The Materia Medica of the Hindus, compiled from Sanskrit Medical Works c5.s12.t8: Alstonia Scholaris, R.Br.
The Materia Medica of the Hindus, compiled from Sanskrit Medical Works c5.s12.t8
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Alstonia Scholaris, R.Br.
c5.s12.t8.1
Sans. सप्तपर्ण, *Saptaparna*. विशालात्वक, *Visálatvak*.
c5.s12.t8.2
Vern. *Chhátin*, Beng. *Chhátián*, Hind.
c5.s12.t8.3
The bark of *Alstonia scholaris* is very thick and spongy, hence the tree has recieved the names of *Visálatvak*, *Vrihattvak*, etc. It is described as tonic, alterative and useful in fever and skin diseases. Susruta gives the following formula for use in catarrhal fever. Take of the bark of Alstonia scholaris, gulancha, nim bark and the bark of Betula Bhojpattra, equal parts, in all two tolás and prepare a decoction in the usual way.¹ It enters into the composition of several formulæ for skin diseases. The following is an illustration.
c5.s12.t8.4
¹ सप्त च्छदं गुडूचीञ्च निम्बस्फूर्ज्जकमेव च। कायित्वा पिबेत्काय्यं सक्षौद्रं कफजे ज्वरे। सुश्रुतः।
c5.s12.t8.5
Amritáshṭaka páchana. Take of the bark of Alstonia scholaris, gulancha, leaves of Justicia Adhatoda (vásaka) and Trichosanthes dioica (paṭola), tubers of Cyperus rotundus (mustaka), Calamus Rotang (vetra), catechu and nim leaves, and prepare a decoction in the usual way.
Linked texts (1)
- Suśrutasaṃhitā — Suśruta & Nāgārjuna (siddha/alchemist), Sanskrit