Indian Medicinal Plants/Natural Order Bignoniaceæ

←

Natural Order Scrophularineæ

Indian Medicinal Plants (1918)
Kanhoba Ranchoddas Kirtikar and Baman Das Basu

Natural Order Bignoniaceæ

Natural Order Pedalineæ

→

4605026Indian Medicinal Plants — Natural Order Bignoniaceæ1918Kanhoba Ranchoddas Kirtikar and Baman Das Basu

N. 0. BIGNONIACEÆ.

900. Oroxylum indicum, Vent. h.f,b.i., iv. 378.

Syn. : — Bignonia indica, Linn. Roxb. 495.

Sans. : — Sheonak (a tree), Pruthusimlic (small kidneybean), Shuka-nâsâ (Acquiline nose), Kutanata (dishonest actor), Bhuta- vriksha (Goblin-tree), Katnanga (bitter bodied), Tutuka (small), Salak (bark), Aralu (a kind of tree), Mayurajangha (peacock- thigh), Bhalluka (bear), Priya-jîva (dear life), Katambhara(filling hips).

Vern. : — Ullu, arlús kharkath, pharkath sauna, assar sauna, shyona (Hind.); Sona, sanpatti, násoná (Beng.) ; Pomponia, phunphuna (Uriya) ; Arengi banu, arengebaung, somepatta (Kol.) ; Bana hatak (Santal.); Soizong (Rajbanshi) ; Kering (Assam ) ; Cherpong (Mechi) ; Totilla, karamkanda (Nepal) ; Dhatte (Gond.) ; Mulin, miringa, sori, tátpalang, tatmorang (Pb.) ; Tattunúa (C. P.) ; Tantun, tetu, ulu, karkath, saunavanga, achi, vanga-maram (Ta.) ; Pamania, pampana, dundillam, dondlup, Mandukaparnamu, Sukanasamu, pampenachettu, (Tel.); Tetu, Anamungu, dundukara, bagi mokka, alaugi-mara. (Kan.) ; Palakapaiyana, aralu, veluttapatiri — maram, arantal (Mal). Ginsen, Dak-dawa, sicat (Palamow).

Habitat : — Common throughout India, from the Himalaya to Ceylon ; not in the Western drier area, but in the Terai, west to the Chenab.

Usually a small deciduous tree, but attaining sometimes 30-40ft. Branched at the top. Bark ¼in. thick, yellowish-grey, rather smooth, soft, with numerous large corky lenticels ; yields rather a green juice when cut. Wood yellowish-white, soft, no heartwood (Gamble). Leaves extremely large, 3-5ft., triangular in outline, three-or quadri-pinnate with opposite pinnæ ; rachis very stout, cylindric, much swollen at the branches, rough, with corky lenticels, primary pinnae about 5 pair. Leaflets numerous, shortly petiolate, 2½-4½in., broadly oval or nearly rotundate at base, suddenly and shortly cordate, acuminate, obtuse, glabrous, paler beneath. Flowers with an unpleasant smell, numerous, dull-pale, pinkish-yellow inside, reddish-purple outside, on very stout, glabrous, spreading pedicels, 2½-3in., long and articulated at base, arranged in very large erect racemes, l-2ft. or more long, peduncle very short, branch-like, bracts fused with the peduncle. Calyx 1¾ in., oblong-campanulate, glabrous. Corolla-tube 2¼in., mouth about 4in., lobes much crumpled in bud, thickly covered on both sides with papillose hairs. Filaments cottony at base, disk fleshy, style 2½in , stigma 1/5in. wide with 2 semicircular plates. Ovary oblong, somewhat compressed, glabrous. Capsule 2-2½ft. or even more by 3½-4in., wide, long, flat, swordlike, acute, tapering at both ends, dehiscenting at the edges; semi-woody, thin flat septum. Seeds very numerous, oval, wing extending all round except at base, 2½in. diam (Trimen). (C.B.Clarke).

Parts used : — The bark and seeds.

Uses : — In Hindu medicine, " root- bark considered astringent, tonic, and useful in diarrhœa and dysentery. Tender fruits are described as grateful, carminative and stomachic." In otorrhœa, the use of an oil has been recommended in Sanskrit medicine, prepared by boiling a paste made of the root-bark with sesamun oil (Dutt).

The Gonds employ a decoction of the bark as a discutient application to rheumatic swellings. The powder and infusion of the bark are diaphoretic, and useful in acute rheumatism (I. M. G., 1895, p. m).

