The Materia Medica of the Hindus, compiled from Sanskrit Medical Works c5.s12.t7: Vernonia Anthelmintica, Willd.

The Materia Medica of the Hindus, compiled from Sanskrit Medical Works c5.s12.t7

Language: English

Vernonia Anthelmintica, Willd.

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*Syn. Serratula anthelmintica, Roxb.* *Sans.* सोमराजी, *Somaráji*. अवल्गुज, *Avalguja*. वाकुची, *Vákuchi*. *Vern.* *Hákuch, Somráj, Beng. Bákchi, Hind.*

The seeds of *Vernonia anthelmintica* are of great repute in Sanskrit Materia Medica as a medicine for white leprosy (leucoderma), and other skin diseases. It is mentioned also as an anthelmintic, but is not much used as such, except in combination with a number of other medicines.

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In chronic skin diseases the seeds are taken alone or in combination with other medicines. In the severer forms of skin diseases, such as psoriasis and lepra, the medicine is recommended to be continued daily for one year, when a complete cure is said to be effected. The following combination is used in these cases. Take of *vákuchi* seeds, and black sesamum, equal parts; powder and mix. Dose, about a drachm to be taken in the morning, with

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श्रितञ्च चतुर्गुणे भृङ्गरसे विपक्वम् । षड्बिन्द्वोनासिकयाविधेयाः शीघ्रं निह- न्युः शिरसोविकारान् । च्युतांश्च केशांश्चलितांश्च दन्तान् दृढंमूलांश्च दृढो- करोति । सुवर्णदृष्टिमतिप्रसन्नं चक्षुर्वाहोबलञ्चाभ्यधिकं ददाति । चलदन्तः । tepid water. The medicine should be taken after perspiration has been induced by exercise or exposure to the sun. The diet should consist of milk and rice. In leucoderma a decoction of emblic myrobalan and catechu is given with the addition of powdered *vákuchi* seeds.¹

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¹ अवल्गुजादीजकर्षं पीत्वाकोष्णेन वारिणा। भोजनं सर्पिषाकार्य्यं सर्व्व कुष्ठप्रणाशनम्। तीव्रण कुष्ठेन परीतदेहो यः सोमराजीं नियमेन खादेत्। संवत्सरं कृष्णतिलद्वितीयां स सोमराजीं वपुषातिमेते। घर्मसेवीकृष्णेन वारिणा वागुजी पिबेत्। चक्रदत्तः।

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Externally it is used in skin diseases in a variety of forms such as paste, oil, etc. The following combination is said to be very useful in eruptions attended with itching. Take of *vákuchi* seeds, seeds of *Cassia Sophora* (*kásamarda*) and *Cassia Tora* (*chakramarda*), turmeric and common sea salt, equal parts; rub them together into a paste with whey and fermented paddy water (*kánjika*), and apply over the eruptions.² *Vákuchi* seeds four parts, and orpiment one part are rubbed into an emulsion with cow's urine, and applied to the patches of white leprosy or leucoderma.³

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² अवल्गुजां कासमर्दं चक्रमर्दंनिशायुतम्। माक्षिकेन तुल्यांशं मस्तु-काञ्जिकपेषितम्। कण्डू कण्डूं जयत्याशु सिद्धएषप्रयोगराट्। चक्रदत्तः।

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³ कुष्ठोऽवल्गुजबीजाद्धरिताल चतुर्थभागसंमिश्रः। मूत्रेण गवां पिष्टः सवर्णकरणः परः स्थिते। चक्रदत्तः।

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*Somaráji taila*. Take of *vákuchi* seeds, twelve seers and a half, water sixty four seers, and boil down to sixteen seers. Take of the seeds of *Cassia Tora* (*chakramarda*) twelve seers and a half, water sixty four seers and boil down to sixteen seers. Boil these two decoctions with sixteen seers of cow's urine, sixteen seers of mustard oil and the following substances in the form of a paste, namely root of *Plumbago rosea* (*raktachitráka*), of *Gloriosa superba* (*lánguli*), ginger, turmeric, *pátchak* root, seeds of *Pongamia glabra* (*karanja*), root *Clitoria ternatea* (*aparájitá*), of *Nerium odorum* (*karavira*) and of *Calotropis gigantea* (*arka*), bark of *Alstonia scholaris* (*saptaparni*), wood of *Acacia catechu* (*khadira*), of *symplocos* Racemasa (ladhra), black pepper, nim leaves, leaves of Cassia Sophora (kásamarda), juice of cow-dung, orpiment and realgar, each eight tolás. This oil is said to cure all sorts of skin diseases from vitiated blood, ringworm, prurigo, etc.¹

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ANACYCLUS PYRETHRUM, DC. Pellitory root was unknown to the ancient Hindus. In later compilations as Sárangadhara and the Bhávaprakása it is occasionally mentioned under the name of Akarákarava, and is used as an ingredient of compound prescriptions, as for example in the Akarádi churna described under opium.

