; ovary fusi-
form, muricate. Fruit 1-3in., rostrate, ovate, narrowed at both
ends, many-ribbed, covered with triangular tubercles. Seeds $in.,
N. 0. CUCURBITACER, 591
compressed, corrugate on the margin, somewhat sculptured
(Clarke).
Uses:—The author of the Makhzan describes the fruit as
tonic and. stomachic, and says that itis useful in rheumatism
and gout, and in diseases of the spleen and liver; he also
mentions its anthelmintic properties. In the Concan, § of the
seer of the juice of the leaves is given in bilious affections, as
an emetic and purgative, alone or combined with aromatics;
the juice is rubbed in burning of the soles of the feet, and with
black pepper is rubbed round the orbit, asa cure for night
blindness (Dymock).
It is used internally as a laxative, and as an ointment for
sores. The fruit and leaves are anthelmintic; useful in piles,
leprosy, jaundice and asa vermifuge. The root is considered
astringent and useful in hemorrhoids. The juice of the fresh
leaves acts as a mild purgative, and is prescribed for children.
The Uchhya (M. Muricata) in infusion is said to act as a febri-
fuge (Watt.)
Used with cinnamon, long pepper, rice and the oil of Hydno-
carpus Wightiana, as an external application in scabies and
other cutaneous diseases (Watt).
The expressed juice with chalk is used in apthe, aud also
an emmenagogue in dysmenorrhea. It is applied externally
to the scalp in pustular eruptions (Surgeon.-Major Thomson, in
Watt’s Dictionary).
Commonly prescribed as an anthelmintic, and as a purgative
for children (Dr. McConaghey, in Watt’s Dictionary).
‘rl
Hie ws boaltamimna, Linn. &.e.B1., t1., O17.
Vern.—Kurelo-jangro (Sind.) ; Mokha (C.P.).
Habitat.— Panjab ; North-West India ; Sindh.
Botanically, it resembles M. dioica. Fruit 1-3in. long,
-rostrate, orange-red.
Use.—The fruit is occasionally used in native practice
(Atkinson).
The fruit is famous in Syria for curing wounds. It is cut
open, infused in sweet oil, and exposed to the sun for some
days, until it becomes red, and then it is preserved for use;
592 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
dropped on cotton, and applied to a fresh wound, it is consi-
dered as a vulnerary, little inferior to the balsam of Mecca
(Ainslie),
538: M. dioica, Roxb 4.8.8.1., 11.” G17 > Rome
696.
Vern.:—Dhar karela; Kirara (Pb.); Karantoli (Bomb.)
Pallopaghel-kalung (Tam.); Agakara (Tel.) ; Erimapasel (Mal.) ;
Ghosal-phul (U. P.). |
Habitat :—Throughout India: cultivated in Bengal; com-
mon in low country, Ceylon. Lower Bengal, form of fruit large
succulent. Dekkan: fruit smaller. Fruit from the Panjab,
smaller and said to be bitter.
Perennial climbing herbs, with tuberous roots. Tendrils
simple. Stems somewhat compressed and 2-edged, striate,
glabrous and shining ; leaves variable, 2-4in., broadly ovate
in outline, very cordate at base, acute, more or less deeply cut,
into 3 or 5 lobes, distantly dentate or denticulate, thin, quite
glabrous and shining on both sides, minutely punctate beneath ;
petiole 1-l4in., pubescent, chanelled above. Flowers dioecious, ©
solitary, peduncle about 2in., slender, glabrous, or finely pubes-
cent ; in the male, with a large hooded bract a little below the
flower and enclosing it; in the female, with a minute bract
below the middle. Calyx-segments distant, linear; petals
t-lin., lanceolate, acuminate, slightly pubescent. Female flower :
ovary densely covered with long soft papille, stigmas bifid, with
erect torus. Fruit about 2in. long, oblong-ovoid, beaked,
glabrous, evenly covered with equal-pointed papille. Seeds
1_lin., broadly oblong, compressed, rarely smooth ; pulpy
covering red, Fruit by some said to be bitter ; that of cultivated
plants edible, not bitter, or slightly so, if at all, used as vege-
table. Flower pale, lemon-yellow.
Use.—The plant mixed with cocoanut, pepper, red sandal,
and other ingredients, applied in the form of liniment, relieves
headache. (Rheede.)
The mucilaginous tasted root is used by the Hindus to stop
bleeding from piles, and also in bowel complaints (Ainslie).
N. O. GUCURBITACEZ. ; 593
In the Concan, the juice of the root is a domestic remedy
for the inflamation caused by contact with the urine of the
house-lizard (Pal) (Dymock).
The powder or infusion of the dried fruits, when introduced
into the nostrils, produces a powerful errhine effect and provokes
a copious discharge from the schneiderian mucous membrane
(Agra Exhibition).
The tuberous root of the female plant is used in Belgaum
as an expectorant, and externally in ague cases as an absorbent.
The root of the male creeper is used in ulcers, especially those
caused by snake-bites. The unripe fruit is used as a vegetable
and given as a delicacy to patients recovering from fever. (Dr.
Peters, in Watt’s Dictionary).
539. M. cochinchinensis, Spreng., H.F.B.1., 11. 618.
Sanskrit :—Karkataka.
Vern. :—Kakrol (H. and B.}. 3
Habitat : —Bengal to Tenasserim ; Deccan Peninsula ; Canara.
An annual climber, with simple tendrils, dicecious. Leaves,
4-5in. diam. ; cordate, ovate, usually 3-lobed, glabrous or a little
pubescent, often punctate beneath, little dentate ; petiole 2-3in.,
almost invariably glandular at its middle as well as apex. Bract
near the top of the male peduncle. Male peduncle 2-6in., bract
often pubescent, embracing the expanded flower. Petals 1-2in.,
tinged with yellow, 3 with black spots at the base, 2 with yellow
glands ; the two 2-anthered filaments not 2-fid. Female pedun-
cles l-2in., bract small, about the middle. Fruit 4-din., ovate,
pointed, muricate, conical points fin. high, bright red, very
fleshy, without ribs. Seeds = by 3 and #in. thick, many, hori-
zontal, irregular, ovate, compressed, black, corrugated on the
margins, sculptured on the faces (C. B. Clarke).
Uses:—The seeds, after the shells have been removed, are
fried and eaten, either alone or with other food (Makhzan).
They are considered to be good for cough and pains in the
chest. Powdered, they form one of the ingredients of the hot
stuff known as jhdl in Bengal, which, mixed with melted
butter, 1s given to women immediately after parturition, and
daily for a few days afterwards. Jhal is believed to act as a
75
594 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
stimulant destroying the excess of phlegmatic humours, which
are supposed to be produced in the body after delivery.
A plaster made with the roots is said to promote the_
growth of the hair, and prevent its falling off. The plant is
called in Sanskrit Karkataka. from the resemblance of the
seeds to the shell of acrab. This plant is the Muricia cochin-
chinensis of Loureiro, who says that the berries are used for
colonring food, and that the seeds and leaves are aperient and
abstergent and useful in hepatic and splenic obstructions, in
unhealthy ulcerations, lumbago; and, externally, in prucidentia
uteri-et-ani, fractures, and luxation of the bones (Pharmaco-
graphia Indica, Vol. II. p. 77).
540. M. Cymbalaria, Fenzl. 4.F.B.1., 11. 618.
Syn. :—Luffa tuberosa, Roxb. 699.
V ern. :—-Kadavanchi (Mar.).
Habitat :—Deccan Peninsula ; Mysore and Concan.
A monececious climber, leaves 1-2in. broad, reniform-
orbicular, 5 angular or slightly 5 lobed, middle lobe not elong--
ated, glabrous or slightly pubescent, often punctate on both
surfaces, dentate; petiole $-lfin. Flowers small, males few
on one raceme with inconspicuous bracts. Male raceme 1-2in.,
with usually only 2-4 flowers; calyx-lobes laceolate ; petals i4in.,
yellow ; filaments 2, one 2-fid, one 3-fid, so each with one anther-
cell ; filaments inserted near the top of the calyx-tube, anthers
completely exsert. Female peduncle 3-2in., 1-flowered, ebracte-
ate. Fruit = by scarcely tin. Seeds 4-4in., few, shortly obovoid,
smooth, shining. (C. B. Clarke).
Use :--Dr. Lyon, the Chemical Analyser to the Government
of Bombay, informs me that on reference to the records of his
office, he finds that the kadavanchi tubers have been three times
sent to him, within the last four years, as having been used to
procure abortion (Dymock).
D041. Cucumis trigonus, Roxb, H.F.B.1., 1. 619;
Roxb. 700.
Vern. :—Bislémbi, Bislambhi, Jangli-indraéyan (H.); Kattut-
tumatti (Tam.) ; Adavi-puch-cha (Tel.). Karit (Bomb.).
=
N. 0. CUCURBITACER. 595
Habitat :—Throughout India.
A climbling, annual, scabrid herb. Root perennial. Leaves
5-lobed, lobes rounded, repandly and sharply toothed; male
flowers crowded ; female solitary. Fruit oval, rounded at both
ends, obsoletely 3-angled, 10-striated, glabrous, about 14in. long
and liin. thick. Lobes of the leaves very broadly obovate
and almost touching each other at their broadest part ; veins
rounded.
The fruit is collected in many places and sold in the
bazars asa drug, and very probably as an adulterant for the
true colocynth (Duthie).
Use:—Supposed to possess purgative properties of Colo-
cynth (Watt).
It contains a principle identical with or closely related to colocynthin.
Var :—Pubescens.
Vern. :—-Takmaki (Bomb.).
Use :—The seeds are considered cooling, and are applied to
Herpes, after they have been beaten into a paste with the juice
of the Durva (Cynodon dactylon) (Dymock).
It is considered cool and astringent ; it creates appetite and
removes bilious disorders (Baden-Powell).
Var. :--C. pseudo-colocynthis, Royle.
This is a synonym for Cucumis trigonus, Roxb., as cited by
C. B. Clarke, H. F.B.1., Vol mu, p. 619. This is described by
Royle in his Illustrations of the Himalayan plants.
Vern. :--Indrayan ; Bislumbhi (North India) ; Karit (Bomb.) ;
Hattut-tumatti (Tam.) ; Adavi-puch-cha (Tel.).
Habitat :—Met with throughout the Deccan and Sind to
Baluchistan, Kashmir and Afghanistan.
Use :—Pulp of the fruit is very bitter and similar in quality
to colocynth, for which it is substituted (O’Shaughnessy).
Supposed to possess the purgative properties of officinal colo-
cynth. Dr. Gibson, however, expresses a doubt as to the cor-
rectness of this opinion. Experiments are required to determine
the point. According to the report of Dr. J. Newton, a decoc-
tion of the roots of these plants is used as a purgative; it is
596 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
stated to be milder in its operation than the pulp of the —
and to cause less irritation (Ph. Ind., p. 96).
542. C. Melo, Linn. H.F.B.1., 11. 620; Roxb. 700.
Vern. :—Kharbtizé (H.) ; Kharmuj (B.); Vellari-Verai (Tam. );
Mulam-pandu (Tel.) ; Dungra (C. P.); Chibunda (Mar.); Gidhro
(Sind.); Zaghun (Ladak) ; Sarda or Sirda paliz (Pushtu) ; Re-mo
(Naga.).
Habitat :—Cultivated throughout India.
Annualherb. Stems prostrate, scabrous. Leaves rounded,
angled; male flowers, with the Calyx-tube slightly ventricose
at the base and dilated at the apex: stamens included,
anthers shorter than the connective. Bisexual flowers with the
anthers as the male; stigmas 3-4, shortly 2-lobed. Fruit ovate
or somewhat globose, 8-12-furrowed, fleshy, indehiscent or irre-
gularly bursting. Seeds ovate, compressed, not margined,
acute at hilum.
Uses :—The seeds are supposed to be a cooling medicine.
They are edible, nutritive and diuretic, and used in painful
discharge and suppression of urine.
The fruit is considered cool and astringent, and is given in
cases of dyspepsia. The oil from the seeds is said to be very
nourishing. :
Not only the seeds, but the pulp of the fruit, is a powerful
- diuretic, very beneficial in chronic, and also in acute, eczema.
I can, from personal experience, recommend those subject to
chronic eczema to eat a whole fruit daily when procurable
(Surgeon-Major Shircore, in Watt’s Dictionary).
The root of the melon is said by Dr. Heberger to possess
emetic and purgative properties, and Dr. Torosicviez has
obtained from the roots a crude emetic principle by treating
ate als
Se eee
the aqueous extract with alcohol. * * From experiments made
with this substance in the military hospital of Lemberg, it
would seem that a solution of 9 centigrams of it, is sufficient
to cause vomiting. The powered root of the wild plant acts,
according to Dr. Langewicz, as an emetic, in doses of 50 to 75
centigrams (Ph. J., 26th Feb., 1887, p. 687).
N. 0. CUCURBITACER. 597
Var. (1) momordica, Roxb. 700.
Sans. :—Ervaru.
Vern. :—Phiit or phtint (ripe); Kachra (when unripe) ; Tuti
(4.); Phatt (B.); Kakari-kai (Tam.); Pedda-kai, Pedda-dosrai
(Tel.).
An annual herb, cultivated. Stem scabrous. Leaves round-
ish cordate, sometimes 5-angled or obscurely lobed, repand-
toothed: Flowers short peduncled, males fascicled, female
solitary. Petals slightly acute. Fruit cylindric-oblong, straight,
4-times larger than thick, bursting spontaneously, 12-14in. long.
Use :—The seeds are used as a cooling medicine (Watt).
Sans. :—Karkati.
Var. (2) utilissumus Roxb. 701.
Vern. :—Kakri, (H.) Kakur (B.); Kukri (Kangra); Dosray,
Velliri, Kakkarik (Tam.); Kaékadi (Bomb.); Kakdi (Dec.);
Tarkakdi (Poona).
Habitat :— Cultivated in Bengal, U. P. and the Punjab,
during the hot weather and the rains.
Stems exactly as in C. sativus, but not quite so extensive, Tendrils
simple, Leaves broadcordate, generally more or less five-lobed ; lobes rounded,
toothletted ; above pretty smooth, below scabrous, the largest generally about
6 inches each way. Floral leaves of the female flowers sessile, and very
small. Male flowers axilliary, peduncled, crowded, but opening in succession.
Female flowers axillary, peduncled, solitary, both sorts yellow, about an inch
or an inch and a halfin diameter, Fruit fleshy, generally a very perfect oval;
when young downy and clouded with lighter and darker green; when ripe
perfectly smooth, variegated with deeper and lighter yellow; from four to six
inches long, and from three to four in diameter (Roxburgh).
Uses :—The seeds are described as cooling, edible, nutritive
and diuretic, and are used in painful micturition and suppres-
tion of urine. Twodrachms of the seeds, rubbed into a pulp
with water are given alone or in combination with salt and
Kdnjika (U. C. Dutt).
The powder of the toasted seeds is described as a powerful
diuretic, and serviceable in promoting the passage of sand or
gravel (Roxburgh).
598 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
543. C. sativus, Linn., H.F.B.1., 11. Roxb. 700.
Sans. :—Sukasa; Trapusha.
Vern.:—Khira (H.); Sasa (B.); Muhevehri (Tam.); Doza-
kaia (Tel.) ; Kakuri (Orissa) ; Kakdi (Mar.); Sante kayi (Kan).
Habitat :—Cultivated throughout India.
The cucumber is a cultivated, climbing, annual, hispid.
Tendrils simple. Stemsscabrous. Leaves 3-5in. diam., ovate,
5-angular, slightly lobed, lobes acute, hispidulous on both
surfaces and also often with soft hairs ; petiole 2-3in., peduncle
sometimes 2in. Petals 2in. Female flowers yellow monecious,
males clustered in axils. Females solitary, all shortly pedicelled.
Male :—Calyx-tube top-shaped or campanulate, lobes 5. Stamens
3. Anthers free, one l-celled, two 2-celled, cells conduplicate
or much flexuose. Female Calyx and Corolla as in male.
Ovary ovoid; young ovary muricate, with rigid prickles ; style
short, with three obtuse stigmas. Fruit commonly cylindric,
indehiscent, 12in. by 1$in., glabrous, sometimes tuberculated.
Commonly elongate. Seeds very many, oblong, compressed,
mostly smooth.
Uses.—The seeds possess cooling properties. They are also
used as diuretics.
The leaves, boiled and mixed with cumin seeds, roasted
and powdered, are administered in throat affections (Atkinson),
Cucumber seeds are occasionally pressed for oil in the United Provinces
and the Punjab. The constants of two samples were tested in the Indian
Museum and found to be : Specific gravity at 15°, 0°923 and 0°924; acid value,
10°68 and 11°49; saponification value, 195°2 and 196:9 ; iodine value, 117°6 and
1185; Reichert-Meissl value, 052; fatty acids and unsaponifiable, 94°4 per
cent.; nelting point, 35°5°, The oil were yellow coloured and dried slowly on
exposure. (Agricultural Ledger 1911-12 No. 5),
544. Citrullus colocynthis, Schrad. H.F.B.1., I.
620.
Syn.—Cucumis Colocynthis, Linn. Roxb., 700.
Sans.—Indra-varuni.
Arab.— Hanzal; Aulqum.
Pers.—-Hindawanahe-talkh.
Vern.-—Indréyan (H.); Makal (B.); Pey-ko-mati, Tumatti
(Tam.); Eti-puch-cha, Putsa-kaya (Tel.) ; Kadai Indréyan (Mar.)
N. 0. CUCURBITACE. 599
Habitat.—Cultivated throughout India, and also very often
apparently wild.
A scabrid climber. In the fields of Afghanistan, it trails
along the ground extensively. Leaves 24 by scarcely 2in. in
the typical wild very scabrous form, larger in cultivated forms
approaching C. vulgaris, ovate, middle segment compound
pinnatifid. Petiole lin. Petals jin, obovate, light-yellow.
Ovary villous. Eruit smooth, variegated, green and white
globose, 2$-3in. diam.
Parts used.—The fruit and root.
~ Use.—Sanskrit writers describe the fruit as bitter, acrid,
cathartic and useful in biliousness, constipation, fever and
worms. They also mention the root as a useful cathartic in
jaundice, ascites, enlargement of the abdominal viscera, urinary
diseases, rheumatism, ete. |
Mahomedan writers consider it to be a very drastic purga-
tive, removing phlegm from all parts of the system, and direct
the fruit, leaves and root to be used. The drug is prescribed
when the bowels are obstinately costive from disease or lesion
of the nervous centres, also in dropsy, jaundice, colic, worms,
elephantiasis, &c. Its irritant action upon the uterus is noticed,
and fumigation with it is said to be of use for bringing on the
menstrual flow. The author of the Makhzan tells us that the
seeds are purgative, and mentions their use for preserving the
hair from turning grey (Dymock).
In the Concan, the fruit and root, with or without nux-
vomica, is rubbed into a paste with water and applied to boils
and pimples. In rheumatism, equal parts of the root and long
pepper are given in pill.
80
634 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
Uses:—It is regarded by the Hindus as stomachic, carmin-
ative and astringent ; useful in dyspepsia and diarrhea. lt
is thought to be very cooling, and on that account forms a part
of most prescriptions for gonorrhoea (Dymock).
Like Kdla zira, it is also used as a lactagogue.
Sanskrit authors recommend a poultice made of cumin seeds
with the addition of honey, salt and clarified butter to be applied
externally for scorpion-bites (Dutt).
585. Daucus Carota, Linn, O.F.B.1, U. 718;
Roxb. 270.
Sans. :—Garyara.
Vern. :—Gajar (H. and B.); Gajjara, Manjal-mullangi
(Tam.); Pita-kanda (Tel.) ; Mor maj, Bul maj, Kach (Kash-
mir) ; Zardak (Pushtu) ; Petaigagar (Sind).
Habitat :-—Kashmir and the Western Himalaya ; cultivated
elsewhere in India.
Annual or biennial herbs, hispid. Stem 1-4 (in the Himalaya,
often 6ft.) Leaves 2-3-pinnate, pinnatifid segments, narrow-
lanceolate. Bracteoles many, 3-fid and simple. Umbels com-
pound, rays usually many; outer rays connivent in fruit.
Calyx-teeth small or obsolete. Petals obovate, emarginate,
white, outer often radiant. Fruit elliptic, z,in.; bristles on the
secondary ridges glistening white, connate at the base only of
the primary ridges, small or sessile, sub-glochidiate. Carpophore
unilivided. Vitte solitary under the secondary ridges.
Uses :—The seeds are considered to be a nervine tonic.
Boiled with honey and fermented, they produce a spirituous
liquor. A decoction of the leaves and seeds is said to be used
by natives as a stimulant to the uterus during parturition.
The roots are made into a marmalade and considered refrigerant
(Emerson.)
In the Punjab, the seeds are considered aphrodisiac, and
given in uterine pain (Stewart).
N. O. ARALIACER. 635
In the Concan, a poultice of carrots and salt is used in tetter,
and the seeds are eaten as an aphrodisiac (Dymock).
Its fruits are recommended in chronic diarrhea (Balfour).
A decoction of carrot is a popular remedy for jaundice in
Europe. Rasped carrot is applied to burns and foul ulcers
(Dymock).
Said to possess diuretic properties (Meadows’ Prescribers’
Companion).
A poultice made of the roots is used to correct the discharge
from ill-conditioned sores. The raw rasped root is also deemed
useful as a stimulating application, and is made into an oint-
ment with lard. Thisis much used in burns and scalds to
good effect (Watt). :
The raw carrot when eaten acts as a mechanical anthelmin-
tic (Watt’s Dictionary).
The seed yields by distillation a medicinal oil. [Cf. Taleef Shereef (Play-
fair, transl.), 113] The chemical constituents of the root are crystallisable
and uncrystallisable sugar, a little starch, gluten, albumen, volatile oil,
vegetable jelly, malic acid, saline matters, lignin and a peculiar crystallisable,
ruby-red neutral principle, without odour or taste, called curotin. [Of.
Pharmacog. Ind., ii., 186. ]
The amounts of fixed oil obtained from the fruits of plants in this order
are exhibited in the following table :—
Oil per
cent.
Carum Carui, Linn. Caraway aoe jee see 14°8
Apium graveolens, Linn, Celery ape ae noe 16°7
Pimpinella anisum, Linn, Aniso de a aes 10°4
Fosniculum vulgare, Mill. Fennel ... ae ag 9°9
Anethum graveolens, Linn. Jill we oe ses 17°2
Daucus Carota, Linn. Carrot ae ah &; 13 1
Cuminum Cyminum, Linn. Cumin cite vis a 9°9
Coriandrum sativum, Linn. Coriander a bo 18°8
Carum copticum, Benth, Ajowan sine Fk x 22°8
These were greenish or greenish-brown oils having the Breer tenistic
odours of the seeds, COC. Grimme (Pharm. Centralb., 1911, 52, 661-667).
N. O. ARALIACEAK.
586. Aralia Pseudo-ginseng, Benth, H4H.F.B.1.,
ner ealle
Habitat :—Nepal, Sikkim, and Bhotan. Khasia Mts,
636 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
“ Doubtfully separable from the true Ginseng of Japan”
(ly Br Agape 21):
Herbs 1-2ft., with a whole of digitate leaves at its apex.
Root-stock horizontal, tuberous or tuberiterous. Stem 6-15 in,
erect smooth ; the scale at base deciduous, or persistent. Leaflets
lanceolate, with scattered bristles, especially on the upper surface,
5, rarely 3, 2-6 by 4-14in., acuminate, often caudate, rounded or
tapering at the base, closely serrate or deeply double serrate, gla-
brous, except the scattered bristles. Petiole 1-6in, glabrous.
Petiolules O-lin. Peduncles shorter or longer than the leaves,
glabrous or nearly so, solitary or 2-4, simple or with 2-5 umbel-
late heads; pedicels 4-lin., pubescent or puberulous; bracteoles
4in., narrow lanceolate-linear. 3
_ Flowers polygamo-monceious ; styles 2-3, in the male some-
times united nearly to their summit Fruit red or half black,
half-red, shining, globose, sub-didymous.
