# Indian Medicinal Plants/Natural Order Malvaceæ

N. 0. MALVACEÆ.
143. Althœa officinalis, Linn., h.f.b.l, i. 319.
This is the English Marsh-mallow, which yields " Guimauve," the sweet soft lozenges of which are used for sore-throat.
Vern.: — The flowers, Gul-Khairu (Hind, and Bomb.); Shemaituti (Tam.)
The fruits, Tukm-i-khitme (Pers. and Bomb.")
The roots. Resha-i-khitme (Pers. and Bomb.)
Habitat: — Kashmir.
A perennial, uniformly downy herb. Stem erect, 2-3 ft. Leaves ovate or ovoid, simple or slightly lobed, annular, base scarcely cordate, unequally toothed. Stipules linear-subulate. Flowers peduncled, in axillary clusters, 1-2 in. diam., rosy . Bracteoles linear-lanceolate, half the length of the sepals. Anthers subglobose. Ovary many-celled; ovules one in each ​ cell. Carpels numerous, ultimately separating from a short torus. Seed solitary in each carpel, ascending.
Parts used: — The flowers, carpels, leaves and root.
Uses: — The Mahomedans describe it as a suppurative and emollient; they use the leaves as a poultice and for fomentations; mixed with oil, the leaves and flowers are applied to burns and parts bitten by venomous reptiles. The root boiled with sugar is prescribed in coughs and irritable condition of the intestines and bladder. The decoction is also used as an emollient enema, and in making ointments (DYMOCK.)
The root should be gathered in the autumn from plants not less than two years old.
Emollient cataplasms are prepared from the rounded root.
The root -contains a little starch, nearly twenty per cent of gum or mucilage, some uncrystallizable sugar, and a crystallizable principle, besides other unimportant constituents. The mucilage lies like the fecula in small cells, in the form of minute grains, which may be obtained pure by washing the chopped root in rectified spirit, and allowing them to subside. A yellowish white powder is thus procured, consisting of microscopic transparent grains, which seem intermediate between true gum and perfect starch. The crystalline principle "althaein " seems to be identical with the "asparagin " of asparagus. (Sowerby's English Botany.)
Betaine can be obtained from the aqueous extract of the root of Althœa officinalis after removing the asparagine by precipitating it with nitric acid and sodium phosphomolybdate; the free base obtained by treating the precipitate with barium hydroxide forms colourless crystals, is soluble in water and alcohol, and insoluble in ether. The hydrochloride is easily crystallised, and does not change on exposure to the air. With potassium dichromate solution and hydrochloric acid, betaine does not exhibit any colour reaction. It is precipitated by picric acid, zinc chloride, and auric chloride, but not by tannin; the aurochloride, C$_5$H$_{11}$NO$_2$,HAuCl$_4$, crystallises in microscopic plates, or in short crystals arranged in the form of a cross.
J. Ch. S, Vol. 76 part I. p. 4.
144. A. rosea, Linn. H.F.B.I., I. 319.
Vern.: — The same as for A. officinalis, Linn.
Eng:— Holly-hock. ​ This is a cultivated, herbaceous plant in Indian gardens from English seed.
Root biennial. Stem in garden-growth in pots, 6-10 ft. high, erect, stout, simple, more or less hispid, with fasciculated branched hairs
Leaves on rather short petioles, cordate, five-to seven- lobed, the lobes angled, unequally serrated; upperside dark green, slightly downy, beneath pale, more downy, with fasciculated stipules, large, unequally bifid. Flowers solitary, large, handsome. Petiole short. Calyx large, five-cleft, downy, striated, the segments acute. Involucre monophyllous, large, cup-shaped, six-to-nine-lobed, striated, downy, the lobes obtuse, often bifid. Staminal tube short. Anthers very numerous, pale yellow. Ovaries numerous, collected around the dilated downy base of the style which latter is cleft at the extremity into several segments. Corolla of five very broad, wavy, obcordate or somewhat cuneate petals, united at the base, often with a pale eye or centre, surrounded with a deep, black-purple, ring.
Parts used: — The flowers, leaves, seeds and root.
Uses: — The seeds of this plant are demulcent, diuretic and febrifuge. The flowers have cooling and diuretic properties. The roots are supposed to be astringent and demulcent, and are much used in France to form demulcent drinks.
In the Punjab, the flowers are given in rheumatism, and the roots in dysentery (STEWART.)
The leaves and roots are also used for the same purposes as of the preceding species.
Moodeen Sheriff describes the properties, and used A. officinalis and A. rosea collectively. According to him, they are demulcent, refrigerant and emollient. The mucilage of the petioles, stem and roots is generally a very useful adjunct to other medicines in dysentery and mucous diarrhœa, and, in some very slight cases, it is sufficient by itself to relieve these diseases to a great extent. Tormina and tenesmus are the symptoms which are most relieved by it. The decoction of the ​ dry root and seeds is useful in irritable and inflamed states of the pulmonary and genito-urinary mucous membranes.
145. Malva sylvestris, Linn., h.f.b.l, i. 320.
Vern.: — Khubazi (Bomb.); Kunji, tilchuni. vilayati- kangai-kà-per goolkheir, (H.) ; Vilàyati-kangoi-kà-jhar (Dec.); Khabàjhi, (Sind.)
Habitat : — Western temperate Himalaya, from Kumaon to Kashmir and the Pubjab.
An erect, nearly glabrous annual herb, l-3ft. high. Leaves cordate, rounded, lobed ; petioles 4-5 in. Peduncles about 1 in. Bracteoles ovate, entire, shorter than the bell- shaped Calyx. Corolla 1½ in. diam. Petals notched, claw bearded. Carpels reticulated, downy or glabrous.
Parts used : — All parts of the plant.
Uses : — All parts of the plant are commended in Mahomedan works, on account of their mucilaginous and cooling properties, but the fruit is considered to be most efficient (DYMOCK).
It is prescribed in pulmonary affections (WATT). Useful in irritation of the skin and for fomentations. The leaves are used as emollient cataplasms. As Gulkand used in strangury, (MURRAY, p. 58.)
The little hard fruit, tasting something like a nut, is commonly called a "cheese" " Chucky cheese" is the name given in Devonshire to the plant, in allusion to these little cheese-like fruits.
There is a tradition that Mahomed had a garment made of the Mallow fibre ; and he was so well pleased with it, that he turned the plant into the more showy, but less useful geranium (Sowerby's English Botany,).
146. M. rotundifolia, Linn., h.f.b.l, i. 320.
Vern.:— Sonchala (Pb. and H.) ; Khubazi (H.) ; Chanderee (Sind.) ; Trikàla malle (Tel.) ; Kùkerai (Pushto.) ​ Habitat: — North-West Provinces, Kumaon, Sindh and the Deccan.
A spreading herb, much branched, sparingly villous. Leaves suborbicular, lobed, crenate ; petiole 6-7 in. Peduncles 1½ in., deflexed after flowering. Bracteoles lanceolate, half the length of the broadly lance-shaped sepals. Corolla 1 in. diam. Petals wedge-shaped, notched, twice the length of the sepals ; claw of petal bearded. Ripe carpels downy, flat or wrinkled.
Parts used : —The leaves and seed.
Use : — -The leaves are mucilaginous and emollient, employed externally in scurvy, and reckoned useful in piles (HONNIGBERGER.)
The seeds possess demulcent properties ; they are prescribed in bronchitis, cough, inflammation of the bladder, and hæmorrhoids ; the seeds are also externally applied in skin diseases (WATT).
147. M. parviflora, Linn., h.f.b.i., i. 321.
Vern. : — Narr, panirak, supra, sonchol, gogi sàg(H. & Pb.)
Habitat :— North- West Himalaya, Upper Bengal, Sindh, and the Punjab.
A comparatively small, spreading herb, slightly downy. Leaves roundish, obsoletely lobed. Peduncles short, spreading after flowering. Bracts linear. Sepals broad, acute. Petals notched, scarcely exceeding the sepals. Claw of petals glabrous. Carpels wrinkled.
Parts used : — The seeds and root.
Use : — The seeds are used as a demulcent in coughs, and ulcers in the bladder (WATT).
148. Sida humilis, Willd., h.f.b.i., i. 322. Roxb. 516.
Sanskrit : — Bhumibala ; ​ Vern. :— Junka (B.); Bir ; tandi ; bariar ; Jokha ; sakam (Santal.) ; Palampàsi (Tam.) ; Gàyapu àku (TEL.) ; (Gujrat and Porebunder) Bhoyabala ; (Marathi) Bhui chiknà, Bhoybal ; (Hindi) Bananiyâr ; (Sinhalese) Bevila ; (Tam.) Palum-padu.
Habitat : — Generally distributed throughout the hotter parts of India, Ceylon and grassy ground and waste places.
A perennial herb ; branches long, prostrate, trailing, rooting at the nodes, with scattered stellate hairs. Leaves variable in size, ½-1 in., broadly ovate, cordate at base, acute, coarsely crenate- serrate, sparsely covered with long hairs. Petiole ¼-⅓ in., hairy. Flowers pale yellow, rather small, numerous, less than half an inch in diam. Peduncle 1 in. or more, stiff, slender, slightly hairy. Calyx 5-angled, segments triangular, very acute, with stellate hairs on margin. Petals broader than long, truncate, ripe carpels 5-pointed, slightly bicuspidate, smooth (Trimen).
Part used : — The leaves.
Use: — Among the Santals, the leaves are pounded, and used as a local application to cuts and bruises. They are also given in the diarrhœa of pregnancy (Revd. CAMPELL).
Jayakrishna Indraji says that the flowers and unripe fruits are given together in sugar for burning sensation, in micturition.
149. S. spinom, Linn., h.f.b.i,, i. 123.
Syn. : — S. alba, L., S. alinifolia, L., Roxb. 516.
