# Indian Medicinal Plants/Natural Order Boragineæ

N. 0. BOARGINEÆ.
809. Cordia Myxa, Linn., h.f.b.l, iv. 136 ; Roxb. 198.
Vern. :— Lasora, bhokar (Gondi and Hind.); Dábk (Arab.) ; Sugpistan (Pers.); Bohari, buhul, boho-dari (Beng.); Ninut (Lepcha) ; Vidi (Ta.) ; Thanet (Burm.); Bhokar (Mar.).
Habitat : — Throughout India.
A moderate-sized, deciduous, tree, 40 or 50 ft. high and usually, with a crooked trunk. Bark ½ to ¾in. thick, grey or brown rough, with shallow longitudinal wrinkles and furrows. Wood greyish brown, moderately hard, no heartwood. Branch lets glabrous; young shoots silvery grey. Leaves alternate, thinly coriaceous l-5in. diam., entire or slightly obscurely hairy beneath when young, dentate from slightly scabrous to glabrous above, variable in shape from elliptic-lanceolate to broad-ovate, often with a rounded or cordate base, basal nerves 3, rarely 5, the first pair sub-basal. Petiole l-2in. long. Flowers small, male and hermaphrodite, often on the same tree, mostly pentamerous, white, in loose ebracteate corymbose cymes 2-8in. ; ​ male larger, laxer, terminal, and on short lateral branches. But very near, globose. Calyx ⅛-1/6in. at flower time, soon much accrescent, tubular campanulate, lobes very short. Corolla- tube 1/10-⅛in. tube hairy within. Stamens exserted, filaments hairy below. Stigmas with long linear lobes. Fruit drupe, ½-1in. long ; when ripe yellowish brown, pink or nearly black, shining, but minutely rugose ; endocarp rugose, very hard in a sweetish viscid, but translucent pulp, edible. Brand is says the pulp is transparent, but it is not quite so. C. B. Clarke calls the fruit a berry, yellow or pinkish, nearly always 1-seeded. Kanjilal says the Drupe is yellow, and glossy when ripe. The fruiting Calyx is ¾in. diam., wide funnel-shaped, more or less distinctly striated longitudinally (Sebestin).
Uses : — According to Sanskrit writers, the bark is useful in calculous affections, strangury and catarrh, The ripe fruits are sweet, cooling and demulcent (U. C. Dutt).
The fruits were, in European practice, in considerable repute as an emollient and demulcent, especially in affections of the lungs and genito-urinary organs, but now have fallen into disuse. In doses of from ten to twelve drachms the pulp acts as a laxative. The bark, according to Horsfield (Asiat. Journ , 1819), is one of the chief remedies of the Javanese, who employ it in fevers, &c. It is, apparently, a mild tonic (Ph. Ind.).
Teeth are rubbed with the bark to strengthen them. Pickles are prepared from the fruit. The bark contains a large amount of tannic acid (B. D. Basu).
The kernels are a good remedy in ringworm. The leaves are useful as an application to ulcers and in headache (Baden - Powell).
The juice of the bark, along with cocoanut oil, is given in gripes. The bark and also the unripe fruit are used as a mild tonic (Atkinson). The Santals use a powder of the bark as an external application in prurigo (Revd. A. Campbell).
810. C. obliqua, Willd. h.f.b.l, iv. 137.
Syn. :— C. latifolia, Roxb. 189. ​ Vern. : — Chhótá-lasora, chhótá-laslasa (Hind.) ; Chhoto- bohnaári iBeng) ; Mokhatab (Arab.) ; Sugpistan (Pers.) ; Spiru-naruvili (Tam.) ; Chinna-botku (Tel.) ; Tana, tanusi (Burm.); Geedooree (Sind.) ; Vurgoond (Guz.); Bbokar (Dec).
Habitat: — Western India, from the Punjab and Hindustan to Ceylon.
A middle-sized tree closely resembling C. Myxa. It is the C. obliqua of Wight's,' Ic. t. 1378. Innovations fulvous-villous. Leaves alternate, ovate or orbicular, sub-3-nerved, young tomentose beneath, adult glabrous, entire or nearly so, densely and softly tomentose beneath, with stellate hairs. Basal nerves 3-5. Cystolith cells not conspicuous on surface of leaves. Corymbs divaricate, dichotomous, glabrous. Calyx glabrous without, or scarcely villous on the margin, 1/5-¼in. (at flower- time), tube campanulate ; lobes distinct, densely villous within. Corolla-lobes 1/5-¼in. Berry lin. ovoid, sub-acute, 1-seeded.
