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The Materia Medica of the Hindus, compiled from Sanskrit Medical Works c5.s11: Nat. Order Lythraceæ

The Materia Medica of the Hindus, compiled from Sanskrit Medical Works c5.s11

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Nat. Order Lythraceæ

Woodfordia Floribunda, Salisb.

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*Syn. Grislea tomentosa, Roxb.* *Sans.* धातकी, *Dhátaki.* अग्निज्वाल, *Agnijvála.* *Vern.* *Dháiphul, Beng. Dhái, Hind.*

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The Sanskrit synonyms of this beautiful flowering shrub well describe some of its prominent characters. It is called *Támra-pushpi* or red flowered, on account of its bright red permanent calyx, and *Guchchhapushpi* or having clusters of blossoms, on account of its numerous small flowers, which give it a gaudy appearance. From the circumstance of its being common in mountainous tracts, it has got the name of *Párvati* or hill-born.

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The dried flowers of *Woodfordia floribunda* are regarded as stimulant and astringent and are much used, in combination with other astringent medicines, in bowel complaints and hæmorrhages. Two drachms of the dried flowers are given with curdled milk in dysentery, and with honey in menorrhagia.² In the dysentery of children, the following combination is recommended to be given in the form of powder or decoction with the addition of honey. Take of the flowers of *Woodfordia floribunda*, bel fruits, bark of *Symplocos racemosa* (lodhra), root of *Pavonia odorata* (bálá), and the fruits of *Pothos officinalis* (gajapipul), in equal parts, two tolás in all, and prepare a decoction in the usual way.³

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² धातक्याश्चाक्षमात्रं वा आमलक्यामधुद्रवम् । पाण्डु प्रदरशान्त्यर्थं पिबेत्तण्डुलवारिणा । चक्रदत्तः ।

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³ धातकीबिल्वलोध्राणि बालकं गजपिप्पली । एभिः कृतं शृतं शीतं शिशुभ्यः क्षौद्रसंयुतम् । प्रद्यादवलेहं वा सर्वातीसारशान्तये । शार्ङ्गधरः ।

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The powdered flower is sprinkled over ulcers for diminishing their discharge and promoting granulation.¹

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¹ धातकोचूर्णलैर्वा तथा रोहन्ति ते व्रणाः । चक्रदत्तः ।

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NAT. ORDER HAMAMELIDEÆ.

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LIQUIDAMBAR ORIENTALE, *Miller*. Sans. सिल्हक, *Silhaka*. Vern. *Siláras*, Hind. Liquid storax is described in Sanskrit works as a product of Turkey. It is considered useful in affections of the throat, copious perspiration and skin diseases, but is chiefly used in perfuming medicinal oils.

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NAT. ORDER, GRANATEÆ.

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PUNICA GRANATUM, *Linn*. Sans. दाड़िम, *Dáḍima*. Vern. *A'nár*, Hind.

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THE pomegranate is indigenous to North Western India. The best fruits, having sweet juice and very small seeds come from Cabul. The fresh juice of the fruits is much used as an ingredient of cooling and refrigerent mixtures and of some medicines for dyspepsia. The rind of the fruit is used as an astringent in diarrhœa. In the Pharmacographia it is stated that the use of the root-bark as an anthelmintic by the Hindus attracted the notice of Buchanan at Calcutta about the year 1805. This physician pointed out the efficacy of the root-bark which was further shown by Fleming and others. I have not been able to find any notice of pomegranate root-bark in Sanskrit works.

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*Dáḍimáshṭaka*.² Take of pomegranate rind one seer, bamboo-manna two tolás, cardamom, cinnamon, *tejapátra*, and flowers of *Mesua ferrea* (*nágakesara*), each four tolás, *ájowan*, coriander, cumin seeds, long pepper root, long pepper, black pepper and ginger, each eight tolás, sugar one seer. Powder the ingredients and mix. Dose, about one drachm in chronic bowel complaints.

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² दाडिमाष्टकः । कर्षन्मिता तुगाक्षीरी चातुर्जातं द्विकार्षिकम् । यमानी धान्यकाजाजी पन्यव्योषं पलांशिकम् । पलानिदाडिमादष्टौ सितायाश्चकतः क्षतः । गुणेः कपित्याष्टकवच्चूर्णोऽयं दाडिमाष्टकः । चक्रदत्तः ।

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