Indian Medicinal Plants/Natural Order Geraniaceæ
N. 0. GERANIACEÆ.
209. Geraniun Wallichianum, Sweet, h.f.b.i, i. 430.
Vern :-- Liljahri, N. W. P. Kao-ashud (Kashmir) Roots.— Mam-i-ran (Pushtu).
Habitat : — Temperate Himalaya, from Nepal to Murree.
A perennial hairy herb. Root-stock thick. Stems robust, l-4ft., erect. Leaves orbicular, 2-5in. across, palmate! y-3-5- lobed ; segments wedge-shaped, pointed, acutely and irregularly toothed ; stipules oblong-ovate, ½-1in. Flowers blue- purple, 1½-2in. diam. Sepals abruptly long-pointed. Petals slightly notched, claw hairy (Collett); filaments suddenly dilated at base. Carpels pilose ; seeds smooth.
The very large solitary stipules best distinguish this species (Edgeworth and Hook. Fil).
Use : — Aitchison says the root of this plant was brought to him in Kuram as a valuable medicine known as Mum-i-ran (Kuram Valley Flora, J. L. S. xviii-p-26. ). The herb possesses the astringent properties of the genus to a marked degree.
Duthie states, that in the villages of Jumnotri it is employed as a cure for toothache. (Watt.)
210 G. nepalense, Sweet, h.f.b.i, i. 430.
Vern : — Rowil ; bhánda (Pb. and H). The root is called chaud (Pb).
Habitat :- Throughout the Temperate Himalayas, the Khasia, Nilghiri and Pulney Mountains.
A slender, diffuse and much-branched hairy or villous, glandular herb. Branches sometimes rooting, more or less clothed with spreading or reflexed hairs. Leaves 1½-2½in. diam., opposite, spreading, 5-gonal, deeply 3-5-lobed or-partite, upper sessile, segments rhomboid, incised ; stipules subulate-lanceolate. Peduncles slender, 1-2- fid sometimes 1-flowered, very variable in length, spreading, reflexed after flowering. Flowers ⅓-⅔in. diam.; pink or purple. Sepals usually silky, shortly awned, almost equalling the entire petals. Carpels hairy. Seeds shining, smooth.
Part used : — The whole plant.
Use : — The plant is used in the Punjab as an astringent, and in certain renal diseases. (WATT).
211.G. Rohertianum, Linn, h.f.b.i, i. 432.
Habitat : — Western temperate Himalaya, from Kashmir to Garhwal.
A reddish erect, fœtid, rather succulent annual or biennial. Branches pubescent, 6-18in., brittle, leafy, numerous. Leaves 1-3in., broad ; triangular-oblong. 5-foliate or ternatisect segments, incised or pinnatifid ; petiole long ; stipules ovate. Peduncles slender. 2-flowered, pedicels spreading. Flower- buds pyramidal. Flowers ½in. diam., streaked with dark and light red. Petals narrow, twice as long as the sepals, claw glabrous. Carpels wrinkled, keeled. Fruit ¾|-1in.; beak of carpels separating upwards from the axis and attached to its apex by silky hairs. Seeds punctulate.
Part used : — The whole plant. Uses : — This herb, though now almost entirely neglected, was formerly much used in European medicine. It has a disagreeable, bitterish, astringent taste, and imparts its virtues to boiling water. It was formerly employed internally in intermittent fever, consumption, nephritic complaints, jaundice, and as a gargle in affections of the throat, and externally as a resolvent to swollen breasts and other tumours. (U. S. Dispensatory.)
It possesses slightly astringent qualities, and, according to the doctrine of signatures, Sir John Hill informs us that its power to arrest bleeding is indicated by the beautiful red hue assumed by the fading leaves. In Wales it is still administered in medicine, and our never-failing friend Gerarde extols it as an excellent " Stauncher of blood." (Sowerby's English Botany).
212. G. ocellatum., Camb. h.f.b.i., i. 433.
Vern :-Bhând(H.)
Habitat:— Hills of the Punjab, temperate and Sub-tropical Himalaya, from Kashmir and the salt range to E. Nipal ; Behar, on the top of Parusnatha.
A small straggling annual, hoary-pubescent or hairy and glandular, excessively-branched, prostrate, slender shrub. Leaves orbicular i-2in. diam., rose-coloured, with a dark purple eye. Sepals rigid after flowering, wrinkled from the pressure against the carpels. Petals large broadly obcordate, much larger than the acuminate sepals. Fruit erect, ⅔-in., long. Carpels corrugated, small, separating from the axis and beak, which latter eventually coils up elastically. Seeds smooth, shining, pale.
