# Indian Medicinal Plants/Natural Order Umbelliferæ

N. 0. UMBELLIFERÆ.
566. Hydrocotyle asiatica, Linn, h.f.b.l, ii. 669 ; Roxb. 270.
Sans. : — Manduka parni.
Vern. : —Brahma manduki, Khula khudi (H.) ; Thulkuri (B.) ; Vallarei (Tam.) ; Manduka-brummi, Babassa (Tel.) ; Codagam (Mal.), Brahmi ; Karinga (Bomb.); Vallárai (Dec); Von-delogâ (Kan.) ; Kutakan, Kodagam (Malay.).
Eng. : — Asiatic Pennywort.
Habitat : — Throughout India. Ceylon, waste grassy places a very common weed, from sea-level to the highest elevations.
Prostrate, perennial herbs. Stems long, prostrate, given off from leaf-axils of a short vertical rootstock, cord like, glabrous, with very long internodes. Leaves ½-2½in. long, several — from the rootstock, 1-2 from each node of the runners, petiole 3-6in., erect glabrous, furrowed above ; stipules short, adnate to petiole, but forming a sheathing base. Blade orbicular, reniform, entire, crenate or lobulate, horizontal, more or less cupped. l½-2in. The rounded basal-lobes often overlapping, glabrous and shining on both sides. Flowers nearly sessile, usually 3 together, at end of short erect pubescent peduncles, 1-3 from the nodes, opposites the leaves ; bracts 2, close beneath umbel, ovate, obtuse ; Calyx-segments ; Petals minute, ovate acute (Trimen) ; obtuse umbricate (C. B. Clarke). Ovary very much compressed, slightly hairy, styles very short, erect. Fruit about i1/6in., ovoid, hard ; pericarp thickened, mericarps with the primary and secondary ribs, very obscure or vein-like. Flowers dark-pink (Trimen).
Use : — In Sanskrit works, it is described as a useful alterative and tonic in diseases of the skin, nervous system and blood (Dutt).
Ainslie says that an infusion of the leaves with Fenugreek is given to children in bowel complaints and fever. On the Coromandel Coast, the leaves are applied to the parts that have suffered from blows and bruises, ​ In Bombay, it is a popular remedy for the slight dysenteric derangements of the bowels to which children are subject ; 3 to 4 leaves are given with cumin and sugar, and the pounded leaves are applied to the navel. In the Concan, one or two leaves are given every morning to cure stuttering ; and the juice is applied (generally as a lêp with Cadamba bark, ghi. and black cumin) to skin eruptions supposed to arise from heat of blood-(Dymock).
In Java, according to Horsfieid, the leaves are considered diuretic ; and on the Malabar Coast, the plant is one of the remedies for leprosy.
Dr. A. Hunter, after trying it in the Madras Leper Hospital, came to the conclusion that it had no claim to consideration as a specific in leprosy, but found it most useful in ameliorating the symptoms and improving the general health.
The leaves are officinal in the Indian Pharmacopoeia and described as alterative, tonic and local stimulant, more especially useful in syphilitic skin diseases, both externally and internally. Recent reports from Europe (1885) confirm this statement, and there has been some enquiry for the drug in Bombay which has led to its cultivation on a small scale (Dymock).
In some parts of India, the people are in the habit of taking powder of the dried leaves with milk for improving their memory and as an alterative tonic.
567. Eryngium cœruleum, Bieb. h.f.b.l, ii. 669.
Arab. — Shakakul-misri (Arab.)
Pers : — Gurs-dusti (Pers.)
Vern : — Dhudhali (H.); Poli ; Mittûa ; Kandû ; Pahari gâjar ; Nûrâlam (Pb.)
Habitat : Kashmir.
A spinescent, glabrous, erect, perennial herb. Stem 2-3ft , undivided below, corymbose and often bluish above. Radical leaves 5 by 1¾in., petiole 2-6in.; lower cauline often similar, smaller, with shorter petioles, but more often subsessile, elliptic acute, undivided, serrae or subspinulose. Upper cauline sessile ​ palmately divided into spinnulose segments. Bracts 5-6, 1in., linear, with a few spines on the margins, sometimes short exterior spines alternating with them ; bracteoles linear, spinulose, simple, exceeding the flovers ; a few (in the outermost row but one) sometimes spinous, subtrifid. Calyx tube densely scaly ; teeth lanceolate-subulate, spinescent. Fruit ⅛in.
Use: — The root is considered nervine tonic, and aphrodisiac. In Kandahar, the seeds are said to be officinal.
The alkaline salt of the ashes recommended in hæmorrhoids (Honnigberger),
568. Bupleurum falcatum, Linn, h.f.b i., ii. 676.
Vern : — Kâli Zewar ; Sipil (Pb.)
Habitat : — Himalaya, from Kashmir to Bhotan and Khasia Mountains.