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ENHYDRA HELONCHA, DC. Syn. Hingtsha repens, Roxb. Sans. हिलामोचिका, Hilamochiká. Vern. Hingchá, Beng. Harhuch, Hind. The leaves of this water plant are eaten by the natives as a vegetable. Being somewhat bitter they are regarded as wholesome and invigorating. Medicinally they are described as laxative and useful in diseases of the skin and nervous system. The fresh juice of the leaves, in doses of about a tolá is, prescribed by some Kavirajas in Calcutta, as an adjunct to tonic metallic medicines given in neuralgia and other nervous diseases.

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NAT. ORDER PLUMBAGINACEÆ.

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PLUMBAGO ZEYLANICA, Linn.

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Sans. चित्रक, Chitraka. Vern. Chitá, Beng. Hind.

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THE root of Plumbago Zeylanica is said to increase the digestive power, to promote the appetite and to be useful in dyspepsia, piles, anasarca, diarrhœa, skin diseases, etc. It is much used as a stimulant adjunct to other preparations, in the form of a com-

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1 बृहत्सोमराजी तैलम् । सोमराजी तुलाक्वाथे दद्रुघ्नश्च तथैव च ।
विपचेत्पलिकैर्भागैः कटुतैलाढकं भिषक् । चित्रकं लाङ्गली शोध्रं नागरं कुष्ठ-
मेव च । हरिद्रा नक्तमालञ्च हरितालं मनःशिला । व्याघ्रोता करवीरञ्च
सप्तपर्णाकं गोमयम् । खदिरं निम्बपत्रञ्च मरिचं कासमर्दकम् । गोमूत्रस्याढकं
दत्वा शनैर्मृद्वग्निनापचेत् । हन्ति सर्व्वानि कुष्ठानि कण्डुदुष्ट्रणानि च । किटिमं
दद्रुजातञ्च गात्र वैवर्ण्य नाशनं । राढीयसारसंग्रहः ।

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bination called trimada consisting of plumbago root, báberang seeds and the tubers of Cyperus rotundus (mustaka).

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It enters into the composition of numerous medicines for dyspepsia. The following is an illustration. Take of plumbago root, rock salt, chebulic myrobalan, and long pepper, equal parts ; powder and mix. Dose, about forty grains.¹ A favourite medicine for flatulence is an old prescription of Susruta called Shaddharana yoga. It is a powder composed of equal parts of the following substances, namely, plumbago root, indrayava seeds, root of Stephania hernandifolia (páthá), of Picrorrhiza Kurroa (kaṭuki), átis, and chebulic myrobalan. Dose, about a drachm.²

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¹ सिन्धूयपथ्यमघोड्भवविच्चूर्णसुणाम्बुनापिवात यः खलुनाट्वाङ्गः । तस्मिषेण सहतेन वरं नवान्न भक्सीमवल्यशितमात्ममिहञ्जनेन । चक्रदत्तः ।

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² चित्रकेन्द्रयवाः पाठा कटुकातिविषाभयाः । महाव्याधिप्रशमनोयोगः षड्धरणः स्मृतः ।। चक्रदत्तः ।

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The root of Plumbago Zeylanica is said to exercise a beneficial effect on piles, in which disease it is given in various combinations. One mode of administering it, is as follows. An earthen jar or pot is lined in its interior with a paste of the root, and curdled milk (dadhi) or kánjika is prepared in this pot, and taken by persons affected with hæmorrhoids, and prurigo.

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Plumbago root reduced to a paste is applied to abscesses with the object of opening them. It enters also into the composition of several preparations used as caustics. The following is an illustration. Take of plumbago root, root of Baliospermum montanum (danti), the milky juice of Euphorbia neriifolia (snuhi), and of Calotropis procera or Hamiltonii (arka), marking nut, sulphate of iron, treacle and rock salt, equal parts ; mix them together and make into a paste.³

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³ दन्ती चित्रकमूलत्वक् सुधार्क पयसीगुड़ः । भल्लातकसकाशीशं सैन्धवंदारणे स्मृतः । शार्ङ्गधरः ।

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PLUMBAGO ROSEA, Linn. Sans. रक्तचित्रक, Raktachitraka. Vern. Lálchitá, Beng. The properties of the root of Plumbago rosea are said to be like those of P. Zeylanica. It has besides a specific action on the uterus.* The root of *Plumbago rosea* taken internally will expel the fœtus from the womb, whether dead or alive.¹ This root is a more powerful vesicant than that of *P. Zelanica*, and enters into the composition of caustic pastes, and stimulant and rubefacient applications.

