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 gonorrhœa (Dymock).
In the Indian Pharmacopœia, 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, separately, 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 5 to 10 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° Fan., 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, 1/10 KOH 0.83 ; iodine value, 40.12; unsaponifiable, 1.09; butyro-refractometer at 25°, 73°. Fatty acids (insoluble) : per cent. 82.3; melting point, 44.1; iodine value, 41.9 ; neutralisation value, 215 ; mean molecular weight, 260.9. (A. K. Menon, 1910.)
534. L. echinata, Roxb. h.f.b.i.,ii. 615; Roxb. 699.
Vern. : — Kukar-wel (Bomb.); Jung-thoree (Sind.) ; the seeds: Wa-upla-bij (Guz.) ; Deodâgri (Mar.).
Habitat : — Guzerat ; Sind ; Bengal ; Bombay.