Sans. : — Nâgabalàa. Khar-yashtikâ — J. Indraji.
Vern. : — Jangli-méthi, gulsakari (Hind, and Deck.) ; Kántálo-bal ; (Guj. and Porebunder). (Marâthi) Kânteri Tukati; Khareti, Gulsakari ; (Hindi). Mayirmànikkam (Tam.) ; Mayilumànikyam (Te.) ; Mayirmanikkam, Katta-ventiyam (Malyal.) ; Kádu-menthya (Can.) ; Pilabaréla, Bòn-méthi (Beng.) ; Koti-kàmbabila, Mairmànikam (Sinh.); Shanbalide-barri, Shamlithe-dashti (Pers.) ; Kulbahebarri (Arab.). ​ Habitat : — Throughout the hotter parts of India and Ceylon.
An erect, much-branched undershrub ; stems slender, rough, with minute stellate hairs, often with small, recurved prickles at the nodes below the petioles. Leaves 1-1½ in., oval or oblong, obtuse, coarsely crenate-serrate, glabrous above, finely stellate-pubescent beneath. Petiole ½-⅝ in., stellate-pubescent. Flowers white, ½ in., pedicels ½-¾ in., slender, jointed near top. Calyx hairy, segments short, triangular, acute ; ripe carpels 5, with 2 long, erect, rough scales, equalling the Calyx. Seeds solitary. Radicle superior.
Parts used : — -The leaves and root.
Uses : — The leaves are demulcent and refrigerant, and are useful in some cases of gonorrhœa, gleet and scalding urine.
The decoction of the root-bark and root is used as a demulcent in irritability of the bladder and in gonorrhœa, says J. Indraji.
The root acts as a gentle tonic and diaphoretic, and is employed in mild cases of debility and fever.
The leaves are bruised in water, strained through cloth and administered in the form of a draught ; the root is used in decoction, prepared in a similar manner to that of S. caprinifolia (MOODEEN SHERIFF).
150. S. eaprinifolia, Linn., h.f.b.i., I. 323.
Syn. : — S. acuta, Burm. S. lanceolata, Roxb. 517.
Sans. : — Balâ Phanijivika (J. Indraji).
Vern. :— Kareta (B. and H.) ; Vishaboddee (Tel.); Bariaca kareta (Hind.); Pilà barela, koreta, bon-méthi (Beng.) ; Isbadi, Isarbadi (Dec.) ; Bala, jangli-méthi (Bomb.), Tupkaria, tukati, chikana pata (Mar.) ; jungli methi (Guz.) ; Maloconni (Malay.); Vata tirippi, malaitangi, mayir-manikkam, visha-boddi, chiti- mutti, mutu-vapulogum (TAM.)
Habitat : — Throughout the hotter parts of India and Ceylon.
A perennial undershrub, generally distributed throughout the hotter parts of India. Leaves nearly glabrous, narrow, ​ acuminate, serrate, about 2-3in., linear-lanceolate ; sometimes hoary beneath. Stipules linear-subulate, 2 or 3, sometimes longer than the petiole ; many-nerved. Petiole 1/16-1/12 in. Peduncle jointed in the middle, as long as the petiole. Flowers : — Sepals triangular, acute. Calyx-tube subglobose. Petals yellow, twice the length of the Calyx. Staminal-tube dividing at the summit. Corolla of 5 petals, free above and connate below, and adnate to the tube of the stamens. Ovary : — Carpels 5-9, rugose, awned, whorled. Styles as many as the carpels. Stigmas terminal. Fruit a capsule. Seeds solitary, radicle superior.
Part used : — The root, juice and leaves.
Use: — By the Sanskrit writers, the roots of the different species of Sida are regarded as cooling, astringent, tonic and useful in nervous and urinary diseases, and also in disorders of the blood and bile (DUTT.)
In the Concan, the root is applied with Sparrow's dung to burst boils (DYMOCK).
The root is intensely bitter, and is prescribed in infusion, and in conjunction with ginger, in cases of intermittent fever. It is considered by the Hindoo practitioners as a valuable stomachic and useful remedy in chronic bowel complaints ; the dose, a small tea-cupful, twice daily. The leaves, made warm and moistened with, a little gingili oil, are employed to hasten suppuration (Ainslie). In Bengal, the expressed juice of the leaves is used in the form of an electuary, in the treatment of intestinal worms (O'SHAUGHNESSY).
The authors of the Bengal Dispensatory, after a trial of the roots, were unable to satisfy themselves as to its febrifuge action, but it was found to promote perspiration, to increase the appetite, and to act as a useful bitter tonic. In Goa, the Portuguese value it as a diuretic, especially in rheumatic affections. They also use it as a demulcent in gonorrhœa, and Muhamadans believe this to have aphrodisiac properties (DYMOCK.)
When administered in the form of a strong decoction, the root of this plant has diaphoretic, antipyretic, stomachic and ​ tonic properties, and has been found very useful in febrile affections and some forms of dyspepsia, and also in mild cases of debility from previous illness. (MOODEEN SHERIFF.)
151. 8. rhombifolia, Linn., h.f.b.i., i. 323. Roxb. 517.
Sans.: — Atibalâ (Sanskrit) Mahâbalâ, Pitapushpa.
Vern.: — Làl-bariala or berela (Ben. and Hind.) ; (Sinhalese) Kotikan-bevila ; (Tamil) Chittamaddi ; (Porebunder and Gujrat) Khetara ubal dana ; (Marathi) Chikna, Sadeva ; (Hindi) Sahadeva, Pitabala ; Sahadeva. J.— Indraji.
N. B. Sahadevi (Sanskrit) is the name of Vernonia cineria. (K. R. K).
Habitat : — Throughout India.
A shrubby, erect herb ; perennial, very variable, glabrous, or with scattered stellate hairs. Leaves polymorphous, generally more or less rhomboid, underside hoary, rarely green ; tapering at the base. Stipules linear- setacous, longer than the petiole. Peduncle longer than the petiole ; rarely less than twice as long as the petiole, axillary, or clustered at the ends of the branches. Flowers mostly yellow ; rarely white. Sepals deltoid, acuminate. Carpels smooth or reticulate, 10, awned or not, as long as the Calyx (Maxwell T. Masters). This species and its allies yield good fibre. Widely distributed throughout India and Tropics in both Hemispheres.
Use : — The medicinal properties of this species resemble those of other species.
152. S. rhombifoila, Var. retusa, Linn, h.f.b.i., i. 324., Roxb. 517.
Vern.: — Jangli-méthi (H. and Dec); Ban-méthi (Beng.) ; Mayir-mannikkam (Tel.) Arb : — Hulbahe-bari. Pers : — Shamblide-bari.
Stems prostrate, thick and woody, much-branched. Leaves very small, cuneate-obovate, retuse, apiculate ; ripe carpel, ​ usually with beaks, as long as themselves. Flowers yellow, becoming white when fading.
The stems afford a good fibre.
A very common weed in Ceylon in the dry country.
Use : -The root is held in great, repute by natives in the treatment of rheumatism (Ph. Ind.). The stems abound in mucilage, and are employed as demulcents and emollients both for external and internal use.
153. S. rhombifolia, Var. rhomboidea, Roxb, H.F.B.I, i. 324, Roxb. 517.
Syn : — S. orientalis, Cav. Diss I ; t. 12.
Sans.: — Mahàbalâ.
Vern.: — Swetberela (B.) ; kSufed-bariyala (H.) ; Athiballa-chettu (TAM.)
Leaves rhomboid, hoary beneath ; peduncles jointed at the base ; carpellary awns very short inflected. The flowers expand at noon (Roxb.)
Use : — Medicinal properties resemble those of other species (WATT.)
154. S. eordifolia, Linn, h.f.b.i., i. 324. Roxb. 517.
Sans. : — Batyálaka ; Balá.
Vern. : — Kungyee, kharati, bariar (H.) ; Barila, balá (B.) ; Chikná (Mar.); Kharenti (Pb.) ; Bariára (Sind.) ; Muttava, kobirsir bhaji (Konkan); chiribena, tettagorra chettu, tella antisa, (Tel).
The seeds. Beejbund (H.) ; Hamaz, chukai (Pb.).
Annual or perennial, downy, erect. Leaves 1½-2 by 1-1¼ in., cordate- oblong obtuse crenate, very downy on both surfaces, petiole as large as the leaf. Stipules linear, half the length of the petiole. Peduncles jointed near the flower, lower distant, longer than the petioles, upper crowded, very short. Flowers rather small. Carpels furrowed at the back, sides reticulated, ​ 10-awned, awns longer than the Calyx, covered with stiff reflexed hairs. Flowers with the other species in the rainy and cool season.
Generally distributed throughout Tropical and Sub-Tropical India. A Tropical weed.
Parts used : — The root, seeds and leaves.
Use : — A decoction of the root with ginger is given by Hindu physicians, in intermittent fever. It is also administered in fever accompanied by shivering fits and strong heat of body. The powder of the root-bark is given with milk and sugar for the relief of frequent micturition and leucorrhœa. In diseases of the nervous system the root is used alone, or in combination with other medicines. (DUTT.)
The seeds are reckoned aphrodisiac, and are administered in gonorhœa. They are also given for colic and tenesmus (Stewart). In the Concan, the leaves, with other cooling leaves are applied in ophthalmia ; the root-juice is used to promote the healing of wounds, and the juice of the whole plant pounded with a little water is given in seer doses for spermatorrhœa (Dymock.)
155. Abutilon Indicum G. Don. h.f.b.i., i. 326.
Syn. : — A. asiaticum, W. &. A. Sida Indica, Linn. Roxb. 518.
Sanskrit — Atibalâ, Kankatika.