Glabrous herbs.. Stem l-4ft. erect, corymbose upwards. Radical leaves, linear broader upwards, middle cauline linear, acute, narrowed at the base, more or less amplexicaul. Bracts usually in the Indian forms, sometimes a few scarcely ¼in.; bracteoles 4-5, distinctly shorter than the fruiting umbellule, narrowly lanceolate ; rays 5-8, l½in. ; pedicels 5-15, usually distinct. Disk yellow or brownish, not prominent. Carpels narrowly oblong, ridges not prominent ; furrows 3-vittate.
Use : — They are reputed to have stimulant properties (Watt).
569. Apium graveolems, Linn ; h.f.b.l, ii. 679.
Vern. :- Ajmûd, bori-ajmûd karafs(H.); Chanû, rândhuni (B.); Bori-ajamoda, or ajmud (Bomb.) ; Ajwankapute, budiaji waie (Cutch); Bhût-jhata (Pb.).
English name : — Celery.
Habitat: — Base of the north-west Himalaya, and outlying hills in the Punjab.
Annual herbs, glabrous. Biennial, says C. B. Clarke. This is the wild celery. (The garden celery of the European dinner-table is a special cultivation). Stem l-8ft., erect, branched. Radial leaves pinnate, with large deeply-lobed segments, cauline ​ 3-partite, segments once or twice trifid, coarsely toothed at the apex. Peduncle O-¼in.. leaf-oppossed ; rays of the umbel 5-10, 1/12-1½in;, pedicels 6-10, 1/24-⅛in - Fruit 1/16-1/12in.; ridges narrow, vittæ broad, occupying the whole breadth of the furrows
Parts used : — Roots and seeds
Uses : — Not mentioned in the ancient works of Hindoo medicine. The Mahomedan writers describe it as deobstruent and resolvent, and use it internally as a pectoral, and as a tonic and carminative adjunct to purgatives, also as a diuretic, emmenagogue, lithontriptic, and alexipharmic (Dymock).
The officinal root is considered alterative and diuretic, and given in anasarca and colic. The seeds also are given as stimulant and cordial.
As an antispasmodic, they are used in bronchitis, asthma, and to some extent for liver and spleen diseases, and said to be emmenagogue. Hakims consider it injurious in epilepsy (Honnigberger).
570. Carum Carui,, Linn ; h.f.b.i., ii. 680.
Sans. : — Sushavi.
Vern.:— - Sîáh jîrâ, zîrâ (H.) ; Jîra (B.) ; Zira siâh (Pb.) ; Gûnyûn (Kashmir and Chenab.) ; Wilâyati-zirâh (Bom.) ; Shimai-shombu, Kekku-virai (Tam.) ; Shimaisapu (Tel.).
Eng. : — Caraway.
Habitat : — Cultivated for its seeds on the plains and hills of India.
An annual, glabrous herb. Stem l-3ft. Branches erect or diffuse. Leaves 2-pinnate, finely dissected ; ultimate segments of the lower leaves ⅛-1/6in. ; lanceolate of the upper leaves, ¼-1in;, linear. Bracts 1-3, small, linear, or O, rarely divided, bracteoles small, linear or O. Rays 3-8, ¼-2in., unequal ; pedicels 3-8, 1/20-½in-, unequal. Fruit elliptic-oblong, ⅛-1/6in., yellowish-brown, almost viscid. Carpels terete, narrowed upwards, primary ridges thin, but very distinct; vittæ solitary, rather large; carpophore entire, or shortly 2-fid.
Uses : — Mahomedan writers describe the fruits as aromatic, carminative and astringent ; from them they prepare an eye-wash which is supposed to strengthen the sight ; they are ​ used as a pectoral, and considered diuretic and anthelmintic. A caraway bath is recommended for painful swelling of the womb, and a poultice for painful and protruding piles. (Dymock).
Used in native practice as lactagogue.
The essential oil distilled from the fruits contains two valuable consti- tuents, iz, Carvone, formerly, Carvol, and carvene or limonene, specific gravity- varies between 0.907 and 0.915.
571. C. Bulbocastanum, Koch, h.f.b.i., ii. 681.
Vern. : — Siyâh zîra, Kâlâ jîrah (H ) ; Guni yun (Kashmir) ; umbhu (Ladakh)
Habitat : — Kashmir, Beluchistan, Afghanistan, Lahaul, Chamba, eastward to Garhwal and Kumaon, and westward to Quetta.
Perennial, glabrous herbs. Root tuberous. Stem 6-30in. ; erect, branched. Leaves 2-3-pinnate, finally dissected ; ultimate segments of all leaves linear, of the lower often ½-lin., of the upper leaves very narrow. Bracts 0, or several linear, sometimes divided ; bracteoles 0-8 linear. Rays 6-16, 1½in. ; pedicles 10-15. ⅛-½in. ; fruit oblong, not narrowed upwards. ⅛-1/6in. ; yellowish-brown, almost viscid ; carpels exactly oblong, hardly widened at the middle, semi-terete, dorsally sub-compressed ; ridges thin, distinct ; vittæ solitary, rather large.
Use :— - The seeds are used for similar purposes as those of C. Carui.
I found this very useful as a carminative. It is used in Quetta to protect warm clothes and skins against the ravages of insects. B. D. B..
