Indian Medicinal Plants/Natural Order Dipterocarpeæ
N. 0. DIPTEROCARPEAE.
136. Dipterocarpus turbinatus, Gaertn f. h.p.b.i., i. 295. Roxb. 439.
Vern. — Gurjun, tiliya gurjun (Beng.); challan (Kan ). The Balsam, garjan-kâ-tel (H. and Bom.). A lofty evergreen tree. Young branches compressed. Wood rough, soft to moderately hard; sap wood white, heart wood red-brown, but not durable. Leaves ovate or ovate-lanceolate, entire or sinuate-crenate, acute, base rounded; 5-12 by 2½-7in; glabrous on both surfaces or slightly pubescent, especially on the nerves and margins; lateral nerves 14-18 pair. Petiole 1½-3in.; stipules with dense stellate canescene, pubescent towards the apex, varies greatly in regard to the pubescence of young shoots, leaves and inflorescence. Racemes 3-5-flowered. Flowers 3in. diam; Calyx-tube obconic, hairy, subspheroidal, mouth contracted, unenlarged lobes deltoid-ovate. Petals pinkish white. Nut pubescent.
Habitat. — Eastern Bengal and Eastern Peninsula, from Chittagong and Pegu to Singapur; not in Ceylon, nor in the Konkan.
Use: — The oleo-resin is applied externally to ulcers, ringworm, and other cutaneous affections (Watt.) It is stimulant of mucous surfaces, particularly that of the genito-urinary system; and also diuretic. In gonorrhœa and other affections in which copaiba is generally employed, it has proved an effectual remedy (Ph. Ind., p. 32). Quite recently it has been brought prominently to notice by Dr. Dougall, of the Andamans, as a remedy for leprosy; but, as far as I have heard, the new remedy is not likely to prove successful (DYMOCK}
The best medical properties of this oil are its usefulness in gonorrhœa and gleet, and in all forms of psoriasis, including lepra vulgaris. In gonorrhœ a and gleet, it is at least equal to Copaiba, and the only difference between these two drugs is that the former (Gurjun balsam) requires to be used in a much larger dose (3ii to 3iii) to produce the same effect as the latter. As Gurjun balsam is always used in the form of emulsion with mucilage, the largeness of its dose is no disadvantage. With regard to its usefulness in psoriasis and lepra vulgaris, I am not aware of any other local stimulant which is more efficacious in those diseases than this drug. I have either cured or relieved many cases of the above affections by the use of this drug, with little or no assistance of internal remedies. The internal use Gurjun oil is also attended with benefit in some cases of true leprosy, in its early stage; but its efficacy in this respect is greatly enhanced with the addition of from five to ten drops of Chaulmugra oil to each drachm of it, If well mixed in the above proportion, the combination of Chaulmugra oil cannot be detected. Some years ago, I had received a bottle of Gurjun oil of this kind from a medical friend, which proved more useful in a case of true leprosy than all its varieties in the bazaar, but I did not know the existence of Chaulmugra oil in it. until 1 was informed of it. (Moodeen Sheriff.;
{{shorter|Balsamum Dipterocarpi (gurjun— or gardjan balsam, garjantel, wood-oil) is a product of various species of the genus Dipterocarpus, indigenous in South Asia. About 80 — 82 per cent, of it consists of an essential oil, which can be removed by distillation with steam; this boils at 255° and has sp. gr. 0.912 at 15° Of the residue, gurjoresen, C17H28O2, forms the chief part, amounting to 16 — 18 per cent, of the balsam; it is amorphous and melts at 40 — 43°. Only about 3 per cent, of the balsam consists of resin acids; the bulk of these dissolves in 1 per cent, ammonium carbonate solution and is amorphous; the rest is insoluble, but dissolves in 1 per cent, sodium carbonate solution; this part was obtained to some extent in a crystalline state.
