The Materia Medica of the Hindus, compiled from Sanskrit Medical Works c5.s12.t2: Trichosanthes Dioica, Roxb.

The Materia Medica of the Hindus, compiled from Sanskrit Medical Works c5.s12.t2

Language: English

Trichosanthes Dioica, Roxb.

The Trichosanthes dioica is extensively cultivated as an article of food in Bengal. The unripe fruits are much used by the natives as a culinary vegetable and are considered very wholesome and especially suited for the convalescent. In fact they constitute one of the most palatable vegetables grown in this country. The tender tops are also used as a pot-herb and are regarded as tonic and vermifuge.

c5.s12.t2.3

The leaves, fresh juice of the fruits and the root are all used medicinally. The leaves are described as a good, light and agreeable bitter tonic. The fresh juice of the unripe fruit is often used as a cooling and laxative adjunct to some alterative medicines such as the preparation called Rasa sindura, etc. The bulbous root is called Ramyaka in Sanskrit and is classified amongst purgatives by Susruta.

c5.s12.t2.4

In bilious fever, a decoction of patola leaves and coriander, in equal parts, is given as a febrifuge and laxative.² The leaves enter into the composition of several compound decoctions for fever. The following called *Paṭoládi kvátha* is an illustration. Take of *paṭola* leaves, red sandal wood, root of *Sanseviera Zeylanica* (*murvá*), *Picrorrhiza Kurroa* (*katuki*), *Stephania hernandifolia* (*páṭhá*) and *gulancha*, each one drachm, water half a seer, boil together till reduced to one-fourth.¹

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² दीपनं कफविच्छेदि वातपित्तानुलोमनम् ज्वरघ्नं पाचनभेदितं धान्य- पटोलयोः । चक्रदत्तः ।

c5.s12.t2.6

¹ पटोलं चन्दनं मूर्वा तिक्ता पाठाऽमृता गणः। पित्तश्लेष्मरुचिहृत् ज्वर-कण्डूविषापहः। चक्रदत्तः।

c5.s12.t2.7

*Paṭola* enters into the composition of several compound decoctions for boils and other skin diseases for which it is considered a very efficacious remedy. The following is an illustration. Take of *paṭola* leaves, *gulancha*, *mustaka*, *chiretá*, *nim* bark, catechu, root-bark of *Justicia Adhatoda* (*vásaka*), and *Oldenlandia herbacea* (*parpaṭa*), equal parts, in all two tolás, and prepare a decoction in the usual way. This decoction is regarded as a valuable alterative, tonic and febrifuge.²

c5.s12.t2.8

² पटोलामृतभूनिम्ब वासकारिष्टपर्पटैः। खदिराद्युतैः काथो विस्फोटा-च्छिस्वरापहः। चक्रदत्तः।

c5.s12.t2.9

The root is used in combination with *Ipomœa Turpethum* and other adjuncts as a drastic purgative in jaundice, anasarca and ascites. The following called *Paṭoládya churna* is an illustration. Take of the root of *Trichosanthes dioica* (*paṭola*), turmeric, *báberang* seeds, *kamalá* powder, and the three myrobalans, two tolás each, cinnamon, and the root of the indigo plant, three tolás each, *Ipomœa Turpethum* (*trivrit*) four tolás; powder the ingredients finely and mix. Dose, about one drachm with cow's urine. After the use of this medicine, light food only (such as gruel) should be taken.³

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³ पटोलाद्यं चूर्णम्। पटोलमूले रजनी विडङ्गं त्रिफलात्वचम्। कम्पिल्लकं नीलिनोश्च त्रिवृताञ्चेति चूर्णयेत्। षडाद्यान् कार्षिकानन्यांस्त्रींस्त्रींस्तद्वितचतुष्- पाान्। कलाचूर्णं ततोऽष्टेि गवांमूत्रेणनापिबेत्। विरिक्तोऽजाङ्गलज रसैर्भुञ्जीतलघु- भोजनम्। मण्डपेयाञ्च पीत्वाच सव्योषं षडहं पयः। श्वतं पिबेत्तु तच्चूर्णंपिवेदेवं पुनः पुनः। हन्तिसर्वोदरान्येवञ्च जातोदकान्यपि। कामलां पाण्डु रोगञ्च श्वयथुञ्चापकर्षति। चक्रदत्तः।

c5.s12.t2.11

The fresh juice of the leaves of *Trichosanthes dioica* is recommended by several writers, to be applied to the bald patches of alopecia.¹

c5.s12.t2.12

¹ रसस्तिक्तपटोलस्य पत्राणां तद्विलेपनात् । इन्द्रलुप्तापहंलेपमधुनाह्यहती-रसः । भावप्रकाशः ।

Linked texts (3)

Suśrutasaṃhitā — Suśruta & Nāgārjuna (siddha/alchemist), Sanskrit
Cakradatta (Cikitsāsaṅgraha) — Cakrapāṇidatta, Sanskrit
Bhāvaprakāśa — Bhāvamiśra 1550, Sanskrit