An inquiry instituted by the Reportar On Economic Products in response to a question put by the Indian Chambers of Commerce, resulted in the collection of specimens of zerah (zira) from the chief towns of India as well as of the fruits (seeds) and plants from all known areas of supply. The fruits in every instance were found to be C. Bulboeastanum and not C. Carui (except when stated to be a foreign or imported drug). The examination showed, however, that other seeds are often used as adulterants or substitutes for black caraway. The adulterants were similar in shape, size and markings, but quite destitute of the characteristic aroma. For example, Mr. L. G. Smith, Forest Divisional Officer of Sambulpur, sent four samples from the local bazars which were subsequently identified as (1) the true Caraway {mita ​ zerah), raost probably imported ; (2) C. Bulbocastanum, sa- or shah-zerah ; (3) Vernonia anthelmintica, parbat-zerah ; and (4) Nigella sativa, kala-zerah. The sample of black caraway was, however, not pure. Pure parcels were received from Yasin in Gilgit and from Hazara. From Kullu and Bashahr were furnished two qualities called "sira" and " singhu" The latter was stated to be an adulterant. " Zira" proved to be C. Bulbocastanum, and ultimately, through the assistance of Mr. J. H. Lace, then Assistant Inspector- General of Forests, the adulterant was recognised as Bupleurum falcatum. Mr. Lace found the people gathering the seeds in Chamba ; he secured a sample and corresponding botanical specimen, so that his material became an authentic type with which to compare the adulterants of commercial parcels. It was in consequenee found that the Bupleurum was identical with the adulterant sent from most parts of India. Mr. Lace says that Bupleurum is known locally as banchak or bunkok, and that before it is mixed with the carum the fruits are coloured with a decoction of walnut bark. It is sold at 9 seers to the rupee, the true article being very much more expensive— say 3 seers to the rupee. Usually 5 seers of banchak are mixed with one seer of zira. The black caraway and its adulterant are therefore respectively the "zira" and " singhu" mentioned in the Punjab Forest Administration Reports from 1894 — 1900 as obtained from the Kullu forests and sold, the former at Rs. 15 to Rs. 27
572. C. Roxburghianum, Benth, h.f.b.l, ii. 682.
Syn. : — Apium involucratum, Rox'j. 273. Ptychotis Roxbur- ghiana, DC.
Sans. : — Ajmoda.
Vern. : — Ajmûdâ, ajmot (H.) ; Ajmudâh, âjmudah-ajvân (Dec); Rândhuni (C. P.) ; Asham, tâgam, ashamtâ-oman (Tam.) ; Ajumoda-voman, ashmadâgâ voman, ajumoda vomaru (Tel.); Ajmûd, rândhuni, chanu (B.) ; Ajmodâ-vovâ, koranza (Mar.); Ajmodâ vomâ (Kan.); Ajmod, bodi-ajamo (Guz.).
Habitat : — Extensively cultivated throughout India.
C. B. Clarke says : — Probably a cultivated form of C. strictocarpum which it exactly resembles, except as to the fruit, which is 1/12-1/10in. the part used by man, and therefore that which has varied under cultivation, This shows a wide differ​ ence in size, colour, and hairiness in the two forms, but there is a series of connecting links through the variety hebecarpa. In C. Roxburghiana, the ultimate segments of the lower cauline leaves are narrowly linear-lanceolate ; bractioles 4-8 linear- lanceolate, with scarious ciliate margins, fruit more distinctly rigid, sub-pentagonal, the vittæ very minute, petals hairy.
C. B. Clarke describes the general character of C. stictocarpum thus ; — Glabrous, or minutely hairy. Root fusiform. Stem l-3ft. erect, much branched. Leaves 2-pinnate, ultimate segments often 1 by 1/12 in., nearly linear : bracteoles ¼in., rays 6-12, ½-2in., equal, slender ; pedicels 8-20, ⅛-¼ in. Ovary minutely pubescent. Fruit 1/24-1/16 in., ovoid, ultimately shining, yellow, the dots microscopical, ridges faint ; carpels semiterete ; vittæ solitary, small.
Variety hebecarpa : — -fruit 1/16-1/12 in., hispidulous, sometimes densly so and fuscous.
Use : — The seeds are useful in hiccup, vomiting, and pain in the bladder. They form an ingredient of carminative and stimulant preparations, and are useful in dyspepsia.
573. C. copticum, Benth., h.f.b.l, ii. 682.
Syn. : — Ligusticum Ajouan, Roxb. 271, Ptychotis Ajowan DC.
Sans. : — Yamâni.
Vern. : — Ajowan, ajwâin (H) ; Jowân (B.) ; Ajamo (Guz.) ; Chohara (cutch.) ; Owa (Mar.); Jawind (Kashmir); Aman, oman (Tam.); Omami, omamu (Tel.); Omu, oma (Kan.); Ajwân, owâ (Bom.). :
Eng. :— The Bishop's weed.
Habitat : — Cultivated extensively in India, from the Punjab and Bengal to the South Deccan.