Powder made from the bark along with hurdi, is a useful cure for the sore-backs of horses (Gamble).

Seeds purgative (J. J. Wood's Plants of Chutia Nagpur, p. 125).

Chemical composition. — The bark has been examined by W. A. H. Naylor and E. M. Chaplin with the following results : —

A. One pound of the bark reduced to line powder was percolated to exhaustion with cold petroleum ether. The ether was distilled off, and the residue, which weighed about 1.8 gram, possessed the characters of a soft greenish-brown fat, having an acid reaction and a slightly acrid taste. It was treated successively with ether and proof spirit, the former removed vegetable wax, which was subsequently identified as such after re-solution in limited quantities of ether and separation thereform. The latter on evaporation gave a brownish-yellow residue small in quantity and crystalline. When further purified by extraction with ether and the ethereal residue by benzol it was golden yellow, unctuous to the touch, and pronouncedly acrid. Under the microscope it presented the appearance of long, wavy, branching crystals, which dissolved readily in alcohol, chloroform ether, petroleum ether, and benzol.

B. The marc was next percolated with cold ether. After distilling off the greater portion of the ether, and allowing the remainder to evaporate spontaneously, a yellow mass studded with minute interlacing crystals was obtained, which when airdried weighed about 4 grams. This product was treated with boiling proof spirit and filtered while hot ; on cooling small yellow crystals fell out of solution. When quite cold the crop of crystals was collected and subjected to the action of boiling petroleum ether until freed from every trace of fat. It was then crystallized from boiling proof spirit until it had a constant melting point, and was no longer contaminated with uncrystallizable matter. The resulting crystals were dried under the receiver of an air-pump, and when constant weighed 0.9 gram. They were of a lemon yellow colour, about ⅓ inch in length, and melted at 228.5°— 229° C. Alcohol, ether, glacial acetic acid, and hot benzol dissolved them readily, but they were practically insoluble in water hot or cold. The following reactions in connection with this interesting body have been noted, of which the most striking is its behaviour with the caustic alkalies. A minute quantity brought into contact with one drop of a weak solution of sodium potassium or ammonium hydrates causes it to assume immediately a cherry-red colour, which quickly passes into brick-red and olive-green.

Owing to the insolubility of the crystals in water a proof spirit solution was used in applying the following tests : —

1. A solution of silver nitrate in proof spirit produced a bluish-black colour immediately, and after the liquid had stood for a few minutes black particles of reduced silver were precipitated.

2. A solution of neutral acetate of lead in proof spirit gave a light-red bulky precipitate insoluble in boiling acetic acid.

3. Lime water imparted an orange colour, which quickly changed to olive-green, followed by a precipitate of the same colour.

4. An aqueous solution of copper gave a golden yellow colour, quickly followed by a dirty brown precipitate, the supernatant liquid being distinctly greenish.

5. Solution of ferric chloride (acid) produced a brownish-red colour, which, in a few minutes, turned smoke-colour.

6. Solution of subacetate of lead gave a golden yellow precipitate.

7. An aqueous solution of mercuric chloride produced a white precipitate.

8. An aqueous solution of permanganate of potash, acidified with sulphuric acid, was instantly decolorized.

9. A solution of the crystals in proof spirit did not reduce Fehling.

The authors say : — " We have attempted to hydrolyse this body, by subjecting a strong alcoholic solution to the prolonged action of 10 per cent, solution of sulphuric acid at a boiling temperature, but without success.

" We have also inquired into its nature and centesimal composition, but the results so far obtained are not sufficiently conclusive to be incorporated in this paper. We hope to be able to publish shortly a supplementary note dealing with points in process of investigation. Mean while, we propose that this interesting principle be designated Oroxylin."

C. The marc left after exhaustion with petroleum spirit and ether was percolated with cold absolute alcohol. The residue resulting from the distillation of the spirit was treated with cold proof spirit, which took up the greater part of it. The insoluble portion dissolved readily in boiling proof spirit, and, on examination proved to be largely composed of the yellow crystalline body oroxylin. The cold proof spirit solution of the alcoholic residue was evaporated to dryness and the extract treated with water and filtered. The filtrate was treated successively with neutral and basic acetate of lead, and the precipitates after washing were suspended in water, decomposed by a current of sulphuretted hydrogen and the resultant plumbic sulphide removed by filtration. Sulphuretted hydrogen was also passed through the filtrate from the basic or plumbic acetate and the precipitated lead sulphide removed by filtration.