Vern. : — Kanghi, kungain, Tootree, Potaree (H.) ; simbul, Peelee-bootee (Pb. and Sind) ; Ati khirati-pala (Pb.) ; Potari, (B.) ; Mini baha (Santatl) ; Petari, madmi, Kanghai chakrabhenda. (Bomb); Petari, Tupkadi, Tubocuty (Goa). Tatti, (Tam);; Uram, Pettaka (Mal); Anona (Sinhalesi) ; Peruntutti, Vaddatuth (Tam.). The seeds, Balbij (Bomb).
Habitat : — Throughout tropical India. Dry Country Ceylon.
A semi-shrubby annual or perennial ; branches very finely downy ; Leaves ¾-1 in., broadly ovate, very cordate at base, ​ acute, irregularly and coarsely dentate or erose, white, with very fine, dense pubescence on both sides, especially beneath, petioles very long, 1-3 in.; jointed near top. Flowers about 1 in., nodding. Pedicel slender, jointed near top. Calyx lobes, shallow, apiculate ; carpels 15-20, readily separating when ripe, sparsely and roughly hairy on back, beak short, sharp, spreading horizontally. Seeds minutely-dotted (Trimen), (Maxwell M. Masters).
Flowers orange yellow, throughout the year (Ceylon), ¼ in. diam., opening in the evening (Masters).
Parts used : —The root ; bark ; leaves ; seeds and fruits.
Use : — An infusion of the leaves or of the roots is prescribed in fevers as a cooling medicine (Ainslie). The seeds are reckoned aphrodisiac and are used as a laxative in piles.
The seeds are burned on charcoal, and recta of children affected with thread worms are exposed to the smoke.
A decoction of the leaves is used as a mouth-wash in cases of tooth-ache and tender gums, and also in gonorrhœa and inflammation of the bladder.
In Western India, the bark is valued as a diuretic, and the seeds on account of their demulcent and mucilaginous properties (Dymock).
The infusion of the root is useful in strangury and hæmaturia
The infusion of the root is said to be useful in leprosy. The seeds are given in the treatment of coughs.
According to the Chinese in Hong-Kong, the seeds are employed as an emollient and demulcent ; the root is used as a diuretic and pulmonary sedative, and the flowers and leaves as a local application to boils and ulcers. Porter Smith states that the seeds and the entire plant are used as " demulcent, lenitive, diuretic, laxative and discutient remedies. Puerperal diseases, urinary disorders, chronic dysentery and fevers are treated with the seeds." Notes on Chinese Materia Medica by Ho Kai and Crow in Ph. J. for Oct. 22, 1887.
The leaves contain some mucilaginous substance which ​ they yield to hot water. Their decoction is therefore useful as a fomentation to painful parts. The seeds have a distinct control over gonorrhœa, gleet, and chronic cystitis (Moodeen Sheriff),
The juice of leaves about one tola, and ghee one tola, are given in catarrhal bilious diarrhœa. K.R.K.
156. A graveolens, W. & A., h.f.b.l, i 327.
Vern. : — Barkanghi, bara banghi (Cawnpore). Vaddâttutti. (Tam.)
Habitat : — United Provinces, Sindh, Nilgherries, Baluchistan, Central Provinces, Ceylon waste ground.
An herbaceous annual, branches covered with clammy pubescence, mixed with spreading hairs. Leaves sometimes lobed, orbicular-cordate, abruptly acuminate, velvety on both sides. Petiole almost as long as the blade ; stipules linear ; reflexed (falcate). Peduncles as long as the petioles. Trimen says that the flowers in Ceylon are yellowish, becoming pink when withering. Flowers large, orange coloured, with a darker centre, ultimately reflexed. Sepals ovate, acuminate ; petals obcordate. Carpels 20 or more, truncate or rounded, hairy ; rather longer than the Calyx, not awned.
Use : — In his Flora of the Upper Gangetic plain (p. 83), Duthie writes that the roots, leaves and seeds are medicinal. The fresh plant has often a strong and unpleasant smell. Trimen says about the same plant growing in Ceylon:— "I do not notice any scent in the Ceylon plant." The uses are the same as those of A. indicum.
157. A. Avieennce, Gcertn., h.f.b.l, i 327.
Syn. : - Sida abutilon, Linn. (Sanskrit) Jayâ, Jayanti — J. Indraji.
Eng, : — The Indian Mallow or American Jute.
Vern. : — (Gujrat and Porebunder) Nâhani Khapât, Bhonya Kâski, Bhonya-Khapât.
Habitat : — North-west India, Sindh, Kashmir and Bengal. ​ An annual herbaceous, softly tomentose plant. Leaves orbicular-cordate with a long point, 3-4 in. Petiole 3 in. Peduncles 1 in , solitary, axillary. Sepals free nearly to the base, ovate, acute. Petals yellow, hardly exceeding the sepals. Staminal tube very short. Carpels 15-20, much exceeding the sepals, oblong, truncate hispidulous or pubescent, with two long horizontal spreading ciliolate awns.
Use : — Its leaves, seeds and roots are put to the same use as those of A. indicum.
158. Urena lobata, Linn, h.f.b.l, i. 329. Roxb. 519.
Vern : — Bun-ochra (B.) ; Bhidi janelet (Santal) ; Bachita (N.-W.P.) ; Vana-bhenda, Rân-tupkada ; Wagdâû Bhendi (Marathi) ; Villiak (Konkan).
Brachta, Bachit, Bachitâ (Hindi) ; (Sinhalese) Valta Epala.
Habitat : — Generally distributed over the hotter parts of India. Waste open ground, Ceylon.
A very variable, herbaceous plant, more or less hairy. Leaves about 1-2 by 2-3 in., cordate 5-7-lobed, acute or obtuse ; nerves 5-7, prominent on the under surface, the three central, or the midrib only, provided with a gland on the under surface; petiole usually shorter than the blade. Bracteoles oblong-lanceolate, equaling the Calyx. Flowers bright pink, darker in the centre, clustered. Carpels densely pubescent, echinate. Capsules barbed.
Use : — In Chutia Nagpur, the root is employed as an external remedy for rheumatism. (Revd. Campbell).
159. U. sinuata. Linn, h.f.b.l, i. Roxb. 519.
Vern.: — Lotloti, Kunjuya (H.) ; kunjia(B.); Mota bhedi-janelet (Santal.) ; Beri lât (Chutia Nagpur) ; Tapkote (Bomb.) ; Piliya Mankena (Tel.).
Jayakrisna Indraji gives the following Vern. names : — (Porebunder and Gujrat) Wagdâû Bhindo ; (Marathi) Lichi, Râmkapshi; (Hindi) Kûnjia, Lotaloti ; (Sinha lese) Hiwepula. ​ Habitat : — Generally distributed over the hotter parts of India and is a weed in waste open ground in Ceylon,
A perennial herb. Stem 2-4 ft, much branched, finely stellate-hairy. Leaves very variable, 1½-3 in., rotundate, usually deeply palmately cut into 5 lobes, which are again lobed or pinnatifid, serrate, stellately hairy on both sides. Flowers bright pink, on short stout, hairy pedicels, axillary, solitary. Sepals 5, connate below into cap-shaped Calyx. Petals 5, connate and united to tube of stamens. Stamens monadelphous, anthers nearly sessile or 5-celled. Bracts a little shorter than the Calyx. Ovary 5-celled, with one ovule in each. Styles 10. Ripe carpels rounded on back, densely stellate-hairy, set with stiff long spines, with deflexed prongs at the extremeties (Tri- men), An oval glandular pore is situated at base of midrib, beneath, in both U. lobata and U. sinuata.
Use ; — In Chutia Nagpur, the root is used as an external application for lumbago.
160. U. repanda, Roxb. h.k.b.l, i. 330. Roxb. 519.
Syn. : — U. Speciosa, Wall.
Vern. : — Sikuar (Santal.).
Habitat : — North- West India, Upper Gangetic plain and the Western Peninsula.
Shrubby, stellate-hairy. Leaves roundish or somewhat lobed, shortly petioled, rough above, midrib glandular, at the base beneath ; lower 2-2½in. long, roundish, rarely lobed, cordate at the base, repand-serrate, upper lanceolate. Flowers racemose, in alternately leafless clusters. Bracteoles ¼-⅓ in., subcoriaceous, exceeding the membranous Calyx ; 5, subulate, connate below into a cup ; sepals united for half their length ; Corolla pink, twice the length of the bracteoles. Carpels smooth, unarmed. Seed ascending smooth.
Use : — The root and bark are believed by the Santals to be a cure for hydrophobia (Campbell). ​
161. Pavonia odorata, Willd. h.f.b.l, i. 331. Roxb. 530.
Sans. : — Bâlâ Heivera.
Vern. : — Sugandha-bálá(H.) ; Kala-válá (Bomb.) ; Perámutiver paramutha, mudda pulagam (Tam.); Erra kuti (Tel.); Bálarakkasi, gida (Kan.); Kalo Walo (Guj.).
Habitat : — North- West Provinces, Sindh, Banda and Western Peninsula.
An erect herbaceous plant, with sticky hairs, glandular, pubescent. Leaves 2½ by 3in., cordate-ovate, with 3-5 shallow pointed lobes ; lower petioles longer than the blades. Peduncles as long as the leaves, 1-flowered, clustered at the ends of the branches. Bracteoles 10-12, linear. Sepals lanceolate. Corolla pink, twice as long as the Calyx. Carpels obovoid, dehiscent, unarmed, wingless. Styles 10. Stigmas capitate ; ovule one in each cell. Ripe carpels separating from the axis. Seeds ascending.
Part used : — The root.
Use : — The root is fragrant and aromatic, and possesses cooling and stomachic properties ; used in fever, inflammation and hæmorrhage from internal organs (U. C. Dutt). According to Taylor, the root is prescribed as an astringent and tonic in cases of dysentery.
The therapeutic properties of the root are probably due to the carminative quality of the odorous matter it contains, together with the mucilaginous character commonly met with in members of N. 0. Malvaceæ.