An erect annual, 1-3 ft. high, glabrous or minutely pubescent. Leaves rather distant, 2-3-pinnate ; ultimate segments 1 in., all linear. Bracts usually many, linear, sometimes divided ; bracteoles 3-5, small, linear. Rays of umbel pubescent. Flowers pure white. Fruit 1/12 in., ovoid, muricate, sub-hispid, carpels dorsally compressed, ridges distinct ; vittæ solitary, small. (Duthie).
Uses : — In native practice, they are much valued for their antispasmodic, stimulant, tonic, and carminative properties. They are administered in flatulence, atonic dyspepsia and ​ diarrliœa, and often recommended for cholera. They are used most frequently in conjunction with assafetida, myrobalans, and rock salt. A decoction is supposed to check discharges, and it is therefore sometimes prescribed as a lotion, and often constitutes an ingredient in cough mixture. Dr. Bidie is strongly in favour of the extended use of this medicine.
" As a topical remedy, it may be used with advanatge, along with astringents, in cases of relaxed sore-throats. For disguishing the taste of disagreeable drags and obviating their tendency to cause nausea and griping, 1 know of no remedy of equal power."
Omum Water— or distilled water from the seeds— is also sold in the bazaars, and a crystalline essential oil (Ajwan-ke-phûl). This is chiefly prepared at Oojein and elsewhere in Central India (Pharm. Ind.).
By distillation a Water and an Oil are obtained, the percentage of the latter being about 3—4.
{{smaller|A crystalline substance or stearoptine separates from the oil and forms on the surface during distillation. This is sold as a wain-ka-phal (" flowers of ajowun "), and is identical with thymol, which is the principal constituent (45 to 55 per cent.) of ajowan- oil and for which alone the fruits are distilled in Europe. It is prepared on a fairly extensive scale in Ujjain and other towns of Central India and was first made known to Europe by Dr. Stocks. The price is from Rs. 6 to Rs. 12 per lb. [Cf. Rept. Cent. Indig. Drugs Comm., i., 125.] The value of thymol is mainly as an antiseptic, and very large orders have recently been received from Japan. The price in Europe varies with the charactor of the Indian season ; during cholera and plague years it has been high (e.g. 22s. per kilo in 1901), but over-production has tended to keep prices low e.g. 13s. 6d. in 1897, 13s. in 1903). Besides thymol certain hydro-carbons called thymene are obtained from aj owan-oil and used as a soap-perfume. A sample of the fresh plant itself cultivated at Miltitz (Saxony) yielded 0.12 per cent, oil, but the oil had only 1 per cent, of thymol. Of 8,641 cwt. of the fruit exported from Bombay in 1903, 8,443 cwt. went to Germany and the rest to America and Egypt. [Cf. Schimmel & Co., Semi-Ami. Rept., Oct.-Nov., 1903, 104 ; Apr.-May, 1904, 130.] The distilled dried fruit contains 15 to 17 per cent, protein and 25 to 32 per cent, fat, thus making an excellent food for cattle. (Watt's Commercial Products p. 285). {{rule|6em}]
574. Pimpinella Heyneana, Wall. H.F.B.i., ii. 684.
Vern. : — Tirio ; Mârcheia (Chutia Nagpur).
Habitat: — Circars ; Deccan Peninsula and Ceylon, frequent in the hills. Chittagong ; at Burkul. Jaspur ; Sitonga.
​A 2-4ft. erect, branched herb with leaves nearly glabrous or pilose. Lower cauline leaves 3-partite or twice or thrice 3-partite, ultimate segments of the lower leaves often 1-2 by ¼-½in., serrate, of the upper narrower sometimes linear. Bracts ; rays 6-12, l-2in., glabrous or nearly so ; bracteoles 1-2, 1/6in., often ; pedicels 6-10, 1/10-1/5in - Fruit 1/20-1/16 in.carpels ellipsoid, almost globose, ridges slender, rarely white and conspicuous ; disc obsolete ; carpophore 2-fid, sometimes deeply. Fruit didymous broader than long. Seed nearly terete, not concave on the inner face.
Use: — Root is used in fever (J. J. Wood's Plants of Chutia Nagpur, p. 107).
575. Seseli indicum, W. and A., h.f.b.l, ii. 693.
Syn. : — Ligusticum diffusum, Roxb. 271.
Sans. ; — Vana yamâni.
Vern. : — Banjowân (B.) ; Kirminji-ajvân (Mar.).
Habitat : — Plains of India, from the foot of the Siwaliks to Assam and Coromandel ; frequent in Central Bengal.
An annual herb, erect or diffuse, 4-12in., often much branched. Leaves all similarly cut, upper with linear segments, lower 2-pinnate, secondary pinnæ ovate, lobed, pubescent. Bracts 4-5, ⅓in., narrowly lanceolate, caudate, pubescent. Calyx-teeth 0; rays 8-16, ¼-lin., bracteoles like the bracts, but rather smaller ; pedicels 8-16, 1/6in. Flowers white or pinkish. Fruit sub-globose, ridges thick, often pale yellow, 1/12-1/10in. glabrous or hispid, hairs often clubbed or sub-stellate at the apex ; carpels ½ terete, vittæ distinct ; carpophore entire, disk prominent, styles spreading (C. B. Clarke).