Both kinds of fruit when dry are shrivelled, and of the color of a dry prune. The pulp of C. obliqua can be separated from the nut, that of C. Myxa cannot ; on sawing through the nut a heavy disagreeable smell is observable. (Dymock).
Uses: — The fruit is used as an expectorant and astringent.
In Sind, it is regarded as demulcent (Stocks).
The fruit in its raw state contains a gum used beneficially in gonorrhœa. (T. N. Ghose, in Watt's Dictionary).
811. C. obliqua, Willd. Var. Wallichii h.f.b.i.. iv. 137.
Habitat : — Western India, Lahore to Kurg.
A middle-sized tree, closely resembling C. Myxa, Linn.
Adult leaves densely stellately fulvous or white-tomentose beneath, calyx glabrescent without below, teeth densely fulvous- villous.
This is C obliqua, Var B. of all the old collectors, who have mixed it with C. obliqua type. The two are undoubtedly one ; they differ in hairs 6nVy ' and" intermediately hairy examples occur. (Clarke). ​ Use : — It is used like C. obliqua, Willd.
Chemical composition —The pulp of the fruit of C. obliqua freed from seeds had the following composition : —
| | Per cent. |
| Moisture | 12.85 |
| Extracted by hot water | 64.25 |
| Sugar (by copper estimation) | 29.76 |
| Acidity neutralizing Na HO | 0.23 |
| Alkalinity of ash as KHO | 3.06 |
| Total ash | 8.85 |
| Ash in insoluble residue | 1.52 |
The alcoholic extract solution in water gave no indication of an alkaloid, and was not rendered turbid with lime water. Sebesten plums appear to have properties similar to prunes, as they exert a gentle laxative action when taken in any quantity.
A decoction of the hark of G. Myxa was not affected by iodine solution. and was only slightly turned green by ferric chloride. The alcoholic extract contained some white, transparent crystals belonging to the square prismatic system. They had no peculiar taste, were neutral in reaction and unaffected by alkaloidal reagents and the stronger mineral acids. The aqueous extract was dark-coloured, free from bitterness, and substance like cathartin was precipitated from it by six volumes of alcohol. Nothing was found in the bark to account for its reputed tonic action. Some simple crystals of calcium oxalate were present, and the reduction of this salt to carbonate, by burning, contributed largely to the 12.75 per cent, of ash.
812. C. Rothii, Rœm. and Sch. h.f.b.i., iv. 138.
Syn : — C. angustifolia, Roxb. 198.
Vern. : — Gondi, gondni (H.) ; Liar, liáli, (Sind.) ; Narvilli (Tam.) ; Gondani (Mar.); Gondni, gundi (Bomb.) ; Gandi Guz.)
Habitat : — West India, from the Punjab, Hurdwar and Scinde to Malabar.
A small or middle-sized tree, attaining 30ft. " Bark grey or brownish grey, with deep longitudinal furrows. Wood compact, hard ; sapwood yellowish ; heartwood brown, streaked in different shades. The bark when wounded yields a gum, and the liber is made into ropes " (Gamble). " The bands of wood-parenchyma broad, heartwood not scented, " says Brandis. Leaves nearly opposite, cuneate-oblong, entire, stellate-pubescent beneath, rough above ; pinnate nerves, 4-6 pairs ; rather ; obscure ; ​ blade 3-4in., by 1½in., narrowed into petiole ½in. long. Flowers, white, generally tetrandrous, arranged in lax terminal or axillary pedunculate cymes; peduncles ¾-1in. long, pedicels short. Corymbs. 1-3., small, pubescent or sub-pubescent. Calyx at flower-time 1/5in., minutely pubescent, Corolla-lobes usually 4, ⅛in. Filaments glabrous. Drupe ovoid, mucronate ½in. long, glabrous, longitudinally striate, yellow or reddish-brown when ripe, with gelatinous edible pulp, usually 1-seeded.
Use : — The decoction of the bark possesses astringent properties and is used as a gargle (Ph. Tnd.).