Use:—Ginseng enjoys in its native country the reputation
of a panacea, and especially of being aphrodisiac, The affections,
for the cure of which it is most esteemed, are such as are usual-
ly treated by aromatic stimulants, including dyspepsia, vomit-
ing, and nervous affections. It is used as a masticatory and also
in infusion, and is occasionally brought to India by the Chinese.
587. -Hedera Helix, Linn., H.F.B.1., 11. 739.
Vern.:—Diidela (Nepal); Lablab (Behar); Halbambar,
arbambal (Jhelum); Kurol.,(Chenab); Kuri, Karur (Ravi);
Brfiimbrim dakari (Beas); Karburu (Sutlej) Pb.
Habitat: —Himalayas; Khasia Hills.
A glabrous, large, evergreen, woody climber, adhering to
trees, rocks or walls by means of numerous extra-axillary fine
rootlets. Leaves simple, leathery, 3-4in., dark-green and
shining above, varying from linear-lanceolate to cordate-ovate,
entire or variously-lobed, palmate or sub-pinnatifid ; base cordate,
rounded or cuneate; petiole 4-l#in., slender. Flowers
polygamous, yellowish green, in pedunculate globose umbels,
which again are arranged in sub-corymbose panicles; peduncles
1-2 in., pedicels 5-8in. long, both clothed with stellate scales,
N. 0. CORNACEAR. 637
Calyx 5-toothed or nearly entire. Petals 5, valvate. Stamens
5. Ovary 5-celled ; style connate ina short column. Fruit
"25-'3in. diam., globose, yellow, turning black when fully ripe,
shining ; seeds 3-4 ovoid (Kanjilal.) | :
Wood light-grey or yellow, soft and porous. Annual rings
distinct. Flowers—October, April, February, Jan.-June.
Uses:—Dry leaves are used to stimulate sores; and the
berries to purge (Irvine).
N. O. CORNACEA.
— «©6688. Alangium Lamarckiw, Thwaites. 4.F-.B.1.,
tt. 746.
— Syn. :—A. hexapetalum, Lamk. Roxb. 404.
Sans. :— Ankota. 2 i
Vern. :—Akola, thaila ankal (Hind. and Dec.); Ankola,
kala-akola (Bom.); Akar-kanta, baghankara (Beng.) Alangi,
azhinji (Tam.); Amkolam-chettu (Tel.); Ankola (Gond.) :
Dhalakura (Beng.); (in U. C. Dutt’s Mat. Med.) Anisaruli-
mara, eopoata (Can.); Onkla (Guz.}; Dela (Santal); Ankol
(Kol.) ; Ankula, dolanku (Uriya).
Habitat :—Sub-Himalayan tract, from the Ganges eastward
to Oudh, Bengal, Central and South India.
This is a very handsome tree, and grows very well in the
Concan. Whether in foliage, flower or fruit, in whatever
condition or season it is seen, it is a striking plant. It is
beautifully green-leaved throughout the year. Gamble, however,
says “it is a deciduous small tree, shrub or strageler.”
Brandis says “a shrub or small tree.” “Bark $in. thick, grey,
when young orange-yellow, fibrous. Wood hard, close and
even-grained, sapwood light yellow, heartwood olive-brown
with a pleasant scent’ (Gamble). From all accounts it appears
to be a very variable plant. My description is mainly drawn
from a large tree growing with a girth of 9 feet in the Military
Hospital, Thana (1881-1897), and in the adjacent Mahomedan
grave-yard where the main trunks of several trees constantly
sent out “suckers.” The tree in the Military Hospital compound
had nearly half a dozen distinct trees developed from such
638 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
suckers, within an area of 20ft. around (See Vol. X.p. 260,
Journal Bombay Nat. Hist. Society, Part 11, March 1896.
K. R. Kirtikar’s Poisonous Plants of Bombay). Branchlets
generally spinescent. Leaves membranous, varying exceed-
ingly in shape, from oblong to elliptic-obovate, from
obtuse to acuminate, blade 3-6 in.; petiole 4-3in. long, pubescent
on the under surface when full-grown. Flowers very fragrant,
white, solitary or fasciculate, pedicels and Calyx hairy, petals
lin. long, 5-10, usually 6, hairy outside. Fruit a berry 2 in,
long, with a beautiful crimson (not-black) tough epicarp, a
pulpy mucilaginous mesocarp and a bony endocarp. Seed
oblong, solitary, pendulous. Cotyledons large, flat, with three
basal nerves, in copious albumen which it is not ruminated
(Brandis).
Uses :—The root is described by Sanskrit writers as heating,
pungent and acrid. It is laxative and useful in worms, colic,
inflammations and poisonous bites. The fruit is said to be
cooling, tonic, nutritive, useful in burning of the body, con-
sumption, and in hemorrhage (U. C. Dutt). It has also a
a reputation in leprosy.
In native practice, the root-bark is used as anthelmintic and
purgative. In Bombay, the leaves are used as a poultice to
relieve rheumatic pains (S. Arjun).
Dr. Moodeen Sheriff, in his most valuable Supplement to
the Pharmacopoeia Indica says: “It has proved itself an efficient
and safe emetic in doses of fifty grains; in smaller doses
it is nauseant and febrifuge. The bark is very bitter, and its
repute in skin diseases is not without foundation.”
In a further report upon this drug, he states: “It is a good
substitute for Ipecacuanha, and proves useful in all diseases
in which the latter is indicated, except dysentery. As a dia-
phoretic and antipyretic, it has been found useful in relieving
pyrexia. Doses as a nauseant, diuretic and febrifuge : 6 to 10
grains of the root bark; as an alterative: 2 to 5 grains; it is
given in leprosy and syphilis; the natives consider it to be
glexiteric, especially in cases of bites from rabid animals,”
N. O. CAPRIFOLIACER. 639
N. O. CAPRIFOLIACE.
589. Sambucus ebulus, Linn., H.F.B.1., 111 2.
Vern. :—Richh kas ; Mushkiara ; ganhula gandal ; gwandish ;
Siske tasar (Pb).
Habitat :—-Kashmir and Western Himalaya.
A gregarious, herbaceous plant. Stems mostly simple, 3-6ft.
high. Leaves unequally pinnate, 9in. Leaflets 5-9, oblong-
lanceolate, free, 3-6in., puberulous, or nearly glabrous.
Stipules often foliaceous, serrate. Corymbs peduncled or leafy
at the base, compact and many-rayed. Bracteoles minute,
linear. Corolla gin. diam., broadly companulate, white, pink,
or dark purple. Drupe +in. diam., globose, black. C.. B.
Clarke observes that the flowers, Kuropean as well as Indian,
have a strong piculiar odour, and that the uppermost flowers
are barren.
Use:—The roots have purgative properties, and are used in
dropsy, as also the berries (Honigberger).
In England, the berries, and also decoction made of the
root and bark of this plant, are very old village medicines, and
are in occasional use in country places. They are violently
emetic.
An infusion of the fresh or dried flowers is used for cold.
A preparation made from leaves and flowers is an old
country medicine for rheumatism.
An oil, obtained by distilling the leaves with steam, is of a dark-brown
colour, and has an unpleasant odour,: Sp. Gr. 0°8998 at 15° C.; acid value,
250-90; ester value, 46°0. The saponified oil has a pleasant odour, resembling
that of apricots and peaches, and contains an alcohol which has not been
identifled. Palmitic acid was detected in the oil. (H. Haencel in Chem.
Zentr. 1910, abstracted in J. Ch. I. for May 31, 1910, p. 649).
990. Viburnum fetidum, Wall. u.¥.B.1., 111. 4.
Vern. :—Nara Vela (M.)
Habitat :—Khasia Mountains and Assam.
An erect sbrub, 6-10 ft. ; branchlets, petioles and inflores-
cence, stellate hairy. Leaves coriaceous, rhomboid, lanceolate
640 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
or oblong-rhomboid, glabrous above, 2 by l4in., scarcely acum-
inate ; with the base cuneate or rounded, 3-nerved ; margins
remotely toothed ; axils of the primary nerves, with tufts of hair ;
secondary nerves, 3 or 4 pairs, transverse, conspicuous beneath.
Petiole $-$in. long. Corymbs terminal, subumbellate, stellate,
pubescent, 2-4in. diam. 4-8-rayed, peduncled ; bracts and _bract-
eoles numerous, hairy, from linear-oblong to spathulate-oblong.
Calyx-tube glabrous. Calyx-teeth minute, triangular. Corolla-
lobes +4 in. diam., round, white. Drupe 4 by +in., compressed,
subacute, red. Seed dorsally 2-grooved, ventrally 3-grooved, and
hardly concave.
Use:—It is acrid, bitter and astringent, and used as an
emmenagogue. (S. Arjun.)
“Tt is customary for Hindoo women, who have been confi-
ned to hang a branch over the room in which they lie, asa
protection against evil spirits and post-partum hemorrhage.”
Another superstition is, that if seven pieces of the stem of
this plant are knotted into a thread made from cotton picked
by a virgin, the necklace thus formed will cure scrofulousglands.
A cake made from the flour of eighteen kinds of grain with
narwel juice, is scraped on one side while hot, well moistened
with the juice and applied to the head in headache. A _ wine-
glassful of the juice of the leaves is administered internally in
menorrhagia daily, also in post-partum hemorrhage. It .is re-
markable that V. primifolium, an American plant, has also been
found useful in all uterine diseases characterised by loss of
blood and in threatened abortion (Dymock).
591. Lonicera glauca, H. F. and 1’, tl. 11.
Vern. :—Shingtik ; Shea ; Shewa (Pb. and Hindi).
Habitat :—Temperate N.-W. Himalaya; Nubra, Zanskar and
Piti, Titail in Kashmir; Garwhal and Kumaon.--
An erect, glaucous, densely-branched, wiry undershrub,
glabrous except as to the margins of the leaves. Leaves$ by 4
in., obtuse, oblong, base hardly rounded. Petioles 7, in. Bracts
large, ovate, flat 4-4 in., glaucous, hispidly ciliate on the margins,
usually free, or, when the fruits coalesce, sometimes much connate.
N, 0. RUBIACEA. 641
Calyx glabrous or nearly so. Calyx-limb deciduous. — Corolla-
tube 4-4 bytin. glabrous. Lobes # in., elliptic, yellow. Style
glabrous. Berry 4 by } in., ellipsoid, pairs sometimes confluent
into a spherical fruit. (Both confluent and non-confluent ber-
ries occur on one branch). C. B. Clarke.
Use :—The seeds are prescribed for horses in colic (Stewart).
N. 0. RUBIACEAS.
592. Anthocephalus Cadamba, Mig. H.F.B.1., III.
Zo. ce |
Synonyms :—Nauclea Cadamba, Roxb. 172; Sarcocephalus
Cadamba, Kurz. 3 |
Sans. :—Kadamba ; Nipa.
Vern. :—Kadam, kadamb (H.); Kadam (B.); Bol-kadam (Chit-
tagong); Sanko (K6l.); Pandir (Lepcha) ; Kodum (Mechi) ;
Roghu (Ass.); Kadambo (Uriya); Kadamba, nhyu (Bomb.) ;
Kadam, kadamb, nhiv (Mah.); Kalam, nhio or nhiu (Panch
Mahals ; Kadamb (Guj.); Vellai cadamba (Tam.); Kadamba,
rudraksha-kamba (Tel.) ; Heltega, arsanatega (Mysore); Kaada
vailu, kadaga, kadwai (Kan.)
Habitat :—Wild in Northern and Eastern Bengal, Pegu and
the Western Coast ; cultivated in Northern India.
A large deciduous tree of rapid growth ;_ branches horizontal,
rather drooping at the ends. Bark dark-grey with numerous
regular longitudinal fissures ; the outer bark peeling off in small
rectangular scaies. Wood white, with a yellowish tinge, soft,
even-grained. Leaves coriaceous, shining, glabrous above,
pubescent beneath, elliptic-oblong, ovate, or ovate-cordate, acute,
5-9 in. Stipules linear, early caducous. Flower-heads scented
at night, simple, 1-2in. diam., terminal, yellow, or orange-
coloured, with white stigmas. Peduncles l-lZin. long. Corolla
glabrous, lobes erect ; Calyx-lobes oblong, persistent. Ovaries
non-confluent, 4-celled in the upper, 2-celled in the lower, por-
tion. Bracteoles 0. Fruit a fleshy receptacle, as large as a
small orange, on which are inserted numerous closely-packed
few-seeded capsules. Seeds not winged, minute.
Parts used :—The Bark aud Leaves.
81
642 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
Uses :—-The bark is used as a febrifuge and tonic.
In the Concan, the fresh juice of the bark is applied to the
heads of infants when the fontanelle sinks, and a small quantity
mixed with cumin and sugar is given internally. In inflamma-
tion of the eyes, the bark juice, with equal quantities of lime
juice, opium and alum, is applied round the orbit (Dymock.)
Decoction of the leaves is used asa gargle in cases of aph-
the and stomatitis (A. C. Mukerji, in Watt’s Dictionary, I).
593. Adina cordifolia, Hook, f. and Bth., u.¥.B.1.,
iit. 24.
Synonym :—Nauclea cordifolia, Willd.; Roxb. 172.
Sans. :—Dhara-kadamba. |
Vernacular names :—Haldu, hardu, kad4mi, karam (Hind.) ;
Bangka, keli-kadam, pet-puria, da-kém (Beng.); Hardua, harda
(C. P.); Karam (Nepal); Kurumba, komba sanko (Kol.) ; Karam
(Santal); Bara kuram (Mal.); Tikkce (Bahraich and Gonda 5)
Hardu, paspu kurmi (Gond.); Holonda (Uriya) ; Shangdong
(Garo.); Roghu, keli kadam (Ass.); Manja kadambe (Tam.) ;
Daduga, bettaganapa, bandaru, dudagi, puspukandi, paspu
kadimi (Tel.) ; Arsiutega (Mysore); Hedde, yettega-pettega,
arsanatéga, yettada, ahuan (Kan.); Hedu (Mah.); Haladhwan
(Guz.)
Habitat :—Dry forests, alt. 1--3,000 ft., from Kumaon to
Sikkim, and throughout the hilly parts of India to Ceylon.
A large, deciduous tree, its trunk usually buttressed at the
base. Bark soft, in. thick, grey, rough. Wood yellow,
moderately hard, even-grained, no heartwood. Leaves cordate-
orbicular abruptly acuminate, pubescent beneath, blade 4-9in.
diam., petiole. pubescent, 3-4in. Stipules pubescent, 4-jin.
long., concealing the uppermost pair of leaf-buds. Pe-
duncles 2-4in. long, single or 2-3 from one leaf-axil. Flower-
heads yellow, 2-lin. diam., receptacle and bracteoles hairy.
Calyx and Corolla densely pubescent. Calyx-tube 5-angled, lobes
linear, deciduous. Corolla downy ; stigma clavate. Capsule
#in., cuneate, downy, cells about 6-seeded.
N. 0. RUBIACER. 643
Uses:—“ The smail buds, ground with round pepper, are
sniffed into the nose in severe headache” (Revd. A. Campbell,
Santal Mission, Pachumba). “ Roots used as a medicine in
Assam” (H. Z. Darrah, Esq., Assam).
The juice is used to kill worms in sores (Dymock).
—
594; Nauclea ovalifola, Roxb. H.¥.B.1., 11. 27;
Roxs. 173.
The Fl. Br. Ind. considers it to be a doubtful species.
“ Possibly Adind sessilifolia. Don refers it to Uncaria ellip-
tica, which is not a Khasian plant.
Vern. :—Shal (Sylhet).
Habitat :—“ A native of the forests of Silhet, where it is
called shal by the natives” (Roxb).
A small tree. Leaves oblong, glabrous ; rather coriaceous,
6-10-by 3-6in., glossy above, base cordate, tip rounded. Stipules
broadly oblong. Peduncles 1-2in., very stout 1-3 terminal,
solitary l-headed. Flower-heads 14in. diam., villous. Corolla
shaggily silky. Stigma clavate, capsule 4in , cuneate. |
Use :—The bark is said to possess bitterness equal to that
of Cinchona, and is used by the border tribes in the treatment
of endemic fevers and bowel complaints (Ph. Ind).
5995. Hymenodictyon excelsum, Wall. H.F.B.1.,
Tite Doe
Syn. :—Cinchona Excelsa, Roxb. 178.
Vern. :—Bhaulan; Bhalena (H.); Kalakurwah (Bomb.) ;
Bandari (Dec.); Bartu (Pb.) Bandaru (Tel.); Sagapu (Tam.); Pun-
daroo, Kala buchnak (H.); Bodoka, Konoo ( Uriya); Sali (Kol.) ;
Bhorkhend (Santal); Bhoursél (Mar.) ; Dudiyetta, dudippa, ché-
tippa, bfirja, bandara (Tel.) Bandaray anui (Kan.). Kukurkat,
lamkana (Merwara).
Habitat :—Dry hills; base of the Western Himalaya from
Garwhal to Nepal ; throughout the Deccan and Central India to
the Annamallays ; and in Chittagong.
A large, deciduous tree, 30-40ft. Bark of trunk furrowed
and rough, that of branches smooth; 4-fin. thick, grey,
644 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
exfoliating in irregularly shaped, softish scales. Wood
white when cut up fresh; if cut up dry, brownish grey, soft.
Leaves opposite ovate-elliptic oralmost orbicular, abruptly ac :m-
inate, finely pubescent on both surfaces, 4-10 by 3-din. ; mem bran-
ous, narrowed into a petiole l-3in. ; nerves 7-10 pair ; stipules
broad, recurved, usually glandular serrate. Flowers pedicil-
late, white, fragrant, in dense cylindrical compound ; racemes
in terminal drooping panicles, with linear or lanceolate bracts, as
long as or longer than the flowers (Brandis). Corolla-tube
slender, more than 3 times the length of the Calyx lobes, tin.
Stamens 5. Filament dilated. Anthers linear. Ovary 2-celled,
style long, exserted. Stigma spindle-shaped. Capsules #-Lin.,
on recurved thick pedicels, 4 3in. long, even 2in., ellipsoid,
many-seeded. Seeds flat, lenticular, winged all round the
margin, ¢ by 7gin. including the wing.
Uses :—The inner bark is bitter and astringent, and is.used
asa febrifuge. The outer layer of the bark is tasteless. The
Pharm. Indica suggests that in all future enquiries into the sub-
ject of Indian antiperiodics, this bark should be one of the first
to which attention should be directed.
Regarding the constituents of the bark, Messrs. Charles
Stanley Gibson and John Lionel Simonsen write in the Journal
and Proceedings of the Asiatic Society of Bengal for 1916, pp.
161— 162 :—
This bark was first subjected to a chemical examination by Broughton in
1870, and subsequently Naylor (Pharm. Journ. 1893, 74. 311, 1884, 15, 195) inves-
tigated it much more thoroughly, Broughton showed that it contained a
glucoside, aesculin, and that on keeping the bark lost its bitter flavour owing
to the hydrolysis of the glucoside with formation of aesculetin (scopoletin),
Naylor, on the other hand, succeeded in isolating a crystalline alkaloid to
which he gave the name hymenodyctine and the formula C,,H,,.N, and also
an amorphous neutral substance of the formula Cy.H43G,o. *
From the results obtained by Naylor it seemed possible to us that the
alkaloid might be of therapeutic value and furthermore, since it was one of
the few alkaloids which do not contain oxygen, it should be of considerable
scientific interest, and we decided, therefore, to attempt its isolation,
We have isolated aesculin and scopoletin, but we have been unable to find
any traces of an alkaloid, It would, therefore, appear that Naylor cannot have
* This formula is obviusly incorrect, containing as it does an odd number
of hydrogen atoms,
N. 0. RUBIACER. 645
examined the bark of the Hymenodyctyon excelsum, but must have heen deal-
ing with some other bark.
596. Oldenlandia corymbosa, Linn. H.¥.B.1., III.
64, Pe )
Syn. :—O. biflora, Lamk., O. vamosa, Roxb. 142.
Sans. :—Kshetraparpati; Parpata.
Vern. :—Daman-papar (H.); Khetpapra (B.) ; Paripat ie
Popato, Kazuri (Goa),
Hahitat:—An abundant weed eae India, from he
Punjab, Southward and Eastward, to Ceylon and Malacca.
A slender herb up to lft. or more high, but often: diminutive
and straggling. Leaves sessile, 1-2in. long, linear or lnear-
lanceclate, erect, or spreading; margins scabrous and often
revolute; stipules short, membranous, dentate or bristly.
Peduncles axillary, solitary, slender, shorter than the leaves,
usuaily 2-3-ftowered ; pedicels filiform ; bracts. subulate. Calyx-
teeth subulate, nearly equalling the tube when in flower. Corolla
white, its tube short. Capsule usually broad, didymous or
globose or narrowed to the base, not ribbed, the crown not rising
above the base of the calyx-teeth.
Jt is an extremely variable plant, and some of its forms,
cannot easily be distinguished from O. diffusa (Duthie).
Uses:—By Sanskrit authors it is considered a cooling
medicine of importance in the treatment of fevers supposed to be
caused by deranged air and bile, that is, remittent fever, with
gastric irritability and nervous depression. The entire plant is
prescribed in decoction, and is combined with aromatics.
In Goa, it is much used combined with Adiantum limatum
and Hydrocotyle asiatica as an alterative in low forms of fever,
In the Concan, the juice is applied in burning of the palms of
the hand and soles of the feet from fever; in burning at the pit
of the stomach the juice is given internally with a little milk
and sugar (dose 1 tola of the juice obtained by pounding the
plant with water). The decoction is given in remittent fever,
and is also applied to the surjace of the body. It is also given
internally to cure heat eruptions (Dymock),
646 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS,
It is given, too, in jaundice and supposed diseases of the liver
(Waitt).
It is also anthelmintic (Surgeon-Major Mukerji, in Watt’s
Dictionary). |
597. 0. umbellata, Linn. u.¥.8.1., 11. 66 ; Roxb.
141.
Vern. :—Chirval ; Chirval-ki-lakri (H. and Dec.) ; Surbuli(B);
Cherivello ; Chiru véru (Tel); Sayawer; Imbdral (Tam.) ; Kal-
penyok (Lepcha).
Habitat:—Western Peninsula, from Orissa southwards.
Found in the sandy scrub of the Coromandel Coast and
largely collected (Gamble).
An annual herb, diffuse, glabrous or scaberulous. Stem
woody, much-branched from the base. Stipules with bristles.
Leaves 3-l}in., spreading or recurved, often fascicled, linear,
flat or almost acicular with recurved margins, acute, nerveless.
Peduncles in the upper axils stout, 3-many-flowered ; pedicels
short. Cymes sometimes sessile or terminal. Calyx-teeth a
little shorter than the Corolla-tube, subulate. Capsule didy-
mous, crown low. Seeds numerous, angled, testa smooth.
Uses:—The small, narrow, pale green leaves of this low-
growing plant, the native doctors consider as expectorant, and
prescribe them accordingly. Of the virtues of the root in
poisonous bites, colds and cutaneous disorders, as mentioned in
Miller’s Dictionary, | know nothing. When dried and powdered,
the leaves are sometimes mixed with flour and made into cakes,
which are eaten by such as suffer from consumptive and asthmatic
affections. The dose of the decoction of the leaves is about an
ounce twice daily (Anislie).
598. Ophiorrhiza Mungos, Linn. H.F.B.1., 11. 77 ;
Roxb. 235.
Sans. :—Sarpakshi.
Vern. :—Kiri-purandan (Tam.); Sarpashi-chettu (Tel.);
Sarathi (H.); Gandha nakuli (B.).
N. 0. RUBIACER. 647
Habitat :--Khasia Mountains and Assam. Mountains of the
Western Peninsula.
A suffrutescent herb, erect, glabrous, or stem petiole cymes
and leaf-nerves beneath puberulous. Stipules small. Leaves
2-5 by 1-24in., very thin, elliptic or elliptic-lanceolate, long-
acuminate, narrowed into the petiole. Cymes 1-3in. diam., flat-
topped, glabrous or pubescent. Cyme-branches sub-umbellate,
very spreading. Bractsabsent. Calyx-teeth very short. Corolla
white, glabrous round at the tip, in bud $in., mouth not dilated ;
lobes very short, obtuse, keeled at the back. Capsule 4-tin.
diam., pedicelled. Seeds many, minute, angled.