Use :— The seed is used as a medicine for cattle. It is also said to be carminative (Watt).
I have found the seeds to act as a good anthelmintic for round worms, and they are also stimulant, carminative, and stomachic. — Dose of simple powder, from 20 grains to a drachm (Moodeen Sheriff). ​
576. Fœniculum vulgare, Gœrtn. h.f.b.l, ii. 695.
Syn. :— Anethum Panmorium, Roxb. 272.
Sans. : — Madhurikâ.
Vern. :— Bari saunf, Sonp (H.J ; Mauri (B.) ; Sohikire (Tam.) ; Wariaree (Guz.); Bari-shopha (Bomb); Bari-shaup (Mar.) jilakurra (Tel.) ; Badisopu (Kan.).
Habitat .-—Commonly cultivated throughout India.
Tall glabrous herbs, sometimes annual. Leaves 2-3-4-pinnate, ultimate segment linear. Bracts ; braeteoles 0, or few small and linear. Calyx-teeth 0. Petals yellow, emarginate. Fruit not laterally compressed, oblong or ellipsoid ; carpels ½-terete ; ridges prominent, subequal ; furrows 1-vittate ; corpophore 2-partite. Seed somewhat dorsally compressed, inner face slightly concave. (Duthie)
Use : — Used as stimulant, aromatic, and carminative. The root is regarded as purgative, and the leaves diuretic. In Madras, the fruits are used in venereal diseases (Watt).
Fennel fruit yields about 3 per cent, of volatile oil, which consists of anethol or anise camphor and variable proportions of a liquid isomeric with oil of turpentine. The oil is used in Europe in the manufacture of cordials and enters into the composition of fennel water, which is known in India as muhori-ka-arak or arah bâdian.
577. Prangos pabularia, Lindl., h.f.b.l, ii. 695.
Vern. : — Fitur asaliyun (Pb. and Bomb.) ; Prangos. Komal (Pushtu) ; Badian Kohi (Pers., according to Aitchison).
Habitat : — Kashmir.
Tall, perennial herbs. Stem 4-5 ft. Leaves 12-18 in., 3-4 pinnate, very compound. Umbels 6-18 in. diam., sometimes very compound. Bracts 4-8, ¾in., linear. Calyx teeth 0. Petals emarginate, yellow. Pedicels 15-25, 1/6-⅓in., whereof 4-8 may produce fruit. Fruit ¼-¾in. ; oblong, commissure broad ; wings ⅛-in. broad ; style bases depressed ; styles short, early reflexed. Carpels ½- terete, dorsally compressed, inner face nearly plane, but the epicarp there thin, introflexed in a deep T-shaped groove ; epicarp spongy ; primary ridges large, sub-equal or the lateral larger ; vittse small, numerous ; carpophore 2-partite. Seed 1/12-1/10in. diam. dorsally compressed, inner face slightly concave, with a deep narrow T-shaped groove. (C. B. Clarke), ​ Use :— The fruit or seed is said to be stomachic. The roots are a valuable remedy in the cure of itch (Murray). In Kashmir, the fruit is used in decoction to cure the rot in sheep. The plant is considered heating. In Bombay, the hakims 'use the fruit as stimulant and carminative. It is said to promote expulsion of the fœtus (Dymock). It also possesses diuretic properties (Lindley).
The roots are used as diuretic and emmenagogue by some hakims (Dr. Emerson).
578. Angelica glauca, Edgw. h.f.b.i., ii. 706.
Habitat : —From Kashmir to Simla ; also in the Dhaula Dhar Range, above the Kangra Valley.
Vern. : — Chora or Churâ (Pb.).
Herbs usually tall, glabrous, 4-12ft. Leaves 1-2-3-pinnate, pinnæ toothed, usually large. Bracts several, 1in., linear ; bracteoles many, ¼in. Umbels compound, rays often 20-30, 1-3in. ; equal; pedicels hardly half as long as the fruit. Calyx- teeth obsolete ; petals obovate, emarginate, white or lurid- purple. Fruit ½ by ¼in., sub-quadrate; dorsal and intermediate ridges approximate, rounded, somewhat corky; furrows 1-vittate ; commissure 2-4 vittate ; carpels plane on the inner face. Seedless than 1/16in. wide, but about twice as wide as thick, almost grooved on the inner face.
Use : — Not used in native practice ; but formerly used in Europe, and especially in France, as a cordial and stimulant remedy, in the cure of flatulence and dyspepsia, Also used in obstinate constipation, and in bilious complaints.
579. Ferula narthex, Boiss, h.f.b.i., ii.. 707.
Syn. :— Narthex Asafœtida, Fale. F. Asafœtida, Linn.
