The Materia Medica of the Hindus, compiled from Sanskrit Medical Works c5.s10.t4: Butea Frondosa, Roxb.

The Materia Medica of the Hindus, compiled from Sanskrit Medical Works c5.s10.t4

Language: English

Butea Frondosa, Roxb.

c5.s10.t4.1

*Sans.* पलाश, *Palása*. किंशुक, *Kinsuka*. *Vern.* *Dhák*. *Hind.*

DR. HOOKER states "that when in full flower the *Dhák* tree is a gorgeous sight; the masses of flowers resembling sheets of flame, their bright orange red petals contrasting brilliantly against the jet black velvety calyx." These beautiful flowers were used as ear-ornaments by the ancient Hindu women and much admired by the poets. The seeds of *Butea frondosa* are said to be laxative and anthelmintic and are used, both alone and in combination with other medicines, for expelling intestinal worms. Thus the fresh juice of the seeds, or the seeds beaten to a paste are given with honey.² Sárangadhara gives the following recipe for worms.

c5.s10.t4.3

² पलाशबीजस्वरसं पिबेद्वा चौद्रसंयुतम् । पिबेत्तद्वीजकं वा तत्रेण क्रिमना- शनम् । भावप्रकाशः ।

c5.s10.t4.4

1 वानरीवटिका । बीजानि कपिकच्छूद्भव मितानि स्वेदयेश्चनैः ।
प्रस्थे गोभवदुग्धे तावत् यावद्भवेत् गाड्म् । त्वग्रहितानिचकृत्वा सूक्ष्मंमसे-
षयेत्तान । पिष्टिका या लघुवटिकाः कृत्वा गव्य पचेदाज्ये । द्विगुणित
शर्करापाता वटिकाः सम्प्रकथ्या लेप्याः ।। वटिका माक्षिक मध्ये मज्जनयोग्ये
विरलाः स्थाप्याः ।। पञ्चटङ्क मितास्तास्तु प्रातः सायञ्च भक्षयेत् । अनेन शीघ्र-
द्रावीयो यश्च स्यात्पतितध्वजः । सोऽपि प्राप्नोति सुरते सामर्थ्यमति वाजीवत् ।
नानेन सदृशं किञ्चिद्रव्यं वाजीकरं परम् । भावप्रकाशः ।

c5.s10.t4.5

Take of the seeds of Butea frondosa, root of Ipomœa Turpethum (trivrit), seeds of Hyoscyamus niger (párasika yamáni), kamalá powder, báberang seeds and treacle, equal parts, beat them together into a paste with water and administer with butter-milk.¹

c5.s10.t4.6

¹ विहतपलाशबीजानि पारसीकयमानिका । कमिलकं विड़ङ्गञ्च गुडञ्च समभागिकः । तत्रेण कल्क् एतेषां पीतः क्रिमगणापहः । ग्रन्थधरः ।

c5.s10.t4.7

The gum of Butea frondosa, now used as a substitute for kino, was employed by the ancient Hindus, externally only, as for example in the following. Take of red sandal wood one part, rock salt two parts, chebulic myrobalans three parts, and the gum of Butea frondosa four parts, powder and mix. This powder is recommended to be applied to pterygium and opacities on the cornea.²

c5.s10.t4.8

² चन्दनं सैन्धवं पथ्या पलाशतरुयोषितम् । क्रमवृद्धमिदं चूर्ण शुकाम्बादिविलेखनम् । चक्रदत्तः ।

c5.s10.t4.9

The alkaline ashes of this plant are used in the preparation of caustic pastes, and diuretic medicines, along with others of their class.

Linked texts (3)

Cakradatta (Cikitsāsaṅgraha) — Cakrapāṇidatta, Sanskrit
Śārṅgadharasaṃhitā — Śārṅgadhara (physician), Sanskrit
Bhāvaprakāśa — Bhāvamiśra 1550, Sanskrit