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The Materia Medica of the Hindus, compiled from Sanskrit Medical Works c5.s12.t4: Coccinia Indica, W. & A.

The Materia Medica of the Hindus, compiled from Sanskrit Medical Works c5.s12.t4

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Coccinia Indica, W. & A.

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*Syn. Momordica monodelpha, Roxb. Sans.* बिम्ब, *Vimba, Vern. Telákuchá, Beng.* The expressed juice of the thick tap-root of this plant is used by the leading native Kavirájas of Calcutta, as an adjunct to the metallic preparations prescribed by them in diabetes. I have not found this use of the plant noticed in any written work, but I know several patients who have taken the juice of the root along with *Vangesvara* or *Somanátha rasa* and who were benefitted by the use of these remedies. I am inclined to think that the juice of the root of this plant probably acts beneficially in some way. It is very desirable that its therapeutic action should be tested. The expressed juice is directed to be taken in doses of one tola along with a pill, every morning.

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CITRULLUS COLOCYNTHIS, Schrad. *Syn. Cucumis Colocynthis, Linn.* *Sans.* इन्द्रवारुणी, *Indraváruni. Vern. Indráyan. Hind.*

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INDIAN colocynth is common on the lower slopes of the Western Himalaya and also on the plains of the drier parts of India. It is procurable in the bazars of the North-West Provinces under the name of *indráyan*. The pulp of the fruit is described as bitter, acrid, cathartic, and useful in biliousness, constipation, fever and worms. The root of the plant is considered cathartic and useful in jaundice, ascites, enlargements of the abdominal viscera, urinary diseases, rheumatism, etc.

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*Jvaraghni guṭiká*.¹ Take of mercury one part; sulphur, colocynth pulp, cardamoms, long pepper, chebulic myrobalan, and pellitory root, each four parts. Rub these ingredients with the juice of *indraváruni* root and make into pills weighing about twenty grains each. These pills are administered with the fresh juice of *gulancha* in recent fever. They move the bowels and reduce the fever.

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¹ ज्वरघ्नीगुटिका। भागैकः स्याद्रसाच्छुद्धादेकोयः पिप्पलीशिवा। अकार- करभोगन्ध कटुतेलेनशोधितः। फलानिचेन्द्रवारुण्याश्चतुर्भागमिताक्षमी। एक- समर्दयेच्चूर्णमिन्द्रवारुणिकारसैः। काषोन्मितांवटीकृत्वा दद्यात्सद्यज्वरेभिषक्। इतिज्वरसानुपानेनज्वरघ्नीगुटिका मता। शार्ङ्गधरः।

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An oil prepared from the seeds of Indian colocynth, is used for blackening grey hairs. A poultice of the root is said to be useful in inflammation of the breasts.²

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² इन्द्रवारुणिकाबीजतैलेनस्याङ्कमाचरेत्। प्रत्यहन्तेन कालाग्निसन्निभा- कुन्तलावलम्। शार्ङ्गधरः।

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NAT. ORDER UMBELLIFERÆ.

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The following aromatic fruits belonging to this natural order, are noticed by Sanskrit writers and are used in medicine or as condiments by the natives.

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*यमानि, Yamáni. Ptychotis A'jowan,*∗ *DC. Vern. A'jowan Hind.* *वनयमानि, Vanayamáni. Seseli Indicum, W. & A. Vern. Banjoán, B.*

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∗ Now included in the genus *Carum* by Hooker and Bentham.

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अजमोदा, *Ajamodá*. *Carum Roxburghianum*, Benth. *Vern.* A'jmad, Hind. *Rándhuni*, Beng.

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जीरक, *Jiraka*. *Cuminum Cyminum*, Linn. *Vern.* Jirá, Beng.

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सुषवि, *Sushavi*. *Carum Carui*, Linn. *Vern.* Shiá jirá, Hind.

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मधुरिका, *Madhuriká*. *Fœniculum vulgare*, Gærtn. *Mauri*, Beng. *Sonf*, Hind.

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मिश्रेया, *Misreyá*. *Anethum Sowa*,* Roxb. *Vern.* Sulphá, B. Sowá, H.

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धन्याक, *Dhanyáka*. *Coriandrum sativum*, Linn. *Vern.* Dhaniá, H.

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PTYCHOTIS AJOWAN. The seeds of Ptychotis Ajowan have an aromatic smell and warm pungent taste. They are used for culinary purposes, as spices along with betel nuts and pan leaves, and as a carminative medicine. A tea spoonful of ájowan with a little rock salt, is a common domestic remedy for indigestion from irregular diet. The following compound powder is used in cases of colic or pain in the bowels. Take of ájowan, rock salt, sonchal salt, yavakshára, assafœtida, and chebulic myrobalan, equal parts; powder the ingredients and mix. Dose, grains ten to twenty, to be taken with wine.¹ A'jowan, taken daily with treacle, is said to cure urticaria within a week.² A'jowan, as well as the seeds of *Seseli Indicum* (*vanajamáni*), are much used as aromatic adjuncts in compound prescriptions.