The three liquids thus obtained, which for convenience may be denominated i., ii., iii., were then evaporated down and the respective residues examined.

(i.) It was dissolved in the smallest quantity possible of cold water and diluted with many times its volume of alcohol. After setting aside for twenty-four hours a precipitate fell, giving the general characters of parapectin. The supernatant liquid on evaporation left a scaly residue, astringent to the taste, and perfectly soluble in water. Its aqueous solution reduced Fehling and gave a copious bluish black precipitate with ferric choloride. Lime-water produced a bright golden-yellow colour, followed by a reddish-brown precipitate. From the tannins proper it differed in that it was not precipitated by solution of gelatine.

(ii.) This residue apparently consisted of pectin intermixed with small portions of No. iii.

(iii.) This was a dark uncrystallizable treace-looking residue, which imparted to the palate a feeble sensation of sweetness. It was very soluble in water and reduced Fehling's solution abundantly. A strong aqueous solution was precipitated by absolute alcohol.

D. The marc from the alcoholic extraction was finally percolated to exhaustion with cold water. The liquor was evaporated down and the extract obtained taken up with hot water. A considerable amount of albuminous matter, which remained insoluble, was removed by filtration. The filtrate was treated successively with neutral and subacetate of lead and the precipitates decomposed in the same manner as described under C. The three liquids obtained, L, ii., iii., were evaporated down.

(i.) This residue was the smallest of the three. After standing for a considerable time some crystals were deposited, which on examination proved to be citric acid.

(ii.) Nothing of a crystalline nature was found in this residue. It appeared to consist chiefly of extractive matter.

(iii.) This residue after treatment with alcohol had the same characters and possessed the same properties as C. iii. It was not further examined.

The result of our examination of this bark may be summarized by stating the different principles which we have found— (1) crystalline fat ; (2) wax; (3) acrid principle ; (4) oroxylin ; (5) chlorophyll ; (6) pectinous substances ; (7) Fehling-reducing principle ; (8) astringent principle; (9) citric acid ; (10) extractive matter. —Pharm. Journ. Sept. 27, 1890.

901. Tecoma undulata, G. Don. h.f.b.i., iv. 378.

Syn. : — Bignonia undulata, Smith. Roxb. 492.

Vern. : — Rugtrora (H) ; Rohira, roir, lahúra, lúár (Pb.) ; Lohira, lohari, lahero, khen (Sind) ; Roira, lohuri, rakht-reora, rugtrora (Bomb.) ; Rakht-roda (Mar.).

Habitat: — Western India; Sind; Punjab; Guzerat ; Rajputana, extending eastwards to the Jumna.

An evergreen shrub or small tree. Bark ¼in. thick, corky, reddish-brown. Wood greyish or yellowish-brown, close-grained, mottled with lighter streaks (Gamble); youngest shoots and inflorescence often minutely pubescent, or grey-pubescent. Glabrate when old. Leaves simple, 6 by l½in. (C.B. Clarke) obtuse, narrowly or linear-oblong, undulate, entire, grey, glabrous, but somewhat rough ; Brandis says the blade is only 2-4in. Petiole ¾-lin. long. Flowers inodorous large, from pale-yellow to deep-orange, in short 5-10-fid corymbs at the ends of branchlets, or on flattened lateral branches. Pedicels ¼-½in. Calyx campanulate, ½in., hardly ⅛in. broad, teeth 5 obtuse. Corolla campanulate, limb oblique, 2in. across, 1½in. long, orange. Stamens scarcely exsert, glabrous ; anther-cells distinct, pendulous, narrowly oblong, sub-2-lobed. Capsule curved, 6-8in. long, ⅓in. broad, glabrous, Valves tough, thin. Seeds including the wing 1 by ⅜in., wings very narrow round the apex of the seed, at its base.

"A tree with drooping branches like the weeping willow ; when in flower few trees can present a more noble or beautiful sight." (Gibson).

Uses : — The bark of the young branches is often employed in Sind as a remedy for syphilis (Murray).

902. Dolichan trone Rheedii Seem, h.f.b.i , iv. 379.

Vern. : — Vilpadri (Tam) ; Nir — pongelion (Mal).

Habitat : — Malabar.

