The root of Hemidesmus Indicus, R. Brown.
Híndí-sál-sá, Jangli-chanbéllí (Hind.), Nanníré-jar (Duk.), Ananto-múl (Beng.), Nannárí-ver (Tam.), Sugandhi-pála, Pála-chukkam-déru (Tel.), Nannári-kizhanna, Naru-níntí (Mal.), Sugandha-pála-da-béru (Can.), Irimusu (Cing.), Anant-mūl (Punj.).
162. The specimens of Hemidesmus Root, procurable in most parts of India, which are best adapted for medical use are medium sized, about the size of a quill, having a full, peculiar aromatic odour, and a feebly bitter and agreeable taste. The freshly collected root is preferable to that bought in the bazaars, as that is often inodorous, tasteless, and almost worthless. The virtues of the drug reside mainly in the root-bark, hence if the larger roots are employed you get an undue proportion of the inner woody portion, which is comparatively inert.
163. Hemidesmus proves most useful in Constitutional Debility, from whatever cause arising; also in Chronic Rheumatism, Constitutional Syphilis, Skin Diseases and Ulcerations, especially those of Syphilitic origin, Indigestion, and Loss of Appetite. It is best given in the form of Infusion, prepared by infusing one ounce of the bruised roots in half a pint of boiling water in a covered vessel for an hour, and straining. Of this the dose is from 2 to 3 ounces thrice daily. Its efficacy is much increased by being taken while the Infusion is still warm; the addition of milk and sugar renders it so like ordinary tea that children will take it readily; and this is fortunate, as it is a peculiarly useful tonic for the pale, weakly offspring of Europeans in India; for such it may be substituted for tea at breakfast and supper. Some children prefer it to ordinary tea.
164.
Honey.
Shahad, Madh (Hind.), Shahad (Duk.), Modhu (Beng.), Tén (Tam.) Téne (Tel.), Tén (Mal.), Jenu (Can.), Mada (Mah.), Madh (Guz.), Páni (Cing.), Piyá-ye (Burm.), Ayer madu (Malay), Saht, Shahd (Punj.), Mhách (Kash.).
165. Honey of fair quality is obtainable in most parts of India. Though not possessed of any marked medicinal properties, it is always advisable to keep some in store, as it forms an agreeable sweetening ingredient for mixtures, is a good vehicle in which to administer powders for children, and is one of the best substances in making pills, &c. Should it be dirty and impure, it should be "clarified" by melting in a water bath and straining through cloth.
166. A mixture of Honey and Distilled Vinegar or Lime Juice, in equal parts, melted together by gentle heat, is an excellent adjunct to cough mixtures; and in the Coughs of Childhood this combination, diluted with an equal quantity of water, and with or without a few drops of Paregoric, forms a useful and pleasant mixture, which children will readily take when they will not swallow other more nauseous medicines.