Use : — The plant possesses diuretic and astringent properties. (Watt.)
213. Oxalis corniculata, Linn, h.f.b.i., i. 436. Roxb. 389.
Sans : — Amlalonika ; Changeri.
Vern:— Chalmori ; Amrul-sák ; Chuka-tripati (B. and H.) ; Surchi ; Khatta mitha (Pb.); Paliákiri ; Puli— yarai (Tam); Palla- chinta (Tel) ; Nalkarda Ambuti ; Bhui-sarpati (Bomb.) ; Taudi chatom arak (Santal.) ; chengeri tenga (Assam) ; Pullainpurachi sappu (Kan) ; Poli yárala (Mal).
Eng : — The Indian sorrel.
Habitat : — Throughout the warmer parts of India.
An annual or biennial appressed-pubescent, diffuse herb of very variable size and habit. Stems branched, procumbent, without runners. Leaves long-petioled, all cauline, 3-foliate. Leaflets obcordate. Stipules adnate to the petiole. Peduncles axillary ; petals yellow, notched. Flowers sub umbel late, ¾-in. diam. Sepals obtuse, bracts setaceous. Fruiting pedicels depressed. Capsules tomentose. subcylindric. Cells many- seeded. Seeds transversly ribbed,
Part used : — The whole plant.
Uses : — The leaves are considered by the Sanskrit writers, as cooling, refrigerant and stomachic. The fresh juice expressed from them is said to relieve intoxication from Datura ; and said to be useful in dysentery and prolapsus of the rectum. (DUTT.)
An infusion of the small leaves is given as a cooling medicine in fevers (Honingberger ). It is used externally to remove warts and opacities of the cornea. (B. Powell. )
The fresh leaves made into a curry are said to improve the appetite and digestion of dyspeptic patients. Bruised with or without water, they are formed into a poultice and applied over inflamed parts, by which means, great cold is produced, and pain and other symptoms are relieved. Prepared with hot water, the leaves make a very efficient poultice for boils. The leaves are refrigerant and anti-scorbutic. (Moodeen Sheriff.)
In the Concan the plant is rubbed down with water, boiled and the juice of white onions added ; this mixture is applied to the head in bilious headache. (DYMOCK.)
214. 0. acetosella, Linn, h.f.b.i., i. 436.
( Sinhalese) Hin-Embul-Sinhiliya.
Habitat: — Temperate Himalaya, from Kashmir to Sikkim. One of the commonest weeds throughout Ceylon, A pilose stemless herb. Root-stock creepy scaly. Leaves all radical, 3-foliate ; leaflets broadly obcordate, often purple beneath, ⅓-⅔in., petioles 3-6in., stipules large broad membranous. Scape axillary, slender, 2-bracteate, about the middle. Flowers yellow, solitary, ½-¾ in., diam. Sepals oblong. Petals obovate white or pale-rose, veined with purple, erose, cohering above the claw. Capsule erect, pentagonal. Cells 2-3-seeded. Flowers throughout the year. Leaves have an acid taste. Very common in cultivated ground.
Uses : —Although at one time this found a place in the London Pharmacopoeia, yet in India no account appears to exist of any supposed medicinal virtues inherent in this species. In Europe it was introduced into the Pharmacopœia as a refrigerant in fever, and as an anti-scorbutic in scurvy, but has now fallen into disuse. (WATT)
The leaves contain a large quantity of binoxalate of potash, when the juice is evaporated, this salt is deposited in crystals, and so prepared was formerly sold as " salt of lemons " or "salts of sorrel," for removing iron stains ; but since the manufacture of oxalic acid from other sources, it is seldom used.
A decoction of the leaves in whey is used in the Hebrides for putrid fevers ; infused in water they form an agreeable cooling drink in all febrile disorders, and a conserve made of the leaves beaten up with sugar is recommended for the same purpose.
The wood sorrel approaches the nearest of all our native plants to the Sensitive plant, not only closing its petals and folding its bright green leaves at sunset and with every change of atmosphere but even if the stem be rudely or repeatedly struck. (Sowerby's English Botany).
215. Biophytum sensitivum, D.C. h.f.b.i., i. 436.
Sans : — Jhalla-pushpa.