162. Hibiscus fureatus, Roxb., h.f.b.l, i. 335. Roxb. 527.
Vern. : — Huligowri (Kan.) ; Napiritta (Sinhalese).
Habitat : — Hotter parts of India, from Bengal to Ceylon.
A large, scrambling or climbing, semi-shrubby perennial ; stems more or less tomentose or glabrous, set with numerous ​ scattered, sharp, decurved, hooked prickles. Leaves 2-3in., roundish in outline, deeply palmately cut into 3-5 lanceolate, acute, shortly serrate segments (the lower often entire), glabrous or pubescent, usually very prickly on the veins beneath ; petioles as long as or longer than leaves, stout, horizontal, cylindric, very prickly. Stipules, linear- lanceolate. Flowers large, 2½-4in.; pedicels 1-3in., very prickly ; bracteoles 10-12, linear setaceous, bristly, lower half spreading or reflexed, upper half erect, with a small deflexed leafy appendage at the middle ; sepals connate half way, ovate, very acute, sharp pointed, fin , enclosed in thickened and enlarged, connivent Calyx, covered with very coarse appressed bristly hair ; seed compressed, rough with scattered papillae grey brown. Flowers yellow, with dark crimson centre. This is a very handsome climber. There seems to be no published figure of this common plant, says Trimen 1893. Talbot has done it since. (See his Forest Flora of Bombay).
Very common in Ceylon, over trees and bushes in the low country, hotter parts of India, from Bengal to Ceylon (Max- well. T. Masters).
Use : — Roots infused in water make a cooling drink for the hot weather (Talbot).
163. H. micranthus, Linn., h.k.f.b.i., i. 335.
Vern. : — (Porebunder) Adbâû Buporio, Dâriânu jhâd ; (Kutch), Kûrûdvel ; (Tamil) Peru-maddi. (Gujrâti) Chanak Bhindo ; (J. Indraji.)
Habitat : — Hotter parts of India, from the North-West Provinces, eastward and southward to Ceylon.
Shrubby, with slender rod-like spreading branches, thinly covered with stellate bristles. Leaves ¾-1 in., ovate or oblong, quite entire or serrate, glandless, rough with bristly hairs ; petioles very short. Peduncles axillary, as long as or longer than the leaves. Bracteoles linear, shorter than the Calyx. Flowers white or pink, ½ in. diam. Sepals lanceolate. Corolla reflexed. Anthers whorled. Capsule globose. Seeds cottony, variable. ​ Use : — In Ceylon it is valued as a febrifuge (Duthie's Flora Upper Gangetic Plain, Vol. I, p. 89).
164. H. cannabinus, Linn., h.f.b.i., i. 339. Roxb, 528.
Sans.: — Mâchikâ, Phalâmla, Rajjuda-Ambashtâ, Ambâlikâ. Náli ; garmikura.
Vern. : — San. (H.) ; Mesta-pat (B.) ; Ambádi (Dec.) ; Palungu (Tam.) ; Ghongu-kuru. (Tel.); Dare kudrum (Santal.) ; kanuriya (Orissa) ; kudrum (Behar) ; Sajjádo (Sind). ; Pimdrike gida, holada (Kan.).
(Porebunder and Guj.) Bhindi Ambôi ; (Marâthi) Ambâdi ; (Hindi) Pâtsan Arubârî. (J. Indraji.)
Habitat:— Generally cultivated; apparently wild east of the Northern Ghauts.
An annual or perennial herb. Stem glabrous, prickly. Lower leaves entire, cordate, upper deeply palmately-lobed, lobes narrow serrate ; mid-nerve glandular beneath. Petiole prickly, lower much larger than the blade. Stipules linear, pointed. Peduncles very short, axillary. Bracteoles 7-10, linear, shorter than the Calyx. Sepals bristly, lanceolate, connate below the middle, with a gland at the back of each. Corolla large, spreading, yellow with a crimson centre. Capsule globose, pointed bristly. Seeds nearly glabrous. All parts agreeably acid.
Parts used : — The seeds, leaves and juice.
Use: — The seeds are used as an external application to pains and bruises, and are said to be aphrodisiac and fattening.
One tolâ of the juice of the flowers, with sugar and black pepper is a popular remedy for biliousness with acidity (Dymock). The leaves are purgative.
165. HI. Sahdariffa, Linn., h.f.b.i., i. 340.
Vern. :— Lal-ambádi, Patwâ (H. Bomb.); Mesta, (B); Lál- ambádi (Sind.); Sivappu-kashuruk-kai (Tam.) ; Erra-gom-kaya (Tel); Polechi (Mal); Arak kudrumi, togat arak. (Santal.); Pulachakin, pundibija (Kan.). ​ Eng. : — The Roselle of India or Red Sorrel of the W. Indies.
Habitat : — Cultivated in hotter parts of India.
An erect, cultivated annual shrub, glabrous, unarmed. Stem purple. Leaves entire or 3-lobed, serrate, midrib glandular beneath ; petiole 2 in. Peduncle solitary, axillary, shorter than the petiole. Bracteoles and Calyx accrescent. Bracteoles 8-12, linear, adnate to the base of the Calyx. Sepals dotted, acuminate, bristly, connate below the midrib into a purplish fleshy cup. Corolla 2½ in. diam., yellow. Capsule ovoid, pointed, villous, shorter than the Calyx, seeds reniform, sub-glabrous.
Parts used :— The seeds, fruit and leaves.
Use : — The succulent calyx is used for the preparation of what is called in Bombay Bazaars " Roselle " jelly or Rozal jelly, and, when dried, as an article of diet like tamarind is used much in curries. In bilious conditions, a diet drink is made by boiling it with water and adding a little salt, pepper, asafœtida and molasses (Dymock).
Moodeen Sheriff recommends a decoction of the seeds as a draught, in doses of from 1 to 2 drs., 3 or 4 times a day, in dysuria and strangury, also in dyspepsia and debility.
The fruit possesses anti-scorbutic properties. The leaves are regarded as emollient. They are often cooked as vegetable and in curries. K. R. K.
The food plant roselle, Hibiscus Sabdariffa has recently been introduced into the Philippine Islands and is the sole representative of a type, in which the calyx supplies the chief edible portion of the plant. After flowering, the calyx thickens and enlarges until it assumes the appearance of a large bud, which is harvested for making jam or jelly of a brilliant red colour and pleasant acid taste, and for the preparation of syrup and wine. The chemical composition of the calyx is very similar to that of the cranberry, comprising inter alia 3.31 per cent, of malic acid, 0.83 per cent, of invert sugar, and 0.24 per cent, of sucrose. The malic acid present consists entirely of the dextro-rotatory modification, which form has never previously been identified in plant composition, and the acidity of the fruit is due entirely to it, analysis proving the absence of Tartaric and Citric acids. The roselle leaves contain about 1.25 per cent, and the stems about 0*60 per cent, of dextro malic acid, in consequence of which, both stems and leaves can be utilised in conjunction with the calyxes, when a brilliantly coloured food product is required.
J. Ch. I. Jan. 31, 1913 p. 104. ​
166. FL Abelmoschus, Linn, h.f.b.i., i. 342. Rosb. 526.
Syn. : — Abelmoschus moschatus, Mœnch.
Sans. : — Latâ-kasturikâ,
Arab. : — Hab-ul-mishk.
Vern. : — Kasture, kala-kasturi (B) ; Mushk-dânâ (H) ; kasturu-benda (Dec) ; kattuk-kasturi (Tam) ; karpura-benda, (Tel) ; kasturî-bhendâ (Mar) ; kapu kimissa (Singh.)
Habitat : —Throughout the hotter parts of India ; most low country Ceylon. Found wild, says Trimen, or much cultivated in tropical countries.
An annual hispid, herbaceous plant, with long deflexed hair, tall, 2-3 ft. high. Leaves polymorphous, ovate-cordate or more usually palmately cut into 3-5 acute lobes, dentate-serrate, hairy on both sides ; petiole usually longer than leaves, with long deflexed hairs. Stipules small, subulate. Flowers large, 3-4 in., solitary, often appearing to be terminal, bright yellow, with a purple centre. Pedicels stout, curved, much thickened beneath the flower. Bracteoles 8, distinct, linear, hispid, much shorter than Calyx. Sepals completely connate, save at their point into a tube which splits down one side. Capsule 2½-3 in., ovate-ovoid, acute, hispid ; seeds kidney-bean-shaped, striate.
Parts used : — The seeds, root and leaves.
Uses ; — The Hindus regard the seeds as cooling, tonic and carminative.
The Arabic and Persian writers consider them to have stomachic and tonic properties. The author of the Makhzan-ul- Adwia recommends a mucilage prepared from the roots and leaves of the plant in gonorrhœa. In Bombay, the seeds are rubbed to a paste with milk, and used to cure itch (Dymock).
In the West Indies, the seeds are given in the cure of snake-bite, being administered both internally and externally (Watt). The late Dr. Moodeen Sheriff used a tincture of the seeds and considered it stimulant, stomachic and anti-spasmodic, and recommended its exhibition in cases of nervous debility, hysteria, and a tonic for dyspepsia. ​
167. H. esculentus, Linn., h.f.b.l, i. 343. Roxb. 529.
Syn. :— H. longifolius, Eoxb. Fl. Ind. III. 210. Abelmoschus esculentus, W. and A.
English name: — Lady's finger.
Sans. : — Tindisa ; Gandha-mula.
Arab, and Pers. : — Bámiya.
Vern. : — Bhindi rám-turai (H.) ; Dhénras, rám-torai (B.); Bhendá (Bom.) ; Bhindu (Guz.) ; Bhéndi (Dek.) ; Vendaik-kay, vendi (Tam.); Penda, benda-káya (Tel.).
Habitat : —Cultivated throughout India.
