[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Science, technology and education](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science) › [The Materia Medica of the Hindus, compiled from Sanskrit Medical Works](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.dutt-1877) › c5.s17 # The Materia Medica of the Hindus, compiled from Sanskrit Medical Works c5.s17: Nat. Order Scrophulariaceæ The Materia Medica of the Hindus, compiled from Sanskrit Medical Works c5.s17 - **Language:** English ## Contents - [c5.s17.t1 Picrorrhiza Kurroa, Royle.](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.dutt-1877.c5.s17.t1) — 5 parts - [c5.s17.t2 Herpestis Monniera, H. B. K.](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.dutt-1877.c5.s17.t2) — 32 parts ### Nat. Order Scrophulariaceæ ### Picrorrhiza Kurroa, Royle. ### [c5.s17.t1.1](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.dutt-1877.c5.s17.t1.1) Sans. कटुका, Katuká, कटुरोहिणी, Katurohini. Vern. Katki, H. B. ### [c5.s17.t1.2](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.dutt-1877.c5.s17.t1.2) THE root of Picrorrhiza Kurroa is described as bitter, acrid and stomachic and in larger doses a moderate cathartic. It is used in fever and dyspepsia and as an ingredient of various purgative medicines. About two drachms of the powdered root given with sugar and warm water, is said to act as a mild purgative.¹ In bilious fever the following decoction is highly recommended. Take of katuki root, liquorice, raisins, and nim bark, half a tolá each, water thirty-two tolás; boil till reduced to one-fourth.² The following is an example of a powder containing katuki root, used in dyspepsia. Take of katuki, Acorus Calamus (vachá), chebulic myrobalans and plumbago root, equal parts; powder and mix. ### [c5.s17.t1.3](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.dutt-1877.c5.s17.t1.3) ¹ सशर्कराममात्रां कटुकामुष्णवारिणा । पीत्वा ज्वरं जयेज्जन्तुः कफपित्तसमुद्भवम् । चक्रदत्तः । ### [c5.s17.t1.4](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.dutt-1877.c5.s17.t1.4) ² मृद्वीका मधुकं निम्बं कटुका रोहिणी समा । अवश्यायस्थितं पाक्यमेतत् पित्तज्वरापहम् । चक्रदत्तः । ### [c5.s17.t1.5](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.dutt-1877.c5.s17.t1.5) Dose, about a drachm with cow's urine in dyspepsia with severe pain. ### Herpestis Monniera, H. B. K. ### [c5.s17.t2.1](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.dutt-1877.c5.s17.t2.1) \*Syn. Gratiola Monniera, Roxb.\* ### [c5.s17.t2.2](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.dutt-1877.c5.s17.t2.2) \*Sans.\* ब्रह्मी, \*Brahmi\*, मण्डूकी, \*Manduki\*, \*Vern.\* Brahmi, \*Beng. Hind.\* ### [c5.s17.t2.3](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.dutt-1877.c5.s17.t2.3) THE herb used by the native physicians of Calcutta under the name of brahmi is the \*Herpestis Monniera\*. Roxburgh however gives brahmi and one of its synonyms somalatá as the Sanskrit for \*Ruta graveolens\*. This descrepancy induced me to get specimens of the plant from different parties, but every where I got the \*Herpestis Monniera\* under the name of brahmi. This plant is considered a nervine tonic, useful in insanity, epilepsy and hoarseness. Half a tolá of the fresh juice of the leaves, with two scruples of páchak root and honey, is recommended to be given in insanity. The leaves fried in clarified butter are taken to relieve hoarseness.¹ ### [c5.s17.t2.4](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.dutt-1877.c5.s17.t2.4) ¹ See note 1 page 202. ### [c5.s17.t2.5](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.dutt-1877.c5.s17.t2.5) A powder composed of equal parts of brahmi, \*Acorus Calamus\* (vachá), chebulic myrobalan, root of \*Justicia Adhatoda\* (vásaka) and long pepper, is given with honey in the hoarseness of phthisis.