The Materia Medica of the Hindus, compiled from Sanskrit Medical Works c5.s22.t2.10

c5.s22.t2.10

THE numerous economical uses of this valuable tree are fully detailed in standard works. I will refer only to such of them as are mentioned in Sanskrit medical works. The water of the unripe fruit is described as a fine-flavoured, cooling, refrigerent drink useful in thirst, fever and urinary disorders. The tender pulp of the fruit is said to be nourishing, cooling and diuretic. The pulp of the ripe fruit is hard and indigestible but is used medicinally. The terminal bud of the tree is esteemed as a nourishing, strengthening and agreeable vegetable. The same remark applies to the tops of the *tál* palm and date trees. The root of the cocoa-nut is used as a diuretic as also in uterine diseases. Cocoa-nut oil is said to promote the growth of hair. It is much used as a hair-oil by the lower classes of native women. For this purpose it is scented by steeping in it a number of fragrant vegetable substances sold in packets under the Bengali name of *Máthághasá*. The ashes of the leaves are used in medicine. They contain a great deal of potash. The fresh juice of the tree is considered refrigerent and diuretic. The fermented juice constitutes one of the spirituous liquors described by the ancient writers. The cleared shell of the nut or portions of it are burnt in a fire and while red hot, covered by a stone cup. The fluid deposited in the interior of the cup is rubefacient and is an effectual domestic remedy for ringworm.