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¹ गरोमदनदहनमूलं चिरजमतिगर्भं मृतममृतं वा निपातयति ॥ चक्रदत्तः ।

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NAT. ORDER MYRSINACEÆ. EMBELIA RIBES, Burm. Sans. विड़ङ्ग, Vidanga. Vern. Báberang, Hind.

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SUSRUTA describes the seeds of *Embelia Ribes* as anthelmintic, alterative and tonic and recommends their use along with liquorice root for the purpose of strengthening the body and preventing the effects of age. Later writers regard *báberang* as carminative stomachic, anthelmintic and useful in intestinal worms, dyspepsia, and skin diseases.

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For expelling intestinal worms, the powder of the seeds is given in drachm doses with honey, or with an infusion of the seeds. A compound powder and a *ghrita* are also prepared by the addition of various other drugs.²

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² विड़ङ्गं शृतपाणीयं विड़ङ्गेनावघटितम् । पीतं कमिहरं दृष्टं कमिजांश्च गदाञ्जयेत् । लिह्याद्विड़ङ्गचूर्णं वा मधुना कमिनाशनम् ॥

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* It is generally known that the scraped root of *Plumbago rosea* is introduced into the mouth of the womb, for the purpose of procuring abortion. The root is sometimes put to another use, a knowledge of which is likely to be of importance in a medico-legal point of view. Many years ago I had under my treatment a married female, who had accidental abortion and copious hæmorrhage after it. On the third day after the accident, she was brought to hospital, suffering from severe pain in the pelvic region, purulent discharge and high fever. On examination I found a piece of the *lálchitrá* root, with a little rag wrapped round it, projecting into the vagina from the cervix uteri. I was told that a midwife had introduced it into the womb with the object of checking hæmorrhage after the abortion. If this woman had been a widow and had died from the effects of the abortion, and if on examination of the dead body, the root of the *lálchitrá* had been found in the position mentioned above, the inevitable conclusion would have been, that it was introduced for the purpose of procuring abortion.

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Báberang enters into the composition of several applications for ringworm and other skin diseases. The following is an example. Take of báberang, rock salt, chebulic myrobalan, bakuchi, mustard, turmeric and the seeds of Pongamia glabra (karanja), equal parts and make them into a thin paste with cow’s urine.¹

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¹ विडङ्ग सैन्धव शिवा मशिरेखा सर्षप करञ्जरजनीभिः।गोमूत्रपिष्टो लेपः कुष्ठहरदिवसनाथसमः। चक्रदत्तः।

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NAT. ORDER SAPOTACEÆ.

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BASSIA LATIFOLIA, Roxb.

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Sans. मधूक Madhuka. Vern. Mauá, Beng. Hind.

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THE flowers of Bassia latifolia yield a distilled spirit which is described by Susruta as heating, astringent, tonic and appetizing. The flowers are regarded as cooling, tonic and nutritive. They enter into the composion of several mixtures of a cooling and demulcent character. The following is an example. Take of the flowers of Bassia latifolia, bark of Gmelina arborea (gambhári), red sandal wood, root of Andropogon muricatum (ushira), coriander and raisins, equal parts, and prepare an infusion in the usual way. This infusion is given with the addition of sugar for the relief of thirst, burning of the body and giddiness.²

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² मधूकपुष्पगम्भारी चन्दनोशीरधान्यकैः। द्राक्षायाश्च कृतः फाण्टः शीतः-शर्करयायुतः।। तृष्णापित्तहरः प्रोक्तोदाहमुर्च्छाभ्रमानुजयेत्। शार्ङ्गधरः।

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The seeds of Bassia latifolia yield by expression a thick concrete oil which is used in lamps, and by the poorer classes, for culinary purposes. This oil called madhuka sára in Sanskrit, is recommended to be applied to the head in cephalalgia.³

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³ मधूकसारैस्तैलैः सिद्धञ्चास्य विरेचयेत्।। चक्रदत्तः।

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MIMUSOPS ELENGI, Linn.

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Sans. वकुल, Vakula. Vern. Maulsarau, Hind.

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THIS ornamental tree is generally reared in gardens for the sake of its fragrant flowers from which a distilled water is prepared. The ripe fruits are sweetish and edible. The unripe fruits are astringent and are recommended to be chewed for the purpose of fixing loose teeth.¹ The bark is described as astringent. A decoction of the bark is used as a gargle in diseases of the gums and teeth.²

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¹ चलदन्त स्थिरकरं कार्यं वकुलचर्वणम् । चक्रदत्तः ।

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² दन्तचालेतु गण्डूषोवकुलत्वक् शतोहितः । चक्रदत्तः ।

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NAT. ORDER STYRACEÆ.

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SYMPLOCOS RACEMOSA, Roxb.

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Sans. लोध्र, *Lodhra*, तिलक, *Tillaka*. Vern. *Lodh*, Beng. Hind.