² Several ghritas are prepared with the juice of brahmi leaves and various other substances in the form of paste. They are used in insanity, epilepsy and hoarseness. The following is an example. ### [c5.s17.t2.6](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.dutt-1877.c5.s17.t2.6) ² ब्रह्मीवचा भयावासा पिप्पली मधुसंयुता । कस्यप्रयोगात् सप्ताहात्कि- चरैः सह गीयते । भावप्रकाशः । ### [c5.s17.t2.7](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.dutt-1877.c5.s17.t2.7) \*Brahmi ghrita\*.³ Take of old clarified butter four seers, fresh juice of brahmi four seers, \*Acorus Calamus\* (vachá), páchak root, and the root of \*Canscora decussata\* (sankhapushpi), equal parts, in all thirty-two tolás, in the form of a paste and boil them together till the watery portion is evaporated. ### [c5.s17.t2.8](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.dutt-1877.c5.s17.t2.8) ³ ब्रह्मीघृतम् । ब्रह्मी रसे वचाकुष्ठ शङ्खपुष्पीभिरेव च । पुराणं मेध्यसन्नाद- यहापस्मारनुद्घृतम् । चक्रदत्तः । ### [c5.s17.t2.9](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.dutt-1877.c5.s17.t2.9) NAT. ORDER ACANTHACEÆ. ### [c5.s17.t2.10](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.dutt-1877.c5.s17.t2.10) JUSTICIA ADHATODA, Roxb. ### [c5.s17.t2.11](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.dutt-1877.c5.s17.t2.11) Syn. Adhatoda Vasica, Nees. ### [c5.s17.t2.12](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.dutt-1877.c5.s17.t2.12) Sans. वासक, \*Vásaka\*, अटरुष, \*Aṭarusha\*. Vern. Bákas, B. Arushá, H. ### [c5.s17.t2.13](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.dutt-1877.c5.s17.t2.13) THIS is a bushy shrub common in most parts of India and used in making fences. The leaves and roots of this plant are considered expectorant and antispasmodic and are much used in a variety of forms in cough, consumption, catarrhal fever and asthma. This medicine was considered so serviceable in phthisis that it was said no man suffering from this disease need despair as long as the \*vásaka\* plant exists. ### [c5.s17.t2.14](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.dutt-1877.c5.s17.t2.14) The fresh juice or decoction of the leaves in doses of one tolá, is given with the addition of honey and long pepper in cough. A decoction of \*vásaka\* root, chebulic myrobalan and raisins is used in the same cases. Another compound decoction much used in fever with cough, is as follows. Take of \*vásaka\* root, gulancha, and the root of \*Solanum Jacquinii\* (\*kaṇṭakári\*) in equal parts, two tolás in all and prepare a decoction in the usual way. This is given with the addition of honey.¹ A \*ghrita\* is prepared with clarified butter, a decoction of the plant and a paste of the root taken in the usual proportions and is used in phthisis. ### [c5.s17.t2.15](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.dutt-1877.c5.s17.t2.15) ¹ 1 ### [c5.s17.t2.16](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.dutt-1877.c5.s17.t2.16) \*Vásavaleha\*² or electuary of \*vásaka\*. Take of the juice of \*vásaka\* leaves four seers, white sugar one seer, long pepper sixteen tolás, clarified butter sixteen tolás, boil them together till reduced to the consistence of an extract. When cool add honey ### [c5.s17.t2.17](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.dutt-1877.c5.s17.t2.17) ² 2 ### [c5.s17.t2.18](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.dutt-1877.c5.s17.t2.18) 1 केवलो वासकः काथः पीतः क्षौद्रेण नाशयेत् । वासकः स्वरसः पेयो मधुना रक्तपित्तजित् । वासाद्राक्षाभया काथः पीतः सक्षौद्रशर्करः । निहन्ति रक्तपित्तार्तिं श्वासकासञ्च दारुणम् । वासागुडूच्यता काथः क्षौद्रेण ज्वर- कासहा । शार्ङ्गधरः । ### [c5.s17.t2.19](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.dutt-1877.c5.s17.t2.19) 