The Materia Medica of the Hindus, compiled from Sanskrit Medical Works c5.s12.t10: Hemidesmus Indicus, R. Br.

The Materia Medica of the Hindus, compiled from Sanskrit Medical Works c5.s12.t10

Language: English

Hemidesmus Indicus, R. Br.

c5.s12.t10.1

*Sans.* अनन्तमूल, *Anantamula*, सारिवा, *Sárivá*.

In Sanskrit Medicine, *Hemidesmus Indicus* and *Ichnocarpus frutescens* are both called *sárivá* and are described under the name of *sárivádvaya* or the two *sárivás*. They are often used together. When however *sárivá* is used in the singular number it is the usual practice to interpret it as *syámalatá* (*Ichnocarpus frutescens*). The roots of these plants are said to be sweet, demulcent, alterative and useful in loss of appetite, disinclination for food, fever, skin diseases, syphilis and leucorrhoea. They are generally used in combination with a number of other medicines. The following are a few illustrations. Take of *anantamula*, root of *Pavonia odorata* (*bálá*), tubers of *Cyperus rotundus* (*mustaka*), ginger, and the root of *Picrorrhiza kurroa* (*kaṭuki*), equal parts, in all two tolás, and reduce them to a paste with water. This dose administered with warm water in the morning, is said to clear the bowels and relieve fever.¹

c5.s12.t10.4

¹ अनन्ता बालकं सुस्तं नागरं कटुरोहिणी । पिष्टा सुखाम्बुना कल्कां पाययेदथ सम्मितं । कल्कः खल्वेन कालेन हन्यात् सर्व्वज्वरामयं । विदध्यात् कोष्ठशुद्धिं दीपयेच्च हुताशनं । भैषज्यरत्नावली ।

c5.s12.t10.5

A decoction of the roots of colocynth, *anantamula*, *sárivá* and *Hedyotis biflora* (*parpaṭa*), prepared in the usual way, is administered with the addition of powdered long pepper and bdellium in chronic skin diseases, syphilis, elephantiasis, loss of sensation and hemiplegia.²

c5.s12.t10.6

² इन्द्रवारुणिकानन्ता सारिवा पर्पटैः समैः । एभिः कृतं पिबेत् कार्यं कणागुग्गुलुसंयुतम् । अष्टादशसु कुष्ठेषु वातरक्तादिते तथा । उपदंशेश्लीपदेच प्रसुप्ते पक्षघातके । शार्ङ्गधरः ।

Linked texts (2)

Śārṅgadharasaṃhitā — Śārṅgadhara (physician), Sanskrit
Bhaiṣajyaratnāvalī — Govindadāsa, Sanskrit