REMARKS ON THE USES
OF SOME OF THE
BAZAAR MEDICINES OF INDIA.
PART I.
ALPHABETICAL LIST OF THE BAZAAR MEDICINES AND
INDIAN MEDICAL PLANTS INCLUDED IN THIS WORK.
1.
Abelmoschus, or Edible Hibiscus. Okra.
The fresh unripe capsules or fruit of Abelmoschus (Hibiscus) esculentus, Linn.
Bhindí, Rám-turáí (Hind.), Bhéndí (Duk., Punj.), Dhéras or Dhénras, Rám-Toráí (Beng.), Vendaik-káy (Tam.), Benda-káya (Tel.), Ventak-káya (Mal.), Bendé-káyi (Can.), Bhéndá (Mah.), Bhíndu (Guz.), Banda-ká (Cing.). Youn-padi-sí (Burm.), Kachang-lindir (Malay).
2. This well-known vegetable, cultivated throughout India, abounds in a copious, bland, viscid mucilage, which possesses valuable emollient and demulcent properties, rendering the practitioner in India independent of mallow and other European articles of that class. The dried fruit may be employed where it is not procurable in a fresh state. It is best given in decoction, prepared by boiling three ounces of the fresh capsules, cut transversely, in a pint and a half of water for twenty minutes, straining and sweetening to taste. This, taken as an ordinary drink, proves alike agreeable and serviceable in Fevers, Catarrhal attacks, Irritable states of the Bladder and Kidneys, in Gonorrhœa, and in all cases attended with scalding pain, and difficulty in passing Urine. Under its use the urine is said to become much increased in quantity. In Dysentery, especially in the chronic form of the disease, the bland, viscid mucilage is often most beneficial. It is a good plan to give it in soup.
3. In Hoarseness, and in dry and irritable states of the Throat, giving rise, as is often the case, to a troublesome Cough, as in Consumption, &c., the free inhalation of the vapour of the hot decoction (ante) has in many instances been found serviceable.
4. The fresh capsules bruised are stated to form an efficient emollient poultice.
5.