N. 0. MYRTACEÆ.
500. Myrtus communis, Linn, h. f.b.i., ii. 462.
Vern. :— Vilâyati mehndi, mûrad (H.); Sutr-sowa, fruit; hab-ul-âs (Arab.)
Habitat : — Cultivated in India. This is the common myrtle, 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, 0. 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 apthæ. The fruit is carminative, and is given in diarrhœa, dysentery, hæmorrhage, 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, h.f.b.i ii. 465, Roxb. 591.
Vern. r-Kâyâputi (H.) ; Cajuputte, ilachie (B.); ; Kâyâkuti (Bomb.); Cajupûta (Mar.) ; Kijapûte, kayâpute (Tam.)
Habitat:— Cultivated in India.