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¹ यमानो हिङ्गु सिन्धूत्य चार सौवर्चलाभयाः। सुरामण्डेन पातव्या गुल्मशूल निवारणाः। चक्रदत्तः।

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² सगुडं दीप्यकं यस्तु खादेत् पञ्चाह मण्डरः। तस्य नश्यति सप्ताहदूर्द्धं सव्वैदेहजः। चक्रदत्तः।
* Anethum is reduced by Drs. Hooker and Bentham to Peucedanum.

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CARUM ROXBURGHIANUM. The seeds of *Carum Roxburghianum* (*ajamodá*) are an essential ingredient of native cookery, They are said to be useful in hiccup, vomiting and pain in the region of the bladder. They enter into the composition of several carminative and stimulant preparations, such as the *Ajamodádi churna* (see *Argyreia speciosa*), etc.

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CUMINUM CYMINUM. Cumin seeds form an ingredient of some curry powders and pickles used by the natives. They are regarded as stomachic, carminative, astringent and useful

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1 यमानो हिङ्गु सिन्धूत्य चार सौवर्चलाभयाः। सुरामण्डेन पातव्या गुल्मशूल निवारणाः। चक्रदत्तः।

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2 सगुडं दीप्यकं यस्तु खादेत् पञ्चाह मण्डरः। तस्य नश्यति सप्ताहदूर्द्धं सव्वैदेहजः। चक्रदत्तः।

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in dyspepsia, diarrhœa, etc. A confection of cumin seeds is prepared as follows:

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Jirakádi modaka. Take of the three myrobalans, tubers of *Cyperus rotundus* (*mustaka*), watery extract of gulancha, prepared talc, flowers of *Mesua ferrea* (*nágakesara*), leaves called *tejapatra*, cinnamon, cardamoms, cloves, coriander, ginger, long pepper, *Oldenlandia herbacea* (*parpaṭi*), root of *Andropogon muricatum* (*usira*), *Pavonia odorata* (*bálá*), and *Plumbago Zeylanica* (*chitraka*), each one part, cumin seed, nineteen parts or equal in weight to all the other ingredients; powder them all and mix. Add two parts of sugar to one of the powder and make into a confection with honey and clarified butter. Dose, one drachm. This medicine is prescribed in chronic diarrhœa and dyspepsia with loss of appetite.

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Jirakádya taila.¹ Take of powdered cumin seeds, eight tolás, minium or red lead, four tolás, prepared mustard oil three seers, water twelve seers, boil them together in the usual way for the preparation of medicinal oils. This oil is used in eczema.

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¹ जीरकाद्यं तैलम् । जीरकस्य पलं पिष्टं सिन्दुराईपलं तथा । कटुतैलं पचेदाभ्यां सर्व्वामापहरं परम् । भावप्रकाशः ।

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A poultice made of cumin seeds, with the addition of honey, salt and clarified butter, is recommended to be applied to scorpion bites.²

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² जीरकस्य कृतः कल्को घृतसैन्धव संयुतः। सुखोष्णो मधुना लेपो वृश्चिकस्य विषं हरेत् । भावप्रकाशः ।

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FŒNICULUM VULGARE. Fennel seeds are largely used as a condiment. In medicine they are chiefly used as an aromatic adjunct to other articles. Distilled fennel water is prepared and sold in India, under the name of *A'rak bádian*, and is used as a domestic carminative.

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CARUM CARUI. The fruits called *shiá jirá* in the vernacular, do not appear to differ from European caraway. The plant grows wild largely in the “high alpine region of Lahul in the Western Himalaya,” but is rare in the plains. The fruits contain a volatile oil and are used as a carminative like cumin seeds.

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CORIANDRUM SATIVUM. Coriander is largely used by the natives as a condiment and along with betel nuts and *pán* leaves. It is described as carminative, refrigerent, diuretic, tonic and aphrodisiac. A cold infusion of coriander is given with sugar for the relief of internal heat and thirst.¹ A decoction of coriander and ginger is given in dyspepsia and indigestion. Coriander enters into the composition of numerous cooling and carminative medicines. The fresh leaves of the plant are pungent and aromatic. They are used for preparing a sauce or *chátni*, in the same way as the leaves of spearmint (*pudiná*).²

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¹ प्रातः सन्नकरः पेयोहिमोधन्याकसम्भवः । चन्नदाहं तथातृष्णां जयेच्छ्रतोविशोधनः । भावप्रकाशः ।

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² धान्यानागर सिद्धन्तु तोयं दद्यादिचक्षुः । आमाजीर्ण दीपनं प्रशमनं वस्तिशोधनम् । चक्रदत्तः ।

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FERULA ASSAFŒTIDA, Linn.

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Sans. हिङ्गु, Hingu. Vern. Hing, Beng. Hind.

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SANSKRIT writers describe assafœtida as an exudation from the root of the assafœtida plant which is indigenous to Persia, Khorasan and Multan.∗ Assafœtida is regarded as a stimulant and carminative and is much used in dyspepsia, flatulence, colic, and diseases of the nervous system. It is fried before being used internally. Raw or unfried assafœtida is said to cause vomiting.

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∗ Not now found at Multan. G. K.