Vern. : — Hîng (Beng. and Hind.); Hiltit (Arab.); Angoza (Pers.) ; Hingu (Sans.) ; Anghuzeh-i-lari (Pers.) ; Perungyam (Tam.) ; Inguva (Tel.) ; Hinga (Bom.)
Habitat: — Kashmir.
Perennial herbs. Stems 5-8ft. Leaves pubescent, at least ​ when young ; 2-4-pinnate, secondary and tertiary pinnæ decurrent, entire or. very irregularly crenate-serrate. Lower leaves l-2ft., ovate ; cauline sheaths large from which spring simple or scarcely compound umbels. Terminal umbel large, compound, leafless. Vittae broad, usually occupying the whole of the furrow, and as long as the carpel, commisural usually 4, 2 slender, sometimes added. Fruit ⅓ by 1/5in. Ovary glabrous.
Use : — The gum-resin is a powerful antispasmodic, expectorant and anthelmintic, a nervine stimulant and a feeble laxative. It is useful in hysteria and hysterical affections, also in spasmodic affections, such as asthma, hooping cough, angina pectoris, flatulent colic, &c. It produces remarkable effects in the advanced stages of pneumonia and bronchitis in children. (Pharm. Ind.) The leaves possess sudorific and carminative properties.
The gum-resin is used as a condiment by natives. It is very efficacious in flatulent colic. In ringworm, it is applied as a paste.
580. F. Jœschkeana, Vatke. h.f.b.l, ii. 708.
Syn. : — F. fœtidissima, Regel, and Schmalh.
Habitat : — Kashmir.
Uses .-—Yields a gum-resin which, Aitchison says, is applied to wounds and bruises by the inhabitants of Kurram Valley (Watt).
" The careful revision by Mr. E. M. Holmes of the group of plants capable of yielding assafœtida has shown that, although we have as yet actual evidence of the production of assafœtida from Ferula fœtida, Kegel, and F. allicea, Boiss. only, yet there are several other species which probably furnish a portion of commercial gum-resin. In the course of his inquiries, he has been able to point out that the appearance of F. Narthex, as grown at Kew, is, when in fruit, different from the figure given in " Medicinal Plants ;" that Ferulu fœtidissima, Kegel., is not identical with F. Jœschkeana, as stated in the 'Flora of British India ; and, lastly, that F. rubricaulis can no longer be considered to be a source of galbanum, since it has ​ an alliaceous taste, which galbanum does not possess. He suggests that it may possibly afford sagapenum," Ph. J. Jan. 5, 1889, p. 534.
When discussing the hing and hingra, it seems probable that it would be more correct to assign these to groups of species rather than to say that they. were each the product of one species. Indeed it would appear that the part of the plant from whence procured, the season of the year when collected, the methods, preparation and degrees and materials of adulteration, exercise considerable influence on the quality and flavour of the resulting drugs. It is, however, convenient to group the commercial resinous products of Ferula under three chief species: — 1. F. alliacea, Boiss, 2. F. foetida, Regel, 3. F. galbaniflua, Boiss and Buhse.
F. alliacea, Boiss. Hing. This might be spoken of as the edible form. The GUM-RESIN is obtained by wounding the upper part of the root, from which a small quantity of a fine gum escapes and is collected. The living root is then sliced daily, or every two or three days, with the exudation adhering to it, till exhausted. The whole mass, consisting of alternate layers of root and gum-resin, is then packed in a skin. As found in the market, the resin consists of a blackish- brown, brittle mass of extremely fetid odour, unadulterated with earth or gypsum, but always with slices of the root. In Bombay it is sometimes adulterated by the addition of gum-arabic, and the cheaper sorts contain an undue proportion of root. Adulteration with sliced potato also takes place.
The resinous mass contains an abundant essential oil which differs from that of hingra in having a reddish hue, a higher specific gravity, and a stronger rotatory power. An alcoholic tincture is not precipitated by acetate of lead, nor is the sulphuric-acid solution fluorescent.
F. fœtida, Regel. Maynard and Prain, on the Botany of Baluch- Afghan Boundary Commission of 1896 {Rec. Bot. Surv. Ind.,i., 130— 1), furnish interesting details of the collections of the commercial article on the hills between Samuli and Robat. Asafetida, they observe, affects bare rocky hillsides. It is the plant or at least one of the plants, that people from Kandahar yearly visit the Koh-i-Sultan to collect. Sir Arthur H. McMahon described the collection of the gum from personal observation. The heads are cut down to within one or two inches of the ground. The cut ends are then covered with a little dry earth in order, the collectors say, to keep the wind off. After twenty hours the people collect what has exuded and cut the stalk down another eighth of an inch. But the milk is not allowed to dry in the sun ; to obviate this the collectors build small stone traps, open at one side, over each plant, in order to keep off the sun's rays. The juice when partly dried is mixed with some kind of earth, like fuller's-earth ; this is merely to increase the weight, and not with any idea of improving the quality. Doubtless the precautions taken to prevent drying are mainly with a view to facilitate this subsequent adulteration.
