The Materia Medica of the Hindus, compiled from Sanskrit Medical Works c5.s20.t3: Mallotus Philippensis, Mull.
The Materia Medica of the Hindus, compiled from Sanskrit Medical Works c5.s20.t3
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Mallotus Philippensis, Mull.
c5.s20.t3.1
*Syn. Rottlera tinctoria, Roxb.* *Sans.* कम्पिल्ल, *Kampilla*, रेचनक, *Rechanaka*. *Vern.* Kamilá, *Beng.* Kambilá, Kamalá, *Hind.*
c5.s20.t3.2
ROXBURGH and Brandis give *Punnága* as the Sanskrit for this plant. As far as my information goes, *Punnága* is the Sanskrit for *Calophyllum inophyllum*, a large tree of the Coromandel Coast with beautiful white fragrant flowers and numerous stamens arranged in rows. *Kampilla* is the red mealy powder covering the capsules of *Mallotus Philippensis*. It is described as cathartic and anthelmintic and is chiefly used to expel intestinal worms. *Kampilla* powder given in doses of one *tolá* with treacle, is said to kill and expel all intestinal worms.⁴ It enters into the composition of numerous compound prescriptions for worms. The following is an illustration. Take of kampilla, báberang seeds, chebulic myrobalan yavakshára (impure carbonate of potash), and rock salt, equal parts; powder and mix. Dose, about a drachm, with butter-milk.¹
c5.s20.t3.3
⁴ कम्पिल्लचूर्णकर्षार्द्धं गुडेन सहभक्षितम् । पातयेत् क्रिमीन् सर्व्वानुदरस्थांश्च । भावप्रकाशः ।
c5.s20.t3.4
¹ विड़ङ्गसैन्धवकाम्पिल्लहरीतकीः । पिबेत्तक्रण संपिष्टाः सर्व्व- क्रिमिनिवृत्तये । चक्रदत्तः ।
c5.s20.t3.5
EUPHORBIA NERIifolia, Linn. Syn. *Euphorbia ligularia*, Roxb. Sans. स्नुहि, *Snuhi*, वज्री, *Vajri*, सेहुण्ड, *Sehuṇḍa*. Vern. *Mansásij*, Beng. *Sehund*, *Thohar*, Hind.
c5.s20.t3.6
THIS prickly shrub is sacred to Mansá the goddess of serpents. On the fifth day after full moon of the month of Sravana (July, August) it is planted in the court-yard of Hindu houses and worshipped as the representative of Mansá the goddess of serpents. *Euphorbia antiquorum*, called tekátá sij in Bengali on account of its triangular stem, is probably alluded to by some Sanskrit writers under the name of vajri, which is explained as a variety of snuhi. This plant is supposed to ward off lightening strokes and is generally kept in tubs or pots on the roofs or other exposed parts of native houses. Its popular medicinal uses are like those of *Euphorbia neriifolia*.
c5.s20.t3.7
The milky juice of *Euphorbia neriifolia* is considered purgative and rubefacient. As a purgative it is generally used in combination with other medicines which are steeped in it. Chebulic myrobalan, long pepper, trivrit root, etc., are thus treated and administered as drastic purgatives, in ascites, anasarca and tympanitis.² It enters into the composition of several compound prescriptions of a drastic character as for example, the *Mahánárácha rasa* described under *Croton Tiglium*, and *Vindu ghrita* a preparation with clarified butter, of similar composition.
c5.s20.t3.8
² त्रिवृद्धरीतकी श्यामाः स्नुहीक्षीरेण भावयेत् । वटिकास्तूलपीतास्ताः श्लेष्मानाहभेदिकाः । चक्रदत्तः ।
c5.s20.t3.9
Turmeric powder mixed with the milky juice of *Euphorbia* neriifolia is recommended to be applied to piles.¹ Thread steeped in the above mentioned mixture is used in ligaturing external hæmorrhoids.² The powdered wood of *Berberis Asiatica* (*dáruharidrá*) is steeped in the milky juice of *snuhi* and of *Calotropis gigantea* (*arka*), and made into tents for introduction into the tracks of fistula in ano and other sinuses.³
c5.s20.t3.10
¹ स्नुहिक्षीरं रजनीयुक्तं लेपाद्दुर्नामनाशनम् । चक्रदत्तः ।
c5.s20.t3.11
² भावितं रजनीचूर्णैः स्नुहीक्षीरे पुनः पुनः । बन्धनात् सुदृढं सूत्रं भिनत्त्यसौ भगन्दरम् । चक्रदत्तः ।
c5.s20.t3.12
³ स्नुह्यार्कदुग्ध दाव्वीभिर्वर्त्तिं कृत्वा विचक्षणः । भगन्दरगतिं ज्ञात्वा पुरयेत्तां प्रयत्नतः । एषा सर्वशरीरस्थां नाडीं हन्यादसंशयः । चक्रदत्तः ।
Linked texts (2)
- Cakradatta (Cikitsāsaṅgraha) — Cakrapāṇidatta, Sanskrit
- Bhāvaprakāśa — Bhāvamiśra 1550, Sanskrit