Indian Medicinal Plants/Natural Order Lythraceæ
N. 0. LYTHRACEÆ.
510. Ammania baccifera, Linn, h.f.b.i., ii. 569.
Syn. : — A. vesicatoria, Roxb. 143.
Vern. : — Dâdmâri ; Jangali mehndee (H.) ; Dader-bootie (Pb.) ; Kallar-vanchi (Mai.) ; Ban-marich ; Aginbuti, Guren, Bhâra 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 l-2½in., 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 or small. Capsule globose, depressed, imperfectly circumsciss above the middle. Seeds black, sub-hemispheric, 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 blistered, 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 individuals not for 24 hours. The bruised leaves had been removed from all after half-an-hour. 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 (lál 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 a much more favourable opinion of them. In several instances it blistered rapidly, effectually and without causing more pain than the liquor epispasticus of the Pharmacopœia.
"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 Pharmacopæa 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. Mukerji).
511. A. senegalensis, Lamk. h.b.f.l, ii.570.
Habitat : — Plains of the Punjab and of North- West Hindustan.
An annual, glabrous, erect herb, growing in damp places, 6-24in. Branches sharply quadrangular, Cauline leaves l-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 1/12in. 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.l, ii. 572.
Syn. : — Grislea tomentosa, Roxb. 317.
Sans. : — Dhataki. Vern. :— Dhâi, Dhaula, Santha (H.) ; Dhaiphul (B.) ; Dhenti (Oudh) ; Dahiri (Nepal) ; Jatiko (Uriya) ; Dhâiti, Dhâmatî, Dhâoshi (Bomb.) ; Serinji (Tel.); Phulsatti (Mar.); Dhavadina (Guz.).
Habitat :— 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 opposite or sub-opposite, sometimes in whorls of 3, distichous, subsessile, 2-4 by 1. 3in., lanceolate or ovate-lanceolate, usually acuminate, rounded or cordate at the base, entire, pale and generally grey pubescent beneath; lateral nerves 6-12 pairs, prominent beneath and joined by intramarginal veins. Flowers in short panicled, axillary cymes, rarely solitary. Calyx 4-6in. 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, decimate, 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 complaints and hæmorrhages. 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 (U. C. Dutt).
" The dried flowers are astringent tonic in disorders of the mucous membrances, hæmorrhoids and in derangements of the liver, also considered a safe stimulant in pregnancy. The leaves are also officinal " (Mukerji). " The natives of Concan, in bilious sickness, fill the patients' month 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.i., ii. 573.
Syn.:—L. inermis, Roxb. 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 ¾-1½in. long, elliptic, acute at both ends, on the tip obtuse, minutely petioled, entire, coriaceous. Flowers ¼in. diam., sweet-scented, rose-coloured or white or greenish white, in large corymbosely-branched terminal panicles. Calyx-tube exceedingly short; lobes 4, 1/10in. ovate, permanent; petals 4, wrinkled. Stamens usually 8, inserted in pair between the petals. Ovary free, 4-celled, ovules many, style long. Capsule 1/5in. 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 decoction 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). 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. Henna 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 treatment of lepra (leprosy) and other depraved habits of the body (Ainslie). In the Concan, the leaf-juice mixed with water and sugar is given as a remedy for spermatorrhœa, and with milk in the condition known as " hot and cold fits" (Dymock).
"At Apollonia fa city in Greece), I caught a severe rheumatism in my feet. * ® Amongst the many remedies which I 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 (Calcutta Med. Phys. Trans., vol. ii , p. 279) mentions an obstinate case benefited by their use ; and the Editor, when in Burmah, witnessed, in some cases, a great amount of temporary 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 fail to afford more than temporary relief. (See Madras Quarterly Journ. of Med., vol. i. 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). Pharmacopœia 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. — Lagerstrœmia Flos-Reginae, Retz., h.f.b.i., ii. 577.
Vern. : — Arjuna, jarûl (Hind.) ; Jarûl (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 (Tam.) ; Chennangi (Tel.) ; Challâ, holedâsâl, maruva (Kan.) ; Adamboe (Malay.) ; yengma, kone-pyinma, pyinma (Burm.) ; Kamaung, (Magh.) ; Murute, mûrûta-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, l-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 ¼-½in. long. Panicles large, lower branches often 6in., curved ascending flowers scattered. Flowers purplish lilac, 2-3in. across. Petiole distinct, usually ¼in. Calyx thick, green covered with hard white (sometimes ferruginous) 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 large capsule, sometimes reaching 1¼in. by 1in. ; the capsule is broadly ovoid, the lower third enclosed in the persistent Calyx. Seed with wing ½-¾in. long, pale brown.