Asafetida consists of resin, gum and essential oil in varying proportions, but the resin generally amounts to more than one-half. It is partly soluble ​ in ether or chloroform. The oil may be separated by distillation. It is light-yellow, with a pungent odour, and if exposed to the air evolves sulphuretted hydrogen. An alcoholic tincture of the drug is precipitated by acetate of lead, and a solution in sulphuric acid is fluorescent. (Watt's Commercial Products p. p. 534-535.)
581. Peucedanum graveolens, Benth., h.f.b.l, ii. 709.
Syn. : — Anetheum sowa, Roxb. 272.
Sans. : — Misreya.
Vern : — Sowa, Soya (H.) ; Suva, Shopha, Shepoo, Shewpâ (Mar., Bomb) Shoyikirai-virai, Shatakuppi-virai (Tam.) ; Sompa (Tel.) ; Sayi (Dec.) ; Soolpha (B.)
Habitat : — Throughout tropical and subtropical India.
A perennial, glabrous herb, l-3ft. Leaves 2-3-pinnate, ultimate segments of the leaves ½-lin., linear. Pedicels many, ½in. Bracts and bracteoles absent. Petals yellow. Styles small. Fruit 1/6 by 1/12in., narrowly winged, plano-convex, 2-3 times as broad as thick. Dorsal and intermediate ridges distinct, slender ; vittæ large, solitary in each furrow, 2 on the commissure.
Parts used : — The leaves and fruit.
Use : — Mahomed a writers describe it as resolvent, and deobstruent, carminative, diuretic and emmenagogue. It is used as a condiment and medicine. An infusion of it is given as a cordial drink to women after confinement. The leaves moistened with oil are used as a stimulating poultice or suppurative (Dymock).
The fruit yields on distillation with water 3 to 4 per cent, of an essential oil.
582. P. grande, Clarke h.f.b.l, ii. 710.
Vern. :— Báphali (Bomb.) ; Dûkû (H.)
Habitat. — Bombay Ghauts.
A glabrous, annual herb 3ft. Leaves mostly radical, long- petioled, amplexical at base, 2-pinnate, leaflets with 3 large, rounded lobes, and to be twice as large as the lateral ones. Lobes 3, large, rounded, 3-4in., serrate. Bracts oblong or obovate, obtuse, prominent, Fruit ⅓-½in., obovate, obtuse. Rays 20, ​ 2-3in., stout ; bracteoles oblong, obtuse. Pedicels 10-11, ½-⅔in. Petals yellow or whitish-yellow. Ovary glabrous. Fruit narrowed to the base, and not there emarginate, nearly as broad as long, ¼-⅔in. long ; Dorsal and intermediate ridges triangular, small, obtuse, lateral narrowly winged ; dorsal furrows 1-vittate, lateral 2-1-vittate. Vittæ nearly as long as the fruit or the abbreviated, commissural 4 abbreviated. Seed much broader than thick.
The specimens examined for the plate, figured in this work, is drawn for the first time by me for this work from nature, after examining hundreds of plants from the Matheran Hill, in the Colaba District, and supplied by the Hospital Assistant Surgeon in charge, Matheran Dispensary (K. R. Kirtikar).
Use : — It was considerd by the ancients as carminative, stimulant and tonic (Watt).
The fruit is used in curries in Bombay as a flavouring agent, but some consider it mawkish. K. R. K.
583. Coriandrim sativum, Linn, h.f.b.l, ii. 717 ; Roxb. 272.
Sans : — Dhanyaka.
Vern. : — Dhania (H and B.) ; Kotamalli (Tam.); Dhan yabu (Tel.) ; Kothmir, Dhanû (Bomb.) ; Dhanû (Sind.) ; Kotambari, havija (Kan.).
Habitat : — Cultivated throughout India.
An annual herb, branched, glabrous. Leaves decompound ; ultimate segment of the lower leaves ovate or lanceolate, of the upper linear. Umbels compound, rays few ; bracts 0, or small, linear ; bracteoles few, filiform. Calyx-teeth small, acute, often unequal. Petals obovate, emarginate, white or purplish, of the outer flowers unequal, often radiant. Fruit sub-globose ; ridges not prominent, dorsal primary and adjacent secondary strongest, lateral primary, and secondary obscure ; vittae obscure, solitary, under the secondary ridges ; carpels slightly concave on the inner face, commissure distinctly 2-vittate ; carpophore 2-partite. Seed convexo-concave, about thrice as broad as thick. ​ Use : — Mahomedan writers describe them as sedative, pectoral and carminative ; they prepare an eyewash from them which is suppossed to prevent small-pox from destroying the sight, and to be useful in chronic conjunctivitis. It is also thought to lessen the intoxicating effects of spirituous preparations, and, with barley meal, to form a useful poultice for indolent swellings (Dymock).
In native practice, is used as a carminative, refrigerant, diuretic, tonic and aphrodisiac. The dried fruit and the volatile oil are used as an aromatic stimulant in colic. The seeds' are chewed to correct foul breath.
It is officinal in both Indian and British Pharmacopoeias.