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THE bark of this tree, used in dyeing red, is considered cooling, astringent and useful in bowel complaints, eye diseases, ulcers, etc. It enters into the composition of numerous prescriptions for bowel complaints, along with bela, and kurchi bark. A decoction of the wood is used as a gargle for giving firmness to spongy and bleeding gums.³ In bleeding from the gums, a paste composed of lodhra bark, rasot, tubers of Cyperus rotundus (mustaka) and honey, is applied to the gums.⁴ The Amritaságara recommends the following application for ophthalmia. Take of lodhra bark, liquorice root, burnt alum and rasot, equal parts, and rub into a paste with water. This is applied round the eyes.

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³ भिषजोदककषायेण तथैवामलकस्य वा । प्रक्षालयेत् मुखं नेत्रे स्वस्थशी- तोदकेन वा । निलीकां मुखशोषञ्च पीडकां व्यङ्गमेवच । रक्तापित्तकतान् रोगान् सद्यएव विनाशयेत् ।। सुश्रुतः ।

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⁴ शैशिरे हृतमक्तेच लोध्रसत्तरसाञ्जनैः । सक्षौद्रैः घृष्यते लेपोगण्डूषे क्षीरिशोहिताः ।। चक्रदत्तः ।

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NAT. ORDER JASMINACEÆ.

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NYCTANTHES ARBOR TRISTIS, Linn.

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Sans. शेफालिका, *Sepháliká*. रजनीहासा, *Rajanihásá*.

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Vern. *Siuli*, Beng. *Harsingár*, Hind.

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THIS plant is cultivated in gardens for the sake of its flowers. These open at sunset, and before morning strew the ground thickly with their fallen corollas. Native women and children collect them and, separating the orange coloured tubes from the white petals, dry them in the sun and preserve them for dyeing their clothes a beautiful buff or orange colour.

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The leaves are used in medicine. They are regarded as useful in fever and rheumatism. The fresh juice of the leaves is given with honey in chronic fever.¹ Some preparation of iron is also generally given along with it. A decoction of the leaves prepared over a gentle fire is recommended by several writers as a specific for obstinate sciatica.²

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¹ मधुना सर्व्वज्वरनुच्छेफालोदलजोरसः । चक्रदत्तः ।

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² शिफालिकादलैः कायो मन्दग्निरिपरिसाधितः । दुब्बारं गृध्रसीरोगं पीतमात्रं समुद्धरेत् । चक्रदत्तः ।

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JASMINUM GRANDIFLORUM, Linn. Sans. जाती, Játi. Vern. Chámeli, Hind.

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The fragrant flowers of *Jasminum grandiflorum* are used for preparing a scented oil, which is considered cooling, and is much used by the richer natives for anointing their bodies before bathing. The leaves of this plant are used medicinally in skin diseases, ulcers in the mouth, otorrhœa, etc. and enter into the composition of numerous prescriptions for these diseases.

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The fresh juice of the leaves is applied to soft corns between the toes.³ In ulcerations or eruptions in the mucous membrane of the mouth, the leaves are recommended to be chewed.⁴ An oil prepared with the juice of the leaves is poured into the ear in otorrhœa.⁵

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³ जातोपत्रञ्च संमर्थ्य दद्यादलसके भिषक् ।। चक्रदत्तः ।

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⁴ सुखपाके विरावेधः शिरः कायविरेचनम् । कार्य्यञ्च बहुधानित्यं जातोपत्रस्य चर्व्वणम् ।। भावप्रकाशः ।

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⁵ जातिपत्ररसे तैलं विपक्व्वं पूतिकर्णजित् ।। चक्रदत्तः ।

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JASMINUM SAMBAC, Willd. Sans. वार्षिकी, Várshiki. Vern. Bel, Beng. Hind. The properties of this plant are said to resemble those of *Jasminum grandiflorum*.

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NAT. ORDER APOCYNEÆ.

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NERIUM ODORUM, Solander.

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Sans. करवीर, *Karavira*. अश्वमारक, *Asvamáraka*.

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Vern. *Karabi*, Beng. *Kaner*, Hind.

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Two varieties of Karavira are described in the Bhávaprakása, namely, white and red flowered. The properties of both are identical, their roots being regarded as poisonous when taken internally and useful in skin diseases and inflammatory affections. The *Nerium odorum* has several synonyms in Sanskrit signifying horse-killer. It would seem from this, that the poisonous roots were used for destroying horses.

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*Karavirádya taila*.¹ Take of sesamum oil four seers, decoction of the root of *Nerium odorum*, eight seers, cow's urine, eight seers, *Plumbago rosea* root and *báberang* seeds, each half a seer, in the form of a paste; boil them together and prepare an oil in the usual way. This oil is used in eczema, impetigo and other skin diseases.

Linked texts (4)

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