A cultivated, annual, tall herb, with rough hairs. Leaves coarsely toothed ; petiole 6 in., more or less bristly. Stipules subulate. Peduncles about 1 in. Bracteoles 1 in., linear-subulate. Flowers yellow with a crimson centre. Staminal-tube antheriferous throughout. Fruit 6-10 by lin., pyramidal-oblong, glabrescent, cells 5-8-seeded. Seeds striate, hairy.
Parts used :— The fruit, seeds and capsule.
Use : — The Mahomedan writers describe it as cold and moist, and beneficial to people of a hot temperament (Dymock)
Roxburgh recommends it in irritating cough. The mucilage from the fruits and seeds is useful in gonorrohœa and irritation of the genitourinary system. In the Indian Pharmacopœia, the immature capsules are officinal for the preparation of a decoction, to be used as an emollient, demulcent and diuretic in catarrhal affections, ardor urinæ dysuria and gonorrhœa.
168. H. tiliaceus, Linn., h.f.b.l, i. 343. Roxb. 522.
Syn. : — Paritium tiliaceum, W. and A. ; Hibiscus tiliaceus, Linn.
Vern. : — Bola, chelwa (B.) ; Bania or baria (Orissa) ; Belpata (Bomb.). (Sinhalese) Beli-patta.
Habitat : — Coasts of both Peninsulas and Bengal. ​ A small, much-branched tree. Young shoots and inflorescence pubescent. Bark grey, inner-bark fibrous. Wood soft, grey, heartwood purplish. Leaves entire from a cordate base, nearly orbicular, shortly grey-pubescent ; blade 3-8 in. diam. Petiole 1-5 in. long. Stipules broad, early deciduous. Flowers in axillary or terminal few-fid racemes. Bracteoles 10, connate, half the length of the Calyx. Corolla 2-3 in. diam., pale yellow, with a crimson centre, red in the evening. Staminal-tube 1½ in., antheriferous all the way down. Capsule 10-celled, ovoid, pointed above, 5-valved. Seeds slightly pilose, reniform.
Parts used :— The bark and root.
Use :— The bark is used in medicine (Watt). The root is said by Irvine in his Materia Medica of Patna to be febrifuge, and employed in the preparation of embrocations.
169.H. Rosa-Sinensis, Linn., h.f.b.l, I, 344. Roxb. 523.
Sans. : — Japâ.
Vern. : — Joba, juva, oru (B). ; Jasoon or jasund (H. and Dec); shappathup-pu, (Tam.) ; java-push-pamu (Tel.) ; Dâsvâlada- huvvu (Can.) ; jâsût-nû-phûl (Guz) ; Jâsvan (Mar).
Pers. : — Angharee-hind.
Habitat: — Cultivated in gardens throughout India. I have seen 12 varieties in the Bombay gardens with cream-coloured, fawn-coloured, white and scarlet-blotched, pink, deep crimson, scarlet, with double and single-petalled flowers. It serves as a good roadside plant in Bombay. K. R. K.
A shrubby perennial plant, cultivated in gardens. Stems woody, branched, not prickly. Leaves entire at base, coarsely toothed at apex, nearly glabrous, ovate, acuminate. Stipules ensiform. Bracteoles 6-7, linear, half the length of the bell-shaped Calyx. Peduncles axillary, solitary, as long as or longer than the adjoining leaf. Sepals f in. ; lanceolate, connate below the middle. Corolla 3 in. diam., variously coloured with a deep purple or black blotch inside, near insertion or base of petals. Staminal- tube exceeding Corolla. Capsule roundish, many-seeded. ​ The juice of petals is much used in colouring sugar, confectionary pink (K.R.K.) and to ' black ' leather-shoes (Masters).
Parts used : — The flowers, leaves and root.
Use : — The flowers are considered emollient, and an in- fusion of the petals is given as a demulcent.
The flowers fried in ghee (clarified butter) are administered by natives for checking excessive menstruation. The leaves are considered emollient and aperient (Murray, p. 63). The buds are employed in the cure of seminal weakness and cystitis ; the root is valuable in coughs (S. Arjun).
Moodeen Sheriff reports favourably of an infusion of the petals as a demulcent and refrigerant drink in fevers (Ph. Ind).
In Bombay, the roots are dried and sold in the shops as a substitute for Althœa. In the Concan, the fresh root-juice of the wild flower variety is given, in doses of two tolas with milk, sugar and cumin for gonorrhœa, and the root powdered is given with an equal quantity of lotus-root and the bark of Eriodendron anfractuosum, in the same manner, for menorrhagia, the dose of the three being 6 mâssâas each. (Dymock).
Dr. Moodeen Sheriff recommended an oil, made by mixing the juice of fresh petals and olive oil in equal portions, and boiling till all water is evaporated, as a stimulating application for the hair.
170. Thespasia populnea, Corr., h.f.b.l, I. 345. Roxb.
Syn. : — Hibiscus populneus, Roxb. 522.
Sans. : — Gardhabhânda, Pârisa, Supârshvaka.
Vern. : — Dumbla (Sundribuns) ; (Hindi) Pâruspipal Gajdand, Pâras pipul (H.) ; Poresh, parash, paresh-pipal (B.) ; Poris, portia, pursa Pursha-maram (Tam.); gangaraya (Tel.); Bendi (Guz.) ; Bhendi, Bhend (Bomb.). (Sinhalese) Suriya, (Tamil) Kavarachu, Puvarachu. ​ Habitat: — Tropical shores of Bengal and both peninsulas, Ceylon.
A middle-sized, evergreen, rapid-growing tree. Heartwood small, dark red, smooth ; sapwood soft. Leaves cordate, acuminate, entire on both sides, with minute, peltate scales ; blade 3-5 in., petiole 1-4 in. Flowers axillary, solitary or 2 together. Bracteoles none, or early deciduous. Calyx cup-shaped, truncate. Corolla yellow, passing into purplish pink when withering, 2 in. diam. Capsule dehiscent or indehiscent ; 1½ in., oblong, depressed, scaly, ultimately glabrescent. Seeds silky, pilose or powdery on the surface (Maxwell T. Masters).
Parts used : — The bark, fruit, seeds, flowers, root and leaves.
Uses : — The fruit yields a yellow, viscid juice, which forms a valuable local application in scabies and other cutaneous diseases in South India. The affected parts of the body are daily washed with a decoction of the bark (Watt). Ainslie says that a decoction of the bark is given internally as an alterative.
Dr. Waring tried it in scabies and other cutaneous diseases; in some cases, it exercised a favourable influence, but in the majority it was productive of little or no benefit.
In Tahiti, the fresh capsules, bruised and applied to the forehead are said to cure migraine ; the yellow sap exuding from the peduncles is considered a cure for the bites of insects, especially .of the centipede ; it is also useful in sprains, bruises, and all cutaneous affections. In Mauritius, the bark is described as depurative, as used in dysentery, hæmorrhoids ; the juice of the fruits being applied to warts." Christy's N. C. P., No. x., p. 43.
Rumphius speaks highly of the value of heartwood as a remedy for bilious attacks and colic, and in a kind of pleurodynia from which the Malayas often suffer.
In the Central Provinces, the root is taken as a tonic.
In the Concan, the flowers are employed in the cure of itch ; and the leaves are employed as a local application to inflamed and swollen joints (Dymock). ​
171. T. Lampas, Dalz and Gibs, h.f.b.l, i. 343.
Syn. : — Hibiscus Lampas, Boxb. 524.
Vern.: — Bankapas (B); Bonkapsi. (Santal); Bonkapash (Assam) ; Rân bhendi (Mar.); Adavipratti, condapatti, rondapatti (Tel). Pârus Piplo (Guj).
Habitat : — Tropical Himalaya, from Kumaon eastwards ; Bengal and the Western Peninsula.
A subarboreous, herbaceous plant, not prickly ; portions downy. Leaves palmately-lobed, 5 in. diam., cordate, 3-lobed ; lobes spreading, acuminate, sparingly stellate, pilose above, tomentose beneath, midrib, with a glandular pore at the base beneath ; petiole 2½ in., downy. Stipules subulate, peduncles axillary or terminal, panicled, 3-flowered. Bracteoles 4-8, subulate, deciduous. Calyx of 5-subulate, sepals, connate below the middle. Corolla campanulate, yellow, with a crimson centre. Capsule ovoid, pointed, villous, 5 rarely 4-valved or 3-valved ; valves hispid, glabrescent. Seeds glabrescent.
Tropical Himalaya from Kumaon eastwards, Bengal, the Western Peninsula, Burma, Ceylon.
Use : — The root and fruit are employed in Chutia Nagpur as a remedy in gonorrhœa and syphilis (Campbell).
172. Gossypium herbaeeum, Linn., h.f.b.l, i. 346. Roxb. 519.
Sans. : — Kârpâs.
Vern. :— Rui, kapâs (H.) ; Tula (B.) ; Parutti, (Tam.}; Pratti, (Tel.). Kâpus (Mar), Kapâs (Guj.).
Eng. : — The Indian cotton.
Habitat : — Cultivated in India, Ceylon.
An annual or perennial herb or shrub, nearly glabrous or more or less hairy, and with a few scattered glandular points. Leaves cordate, 3-5 ; or rarely 7-lobed, usually with a gland on the undersurface of the midrib. Leaf-lobes broadly ovate or ​ acuminate. Stipules ovate-lanceolate, entire or slightly toothed. Peduncles shorter than the petiole. Bractcoles not divided below the middle, equalling the capsule, sometimes, entire or nearly so. Calyx truncate or obtusely crenulate, much shorter than the bracteoles. Petals spreading, ovate or crenulate. Flowers yellow, with a purple centre, rarely wholly yellow or white or purple. Capsule ovate, globose, mucronate, 3-5-valved. Seeds 5-7 in each cell, ovoid. Cotton white, brown, rarely yellowish, overlaying a greenish or greyish down. I have a fabric, a coat made out of cloth, turned out at the Thana Jail (Konkan), nearly twenty years ago out of the fawn-coloured cotton-fibre found on some plants in the Jail gardens, unexpectedly yielding the fawn-coloured cotton. It is unknown whence the seed of such plants came (K. R. Kirtikar).