2 वासावलेहः । वासकस्य रसप्रस्थं माक्षिकसितशर्करा । पिप्पल्यष्टपलं तावत् सर्पिषश्च शनैः पचेत् । तस्मिन् लेहत्वमायाते शीते क्षौद्रपलाष्टकम् । दत्त्वावतारयेद्योऽद्यो लेहोऽयमुत्तमः । हन्त्यवराजक्ष्माणं कासं च दारु- णम् । पार्श्वशूलं च हृच्छूलं रक्तपित्तज्वरं तथा । भावप्रकाशः । ### [c5.s17.t2.20](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.dutt-1877.c5.s17.t2.20) one seer, and stir with a ladle till intimately mixed. Dose, one to two tolás in phthisis, cough with pain in the sides, hæmoptysis and asthma. ### [c5.s17.t2.21](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.dutt-1877.c5.s17.t2.21) Vásáchandanádi taila.¹ Take of vásaka plant, twelve seers and a half, water sixty-four seers; boil till reduced to one-fourth. Take of lac eight seers, water sixty-four seers; boil down to sixteen seers. Take of red sandal wood, gulancha, root of Clerodendron Siphonanthus (brahmayashti), the ten drugs called dasamula and Solanum Jacquinii (nidigdhiká), each two seers and a half, water sixty-four seers; boil down to sixteen seers. To these decoctions, add of whey and prepared sesamum oil sixteen seers each and the following substances in the form of a paste, namely, red sandal wood, liquorice, wood of Berberis Asiatica, long pepper, black pepper, ginger, turmeric, páchak root, emblic myrobalans, tejapatra leaves, wood of Cedrus Deodara, cinnamon, and cardamom, seeds called renuka, pouch of civet cat, root of Withania somnifera (asvagandhá), Pæderia fœtida (prasárani), Vanda Roxburghii (rásná), saileya (a sort of lichen), zedoary root, and the fruit of Aglaia Roxburghiana (priangu), each eight tolás; and boil them together in the usual way. This oil is rubbed on the body in affections of the chest and especially in phthisis. ### [c5.s17.t2.22](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.dutt-1877.c5.s17.t2.22) ¹ बृहत्वासा चन्दनादितैलं । चन्दनं रेणुका पूति इयगन्धा प्रसारणी । त्रिसुगन्धकणामूलं नागकेशरमेवच । मेदे द्वे च त्रिकटुकां रास्ना मधुकमैलजं । शठी कुष्ठं देवदारु वनिता च विभितकं । एतेषां पलिकैर्भागैः पचेत्तैलाढकं भिषक् । वासास्य तुलां काथ्यां जलद्रोणे विपाचयेत् । छाग्लारसाढकञ्चैव तथैव दधिमस्तुकं । चन्दनाम्बुताभागौदशमूलं निदिग्धिका । एतेषां विंशतिपलं जलद्रोणे विपाचयेत् । पादशेषे स्थितेकाथे तैलं तेनैव साधयेत् । कासान् ज्वरान् रक्तपित्तं पाण्डुरोगहलो मकं । कामलाञ्च जतच्छोषं राजयक्ष्मा-मेवच । श्वासान् पञ्चविधं हन्ति बलवर्णाग्निपुष्टिकत् । तैलं वासा चन्दनादि बृहदेतत् प्रकीर्त्तितं । ### [c5.s17.t2.23](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.dutt-1877.c5.s17.t2.23) HYGROPHILA SPINOSA, T. Anders. Syn. Asteracantha longifolia, Nees. Ruellia longifolia, Roxb. Sans. कोकिलाक्ष, Kokiláksha, इक्षुगन्धा, Ikshugandhá. Vern. Kuliákhará, Beng. Tálmakhána, Hind. ### [c5.s17.t2.24](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.dutt-1877.c5.s17.t2.24) This little annual is met with in low places all over the country. The leaves are described as cooling and useful in jaundice and anasarca. They are used as a pot herb. The root is considered cooling, bitter, tonic and diuretic, and is used in rheumatism, urinary affections, and anasarca. The ashes of the plant are also used as a diuretic in dropsy.¹ ### [c5.s17.t2.25](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.dutt-1877.c5.s17.t2.25) ¹ शोथनुत्कोकिलाक्षस्य भस्ममूत्रेण वाम्भसा । चक्रदत्तः । ### [c5.s17.t2.26](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.dutt-1877.c5.s17.t2.26) ANDROGRAPHIS PANICULATA, Nees. This bitter shrub is well-known in Bengal under the name of kálmeg and is the principal ingredient of a domestic medicine for infants called A'lui. There is some doubt regarding its Sanskrit name. A plant called yavatiktá with synonyms of mohátiktá, sankhini, etc., is said by some to mean this shrub but the