813. C. vestita, Hook. f. and Th. h.f.b.l, iv. 139,
Vern. :— Kúmbi, Karúk (Pb.) ; Kumpaimán, pin indák, chinta, ajánta, bairula, berula (H.). Latora (Oudh). Godela (Ajmere).
Habitat :— Sub-Himalayan tract, from the Jhelum to the Sarda river and Oudh.
A small deciduous tree, attaining 30ft. Innovations fulvous-woolly. Bark ½in. thick,-dark grey, exfoliating when old in large woody scales ; inner bark silvery grey. The wood has the same structure as that of C. Rothii and C. Macleodii, except that the concentric lines are more often interrupted. Leaves 3-6 by 2½-5in., broad elliptic or orbicular, acuminate, coriaceous, scabrous above, tomentose beneath, until mature, base cuneate or cordate, not rounded. Lateral nerves 3-5 pair, the lowest subbasal. The cystolith-cells on the upper surface of leaves conspicuous as raised, generally white disks on upper surface in this species and in C. Macleodii (Brandis). Petioles 1-1½. Flowers pedicelled, yellowish white, polygamous, in dense compound cymes, tomentose and woolly, the male flowers usually in unilateral racemes. Calyx ½in. long, distinctly ribbed and furrowed outside, teeth unequal. Corolla-lobes ⅓in., obovate-oblong, spreading ; tube long as the lobe. Drupe (a berry, as C.B. Clarke calls it), ¾in. ellipsoid, supported by the accrescent saucer-shaped Calyx and cuspidate with the remains of the style, filled inside with a gelatinous pulp. The fruit is edible.
Use:— Fruit used similarly to other species. (Watt), ​
814. C. Macleodii Hook. f. and Th. h.f.b.i., iv. 139.
Vern: — Dhengan, dhaman, dháian, dewan, dahi, dahipalás, dihgan (H.) ; Reuta porponda (Kol.); Bharwar, belaunan (Karwar) ; Jugia (Santal.) ; Dhaiwan, dhaman, daiwas, dhaim, bhoti (Mar.) ; Bot (Gond.) ; Lauri Kassamar (Kurku) ; Gondu (Raj.); Godela (Merwara) ; Gadru (Ajmere).
Habitat : — Central India, the Concan and Bel gaum.
A middle-sized, deciduous tree, attaining 40ft. Bark thick grey, soft, corky. Heartwood light-brown, beautifully mottled with dark veins, even-grained, very hard. Branchlets, underside of leaves, inflorescence and Calyx clothed with dense grey or tawny tomentum of stellate hair. Leaves alternate, sometimes sub-opposite, cordate, firm and hard when full-grown, rough, with raised groups of cystolith-cells. Blade 5-7in. ; petiole 2-3in. long, the basal as well as secondary and transverse tertiary nerves prominent on the underside of mature leaves. Flowers white, middle-sized, nearly sessile, in lateral, compact, shortly pedunculate or nearly sessile cymes. Calyx turbinate, ⅓in. long. Corolla-lobes spathulate, spreading or reflected. Male flowers with rudimentary ovary, but without style or stigma. Stamens, usually 6, exserted, filaments hairy at. the base, anthers of male flowers large. Drupe ½-¾in. long, ovoid acute ; not edible.
Use : — :The Santals use the bark medicinally in jaundice. (Revd. A. Campbell).
815. Ehretia obtusifolia, Hochst. h.f.b.i., iv. 142.
Vern. : — Chamror (Punjab plains); Gin. (Ravi); Chamar (Bias.); Sakkur, dhaman, saggar, gangar, bar! kander (Salt Range); Chambal (Sind Sagar Doab). (Pb.). Maraghune, kharawune, khabarra. tutiri, lor (Pushtu).
Habitat : — Scinde, Punjab ; in the Salt Range. Rajputana, Ajmere, Merwara.
A small shrub Bark grey. Wood greyish or brownish-white, moderately hard, even-grained. Branches grey. Leaves rough, quite entire and hairy, obovate or spathulate, ovate-oblong, ​ much cuneate at base ; blade l-2in., narrowed into a petiole, ¼in. long. Flowers white or bine, in lax hairy cymes. Corolla-tube twice the length of Calyx ; lobes as long as tube.
Use : — A decoction of the fresh root is used in venereal diseases (Dymock).
816. E. buxifolia, Roxb. h.f.b.i , iv. 144 ; Roxb. 201.
Vern. :— Cooruvingie, voyr (Tam.) ; Bapana-búri (Tel.); Paleke-jurr (Dec.) ; Pálé (H.) ; Pâlâ (M.).