Fern:— Lahân Amulki, Ladjri (Mar.); Zarer (Guj and Pore- bunder) ; Lak-Chana, Lajalu, zarair ; (Hind) ; Gas-nidikumba (Sinhalese). Habitat: — Throughout the hotter parts of India, ascending to 6000ft. in the Himalayas ; Lower country, Ceylon.
An annual, rarely perennial herb. Stem simple long or short, slender or robust, hispidly pubescent. Leaves 1½-5in. ; petiole hispidulous or merely ciliate ; leaflets very variable in size ¼-½ in., sometimes arched a little upwards, 6-15 pair, oblong, nearly straight, nerves few or many, rather oblique, often waved. Peduncles very variable. ½-5in., hispid, sometimes swollen at the tip : bracts rigid, setaceous, pedicels usually shorter than the sepals, sometimes equalling them or a little longer. Sepals usually much exceeding the capsule, rigid, sub- lanceolate, grooved, glandular and hispid. Petals usually twice as long as the sepals. Capsule elliptic, shining, cells few- seeded. Seeds with obliquely transverse, acute or obtuse tubercled ridges, very variable.
Flowers throughout the year. Petals golden-yellow with red veins.
Uses. — The seeds are powdered and applied to wounds, and with butter to abscesses to promote suppuration ; the root in decoction is given in gonorrhœa and lithiasis (Rheede).
J. Tndraji on the authority of Vaidya Rugnathji says that the leaves act as a diuretic when given internally rubbed with water. They allay thirst in bilious fevers. Dose - a tola (Virji Jhinâ).
216. Averrhoa carambola, Linn, h.f.b.i, i. 439. Roxb. 387.
Sans : — Karma ranga.
Vern : — Karmal, Khamrak Kámarángá (H) ; Kámarángá, Kamarak (B) ; Kardai (Ass) ; Tamarak, Kamarakha (Guj); Kamaraka (Mar) ; Khamaraka, karamara (Bom) ; Khamrak (Deck); Tamarata, tamarttamkáy (Tam) ; Karomonga, tamartakáya (Tel) ; Tamarat-tuka (Mal) ; Kamarak (Ran).
Eng : — Gooseberry tree or Chinese Gooseberry (Balfour).
Habitat : — Cultivated in gardens throughout the hotter parts of India as far north as Lahore. Common in Cylon gardens introduced from the New World by the Portuguese, says Trimen. Two varieties are known : say some writers sweet and sour.
K. R. K. The fruit is sour when unripe and acid-sweet when ripe.
A small densely branched tree. " Bark dark grey with horizontal folds. Wood white, turning light red, moderately hard, close-grained. Pores moderate-sized, often subdivided or disposed in short radial lines, scanty, prominent on a vertical section. Medullary rays very fine, very numerous and regular, somewhat indistinct" (Gamble). Leaves alternate, exstipulate, pinnate with a terminal leaflet. Leaflets subopposite, ovate, acuminate or ovate-lanceolate, acute, glabrous and glaucous beneath, 2-5 pair, 1½-3in. ; petiole stout, pubescent. Flowers small, variegated white and purple ; panicles axillary, sometimes on the old wood. Calyx glabrous, half as long as the petals. Stamens 10-5 shorter without anthers, or sometimes one or two of these longer and antheriferous. Ovary pubescent. Fruit yellow, changing into brown ; ellipsoid, Sin. long with 5 prominent ridges, converting the fruit into one of 5 acutely angled lobes. Seeds arillate ; aril 2-lobed, lacerated. With regard to the arillus Brandis remarks thus : — Funicle of seed dilated "into a fleshy, bilabiate, irregularly cut arillus." It must be noted that, according to Edge, and Hook, F. the leaflets are irritable to touch.
Parts used : — The leaves, root and fruit.
Uses : — Used as a cooling medicine.
The acid dried fruit is given in fevers (Irvine p. 55.) It is cooling and useful in feverishness and possesses anti-scorbutic properties (Watt's Dictionary I. p. 360.)
"The ripe fruit, which is generally sour (though there is a sweet variety) and contains oxalic acid, is a good remedy for bleeding piles, particularly in that variety of the disease which is known as internal piles. I have used it in several cases with more or less benefit, but in a few the result was very satisfactory, the bleeding disappearing rapidly and permanently. There is no doubt that the fruit will also produce a good effect in hæmatemesis, melæna, and some other forms of hæmorrhage, but as it is nut always procurable, I have not yet had an opportunity of trying it in those diseases. The firuit is also useful in relieving thirst and febrile excitement." (Moodeen Sheriff.)
