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The Materia Medica of the Hindus, compiled from Sanskrit Medical Works c5.s24: Nat. Order Aroideæ

The Materia Medica of the Hindus, compiled from Sanskrit Medical Works c5.s24

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Nat. Order Aroideæ

Acorus Calamus, Linn.

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*Sans.* वचा, *Vachá*, षड्ग्रन्था, *Shaḍgranthá*. *Vern.* *Bach*, *B. H.*

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THE aromatic rhizome or root-stock of Acorus Calamus is considered emetic in large doses, and stomachic, carminative and nervine in smaller doses.

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As an emetic it is administered in doses of about eighty grains with half a seer of tepid salt-water.² The following is an example of a prescription for dyspepsia containing this drug. Take of Acorus Calamus root, assafœtida, átis, long pepper, black pepper, ginger, chebulic myrobalan and sonchal salt equal parts; powder and mix. Dose, about half a drachm.³ As a stimulant or nervine it is used in combination with other medicines in low fevers, epilepsy and insanity.

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² वचालवणतोयेन वान्तिरामे प्रशस्यते । चक्रदत्तः ।

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³ मूलीविबन्धकोष्ठोऽङ्गिरुणाभिषूषिताः पिबेत् । हिङ्गुमतिविषाव्योषवचा सौवर्चलाभयाः । चक्रदत्तः ।

Amorphophallus Campanulatus, Blume.

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*Syn. Arum campanulatum, Roxb.*

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*Sans.* सूरण, *Surana*, ओल्ल, *Olla*. *Vern.* *ol*, *Beng.* *Hind.*

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THE Amorphophallus campanulatus is cultivated for the sake of its tubers, which are cooked and eaten by the natives like yams or potatoes. The tubers contain an acrid juice which should be got rid off by thorough boiling and washing, otherwise the vegetable is apt to cause troublesome irritation in the mouth and fauces. Medicinally, *surana* is considered serviceable in hæmorrhoids; in fact one of its Sanskrit synonyms is *arsoghna* or the curer of piles. It is administered in this disease in a variety of forms. The tuber is covered with a layer of earth and roasted in a fire; the roasted vegetable is given with the addition of oil and salt.¹ Several confections are described such as the *Laghusurana modaka*, *Vrihat surana modaka*, *Surana pindi*, *Kánkáyana modaka* etc. These are all confections made of the tubers of *Amorphophallus campanulatus* with the addition of treacle and various aromatics and acrids.

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¹ सौरणं कन्दमादायपुटपाकेन पाचयेत्। सतैललवणस्तस्य रसस्यार्थोविकार ह्वत्। शार्ङ्गधरः।

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Svalpa or *Laghu surana modaka*² is thus prepared. Take of black pepper one part, ginger two parts, plumbago root four parts, tuber of *surana* eight parts, treacle sixteen parts, mix together and prepare a confection. Dose, about a tolá every morning, in piles and dyspepsia.

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² स्वल्पसूरणमोदकः। मरिचमष्टौषधचित्रकस्य सूरणभागायथोत्तरं द्वि-गुणाः। सर्व्वसमोगुडभागः सेव्योऽयं मोदकः प्रसिद्धफलः। ज्वलनं ज्वलयतिजाठरमुन्नलयतिम्पूलगुल्ममदान्। निःशेषयति श्लीपदभ्रंशिननाशयत्याशु। भावप्रकाशः।

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SCINDAPSUS OFFICINALIS, *Schott*. Syn. *Pothos officinalis*, *Roxb*. Sans. गजपिप्पली, *Gajapippali*. Vern. *Gajapipul*, Beng. Hind. The sliced fruits of this plant pass by the name of *gajapipul*. They are considered aromatic, carminative, stimulant and useful in diarrhœa, asthma and other affections supposed to be caused by deranged phlegm. They are chiefly used as an aromatic adjunct to other medicines.

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ALOCASIA INDICA, *Schott*. Syn. *Arum Indicum*, *Roxb*. Sans. मानक, *Mánaka*, Vern. *Mánkachu*, Beng. *Mánkanda*, Hind.

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THE underground stems of *Alocasia Indica* constitute a valuable and important vegetable of native dietary. The stems sometimes grow to an immense size, from six to eight feet in length and can be preserved for a considerable time. Hence they are of great importance in jail dietary when fresh vegetables become scarce in the bazar or jail garden. They thrive best in shade under the eaves of huts or buildings and beside fences.

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Medicinally mánaka is said to be useful in anasarca, in which disease it is used in the following manner. Take of the powdered meal of Alocasia Indica eight tolás, powdered rice sixteen tolás, water and milk, forty-eight tolás each, boil them together till the water is evaporated. This preparation called Mánamanda, is given as diet.¹ No other article is allowed in addition to it except milk. A ghrita is also ordered to be made with a decoction and paste of mánaka but it is not in vogue.

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¹ पुराणं माणकं पिष्ट्वा द्विगुष्णकततण्डुलम्।साधितं क्षीरतोयाभ्याम्भ्यसेत् पायसं ततः। हन्तिवातोदरं शोथं ग्रहणीं पाण्डुतामपि। सिद्धोभिषग्भि-राख्यातः प्रयोगोऽयं निरत्ययः। चक्रदत्तः।

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