Habitat: — Deccan Peninsula, in dry jungles.
A shrub, with stiff branches. Leaves ¼-lin., fasciculate on arrested branchlets, oblanceolate, apex, with a few obtuse teeth, pale beneath, upper side rough, with short stiff hairs standing generally on white disks (cystolith-cells), entire or often 3-lobed at apex, obtuse, attenuated base, subsessile. Peduncles 0-¾ in, hairy, axillary, l-(or fewVflowered. Flowers, says Brand is, " solitary or a few together on slender hair peduncles." Calyx hairy ; lobes ⅓in., lanceolate, linear, spathulate, longer than tube. Corolla ¼-½in. across, white, campanulate ; lobes short, ovate. Filaments very short. Style 2- fid to near the base, or two distinct styles. Drupe globose, ¼-½in. diam., yellow or scarlet when ripe. Stone one, 4-celled (Brandis).
Use : — The root is employed in Southern India by the Hindoo doctors as an alterative, and by the Mahomedan as an antidote to vegetable poison (Ainslie).
Dr. A. E. Ross reports having employed it in the form of decoction, in proportion of two ounces of the root to a pint of water, and that this in doses of two ounces appeared to be decidedly beneficial in secondary and constitutional syphilitic affections (Ph. Ind.).
817. Coldenia procumbens, Linn., h.f.b.i., iv. 144 ; Roxb. 150.
Sans. : — Tripakshi.
Vern.: — Tirpungkhi, triphunkhi, tripungki (H.) ; Bursha (Sind.) ; Tripakshi (Bomb.) ; Seru-padi, siru-padi (Tarn.) ; Hamsapadu, hama-padi (Tel). ​ Habitat : — A weed common throughout tropical India.
A procumbent, scabrous, hairy annual herb, usually quite flat. Leaves alternate, crisped, elliptic-cbovate, coarsely serrate or subpinnatifid, 1-1½in. Mowers axillary, sessile or nearly so, 1/5in., the upper sometimes in a leafy one-sided spike, yellow. Sepals 4 narrow, very hairy Segments 1/10in. long, ovate acute, ciliate. Corolla-tube short, lobes 4 imbricated in the bud, patent. Stamens 4 on the Corolla- tube ; anthers ovate. Ovary 2-celled, with 2 ovules; style terminal, bifid. Drupe (nearly dry) of 4, subconnate, 1-seeded pyrenes. Pyrene 1/6in. Testa of the seed thin. Seeds albuminous ; cotyledons flat.
Uses: — As a medicine, equal parts of the dry plant and fenugreek seeds rubbed to a fine powder, and applied warm to boils, quickly brings them to suppuration (Ainslie )
The fresh leaves ground up are applied to rheumatic swellings (Murray).
818. Heliotropium Eichwaldi, Steud. h.f.b.i.,. iv. 149.
Syn. :— H. europeum, Benth.
Vern. : — Nil Kattei, bithúa, atwin, popat buti, gidar tamákú (Ph. and II.); Chirgas (Kash.)
Habitat : — Punjab and Scinde ; in the plains frequent. Kashmir ; Srinuggar Merwara.
An erect herb, with a woody stem. Branches from the base 6-12in., softly closely hairy. Leaves ½-1½in. obtuse, ovate, lower long-petioled ; clothed on both sides with bulbous- based hairs, nerves not prominent on the upper surface ; petiole ⅛-lin. Flowers 2-ranked. Spikes dense, ebracteate, 2in. Calyx deciduous with the fruit, 5-parotite. Sepals 1/12in., ovate-lanceolate, hairy. Corolla-tube ⅛in., narrow, cylindric, hairy without; segments round, crenulate. Style very short. Stigma with a broad based conical appendage bifid at the apex, stigmatic ring not conspicuous. Nutlets 1/12in. glabrous, minutely verrucose.
Part used : — The leaf.
Uses : — The plant is emetic, and also given after snake-bite, and, along. with tobacco- oil, is applied. locally to the bite itself (Stewart). ​ The leaves boiled in a little castor oil, said to relieve pain of scorpion bite or bee-stings, also the bite of mad-dogs. For cleansing and healing ulcers also of service (Murray, 171).