_ Use :—The root is intensely bitter and may be used as a tonic
Popularly believed to be a remedy against the bites of venomous
snakes, mad dogs, &c.
999. Musscenda frondosa, Linn. H.F.B.1., 111. 89 ;
Roxb. 187.
Vern. :—Asari (Nepal); Tumberh (Lepcha); Bhita-kesa,
Léudachidta (Bomb.) ; Shivardole (Mar.) ; Bebina (H.); Vellaellay
(Tam.).
Habitat :—Tropical Himalaya, from Nepal eastward. Assam,
Khasia Mountains, and the Western Peninsula, from the Concan
southwards.
A large shrub, tomentose, hirsute or nearly glabrous. Bark
grey, smooth, but granular. Wood white, soft, but. moderately
hard, close and even-grained. Leaves sessile or petioled, ellip-
tic oblong or ovate, acuminate; stipules long or short, often
2-fid. Cymes contracted or open, softly silkily-tomentose ;
bracts and caducous calyx-lobes elongate-lanceolate, much larger
than the ovary, twice the length of the ovary or longer. Corolla
orange-yellow, pubescent, silky or hirsute; lobes broadly ovate,
acute or acuminate. Berries obovoid, glabrous ; areole broad.
Uses :—In the Concan, $a tola of the root is given with cow’s
urine in white leprosy.
In jaundice, 2 tolas of the white leaves are givenin milk
(Dymock).
648 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
600. Randia uliginosa, De. H.F.B.1., ut. 110.
Syn. :—Posoqueria Uliginosa, Roxb. 239.
Vern. :--Pendari (Bomb.); Pindalu, panar, paniah, katul,
pindar, bharani (H.); Piralo (B.); Panelra, cindra, telp-hetru,
phetra, (Mar.); Wagata (Tam.); Nalaika, devatamalle, nalla-
kakasi, gGaku (Tel.) ; Kare, pendri, pandri (Kan).
Habitat :—Eastern, Central and Southern India; not common
northwards, Sikkim and Assam.
A small, armed, rigid, glabrous, deciduous tree. Bark +in.
thick, reddish-brown, exfoliating in thin flakes. Wood whitish-
grey close-grained, hard; no heartwood. Branches quadran-
gular, usually bearing short, terete, decussate branchlets, with
several pair of approximate leaves and above them 2-4 strong,
straight, sharp, decussate thorns. Leaves glabrous and shining
above, often pubescent beneath, obovate from a cuneate base ;
blade 3-6in. long; petiole jin. long. Stipules triangular.
Flowers solitary, white, dimorphic, either large and sessile, or
small and petioled, scented. The large and sessile flowers
often have Corolla 2in. diam., 2 separate stigmas, and the
tube longer than the free portion of the Calyx. The small
pedicillate flowers have a short Corolla-tube and a clavate
stigma marked with spiral lines. Calyx-lobes short. Corolla-
tube glabrous outside. Fruit, when ripe, yellow, edible, with
a hard pulp, those produced by the large sessile flowers are
ellipsoid, 2in. long, while those of the smaller peduncled flowers
are of half that size. Seeds compressed, smooth, closely packed
in pulp.
Uses:—The unripe fruit roasted in wood ashes is used as a
remedy in diarrhoea and dysentery, the central portion consisting
of the stone and seeds being rejected ; it is astringent (Dymock).
The root, boiled in ght, is sometimes given in similar cases.
601. R.dumetorum, Lamk. 4.¥.8.1., 111. 110.
Syn. :—Posoqneria dumetorum, P. nutans, P. longispina and
P. floribunda, Roxb. 239-241. ~
Sans. :—Madana.
N. O. BURIACER. 649
Vern. :—Mainphal, manyul, karhar, arar (H.); Menphal (B.) ;
Mindla, mandkolla, mindhal, mendphal (Pb.) ; Gundrow (Mar.);
Mindhal (Guz.) ; Maidal, amuki(Nepal) ; Panji (Lepcha) ; Patiree
(Uriya) ; Madu-karray, marukkallan-kay (Tam.); Mangha (Tel.) ;
Kare (Kan.).
Habitat :—Subtropical Himalaya, from Jammu eastwards to
Sikkim ; and thence southwards to Chittagong, and the Western
Peninsula (not recorded from Assam, the Khasia Mountains,
Silhet or the Eastern Peninsula).
A deciduous, thorny shrub or small tree, armed with stout
axillary spines, 1-ldin. or 1-2in. long. Bark grey. Wood
white or light-brown, compact, hard, close and even-grained.
Branches horizontal, rigid, many of the lateral ones suppressed,
and very short spines in opposite pair coming off immediately
above branchlets, horizontal, woody, strong, verysharp. Leaves
usually fasciculate on the suppressed branchlets, nearly sessile,
1-2in. long, obovate, oval or spathulate, tapering to base,
obtuse, apiculate, glabrous, or slightly pubescent, thin, reticulate
veined. Stipules acuminate. Flowers lin. diam., 1-3 at ends
of suppressed branchlets. Pedicels short. Calyx-limb broadly
tubular, from nearly glabrous to very hairy ; segments leafy,
ovate, acute, imbricate, glabrous, or slightly hairy. Corolla
hairy outside; tube as long as the Calyx; lobes rounded,
spreading. Fruit globose or broadly ovoid, about 2in., crowned
with large Calyx-limb, pilose, yellow, 2-celled ; pericarp thick.
Seeds flat, surrounded with gelatinous pulp: Flowers yellowish-
white, yellow, says Brandis.
Parts used :—The bark, rind and fruit.
Uses :—The fruit is described by Sanskrit writers as the best
and safest of emetics. One ripe fruit is said to be a sufficient
dose; emesis is generally promoted by a drink containing
bitters and aromatics.
Mahomedan writers describe it as an emetic which expels
bile and phlegm, at the same time acting as an aperient ; it
should be administered with aromatics and honey (Dymock.
Externally applied, it acts as an anodyne in rheumatism
(Stewart).
82
650 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
The bark is given internally and is also applied externally
when the bones ache during fever (Revd. A Campbell).
An infusion of the bark is used as a nauseating medicine.
It is also applied to bruises, mixed with cowdung. |
Dr. Moodeen Sheriff has found the drug a good substitute
for Ipecacuanha in dysentery. He recommends the powdered .
pulp as the most convenient form for administration. Dose:
40 grains as an emetic ; 15 to 30 grainsin dysentery.
The bark of the tree is astringent. In colic, the fruit is
rubbed to paste with rice water and applied over the navel
(Dymock).
It is also used to poison fish.
The pulp of the fruit is believed by many native practi-
tioners to have also anthelmintic properties, and is sometimes
used as an abortifacient. Ground into acoarse powder and
applied thus to the tongue and palate, it is highly esteemed
as a domestic remedy for the fevers and incidental ailments
which children are subject to, while teething (Murray).
Sir James Sawyer of Dublin has used it “as a nervine
calmative and antispasmodic in cases in which the vegetable
antispasmodics, such as Valerian and Assafoetida, appear to
be indicated.”
In addition to the substances described later,a minute quantity of an
alkaloid was isolated, but not characterised or identified, anda small amount
of lead (0°02 per cent.) was invariably present.
Randiasaponin, a glucoside, forms yellowish plates, or a white, amorphous
powder, and melts and decomposes at about 250°, It loses 11°4 per cent. of
water at 100°; the percentage composition of the dry substance is C, 55°52;
H, 8°72; O, 35°76. Itis not hygroscopic, but dissolves in water to a neutral
solution, which froths readily. It is reprecipitated from this solution by
moderately strong hydrochloric or sulphuric acid, and is also thrown down
by lead acetate and basic acetate as a gelatinous compound, which serves for
its purification. It does not reduce alkaline copper solution, except after
prolonged hydrolysis with dilute hydrochloric acid, when it is converted into
randiasapogenin and two sugars. The osazone of one of these is insoluble
in ether, crystallises in yellow crusts, and melts at 166—167°, whilst that of
the other is soluble in ether and amorphous, and melts at 176—177°. Randia-
saponin, like quillayasapotoxin, has the property of dissolving red blood
corpuscles to a clear solution.
Randiasapogenin, C,;H,,O,(?), the product of the hydrolysis of randiasa-
ponin, forms a friable mass, little soluble in water. It decomposes without
N. 0. BURIACEA, 651
melting, the chief product being a substance crystallising in colourless
needles. Moist randiasapogenin dissolves in strong sulphuric acid to a yellow
solution, which shows a characteristic green fluorescence.
Randie acid, C,,H,.0,., appears to be a monobasic acid of the series
C, H,,-30,5, characterised by Kobert as the saponin series, and exists, appa-
rently, in loose combination with randiasaponin. It crystallises from alcohol
in white, nodular masses, and melts at 208—210°. It is sparingly soluble in
water and ether, freely in alcohol, acetic acid, and concentrated sulphuric
acid; solutions of the alkalisalts froth very readily. The potassium salt is
insoluble in alcohol, The calcium, barium, ferrous, ferric, copper, lead, mer-
curous, and mercuric salts are mentioned, Randic acid resembles quillayic
acid in dissolving red blood corpuscles without destroying the colouring
matter, and in precipitating albumins and peptones, To these properties,
and the similar property of randiasaponin, the poisonous character of the
fruit is probably due,
Randiatannic acid exists in small quantity in the pericarp, and is a brown,
very hygroscopic mass, which is freely soluble in ether, as well as in water
and alcohol. It gives a green coloration with ferric chloride, anda yellow
precipitate with basic lead acetate, and reduces alkaline copper solution.
One of the products of the decomposition of randiatannic acid appears to
be randia-red, C,,H3,04,, a substance to which the brown colour of the peri-
carp of the fruit is due; this is precipitated by acids from the alkaline
extract as a brown powder, which is insoluble in water, alcohol, and ether,
but easily soluble in alkalis. The solutions give reddish precipitates with
lead acetate and alum. A brownish-red colouring matter, probably the ammo-
nium-derivative, is precipitated by ammonia from the acid mother liquor;
it forms a harsh mass resembling asphalt, and is soluble in hot water; it is
decomposed by caustic soda with evolution of ammonia.
Randia fat isa yellowish-green substance of the consistence of butter ;
it melts at 28—29°, and its sp. gr. is 0°9175 at 20° The acid number is 13'8;
the ester number, 1464; the saponification number, 160°2; and the iodine
number, after two hours, 43:24. (J, Ch. S. 1895 pp. 189-190).
602. Gardenia lucida, Roxd. u.F.B.1., 11. 115 ;
Roxb. 237.
Vern. :--Dikamali (H. and Guz.); MKonda-manga, _ tetta-
manga kuru (C. P.) ; Karinga (Tel). ; Kumbi (Tam.).
Habitat :—Western Peninsula, common from the Concan
southwards to Chittagong.
A small deciduous tree. Shoots resinous. Bark 4in.,
thick, greenish grey, exfoliating in irregular flakes. Wood
yellowish white, close-grained, hard ; no heartwood, no aunual
rings (Gamble). Leaves 3-10 by 2-din., elliptic-oblong, narrow-
ed into the short marginate petiole. Secondary nerves 20-25
652 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
pair; stipules sheathing, large, broadly ovate, connate. Flowers
fragrant, peduncled, white, turning yellow; tube 1-2in., lobes 5,
obovate-oblong. [Fruit ovoid, crowned with persistent Calyx-
limb. Pericarp thick, woody; endocarp thick, woody, nearly
2-celled, with prominent placentas.
Use :—The tree gives a gum resin from wounds in the bark
and, from leaf-buds. This is hard, opaque yellow, greenish or
brown with strong smell], and is used in cutaneous diseases and
to keep off flies and worms (Gamble).
603. G. gumnifera, Linn. H.F.B.1., 1. 116;
Roxb. 238.
Vern. :—Dekamali, kamarri, (Hind.) ; Baruri, barui (Kol.) ;
Papra, kamarri (C. P.) ; Chitamatta, chitnityal, gaggaru(Tel), ;
Chitta, kambia (Kan.); DikemA4li (Bom.).
Habitat :-—Chota Nagpore, Western Peninsula from the Sat-
pura range southward. Central and South India; in the Central
Provinces, Dekkan, Konkan, Chittagong (Gamble).
A small tree; “awoody bush,” says J. D. Hooker. Bark
greyish brown, smooth, #in. thick. Wood _ yellowish- white,
close-grained, hard. ‘The buds yield a resinous, bright yellow
gum, transparent and pleasant to chew, used like the gum-resin
yielded by G. lucida. Gamble says he has never seen the gum
procured from the bark. Leaves 14-2$in., coriaceous, cuneate
or obovate, shining, sessile or sub-sessile; base acute, obtuse or
cordate; sometimes puberulous beneath; nerves 15-20 pair.
Stipules connate, truncate or mucronate. Flowers subsessile,
white. Calyxlimb shortly tubular, teeth stout, subulate; lobes
5-6. Corolla-tube 1-2in., glabrous or pubescent; limb 1-3in.
diam., lobes 5, oblong, obtuse. Fruit 1-l$in., ellipsoid or
oblong, with a stout beak, smooth; pericarp thin, woody,
endocarp 4-5-valved (Roxburgh), thin, crustaceous, nearly 4-5-
celled (Brandis) ; placentas 4-5.
Uses :—The gum obtained from this plant is used internally
in dyspepsia accompanied bv flatulence. In veterinary medi-
cine, it is employed to keep off flies from sores (Dymock).
N. 0. BURIACER. 653
Used by natives as an astringent for cleansing foul ulcers,
and for allaying irritation of the gums and checking diarrhcea
during teething of children (Murray, 195).
Those who have written upon Indian drugs, say little about
this resin, although it is an article of commerce, and can
always be obtained in quantity. Recently it has attracted
attention in Kurope, and has been examined by Stenhouse,
Groves and Fluckiger (Dymock).
The drug is considered antispasmodic and carminative, and,
when applied exiernally, antiseptic and stimulating. Said
to be a successful anthelmintic in cases of round worm (Watt).
The powdered gum-resin is said to have diaphoretic and
expectorant properties, used internally in guinea-worm, dose
from 2 to 16 grains (Surgeon Joseph Parker, in Watt’s
Dictionary). |
604. G. turgida, Roxb. u.F.B.1., 11. 118 ; Roxb.
439.
Vern. :—Thanella, khfrdr khuriari, ghurga, mhaner (H.) ;
Bamemia, dhobel kirat (Uriya) ; Karhar, duduri (Kol.) ; Phur-
pata (Kurku); Dandu kit, dondonki (Santal) ; Panjra, pendra
(Gond.); Karumba (Raj.); Karhér ; Khemra (C. P.); Khur.
phendra, pendri, phanda, phetra (Mar.); Phetrak (Bhil.);
Manjunda, telel (Tel.) ; Bongeri (Kan.).
Habitat :—Tropical Himalaya ascending to 4,000 ft., from
Kumaon to Bhotan, Oudh, Behar, Chota Nagpore, Bombay,
Central and Southern India, also in Burma.
A small-deciduous tree, 25ft. Bark smooth, bluish—grey, #in.
thick, compact. Wood close-grained, white, with a purplish tinge,
no heartwood (Gamble). Branches rigid, robust, armed with
strong, axillary, often leaf-bearing, spines. Leaves often crowded
at ends of branchlets, 1-4in. long, obovate, narrowed into short
marginate petiole, tomentose or pubescent above, when mature.
Flowers white, fragrant. Corolla-tube 3-3in. long. Fertile flowers
solitary, sessile. Calyx-lobes oblong, sterile clustered in short
pedicels, Calyx-teeth minute, sometimes unequal. Truit grey,
654 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
1-3in., ovoid or globose, smooth ; pericarp thick, endocarp
woody, shining within. Placentas 2-6.
Use :—A preparation from the root is employed by the
Santals as a remedy for indigestion in childern (Revd. A
Campbell).
605. G. campanulata, Roxb. H.F.B.1., 111. 118 ;
Roxb. 238.
Vern. :—Hsay-than-paya (Burm.)
Habitat :-—-Foot of the Sikkim Himalaya; Assam, Sylhet
and Chittagong ; Behar, and summit of Parasnath.
A large, deciduous shrub or small tree, 15-20ft., armed
with long straight sharp spines, $-l4in., often leafy or leaf-
bearing. Leaves membranous, glabrous, lanceolate; blade
2-4in., or 14-3in. by 3-13 in., narrowed into a short petiole;
midrib slender, nerves faint. Petiole 4-4in. Stipules triangu-
lar, caducous. Flowers greenish-white. Calyx of male flower
#in., ellipsoid or subglobose. Corolla-tube +4in. long, upper
portion campanulate, white. Lobes short, obtuse. Fertile
flowers solitary, sessile. Calyx-teeth oblong or spathulate, foli-
aceous. Sterile flowers fasciculate shortly pedicellate. Fruit
#-ltin. long, ellipsoid or globose, obscurely 5-ridged ; pericarp
very thick ; endocarp woody. Placentas 5,
Use :—The fruit is used as a cathartic and anthelmintic
(Roxb.).
606. Diplospora sphaerocorpa, Dalz. 4.F.B.1.,
mi. 123.
Habitat :— Western Peninsula, or the Ghats, from Bombay
southwards.
An evergreen, small, glabrous tree. Branches terete. Leaves
2-6 by 1$-2$1n., elliptic lanceolate, obtuse or acute. Petiole
t-31n.; stipules short, tip not setaceous. Flowers fascicled,
shortly pedicelled. Calyx-limb 4-lobed. Calyx-teeth obtuse,
ciliolate. Corolla-tube very short, (shorter than the Calyx-teeth) ,
throat glabrous, lobes in. Filaments very short. Fruit pedi-
N. 0. CUCURBITACER. 655
celled, globose, }in. diam., “ on bracteolate pedicels, tin. long,”
says Brandis. Seeds few, vertically imbircate, much compressed.
Uses:—The berries of this tree are known as “ wild coffee.”
The roasted and powdered seeds were submitted to Brig-Gen.
A. Kenney Herbert, a great authority on Indian cookery, and
he reported as follows :—The percolated liquor had a remarkably
pleasant taste, having a marked flavour of coffee. Indeed, the
only difference I could detect was this: the liquor was not
so dark in tint as coffee, being more golden-brown than
dark brown, and the beverage brewed seemed not quite so
strong as would have been produced by a similar quantity
of coffee powder. There can be no doubt of the distinct coffee-
like properties of this powder, and the absence of any twang
or conflicting flavour to mar its pleasant taste (Pharmaco-
graphia Indica, Vol. II., p. 226).
607. Canthium didymum, Roxb, 4.F.B.1., 11. 132 ;
Roxb. 180. -
Syn. :—Plectornia didynia, Kurz, Psydrax dicoccos, Geru.
Vern. :—Garbhagojha (Santal) ; Yerkoli (Tam.); Yellal,
-porawa-mara, galkaranda (Kan.).
Habitat :—Sikkim Himalaya, and distributed east to the
Khasia and Jayntea Mountains. Also met with in Chutia
Nagpur and inthe Western Peninsula, from the Concan south-
wards. . ;
A stout, evergreen, unarmed glabrous shrub, Leaves very
variable, 2-6 by 4-4in., very coriaceous, polished above, usually
obtusely caudate-acuminate, base acute obtuse or even cordate,
nerve-axils eglandular; petiole 4-tin. Cymes compressed,
subsessile or on a short peduncle, 4-lin., sometimes puberulous.
Bracts short or O. Flowers 5-merous. Calyx truncate or ob-
scurely toothed. Corolla campanulate, tube 7o-4in.; lobes 5,
subacute. Style glabrous; stigma subquadrate, notched or
2-fid. Fruit very variable, 4-4in. globose or ellipsoid or obovoid
compressed, subdidymous, putamen rugose. (J. D. Hooker).
656 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
Uses :—The bark is used by the Santals in fever (Revd. A.
Campbell). Watt, 1. 129.
608. C. parwflorum, Lamk, 111. 136; Roxd.
176.
Syn. :—Webera tetrandra, Willd.
Vern :—Kirni (Bomb.) ; Karai-cheddi (Tam.) ; Tsjéron kara
(Mal.) ; Balusu chettu, balsu (Tel.)
Habitat:—Western Peninsula, from the Concan south-
wards.
A rigid, glabrous shrub; branches stiff, spreading ; spines
numerous, axillary or subaxillary, straight, stout and sharp.
Wood hard, close-grained. Spines 1-2in. long. Leaves glabrous,
crowded on shortened lateral shoots, small, ovate, obovate or
erbicular-obtuse, 3-lin. long, rather coriaceous, dirty-green when
dry, opaque, base cuneate ; stipules small, with long cuspidate
points ; petiole slender, 75-tin. long. Cymes 4-2in. Peduncle
and pedicel slender, short or long. Flowers 4-merous, yellow-
ish, in many-flowered peduncled cymes. Calyx-teeth minute.
Corolla-tube broad, campanulate, 7gin. long, a little longer than
lobes, ‘“‘subglobose lobes obovate,” says J. D. Hooker. Style
glabrous, stigma capitate, tuberculate, “ globose,” says Brandis.
Fruit yellow, edible, subquadrate or obcordate subdidymous,
1in. diam., enclosing 2 hard stones. “Spines sometimes three-
fold” (Roxburgh).
Use :—A decoction of the edible leaves, as well as the root
of this plant, is prescribed in certain stages of flux, and the last
is supposed to have anthelmintic qualities, though neither have
much sensible taste or smell (Ainslie, Mat. Med. ii. 63).
609. Vangueria Spinosa, Roxb. H.F.B.1., U1. 136.
Roxb. 180.
Sans. :—Pindu, Pinditaka.
Vern. :—Alu (Mar.).
Habitat :—From Northern Bengal to Canara. Common in
the Ghats, in Bombay and throughout the Konkans, Khandesh,
Bengal, Tenasserim and Burma.
A small handsome tree, or large bush, thorny. Spines simple
N. 0. BURIACER, 657
or d-nate. Leaves glabrous, villous or tomentose, opposite, or 3-
nate, whorled, membranous, ovate or obovate-lanceolate, acute or
acuminate ; blade 2-4in., petiole ¢-lin. ; stipules cuspidate, from
a broad base, very deciduous. Flowers small, greenish, in
shortly peduncled Cymes, 1-l$in.. Calyx with 5 teeth. Style
glabrous ; stigma 4-5-lobed. Drupe 3-lin. diam. ; fleshy, edible,
smooth, subglobose or turbinated, with 4 or 5 smooth, broadly
hard, 1l-seeded stones.
Use :—It is the Pindu and Pinditaka of Sanskrit writers, who
consider the fruit to be medicinal, and describe it as streng-
thening, cooling, and an expellant of phlegm and bile.
The fruit is eaten when ripe, cooked or uncooked, or roasted.
Another allied species, V. edulis, a native of Madagascar, is
cultivated in gardens for its edible fruit.
Contains sugar, gum and a small quantity of tannin, but no cyanogenetic
glucoside or alkaloid was found. The dried seeds yield on extraction with
ether 14°01 p.c. of a semi-drying oil, with an iodine value of 15°07.—D. Hooper.
Annual Report, Indian Museum, Industrial Section, 1909-1910.
610. Ixcra Parviflora, Vahl. w.r.B.t., 1. 142.
Vern. :—Kotdgandhal (Loha janzia, in Chutia Nagpur) (H.);
Rangan (B.); Pété (Kol.); Merom met (Santal); Tellu, Kurwan
(Uriya) ; Disti, kori (Gond.); Kurat, lokandi, narkurat, raikura,
guavi-lakri, makri che-jhar (Bomb.) ; Kura (Konkan); Shulundu
kora (Yam.); Korimi pala, korivi pala, putta pala, karipal,
kachipadel, tadda pallu (Tel.) ; Gorivi, korgi, bennugorvi (Kan.)
Habitat :—Western Bengal, Behar, Western, Central and
South India.
A small, evergreen, glabrous tree ; cymes sometimes slightly
pubescent. Leaves coriaceous, hard, shining, sessile, or shortly
pedicillate petiolate, oblong or ovate-oblong, with a rounded or
nearly cordate base, 4-5in. long; the reticulate veins nearly
as prominent as the secondary nerves. [Flowers white or pink,
scented, in ample, nearly sessile, compound trichotomous cymes.
Corolla glabrous, tube 4-4in., lobes oblong, filaments short.