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 as a local application for aphthæ of the mouth (Jour. Agri-Hort. Soc. of Ind. (Old Series), XL, 446).
" The bark, of this and of L. indica, Linn., is considered stimulant and febrifuge " (Surgeon-Major W. D. Stewart, Cuttack).
515. Sonneratia acida, Linn. H.F.B.I.,ii. 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 Mangrove' 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, 2¼-3in., 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, segments 6, lanceolate, acute, longer than tube ; petals 6, linear, about lin., rather longer than the Calyx-segments, persistent ; stamens about 2in. erect ; style considerably exceeding stamens. Fruit broadly ovoid or sub-globular, supported on enlarged calyx which, forms a shallow cup, about 1¾ 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 swellings. The fermented juice of the fruit is said to be useful in arresting hæmorrhage.
516. Punica granatum, Linn, h.f.b.i. ii. 581, Roxb, 402.
Sans. : — Dâdima.
Vern. : — Anar-ka-pêr, dhâlim, dhârimb. Flowers : — Gulnâr, julvar, dârim pushp. Fruit : anâr, daram, damu (H.) ; Dalimgachh. Flowers : gul-anâr, unnum. Fruit : anâr, dâlim, dârim, dârmi. Rind : anâr-kâ-chhilkâ. Seed : babul-kilkils (B.) ; Dâlim dâlimba (Uriya) ; Dâlim (Assam); Anâr-kâ-jar. Flower: gulenâr. Fruit : anâr (Dec.) ; Madala, michi. Tree, etc. Fruit : anar, darim. Rind : nasput kushi-ala, post-anâr (U. P.). Tree, etc. Fruit : daru, daruni, dariun, danu, doan, jaman, daran, anar. Flowers : gul anâr, dârim, pashk. Rind : naspal, chalanar. Seeds : anâr-dânâ (Pb ). Tree, etc. Fruit : anor, anar, nargosh, ghar-nangoi (Pushtu). Tree etc. Fruit : anar, dhalim, dharimb, darhu. Bark : daru-jo-kul. Seeds : daru-bij. Rind : khashi'ala-chodi (S.) ; Anâra, dâlimba (B.) ; Dalimba-jhada. 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) ; Dalimbegida. Flowers: pushi-dulimbe. Fruit : dalim be-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 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 in small flakes. Wood light-yellow, with a small dark-coloured, irregular heartwood, hard, compact, and close-grained " (Gamble). Brandis says the tree is deciduous. Leaves opposite, often fascicled on arrested branches commonly l-3in. long by ½-¾in.. 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, axillary, solitary or somewhat clustered 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 ½in., inserted in the mouth of the Calyx-tube crumpled in bud. Stamens numerous, inserted 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, Sin. 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 Myrtaceœ through Psidium, and to Rosaceœ 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 diarrhœa. 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 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 diarrhœa. A decoction of the bark followed by a purgative, acts as an anthelmintic (Pharrnacographia).
The root-bark and rind of the fruit are officinal in the Indian Pharmacopæia.
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 tannic acid.
N. 0. ONAGRACEÆ.
517. Jussiœa suffruticosa, Linn, h.f.b.l, ii. 587.
Syn. : — J. exaltata, Roxb. 371.
Vern. ' -- Lal-bunianga (B.) ; Neeroo-agheen-drapakao (Tel.) ; Carambu (Mal.) ; Pânalavanga (Bomb.) ; Petra da, dak ichak (Santal). Pârsâti (Chutia Nagpur).
Habitat : — Throughout the greater part of India, except the Western desert region.
A semi-shrubby perennial, erect, 2-4ft., sometimes 4-6ft., much branching, woody below. Branches stiff, erect, cylindric, striate, thickly clothed with short spreading hair. Leaves 2-4 by ¾in., 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, 1½-l¾in. 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 4,¼-⅜in., wholly yellow, rotundate, shortly-clawed, often emarginate, ninnately veined. Stamens
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