780 Gunduk گندک.—“Live Sulphur.” In digestion it is bitter and hot, also soft; beneficial in Juzam, affections of the spleen, disorders of mucus and wind, and increases bile. It is an ingredient in many favorite prescriptions. A. Ribreet. Its aruk is excellent as an application in itch, and as a tonic is pungently acid and hurtful to the teeth; indeed so very acid is it, that it dissolves shells, and is called Tezab; but though acid, it is aphrodisiac.
To make Tezab (Sulphuric Acid).
Take a China cup, and make in it three holes, to suspend it (by a wire of zinc); place a lamp on a low triangle (tripod), and fill the lamp with sulphur; and making several wicks, mix them with the sulphur, and set fire to them; place the China cup under the tripod, and the aruk will come over into it by drops. Care must be taken to admit no wind; when this is lighted the smoke destroys cloth. I have written of the properties of this more at large in my other works.
The properties of Sulphuric Acid.
It is hot, creates appetite, expels wind, strengthens the stomach, loins, and back. It is aphrodisiac, useful in disorders of mucus and blood, in paralysis, convulsions, and pains in the stomach, and discusses enlargement of the spleen, if taken to the quantity of from one to four soorkhs in water. It will cure tooth-ache if applied to the hollow of the tooth, but care must be taken that it does not come in contact with a sound tooth. It cures all kinds of Psora, whether dry or moist, applied by itself or in ointment. Taken internally with oil of roses, it loosens phlegm; applied to the white spots of leprosy, it will remove them. If nutmegs, cinnamon, and cloves be moistened with it, and dried, they will become powerful condiments.
781 Kunoocha كنوچا.—A name for Mirve.
782 Gundhur گندهر.—A name for culinary greens—see Chowlai.
783 Gundhka گندهكا.—A title of Mudukpurnie; it derives its name from the property of preserving the hair.
784 Kunghi كنگهى.—“Malva Sylvestris.—(The Mallow) vide Goolkhairoo. The mallow, emollient and demulcent, Althæa officinalis.” The name of a flower-stem of India, about a man’s height, more or less. Its leaves are round, smooth, serrated, and pointed. It is of two kinds, a small and larger, the leaves large and small accordingly. It has a small yellow flower; inside the seed vessel are many divisions, in which the seeds are contained. It is very useful in piles.
A man had the bleeding piles to an annoying degree of severity. A physician advised him to eat some of the leaves of this, bruised, and made up with pepper into pills; he made up large pills or balls, and eat them as directed, and was cured in a few days. If the fresh leaves are used, they should be mixed with water and drank; if the dried leaves are preferred, they should be made into pills. It is mucilaginous and demulcent.