819. H. undulatum, Vahl. h.f.b.l, iv. 150.
Vern. : — Pipat-buti ; Jate misák (Pb.).
Habitat ;: — Frequent in the Punjab, Scinde and Upper Gangetic Plain.
Sub-erect, 6-24in., branched, harsh, scabrous, Leaves ½-1½in., often rugose, obscurely petioled, lanceolate, bristly, margins crenulate. Spikes rigid, branches short. Flowers sessile, ebracteate. Sepals 1/16in, oblong, scabrous, rigid, persistent, after the nutlets have fallen. Corolla-tube ⅛in., tubular, scabrous without ; lobes very small, ovate. Nutlets 4, 1/12in. verrucose, hispid or bristly.
Use:— Given after snake-bite, while tobacco-oil is locally applied to the bite itself (Stewart).
820. H. strigosum; Willd, h.f.b.i., iv. 151.
Habitat :— Throughout India.
Herbs usually procunbent, intricately branched. Leaves ⅔ by 1/10in., small, linear- lanceolate. Spikes mostly elongate. Upper flowers, sessile, not conspicuously bracteate ; lower flowers of the spike often pedicelled, with larger bracts. Sepals 1/12in. ovate-lanceolate. Corolla tubular, throat not hairy. Stamens 5, on the Corolla-tube included, filaments very short. Stigma ovate, linear. Fruit 1/16-1/12in. long and broad ; ovoid, not or obscurely 4-lobed, with minute grey hairs, depressed conical at apex.
821. H. brevifolium, Wall, h.f.b.i., iv. 151.
(Reduced to a Var. of H. strigosum in Hooker's Fl. Br. Ind.)
Vern. :— Safed-bhangra, Chiti phúl (H.); Kharai, Tindu, Gorakh pámo (Pb.).
Habitat : — Throughout India, even more abundant than H. strigorum type.
Differs from H. strigosum by its shorter leaves. Leaves ¼ by 1/12in., narrowly lanceolate. ​ Uses : — Both H. strigosum and H. brevifolium are laxative and diuretic, their juice is used as an application to sore-eyes, gurn-boils and sores generally, to promote suppuration, and as a cure for the sting of nettles and insects
822. H. indicum, Linn., h.f.b.l, iv. 152 ; Roxb. 152.
Sans. : — Hatisunadá, srihastini, bhurundi.
Vern : -Hatta-jurie, hatta-súra, siriari (H.) ; Hátisurá (Uriya and B.); Chappu-tattu (C. P.); Bhurundi (Mar.); Háthi-Sundhâna (Guz) Tet-Kodduki (Tam). Telu-munnie, Nagadanti (Tel); Tel-Kotukka, Teliyanni (Mal).
Habitat : — Throughout India ; very common in the moister parts.
A coarse, diffuse, hairy annual, ½-2 ft. high. Stem stout and somewhat succulent but woody at the base ; branches ascending, clothed with stiff spreading hairs. Leaves alternate or sub-opposite, petioled, 1-4 in. long, ovate or ovate-oblong, obtuse or subacute, sparsely hairy above, minutely pilose beneath, margins undulate or subserrate, base rounded or cordate or decurrent into the petiole, nerves prominent beneath. Spikes 2-6 in. long, usually extra- axillary, simple or forked, ebracteate hispid. Flowers pale-violet, sessile, 2-ranked. Calyx 5-partite, 1/10in. long, sparsely bristly outside ; segments unequal, narrowly lanceolate, acute. Corolla funnel-shaped, 1/5 in. long, hairy outside, tube slender, cylindric, slightly dilated at the base ; lobes very small, rounded, reflexed, Stigma shorter than the style, with an annular frill at the base ; apex short, obtuse. Fruit 1/6 in. long, deeply 2-lobed, each lobe bluntly 4-ribbed, containing 2 angular beaked 1-Seed seeded pyrenes, each with an empty cavity on the inner side. White, subquadrate. (Duthie).
Uses :— The leaves of this widely-distributed plant are held in esteem in various parts of the world as an external application to ulcers, wounds and local inflammations. Their action is probably only that of an emollient. Diuretic properties are also assigned to the plant (Ph. Ind.). ​ In Patna, the leaves are employed in cases of fever, the dose given being from half a drachm to 3 drachms (Irvine).