Style very pubescent ; tip of Corolla ellipsoid in bud. Stigma
subcapitate, simple or cleft. Fruit small, didymous. Seeds
plano-convex.
88
658 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
Use:—The Santals employ the root or fruit as a medicine to
be given to females when the urine is high colored (Revd. A
Campbell).
611. IL. coccinea, Linn. 4.¥.B.1., 11. 145. Roxb.
126.
Syn. :—I. Bandhuca, Roxb. 126.
Sans. :—Ruktaka; Bandhooka.
Vern. :—Rangan, Rajana (B.); Pankul (Mar.). Bakora, abuli
(Bomb.).
Habitat :—Cultivated throughout India, a native of the
Western Peninsula, in the Conean or Chittagong.
A shrub, with long branches, twigs compressed, thickened
at nodes. Leaves small, 2-3in., obovate or oval-oblong, rounded
or even, subcordate at base, acute, often cuspidate at apex,
glabrous and shining, rather rigid, lateral veins somewhat
conspicuous, pellucid ; petiole extremely short; stipules, with
a long rigid bristle, sub-persistent. Flowers rather large,
shortly stalked, cymes lax, trichotomous. Calyx-segments,
either short, with toothed margin, or longer and acute, shorter
than ovary. Corolla-tube 1-lfin., very slender, lobes oblong-
oval, acute or obtuse, about half as long as tube, spreading.
Fruit $in., nearly globose, purple, says Trimen. Bright scarlet,
says K. R. K., in the specimens found throughout the
Konkan, in uncultivated plants found in the jungles, where they
are most conspicuous before the monsoons, with their beauti-
fully scartlet flowers in showy tufts. The fruit is edible. There
are many garden varieties bearing similar tufts of lemon-yellow
flowers; pink flowers, large and small; pale cream-coloured
flowers, with a tinge of red. Trimen has found all these forms
of the plant in Ceylon. Brandis says that the plant is very
common in the Western Peninsula, near the Western coast, also
along the Ghats, on river banks. In Burma, only cultivated.
An ornament of Indian gardens.
Uses:—In dysentery, 2 tolas of the flowers, fried in ghi
(melted butter), are rubbed down with 4 gunjés each of Cumin
and Nagkesar, and made into a bolus with butter and sugar-
candy, and administered twice a day (Dymock).
N. 0. BURIACER. 659
Asst.-Surgeon Amrita Lal Deb of Howrah, has found it very
useful in dysentery. Drs. Bird and Pilcher have also favour-
ably reported on its efficacy in that disease. (Vide J. M. G.,
Och is io a pricoly)
612. Pavetta Indica, Linn. u.F.B.1., U1. 150.
Syn. :—Ixora Pavetta, Roxb. 129.
Sans : —Pappana.
Vern. :—Kiakitra-ch fira (B.) ; Papat, tartari (Bom.); Pavuttay
(Tam.); Malleamothe (Mal.); Paputta, Nooni-papoota (Tel.)};
Kankra (Hind.).
_ Habitat :—Throughout India, from the Western Himalaya
in Garwhal to Bhotan, and southwards to Ceylon.
A large shrub. Bark thin, smooth, brownish grey. Wood
white to light brown, hard, close-grained (Gamble). Branches
numerous, spreading, twigs cylindric, glabrous, or tomentose.
Branchlets obtusely quadrangular, says Brandis. Leaves lan-
ceolate or elliptic-lanceolate, sometimes obovate, acuminate,
subacute, glabrous on both sides, dark green and shining above,
with scattered large, thickened, hard warts, more prominent
above than beneath ; blade 3-9in. (Trimen), 4-9in. (Brandis),
petiole 4-4in., stipules connate, triangular, acute, thin, deciduous.
Flowers very numerous on pedicels, longer than Calyx, white,
rather fragrant. Cymes copious, lax, corymbose, terminal,
glabrous, often with bracts below the branches. Calyx-segments,
very small, tooth-like. Corolla-tube about 3in.. Lobes obtuse,
about half length of tube; style exserted for fully #in., very
slender; stigma slightly clavate. Fruit 4-gin. diam., nearly
glabrous, polished, dark.
Uses :—-The root is bitter, possessing aperient qualities, and
is commonly prescribed by native doctors in visceral obstruc-
tions ; given in powder to children, the dose is about a drachm
or more (Ainslie).
Boiled in water, a fomentation is made from the leaves for
hemorrhoidal pains. The root is pulverised and mixed with
ginger and rice water, and given in dropsy (Rheede).
“Mr, H. M. Birdwood calls it “ Matheran coffee,
660 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
613. Morinda citrifolia, Linn. Var. bracteata,
Ha 8a i. 156:
Syn.:—M. bracteata, Roxb. 182.
Sans. :—Achchhuka.
Vern.:—Al (H.); Ach, Aich, Achhu (B.); Al; Béartondi,
nagakuda, aseti (Bomb.) ; Munja-pavattay ; Noona-maram (Tam.);
Cada pilva (Mal.) ; Molagha; Maddichetton (Tel.)
Var :—Bracteata, hurdi, huldi kunj, rouch (B.)
Habitat :—Cultivated and wild (?) throughout the hotter
parts of India.
A large shrub or small tree, glabrous, trunk straight, bark
smooth, branches obiusely 4-angled. Leaves shining, usually
6-10in., broadly elliptic, acuminate, acute or obtuse short-
petioled, one of the pair next to the peduncle often suppressed.
Stipules large, broadly oblong or semilunar, entire or 2-3-fid,
glabrous. Peduncles solitary, rarely 2-3-nate at the ends of
the branches, usually in the axils of every other pair of leaves,
lin. long or more, supporting leaf not developed. Flowers
5-merous. Calyx-limb truncate. Corolla white, tube 4in. or less.
Lobes glabrous, fusiform in bud, throat pubescent. Anthers
partly exserted. Fruit of many drupes coalescent into a fleshy
globose or ovoid head, pale, greenish-white, lin. diam.
Use :—-The charred leaves made into a decoction with mustard
area favourite domestic remedy for infantile diarrhoea. The
unripe berries, charred and mixed with salt, are applied success-
fully to spongy gums (Watt’s Dictionary).
The Cochin Chinese believe the fruit to be deobstruent and
emmenagogue (Ainslie.) The expressed juice of leaves is ex-
ternally applied to gout, to relieve pain (Drury). In Bombay,
the leaves are used as a healing application to wounds and
ulcers, and are administered internally as a tonic and febrifuge
(Dymock).
The root is used as a cathartic (Watt).
The oil is of a yellowish color, with a Sp. Gr. of 0'927 at 13°C, Itis cloudy,
owing to the separation from it of small crystals, which, recrystallised from
alcohol, melt at 60° C., and, upon analysis, are shown to consist of paraffins.
When freed from the crystals, the oil is almost entirely soluble in dilute caustic
soda. In the solution capronic and caprylic acids as well as a trace of higher
N. 0. BURIACER. 661
aliphatic acids, can be detected, In the neutral part of the oil, which only
amounts to a few per cent, ethyl alcohol can be detected after saponification ;
methyl alcohol and alcohols of a fusel-like odor are also probably present.
The percentage of acids is over 90,a rare occurrence with essential oils,
[J. Ch. I for Jan. 31, 1910, p. 110].
614. M. tinctoria, Roxb. u.F.B.1., m1. 156; Roxb.
182.185:
Sans. :—Achchuka.
Vern.:—A’l (H.); Ach, daruharidra (B.); Achu (Uriya) ;
Chaili, bankatari (Santal) ; Larnong, asfikhat (Assam); Ach, aich
(C. P.); Manjishta ‘Bomb.); Maddi chettu, mulaga chettu (Tel.)
Habitat :—Throughout India.
A moderate-sized or small deciduous tree, usually pubescent
or tomentose. Bark corky, bottle brown or grey, with numer-
ous, deep, longitudinal cracks. Wood red, often yellow, with
red streaks, moderately hard, close-grained. Leaves not shin-
ing, elliptic-obovate or lanceolate, blade 4-8, narrowed into
petiole 4-lin. long. Peduncles solitary, axillary leaf opposed,
frequently in short trichotomous panicles at the ends of branch-
lets. Flowers 5-merous. Corolla usually tomentose outside,
tube, 4-4in. long, anthers exserted or included, syncarpium 3in.
diam. [Syncarpium or syncarp isa multiple or fleshy aggre-
gate fruit, such as the mulberry or magnolin. |
Use :—The root is used internally as an astringent. (Irvine).
615. MM. umbellata, Linn. 4.¥.B.1., 111. 157.
Syn. :—M. Scandens, Roxb. 184. |
Vern.:—Noona-marum (Tam.); Moolooghoodoo (Tel.); A’l
(Bomb.); Maddi-chekhi (Kan.)
Habitat :—Hills of Eastern Bengal and the Malay Peninsula,
from the Khasia Mountains to Penang and Singapore; Western
Peninsula, South Concan, Neilgherry and Travancore Mount-
ains,
A large diffuse shrub, climbing by long tomentose, slender
branches. Leaves rarely 5in., usually membranuous, from
broadiy ovate to elliptic or linear-lanceolate, obtuse, acute or
caudate, acuminate, glabrous, pubescent or tomentose beneath;
nerves very distinct. Stipules acute, connate. Petiole slender,
662 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
tin. long. Heads in sessile terminal umbels. Corolla almost
retuse, throat bearded ; tube of Corolla short, not tin. Fruit a
syncarpium, of the size of large pea or larger, irregularly lobed.
Use:—Regarding this, Ainslie makes the following observa-
tions:—The leaves, in conjunction with certain aromatics, the
Tamool doctors use in decoction, in cases of diarrhoea and dysen-
tery, in the quantity of half a tea-cupful twice daily.
616. Paederia feetida, Linn. ae 195; dog:
229. ae
Sans. :~-—Prasarani.
Vern.:—Khip, gandhali, gundali (H.); Gundhabha-duli
(H.); Prasaram (Bomb.); Hiranwel (Mar); Bedoli sutta (Assam) ;
Takpcedrik (Lepcha); Padebiri (Sikkim).
Habitat:—From the Central and Eastern Himalaya, south-
ward to Malacca and westward to Calcutta.
A glabrous, foetid shrub. Leaves opposite, long-petioled,
or nearly glabrous ovate or lanceolate, 2-6 by %-23in., base
acute, rounded or cordate ; peteole 3-lin. Cyme branches
opposite panicles 2-6in. long, pubrulous. Bracts minute, ovate,
or subulate, ciliolate. Flower sessile and pedicelled. Calyx
small, tube campanulate. Calyx-teeth short, triangular. Corolla
1.2in,, tomentose. fruit 3-41n., polished, crowned with conical
disk and minute Calyx-teeth.
Uses: —The decoction prepared of the leaves is considered
wholesome and nutritive for the sick and convalescent. The
whole plant is regarded as a specific for rheumatic affections,
in which it is administered both internally and externally (Dutt).
The roots are used by the Hindoos as an emetic (Rox-
burgh). | | :
The juice of the leaves is considered astringent and given
tc children when suffering from diarrhoea: dose 1 drachm.
(Surgeon Mukerji, in Watt’s Dictionary).
“The fruit is used to blacken the teeth by Lepchas and
Pharias ; this, they say, 1s a specific against tooth-ache”
(Gamble).
N. 0. BURIACER. 663
617. Spermacoce hispida, Linn. 111. 200 ; Roxb.
125.
Vern. :—Nutteechoorie (Tam.); Thartavel (Mal.) ; Madana-
ghanti (Tel.) ; Ghanta-chibaji (Concan) ; Madana_ ghanti (H.) ;
Pitua arak (Santal).
Habitat :—Throughout India, from the Western Himalaya at
Simla, to Assam, and southwards to Ceylon.
Procumbant herb, scabrid hispid or hirsute. Root-stock
annual or perennial. Branches 6-14in., ascending, stout, 4-
angled. Leaves subsessile, $-14 by $-2in., often rounded at the
tip, rigidly coriaceous, ovate, spathulate, oblong or elliptic
obtuse or acute, margins plater-waved, sometimes thickened and
cartilaginous. Flowers 4-6 in a whorl. Calyx-teeth linear-
lanceolate. Corolla §-3in., blue or. white. Stigmas 2, very short
Capsule gin. long, hispid or pubescent, rounded at base. Seeds
oblong, granulate, opaque, very variable, ,4-4in. long, narrow
or broad.
Use :—The root possesses properties similar to Sarsaparilla.
It is used as an alterative, and is generally prescribed in the
form of a decoction (Ainslie). The seeds have been recommended
as a substitute for coffee.
618. Rubia cordifoha, Linn. u.¥B.1., 111. 202.
Syn. :—R. Munjista, Roxb. 125.
Sans. :—Manjishtha.
Vern. :—-Majith, Manjit (H. and Bomb.); Munjith, Aroona
(B.) ; Manjiti, shevelli (Tam.) ; Poont (Mal.) ; Mandastic, Tamra-
valli (Tel.) ; Manjustha (Kan.); [tari (Bomb).
Habitat :—Throughout the hilly districts of India, from the
N.-W. Himalaya eastwards, and southwards to Ceylon and
Malacca.
A scandent herb. Root perennial, very long, cylindric, flex-
uose, with a thick cortex. Stems very long, often many yards,
becoming slightly woody at base, flexible, tough, cylindric.
Bark white, branches scandent, by means of the many numerous
divaricate or deflexed branchlets and petioles, quadrangular,
664 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
sometimes prickly on the angles, smooth, shining. Leaves 4in
a whorl, $-l$in.; ovate, cordate at base, tapering to acute apex,
scabrous above and on the veins beneath, and especially on the
margin, with small, white, recurved prickles, 5-or 7-veined from
base, stiff, often convex above, with apex hooked, sometimes
pubescent beneath. Petiole about twice as long as leaves, usual-
ly deflexed, tapering, stiff and branchlike, deeply channelled
above, triangular, with many sharp recurved prickles on the
angles. Flowers, 5-merous, minute, on short, glabrous pedicels,
cymes lax, trichotomous, glabrous. Anthers globose. Corolla-
tube thick, very short, lobes ovate, obtuse. Fruit about 4in.,
very didymous, the carpels almost distinct, smooth, shining,
purplish black. The Ceylon plant, says Trimen, has the stem
almost destitute of prickles. “A very variable plant. The
Khasian specimens have usually 3-nerved leaves, not impressed
above; in Western Peninsula the nerves are 5-7, and deeply
impressed.” (Hooker).
Uses :—In Hindoo medicine, it is chiefly used as a coloring
agent. It is useful as an astringent in external inflammations,
ulcers and skin diseases, &c. Chakradatta recommends Madder,
rubbed with honey, as an application to the brown spots of
pityriasis versicolor (Dutt).
The Mahomedans consider the drug to be deobstruent, and
prescribe it in paralytic affections, jaundice, obstructions in the
urinary passages and amenorrhea, They mention the fruit as
useful in hepatic obstruction, and a paste made from the roots
with honey, as a good application to freckles and other discolora-
tions of the skin. The whole plant is reputed to be alexipharmic
(Dymock).
Ainslie says that an infusion of the root is prescribed by
the Hakims to women after delivery, to procure copious flow
of lochia.
Dr. G. Playfair, in a note appended to his translation of the
Talif-i-Sharifi (p. 150), states that, if taken to the extent of about
3 drachms, several times daily, it powerfully affects the nervous
system, inducing temporary delirium, &c., with evident deter-
mination to the uterine system (Ph. Ind.).
N. 0. VALERIANEZ. 665 -
N. O. VALERIANE.
619. Nardostachys Jatamansi, De. 11. 211.
Sans. :-—JatamAnsi.
Vern. :—Balchar (H.) ; Billi-lotan (Dec.) ; Sumbul (Bom.).
Habitat :—-Alpine Himalaya, from Kumaon to Sikkim.
An erect perennial herb. Root-stock woody, long, stout,
covered with fibres from the petioles of withered leaves. Stem
4-24in., more or less pubescent upwards, often glabrate below
subscapose. Radical leaves 6-8 by lin., longitudinally nerved,
glabrous or slightly pubescent, narrowed into the petiole ; cau-
line leaves 1-2 pairs, 1-3in. long, sessile, oblong or subovate.
Flower-heads usually 1, 3-5; bracts +in., oblong, usually pube-
scent. Corolla-tube tin. long, somewhat hairy within, as are
the filaments below. Fruit fin. long, covered with ascending
white hairs, crowned by the ovate, acute, often dentate calyx-
teeth. C. B. Clarke says : —“‘ There are two forms of this plant :
a large flowered, with usually glabrous bracts, and a smaller one,
with Corolla-tube, scarcely ¢in. long, and the bracts densely,
shortly hairy ; various intermediates occur” (P. 211, Vol III H.
EB I).
Uses :—It is prescribed by Hindoo physicians as a nervine
tonic and aromatic adjunct, in the preparation of medicinal oils
and ghritas (butter) (Dutt).
The author of the Makhzan considers it to be deobstruent
and stimulant, diuretic and emmenagogue, and recommends
it in various disorders of the digestive and respiratory organs,
and as a nervine tonic in hysteria. He also notices the popular
opinion that it promotes the growth and blackness of the hair.
In doses of 45 grains, it is often employed as an expectorant in
coughs and colds (Dymock.)
Ainshe says that in Southern India, the Vytians prepare a
fragrant and cooling liniment from this drug, to be applied to
the head and used internally as a blood purifier.
According to Sir Wm. O’Shaughnessy, it is a perfect repre-
sentative for Valerian.
84
566 INDIAN MEDICINAL- PLANTS.
The roots are aromatic and bitter in taste. They are
supposed to possess tonic, stimulant, and antispasmodic pro-
perties, and are often employed in the treatment of epilepsy,
hysteria, and convulsive affections (Watt). Used in palpita-
tion of the heart (Thompson, in Watt’s Dictionary).
620. Valeriana officinalis, Linn, H.F.B.1., II.
211, |
Vern. :—Jal-lakri (H.); Kala vdla (Mar.); Jalalakan, billi-
lotan (Ajmere). |
Habitat :—North Kashmir ; Sonaming ; Kunzlwan.
Perennial herbs, subglabrous. Rootstock short, suberect,
hardly thicker than the stem, stoloniferous. Stem 1-3ft., erect,
corymbose above, nodes minutely hairy. Leaves pinnate, seg-
ments numerous, narrow, entire or toothed. Radical leaves O at
flowering time or pinnate. The leaves on lateral offsets in
autumn near the root are often ovate, entire or slightly toothed.
Cauline leaves several, all pinnate. Upper bracts 7p in., oblong-
linear, shorter than the fruits.
Uses:—The root is officinal, being stimulant and antispas-
modic. It is useful as an antispasmodic in hysteria, epilepsy,
chorea and allied affections. Asa stimulant, it is used in the
advanced stages of fevers, low asthenic inflammations, &c.
(Pharm. Ind.) As an antispasmodic, it is much inferior to
assafoetida. In excessive doses, it causes headache, mental ex-
citement, indicating a deranged state of the nervous system. In
intermittents, it has been useful when combined with cinchona
bark or other tonics. Baths of Valerian have been found very
useful in acute rheumatism. The volatile oil of Valerian is
also a good form of administration (Bentley & Trimen).
621. V. Wallichii, do. H.F.B.1., 111. 213.
Syn. :—V. Jatamansi, Roxb. 55.
Vern. :—Mush kwéAli, bala (Pb).
Habitat: —Temperate Himalaya, from Kashmir to Bhotan,
and. Khasia Mountains. -
N. 0. VALERIANER. 667
A pubescent, perennial herb. Rootstock horizontal, thick,
with thick descending fibres. Radical leaves several, 1-3in. diam.,
deeply cordate or cordate-ovate, usually acute and toothed,
long-petioled. Cauline leaves few or much smaller, entire or
pinnate. Corymb 1-3in. diam., not very lax even in fruit.
Bracteoles oblong-linear, as long as the fruits. Fruit hairy or
nearly glabrous.
Use:--The roots are exported to the plains, and are used
medicinally, like V. Hardwickii (Stewart).
b22°V Harduickia. Wall arp, tt. 213.
Vern:—Tagger (H. and B.); Tagger-ganthoda (Bomb.) ;
Chammaha (Nepal); Nahani, char, bala, taggar (Pb.); Shumeo,
asarun (Kumaon) ; Char (C. P.).
Habitat :—Temperate Himalaya, from Kashmir to Bhotan,
and Khasia Mountains.
A perennial herb, pubescent below. Rootstock hardly thick-
ened, descending, fibrous. Stem 1-5ft., erect, usually simple
or corymbose only upwards, above often glabrous, nodes little
pilose. Leaves pinnate, pinnules 1-5 or lanceolate, acute. Radical
leaves undivided, usually disappearing before fruit-time : long-
petioled, ovate acute. Cauline leaves several, leaflets often 3,
rarely more than 5, upper smaller. Corymb in fruit lax, often
lft., repeatedly dichotomous, ultimate branchlets very small ;
upper bracteoles much shorter than the fruit. Fruit hairy.
Use:—The medicinal properties attributed to it by the
author of the Makhzan resemble those of N. Jatémansi. Royle
says that the drug is used medicinally in Nepal and Northern
India. There can be little doubt that it would prove an efficient
substitute for valerian (Dymock).
623. V. Leschenaultai, DC. Var. Brunoniana,
W.@A. H.F.B.I., 11 214.
Habitat :—Neilgherry Mts., frequent.
A perennial herb, glabrous, or very slightly puberulous. Root-
stock short, enveloped by thick fibres. Stem erect, with 1-2
pair of leaves near the root, and another small pair about the
668 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
middle, slightly hirsute on the knots. Leaves opposite, stipu-
late, somewhat fleshy, lower ones quite entire, ovate bluntly
acuminated, long-petioled, radical ones often emarginate at the
base ; uppermost or small pair somewhat sessile, narrow oblong,
entire or toothed along the margin. Corymb terminal, trichoto-
mous, panicled, with a pair of foliaceous bracts, similar to the
uppermost leaves subtending the principal branches, C. B.
Clarke describes this plant in Hooker’s F. B. I., Vol III, p. 214,
as a variety of V. Leschenaultii, D.C., and says that the cau-
line leaves are small, undivided or hardly any, fruit glabrous.
Clarke further observes thus:—The scapose form has some-
times hairy fruits and Wight has been unable in his own herba-
rium to settle what he would call V. Leschenaultii and what V.
Brunoniana. |
Use :—It affords a root which develops a strong odour of valeric
acid when dry, and yields to distillation with water a consider-
able amount of volatile oil. Dr. G. Bidie has recommended it as
a good substitute for European Valerian (Pharmacographia
Indica II p. 240.)
N. O. DIPSACEAA.
624. Morina persica, Linn. H.F.B.1., 111. 216.
Vern. :—Bekh ahmar (H.)
Habitat :—Western Himalaya, from Kashmir to Kumaon.
Glabrous or softly pubescent herbs. Stems tall, 13-4ft.
Leaves 6 by lin., sessile, up to Qin., doubtly spinous-toothed
hard, pubescent or glabrous. Flowers in axillary clusters ;
white or faintly tinged with pink. Spikeselongate. Bracts
free or nearly so, and involucels hairy or villous. Calyx-lobes
subequal, obovate, oblong, entire or emarginate. }-gin., by 3-7in.
Corolla-tube 1-ljin. Stamens 2 perfect, 2 rudimentary. Fila-
ments longer that the Corolla-lobes. Stigma broad, disk-like.
Achenes free within the involucel. In Kerner’s Natural History
of Plants 11,352. Oliver’s English Translation, 1895, London, the
flower of Morina persica is cited as instance of Autogamy “ by
N. 0. COMPOSITA. 669
the bending of the style to bring the stigmas into direct contact
with the anthers belonging to the same flower or to place them
in such a position beneath the anthers as to ensure their
catching any pollen that may fall out of the loculi” (K. R.
Kirtikar).
Use :— Mentioned in the ‘ Punjab Products’ amongst drugs,
but no medicinal properties are given. Dr. Dymock, in a letter
to Dr. Watt, states that he suspects the same species may prove
the source of the Red Behen or Bahman of the Persians
(Watt).
N. O. COMPOSIT A.
625. Lamprachaenium microcephalum, Benth.
H-F.BT., 1, 229.