A tree, attaining 50-60 ft. Leaves a feet long ; leaflets 3-4 pairs with an old one, 2-3 in., rhomboid, often unequal at the base ; petiolule ¼ in. Corymbs few- (sometimes 1-) fld., short-peduncled ; pedicels ¼-1in., stout. Calyx 1½ in. Corolla 4-7 in., white ; tube campanulate near the mouth ; segments 1 in., crenate toothed. Anther cells large, elliptic, separate, divaricate. Capsule 18 by ¾-1 in., nearly straight, not ribbed. Seeds (including the wings) ¾ by ½ in., rectangular.

Uses: — The seeds with ginger and Pavetta root are administered in spasmodic affections. (Rheede).

The bruised leaves have an aromatic but disagreeable odor (Trimen).

903. D. falcata, Seem. h.f. b.i., iv. 380 ; Roxb. 492.

Vern.: — Háwar (Oudh) ; Mendal, manehingi (Banswara) ; Kanséri (Meywar) ; Mersingh, bhil (C. P.) ; Mersinge, kanseri, mendal manchingi (Bom.) ; Mersingi (Mar.) ; Karanjelo (Kurku); Gudmurki (Kan); Kadatathie (Tam.); Udda, wodi (Tel.) Nir pongilam (Malay.)

Habitat :— Bundelkhand ; dry hills in C. India. Deccan Peninsula ; Mysore and Vellyengry Hills ; Belgaum.

A middle-sized, deciduous tree, 20-50ft., more or less grey, pubescent, or shortly villous. Bark ⅓in. or less thick, bluish-grey, exfoliating in irregular woody scales. Wood whitish, hard, close-even-grained, shining, glossy ; no heart- wood. Leaves imparipinnate, 3-6in. Leaflets 5-7 by ½-1½in., pubescent or glabrous, obovate or round-elliptic, rarely with a small obtuse point. Petiole 1/6in. long. Petiolule 0, rarely ⅛-1/5in. Flowers white, in fewfid corymbs, mostly 1-3-fid, subsessile. Pedicels ⅛in. Calyx ½-¾in. of the expanded flowers, softly grey, pubescent. Corolla-tube slender below, 1-1½in. long. Anthers included. Capsule flat, much curved, 10-18 by ¾in. compressed, glabrous. Seeds about lin. long by ¼in. wide, rectangular, winged at both ends.

Use : — A decoction of the fruit is used medicinally (Watt).

It has the reputation of being used to procure abortion, and the bark is, it is stated, used as a fish poison.

Dr. Lyon, Chemical Analyser to the Government of Bombay, found, however, no ill effects to follow the administration of a considerable quantity of a decoction of the bark to a small dog. (Med. Juris, for India, p. 216.) It is possible that the woody capsules, which are about a foot in length by ⅔ of an inch in diameter, and somewhat curved, may be used as abortion sticks. (Pharmacographia Indica, III. 24).

904. Heterophragma Roxburghii, h.f.b.i., iv. 381.

Syn. : — Bignonia quadrilocularis, Roxb. 494.

Vern. : — Pullung, warras (Bomb.) ; Baro-kala-goru (Tam.) ; Bond-gu (Tel.) ; Adwinuggi (Kan).

Habitat — W. Deccan Peninsula, from Bombay southwards; Central India ; and the Godavery Forests.

A large tree ; innovations woolly. Bark ½in. thick, grey or dark-brown, exfoliating in small angular scales. Wood grey, rough, moderately hard ; no heartwood, no annual rings. Leaves 1-pinnate, tomentose when young, glabrous afterwards, generally approximate near the ends of branches, l-2ft. Leaflets 7-9, 4½ by 2in., obtuse, with a short point, elliptic, entire or crenate, often serrulate, 3-4pair ; petiolule 0-1/6in Flowers in large, terminal, densely tawny- tomentose panicles. Pedicels short, woolly. Calyx on one side more deeply or obtusely bilabiate or irregularly lobed half-way down. Corolla floccose, ultimately glabrate, campanulate, white, fringed with pink, tube l½in., mouth 2in. diam., lobes crisped. Anther-cells elliptic ; divaricate at base. Capsule straight, narrowly oblong, slightly compressed, smooth, velvety while young, 8-12 by l½-2in., divided into 4 cells by the 4-ridged septum, which latter, when cut horizontally, looks cross-shaped. Seeds l½ by lin.