term mohátiktá when occuring in Sanskrit prescriptions is usually interpreted as Melia sempervirens, Sw. and yavatikta has not been noted by me as having occurred in any prescription, so that I am inclined to think Andrographis paniculata was not used in Sanskrit medicine. The álui above referred to is made of the expressed juice of the leaves with the addition of powdered cardamoms, cloves, cinnamon etc., and is given to infants for the relief of griping, irregular stools and loss of appetite. ### [c5.s17.t2.27](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.dutt-1877.c5.s17.t2.27) NAT. ORDER. SESAMEÆ. SESAMUM INDICUM, Linn. Sans. तिल, Tila, स्नेहफल, Snehaphala. Vern. Til, Beng. and Hind. ### [c5.s17.t2.28](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.dutt-1877.c5.s17.t2.28) THIS plant is extensively cultivated in India for the sake of the seeds and their expressed oil, both of which articles are in great demand for various economic, religious and medicinal purposes. The word taila, the sanskrit for oil, is derived from tila; it would therefore seem, that sesamum oil, was one of the first, if not the first oil manufactured from oil-seeds by the ancient Hindus. The Bhávaprakása describes three varieties of til seeds, namely, black, white and red. Of these the black is regarded as the best, suited for medicinal use. It yields also the largest quantity of oil. White til is of intermediate quality. Til of red or other colours is said to be inferior and unfit for medicinal use. ### [c5.s17.t2.29](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.dutt-1877.c5.s17.t2.29) Sesamum seeds are used as an article of diet, being made into confectionary with sugar, or ground into meal. They form an essential article of certain religious ceremonies of the Hindus, and have therefore received the names of \*homadhánya\* or the sacrificial grain, \*pitritarpana\* or the grain that is offered as an oblation to deceased ancestors, etc. Sesamum oil forms the basis of most of the fragrant or scented oils used by the natives for inunction before bathing and of medicated oils prepared with various vegetable drugs. It is preferred for these purposes from the circumstance of its being little liable to turn rancid or thick, and from its possessing no strong taste or odour of its own. ### [c5.s17.t2.30](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.dutt-1877.c5.s17.t2.30) Sesamum seeds are considered emollient, nourishing, tonic, diuretic, and lactagogue. They are said to be especially serviceable in piles, by regulating the bowels and removing constipation. Sesamum seeds ground to a paste with water are given with butter in bleeding piles.¹ Sweetmeats made of the seeds are also beneficial in this disease. A poultice made of the seeds is applied to ulcers.² Both the seeds and the oil are used as demulcents in dysentery and urinary diseases in combination with other medicines of their class. ### [c5.s17.t2.31](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.dutt-1877.c5.s17.t2.31) ¹ नवनीततिलैः कल्कौ जेता रक्तार्शसां स्मृतः । शार्ङ्गधरः । ### [c5.s17.t2.32](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.dutt-1877.c5.s17.t2.32) ² कल्कः संरोपणः कार्य्यस्त्विजानां मधुकान्वितः । चक्रदत्तः । ## Linked texts (3) - [Cakradatta (Cikitsāsaṅgraha)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.med.sangraha.cakradatta) — Cakrapāṇidatta, Sanskrit - [Śārṅgadharasaṃhitā](https://indike.org/pramana/in.med.sangraha.sarngadharasamhita) — Śārṅgadhara (physician), Sanskrit - [Bhāvaprakāśa](https://indike.org/pramana/in.med.sangraha.bhavaprakasa) — Bhāvamiśra 1550, Sanskrit --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.dutt-1877.c5.s17](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.dutt-1877.c5.s17) · Pramāṇa