The Materia Medica of the Hindus, compiled from Sanskrit Medical Works c5.s23.t1: Hypoxis Orchioides

The Materia Medica of the Hindus, compiled from Sanskrit Medical Works c5.s23.t1

Language: English

Hypoxis Orchioides

c5.s23.t1.2

Sans. मुषली, *Mushali*, तालमूली, *Tálamuli*. Vern. *Mushali, Hind.*

THE tuberous roots of this plant are considered alterative, tonic, restorative and useful in piles, debility and impotence. They enter into the composition of several medicines intended to act as aphrodisiacs and restoratives. The following in an example. Take of the root of *Asparagus racemosus* (*satávari*), *Sphæranthus mollis* (*munḍitiká*), *gulancha*, seeds of *Butea frondosa* (*hastikarna*), and the tuberous roots of *mushali*, equal parts; powder and mix. Dose, about a drachm with honey or clarified butter, in the debility of old age.¹ The Rája nirghantu mentions two varieties of *mushali*, namely, white and black. The properties of the white variety are said to be inferior to those of the black which is preferred for use as an alterative tonic. The roots of *Bombax Malabaricum* and *Asparagus racemosus* are sometimes sold by the native druggists of Calcutta under the name of suffed musli. These articles have however separate names and are not designated by the name of suffed musli in any native medical work. On the contrary a white variety of tálamuli or musali is, as already noticed, mentioned in the Rája nirghantu.¹ The tubers of Curculigo orchioides become when dry, trans lucent like ambar. The dried roots were probably considered a separate variety, namely, the white by the ancients.

c5.s23.t1.4

¹ शतावरी मुण्डितिका गुडुची सहस्तिकर्णा सह तालमूली । एतानि कृत्वा समभागयुक्तान्याज्येन किंवा मधुनावलिह्यात् । जराजाड्यवियुक्त देहो भवेन्नरो वीर्यबलादियुक्तः । विभाति देवप्रतिमः स नित्यं प्रभामयो भूरिविराजबुद्धिः । भावप्रकाशः ।

c5.s23.t1.5

¹ मुसली च द्विधा प्रोक्ता श्वेता चापरा संज्ञका । श्वेता खल्पगुणोपेता अपराच रसायनी । राजनिर्घण्टः ।

Linked texts (1)

Bhāvaprakāśa — Bhāvamiśra 1550, Sanskrit