The deposits, largely crystalline in character, which had formed in various samples of gurjun balsam, were submitted to examination. They consist of crystalline resin-alcohols or resin-phenols, but yet are insoluble in alkalis, in these respects resembling amyrin. C30H50O. A substance obtained from Hirschsohn, and designated by him " neutral substance from gurjun balsam," consisted of such a hydroxy-compound. gurjuresinol, C15H25OH, probably identical with metacholestol (Mach. Abstr., 1895, i, 384) and copaivic acid Keto, Abstr.. 1902, i, 167); it melts at 131— 132° and forms acetyl and benzoyl derivatives melting at 96° and 106 — 107° respectively. The crystalline gurjuturboresinol, from Dipterocarpus turbinatus, has the composition C20H30O2, and melts at 126— 129°; it is probably identical with Merck's copaivic acid and Trommsdorff's metacopaivic acid (Brix. Abstr., 1882, 65). Hirschsohn's "sodium salt from gurjun balsam. " when purified by recrystallisation, contained 3.6 per cent, of sodium; it consists of gurjuresinol along with the sodium salt of gurjoresinolic acid, C16H26O4; the acid is crystalline and melts at 254—255°. J. Ch. S. Vol. 84. part 1. p. 771.
137. D. tuberculatus, Roxb. h.f.b.i.. i. 297; Roxb. 410.
Habitat : — Chittagong and Burma.
A large deciduous gregarious tree. " Bark dark grey. Wood dark red-brown, hard. Pores circular, large and moderate-sized, often filled with resin, rather unevenly distributed. Medullary rays prominent, moderately broad, with a number of fine rays between each pair of broad ones; the distance between the broader rays equal to or up to twice the transverse diameter of the pores, the small rays passing through or round the pores" (Gamble). Young branches compressed, glabrous or canescent. Stipules 4-5in. long, greenish, tomentose. Leaves 10-18 by 5-14 in., cordiform, acute, base cordate or truncate, margins sinuate-crenate, undulate; lateral nerves, 15 pair; petiole 4-5 in. Racemes 5-6in., simple or 2-fid, 4-7-flowerecl. Flowers large, rose-coloured; petals 1¼in. long, tomentose outside. Fruiting calyx-tube obovate, velvety when young, glabrous when mature, between the segments produced into 5 sharp knobs. Calyxtube in fruit by 1¼ in,, mouth contracted, wings 4-5 by 1¼-l½in., linear-elliptic, obtuse, 3-nerved. Nuts tomentose.
Use : — According to Mason, the oleo-resin of this tree is used with assafœtida and cocoanut oil as an application for large ulcers.
138. D. alatus, Roxb.h.f.b.i., i. 298, Roxb. 439.
Vern: — Garjan (B.);
Habitat: — Chittagong. Andamans, Pegu, Tenasserim, Siam, Combodia.
A very large tree with a grey bark. Sapwood white; heartwood reddish-grey, moderately hard, smooth, mottled (Gamble). Shoots and stipules pubescent. Leaves ovate or elliptic, acute, pubescent beneath, margin eiliate; secondary nerves 12-15 pair, blade 4-6 in. Petiole softly hairy, 1-1½ in. long. Wings on fruiting calyx-tube, broad, half the diameter of the tube or more. Raceme about 7-flowered.
The medullary rays consist of two classes of cells, long and short. The former up to 0.12 in. long, are filled with wood oil.
Use: — This species yields, like D. turbinates, most of the Gurjun Balsam of commerce.
139. I), incanus, Roxb.h.f.b.i., i.298. Roxb. 439.
Habitat: — " Pegu, South Andamans (common), Chittagong (doubtful), Tongkah in Siam on the East Coast of the Malay Peninsula, at its north extremity," says Brand is. Roxbugh says thus: — " Gurjin is the vernacular name at Chittagong where the tree grows to a great size, and is said to furnish the largest proportion of the best sort of wood oil or balsam."
All tender parts softly hairy, pubescent, compressed, branchlets, young shoots and petioles. Leaves ovate, with the base somewhat tapering, obtuse, soft and villous, 6 by 4½in., thinly pubescent on both surfaces, margins cilliate, lateral nerves strongly marked, 12 pair, pubescent beneath. Petiole 2in., softly pubescent. Calyx-tube (in flower, softly pubescent, strongly winged. ( W. T.. Thiselton Dyer). "Spikes, axillary, half the length of the leaves; belly of the Calyx simply fine- winged," Roxb, (Op cit). Flowers in Nov. -Dec. Seed ripens in April. Stamens indefinite.
Use: -The species also yields most of the Gurjun Balsam of Commerce.
140. Shorea robusta, Gœrtn., h.f.b.l, i.306. Roxb. 440.
Sans.: — Sàla. Asvakarna.