" Considered by natives of Porto Rico to be an excellent remedy for all kinds of ulcers. But it has a far greater reputation for the cure of sore throat. In many cases of pharyngitis and tonsilitis, I have obtained relief of the pain and constriction attending those diseases, by repeating gargles with a decoction of the leaves and flowers of the plant, giving internally one wine glass of the same every 2 hours" (Dr. Amedo, in the Ph. J. for April 28, 1888).
Chemical composition.— The stems and leaves, besides containing a tannin soluble in ether, affording a dirty green coloration with ferric chloride, and an organic acid, non-crystalline, also soluble in ether, gave very marked evidence of the presence of an alkaloidal principle soluble in ether, and yielding marked precipitates with the ordinary alkaloidal reagents : with potassic chromate it afforded no precipitate, and it gave no special colour reactions. It was tasteless.
823. Trichodesma indicum,, Br. h.f.b.i., iv. 153.
Syn. : — Borago indica, Linn., Roxb. 154.
Vern. : — Chhota-kulphá (H. and B.) ; Kowri-bootee, Katmandoo (Pb.) ; Gâozabân (Sind.) ; Hetmudia (Santal); Katmandi (Kumaon) ; Ratisurkh, nilakrái (Kashmir) ; Lahána kalpa (Mar.) ; Kazuthai-tumbai (Tam.) ; Gusva-gutti (Tel.).
Habitat : — Common throughout India ; not in Bengal Plains.
Parts used : — The leaves ; root.
Erect or diffuse herbs, bristly, with hairs springing from tubercles, and also more or less villous. Stems erect or diffuse, up to 18in. long. Leaves opposite, upper alternate, entire, l-4in., tubericulate on the upper surface, mostly sessile, lanceolate or cordate-lanceolate. Lower pedicels often distinctly axillary, 1-flowered. Flowers pale blue, changing to pink or white. Calyx-lobes ⅓-½in., more or less grey or white villous (at least in fruit), cordate or hastate at the base. Corolla-tube ⅓in., lobes ⅓in., ovate, suddenly acuminate ; Staminal one densely closely woolly on the back. Fruit ellipsoid. Nutlets 1/6in., sometimes very- rough on the inner surface, obscurely margined, white or bluish when ripe. ​ Uses : — Held in repute in snakebites; also considered diuretic. A cold infusion of the leaves is considered depurative. In the Deccan, the plant is used as an emollient poultice (Watt).
In Chutia Nagpur, the root pounded and made into a paste, is applied to reduce swellings, particularly of the joints (Revd. A. Campbell).
824. T. africanum, Br. h.f.b.i., iv. 154.
Vern. : — Paburpanee (Sind.)
Habitat : — Punjab and Scinde.
Stem and leaves as of T. indicum, but more harshly hispid, bristly, with hairs springing from the tubercles. Leaves ovate-oblong, lower long-petioled. Racemes mostly lateral, often bipartite and subebracteate. Calyx-lobes ¼in. ; in fruit cordate at the base, ½-⅔in. Corolla-tube 1/5in., lobes ¼in., ovate, acute. Staminal cone laxly hairy at the back. Nutlets 1/6in., margin prominent, glochidiate.
Uses : — Leaves are used as diuretic (Murray).
825. T. zeylanicum, Br. h.f.b.l, iv. 154.
Vern. : — Hetenuria (H.) ; Tirup-sing (Mandariy).
Habitat :— Bundelkhand. From Chota Nagpur and Bombay to S. India and Ceylon.
An erect annual, 1-2 ft. high. Stems stout, densely pilose, often tinged with purple. Leaves sessile or shortly petioled, 2-4 in. long, lanceolate or oblong, obtuse or acute, upper surface covered with short stiff, bulbous based hairs, finely pubescent beneath. Flowers pale-blue, usually in terminal bracteate panicles, or with a few solitary ones in the upper axils ; pedicels slender pubescent nodding ; bracts leaf-like, Calyx softly pubescent, rounded at the base ; lobes ⅛ in. long ; lanceolate, acute, hairy within, midrib prominent. Corolla- tube 1/5in, long ; lobes obovate, rounded, plicate, with a spirally twisted accuminate apex. Nullets grey when ripe, otherwise resembling those of T. indicum. (Duthie).
Use : — Leaves used as an emollient poultice (Watt).
826. Macrotomia Benthami. Dc, h.f.b.l, iv. 177.
Vern. :— Gâozabân (Pb.), ​ Habitat :— Western Himalaya, from Kumaon to Kashmir.