Vern. :—Brahma-dandi (Bomb.).
Habitat :—The Concan ; at Parwar Ghat, Bombay.
An erect, branched annual. Branches slender, glabrous.
Stem 1-2ft., simple or branched from the base, glabrous hairy
glandular. Leaves petioled, 2-4in. hairy above, white tomentose
beneath. Heads 4-3in, diam. ; peduncles slender, hispid or
glabrate. Involucre bracts acute, ciliate, none leafy, erect or
recurved. Achenes ,;in. Pappus reddish, equalling the Corol-
la tube.
Use:—Used medicinally as an aromatic bitter (Dymock).
It smells of chamomile.
——
626. Vernonia cinerea, Lees. H.F.B.1., II. 233.
Syn. :—Serratula cinerea Row) 594.
Sans. :—Sahadevi.
Vern. :—Papar; Kunchli (Chutia Nagpur.) Kuksim, (B.);
Sira-shengalanir (Tam.). Moti Sadori (Bomb.).
Habitat : —Throughout India.
One of the commonest weeds throughout India, and Ceylon,
abundant everywhere. A pubescent, annual, erect berb. Stems
670 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
6-12in., or even 2ft., erect, stiff, cylindric, striate, more or less
pubescent, slightly branched. ‘‘ Sometimes decumbent at the
base, grooved’”’ (Collet). Leaves alternate distant, the lower
2in., but generally smaller upwards, nearly sessile, lanceolate,
or ovate, broadly oval to linear-lanceolate, tapering to the base,
subobtuse, apiculate, coarsely and shallowly crenate-serrate, more
or less hairy on both sides, $-l4in.; teeth few, coarse. Petiole
4-#in. Heads numerous, in. diam., small, on long stalks, in
lax divaricate terminal corymbs. Involucre-bracts linear,
mucronate; silky, outer ones smaller than the inner. Flowers
20-25, bright, pinkish-violet ; pappus white ; outer row very
short. Achenes not ribbed, hairy terete, 7sin. A very vari-
able plant.
Uses:—Used in medicine by the Hindus in decoction, to
promote perspiration in febrile affections (Ainslie). The ex-
pressed juice of the plant is given in piles (B. D. B.).
The seeds are employed in Patnaas an alexipharmic and
anthelmintic, and as a constituent of masdlas for horses (Irvine).
In Chutia Nagpur, the whole plant is given asa remedy for
spasm of the bladder and strangury; the flowers are administer-
ed for conjunctivitis (Campbell). The latter use is interesting,
since, according to Piso, the leaves of another species of the
same genus are similarly employed in Jamaica. (Watt.). In
Chutia Nagpur, root is given for dropsy (J. J. Wood’s Plants of
Chutia Nagpur, p. IIl.). |
627. V. anthelmintica, Willd., 111. 236.
Syn.:—Serratula anthelmintica, Roxb. 594.
Sans. :—Somaréja; Avalguja; Vakuchi.
Vern. :—KaAli-ziri; Bukchi (H. and B.); Karalye (Mar.);
Kattu shiragam, Neernoochie (Tam.); Neela-vayalie, Adavie-
zula-kuru (Tel).
Habitat :— Throughout India, from Kashmir to Ceylon.
A tall, robust, leafy annual, branched, glandular-pubescent,
stem 2-3ft., much branched striate, often blotched with purple.
Leaves petioled, 3-8in., rather membranous, lanceolate or
N..-O. COMPOSITAE. 671
ovate-lanceolate, coarsely serrate. Heads 43-$in. diam., about
40-fid, subcorymbose. Involucre-bracts linear, with broad pur-
plish tips. Achenes Zin, 10-ribbed, pubescent; outer pappus
rather longer, shining, reddish, flattened, deciduous; inner
very short, rigid, paleaceous.
Uses :—In Hindoo medicine, the seeds are of great repute as
a medicine for leucoderma and other skin diseases, and also
used as an anthelmintic in combination with other remedies
(Dutt). é
The author of the Makhzan informs us that itis given in-
ternally to remove phlegm and worms from the intestines, and
that a poultice or plaster of itis used to disperse cold tumors.
it is much used as a cattle medicine (Dymock).
- The seeds are considered as powerfully anthelmintic, and
are also an ingredient of a compound powder prescribed in
snake bites. (Ainslie.) On the Malabar Coast an infusion of the
seeds is given for coughs and against flatulency. (Rheede.)
In the Concan, the following formula is in vogue as an
anteperiodic ; vernonia seeds, chiretta, picrorrhiza root, dika-
mali, rocksalt and ginger, p. eq. powder, and give 6 massas
in cold water, in which a red hot tile has been quenched, every
morning (Dymock).
The juice of the leaf is given to cure phlegmatic discharges
from the nostrils (Agra Exhibition).
Dr. Ad. Ross speaks favorably of an infusion of the powdered
seeds (in doses of from 10 to 30 grains) asa good and certain
anthelmintic for ascarides.. In Travancore, the bruised seeds,
ground up in a paste with limejuice, are largely employed as
a means of destroying pediculi. Dr. Gibson regards them as
a valuable tonic and stomachic, in doses of 20 to 25 grains;
diuretic properties are also assigned to them (Ph. Ind.),
They are also given in anasarca and used for plasters for
abscesses (Watt).
The seeds are in the Punjab considered febrifuge (Baden-
Powell).
The seeds on extraction with ether yielded 18°25 per cent. of a dark brown
coloured and strong smelling oil with some resinous matter. The expressed
672 INDIAN MEDIOINAL PLANTS.
oil is of a light yellow colour and very viscid; it deposits ‘“stcarin” on
standing.
Physical and chemical characteristics.—Fat: Specific gravity at 100°,
0°9168; acid value, 58:2; saponification value, 202°88; Reichert-Meissl value,
7°88 ; iodine value, 71°0 ; unsaponifiable, 1-79 ; butyro-refractometer ‘at 25°, 75°.
Fatty acids: per cent. 91°6; melting point, 35°6°; iodine value, 73°4; neutrali-
sation value, 195'1; mean molecular weight, 287°4. (A. K. Menon.)
628. Hlephantopsus scuber, Linn., H.F.B.1., 11. 242 ;
Roxb. 607.
Sans.— Gojivha.
Vern.—Gobhi (H.); Kalia gangawan (Chanda, C.P.);
Gojialata, Samdlullum (B.); Hastipata, Mhaka, Pathri (Bomb.) ;
Anashovadi (Tam.); Tal Mali; Margi Chfindi (Jaspur).
Habitat.—Throughout India, from the Punjab.
A rigid, perennial herb, dichotomously branched, 1-2ft., high,
strigose, scabrid and villous. Leaves alternate. Radical leaves
ovate, oblong, crenate. Cauline leaves few, sessile. Head
clusters of lin. diam., surrounded by cordate, leafy bracts.
Involucre-bracts pungent, dry, stiff, alternately flat and con-
duplicate; receptacle naked. Flowers violet or purple, all
equally 4-lobed and cleft on one side and with lobes spreading
somewhat palmately. Anthers bases obtuse. Style arms sub-
ulate. Achenes truncate, hairy, 10-ribbed, pappus of 4-5
rigid bristles, shining, slender, and dilated at the base, or chaff-
like. The most noteworthy point with reference to this plant
is that the embryo not unfrequently germinates in the head.
Uses.—A decoction of the root and leaves is given, on the
Malabar Coast, in cases of dysuria (Rheede).
In Travancore, the natives are reported to boil the bruised
leaves with rice, and give them internally for swellings or pains
in the stomach (Watt).
In Chutia Nagpur, a preparation from the root is given for
fever (Revd. A. Campbell).
629. Ageratum conyzoides, Linn, H.F.B.1., 111. 243.
Syn.—A. cordifolium, Roxb. 597.
Vern.— Dochunti (B.); Osadi, Sahadvi, Gomera (Bomb.)
Habitat.—Throughout India. |
N. 0. COMPOSITE. 673
An erect, annual herb, 1-2ft., hispidly hairy. Stem branch-
ed, terete. Leaves petioled, ovate, crenate. Heads many, small,
in dense terminal corymbs, Bracts striate, acute. Ray-flowers
many, pale-blue or white. Achenes black, pappus scales 5
awned, often serrate below.
bf
Uses.--The whole plant has astrong aromatic, rather dis-
agreeable smell, and has a reputation among the Hindus as
an external application in agues; it is also worn as a charm
against ague when dug up on Sunday morning with the proper
ceremonies. The juice is also said to be a good remedy for
prolapsus ani; it is freely applied, and the parts replaced
(Dymock). The juice of the root is said to possess antilithic
properties (KX.R.K.).
630. Huputorium cannabinum, Linn, H.F.B.1.,
ul. 243.
Habitat.—-Temperate Hamalaya, and the Khasia Mountains.
A tall, coarse, pubescent or puberulous herb. Leaves simple
or trisect, lanceolate, coarsely serrate. Corymbs many, rounded.
Heads tin. long. Inner involucere-bracts subacute.
Use.—“‘ Was strongly recommended by Tournefort as a
deobstruent in visceral obstructions, consequent to intermittent
fevers, and externally as a discutient in hydropic swellings of
the legs and scrotum” (Fleming).
631. EH. ayapana, Vent., H.F.B.1., 111. 244.
Vern.—Ayapana (Mar.)
Halitat.—An American plant, naturalized in many parts of
India. 1 have seen itin Bombay. I grew it in my Ratnagiri
garden in 1900-1904. K. R. K.
A small shrubby plant, 5 to 6 feet high; branches straight.
reddish, with a few simple scattered hairs; young shoots
have a somewhat mealy appearance, due to the presence of
small particles of a white balsamic exudation; leaves opposite,
in pairs, their bases uniting round the stem, about 4 inches
long and $ inch broad, fleshy, smooth, lanceolate, attenuated
at the base; midrib thick and reddish; flowers like those of
the groundsel, purple. The odour of the plant is aromatic,
85
674 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
somewhat like ivy, but more agreeable; taste bitter and aro-
matic, peculiar (Dymock).
Uses. —At the Mauritius, it is in great repute, and the leaves
are considered as alterative and antiscorbutic. An infusion of
the leaves has an agreeable and somewhat spicy taste, and is
-a good drink, when fresh and bruised. They are one of
the best applications I know of for cleaning the face of a foul
ulcer (Ainslie).
For long it held a high position as a medicinal plant, but the
exaggerated ideas of its virtues have now exploded. Itisa
good simple stimulant, tonic and diaphoretic. In cholera, it
has been used to restore warinth to the body, and it is said
also to be used internally and externally in the treatment of
-snake-bite (Ph. Ind.).
Ayapana may be compared with chamomile in its effects;
it is stimulant and tonic in small doses, and laxative when
taken in quantity ; the hot infusion is emetic and diaphoretic,
and may be given with advantage in the cold stage of ague and
in the state of depression which precedes acute inflammatory
affections. The infusion may be made with loz. of the herb
to a pint of water, and be given in 2oz. doses, every three
hours (Dymock).
632. Solidago Virga-aurea, Linn. H.F.B.1., 111. 245.
Habitat :—Temperate Himalaya, from Kashmir eastwards,
alt. 5—9,000ft. Khasia Mts., alt. 4—6,000ft.
A perennial, glabrous, or pubescent herb; stem erect, stout,
subsimple 6-24in. Lower leaves petioled, ovate or oblong
subserrate, upper smaller, narrower entire, heads 1-4 on short
axillary peduncles collected in a long leafy panicle. IJnvolucre-
bracts narrow, acute. Ray-flowers about 8, Achense glabrous
or puberulous. |
Uses :—In English the plant is called Woundwort, from its
reputation as a vulnerary. The flowering herb contains a
volatile oil, is of an aromatic odour and a bitterish -and astrin-
gent taste.
-. -N.-O. COMPOSITA. : 675
Tt is reported to have been used very successfully by Dr.
Mascarel in cases of dropsy (La France Medicale, Oct. 8, 1889).
He reduces the dried plant—stems, leaves and flowers—to a
coarse powder, and gives it in doses of one tablespoonful,
beaten with an entire egg (yolk and white). He gives but one
dose on the first day ; but on each of the following days he adds
a tablespoonful, until seven or eight doses are being taken
during the twentyfour hours. The diuresis is said to continue
until ceedema permanently disappears.
Very little is known about the chemistry of this genus. Volatile oils have
been obtained from 4 American Species but with the exception of Solidago
canadensis, L, nothing is known about their chemistry. Chemical Abstracts,
Feb. 20 p, 521. —
633. Grangea maderaspatana, Poir., H.F.B.L,
Be 2A
Syn.—Artemisia maderaspatana, Roxb. 600.
Vern.— Mustard (Hind.) ; Namuti(Beng.) ; Afsanteen (Arab) ;
Baranjasif kowhi (Pers.) ; Mashi pattiri (Tam.); Douana (Kan.) ;
Nelampala (Mal.) ; Savi (Tel.)
Habitat.—Throughout India, from the Punjab eastwards
and southwards.
Annual, stems numerous, spreading from centre, prostrate,
6-12in., hairy branched, buds white woolly. Leaves numerous,
14-24in., sessile, deeply, sinnuately pinnatifid, with 2-4 pair of
opposite or sub-opposite lobes, smaller towards the base, termi-
nal part larger, all coarsely serrate, dentate, pubescent. Heads
yellow, 2-$in., depressed, globose, on short pedicels, usually in
pair on leaf opposed peduncle ; involucre-bracts oval, obtuse,
thick and rigid, pubescent. Corolla-tube campanulate above,
persistent, lobes acute ; pappus hairs connate into a cylindric
fimbriate tube. Achenes glandular, j4in., long including the
pappus tube.
Uses.—The leaves are regarded as a valuable stomachic and
to possess deobstruent and antispasmodic properties, and are
prescribed in infusion and electuary in cases of obstructed
menses and hysteria. They are also sometimes used in pre-
676 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
paring antiseptic and anodyne fomentations (Ainslie, Mat.
Ind. L, p. 483.)
The juice of the leaves is employed as an instillation for ear-
ache (Kinsley. in Watt’s Dictionary).
634. Hrigeron asteroides, Roxb. H F.B.1., 111. 254 ;
Roxb. 603.
Vern.—Maredi, Sonsali (Bomb.).
Habitat.—Tropical Himalaya; Nepal, Sikkim, Bengal and
the Western Peninsula.
A coarse annual, 1-2ft. high, erect, or in a dwarf state,
decumbent; pubescent or villous. Branched. Radical leaves
obovate, petioled. Cauline leaves 4-lin., numerous, obovate or
oblong, 4-amplexicaul, all toothed or lobulate. Involucre-
bracts 1-2-seriate, very narrow, with their hair points much
shorter than the pappus. Heads }-3in., peduncled, solitary or
corymbose. Ligules capillary, rather blue, longer than the
dirty white or reddish pappus. Achenes very minute, in.,
nearly glabrous, flat, pale.
Uses.—Dr. Dymock writes that he noticed it, being offered
for sale in the bazaar as a stimulating and diuretic medicine.
Several species of Erigeron are used as diuretic in America.
635. Blumea lacera, DC., H.F.B.1., II. 263.
Syn.— Conyza lacera, Roxb. 601.
Sans. —Kukuradru.
Vern.—Kékronda, Kukkurbanda, Jangli-mali (H.); Kukur-
sunga, bura-siksung (B.); Nimurdi (Bomb.); Jangli-kasni,
jangli-mulli, divari-mulli (Duk.); Narak-karandai, Kattu-
mullangi(Tam.); Karn pog4ku, advi-mulangi (Tel.).
“ Kakronda and other vernacular names are applied to more
than one allied species of Blumea and Laggera, without much
regard to the color of their flowers” (Moodeen Sheriff).
Habitat :—Throughout the plains of India, from the N.-W.
Himalaya to Travancore.
A hairy, villous, or glandular, rarely glabrescent herb, stem
erect, simple or branched very leafy, rarely 2ft. high. Leaves
N. 0. COMPOSITE. 677
petioled obovate, toothed or serrate, rarely lobulate. Heads 4in.,
in short axillary cymes and collected in terminal spiciform
panicles, rarely corymbose. Involucre-bracts narrow, acuminate,
hairy. Receptacle glabrous. Corolla yellow, lobes of herma-
phrodite flowers nearly glabrous, pappus white. Achenes sub-
4-goneus, not ribbed, glabrate.
Uses :-—The fresh root held in the mouth is said to relieve
dryness (U. C. Dutt). |
Mixed with black pepper it is given in cholera ( Watt).
The expressed juice of the leaves is a useful anthelmintic,
especially in cases of thread-worm, either internally or applied
locally (Surg. J. Anderson, Bijnor). Used by many Hospital
Assistants and highly thought of by them as a febrifuge and
astringent. Is an invaluable remedy in Tinea Tarsi (Asst.-
Surg. Bollye Chand Sen, Campbell Med. School, Sealdah),
in Watt’s Dictionary.
The expressed juice of the leaves, mixed with black pepper,
is given in bleeding piles.
It is also given in retention of urine.
636. B. eriantha, DC., H.F.B.1., 111. 266.
Vern. :—Nimurdi (Mar.).
“Under the names of Bhamburdi: Mar.) Kalara and Chan-
chari-mari, ‘ flea-killer’ (Guz.), several kinds of Bhumea are
used indiscriminately by the natives of Western India” (Phar-
macographia Indica, Vol. il., p. 255).
Habitat :—The Conean ; Banda.
A prostrate or decumbent herb, pubescent or tomentose, or
clothed with seattered long hairs, rarely silky, villous. Stems
lft., very slender, dichotomously divaricately branched from
the base. Leaves 1-3in., acutely irregularly toothed, the teeth
often subspinescent ; lower leaves petioled, obovate, obtuse, upper
sessile, obovate or oblong-acute. Heads small, 4-4in. mostly, on
the long slender peduncles of dichotomous cymes, rarely fasci-
cled. Peduncles and involucre clothed with long, silky, hairs,
receptacle glabrous, pappus white, achenes very minute,
angles minute, sparingly silky.
678 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
The very woolly white undersurfaces of the leaves, which,
however, Kurz unites with balsamifera, perhaps as Clarke thinks
rightly, but the Corolla-lobes in this are hairy, and very glan-
dular in balsamifera.
Use: —The juice of the plant is administered as a carmina- |
tive,and the herb used along with the leaves of Vitex Negundo
and Careya arborea for fomentations. A warm infusion is given
as a sudorific in catarrhal affections, cold it is considered to be
diuretic and emmenagogue.
637. -B. densijioras DU. area 1 2o:
Syn. :—B. grandis, D.C; B. Milnei, Seem.
Vern. :—Pung-ma-theing (Burm.). z
Habitat :—Tropical Himalaya; Sikkim; Assam ; Mishmi
and Naga Hills, and Khasia Mountains.
Herbs with a stout stem. Panicles and leaves beneath dense-
ly tomentose, or clothed with thick white felted wool. Leaves
very large, 8-18in., broadly elliptic or elliptic-lanceolate, narrow-
ed into a long, winged, sometimes appendaged, petiole, pube-
rulous above serrate-toothed or pinnatifid. Heads +in. diam ;
sessile, in rounded clusters, in a large branched panicle. Invo-
Incre-bracts narrow, rather rigid. Receptacle narrow, glabrous.
Corolla-lobes of hermaphrodite flowers hairy. Pappus red.
Achenes 10-ribbed, pubescent (J. D. Hooker).
Use :—A few years ago, Mr. E. O’Riley prepared camphor
from this plant which was pronounced identical with that im-
ported from China (Watt).
638. 8B. balsamifera, DC. 4.¥.B.1., 111. 270.
Syn. :—Conyza balsamifera, Linn. Roxb. 601.
Vern. :—Kakaronda (H.); Kalahad (Guz.); Bhamburda
(Mar.).
Habitat :—Tropical Himalaya ; Nepal and Sikkim, Assam,
Khasia Mountains, Chittagong, and the Eastern Peninsula.
An erect, green, short-lived shrub, or small tree, branches,
N. 0. COMPOSITE. t 679
leaves and inflorescence densley tomentose or villous, or silkily
woolly. Stem tall, corymbosely branched above. Sometimes
this plant springs up gregariously in sites of previous
temporary cultivation in the Eastern Himalaya and in the
hill country, from thence to and through Burma. Leaves
4-10in., coriaceous, elliptic oblong-lanceolate, serrate, some-
times pinnatifid, narrowed into a usually auricled short petiole
4-lin. long. Heads yellow, 4-gin. diam., sessile, densely clustered
on the branches of a large terminal, spreading or pyramidal, leafy
panicle. Involucre-bracts tomentose. Receptacle glabrous.
Pappus red. Achenes 10-ribbed, silky.
The most arboreous of all the species, smelling strongly
of camphor—J. D. Hooker.
Use :—A warm infusion, acts as a pleasant sudorific, and it
is a useful expectorant as a decoction. (Watt.)
639\: Pluchea andica, Less,’ H.P.Bi., 111. 272 :
Roxb. 601.
Vern :—Munghu rakha ; Kukronda (B.).
Habitat :—Sunderbunds.
A low shrub, glabrous, or nearly so. It isan evergreen
large shrub in the tidal and beach forests, from the Hughli
round the coast of Chittagong, Arracan and Burma (Gamble),
Leaves ovate obtuse more or less dentate, 1-2in., acute or
apiculate, often gland-dotted. Narrowed into a short slender
petiole. Corymbs pubescent. Heads +in. diameter, in com-
pound terminal corymbs. Outer involucre-bracts broad, tips
rounded. Flowers of disk hermaphrodite, of ray, female,
numerous. Achenes minute, ribbed, nearly glabrous; pappus
scanty, white, spreading.
Use:—The root and leaves are employed medicinally in
Patna as astringents and in cases of fever (Irvine).
640. P. lanceolata, Oliv. H.F.B.1., 111. 272.
Vern. :—Ra-sana (Pb.); Kourasana (Sind.); Marwande
(Pushtu); Chota kalia (Raj.) Banserai (Aligarh); Choti Kalia
(Agra); Sorahi (Cawnpore).
680 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
Habitat :—Upper Bengal, at Cawnpore, Oudh, and west-
ward to the Punjab and Scind.
A shrubby, hoary- pubescent plant. Branches rather slender.
Leaves 1-2in., sessile, very coriaceous, oblong oblanceolate,
pungent, quite entire, strongly nerved ; pale when dry; nerves
very oblique on both surfaces. Heads in compound corymbs,
Jonger than broad. Involucre contracted at the mouth, bracts
short, rounded ; outer bracts hoary.
Use :—The leaves are aperient, and are used as a substitute
for Senna (Murray).
641. Spheranthus indicus, Linn. H.F.B.1., UI.
249).
Syn. :—S. mollis, Roxb. 608,
Sans. :—Mundi; Munditika.
Vern. :—Mundi. Gorakhmundi (H. and Bomb.) ; Murmuria,
Chagul-nudie (B.) ; Kottak-karandai (Tam.) ; Boda-tarapu (Tel.) ;
Miran-gani, attaka manni (Mal.).
Habitat :—Tropical Himalaya, from Kumaon to Sikkim ;
Assam, Silhet, and southwards to Ceylon ; common in rice
fields.
A low annual, about lft. high, with spreading branches,
long, divaricate, ascending, with toothed wings, glandular to-
mentose or villous. Stem cylindrical, strongly winged with
the sharp-toothed decurrent bases of the leaves. Leaves 1-2in.,
sessile, decurrent, oval, slightly tapering at the base, obtuse
or subacute, sharply spinous-serrate, very glandular, and also
with long white hair on both sides, glaucous-green ; compound
heads 2-$in., ovoid, globose, on winged peduncles, heads very
numerous, densely packed, purple bracts, linear acuminate,
rather shorter than flower-heads, ciliate at the end; achenes
stalked, smooth.
Purts used : —The seeds, root, bark and flowers.
Uses :—The oblong seeds and the root are considered by the
Hindus to have anthelmintic properties.
N. 0. COMPOSITA. 681
The powder of the root is considered stomachic, and _ that
the bark ground and mixed with whey, is a valuable remedy
for piles (Rheede),
Dr. Horsfield reports that in Java it is considered as a useful
diuretic.