Vern.:--Sal, sala, salwa, sakhu, sakher, sakoh (resin) = rall dhuna, damar (Hind.); Sal, shal (resin) = rall dhuna (Beng.); Sarjmu, serkura. (Kol); Sarjom, Sontal; Sorgi Bhumij, sekwa, sekwa oraon, bolsal (Garo); Sakwa (Nepal) Tatural, (Lepcha); Salwa, saringhi (Uriya); Sal, sarei, rinjal (C. P.); Sal, kandar sakhu, koron (N.-W. P.); Koroh (Oudh); Sal, serai (resin) = ral, dhua (Bomb.); (resin)=rala, guggul (Mar.); (resin) = ral, (Guz.); (resin) = guggala (Khan.);
Habitat: — Tropical Himalaya, and along its base, from Assam to the Sutlej, Eastern districts of Central India, Western Bengal Hills.
A large gregarious tree, deciduous, but never quite leafless. Bark off young tree smooth, with a few long, deep, vertical cracks; of old trees 1-2 in. thick, dark-coloured, rough, with deep longitudinal furrows. Wood. Sap wood small, whitish, not durable; heartwood brown, pale, when first cut but darkening on exposure, coarse-grained, hard, with a remarkably cross-grained and fibrous structure; the fibres of alternate belts in the wood on a vertical section, running in opposite directions, so that when the wood is dressed, a very sharp plane is necessary, or it will not get smooth; does not season well. Leaves, when full grown, glabrous and shining, 6-10 by 4-6 in., petiole ¾-1 in., stipules ⅓in., falcate, pubescent, caducous. — (W. T. Thiselton Dyer). 4-12 by 2-7 in., ovate-oblong, acuminate, tough, thinly coriaceous ; lateral nerves 12-15 pair, twice near the apex, very slender, base cordate or rounded ; petioles terete (Kanjilal). Flowers in large lax terminal or axillary racemose panicles covered with white pubescence. Calyx-tube short, adnate to the torus ; segments ovate, all accrescent in fruit. Petals pale yellow, about ½in. long, narrow, oblong, lanceolate, bearded, minutely trifid at apex. Ovary 3- celled ; style subulate. Fruit ½ in. long, ovoid, acute, rather fleshy,, indehiscent, white— pubescent. Wings 5, 2-3 in. long, spathulate, narrowed at the base, brown when dry, some- what unequal, with 10-12 straight parallel nerves.
The tree yields, when tapped, a large quantiy of white opaline resin, which is burnt as incense. An oil is extracted from the fruit which is used for burning and to adulterate with ghee. The fruit is formed into flour and eaten by the poorer classes in times of scarcity (Kanjilal ).
This is the principal tree of the Siwalik Division. In Nepal, it attains 100-150 ft., with a clear stem, to the first branch of 60-80 ft., and a girth of 20-25 ft. (Brandis). Within the limits of the Siwalik and Jaunsar Flora, it is seldom more than 80 ft. in height, and 6 ft. in girth, unless hollow inside (Kanjilal). "Tropical Himalaya and along its base, from Assam to the Sutlej. Eastern Districts, Central India, western Bengal Hills." (W.T. T. Dyer).
Farts used : — The resin and leaves.
Use : — By the Hindoo writers, the resin is regarded as astringent and detergent, and is used in dysentery, and for fumigations, plasters, &c. The resin thrown over the fire gives out thick volumes of fragrant smoke, and is much used for fumigating rooms occupied by the sick (U. C. Dutt).
The superior kinds of Sal resin are efficient substitues for the Pine resins of the European Pharmacopoeias. (Beng. Disp., p. 221.)
Dr. Sakharam Arjun states ('Bombay Drugs') that he has seen shorea resin, mixed with sugar, given with good effect in dysentery.
According to Mr. Campbell, the leaves are used medicinally by the Santals.
The resin is used by native doctors for weak digestion, gonorrhœa, and as an aphrodisiac (Watt.)
It is not prescribed internally, but used occasionally for fumigation of rooms and houses, to remove bad odours. It does not destroy offensive smell, but rather conceals it under its thick and odoriferous smoke. There is every reason to think that it will prove itself an efficient ingredient in many ointments and plasters, if employed, instead of pine and other resins (MOODEEN SHERIFF.).