Parts used : — The bark, seeds, leaves, flowers and root-bark.
Uses : — The Eastern physicians consider all parts of the cotton plant to be hot and moist ; a syrup of the flowers is prescribed in hypochondriasis, on account of its stimulating and exhilarant effect ; a poultice of them is applied to burns and scalds. Burnt cotton is applied to sores and wounds to promote healthy granulation ; dropsical or paralysed limbs are wrapped in cotton, after the application of a ginger plaster ; pounded cotton- seed, mixed with ginger and water, is applied in orchitis. Cotton is also used as a moxa, and the seeds as a laxative, expectorant, and aphrodisiac. The juice of the leaves is considered a good remedy in dysentery, and the leaves with oil are applied as a plaster to gouty joints ; a hip-bath of the young leaves and roots is recommended in uterine colic.
The cotton- wool is applied to burns ; the seeds are said to increase the secretion of milk, and are also said to be useful in epilepsy, and as an antidote to snake-poison. The root is diuretic, emenagogue and demulcent, and the leaves in decoction are tonic, and said to be used in fever and diarrhœa (Atkinson).
In India, the cotton seeds are employed to procure abortion. Cotton root-bark is officinal in the United States Pharmacopœia, ​ also a fluid extract of bark ; it appears to have first attracted attention from being used by the female negroes to produce abortion. It acts like ergot upon the uterus, and is useful in dysmenorrhœa and suppression of the menses when produced by cold. A decoction of 4 ozs of the bark in 2 pints of water, boiled down to one pint, may be used in doses of 2 ounces every 20 or 30 minutes, or the fluid extract may be prescribed in doses of from 30 to 60 minims. Cotton-seed tea is given in dysentery in America ; the seeds are also reputed to be galactagogue (Dymock).
Compared with ergot, the root of the cotton-plant causes a more natural contraction of the uterus ; but the former drug appears to be the more active during parturition. Gossypium can be given with impunity. In gynæcological practice ergot cannot compare with gossypium, the rapidity of action is not so necessary, and the remedy can be given without any unpleasant secondary or after-effects, as is frequently complained of during a prolonged course of ergot subcutaneously or per- os" (I. M. G., November, 1884. pp. 334-5).
The herbaceous part of Gossypium herbaccum contains much mucilage, and is used as a demulcent.
Cotton-seeds have been employed in the Southern States of America with great asserted success in the treatment of intermittents. A pint of the seeds is boiled in a quart of water to a pint, and a teacupful of the decoction is given to the patient in bed, an hour or two before the expected return of the chill. (U. S. Dispensatory).
The seeds are considered a nervine tonic and are given in headache, etc.
Cotton-seed is said to increase the secretion of milk, and cotton-seed oil is largely utilized for this reason in the feeding of cows. The reason of this physiological action, and the constituent of the seed which produces it, are not known. In order to apply this to women, attempts have been made to purify the seeds, and a preparation, bearing the name of lactagol, has been the outcome of these investigations. It is a fine white powder, having a not ​ unpleasant taste. The patients take it well, and it does not produce any disturbances of digestion. The action on the breast becomes evident after the patient has taken the powder for three or four days and has swallowed from 25 to 30 grams. The effect on the breasts is that they become fuller, that the baby is able to suck for a longer period, and that at the end of the meal the mother does not complain of pain in the breasts. The action does not appear to be lost if one discontinues the lactagol for one day, but if one leaves it off for two or three days the secretion becomes less. If one uses it in women, who have already been suckling for some time, one finds it necessary to give nearly double the amount before the action is obtained. — B. M. J. Epitome, August. 6, 1904.
The flowers contain a coloring matter, a glucoside, named gossypetin, C$_{16}$ H$_{12}$ O$_8$. It forms glistening, yellow needles, closely resembling quercetin in appearance, and is readily soluble in alcohol, but only very sparingly in water. Concentrated alkaline solutions dissolve it, forming orange-red solutions, which, on agitation and dilution with water, become green, and finally assume a dull brown tint. Ammonia behaves very similarly. Alcoholic lead-acetate gave a deep red precipitate in the cold, passing into dull brown at the boiling point, and alcoholic ferric chloride a dull, olivegreen liquid. Sulphuric acid dissolves it, forming an orange-red solution.
Fusion with alkali.— When gossypetin is fused with caustic potash at 200-220,° two crystalline decomposition products are obtained, melting at 210° and at 194-196° respectively ; these consisted of phloroghucinol and protocatechuic acid. J. Ch. S. 1899 T, p. 825.
When the phenolic constituents of cotton-seed oil are purified by repeated fractionation from acetic acid solution, a crystalline product is obtained which can be further purified by crystallisation from a mixture of alcohol and dilute acetic acid ; this substance, to which the name of gossypol is given, has a composition corresponding fairly well with that required for the formula C$_{13}$H$_{14}$O$_4$.
Gossypol crystallises in glistening, golden scales, melts at 188°, dissolves readily in alcohol benzene, chloroform, ether, acetone, or acetic acid, but not in water. Sulphuric acid dissolves it with a beautiful, cherry-red coloration, similar to that observed with impure cotton-oils. Alkalis give a yellow ​ solution, which soon becomes violet and then gradually loses its colour ; the violet colour is developed immediately when hydrogen peroxide is added to the alkaline solution. Alkaline solutions of gossypol reduce both Eehling's solution and ammoniacal silver nitrate. An alcoholic solution gives a dark green coloration with ferric chloride, which becomes dark reddish-brown on adding alkalis. The acetyl and benzoyl derivatives are very soluble in organic solvents, and were not obtained in crystalline form ; bromine and nitric acid also act on gossypol, but definite products were not isolated. Gossypol is not a glucoside. An analysis of the lead salt indicates the presence of two hydroxyl groups. Gossypol gives a grey shade, with iron mordants. — J. Ch. S. 1899 A I. 821.
173. G. arboreum, Linn, h.f.b.i., i. 347. Roxb. 520.
Vern : — Nurma, deo kapas. (H.) ; Budi Kaskoin, bhoga kuskom (Santal.) ; Manna, radhia, nurma (N.-W. P.; ; Kapas (Pb.) ; Deva Kâpusa (Mar.) ; Samparuthi (Tam.); Patti (Tel).
Habitat : — Plains of India, in gardens, but generally cultivated.
Arborescent or shrubby plant, rarely an herb. Branches purple, pilose. Leaves nearly glabrous, one-glandular, deeply palmately 5-7-lobed, lobes linear oblong, mucronate, contracted at the base, often with a supplementary lobe in the sinus. Stipules ensiform. Flowers purple, rarely white. Bracteoles nearly entire, cordate, ovate, acute. Petals spreading ; staminal-tube antheriferous for its whole length. Capsule about 1 in., oblong, pointed. Seeds free, covered with white wool overlying a dense, green down. Cotton not readily separable from the seed.
Uses : — In Bombay, the root is used in the treatment of fever,
In the Konkan, the root, rubbed to a paste within the juice of patchouli leaves, has a reputation as a promoter of granulation in wounds, and the juice of the leaves, made into a paste with the seeds of Vernonia anthelmintica, is applied to eruptions of the skin following fever. In Pudukota, the leaves ground and mixed with milk, are given for strangury (Dymock).
The petals squeezed and soaked in human or cow's milk, ​are used as a soothing and effective application for conjunctivitis of infants (Dr. Thompson in Watt's Dictionary).
The cotton is a very useful external remedy in burns, scalds, and some other surgical diseases. The seeds exercise some good influence over gonorrhœa, gleet, chronic cystitis, consumption and some catarrhal affections. The fresh young capsules and shoots have been observed to produce good effects in some cases of dysentery and gonorrhœa. The control of the seeds over gonorrhœa and gleet is more manifest when combined with some other drugs, a prescription for which is given below.
Take of the cotton seeds, from two to four drachms ; fruit of Cuminum cyminum (cumin seeds), from one and a half to three drachms ; fruit of Pimpinella Anisum, (anise seed), from one to two drachms ; and the silicious concretion of Bambusa arundinacea (tabshir), from fifteen to thirty grains. Bruise and rub all these ingredients well in a stone mortar, with three or four ounces of water and pass the liquid through cloth. This draught is to be used four or five times in the twenty-four hours, according to the severity of the symptoms (Moodeen Sheriff).
174. Kydia calycina, Roxb. h.f.b.i., i. 348 ; Roxb. 521.
Vern. :— Polâ, pûlâ, pulipatha, potari, choupultea (H.) ; Baranga, bhotti. (C.P.) Kûbinde (Nepal.) ; Potri, pandini, podda, kunji (Tel.); Boldobak (Garo) ; Vâranga, varangada, warung, moti, potârî (Bomb.) ; bittia gonyer, pata dhamin (Kol) ; Poshka olat, (Santal.) ; Derki (Karwar) ; sedangtaglar (Lepcha) ; kopâsia (Uirya) ; Pulli, pûla, polâ (Pb.) ; Bendi, bende-naru, bellaka (Kan.) ; Buruk, bosha, kunji (Gond.) nihoty Lirwani (Guj.).
Habitat :— Tropical regions of the Himalaya, from Kumaon eastward, and throughout the Western ghats. Dun and Saharanpur gardens. Burma.
