Remarks on the Uses of some of the Bazaar Medicines and Common Medical Plants of India / With a full index of diseases, indicating their treatment by these and other agents procurable throughout India; to which are added directions for treatment in cases of drowning, snake-bites &c.

by Edward John Waring

193. In the Bowel Complaints of Children a decoction of the fresh leaves of the Kariyát plant has been well spoken of. It is prepared by boiling 2½ ounces of the fresh leaves in 1½ pints of water down to 6 ounces; of this the dose is one ounce every two or three hours. It may be used in conjunction with other remedies as required.

194.

Kokum Butter.

The concrete oil of the seeds of Garcinia purpurea, Roxb.

Kokam-ká-tél (Hind.).

195. This oil is obtained by first exposing the seeds to the action of the sun, when sufficiently dry bruising them, and then subjecting them to boiling; the oil collects on the surface, and on cooling, concretes into a solid cake. When purified it is rather brittle, of a pale yellowish colour, bland and mild to the taste, melting in the mouth, and leaving an impression of cold on the tongue. It melts at 98° F. From its bland, unirritating properties, as well as from its consistence, it seems admirably adapted for replacing animal fats in the preparation of ointments, &c. Were it largely produced, which it unfortunately is not, it might be extensively utilised in tropical pharmacy.

196.

Lawsonia alba, Linn., or Henna Shrub.

Mhíndí (Hind.), Mhéndí or Méndí (Duk., Punj.), Méhedi (Beng.), Móhnz (Kash.), Marutónri, Aivanam (Tam.), Góranta (Tel.), Mayilánchi, Marutónni (Mal.), Górante (Can.), Méndhi (Mah.), Méndi (Guz.), Maritondi (Cing.), Dánbin (Burm.), Hinie (Malay).

197. The leaves of this common Indian shrub, in almost universal use throughout the East for staining the nails, &c., are well worthy of a trial in the treatment of that troublesome and painful affection of the natives called Burning of the Feet. For this purpose the fresh leaves should be beaten into a paste with vinegar or lime juice, and applied as a poultice to the soles of the feet. Another plan, which is sometimes more effectual, is to use strong friction with the bruised leaves over the parts. Like all other remedies, however, they not unfrequently fail to afford more than temporary relief; still, from occasionally succeeding, they merit a fair trial.