141. S. Tumbuggaia, Roxb. h.f.b.l, i. 306. Roxb. 440.
Vern.: — Kàlá-dámar, (H. ; B. ; and Mar. and the Dec.) ; Kálo-dámar, (Guz.) ; Karapu-damar ; Tumbugai-pishin (Tam,) ; nalha-damar ; Nalla-sojan (Tel.); Kara-kundurukam, Tumbugaipasha (Mal.)
Habitat: — Western Peninsula, forests of Cudapah, and Palaghat in Mysore.
A " gigantic dammer-producing " tree. Bark dry, rough, with deep vertical fissures, like those of Shorea robusta. Wood smooth, harder than that of Sal, but similar in structure and much smoother. Leaves 2½-3 by 1½-4½ in. (Beddome), ovate or oblong-cordiform, acuminate ; base truncate or emarginate, glabrous on both surfaces, lateral nerves about 8 pair. Petiole 1-2 in. Panicles terminal, 8 in. long, hoary or nearly glabrous. Flowers shortly pedicelled, buds densely hoary. Stamens about 30. Anthers with a hairy appendage. Stigma 3-lobulate. Capsule ¾ in. long, ovoid, acuminate, pubescent above; bases of fruiting Calyx-segments ½ in. long., ovate, hoary; wings 1½-1¾ by ½ in., spathulate, obtuse, 8-10-nerved.
Part used: — The resin.
Use: — It is an external stimulant. Not used internally.
To all appearance, it will foim a good basis for some plasters and ointments (MOODEEN SHERIFF).
142. Vateria Indica, Linn.,h.f.b.l, i. 313.Roxb. 436.
Vern.: — Sufed-dámar; kahruba, sandras (H.): Koondrikum, vellikoondricum (Tam.); Vellakoondricum, Peinimarum (Malay); Dupa maram (Kan.); Dupadu, (Tel.); Chandrus (B.); Ral (Bomb.).
Eng.:— Indian Copal, Piney varnish, or white Dammar Tree.
Habitat: — Western Peninsula, from Canara to Travancore.
A large handsome evergreen tree ; young shoots and inflorescence clothed with a scurfy stellate tomentum (Brand is). Bark whitish grey, rough, ⅜ in. thick, peeling off in round thick flakes. Sapwood white, with a tinge of grey or red; heartwood light grey, rough, moderately hard, porous. Pores large, often subdivided, ringed. Medullary rays fine and broad, very prominent on all vertical sections, while on radial section they appear as rough plates, with shining fibres between them. The distance between the broad rays is generally greater than the transverse diameter of the pores. Annual rings doubtful, though distinct (Gamble). Leaves coriaceous, glabrous, elliptic- oblong; blade 4-10 by 2½-3½ in., obtuse or minutely acuminate, base rounded or emarginate; petiole 1-1½ in. long, secondary nerves 14-16 pair, prominent beneath as well as midrib. Stipules ½ in., obliquely lanceolate, acute. Flowers ½-¾ in. across, one-ranked, erect, in large terminal panicles, loosely corymbose; pedicels. longer than Calyx-segments, which latter are lanceolate, obtuse, canescent on both surfaces. Petals spreading, slightly pubescent outside. Stamens 30-40; filaments short; anthers linear, hairy at base, glabrous above, cells unequal, the outer longer; appendix of connective as long as the anther. ' Ovary tomentose, style filiform, stigma minute. Fruit ovoid, 2-2½ in. long, splitting open into valves, fruiting-Calyx small, segments reflexed. Cotyledons filled with fat (Piney tallow)— Brandis. Piney gum — resin, says Gamble, (P.85, Indian Timbers), makes an excellent varnish. One of the handsomest trees in Madras and Travancore.
Parts used: — The oil, and resin.
Use: — Under the influence of gentle heat, it combines with wax and oil and forms an excellent resinous ointment; it forms a good substitute for officinal resin (G. Bidie.) From the fruit is obtained a solid fatty oil, which has obtained considerable repute as local application in chronic rheumatism and some other painful affections. It might be employed as a basis for ointments, &c. (Ph. Ind., p. 33.) Fine shavings of the resin are said by Irvine to be administered internally to check diarrhœa (WATT).
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