The author of the Makhzan speaks of it as a powerful tonic,
deobstruent and alterative, and observes that the odour of the
plant may be perceived in the urine and perspiration of those
who are taking it. The administration of the drug is recom-
mended in bilious affections, and for the dispersion of various
kinds of tumors. He also informs us that the Hindus use the
bark, and make a kind of confection of the young plant by
rubbing it up with clarified butter, flour and sugar ; a portion
of this taken daily is said to be a good tonic, and to prevent
the hair turning white or falling off. An oil, prepared from the
root, by steeping it in water and then boiling in oil of Sesamum
until all the water is expelled, taken fasting every morning, for
41 days, in doses of 2 dirhems, is said to be a powerful aphro-
disiac (Dymock).
In the Punjab the flowers are highly esteemed as alterative,
depurative, cooling and tonic. (Stewart.)
642. Anaphalis neelgerriana, DC., 4H.F.B.L.,
1 Zon.
Vern. :—Kaat-plaster (Nilgiris).
Habitat :—Nilgherry Mts. ; alt. 7-8,0U0ft.
A perennial, wholly clothed with cottony wool, branches
very many, crowded on a stout woody stock, some very
short, densely leafy, flowerless, others 4-10in. long and flower-
bearing. Leaves {-din., narrowly linear, those on the
flowerless branches and base of the flowering parts most
dense, spreading and reflexed, on the upper part of the flowering
branches erect, all acute with recurved margins, heads +-1in.
diam. sessile, most densely crowded or solitary or in corymbose
clusters ; margins of leaves revolute. Involucre-bracts. + in.,
86
682 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
long, elliptic-oblong or lanceolate, obtuse or acute, white,
opaque.
Use.—The fresh leaves are bruised and applied to the wound
under a rag.
The authors of the Pharmacographia Indica write that
“other species (of Anaphalis) are used on the Nilgiris for cut
wounds.”
643. Gnaphalium luteo-album, Linn, 4.F.B.1.,
T2688.
Syn. :—-G. orixense and G. albo-luteum, Roxb. 600.
Vern. :—Bal-raksha (Pb.).
Habitat :—From Kashmir and Sikkim throughout India.
A woolly, very variable annual, 4-12in. high. Stem
corymbosely branched above. Leaves woolly on both surfaces,
sessile 1-2in. long, rarely more than fin. broad, oblong-
spathulate, obtuse; upper lanceolate acute, half-amplexicaul.
When leafless, there are instead dense corymbose clusters of
glistening heads, whitish yellow or brown. Involucre-bracts
oblong obtuse. Achenes tubercled, or with minute curved
bristles.
Use :—The leaves are said to be officinal in the bazaars of
the Punjab (Watt).
644. Inula racemosa, Hook. f. H.F.B.1., 1. 292.
Vern. :—Raésan (Arab.); Zanjabil-i-Shami (Pers.). Poshkar
(Kashmir).
Habitat :—Western Himalaya ; on the borders of fields, &e.,
Kashmir and Piti.
Tall stout herbs, 1-5ft., stem grooved, scabrid. Leaves
scabrid above, densely tomentose beneath, crenate, radical 8-18
by 5-8in., narrowed into a petiole as long, elliptic-lanceolate ;
cauline often deeply lobed at the base, oblong, $-amplexicaul.
Heads many, very large 14-2in. diam., racemed. Outer
involucre bracts broad, with recurved triangular tips; ligules
N. O. COMPOSITA. 683
slender, $in., inner involucre-bracts linear acute. Achenes 4in ,
glabrous, slender; pappus #in., reddish.
Uses :—The root of this plant is used in veterinary medicine.
The dry roots have a weak, aromatic odour, resembling orris and
camphor ; their flavor 1s aromatic and slightly bitter, and their
action a mild tonic (Watt).
In Kashmir, it is used to adulterate Saussurea Lappa.
Arabian writers recommend it as an expectorant, and as a
resolvent in indurations (Honnigberger).
Useful in atonic dyspepsia (Meadows’ Prescriber’s Com-
panion).
In America, the drug is still resorted to, in the treatment of
amenorrhoea, while it is found to be sometimes beneficial in
‘chronic diseases of the lungs, when complications of general
debility or want of tone in the digestive organs exist.
They also possess diaphoretic, diuretic, Sapeowwea and em-
menagogue properties (Watt).
645. Pulicaria crispa, Benth., H.F.B.1., 11. 299.
Vern. :—Buti, gidi, sutei, phatmer (Pb.) ; Burhna (H.).
Habitat:—The Punjab and the Upper Gangetic Plain, and
eastwards to Behar.
A stout perennial, 1-2ft. high, very leafy ; shrubby below ;
branches and leaves beneath densely cottony. Leaves 4-1}in.
sessile, linear-oblong, or sub-spathulate, margins recurved,
toothed, and crisped, lower $-amplexicaul. Involucre pubescent,
bracts very slender, setaceous, or sub-herbaceous, ligules shorter
than the bracts. Pappus white, bearded, thickened at the
tips, three times as long as the glabrate achenes, outer scales
connate with the hairs, and deciduous with them.
Use:—In the Salt Range, the dried plant is applied asa
vulnerary to bruises, &c., of bullocks (Stewart).
646. Xanthium strumarium, Linn. H.F.B.1., II.
303.
Syn. :—X. indicum, D.C. Roxb. 660.
Sans. :—Aristha.
684 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
Vern. :—Chhota-gokhru ? (dind.); Bun-okra (Beng.) ; Shan.
keshvara; Dhupa (Bomb.); Marlumulta (Tiam.); Veritel-nep
(Tel.) ; annie kullan (Sind ; Pb.)
Habitat :—Throughout the hotter parts of emaiee usually
near houses; ascending the Western Himalaya to 5,000 ft.
An annual coarse, rough, unarmed herb. Stem short, stout,
slightly branched, spotted, harsh with bristly hairs. Leaves
petioled, 2-3in. long, scabrid, triangular-cordate or orbicular
lobed and toothed, base cuneate. Heads in terminal and
axillary racemes, fruiting involucres #in. long, ovoid or oblong,
beaks erect or diverging. Achenes enclosed in the hardened
involucral cells, ovoid thick ; pappus absent.
Use :—The whole Aerts supposed to possess oes. dia-
phoretic and sedative properties. It is generally administered
in the form of decoction, and is said to be very efficacious in long
standing cases of malarious fever <8. Arjun). Mr. Baden-
Powell says that the root is a bitter tonic, useful in cancer and
strumous diseases. The prickly fruit considered cooling and
demulcent and is given in small-pox (Stewart).
In America and Australia, this plant has been observed to
prove fatal to cattle and pigs. Its hairs and prickles are em-
ployed as medicine in China (Dymock).
In Southern India, the prickly involucre is applied to the ear,
or tied in a bunch to the ear-ring, to cure hemi-crania (Elliott).
‘Has proved very useful in urinary diseases, a good diuretic,
diminishes the irritability of the bladder. Very useful also
in gleet and leucorrhcea, given as infusion or in one drachm
doses in powder. Has also been given in menorrhagia (Penny,
in Watt’s Dictionary).
The fruits are slightly narcotic (Surgeon Mukerji, in Watt’s
Dictionary.)
647. Sregesbeckia Orientalis, Linn, H.F.B.1., II.
304.
Syn. :--S. brachiata, Roxb. 605.
Habitat: —Throughout India, ascending to 5,000ft., in the
Himalaya and other mountains.
N. O. COMPOSITE. 685
A large, annual herb, 2-4ft. (Trimen), 1-3ft. (J. D. Hooker),
6-7ft. (Kanjilal), common on damp fallow lands. Stem stiff,
erect, with spreading opposite horizontal branches below, and
dichotomously branched above, finely pubescent. purple. Leaves
opposite, l-5in. long and broad, oval-triangular or short petioles,
shortly tapering at base, acuminate, acute, deeply and irregu-
larly laciniate serrate, densely and finely pubescent on both
sides, pale, yellowish-green, the uppermost much smaller and
nearly entire. Heads tin. in diam. small, pedunculate, yellow,
subglobose, solitary in the forks of very large lax dichotomous
corymbose inflorescence. Involucre-bracts very dissimilar, five
outer over 4in., linear spathulate or club-shaped at end,
horizontally spreading, with recurved margins, upper surface
set with numerous large, extremely viscous, glandular en back.
Ray flower red beneath, very short, recurved, 3-toothed. Achenes
each enclosed in a boat-shaped bractlet, glabrous, slightly
rough (Trimen) ; curved, quadrangular, black (Kanjilal).
Uses:—“ It has a high reputation as a valuable depurative,
and also for its healing properties in gangrenous ulcers and
sores. It is strongly recommended in diseases of urethra. **
Dr. Daruty, of Mauritius, writes me that he prescribes it with
very good results in the from of an aqueous extract, in syrup
and sometimes combined with iodide of potassium, in cases
where a powerful alterative, sudorific, and anti-syphilitic is _re-
quired. He believed it to much more powerful than Sarsa-
parilla ”’ (Christy's ‘New Commercial Plants and Drugs’ No. IX.,
p. 49, 1886).
Externally, a mixture of equal parts of the tincture and
glycerine has been tried in Europe with good effect in ringworm
and similar parasitic eruptions. Antiseptic properties have
been ascribed to the fresh plant, applied to unhealthy ulcers.
648. Hnhydra fluctuans, Lour. 4.¥.B.1., 111. 304.
Syn. :—Hingtsha repens, Roxb. 609.
Sans. :—Hilamochika.
Vern. :—Harhuch (H.) ; Hingcha(B.)
Habitat :—Eastern Bengal, Assam and Silhet.
686 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
A marsh herb, usually quite glabrous, sometimes pubescent
or glandular; stems 1-2ft., elongate, simple or divaricating,
branches rooting at the nodes. Leaves sessile, linear-oblong,
acute or obtuse, entire or subcrenate, 1-3in., variable in ‘breadth,
base narrowed or truncate. Heads axillary and terminal sessile,
4-4in. outer dorsally, inner sometimes literally compressed,
pappus absent. |
Uses:--The leaves of this aquatic plant are regarded as
laxative and useful in diseases of the skin and nervous system.
The fresh juice of the leaves, in doses of about a tola, 1s pres-
cribed by some kavirajas in Calcutta, asan adjunct to tonic
metallic medicines, given in neuralgia and other nervous
diseases (Dutt).
The leaves are antibilious (K. L. Dey). Expressed juice of the
leaves is used as demulcent in cases of gonorrhea; it is taken
mixed with milk, either of cow or goat. The leaves are
pounded and made into a paste which is applied cold over the
head as a cooling agent (Assistant-Surgeon Mookerji, in
Watt’s Dictionary).
Useful in the torpidity of the liver. The infusion should be
made the previous evening. It is boiled with rice and used with
mustared oil and salt; dose infusion, one drachm. (Mr. Forsyth,
F.R.c.s,, in Watt’s Dictionary).
649. Helipta alba, Hassk., 4.F.B.1., 111. 304.
Syn. :—E. prostrata, Roxb. 605.
Sans. :—Kesaraja; also Bhringaraéja (K.R.K.).
Vern.:—Moch Kand, Bhangra, Babri, Maka, Dodhak
(Pb.); Mik (Sind.); Kesuti, Keysuria (B); Karisha langauni,
Kaikeshi, Kaivishi-ilai, Kaiantagarie (Tam.); Goontagelinjeroo
(Tel.). Bhaugra (U.). |
Habitat :—From the Himalaya throughout India. :
Hirsute or strigillose annual, erect or diffuse, branched,
slender weed. Leaves opposite, sessile, linear or oblong-
lanceolate, narrowed at both ends, 1-4in. long, very varia-
ble in form and width. Peduncles 1-2, axillary, short or
long, and slender. Involucre bracts ovate obtuse, or acute,
about equally or exceeding the flowers. Heads 4-4in. diam.
N. 0. COMPOSITA. 687
Uses:—In Sanskrit medicine it is principally used as a tonic
and deobstruent in hepatic and splenic enlargements, and in
various chronic skin diseases. There is a popular opinion that
the herb taken internally and applied externally will turn the
hair black.
The fresh juice of the leaves is rubbed on the shaven scalp
for the purpose of promoting the growth of hair (Dutt).
Mahomedan writers ascribe the same properties to this plant
as the Hindus.
In Bombay, the natives use the juice in combination with
aromatics, as a tonic and deobstruent, and give 2 drops of it
with eight drops of honey to new-born children, suffering from
eatarrh. The following prescription is used in the Concan for
tetanus :—Maka juice, I tola; Juice of Leucas cephalotes
(Tumba) + tola; Ginger juice, 2 tolas; Juice of Vitex trifolia, 1
tola; and leaf-juice of Sesbania grandiflora, 3 tolas: to be boiled
with four times the quantity of cocoanut juice and a little
rice and treacle to from a khir, to be given twice a day.
(Dymock). '
In the Gujrat district of the Punjab, it is used externally for
ulcers, and an antiseptic for wounds in cattle (Ibbetson’s
Gujrat. :. p. LL.)
The Indian Pharmacopceia recommends the expressed juice
as the best form of administration in hepatic derangements, as
a substitute for taraxacum.
The fresh plant is applied with sesamum oil in elephantiasis,
and the expressed juice in affections of the liver and dropsy.
When used in large doses, it acts as an emetic. It is also con-
sidered cooling (Watt). -
It is anodyne and absorbent, and relieves headache when
applied with a little oil. It is an excellent substitute for taraxa-
cum (Kannye Lal De Bahadur).
In Chutia Nagpur, the root is applied in conjunctivitis and
galled necks in cattle (Revd. A. Campbell).
The juice of the leaves is given in one teaspoonful doses in
jaundice and fevers. The root is given to relieve the scalding
688 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
of the urine in doses of 180 grains mixed with = (Dr. Peters,
in Watt’s Dictionary).
650. Wedelia calendulacea, Lees. H.F.B.I1., 111 306.
Syn. :——Verbesina calendulacea, Linn; Roxb. 606.
Sans. :—Pita-bhringi; Bhringaraja.
Vern.:—Bangra, Kesaraja (B.); Bhanra (H); Pivala bhan-
gra (Bomb.) ; Pivalamaké (Mar.).
Habitat:—In wet places, Assam, Silhet, and the EKastern
and Western Peninsulas.
A scentless, tasteless perennial herb. Stem short, 6-18in.,
procumbent at base and rooting at the nodes, then ascending,
cylindrical, slightly rough, with adpressed hair. Leaves 1-3in.,
variable in breadth, opposite, nearly sessile, oblong, strap-shaped,
or oblong-oval, tapering to base, acute, sparingly and shallowly
serrate or entire, slightly rough with adpressed, rigid, white hair
on both sides. Heads yellow, solitary, few, on very long, erect
ax aty ees terminal) peduncles, about in. diam. Bracts
few, 5-8, 2in., leafy oblong, obtuse, inner 2 or 3 much smaller.
Receptacle flat, with a linear, acute, hyaline, ciliate bractlet to
each flower. Ray-flowers 8-12, spreading, about equalling bracts,
broad, deeply 2-3ft. toothed ; disk-flowers about 20, short, narrow-
ed acute, recurved. Achene nearly cylindric, pubescent, shorter
than bractlet, crowned with a shallow ring of short, scarious,
ciliate scales (Trimen).
Uses:—The leaves are used in dyeing grey hair and in pro-
moting the growth of hair. They are considered tonic, alter-
ative and useful in cough, cephalalgia, skin diseases and
alopecia. The juice of the leaves is much used as a snuff in
cephalalgia. (Dutt). The seeds, flowers, as well as the leaves,
are used in decoction, in the quantity of half a teacupful twice
daily, as deobstruent (Ainslie).
In decoction, the plant is used in uterine hepa and
menorrhagia (S. Arjun).
N. 0. COMPOSITA. 689
651. Spilanthes Acmella, Linn., 4.F.B.1., 111 307.
Habitat :—-Throughout India.
An annual herb, more or less pubescent, sometimes hairy.
Stems prostrate near the base or ascending, 1-2ft., much bran-
ched, cylindric, more or less hairy. Leaves opposite, ¢-14in.,
ovate, ovate-lanceolate, suddenly tapering at base, acute, faintly
and irregularly serrate, glabrous or nearly so, thin, somewhat
3-nerved ; petiole long, slender pilose. Heads apparently ter-
minal, really axillary on long glabrous peduncles, ovate ovoid,
bracts leafy, lanceolate, subacute ; discoid or radial, $-3in. long,
solitary. Receptacle narrowly conical, or covered with concave
scales, each enclosing the lower part of the flower. Flowers
yellow (or white, Collett), mostly 2-sexual, or the outer female,
and shortly rayed. Pappus none, 1 or 2 bristles. Corolla
bell-shaped, tube, short, lobes triangular, 4, spreading. Achenes
flattened, oblong, dark-brown, dull, each enclosed in a
scale.
Uses:—The flower-heads are by far the most pungent part,
and are chewed by the natives to relieve toothache, which they
do by producing redness of the gums and salivation. Dr. W.
Farquhar has used and recommended a tincture of the flower-
heads for toothache, in place of tincture of pyrethrum. He says
it is a specific for inflammation of the periosteum of the jaws.
A bit of lint, dipped in the tincture and laid on the gums,
repeated 3or4 times a day, has a speedy effect in reducing
the pain and swelling (Pharmacographia Indica, Vol. II. p. 283).
652. WS. oleracea, Jacq. H.¥.B.1., 111. 307 ; Roxs.
(Reduced to a variety of S. Acmella. Linn, FI. Br. Ind.) p.
307, Vol. III by D. Hooker.
Vern. :—Akaraé (Bomb.); Roshuniya (B,); Akarkarhi, Po-
kurmul (Pb. ; Ukra (M.) Maratimogga, MarAtitige (Tel.).
Habitat :—Cultivated in gardens throughout India.
With regard to variety, Oleracea Clarke, J. D. Hooker re-
marks thus:—“ More robust and succulent, heads and leaves
larger, peduncles subsolitary, achenes as in variety Acmella
87
690 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
proper, that is, “margined, scabrid, pappus usually of 1-2
bristles.”
Uses :—The whole plaint is very acrid, but the flower-heads are
especially so, having a hot, burning taste, which causes . profuse
salivation. It ison this account that the plant has been named
Akalkhura by the gardeners. This is a popular remedy for
children who stammer. The flower-heads are sometimes chewed
to relieve toothache (Dymock).
It is considered by the natives a powerful stimulant and
sialogogue, and is used in headaches, paralysis of the tongue,
affections of the throat and gums, and for tooth-ache.
Pyrethrin is obtained from this plant. It is resolved by alcoholic potash
into pyrethric acid and piperidine.
653. Guizotia abyssinica, Cass. H.F.B.I., 111. 308.
Syn. :—Verbesina sativa, Roxb. 606.
Habitat :—A native of Tropical Africa, cultivated in various
parts of India.
Vern. :—Ramtil; Kalatil (H. B. and Bomb.) ; Valesulf& (Tel);
Karmadoo (Mysore).
A stout, erect annual, smooth or scabrid, pubescent upwards.
Leaves 3-din., sessile, half-amplexicaul, linear, ovate-lanceolate,
lanceolate-oblong, or subcordate, serrate, obtuse. Heads 4-lin.
diam., peduncles naked, 1-2in. Involucral bracts 5; outer
broadly elliptic or ovate, obtuse, green; ligules few, broad.
Achenes dorsally pressed, glabrous, tip rounded, yielding a
bland oil.
Use:—The oil is sweet, and may be used for the same
pharmaceutical purposes as sesamum oil (Dymock).
The achenes contain from 40 to 45 per cent. of a yellow sweet oil. According
to Leather seeds from cultivated Indian plants yield on an average 40 per cent.
of oil. The oil is used in soap-making and as a substitute for linseed oil;
in India it is occasionally employed as a substitute for ghee.
Crossley and Le Sueur in 1898 examined four samples of East Indian oll:
Specific gravity at 15°5°, 0 9248—0°9263 ; solidifies below zero; saponification
value, 188°9—192'2; iodine value, 126°6—133°8 ; Reichert-Meissl value, 0°11—
0°63; Maumené test, 81°; butyro refractometer, 63° at 40°, Fatty scids and
unSaponifiable, per cent. 94°11 ; iodine value, 1475. The oil has slight siccative
powers and gained 7‘2 per cent. in weight in fifteen days.
N. O. COMPOSITA. 691
654. Glossocordia linearifolia, Cass. H.F.B.I.,
Mme O06.
Syn. :—Verbesina Boswellia, Roxb. 607.
Sans. :—Pithari.
Vern. :—Phatara-suva (Bomb.}; Pitta-papada (Poona); Seri
(H.); Para palavum (Tel ).
Habitut:—Rohilkhund; at Delhi; Banda; Central India
and the Deccan.
An annual herb, prostrate or erect, glabrous, diffusely bran-
ched from the base. Branches 3-10in, long, strict or flexuous.
Leaves 3-2in., 2-pinnatisect, petiole, long slender, blade broadly
ovate in outline, segments filiform. Heads fin. long, shortly
peduncled; outer involucre bracts small, usually 3, with a
greenish midrib and membranous ciliate margins; inner
involucre bracts large, obtuse, with a striated disk glabrous,
and with pale membranous margins. Achenes {in. long,
odour of fennel, densely bearded especially on the edges with
stiff hairs. Pappus awns spreading.
Use :—According to Dalzell and Gibson it is much used in
female complaints (Dymock).
655. Glossogyne pinnatifida, DC. H.F.B.1., III.
310; Roxb. 604.
Vern. :-— Barangone bir barangone (Santal).
Habitat :—-Plains of India, from Jammu and Garhwal to
western Bengal and Behar, and southwards to Madras.
Perennial, glabrous herbs. Root fusiform, woody. Stems
usually many from the root, erect or ascending, 6-18 in. high.
Branches slender, forked. Leaves mostly radical, pinnatifid, —
triangular in outline, segments linear acute, few, often recurved,
coriaceous ; petiole 1-2in.; veins prominent beneath. Flower-
ing branches 6-12in., strict, stiff, grooved, nearly leafless.
Heads in flower tin. diam. Involucre-bracts linear, obtuse,
glabrous, fin. long. Achenes 4-3in., deeply grooved, black.
Use:—A preparation from the root is employed by the
Santals as an application to snake-bite and scorpion-sting (Rev,
A Campbell),
692 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
656. Achillea millefolium Linn. H.F.B.1., II.
312.
Syn. :—-A. cuspidata, DC. Wall. Cat. 32-30.
Vern. :—Rojamari (Bomb.); Biranjasif (Cutch); Stewart
says that this is one of the plants sold in the Bazars under
the names Momédru chopdndiga (Kashmir); Bui Maéderan
(Afghanistan). — ,
Eng.:—Milfoil or common Yarrow. The older English
writers called this plant Nose-bleed, because the leaves, if
inserted into the nostrils, were supposed to cause bleeding.
Sold in Bombay as Rosemary.
Habitat :— Western Himalaya, from Kashmir to Kumaon ; alt.
6-9,000 feet.
An erect, pubescent herb. Root stoloniferous. Stems 6-24
in., furrowed, leafy. Leaves alternate, narrowly oblong-lanceolate,
3 pinnatisect, 2-4 by 4- 4in.; radical leaves petioled, segments
close set, acute; upper leaves sessile. Heads many, radiate,
4in. diam., crowded in compound corymbs. Involucre bracts
few, erect; outer ones shorter; receptacle flat, covered with
thin, oblong scales, nearly as long as the flowers. Flowers
white or pale-pink. Pappus none; 5-lobed. Achenes oblong,
flattened shining.
Parts used :—Leaves and flower-heads.
Uses:—In Scotland at the present day, a warm decoction
of the fresh leaves is regarded asa family specific against the
colds and other ailments common to childhood.
This plant once held a creditable position amongst British
drugs, and its recent introduction into the American Pharma-
copoeia may have the effect of reviving its use in England. It
might, with great advantage, be added to our list of Indian
indigenous drugs. Formerly, it was much used in England as
a “vulnerary, and was given internally for the supression of
hemorrhages and of profuse mucous discharges. It was em-
ployed also in intermittents and as an antispasmodic in flatul-
ent colic and nervous affections. Its hot infusion is used as an
emmenagogue in France, and also in the suppression of the
lochia ; it is sometimes employed in low exanthematous fevers
N. 0. COMPOSIT. 093
with difficult eruption. In these cases, it probably acts as a
stimulant sudorific, as do most aromatic herbs (U. 8S. Dis-
pensatory, Ed. 15th, 1560.) It is Carminative.