Erect, hispid, perennial herbs, tall, simple, stem l-3ft. Radical leaves 11 by ½in. by ½in. Cauline leaves 3 by ½in ; acute ; narrow lanceolate. Spike, terminal, solitary, 12by 2-3in., usually very dense. Flowers purple ; sepals l-l½in., linear. Corolla-tube ⅔in., mouth ¼-⅓in. diam. Style shortly bifid ; stigmas 2, capitate. Nutlets 1/6in., ovoid, suddenly acute, nearly as broad as long.
Use : — The plant is considered useful in diseases of the tongue and throat (Stewart).
827. M. perennis, Boiss. h.f.b.i., iv. 177.
Habitat : — Alpine Western Himalaya, from the Karakorum and Kashmir to Kumaon.
Herbs, with perennial roots Stem solitary or several, undivided or hirsute. Cauline leaves l-2in., sessile. Cymes Compoud, 3-4in. diam., spikes short, many-flowered or subcapitate. Sepals ⅓-¾in., lanceolate-linear, sepals in flower, says C. B. Clarke, ⅓-½in. patently hirsute ; in fruit sometimes nearly lin., and sublanceolate. Corolla purple, tube as long as the sepals in flower, or exceeding them by 1/10-1/5in., lobes 1/6in., varying in breadth. Flowers dimorphic, one form having ½-exserted anthers and short, 2-lobed stigmas, the other with included anthers between the capitate stigmas. Nutlets nearly as in M. Benthami, but larger (C. B. Clarke).
Uses : — The bruised roots of this plant are applied to eruptions, and, along with Onosma echioides and one or two other roots, constitutes the Ruttanjot of the Punjab and the North- West Himalayas. In Afghanistan, it is used to relieve tooth-ache and ear-ache (Aitchison).
{{c|{{larger|828. Onosma echiodes, Linn. h.f.b.i. iv. 178.
Vern. :— Ratanjot (H.); Newar, maharangi (Nepal) ; Ratan-jot, maharanga, láljari, koame (Pb.).
Habitat :— Kashmir and Kumaon.
A biennial, patently hispid, herb. Stem 8-10in. Cauline leaves 2½ by ½in. oblong. Racemes elongate, often forked, in ​ fruit l-6in., bracts ½-lin., leaflike ; pedicels O-½in. Calyx-lobes ½in., narrowly oblong, in fruit sometimes attaining 1 inch, much longer than the tube. Corolla ¾in., cylindric, tube somewhat dilated upward, yellow, ¼in. diam. at top, glabrous without. Filaments linear, not dilated at base, anthers included, or shortly exserted. Style overtopping the anthers. Nutlets 1/5-¼in. long, stony, white, shining smooth, often speckled.
Uses : — The bruised root is used as an application to erup- tions. The leaves possess alterative properties, and the flowers are prescribed as a cordial and stinmlant in rheumatism and palpitation of the heart (Stewart).
829. 0. bracteatum, Wall, h.f.b.i., iv. 178.
Vern : — Gâozabân.
Habitat : — Western Himalaya ; Kashmir, Kumaon, and Pindari.
Hirsute herbs. Stems loin., erect, stout, patently hispid. Radical leaves 6 by lin., petioled ; cauline 2 by ⅔in,, acuminate, upper surface hispid, with tubercular based hairs ; lower leaves lanceolate, upper ovate-lanceolate, silky white beneath. Racemes capitate. Flowers in dense silky heads 2-3in. diam. Calyx- lobes in fruit lin., linear silky. Corolla-tube ½in. long 1/6in. diam. at the mouth, hairy without, a ring of hairs at the base within. Anthers included, filaments linear. Nutlets ovoid, rough, 1/6in. acute.
Use : — It is esteemed by the native practitioners as tonic and alterative, and is much prescribed as a decoction in rheumatism, syphilis and leprosy, (S. Arjun).
It is a good refrigerant and demulcent, few medicines are equal to it for relieving the excessive thirst and restlessness in febrile excitement. It is also of great service in relieving functional palpitation of the heart, irritation of the stomach and bladder, and strangury. It is used in the form of an infusion prepared with either cold or hot water, in the proportion of 1 to 20. Dose Bii to Eiv frequently, or ad libitum (Moodeen Sheriff).
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