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*Hingvashtaka churna*.³ Take of fried assafœtida, ginger, long pepper, black pepper, *ájowan*, cumin seeds, nigella seeds and rock salt, equal parts; reduce them to powder and mix. Dose, ten to twenty grains, to be taken with the first morsel of rice and clarified butter taken at breakfast. Thus administered, it is said to increase the appetite and digestive powers and to cure flatulence. Some writers recommend the above powder to be made into pills with lemon juice.

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³ हिङ्ग्वष्टकं चूर्णम् । त्रिकटुक मजमोदा सैन्धवं जीरके द्वे समधरण घृतानामष्टहिङ्गुभागः । प्रथम कवडभुक्ता सर्पिषा चूर्णमेतज्जनयति जठराग्निं वातरोगंश्च हन्यात् । भैषज्य रत्नावली ।

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In the flatulence of infants a powder composed of assafœtida, rock salt, cardamoms, ginger, and the root of *Clerodendron Siphonanthus* (*bhárgi*), in equal parts, is prescribed by several writers.¹ In flatulent colic with costiveness, a suppository made of assafœtida, rock salt and honey, and smeared over with clarified butter, is introduced into the rectum.²

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¹ एतेन सिन्धुविश्वैर्वा हिङ्गुभार्गीजोधिहन् । आनाहं वातिकं मूढं जयेत्तोयेन वा शिशुः । चक्रदत्तः ।

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² हिङ्गुमाक्षिक सिन्धूत्थैः पक्वावर्त्ति सुनिर्मिताम् । घृताभ्यां गुदेदद्याद्-दावर्त्त विनाग्नीनीम् । चक्रदत्तः ।

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In hemiplegia, stiff-neck, facial palsy, sciatica and other diseases of the nervous system, fried assafœtida is given along with a compound decoction called *Máshabaládi*, (see *Phaseolus Roxburghii*). A bit of warm assafœtida, placed in the cavity of a carious tooth, is said to relieve pain.³

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³ हिङ्गु सोष्णन्तु मतिमान् क्रिमिदन्तेषु दापयेत् । चक्रदत्तः ।

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HYDROCOTYLE ASIATICA, *Linn.* *Sans.* मण्डुकपर्णी, *Mandukaparni*. *Vern.* Thalkuri, *Beng.* Bráhmamanduki, *Hind.* The properties of this plant are said to resemble those of *Bráhmi* (*Herpestes Monniera*), both being regarded as alterative, tonic, and useful in diseases of the skin, nervous system and blood. The fresh juice of the leaves is given with milk and liquorice powder, as an alterative tonic.⁴

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⁴ मण्डुकपर्ण्याः स्वरसः प्रयोज्यः क्षीरेण यष्टीमधुकस्य चूर्णम् । रसो गुडूच्यास्तु समलपुष्पाः कल्कः प्रयोज्यः खलुशङ्खपुष्पाः । आयुः प्रदान्यामयनाशननि मेध्या विशेषतश्च शङ्खपुष्पो । चक्रदत्तः ।

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NAT. ORDER RUBIACEÆ.

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OLDENLANDIA HERBACEA, *DC.* *Syn.* *Oldenlandia biflora, Roxb.* *Sans.* पर्पट, *Parpata*. *Vern.* Khetpárá. *Beng.*

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THE *Oldenlandia herbacea* is a "small, weak, straggling delicate plant, appearing in the rainy season" in fields and low ground

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1 एतेन सिन्धुविश्वैर्वा हिङ्गुभार्गीजोधिहन् । आनाहं वातिकं मूढं जयेत्तोयेन वा शिशुः । चक्रदत्तः ।

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2 हिङ्गुमाक्षिक सिन्धूत्थैः पक्वावर्त्ति सुनिर्मिताम् । घृताभ्यां गुदेदद्याद्-दावर्त्त विनाग्नीनीम् । चक्रदत्तः ।

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3 हिङ्गु सोष्णन्तु मतिमान् क्रिमिदन्तेषु दापयेत् । चक्रदत्तः ।

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4 मण्डुकपर्ण्याः स्वरसः प्रयोज्यः क्षीरेण यष्टीमधुकस्य चूर्णम् । रसो गुडूच्यास्तु समलपुष्पाः कल्कः प्रयोज्यः खलुशङ्खपुष्पाः । आयुः प्रदान्यामयनाशननि मेध्या विशेषतश्च शङ्खपुष्पो । चक्रदत्तः ।

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on the banks of water courses. The entire plant is used in medicine, and is regarded as a valuable bitter tonic and febrifuge. It enters into the composition of numerous prescriptions for fever, diarrhœa, skin diseases, etc. A simple decoction of the plant is used in bilious fever, with irritability of the stomach or delirium.¹ Parpaṭa enters into the composition of numerous febrifuge and tonic decoctions. The following is an example.

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Panchabhadra.² Take of parpaṭa, tubers of Cyperus rotundus (mustaka), gulancha, chireta and ginger, equal parts, in all two tolás, and prepare a decoction in the usual way. This preparation is much used in fever supposed to be caused by deranged air and bile, that is, remittent fever with gastric irritability, nervousness, etc.

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