A moderate-sized, deciduous tree or large shrub. Bark grey, exfoliating in large strips, rough, with large white specks on ​ branches. Young parts covered with grey stellate hairs. Leaves downy beneath, 4-6 in. by 3 in. diam., rounded, cordate, palmately 5-7-nervecl, more or less lobed, midlobe longest, glabrous above or with thinly scattered hairs, closely felted beneath ; petiole 1-2 in. Flowers numerous, white or pink, ½-¾ in. across, polygamous, generally diœcious, in much-branched axillary or terminal panicles. Bracteoles 4-6, oblong, spathulate, downy, nearly as long as the Calyx ; Calyx campanulate, 5-lobed, segments ovate, acute, accrescent and spreading in fruit, Petals clawed, adnate to the staminal-tube, longer than the Clayx, obcordate. Stamens monadelphous, the tube shorter than the petals and split halfway into 5 segments, each bearing at the apex 3-5 sessile anthers. Capsule subglobose.. 3-valved. Seeds reniform, furrowed.
Use : — Among the Santals, the leaves are pounded and made into a paste and applied to the body for pains. They are also chewed, when there is a deficiency of saliva, (Revd. A. Campbell.)
175. Adansonia digitata, Linn, h.f.b.i., i. 348. Roxb. 513.
Vern — Gorakh âmli, amali, (H.) ; kalp briksh (Ajmere); Hathi-khatyan (Dec.) ; gorakh chintz, choyari chinch (Bomb.) ; Marjath Anai-puliyaroy Parutti, (Tam.) ; Sima-chinta (Tel.) Gorakh Amli (Porebunder) ; Rukhdo, Chor Amli (Guj.) ; Gorakh Chinch (Marâthi) ; Katu-imbul (Sinhalese).
Arab. : — Hujed.
Eng. : — The baobab or monkey-bread tree of Africa.
Habitat : —Cultivated in various parts of India and Ceylon.
A deciduous large tree, 60-70 ft. high, very handsome, though stumpy when in foliage. Trunk short, thick, of great diam. Stem grey at base, rapidly narrowing upward, like a cone, throwing out very widely spreading branches. Bark soft, glaucous, thick. Leaves digitate, glabrous, pubescent beneath, when young ; leaflets generally 5-7, 3-4 in. long, obovate or ​ oblong-lanceolate, acuminate, attenuated at base, entire or sinuate at the margins. Flowers white, solitary, axilllary, pendulous, long-peduncled (often more than 12 in.). Bracteoles 2. Calyx thick, coriaceous, fleshy, cup-shaped, 5-cleft, tomentose (?) externally and clodded with silky hairs internally. Petals obovate, adnate below, to the stamens. Staminal-tube thick, dividing above into numerous filaments ; anthers long, linear, reniform or contorted, 1-celled. Ovary ovoid. Style long, filiform, divided at summit into as many radiating stigmas as there are cells to the ovary. Cells of ovary 5 -10. Fruit pendulous, oblong-obovoid, downy, woody, brownish-green, indchiscent, 8-12 in. long. Seeds about 30, kidney-shaped, brown, immersed in tough fibres and a mealy, reddish fawn-coloured, slightly acid pulp, which becomes powdery as the pulp matures.
Trimen says the Roman Catholics call it " Judas' Bag," because the fruit contains 30 seeds." Mr. Crawford of Ceylon Civil Service gives the circumference of the largest stem (in 1890) as 61 ft. 9 in., whilst the tree is only 30 ft. high. A tree at Puttalam, in Ceylon, is mentioned by Emerson Tennent as being 70 ft. in height and 46 ft. in girth (1848). In the village of Matunga (Bombay), in 1896, along the principal road going to Sion Hill, there was a large tree on the left hand side, of a similar enormous size. In the Thana District, 1 have seen several such trees in a Mahomedan graveyard on the right hand side while going from Thana by the Corset public Road to the Colset Bunder. Similar trees are mentioned as growing in Bengal. Originally, a Native of Tropical Africa, it was introduced into India and Ceylon by Arabian traders. It is now a naturalized plant, and grows all over India, along the coast of Gujrat, Central Provinces, Bengal. Into Ceylon also it was introduced by the Arabs. The Baobab trees, at Mannar have long been well-known.
The disproportionately large, short trunk is remarkable. The wood is pale-coloured, soft and porous. It is said by Lisboa that the pulp is refrigerent and diuretic. The bark has been proposed as a substitute for quinine. Its liber affords excellent fibre. The pulp of the fibres is used for paper-manufacture. ​ The following was said by Major Kirtikar at the Melbourne Medical Congress, in exhibiting an extract from the bark prepared by the late Mr. M. C, Periera of Bandra : — About 30-40 grains a day, in small doses, are given every third or fourth hour in Intermittent Fevers. The fruit pulp is acid and makes a very pleasant refrigerent drink. When unripe, the fruit pulp is mucilaginous, but as it gets ripe, it assumes the appearance of dry pith, containing dry, powdery, acid, starch- like stuff, enclosed in bundles of fibre and surrounding the seeds. Walz has extracted an active principle from the Bark, called Adansonin. The pulp is an astringent in diarrhœa, like gallic acid.
Parts used : — The fruit, bark and leaves.
Use : — It was introduced into India by the Arabians. In Africa, it is used for dysentery, and the leaves are made into poultices and used as a fomentation to painful swellings, or the leaves dried and reduced to powder are called lalo by the Africans, and are used to check excessive perspiration. (Royle.) Duchassing recommends the bark as an antiperiodic in fever. In Bombay, the pulp, mixed with butter-milk, is used as an astringent in diarrhœa and dysentery. In the Concan, the pulp with figs is given in asthma, and a sherbet made of it, with the addition of cumin and sugar, is administered in bilious dyspepsia. It is also given for this affection with Emblic myrobalans, fresh mint, rock-salt, and long pepper. (Dymock.)
The fruit has been analysed by Messrs. Heckel and Schlagdenhauffen. The authors think that the pulp is rightly used by the natives as a remedy in dysentery.
The pulp is beneficial in pyrexia of any form of fever, by diminishing the heat and quenching thirst. It has recently proved itself very successful in relieving the night-sweats and febrile flushes in a severe case of consumption. The bark is useful to some extent in simple and in complicated cases of continued and intermittent fevers (Moodeen Sheriff.) ​
176. Bombax Malabaricum D.C., h.f.b.i., i. 349. Roxb. 514.
Syn. :— B. heptaphylla, Roxb.
Sans. : — Shâlmali; mochâ. Rakta Shâlmali. Mahâ vriksha, Panch-parni, kalpa vriksa.
Vern. : — Semul or Sêmal, shembal, semur, pagun, somr, ragat-seûbal, ragat-sêmar, kânti-sêubal (H.) ; Rokto-simul, simul (B.);simbal, shivlan (Pb.) Del (Kol); Edel (Santal) ; Bouro, (Uriya) ; Boichu, panchu (Naro) ; Sunglu (Lepcha} ; Sânvari Kântesava saer, somr, semuel, shembal, (Bom.) ; Lâvara, Simbo, samar, kante-savar, kanteri samar, shevari, tamari savari, (Mar.) ; Rato-shemalo, shemolo, shimlo, shimul shimar, (Guz.); KântonKâ-Khatyan, kânto-kâ-sêmul, lâl-katyan (Dek) ; Mundlabûraga- chettu (Tel.) ; Pulâ, Mul-ilava-maram, mulilaun (Tam.) ; Pula- maram, mul-lilava, mullia-pûla (Mal) ; Mullu-bûragam-arâ, burla, (Kan.) ; Wallaiki (Gond.); Katseori (Bhil).
Habitat : — Tropical Eastern Himalaya, and throughout the hotter forest regions of India, Ceylon, Burma, Sumatra.
A very large deciduous tree, with branches in whorls, 5-7, spreading horizontally, and stem with buttresses at base. Bark grey, when young, with conical prickles, with corky base, when old with long irregular vertical cracks. Wood white when fresh cut, turning dark on exposure, very soft, perishable. No heartwood, no annual rings. Leaves digitate, glabrous. Leaflets 5 or 7, lanceolate, 4-8 in. long, common petiole as long as or longer than the leaflets. Flowers appearing before the leaves, large, scarlet, occasionally white ; Calyx inside silky — tomentose. Petals 2-3 in. long, stellate-tomentose on both faces. Filaments numerous, pluri-seriate, much longer than the staminal column ; 5 innermost forked at the top, each with an anther, 10 intermediate. shorter, outer very numerous (Maxwell T. Masters). Brandis says the filaments are about 70 ; the numerous outer ones united in 5 clusters. Anthers long, afterwards twisted. Petals 5, oblong, recurved, fleshy, twice the length of the stamens. Style longer than the stamens. Capsule 6-7 in., oblong, hard, woody, downy, 5-valved. Valves silky within. ​ Seeds glabrous, embedded in silky wool. This is the silk-cotton tree of the Konkan.
Parts used : — The gum, seed, fruit, tap-root, bark,' cotton and flower.
Uses : — The gam or dried juice, mocha-ras, which the tree yields, is used as an aphrodisiac. The root has stimulant and tonic properties. The bark and the root are emetic. The young roots, dried in the shade and powdered, form the chief ingredient in the músla-semul, a medicine highly thought of as an aphrodisiac ; it is also given in impotence. The gum contains a large proportion of tannic and gallic acids, and may be successfully employed in cases requiring astringents. The gum has also tonic and alterative properties, and is used in diarrhœa, dysentery, and menorrhagia.
The dry flowers, with poppy seeds, goats' milk, and sugar, are boiled and inspissated, and of this conserve two drachms are given three times a day in hæmorrhoids (Medical Topography of Dacca, by Dr. Taylor).
" Its gum is useful in diarrhœa ; dose : 20-30 grs., with equal parts of sugar (Surg. T. Anderson, Bijnor;. The taproot is used for gonorrhœa and dysentery (Mukerji, Cuttack). The leaves, singed and beaten, or rubbed with water to a pulp, make a useful application to glandular swellings (Forsyth). Watt's Diet. i. 491.