217. A Bilimbi, Linn, h.f.b.i., i. 439. Roxb. 387.
Vern : — Belambu, Bilimbi, Hind, and Dek. Koch-chittamarta-káya, Puli-chakkáy, Bilimbi-káya, Tam. Pulusu- káyalu, Bili-bili-káyalu, Bilimbi-káyalu, Tel. Vilanbikká, Vilimbi, Karichakká Malgal. Bilimbi, Beng ; Bombay Bilambu, Guz. Kaála-Zoun-si, Kala-Zounya-si, Bur. (Sinhalese) Bilin.
Habitat : — Cultivated in gardens throughout India, also naturalized as an escape. Cylon gardens, cultivated.
A small tree. Wood white, tough, soft, very even-grained. Pores small or moderate-sized, sometimes subdivided, very scanty. Medullary rays extremely fine and indistinct, numerous. Faint pale concentric regular bands, (Gamble). Leaves paripinnate, alternate. Leaflets 6-14 pair, lower smallest, subopposite, ovate-oblong, acuminate, unequal-sided at the base, glabrous, pubescent on the nerves beneath, pale beneath ; blade 2-20in. by 1-15in.; petiolules short. Flowers dark purple brown says Talbot, dark crimson in Bombay (K. R. Kirtikar), cauliflorous in short panicles from the old wood of the stem and branches and from tender branches also. (K. R. K.). Bracteoles subulate. Sepals ovate, glabrescent, or with a few shining hairs. Petals much longer than the sepals, pubescent. Fruit oblong, acid, slightly furrowed, 2in. long, obtusely lobed, juicy, greenish, yellow when ripe. Seeds without an arillus.
Part used : — The fruit.
Uses : — Astringent, stomachic and refrigerant.
The syrup of fruit is useful in relieving thirst, febrile excitement, and also in some slight cases of hæmorrhage from the bowels, stomach, and internal hæmorrhoids. The fruit itself, in the form of curry, is a useful dietary article in piles and scurvy.
Preparation : — Syrup : Take of the juice of the ripe fruit, strained through cloth, ten fluid ounces ; refined sugar, thirty ounces ; water, ten fluid ounces ; mix and heat all the ingredients on a slow fire till the sugar is dissolved and the liquid assumes the consistence of a thick syrup. (MOODEEN SHERIFF.)
218. Impatiens Balsamina, Linn, h.f.b.i., i. 453.
Vern : — Gul-mendi (H) ; Dupati (B) ; Haragaura (Uriya) ; Mujethi (N. W. P.); Bantil, trual, halu ; tatura ; pallu ; tilphar ; juk (Pb.) ; Teradd (Bomb.)- (Porebunder) Gulmendi ; (Guj) Pan tambol ; (Sinhalese) Kudalu-kola.
Habitat :— Found throughout India. Ceylon 2-4000ft. common.
An annual erect herb l-3ft. ; Stem glabrous or pubescent, slightly branched, green, pithy, succulent. Leaves alternate, obscurely petioled, 1½-5in. narrowly lanceolate or linear, tapering at both ends, especially at base, coarsely spinous- serrate, the lowest serratures often filiform and glandular, glabrous. Flowers bright pink, rather over 1in. diam. ; on slender pubescent peduncle much shorter than leaf, 1-3 from axils of upper leaf. Sepals very small, linear ; tip keeled, mucronate, hairy ; spur 1 in. or more, slender, curved strongly pubescent ; standard small, roundish, retuse ; wings very much longer, lower lobe very large, bifid, rounded, upper lobe much smaller, obtuse, retuse. Capsule ¾in., pointed, tomentose. Seeds globose, tubercled. It is a rainy-season plant.
Uses : — " It is not known whether any of the Indian Species of Impatiens have attributed to them medicinal properties ; I. Noli-me-tangere (a British Species) has an acrid burning taste, and when taken internally, acts as an emetic, cathartic and diuretic. It is considered too dangerous, however, to be of much use. The United States Dispensatory, after having previously discussed the properties of I. fulva, I. pallida, and I. Noli-me-tangere, states that I. Balsamina resembles the other species in its effects. Baillon says of I. Noli-me-tangere that it was formerly valued as a diuretic and anti-hæmorrhoidal. It was topically used for pains in the joints and was said to cure diabetes but is not much thought of at present. In Japan I. corunta is said to make the hair grow." (WATT.)
Throughout the Tropical and subtropical India and Ceylon. Trimen says that variety I. corunta, Linn, is considered to be the original garden Balsam. The common garden Balsam is a very variable plant.
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