Page:Indian Medicinal Plants (Text Part 1).djvu/650

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
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 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