Use : — The natives extract from the wood a thick fluid like tar, which they use in skin diseases.

905. Sterospermum cheloniodes, DeC, h.f.b.i., iv. 382.

Syn : — Bignonia cheloniodes, Linn. f. Roxb. 493.

Vern, : — Pader, padri, parral (Hind.); Pandair (Lohardaga) ; Pandri (Kharwar) ; Dharmar, atkapalí (Beng.) ; Kandior, pondair (Kol.) ; Parolli (Assam) ; Pareya-auwal (Cachar) ; Bolzel (Garo) ; Parari (Nepal) ; Syngyen (Lepcha) ; Sirpang (Michi) ; Pamphunia (Uriya) ; Tsaintsa (Magh) ; Taitu (Berar) ; Padurni (Bhil) ; Padal, padri, paral, kirsel, tuatuka (Bomb.); Kirsel, tuatuka, pádul, padvale, pâdhri (Mar.) ; Padri, pon-padira, pathiri, vela-padri, appu, Kâna Virukham (Tam.) ; Tagada, thágu, kala gorú, mokayapa, pisûl (Tl.); Kalihútrú, kall-udi, bondh-vâla, bile padri, maradakarji, puruli mara (Kan.) ; Nai-udi, mallali (Coorg) ; Pâtirimaram (Mal).

Habitat: — Through moister India; from the Terai of Oudh and Assam to Ceylon.

A large deciduous tree, 30— 60ft., nearly glabrous, except the flowers. Bark brown varying in thickness up to ½in., outer bark corky. Wood hard, grey, no heartwood Leaves 1-pinnate, 12-18in., leaflets imparipinnate, 3-5 pair, elliptic caudate acuminate, blade 4-6in., petiole ⅓-½in. long. Panicle branches slender, glabrous. Flowers fragrant. Calyx ¼in., shortly 3-toothed. Corolla yellow, tinged and marked purple red, ¾in. long, thinly hairy within and without ; crisped. Capsule linear, obscurely-quadrangular, slender curved, 10-30 by ⅓in., smooth or speckled. Valves coriaceous, midrib raised. Seeds wedge-shaped or subtrigonous, embedded in notches in the septums. 1 by ½in., easily splitting through the centre.

Uses : — The roots, leaves and flowers are used in decoction as febrifuge (T. N. Mukerji).

The juice of the leaves, mixed with lime juice, is of use in maniacal cases (Rheede).

Syn : — Bignonia suaveolens, Roxb. 493

Sans : — According to Sanskrit authors there are two varieties :

Pátalá (pale-red), Káma-duti (love-messenger), Kumbhika (a small pitcher), Kâla-vrittika (black stalk), Sulpha-medhâ (little understanding), Madhor-duti (messenger of a demon), Támra-pushpa (copper flower), Ambu-vâsini (water-dweller.)

The second variety— Sveta-kúmbhika (the white pitcher), Krishna-pátala.

Vern. : —Páral, padal, padiála, pád, padaria, parur, purula, pár (Hind.); Parlú, párúl, ghunta, múg (Beng.) ; Pandri (Kharwar) ; Kandior (Kol.) ; Papré, Pader (Santal) ; Parair (Nepal) ; Singyen (Lepcha) ; Patúli (Uriya) ; padar (Kurku) ; Pandri (C. P.) ; Phalgataítu (Melghat) ; Unt-katar, padar (Gond.) ; Pádal (N.-W. P.) ; Pádal, kaltháun, summe (Pb.) ; Pan, dan (Bhil) ; Paral, paddal, pahad (Bomb.) ; Pádal, padialú, parúl. kalagori (Mar.) ; Padiri, goddatipalusu (Nellore) ; Padri (Tam.) ; Kalagoru, kuberakashi, padari, patali (Tel.) ; Húday, billa, vulunantri marada, kayi (Kan.).

Habitat : — Throughout moister India, from the Himalayan Terai to Travancore and Tenasserim. " Planted specially about the Buddhist Temples " in Ceylon, says Trimen.

