Page:Indian Medicinal Plants (Text Part 2).djvu/16

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766
INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.


says Kanjilal, sessile, the upper pairs generally confluent with the terminal leaflet. Petiole marginate ; " the leaflets," says Collett, " are 7-11, ovate, end one ½-1in., often partially united with the uppermost pair." Flowers white, numerous, crowded, delightfully fragrant, with faint pinkish streaks outside (Kanjilal), often tinged with purple outside (Collett and Brandis) ; in lax terminal cymes, rarely solitary or axillary ; pedicels ⅓-1in. long. "Calyx-teeth linear, less than half the length of the Corolla-tube ; Corolla ¼in. ; lobes ½in. long," (Collett). " Calyx- tube linear, half to two-thirds the length of the Corolla-tube about ½in., lobes usually 5, about ½in. long, elliptic" (Kanjilal.) "Calyx- teeth twice the length of tube. Corolla tube ¾in long (Brandis). C. B. Clarke says : — " Calyx-teeth about ¼in., rarely half as long as the Corolla-tube." Berries ellipsoid, ⅓in. long.

Uses : — Hindoo physicians prescribe the leaves as a remedy in skin diseases, ulcers of the mouth, otorrhœa, &c.

Mahomed an writers consider the plant to have deobstruent, anthelmintic, diuretic and emmenagogue properties. The author of the Makhzan mentions the use of the flowers applied in the form of plaster to the loins and pubes as an aphrodisiac (Dymock).

The scented oil is considered cooling.

The fresh juice of the leaves is applied to soft corns between the toes. In ulcerations or eruptions, in the mucous membrane of the mouth, the leaves are recommended to be chewed. An oil prepared with the juice of the leaves is poured into the ear in otorrhœa (Dutt).

In the United Provinces, the flowers and their essence are used as an application in skin diseases, headache, and weak eyes ; the leaves are used in toothache (Atkinson).

739. Nyctanthes arbor tristis, Linn, h.f.b.l, iii. 603 ; Roxb. 29.

Sans. : — Sephâlikâ ; Párijátak ; Rájanikasa.

Vern. : — Harsingar ; Saherwa ; Seoli ; Nibari (H.) ; Singhar ; Harsingar ; Sephalika, Shiuli (B.) ; Pakara ; Laduri ; Kuri (Pb.) ; Pártak (Bomb.) ; Pagala-mully (Tam.) ; Munjapumerum (Mai.).