“It was formerly much esteemed as a vulnerary, and its old names of
‘soldiers wound-wort’ and ‘ knight’s milfoil’ bear witness to this. The High-
landers still make an ointment from it, which they apply to wounds, and
Professor Brome] states that milfoil-tea is held in much repute in the Orkney
Islands for dispelling melancholy !
‘One of its common names among country people is ‘ nose-bleed’”; for
the leaf being rolled up and applied to the nostrils causes a bleeding at the
nose more or less copious. It is also called ‘ old man's pepper,’ on account
of the pungency of its foliage,”—Sowerby’s Eng. Bot. v. pp. 57-58,
From the whole plant, are obtained :—
(A) A glucoside named Achillein, C,, Hz, N,0,;. It is amorphous,
reddish brown, bitter, alkaline; soluble in water easily (giving
yellow solution), in alcohol with difficulty. Insoluble in ether,
With boiling dilute acids, is converted into sugar and Achill-
etin, C,, H,, NO,, which isan amorphous, dark brown powder,
not bitter, insoluble in water, and with difficulty in alcohol.
(B) A bitter principle named Ivain, C,; H,, O or C,, Hy, O03. It is yellow
in color, amorphous, soft resinous (‘ Terebinthinate’), bitter, soluble
in alcohol, not in water.
(C) An alkaloid, Moschatine, C,, H,, NO,. It is bitter in taste,
reddish-brown in color, and amorphous in appearance, melts under
water (on water bath). Soluble with difficulty in alcohol, scarcely
in water.
Sohn says :—
Achillein gives no precipitate with caustic alkalies, lead acetic, tannic
acid or ferrous sulphate.
657. Chrysanthemum indicum, Linn. .F.K.1., I,
oA LOX B:
Vern. :— Gul-daoodi (H.) ; this name applied to all the varie-
ties (Roxburgh). Chamimti (Tel.); Tyettipu (Mal.); Gendi,
bagaur (Pb.) ; Chandra-mallika (B.); Kalzang (Ladak).
It would appear that this and CO. Coronarium, L. are not distinguished from
each other by the natives of India, and the native names apply to both. (Watt.)
Habitat :—Cultivated in Indian gardens.
There are several varieties, with flowers of various colours.
such as yellow, golden, orange, purple, lilac; buds crimson,
white, changeable into rose-colour. Spanish brown.
A procumbent diffuse annual. Stems rigid, 4-angular,
grooved, glabrous or scabrid. Leaves long petioled, 1-3 in.
694 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
long, deltoid in outline ; segments oblong or cuneiform, obtusely
lobed or cut, with a mucro at the apex of each ultimate division,
translucent, succulent ; petioles dilated towards their sheating
bases, the margins membranous. Heads 4in diam., enlarging
in fruit. Invol-bracts equalling the achenes, oblong or elliptic,
obtuse, strongly nerved and with rather broad membranous.
margins. Achenes 75 in. long. cuneate oblong, obcompresed,
grooved, the margins very thick (Duthie).
Flowers in the cold season. Roxburgh names the plant C.
Indicum after Willdenow. The purple chrysanthemum plate
was published under No. 327 by Curtism in Feb. 1796, as
the Chrysanthemun Indicum of Linnzus; subsequently, in
Feb. 1810, Curtis published a plate Chrysanthemum indicum,
B, changeable white Indian Chrysanthemum under name of
Willdenow, with a huge bunch of rosv flowers in the central
part of the flower-head. ‘The writer in the letter-press has
the following observations :—‘‘ Willdenow has supposed that
the chrysanthemum of Linnzus is not the same species with
our plant, but we see no reason to disbelieve that they are
distinct.” It must not be forgotten that some colours are liable
to be modified from change of soil, situation, climate or season.—
K. R. K.
Use:—This plant is considered by the natives heating and
aperient, useful in affections of brain and calculus, and to remove
depression of spirits (Punjab Products). The natives of the
Deccan, administer the plant in conjunction with black pepper,
in gonorrheea (Drury).
658. C. coronarium, Linn. H.¥.B.1., U1. 314.
Syn. :—C. Roxburghil, Desf.; Pyretheum indicum, Roxb. 604.
Sans. :-~Shevantika.
Vern. :—-Gul-chini (H. and Dec.) ; Gul-daudi (B.); Shamantip-
pu (Tam.;; Chamanti (Tel.); Seoti (Bomb.)
The garden Daisy.
Hbitat :—Cultivated in the Indian gardens.
Aanual herb. Stems branched, 3-4ft. high. Leaves alternate,
deeply lobed in a bipinnate manner. Flower-heads numerous,
N. 0. COMPOSITA. 695
yellow, 2in. across, solitary, or in corymbs. ‘The Ray-florets are
in one series only, strapshaped, yellow or white, and all female ;
those of the disk are tubular, with four or five teeth at the mouth,
and bisexual; the pappus is reduced to a membranous ring or
absent altogether. There is called a “double” variety, with
the florets all strapshaped, closely overlapping. Bracts, with
dry and translucent margins (Page 290, vol. II, the Favourite
Flowers of Garden and Green-house, by Edward Step, F. L. S.
Frederick Warne and Co.).
Use :—Dallzell and Gibson state that the flowers are a toler-
able substitute for chamomile. The root chewed communicates
the same tingling sensation to the tongue as pellitory. Accor-
ding to Dr. Walker (Bombay Med. and Phys. Trans. 1840, p.
71), the people of the Deccan administer the plant in conjunction
with black pepper in gonorrhoea (Ph. Ind.).
559. Matricaria Chamomilla, Linn. 4.F.3.1.,
(0 1,
Syn. :—M. Suaveolens, Linn. Roxb. 605.
- Vern. :—Babun. phul (B. and H.); Babunah, Suteigul (Pb.).
Habitat :—Upper Gangetic Plain and the Punjab.
An aromatic herb, about 1-ft. high ; much-branched. Leaves
2-pinnatifid, segments very narrow. Heads 4$-3in. diam., corym-
bose. Ligules reflexed after flowering, or O ; receptacle elongat-
ing during fruiting. Achenes grey, small; ribs slender, white,
ventral only. Achenes with slender white ribs on the ventral
face only. Pappus O.
Use:—In Persian works, the flowers are described as stimu-
lant, attenuant and discutient. There is a popular opinion
among the Persians that the odour of the flowers induces sleep
and drives noxious insects; they also say that Chamomile tea
applied to the genitals has a powerfully stimulating effect (Dy-
mock).
Chamomile oil is used externally in rheumatism, in Gujrat
(Ibbetson’s Gazetteer).
696 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
The dried flower-heads are officinal, and are said to be
stimulant, tonic and carminative. They are used in constitu-
tional debility, hysteria, dyspepsia and intermittent fevers.
The warm and strong infusion of the flowers is emetic, while a
weak infusion acts as a tonic and febrifuge. In flatulence and
eolic, Chamomile oil is the most effectual of all remedies. The
Indian Pharmacopeia says, the balbuna ka phul forms a perfect
substitute for the European Chamomile (Anthemis nobilis).
Analysis by Frederick B. Power and Henry Browning, Jr. of Wellcome
Chem. Res. Labs, published in the Journal Chem, Soe, for 1914.
Tests for alkaloids were almost negative.
1t contains a blue essential oil, giving color reaction for furfural, and
depositing, on keeping, probably umbelliferone Me ether. It also contains
a resin.
660. Cotuwla anthemoides, Linn. 4.F.B.I., III.
316. ,
Vern. :—Babuna (Pb. and H.); Tulobe (Cashmere).
Habitat :— Gangetic Plain, from Rajmahal and Sikkim west-
wards to the Punjab.
An annual hairy, or glabrate, erect or diffuse, weak weed.
Branches 3-9in., spreading. Leaves 2-pinnatifid or 2 pinnati-
sect, segments decurrent-lobed, lobes triangular lanceolate, 4-2
in. Petiole $ amplexicaul. Peduncles filiform, naked. Heads
+-Lin. diam., terminal, solitary. Flowers female, many. Invo-
lucre bracts, with scarious margins. Receptacle nearly flat,
tubercled. Achenes ovate, with thick narrow wings. Achenes
of the ray broad, flat.
Use:—It furnishes part of the officinal babuna, which is
heated with oil and applied externally in rheumatism, &c.
(Stewart.) The infusion is used as an eye, wash in most diseases
of the eye.
661. Centipeda orbicularis, Lour. H.B.F-.I., III.
317.
Syn. :—Myriogyne minuta, Lees., Artemesia sternutatoria,
Roxb.
Vern. :—-Nakk-chhikni; Nag-downa; Pachittie (H. B. and
N. 0. COMPOSITA. 697
Bom.); Mechitta (B.); Nakasinkani, shikani (Mar.); Afkur
(Sind). Bedi Achim (Santal).
Habitat :—Throughout the plains of India.
Annual, prostrate, glabrous or sparsely woolly herb. Stems
excessively numerous, spreading from the root, 4-8in. long,
slender, leafy. Leaves ovate-oblong, spathulate, 4-sin. long;
teeth sharp, 2 on each side. Heads solitary, globose, axillary
tssin. diam., subsessile. Corolla of female flower a very
minute cylindric tube, hairs of achenes simple. Achenes
minute, tipped with persistent style, bristly on the angles, says
Trimen.
Uses :—The minute seeds are used as a sternutatory by the
Hindus, also the powdered herb. It is administered in ozcena,
head-aches, and colds in the head (Dymock.). Boiled to a
paste and applied to the cheeks, it is employed in the cure of
tooch-ache (Stewart).
Used for hemicrania (Surg.-Maj. Robb, in Watt's Diction-
ary Il).
The natives of India consider it a hot and dry medicine,
useful in paralysis, pains in joints, and special diseases; also
as a vermifuge (‘Cyclop of Jndia’).
Called “ Sneezeweed” in southern New South Wales.
The following letter from the Rev, Dr. Wools (then of Richmond, N.S. W.),
to the Editor of the Sidney Morning Herald, appeared in that journal on
Christmas Day, 1886. It is given in full, as if the plant only partially realizes
the expectations formed of it. It will be a valuable addition to our indigenons
vegetable materia medica.
‘*Some weeks since the Rev. S.G Fielding, of Wellington, calied my at-
tention to a weed (known to botanists Myrioggne minutu of the Composite
Order, which he said had been used with success in cases of blight. Being
anxious to test the efficacy of the remedy, and to ascertain whether any bad
effects would arise from its application, I placed some of it in the hands of
Dr. Jockel of this town, who had furnished me with the following remarks :—
‘I have much pleasure in testifying to the efficacy, in cases of opthalmia, of
the plant which you so kindly sent me. A case came under my notice a few
days ago of a drover who was suflering from a severe form of purulent opthal-
mia, contracted up the country. I made an infusion of the plant according to
the directions, and the first local application seemed to have almost a magical
effect. The man expressed himself as relieved at once of the intense smarting
which he had previously suffered. He got on so well that in two days he was
88
698 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
able to start back up country again, and could hardly express his gratitude
for the very great relief afforded.’—Louis C. Jockel.
“T find from a communication of Baron Mueller, that for some time past
he has had an idea that Myriogyne might be used for medicinal purposes, and
that he had actually submitted it to Dr. Springthorpe, an eminent: physician
in Melbourne, for purposes of experiment. The Baron, however, was not
aware of its efficiency in simple opthalmic inflammation, and he regarded the
discovery as interesting. I mention this as a matter of justice to Dr. Jockel,
who, I believe, is the first medical man in Australia who has proved the
value of Myriogyne, in a case of ophthalmia. This weed, growing as it does
on the banks of rivers and creeks, and in moist places, is common to all the
Australian colonies and Tasmania, and it may be regarded as almost co-
extensive with the disease which it is intended to relieve. In the document
relating to the Inter-Colonial Exhibition of 1886-7, it is noticed as remarkable
for its sternutatory properties, and recommended for the manufacture of
snuff.”
The Rev. Mr. Hartmann says (Brough-Smyth’s ‘ Aborigines of Victoria,’
ii., 173) that this plant is used as medicine by the aborigines of Lake Hind-
marsh, but he does not say for what complaint
Baron Mueller prepared a snuff from this plant many years ago
(J. H. Maiden, F, L. 8., &c., Ph. J. Sept, 1, 1888, p. 178-179).
662. Artemesia scoparia, Waldst and Kit. H.F.B.1.,
Ill. 328.
Syn. :—-A. elegans, Roxb., 599.
Vern. :—Jhan, lasaj, biur, durumga, dona, marta, pila jan,
king khak durunga (Pb.). Churi saroj ; Danti (Bazar name).
Habitat:—Upper Gangetic Plain and westwards to Scind
and the Punjab, Western Himalaya, from Kashmir to Lahaul.
A faintly scented, very slender-branched, glabrous or pubes-
cent annual or perennial herb, 1-2ft., (or 3-6ft. Duthie) high.
Stems slender, grooved, usually tinged with purple; branchlet
often almost capillary, glabrous below, hoary or villous. Radical
leaves 1-3in. long, petioled, broadly ovate, 1-3-pinnatisect,
segments linear, distant, spreading; cauline leaves filiform
or setaceous. Heads sessile, or on short capillary pedicels,
minute, 75-7gin., secund in slender, panicled racemes, involucre-
bracts glistening oblong, obtuse scarious, with narrow green
disks. Outer female flowers fertile, inner hermaphrodite flowers
sterile and with larger corollas. Achenes gin. long (“ perhaps,”
N. 0. COMPOSITE. 699
says J. D. Hooker, ‘‘ one of the most minute fruits of any flower-
ing plants”). Further, says Hooker, though usually described
as annual, some specimens both from the plains of India and
Tibet have woody stocks. |
Use :—The branches ‘appear to be officinal in the Punjab.
The smoke is considered good for burns, one the infusion is
given as a purgative (Stewart).
663. A. maritima, Linn. H.F.B.1., 111. 323.
Vern. :—Kiram4ni owa (Bomb.); Tarkh (Pushtoo).
Arab. and Pers. :--Sheeh ; Sariqun ; Afsantin-ul-bahr.
Habitat :—Western Himalaya, from Kashmir to Kumaon.
Hoary or tomentose, shrubby below. Rootstocks woody,
branched, stems erect or ascending, much branched from the
bases. 6-18in., strict, woody or wiry. Leaves ovate, 2-pinnatisect ;
4-2in., often quite white, with very many segments; segments
small, spreading, linear obtuse; upper simple linear. Heads
3-8. fid. ovoid or oblong suberect in spicate fascicles, often,
reddish, crowded and bracteolate by a small linear or almost
setaceous leaf. Bracts linear oblong, outer herbaceous tomentose,
inner scarious, acute, glabrous.
Use :—In Bombay, the Hakims prescribe it in doses of 2 to
5 derhems as an anthelmintic, and also deobstruent and stomac-
hic tonic. In the form of a poultice, they use it to relieve the
pain caused by the bites of scorpions and other venomous reptiless
(Dymock).
“ Useful in gleet’”’ (Surg. Masani in Watt’s Dict., Vol. 1).
Officinal in both Indian and British Pharmacopceias; used
as an anthelmintic. According to Dr. Von Schreeder, it is
not poisonous to ascarides as was formerly thought, but
merely drives them to the large intestine whence they can be
removed.
It is indigenous to Southern Afghanistan and Baluchistan,
and is much used as an antiperiodic. An infusion (and also
decoction, of the fresh plant has been very successfully used
700 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
by me in cases of ague, intermittent and remittent fever. It is
a very useful febrifuge and deserves trial (B. D. Basu).
Church reported on a bundle of dry leaves received at Kew from Duthie.
The following is his analysis :—
Percentage composition of Artemisia maritima :—
Water niet ses a ue bes, OMe
Oil, resin, wax, etc. ine Se oes ete |)
Starch, sugar, gum, etc. (by difference) es .. 842
Albuminoids (true) Ae ae soe Rep i 5)
Fibre 53 oe = ig os OOM
Ash (includes 2°7 of sand and mica) ... © a: iat st 25
Church remarks that the plant contains rather less albuminoids, less
digestible carbohydrates, and more fibre than the average hay of mixed grasses.
It is, however, thrice as rich in albuminoids as the straw of European cereals.
Artemisin, C,, H,,; O4,is obtained from the last mother liquors in the
technical treatment of the seed of Artemisia maritima, Itis freed from
santonin by recrystallisation from chloroform, being deposited in combi-
nation with 1 mol. of the solvent, which is evolved at 90°. It melts at 200°,
gradually turns yellow in the air, and is more readily soluble in water and
dilute alcohol than santonin; [a]p =—84°3°. The ferric chloride reaction is
not characteristic ; when heated with soda (10 parts) and water (40 parts),
a fugitive carmine-red coloration is produced, and, like santonin, it gives
the same colour with alcoholic soda. Artemisin is apparently hydroxy
santonin.—J. Ch. S. LXX, pt. I, (1896) p. 59.
Max Jaffé, considers artemisin as y-hydroxysantonin.
664. A. vulgaris, Linn. H.F.B.1., U1. 825; Roxb.
O99.
Syn. :—A. indica, Willd. ; A. paniculata, Row). 598.
Sans. :—-Nagdami, granthiparni.
Vern.:~-Nagdouna, matjari, mastaru, dona (H.); Sarmi,
Samri (Dehra Dun), Nagdona (B.); Tataur, ptnjan, banjiru,
chambra, Gbfisha, tarkha; Bui madardn, afsuntin (Pb. Bazar
names) ; Surband (Mar.); Titapat (Nepal)
“In Madras, the native names are applied to two sections :—
(a) A. vulgaris:—Doun& (H and Duk.); Mar-i-Kurondu
(Tam.); Davanamu (Sans. Tel. Kan.); Davana (Mar-.).
(6) A. indica:—Maspatri (D.); Machi-pattri (Tam. Tel. Mal.
and Kan.) ; Granthaparni (San.)—Dr. Moodeen Sheriff.
N. 0. COMPOSITE. 701
Habitat :--Throughout the mountainous districts of India ;
on the west Himalaya, Khasia Hills, Manipur; mt. Aboo, in
Marwar, and the Western Ghats.
A tall aromatic shrub-like herb, 2-8 ft. high, hoary pubescent
or tomentose. Stems leafy paniculately branched. Lower leaves
petioled, 2-4 in. long, ovate in outline, 1-2 pinnatisect, with
stipule-like lobes at the base, more or less pubescent above,
ashy-grey or white tomentose beneath; upper leaves often
sessile, linear-lanceolate, entire or 3-fid. Heads sessile or shortly
pedicelled, ovoid or subglobose, arranged in sub-secund spike-
like suberect or horizontal panicled racemes, brownish-yellow.
Invol-bracts woolly or glabrate; outer small, herbaceous, inner
mostly scaricus. Outer fem. flowers very slender; inner
hermaphrodite flowers fertile. Achenes minute. The Dehra
Dun plant belongs to the form known as A. indica, which
has the lower surface of the leaves of an ashy-grey colour.
(Duthie). 7
Uses:—The Hindus consider it to be a valuable stomachic,
deobstruent, and antispasmodic ; they prescribe it in infusion and
electuary, in cases of obstructed menses and hysteria. Extern.
ally, it is used in fomentations, given in skin diseases and foul
ulcers as an alterative (Dutt).
Used as a tonic, anthelmintic, antispasmodic and expectorant,
in diseases of children. Expressed juice is applied by native
practitioners to the head of young children, for the prevention
of convulsions (Watt’s Dictionary, Vol. 1).
“Used by the natives in asthma and diseases of the brain
also” (London Exhibition).
Bellew states that in Afghanistan and throughout India, a
strong decoction is given asa vermifuge, and a weak one to
children in measles. An infusion is given as a tonic.
“The strong aromatic odor and bitter taste of this plant
indicate stomachic and tonic properties. Dr. Wight states that
the leaves and tops are administered in nervous and spasmodic
affections connected with debility, and also that an infusion of
them is used as a fomentation in phagedenic ulceration. Dr. L.
702 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
Stewart describes an infusion of the tops and leaves as a good,
mild stomachic tonic’’ (Ph. Ind.). !
Said to be used in China in the preparation of an external
application (moxa) employed in relieving pain.
665. A. sacrorum, Ledeb. H.F.B.1., 111. 326.
Vern. :—-Tatwen, munyé®, niurtsi, jan, chGmbar, zbior, burnak
(izle)
Habitat :—Kunawur, and the Tibetan region of Kumaon.
An erect, hoary perennial, shrubby below, leaves long pet-
ioled, ovate, pinnatisect, segments pectinately pinnatifid, hoary
or green, or white pubescent, on both surfaces. Rachis simple
or pectinately winged Heads 15-20-fid, broadly hemispheric,
nodding subsecund distant in slender panicled racemes. In-
volucre-bracts hoary, outer, with a green disk and broad scarious
margins, linear, green.
Use:—Said to be given medicinally to horses in affections
of the head (Stewart).
666., A. persica, Boiss., H.F.B.1., 11. 327.
Vern. :—Shih ; Sarigén ; Afsantin-ul-Bahar (Arab. and bane
Pardesi da wano (Guz.) ; Dawana (Mar.).
Habitat :— Afghanistan ; also Western Tibet.
A tall, erect perennial or biennial, hoary, with white tomen-
tum. Stem 3-4ft., grooved or ribbed. Branches long, suberect.
Leaves small, ovate, or flabellate decompoundly, very finely
pinnatisect, sessile or petioled. Segments minute, linear or
lobulate. Heads numerous, lin. diam., yellow, subglobose, rather
remote, pedicelled, secund nodding, in short, or long axillary
strict, erect racemes. Involucre-bract tomentose, outer linear
green, inner orbicular broadly scarious. Receptacle small,
convex of hermaphrodite flowers almost cupular, glabrous or
pubescent.
Use:—Bellew states that the plant is used as a tonic, febri-
fuge and vermifuge.
N. 0. COMPOSITE. 703
667.
Roxs 410.
Vern. :—Moha, mohva (Hind.); Mohuva (Beng.); Darakhte-
guilchakane (Pers.); Kat illupi, elupa (Tam.); Ippi, yeppa,
pinna (Tel.); Mahwa, mohi (Bom.) ; Mahuda (Cutch) ; Mohacha-
jhada, ippicha-jhada (Mar.); Mahuda, mova-nu-jhada (Guj.) ;
Hippe, ippigrida (Kan.) ; Ellupi, irippa (Mal.).
Eng. :—The Mowa tree.
Habitat :— Western Peninsula, on the Ghats from the Konkan
southwards. Common in the moist forests of the Konkan and
North Kanara ; often along the banks of rivers and nalas ; takes
the place of B. latafolza, in the moist forests of the southern
parts of the Bombay Presidency. (Talbot).
‘A large evergreen tree, young d50ft. high. Bark dark,
yellowish grey, thick, slightly furrowed. Wood red, moderately
hard, close grained. All young parts rusty-tomentose. Leaves
clustered towards the ends of the branches. Leaves 4-5 by Igin.,
mature glabrescent, lanceolate at both ends. Primary nerves 12
on each side, distinct, secondary distinct. Petiole 1-l4in.
Stipules linear, pedicels 1-2, tomentose, in dense clusters near
the ends of the branches. Outer Calyx-segments nearly glab-
rous, inner finely tomentose (Brandis). Calyx-lobes 4-4in.,
ovate, subacute. Corolla $in.; lobes usually six, scarcely 4 the
length of the tube. Filaments hairy. Anthers 16, 2-serrate,
subsessile, tips 3-toothed. The short mucronation of the
750 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
connective between the tips of the two cells giving this appear-
ance more strongly than is indicated in the figure.
Fruit velvety when young, obliquely ovoid, 2-seeded, 14in.
long. The sweet fleshy flowers dried and eaten.
Uses:—It is astringent and emollient. Like B. latifolia, it
yields two important products—a fixed concrete oil and a spirit,
the former obtained by expression from the seeds, the latter by
distillation from the flowers. The oil said to be good for skin
diseases, flowers said to act as a mild laxative.
The gummy juice is used in rheumatism by Vaids. The
bark in decoction as an astringent and emollient, and also as
a remedy in itch (Ainslie.)