A large, deciduous tree, 30-60ft. Bark ¼in. thick, grey, exfoliating in very irregularly-shaped flat scales. Wood hard. Sap wood grey ; heart wood small, yellowish brown, beautifully mottled with, dark streaks, very hard, seasons and polishes well (Gamble). Young shoots covered with viscid pubescence. Leaves imparipinnate. Leaflets 3-5 pair, elliptic, shortly acuminate, often serrulate, blade 3-6in. long, rough on the upper, pubescent on the under side ; petiole short. Flowers exquisitely fragrant, in lax trichotomous viscid panicles, dull crimson (Brandis), dull purple (Trimen), which latter is more like the colour of the flowers seen by me in Ratnagiri and Thana (K. R. K.). Corolla 1-1½in. long, pubescent funnel-shaped, limb oblique, the 3 inferior lobes longer and the edges of all much curled. Capsule straight, cylindric, 12-24 by ⅔in., dark-grey or purple ; slightly ribbed, rough, with elevated specks ; valves thick, hard, woody. Seeds 1¼ by ¼in., deeply notched at the middle, subtrigonous, embedded in the notches of the septum. (Brandis. C. B. Clarke).

Uses : — " The flowers rubbed up with honey are given to check hiccup. The root bark is an ingredient in dasamûla. It is regarded as cooling, diuretic and tonic, and is generally used in combination with other medicines. The ashes of the plant are used in the preparation of alkaline water and caustic pastes" (U. C. Dutt.)

In Tanjore the flowers are taken in the form of a confection as an aphrodisiac. (P. S. Mootooswamy).

907. S. Xylocarpum, Wight, h.f.b.i., iv. 383.

Syn. : — Bignonia xylocarpa, Roxb. 494.

Vern. : — Ghan-seng (Can.) ; Khar-sing (Mar.) ; Vaden kurni maram (Tam.)

Habitat: — Common in the Deccan Peninsula, extending North to the Satpura Range.

A deciduous tree, middle-sized, 30-60ft.; innovations pubescent. Bark ¼in. thick, lightly grey. Sapwood large, grey, heart-wood very hard, orange-brown. Annual rings well marked by an irregular belt of numerous pores (Gamble). Leaves 2-pinnate or 3-pinnate, l-4ft. long. Leaflets 3 by l½in., subsessile, elliptic, acute, entire, mature glabrous, " hard and slightly rough when full grown," says Brandis. Flowers fragrant, white with a tinge of yellow, in dense, compound, pubescent, erect, somewhat rigid panicles. Calyx ½-⅔in., pubescent or mature glabrate ; lobes 3-5, very short, broad. Corolla l½-2in., campanulate or ventricose from near base, sub-glabrous ; lobes round, crispid. Filaments hairy below. Capsule long, hard, woody, rugged or tuberculous, 12-30 by l-l½in., a little curved says Brandis. Valves 1-1½in. broad, woody ; edissepiment, cylindric, shining. Seeds, including the wings l¼-¼in., thinly discoid, in 4 rows.

Uses: — The oil from the wood is useful in cutaneous affections. Dr. Gibson is of opinion that it is well worthy of attention as an external application in these cases (Ph. Ind.). From some trials which I have made with it, I conclude that its properties are similar to those of Pine tar (Dymock).

908. Amphicome Emodi, Lindl. h.f.b.i., iv. 385.

Vern. : — Kaur. (Kashmir).

Habitat. : — W. Himalaya, from Kashmir to Nepal.

A perennial, erect, glabrous herb. Stem 12-24in. Rootstock woody. Leaves alternate 1-pinnate, 5~8in. Leaflets 5-9, 1-1½in. ovate, end one usually longest, sometimes lobed, scarcely acute. Flowers pink. Racemes not rarely 2-3 sub-panicled. Calyx, says Collett, entire or obscurely toothed ; " truncate or with triangular scarcely acuminate teeth." (C. B, Clarke). Corolla l½-2½in. long, ½-1¼ wide at the mouth ; tube tinged with yellow. Capsule linear, slender, terete, smooth. Seeds winged.

This, a discovery of Dr. Wallich, is the original or first species of Amphicome ; a genus of Northern India, consisting of two species. It is indeed a remarkably handsome plant, native of the mountains of Emodi, near Srinaghur and on the Suen range of hills. [Bot. Mag, December 1st, 1855.]

Parts used : — The root and stem.

Uses. — In Kashmir, the drug is prescribed for fever, and is considered a substitute for chirata.

It contains an alkaloid, an acid fat, a wax, yellow colouring matter and sugar. The alkaloid is intensely bitter and is probably the active medicinal agent in the plant (Annual Report of the Indian Museum, Industrial Section, for the year 1907-8, p. 21 ; Ph. J. Vol. 79, p. 506).