The Materia Medica of the Hindus, compiled from Sanskrit Medical Works c5.s18.t2.11

c5.s18.t2.11

The leaves are regarded as anti-catarrhal or expectorant and are used in catarrh, cough and pain in the sides. The juice of the leaves is given with the addition of black pepper in catarrhal fever.¹ It is often used as an adjunct to metallic preparations, which are rubbed with it into a thin paste and then licked up. The leaves enter into the composition of some compound decoctions for cough and affections of the chest. The following is an example. Take of the leaves of *Ocimum sanctum*, gulancha, ginger, root of *Clerodendron Siphonanthus*, (*bhárgi*) and *Solanum Jacquinii* (*kaṇṭakári*), equal parts and prepare a decoction in the usual way.² The dried leaves are used as snuff in ozæna. They also enter into the composition of some compound medicines used in this disease, as for example of an oil which is prepared with a paste of the leaves of *Ocimum sanctum*, roots of *Solanum Jacquinii* (*kaṇṭakári*), *Baliospermum montanum* (*danti*), *Acorus Calamus* (*vachá*), *Moringa pterygosperma* (*sigru*), long pepper, black pepper, and ginger.³