The juice of the fresh plant is used as an application to erythema caused by the application of marking nut ; the bruised plant is a cooling application in cases of headache (Sakharam Arjun).
584. Cuminum Cyminum, Linn, h.f.b.i., ii. 718, Roxb. 271.
Sans :— Jiraku.
Vern. : — Zirâ (H.); Jirâ (B. and Bomb.); Jir (Mar.); Shiragam (Tam.) ; Jiraka (Tel.).
Habitat : — Extensively cultivated in Rajputana and other parts of North India.
A slender, annual herb, glabrous except the fruit. Leaves twice or thrice 3-partite, ultimate segment filiform. Umbels compound, rays few ; bract and bracteoles several, linear, rigid. Calyx-teeth small, subulate, unequal. Petals oblong or obovate, emarginate, white, often unequal. Fruit cylindric, tip narrowed ; primary ridge filiform, distinct ; secondary usually hispidulous ; vittæ large, solitary under each secondary ridge ; corpophore 2-partite or 2-fid. Seed somewhat dorsally compressed, convexo-concave.
" The fruits resemble very much those of the Carraway, but they are larger and of a lighter colour, and each half of the fruit has nine ridges instead of five." (Duthie). ​ Uses : — It is regarded by the Hindus as stomachic, carminative and astringent ; useful in dyspepsia and diarrhœa. It is thought to be very cooling, and on that account forms a part of most prescriptions for gonorrhœa (Dymock).
Like Kála zira, it is also used as a lactagogue.
Sanskrit authors recommend a poultice made of cumin seeds with the addition of honey, salt and clarified butter to be applied externally for scorpion-bites (Dutt). {{rule|6em||
585. Daucus Carota, Linn, h.f.b.i., ii. 718, Roxb. 270.
Sans. : — Garjara.
Vern. : — Gâjar (H. and B.) ; Gajjara, Manjal-mullangi (Tam.) ; Pita-kanda (Tel.) ; Mor mûj, Bui mûj, Kâch (Kashmir) ; Zârdak (Pushtu) ; Petaigâgar (Sind).
Habitat : — Kashmir and the Western Himalaya ; cultivated elsewhere in India.
Annual or biennial herbs, hispid. Stem 1-4 (in the Himalaya, often 6ft.) Leaves 2-3-pinnate, pinnatifid segments, narrow-lanceolate. Bracteoles many, 3-frd and simple. Umbels compound, rays usually many ; outer rays connivent in fruit. Calyx-teeth small or obsolete. Petals obovate, emarginate, white, outer often radiant. Fruit elliptic, 1/10in. ; bristles on the secondary ridges glistening white, connate at the base only of the primary ridges, small or sessile, sub-glochidiate. Carpophore undivided. Vittæ solitary under the secondary ridges.
Uses : — The seeds are considered to be a nervine tonic. Boiled with honey and fermented, they produce a spirituous liquor. A decoction of the leaves and seeds is said to be used by natives as a stimulant to the uterus during parturition. The roots are made into a marmalade and considered refrigerant (Emerson.)
In the Punjab, the seeds are considered aphrodisiac, and given in uterine pain (Stewart). ​In the Concan, a poultice of carrots and salt is used in tetter, and the seeds are eaten as an aphrodisiac (Dymock).
Its fruits are recommended in chronic diarrhœa (Balfour).
A decoction of carrot is a popular remedy for jaundice in Europe. Rasped carrot is applied to burns and foul ulcers (Dymock).
Said to possess diuretic properties (Meadows' Prescribers' Companion).
A poultice made of the roots is used to correct the discharge from ill-conditioned sores. The raw rasped root is also deemed useful as a stimulating application, and is made into an ointment with lard. This is much used in burns and scalds to good effect (Watt).
The raw carrot when eaten acts as a mechanical anthelmintic (Watt's Dictionary).
The seed yields by distillation a medicinal oil. [Cf. Taleef Shereef (Play-fair, transl.), 113 ] The chemical constituents of the root are crystallisable and uncrystallisable sugar, a little starch, gluten, albumen, volatile oil, vegetable jelly, malic acid, saline matters, lignin and a peculiar crystallisable, ruby-red neutral principle, without odour or taste, called carotin. [Cf. Pharmacog. Ind., ii., 136.]
The amounts of fixed oil obtained from the fruits of plants in this order are exhibited in the following table :—
| | Oil per cent. |
| Carum Carui, Linn. Caraway | 14.8 |
| Apium graveolens, Linn. Celery | 16.7 |
| Pimpinella anisum, Linn. Aniso | 10.4 |
| Foeniculum vulgare, Mill. Fennel | 09.9 |
| Anethum graveolens, Linn. Dill | 17.2 |
| Daucus Carota, Linn. Carrot | 13.1 |
| Cuminum Cyminum, Linn. Cumin | 09.9 |
| Coriandrum sativum, Linn. Coriander | 18.8 |
| Carum copticum, Benth. Ajowan | 22.8 |
These were greenish or greenish-brown oils having the characteristic odours of the seeds. C. Grimme (Pharm. Centralb., 1911, 52, 661-667).
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