Keonomical uses of Bassia longifolia by Revd, Dr. John of Tranquebar.
1, The oil pressed from the ripe fruit is used by the natives as common
lamp oil, who cannot afford to buy cocoanut oil. It is thicker, burns longer
but dimmer, smokes a little, and gives some disagreeable smell which common
people do not mind,
2, lt is a principal ingredient in making the country soap, and keeps
therefore often the same price with the cocoanut oil.
3. lt is to the common people a substitute in place of ghee and cocoanut
oil in their curries and other dishes. They make cakes of it, and many of the
poor get their livelihood by selling these sweet oil cakes.
4, It is used to heal different out-breakings, such as the itch, &e.
5. The cake left after the oil is expressed, is used for washing the head,
and is carried as a small article of trade to those countries where these trees
are not to be found.
6. The flowers which fall in May are gathered by the common people,
dried in the sun, roasted and eaten as good food. They are also bruised and
boiled to a jelly, and made into small balls, which they sell or exchange for
fish, rice, and various sorts of small grain.
7. The skin is taken off from the ripe fruit as well as the unripe, and after
throwing away the unripe kernel, boiled to a jelly, and eaten with salt and
capsicum.
8. The leaves are boiled with water, and given as a medicine in several
diseases to both men and cattle.
9. The milk of the green fruit and of the tender bark is given also as a
medicine. |
10. The bark is used to cure the itch.
11, The wood is as hard and durable as Teak wood, but not so easily
worked, nor is it procurable of such a length for beams and planks, except on
clay-ground, where it grows toa considerable height, but in such a soil does
not produce so many branches, and is less fruitful than when in a sandy or
mixed soil, which is the best for them, Ina sandy soil the branches shoot
out nearer to the ground to a great circumference, and give more fruit, These
N. 0. SAPOTACER. 751
trees require but a little attention and watering during the first two or three
years in the dry season, and being of so great use, we have here whole planta-
tions of them on high and sandy grounds, where no other fruit tree will grow,
12, We may still add, that the owls, squirrels, lizards, country dogs and
jackals, take a share in the flowers, but the report is that the latter, espe-
cially in the time of blossom, are apt to grow mad by too much feeding on
them, (Roxburgh’s Flora Indica pp. 410-411 Clarke’s edition),
The kernels of B. latifolia yield to solvents 41 to 46 per cent. of a yellowish
fat melting at 24°—30°, and those of B. longifolia contain 54 per cent. or more.
The acid values sometimes reach 70, The constants are: Specific gravity at
100°, 0°86; to 0°88; saponification value, 186—194; iodine value, 58 to 64;
Reichert-Meiss] value, 16 to 1°7. Fatty acids, 93'7 to 94:9 per cent., melting
at 42° to 48°; unsaponifiable matter, 1°4 to 2°2 per cent. The oil consists of
~ Olein and palmitin and probably stearin.
i257 1b. souiraced, Ioxb., UE BL. Tl, 546 ;
Roxb. 411.
Vern. :—Chiura, chaiura, bhulel (Iumaun); Cheuli (Oudh);
Phalwara (Hind.) ; Chfri (Nepal) ; Yet, yelpote (Lepcha).
Eng. :—Indian Butter tree.
Habitat :—Sub-tropical Himalaya, from Kumaun to Bhotan.
A large deciduous tree, attaining 70ft. height, usually with a
short trunk and rounded crown. Bractlets, petioles, under-
side of leaves, stipules and pedicels, with fine silkly hairs.
Bark 4in thick, dark-grey. Wood lhght brown, hard. Leaves
13 by 6in., or smaller, firm, crowded near ends of branches,
obovate, or obovate-oblong, elliptic or oblong-elliptic, sub-obtuse,
base rhomboid, glabrous when mature or floceulose beneath ;
primary nerves 15-20 pairs. Petiole 1-14in., stipules gin., ovate-
lanceolate, caducous. FPedicels 1-2in., very many, crowded
among the subterminal leaves. Flowers in dense clusters at the
ends of branches, drooping, tomentose. Calyx coriaceous, segments
4 or 5, 4-4in. ovate, densely rusty tomentose inside. Corolla
3in. long, creamcoloured, fleshy, sweet, early caducous ; lobes
8-10, spreading, short, erect. Stamens 30-40, says C. B.
Clarke ; 24-26, says Brandis ; inserted at the mouth of the corolla
tube; filaments glabrous, as long as the anthers. Anthers
152 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
exserted, linear-lanceolate, subsessile, hairy at the back. Ovary
7-9-celled. Berry 1 by 2in., ovoid, smooth, green, fleshy, 1-2
or 3-seeded. Seeds $-Lin. long.
Uses: —It is used as an ointment in cases of rheumatism.
The butter is an excellent emollient for chapped hands, &c.,
during the winter months. It seems deserving of further
attention (Watt, I. 406).
The kernels yield from 60 to 65 per cent. of fat, The fat has a whitish
colour and agreeable odour, and is used for edible purposes, It has been
recommended for the preparation of ointments. The constants are: Specific
gravity at 100°, 0-86—089; melting point, 39°; saponification value, 190 to 194;
iodine value, 41 to 42; Reichert-Meissl value, 0-44 to125. Fatty acids
about 95 per cent., melting at 51° to 53°, The fat consists of the glycerides -
of oleic and palmitic acids and a small amount of phytosterol.,
“724. Mimusops Elengi, Linn., H.F.B.1., 111. 948;
Roxs. oid. -2
Sans. :—Vakula.
Vern :—Bakul (Beng.) ; Mélsari ‘Hind.); Ghdlsari, bholsarf
(Dec.) ; Mogadam (Tam.); Pogada-manu (Tel.); Elangi ‘Mal.) ;
Bakuli, ovali (Bom.). Buckhul; ranjal (Kan.).
Habitat:—Deccan and Malay Peninsulas, frequently culti-
vated in North India.
A large, ornamental, glabrous, evergreen tree, 50ft. Bark
dark-grey, rough, deeply cracked, with vertical or transverse
fissures; wood very hard, close and even-grained. Sapwood
reddish-brown ; heartwood dark-red. Leaves 34 by 14in., ellip-
tic, shortly acuminate, base rhomboid, nerves slender, numer-
ously horizontal, scattered, shining. Petioles #in., youngest
shoots, pedicels and outside of the calyx, with very short
rusty pubescence. Flowers white, very fragrant, nearly lin.,
across, pedicles 3-Zin. Calyx segments 8. Corolla decidu-
ous, leaves in 2 series, 16-20, narrow, lanceolate stamens
8, usually; staminodes 8, short, densely hairy on the back,
acute, serrate or subentire. Berry 1l-seeded, #-lin., ovoid,
yellow. The fragrant smell of the Corolla persistent long after
it dries.
N. O. SAPOTAGER. 153
Uses :—Chakradatta mentions the astringent properties of
the unripe fruit, and recommends it to be chewed for the
purpose of fixing loose teeth. He also mentions a decoction
of the astringent bark as a useful gargle in diseases of the
gums and teeth. In the Concan, a similar use is made of the
unripe fruit, and the fruit and flowers, along with other astrin-
gents, are used to prepure a lotion for sores and wounds.
The author of the Makhzan says that the unripe fruit and
seeds have powerful astringent properties, and that the decoc-
tion of the bark is useful as an astringent in discharges from
the mucous membranes of the bladder and urethra, and also as
a gargle in relaxation of the gums, &c. He mentions the use
of asnuff made from the dried and powdered flowers in a
disease called Ahwah, common in Bengal. The symptoms of
this disease are strong fever, headache, and pain in the neck,
shoulders and other parts of the body. The powdered flowers
induce a copious defluxion from the nose and relieve the pain
in the head (Dymock).
The bruised seeds are applied locally within the anus of
children in cases of constipation (K. L. Dey).
The bark of this tree, much cultivated for the sake of its
fragrant flowers, possesses, according to Horsfield (Asiat.
Journ., vol. vil., p. 262), astringent tonic properties. It is much
esteemed by the Javanese, and is stated by the same authority
to have proved useful in fevers, and asa general tonic. Accord-
ing to Dr. Bholanath Bose, a decoction of the bark forms a good
gargle in salivation. A water distilled froin the flowers is in
use amongst the natives of Southern India, both as a stimulant
medicine and as a perfume (Ph. Ind.).
The pulp of the ripe fruit 1s sweetish and astringent and
has been successfully used in curing chronic dysentery (Sur-
geon-Major B. Gupta, in Watt’s Dictionary).
The kernel is of a yellowish-brown colour, it has a very bitter taste, and
is enclosed in a strong, glossy husk. The shells form 64 per cent. of the
fruits, On extraction with ether, the kernels yielded 18°47 percent. of a
yellowish-brown viscid oil. The expressed oil has alight yellowish-white
colour, and stearin deposits on standing. The oil is used for cooking, burning
and in medicine.
95
754 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
The following physical and chemical characters were obtained of the fat:
Specific gravity at 100°, 0°9129; acid value, 45°5 ; saponification value, 213°9;
Reichert-Meissl] value, 10°6; titration number of insoluble volatile acids,
= KOH 0°68; iodine value, 66°5; unsaponifiable matter, 1°56. Butyro;refrac-
tometer at 25° C., Degrees 73°55; at 40°, 67. Fatty acids: per cent. 89°4;
melting point, 35°; iodine value, 68°11; neutralisation value, 202°06. Mean
molecular weight, 277°6. (A. K. Menon.)
725—M. hexandra, Roxb., u.¥.B.1., m1. 549;
Roxs. 318.
Syn. :—M. indica, A. Do.
Sans. :—Rajadani.
Vern.:—Khirni 'H.) ; Khbirkhejur (B.); Ranjana, rdini (M.)
Rajan ; Kherni (Bomb.); Palla (Tam.).
Ha'ztat:—Deccan Peninsula, extending North to Guzerat,
Banda and the Circars.
A large or small, evergreen tree, sometimes shrub only, often
gregarious. Trunk erect, the branches forming a large shady
head. Bark grey, smooth, when young, often studded
with branchlets and clusters of leaves, which degenerate
into hard, conical, thorn-like protuberances. Wood red, very
hard, close and even-grained; in Ceylon, dark, vinous-red,
purplish-black (Brown), (Gamble). Leaves wholly glabrous,
shining, generally crowded at the ends of branchlets, ovate-
oblong, obtuse, emarginate, 2-4in. long, 1$-2in. broad, base
cuneate or rhomboid, coriaceous, nerves obscure. Petiole
4-3in., pedicels 2-5 together, nearly glabrous, 4-4in., clusters sub-
terminal and along the branches, often dense. Flowers tin.
across, white or pale-yellow. Calyx-lobes 6, $-din., elliptic,
subacute, obscurely tomentose, or nearly glabrous. Corolla tin.
long. Stamens 6-8, anthers acute, as Jong as the filaments.
Staminodes 6-8, serrate or lobed, glabrous, frequently bifid.
Ovary 12-celled, hairy. Berry din. long., 4in. broad. 1-some-
times, 2-seeded ; yellow when ripe, edible, rather sticky. Seeds
yield an oil, says Gamble.
Uses:—The bark is used medicinally and is exactly similar
to that of M. elengi. “The bark is much sought after for
medicinal purposes and trees are often, greatly injured thereby.”
(Duthie).
N. 0. SPOTACER. £55
In the Concan, the milky juice, made into a paste with the
leaves of Cassia fistula and seeds of Calophyllum inophyllum,
is applied to boils. The juice of a Loranthus, which grows
upon the tree, is extracted by heat and given with long-pepper
in cramp (l)ymock).
The oil is used for medicinal purposes. It is yellowish and non-drying and
deposits white fats at 30°. The specific gravity at 40° is 0905, and the acid
value, 25. The constants are: saponification value, 195°4; iodine value, 72:5;
Reichert-Meissl value, 0°17. Fatty acids and unsaponifiable, 95; melting
point, 38°; neutralisation value, 200°5 ; iodine value, 75.6.
Pemicoe te iawc, Linn. 4.B-B1, Wi. ot0 ; ROXB.
oa:
Sans : — Ksheerika.
Vern.:—Ksheerni (BR); Kheeri, Chirui (H.) ; Manilkara
(Mal.) ; Adoma (Goa) ; Kanki (Mar.).
Ha!ztat :—Occasionally planted as far west as Hoshiarpore,
Multan, Lahore, and Eminabad, near Gujranwala. Native of
Burma and Malacca, grows in Ratnagiri and Ghatkoper.
A large tree. Leaves 4 by 2in., obtuse or scarcely acute,
obovate-elliptic, or obovate, densely silky, white beneath, base
cuneate, nerves obscure. Petiole 1-l4in. Pedicels lin., densely
clustered near the ends of the branches, cinnamoneous-tomentose.
Calyx-lobes 6, tin., ovate, subacute, brown, tomentose. Corolla
Zin. long, lobes narrow acute. Stamens 6-8. Staminodes 6.8,
serrate or lobed. Berry 2-lin., globose smooth. Seeds usually
3-4,
Uses :—The seeds made into powder are used in ophthalmia,
and also employed internally as a tonic and febrifuge ; and the
root is officinal at Lahore (Stewart). The seeds are considered
hot and moist, and are prescribed in leprosy, thirst, delirium
and disorders of the many secretions. ‘They are also con-
sidered anthelmintic ‘Baden-Powell).
The fruit is very sweet and pleasant. The milk of the tree
is used in inflammation of ear and conjunctivitis, &c. (Dr.
Emerson).
The root and bark are believed to be astringent and given
in infantile diarrhoea, after being ground with water and mixed
756 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
with honey. The leaves, boiled in gingelly oil and added to
the pulverised bark, are considered a good remedy in Beri-beri.
The bark is astringent, and yeilds a kind of gummy fluid.
Leaves, ground and mixed with turmeric and ginger, are used
as cataplasms for tumors (abscesses ?) (Drury).
N. O. EBENACEA,
727. Dvospyros montana, Roxb. H.F.B.1., 11. 555 ;
Roxs. 415.
Vern. :—Tendu, bistend (Hind.); Neori, bhori (Bundelkhand):
Hirek, keindu, temru, pasendu (Pb.); Makar-tendi, banda,
- muchi tanki, yerra goda (Tel.); Tembhurni, govindu, lohari
(Mar); Tendu, bulguni, Kalagunda, (Kan).
Habitat :—From the Himalaya, throughout India (except
Sindh and Northern Punjab).
A large shrub, or small deciduous tree, often spinous. Trunk
usually crooked covered with dark rust colored nearly smooth
bark. Branches sometimes spinescent. Branchlets and young
leaves softly tomentose; branchlets soon glabrous. Bark thin,
grey or greyishblack, rough, when old, exfoliating in small scales.
Wood grey, often tinged with yellow or brown, streaked with
narrow patches or darker colour, especially towards the centre,
but no regular ebony ; heartwood soft to moderately hard. Graham .
Anderson says, from Mysore, that the wood is difficult to cut with
the axe (Gambie). Leaves bitter (Kanjilal), thinly chartaceous,
ovateoblong, base rounded or cordate, blade 2-4in., petiole slender,
3-4in. long, secondary nerves 6-8 pair, slender; “usually glab-
rous, sometimes pubescent beneath ; or on both sides, venation
in conspicuous beneath” (Trimen). Flowers white, asa rule,
4-merous. Male flowers velvety, shortly pedunculate, or nearly
sessile, usually 2-8fid, segments obtuse, velvety on both sides.
Corolla fin. long, campanulate, outside glabrous or pubescent;
lobes short, spreading. Stamens 16, in opposite pairs, united at
the base, the outer longest. Anthers lanceolate, awned, glabrous.
Female flowers axillary, solitary, drooping, on short pedicels.
Calyx segments ovate, tin. long. Corolla nearly glabrous out-
N. 0. EBENACER, OT
side. Staminodes 4. Ovary glabrous, 8-celled. Fruit bitter, not
edible, $-lin. diam., yellow when ripe, supported by the enlarged
foliacious Calyx-lobes. Albumen uniform (Brandis).
Use :—The fruit is supposed to be poisonous. The bhistis
apply it to boils which generally appear on their hands and
give them much pain and trouble (Stewart).
728. D. Embryopteris, Pers., H.F.B.1., 111. 556.
Syn. :—D. glutinosa, Ken ; Roxb. 413.
Sans :—-Tinduka.
Vern. :—Gab, makur-kendi (Beng. and Hind.) ; Abnos-e-hindi
(Arab.) ; Tendu (Ass.); Tumbika, pani-chika (Tam.); Tumik
(Tel.) ; Timboree, temburni, (Mar); Kusharta, hagna, huli
tumri, gavandu (Kan).
Habitat :—Very common throughout India; abundant in
Bengal.
A much-branched, dense, evergreen tree, of middle size. Buds
silky, with appressed hairs. Branchlets glabrous. Bark smooth,
dark-grey, almost black, with green tinge, exfoliating in large
pieces. Wood grey, with darker streaks and darker, irregular
patch in the centre (heartwood ?), moderately close-grained
(Gamble). Leaves distichous, 54 by 2in., coriaceous, glabrous,
shining, oblong, obtuse at the base, subacuminate, primary nerves
oblique ; reticulating nerves distinctly, slightly, elevated on both
sides ; petiole 4-4in long, wrinkled when dry. Flowers asa rule
4-merous, white, cream-coloured, sweet scented. Maleflowers in
short axillary pedunculate cymes, 1-{in., of 3-6 flowers. Calyx
hairy, cup-shaped, lobes 4-#in., triangular. Corolla tubular-
campanulate, nearly glabrous without, } by }in., lobes yin.
Stamens 24-64 in pairs, at the base of the corolla tube or on the
receptacle beneath, subequal; filaments short, hairy, anthers
hairy, linear, much longer than the fllaments. Female flowers
larger, usually solitary sometimes in pairs (Brandis), 1-5
together, says C. B. Clarke subsessile or cymose, resembling
the male” Calyx-lobes cordate, wider, subauriculate at base.
Ovary hairy when young, glabrous when maturing, 8-celled.
Styles 4, lobed at the tips; stigmas lohed. Fruit usually solitary,
758 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
1-2in. diam., yellow and sweet when ripe, subglobose, glandular
or rusty, usually 4-8-seeded ; seeds embedded in a viscid pulp.
Fruiting Calyx persistent, Zin. across, lobes patent, villous within.
Uses: —The fruit and the bark possess astringent properties.
The juice of the unripe fruit makes a good application to fresh
wounds. It is full of tannin, and is therefore a useful domestic
astringent, so plentiful as to be at the door of even the poorest
hut. An oil extracted from the seeds is also used in native
medicine, in dysentery and diarrhoea with success. Bark is
used in intermittent fevers (Honnigberger).
It is used in dysentery and diarrhcea with success. The
infusion of the fruit is used asa gargle in aphthe and sore-
throat (Kanai Lal De Bahadur).
The seeds are preserved by the country people, and given
as an astringent in diarrhea (Dymock).
It is officinal in the Pharmacopeeia of India.
1297 Do melanoxglon, Thoxrb., HF BA, Tir 5a
Roxs. 412.
Sin Wieheatey aD
Sans. :—-Kakundoo.
Vern.:—Tendu, kendu, abnu (Hind.); Kend, kyou (Beng.) ;
Tumri, tummer, tumki (Gond.); Tumbi, tumbali (Tam.) ; Tumi,
tumki (Tel.). Tamrug (Guz).
Habitat :—Deccan Peninsula.
A large, or moderate sized, deciduous tree, attaining 5O0ft., and
6ft. in girth, greyish black, cleft into small rectangular
plates, showing the black inner bark in the clefts. The bark
shows alternate layers of brown and black, so that as it wears
the surface shows partly of either colour. Wood hard, reddish-
brown, with an irregular black heartwood. Young parts covered
with grey or rusty tomentum. Leaves alternate and subopposite,
says Kanjilal; mostly opposite, says Brandis ; thickly coriaceous,
hairy or glabrous*on the underside when full grown, elliptic
or ovate; blade 3-12in., petiole $in., secondary nerves 6-10 pair,
as well as the reticulate tertiary nerves raised on the upperside.
N. O. STYRACER. 759
Flowers 4-6-merous. Males on short cymes, calyx woolly,
campanulate or cup-shaped. Corolla tubular, ferrugineous, woolly
outside, stamens 12-16. Female flowers solitary, larger than
the Calyx, broad, edges recurved; ovary 4-8-celled, densely
hairy; styles 2-3. Fruit glabrous, smooth, globose, or ovoid,
1-l4in. diam., yellow, edible when ripe, supported by the thickly
coriaceous Calyx, the segments with more or less recurved
edges. Seeds 4-8, compressed, oblong; testa rugose, shining,
albumen ruminate. Pulp yellow, sweet-aromatic, slightly muci-
laginous, particularly near the testa of the seed.
Uses:—The bark of the tree, possesses astringent properties,
and is used as decoction in diarrhoea and dyspepsia as a tonic.
In a dilute form, it is used as an astringent lotion for the eyes.
The Hakims apply its powder in ulceration of the cornea
and recommend it internally with black pepper in dysentery
(Honnigberger). |
N. O. STYRACEA.
730. Symplocos crategoides, Ham. 4.F.B.1., I.
573.
Vern. :—L4, landar, loj, losh (Pb.); Lodh (Kumaun); Loja
(Sutlej. ; Lodur ; Pathani lodh (Sind.).
Habitat :—Himalaya, from Kashmir to Bhotan; Khasia.
A large shrub or small tree, deciduous. Bari light-grey,
corky, with long vertical cracks. Wood white, soft to moderate-
ly hard, close-grained, splits and twists in seasoning. Branchlets
and leaves hairy. Leaves 2-4 by 1-l$in., broad elliptic or ovate,
acuminate, sharply glandular, serrulate towards the apex, mem-
branous, pilose beneath or glabrescent ; petiole din. long. Flowers
white, din. diam., fragrant, in cymose corymbs, forming dense
terminal or axillary panicles; bracts small, linear, caducous.
Calyx turbinate, lobes ciliate. Corolla 5-cleft nearly to the base.
Stamens indefinite 20-60, equalling the corolla in length, connate,
in 5 bundles. Ovary inferior, 2-celled, glabrous or hairy. Fruit
4-3in. long, obliquely ovoid, or obovoid, crowned with remains of
760 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
the Calyxlimb, usually 1-seeded, black when ripe, embryo curved,
oxile (Kanjilal).
Use :—-The bark is considered tonic. It is also used in, oph-
thalmia (Dr. Stewart).
731. 8S. racemosa, Roxb. H.F.B.1., 111. 576, Roxs.
415.
Sans. :—Lodhra.
Vern. :—Lodh (H. and B.); Chamlani (Nepal); -Palyok
(Lepcha); Kaiday (Mechi); Singyan (Bhutia).
Habitat :—Throughout North-East India, common from the
Terai of _Kumaun to Assam; common throughout Chota Nag-
pore.
A small evergreen tree. Bark soft. Branchlets soon glab-
rous. Leaves glabrous, coriaceous, elliptic-lanceolate, obscurely
crenate. Blade 4-6in. Petiole4-gin. Flowers yellow, fragrant,
in simple hairy axillary, more or less lax racemes; pedicels as
long as Calyx-tube, which is glabrous; lobes rounded, equalling
the tube, slightly pubescent and with ciliate edges. Stamens
about 100-115. Disk glabrous. Corolla 3 times longer than
calyx. Fruit cylindric, nearly $in. long, smooth, 1-3 celled.
Calyxrim nearly as wide as the fruit, with erect teeth. Ovary
3 celled, hairy. Embryo straight.
Uses :—In Hindoo medicine, the bark is described as cooling,
astringent, and useful in bowel complaints, eye diseases, ulcers,
&c. A decoction is used as a gargle for giving firmness to
bleeding and spongy gums (Dutt).
It is often used in Bombay in the preparation of plasters
(lép.); it is supposed to promote the maturation or resolution
of stagnant tumors (Dymock).
Drs. Charles and K. L. Dey, recommend the bark in 20
grain doses mixed with sugar, as a remedial agent in menor-
rhagia due to relaxation of the uterine tissue; it should be
given two or three times a day, for three or four days. Dr. K.
L. Dey considers that the drug has a special action upon
relaxed mucous membranes.
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