The Materia Medica of the Hindus, compiled from Sanskrit Medical Works c5.s1.t2: Aconitum Heterophyllum

The Materia Medica of the Hindus, compiled from Sanskrit Medical Works c5.s1.t2

Language: English

Aconitum Heterophyllum

c5.s1.t2.1

*Sans.* आतिव, *A'taicha*, अतिविष, *A'tivisha*. *Vern.* *A'tis*.

c5.s1.t2.2

THE tuberous roots of this plant are considered tonic, astringent and stomachic, and are used in fever, diarrhœa, irritability of stomach and cough. Atis is also regarded as an antidote to poisons.

In fever with diarrhœa the following compound decoction² is much used in practice. Take of *átis*, ginger, kurchi bark, tubers of *Cyperus rotundus* (*mustaka*), and root of *Tinospora cordifolia* (*gulancha*), equal parts, in all two tolás, water thirty-two tolás. Boil till the water is reduced to one-fourth or eight tolás. This quantity is given in two or three divided doses during the course of the day. Chakradatta recommends the following called Hrive-rádi¹ in similar cases. Take of átis, dried bela, root of Pavonia odorata (bálá) and Cyperus rotundus (mustaka), ginger and coriander, equal parts, in all two tolás and prepare a decoction in the usual way.

c5.s1.t2.4

² नागरं कूटजोमुस्तममृतातिविषतया । एभिःकृतं पिबेत्क्वाथं ज्वराती- सारनाशनम् । शार्ङ्गधरः ।

c5.s1.t2.5

¹ ह्रीवेरादिः । ह्रीवेरातिविषामुस्त बिल्वधान्यकनागरैः । पिबेत्पिच्छा-विबन्धघ्नं मूलदे षामपाचनम् । सरक्तं हन्त्यतीसारं सज्वरं वाथविज्वरम् । चक्रदत्तः ।

c5.s1.t2.6

In the fever, diarrhœa, cough, and irritability of stomach of infants, átis is used alone or in the following combination. Take of átis, tubers of Cyperus rotundus (mustaka) and the horny excrescence of Rhus succedanea (karkatasringi), equal parts, powder and mix. This compound powder is given in suitable doses with the addition of honey. Sometimes long pepper is added to the above ingredients, when the powder is called Bála-cháturbhadraka,² from its being composed of four ingredients.

c5.s1.t2.7

² बालचातुर्भद्रिका । घनकृष्णाकर्कटाष्टचूर्ण चौद्रेण संयुतम् । शिशो-ज्वरार्तिसारघ्नं कासश्वासवमीहरम् । चक्रदत्तः ।

Linked texts (2)

Cakradatta (Cikitsāsaṅgraha) — Cakrapāṇidatta, Sanskrit
Śārṅgadharasaṃhitā — Śārṅgadhara (physician), Sanskrit