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The Materia Medica of the Hindus, compiled from Sanskrit Medical Works c5.s4: Nat. Order. Moringaceæ

The Materia Medica of the Hindus, compiled from Sanskrit Medical Works c5.s4

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Nat. Order. Moringaceæ

Moringa Pterygosperma

c5.s4.t1.1

Sans. शोभाञ्जन, Sobhánjana. शिग्रु, Sigru.

c5.s4.t1.2

THIS plant is cultivated all over the country for the sake of it's leaves, flowers, and seed vessels which are used by the natives in their curries. The root is described as acrid, pungent, stimulant and diuretic. Applied externally it acts as a rubefacient. The seeds are described as acrid and pungent and are used externally as a stimulant. They are called Sveta maricha that is white pepper. The Bhávaprakása describes two varieties of sobhánjana, namely, white and red. The root of the white variety is said to be a stronger rubefacient, while that of the red, is preferred for internal use, for promoting the appetite and acting on the excretions.

c5.s4.t1.3

In ascites and enlarged spleen, a decoction¹ of the root-bark of Moringa pterygosperma and the leaves of Rumex vesicarius (amlaloniká) is given with the addition of long pepper, black pepper and rock salt in powder. In enlarged spleen and liver, a decoction of the root-bark is recommended to be given with the addition of plumbago root, rock salt and long pepper, or of the ashes of Butea frondosa (palása), or of yavakshára (impure carbonate of potash).²

c5.s4.t1.4

¹ पीतः प्लीहोदरं हन्यात्पिप्पलीमरिचन्वितः । अम्लवेतससंयुक्तः शिग्रुक्वाथः ससैन्धवः । चक्रदत्तः ।

c5.s4.t1.5

² शोभाञ्जननिर्यूहं सैन्धवाग्निकणान्वितम् । पलाशक्षारयुक्तं वा यवक्षारं प्रयोजयेत् । चक्रदत्तः ।

c5.s4.t1.6

In internal and deep seated inflammation and abscess (vidradhi) a decoction of the root-bark is recommended to be given with the addition of assafœtida and rock salt.³ The expressed juice of the root-bark is also given in these cases, with the addition of honey or rock salt.⁴ The root-bark is used externally in the shape of plaster, and the inflamed part is fomented with its decoction.⁵

c5.s4.t1.7

³ शोभाञ्जन निर्यूहोहिक्कासैन्धवसंयुतः । अचिरं विद्रधिं हन्ति प्रातः-प्रतिनिषेवितः । चक्रदत्तः ।

c5.s4.t1.8

⁴ शिग्रुमूलं जले धौतं दरपिष्ठं प्रपाययेत् । तद्वसंमधुना पीत्वा हन्त्यन्तर्विद्रधिं नरः । चक्रदत्तः ।

c5.s4.t1.9

⁵ स्वेदोपनाहाः कर्त्तव्याः शिग्रुमूलसमन्विताः । चक्रदत्तः ।

c5.s4.t1.10

In calculous affections the decoction of the root-bark is given internally.¹

c5.s4.t1.11

¹ कायस्थ शिग्रुमूलोत्थः कटुष्णोऽश्मरीघातनः । चक्रदत्तः ।

c5.s4.t1.12

The seeds of *Moringa pterygosperma* enter into the composition of some stimulant applications. The following is an illustration. Take of the seeds of *Moringa pterygosperma*, rock salt, mustard seeds and putchuk root, equal parts, and reduce them to a paste with goat's urine. When dried this is used as a snuff for rousing comatose or drowsy persons.² The fresh juice of the root bark is recommended to be poured into the ears, for the relief of otalgia. The gum of the tree mixed with sesamum oil, is also used for the same purpose.³

c5.s4.t1.13

² सैन्धवं श्वेतमरिचं सर्षपाः कुष्ठमेव च । वस्तमूत्रेण संपिष्टं तन्द्राखसं निदारणम् । भावप्रकाशः ।

c5.s4.t1.14

³ शोभाञ्जननिर्यास्तैलतेलेन संयुतः । व्यक्तेोष्णः पूरणः कर्णे कर्णमूलोपशान्तये । चक्रदत्तः ।

c5.s4.t1.15

NAT. ORDER. GUTTIFERÆ.

Mesua Ferrea

c5.s4.t2.1

*Sans.* नागकेशर, *Nágakesara*. *Vern.* Nágkesar. *Beng.* *Hind.*

c5.s4.t2.2

THE dried flowers of *Mesua ferrea* are much used as a fragrant adjunct to decoctions and oils. They are regarded as astringent and stomachic and useful in thirst, irritability of the stomach, excessive perspiration etc. A paste of the flowers with the addition of butter and sugar is recommended by most of the later writers, to be taken in bleeding piles.⁴ The powdered flowers mixed with old clarified butter, that has been washed a hundred times in water, are said to be an effectual application in burning of the feet.⁵

c5.s4.t2.3

⁴ नवनीतसितैः कल्कोजेतारक्तार्शसां स्मृतः । नवनीतसितानागकेशरस्यापि तद्विधः । शार्ङ्गधरः ।

c5.s4.t2.4

⁵ नागकेशरचूर्णं वा शतधौतेन सर्पिषा । पिष्टा लेपो विधातव्योदाहे हर्षेच पादयोः । चक्रदत्तः ।

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