Use:—The root is used as a bitter tonic in rheumatism, scurvy, diabetes and pulmonary complaints. Many fanciful virtues are attributed to it by the Natives; it is believed to promote the growth of a foetus in utero, the development of which has been arrested (S. Arjun).
The root is also used as an alterative and tonic, for the same purposes as Sarsaparilla, in syphilis, &c. Externally, it is applied to ulcers and other skin diseases.
N. 0. LEGUMINOSÆ.
339. Crotalaria burhia, Hamilt, h.f.b.i., ii. 66.
Vern.:—Sis, sassi, meini, pola, khippi, buta, khep, bhata, bui, lataia, kharsan, kauriâla (Pb.); Drunoo (Sind.) ; Ghâgti (Mar.); Ghangaro (Guz.)
Habitat:—In the sandy plains of Sind and Punjab, and the desert regions of Cambay. Western Rajputana and Guzerat. Also in Afghanistan.
An erect, pro-cumbent shrub. Branches numerous, slender, flexible and rush-like when young, stiff and rigid when old. Leaves simple, small and scanty. Stipules 0, linear or oblong. Flowers yellow, 6-12, far apart, on large raceme forming terminal, divaricate, rigid panicles. Calyx toothed, with long, dense, silky hairs; teeth lanceolate, as long as Corolla, ¼-⅓ inch. Corolla yellowy scarce exserted (J. G. Bakar). Pod oblong, 3-4 — seeded, rather longer than the Calyx.
Use:—The branches and leaves are used as a cooling medicine (Stewart).
340. C. prostrata, Roxb. h.f.b.i., ii. 67, Roxb. 548.
Habitat:—Plains, from the Upper Ganges to Ceylon, ascending the Himalaya to 6,000 ft.; also in Upper Burma and Java.
Copiously branched herbs, with flexuous, trailing, slender stems, finely silky, or with yellowish brown hairs. Leaves close, simple, obovate-oblong, rather oblique; nearly sessile, 1-1½ in. long, obtuse, pale, glaucous below, produced (cordate)