The gum is astringent and demulcent ; the seeds nutrient and demulcent ; the young fruit stimulant, diuretic, tonic, aphrodisiac, expectorant, and exercises a great beneficial influence over the membranes of the genito-urinary organs ; the tap-root is demulcent, tonic, slightly diuretic, and aphrodisiac ; the bark is demulcent, diuretic, tonic, and slightly astringent ; and the cotton is employed only externally for its mechanical properties (softness and elasticity) in padding splints and covering burned and inflamed surfaces, &c.
The gum is useful in diarrhœa, dysentery and other affections in which kino and catechu are beneficial. The therapeutic uses of the seeds are similar to those of the seeds ​ of Gossypium herbaceum, G. Arboreum and G. Barbadense. The benefit of the dry young fruits in calculus affections and chronic inflammation and ulceration of the bladder and kidneys, including strangury and all other forms of dysuria, except those depending on mechanical causes, is remarkable. The fruits are also useful in weakness of the genital organs and in most of the disorders in which gentian and calumba are resorted to. As therapeutic agents, the tap-root and the bark, in the forms of decoction and extract, are nearly identical in their usefulness with Mârâtimoggu, and therefore employed in almost the same affections. The cotton of B. Malabaricum is useful in all the surgical cases, &c, in which the cotton of Cochlosperum Gossypium is employed, and the manner of using it is also the same.
There is no drug in India which enjoys a greater reputation as an aphrodisiac and tonic in native medical works than the tap-root of the young plant of B. Malabaricum. There is no doubt that it is one of the useful drugs in this country, but the exaggeration of its good effect in some of the Indian writers is so great, that it is quite ridiculous and not worth mentioning here. I have recently given a trial to this drug in my practice, and found it to be a good demulcent tonic, and slightly aphrodisiac, but nothing beyond it. I may also state that even the good influence, which it does exert occasionally on the genital organs, is neither certain nor uniform. The great practical objection to the use of the Semal-mush is that it is neither sold in the bazar, nor procurable always in any garden or field. Besides, there is no medical property in it, which, according to my own experience, is not possessed in equal degree, if not more, by the dry young fruits and bark of B. Malabaricum. In fact, the Marâti-moggu is not only the cheapest and most abundant, but also the best and most useful of all the parts of the above plant which are used as medicines. The young fruits seem to possess some soothing or special action on the mucous membrane of the genito-urinary tract, and have therefore proved themselves more useful than Pareira Brava in some of the diseases in which the latter is indicated (Moocleen Sheriff). ​ " The gum exudes only from those portions of the bark which have been injured by decay or by insects, since incisions in the healthy bark do not cause the gum to flow. The gum first exudes in the form of a white, opaque, viscous mass, which readily turns red, and finally dries into hard, brittle, mahogany-coloured tears, the larger of which are hollow in the centre, the cavity being produced during the gradual drying of the jelly-like mass which first exudes from the tree. The fresh exudation contains about 84 per cent, of moisture which it loses on drying in air. The gum is best collected during the early part of the hot season— from March till June— since it has then lost most of its moisture, and consequently is less liable to ferment and deteriorate when it is stored.**
" Chemical properties of the gum.— The gum contains a considerable quantity of tannin and belongs, in fact, to that class of tannin materials which Procter has classified as being of ' mixed and doubtful constitution.' It contains also catechol tannin."
" Hydrolysis of the gum.— Boiling the original substance with dilute acid, probably hydrochloric acid, yields a red coloured solution, together with an insoluble residue which possesses the colour of crimson lake. For brevity's sake this amorphous product will be referred to as ' Semul red.' It is only very moderately soluble in alcohol, and, therefore, this colouring matter does not possess the solubility ordinarily attributed to the phlobaphenes. The filtrate from the hydrolysis deposits a small quantity of a dark red, amorphous powder, and if the tannin substances be removed by means of precipitation with lead acetate, and the excess of lead in solution be removed from the filtrate by means of sulphuretted hydrogen, then the residual liquid, freed from sulphuretted hydrogen, will reduce Fehlings' solution."— J. Ch. I 29-4-1911 p. 469.
177. Eriodendron anfractuosum., D.C. h.f.b.l, i. 350.
Syn. :— Bombax pentandrum, Roxb. 513.
Vern. :— Safed simal, senibal, hatian (H) ; Swet Simal (B.) ; llavam (Tam.) ; Buruga, pûr, buraga-sânna (Tel.) ; Paniâ, paniala (Mal.) ; Khatyan, safed-khatyan (Dec); shamicula, sapheta sâvara, shâlmali, pandhari sâvar (Mar.) ; Biliburga, bili-barlu (Kan.).
Habitat :— Forests, throughout the hotter parts of India, Ceylon. Native of Malay.
A moderate-sized, deciduous tree. Bark greyish brown, green when young, peeling off in round bosses. Wood yellowish or brownish white, soft. Trunk straight ; the primary branches horizontal, in whorls of three ; young parts, glabrous. Leaves ​ closely placed, on long glabrous petioles, digitate ; leaflets 5-7, on short, winged stalks, 3-5 in., lanceolate, acute at both ends, finely cuspidate, entire or serrulate near tip, glabrous, paler beneath, stipules ½ in., linear-filiform, deciduous. Flowers cream-white, faintly scented ; 1½-2 in., in axillary clusters of 2-8, appearing with the young leaves at the ends of branches, drooping ; pedicels about 1 in., no bracteoles. Calyx ½ in., tubular-campanulate, with very shallow lobes, glabrous outside, lined with dense appressed hairs at the base within ; petals twice as long as Calyx, spreading, obovate-oblong, acute, densely tomentose outside, nearly glabrous within. Stamens a little longer than the petiole, erect. Ovary glabrous. Capsule 3½-4 in., surrounded at base by persistent Calyx, ovoid-fusiform, blunt, tardily dehiscent from base upwards by 5 septifragal membranous valves, 5-celled, cells densely lined with long white silky hair which is deciduous, so that the valves are ultimately glabrous and areolate within. Seeds over ¼ in., compressed- globose, quite glabrous, blackish, each surrounded by a copious crumpled mass of silky hair. Though each seed appears to have a separate investment of cotton, this is quite unconnected with the testa and really arises from the inner side of the wall of the capsule and from the central axis. It is ultimately separated from these, and is then a mere stuffing round the seeds. This silk-cotton is called Kapok in Malay. A bright red gum is afforded by the stem.
Uses : — The tree yields a gum, called Hatyan gond, which is astringent and used as a remedy for bowel complaints (Watt.)
The unripe fruits are regarded as demulcent and astringent.
The roots are also used medicinally, like those of Bombax Malabaricum (which see).
" The leaves are ground into a paste and administered in gonorrhœa" (Surgeon Thomas).
" The gum is also used in the incontinence of urine of children " (Surgeon-Major Ratton.) ​ "The root of the young plant is also used in cases of ascites and anasarca, when it acts as a diuretic." (Dr. Thornton) Watt's Dictionary.
The Kapok tree, Eriodendron anfractuosum, grows in almost all tropical countries and resembles the cotton plant, in that it yields a fruit containing fine fibrous material in which the seeds are embedded. The Bast Indian tree, Bombax malabaricum is also known as " kapok " and in commerce no distinction is made between the oils derived from these two sources. The seeds contain about 23 per cent of oil, and yield about 17 per cent by pressing. Expressed oils yielded by ' kapok ' seeds from Java, East Africa, Ceylon, and Ecuador had the following characters : sp. gr. at 15°C. 0.9235 to 0.9326 ; refractometer reading at 40°C. 51.7 to 59.7 ; iodine value, 85.24 to 93.78 ; saponif. value 189.2 to 194.5. Reichert-Meissl value, 0.20 to 0.66 ; Polenske value, 0.40 ; acid value, 18.5 to 210.2 ; insoluble fatty acids, 95.60 to 95.76 p. c. The fatty acids had : iodine value, 86.8 to 98.96 ; saponif value, 199.0 to 202.7 ; solidif pt., 26.9°C to 31.8° ; m. pt., 32.2 to 34.2°. The expressed oil from Bombax seeds had : sp. gr. 0.9300 ; refractometer reading at 40°C-, 57.0 ; iodine value, 73.59 ; saponif value, 194.3; acid value, 3.0.; insoluble fatty acids, 95.61 p. c. The fatty acids from kapok oil yield a hexabromide melting at 112° to 114° C. Kapok oil resembles cotton seed oil, and gives a strong reaction with Halphen's reagent ; it is not, however, used so extensively as cotton seed oil for edible purposes. — J". 0. Ind. September 15, 1913. Page 874.
The air-dried kapok seeds contain 25.6 per cent of fatty oil. The oil does not become entirely clear till warmed to 28°-29° C. The sp. gr. at 15° C is 0.9218 for expressed commercial oil, and 0.9198 for extracted oil. The refractive index at 40°C is 1.4630. When dissolved in toluene, the oil is optically inactive. In Engler's viscometer, the viscosity is 11.5 at 20°C. compared with water. The iodine value of the expressed oil was 88.7, and 93.3 to 94.5 for the extracted oil. The acid values were 21.6 for expressed oil and 3.4-4.6 for extracted oil. The saponification values were 192.3 for the expressed oil, and 196.3 for the extracted oil. The acid values were 21.6 for expressed oil and 3.4-4.6 for extracted oil. The saponification values were 192.3 for the expressed oil and 196.3 for the extracted oil. The Reichert — Meissl value was 0.8, and the Polenske value varied between 0.14 and 0.34. The fatty acids melted at 34°-35° C, and when freed from phytosterol they melted at 36°C. Characteristic reactions were obtained by the Halphen, Becchi and nitric acid tests. The oil did not show any drying properties It was found to consist principally of the triglycerides of palmitic, oleic, and linolic acids. A small amount of a phytosterol, m. pt. 136°C was isolated.— J. C. lnd. September 30, 1913, page 917.
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