57 Alsi آلسي.—“Linum Usitatissimum, W. Atasi, S. Tesi, H. Emollient and demulcent.” Grows about 1½ foot high; its leaves are thin, and its flower of the color of Lapis lazuli. In India it is supposed to decrease the secretion of semen, and to weaken sight; it is hot, and said to be discutient; it is useful in phlegm from cold. A. Buzzúrkatan.
58 Aoloo ٱلو.—The owl. Those who eat its flesh may expect to be deprived of all reasoning faculties, with loss of memory. It produces much wind, and is called in Persian, Boom.
The women of India frequently give it to their husbands, that by the mental weakness it produces, they may obtain more liberty of conduct than might otherwise be agreeable.
59 Alaechee الايچي.—A. Kakla. “Amomum Cardamomum, Wild. Amomum Repens, Wood, vol. II. p. 356.” It is of two kinds, and very common. The tree is very large, its leaves resemble those of the sugar cane, of the length of a man; it is very fragrant, and both kinds are nearly alike in properties. The physicians of India call it moderately cool, aromatic, and bitter; and that it is useful in bilious affections, rheumatic complaints, and superabundance of mucus; it is likewise said to decrease Aphrodisia, and to be prejudicial in affections of the chest The large kind possesses all these properties in a greater degree than the small; “the latter is called the Guzerattee Alaechee.”
60 Alta التا.—A name for the Lac colour.
61 Amulbedh املبيدة.—Called also Amulbenth, a very acid fruit of India; the tree much resembles the lime tree, but is rather larger. It is so very acid, that it will, in a few minutes, dissolve a needle, or small shell. It is light and aperient; improves decayed appetite; is cardiac; removes visceral obstructions, and increases all the secretions. I have been accustomed to take out part of the pulp of the fruit, and to fill the empty space with such medicines as assist digestion, and correct disorders of the digestive organs, in a pounded state, and allowing the fruit, thus medicated, to dry, and using it under the title of Amulbedh. It is brought in quantities from Jeynugger, and Ruttunboil. A spurious sort of this is made from the large lemon, and sold in its stead. I have found it useful in promoting digestion, giving relief in rheumatism, and as an aperient (Amul means acid.)
62 Amulchangerie امل چاںگرى.—An acid fruit, from a plant of India, called Changerie, much resembling the In-ubassaleb, (Nightshade,) and grows about 8 inches high, or more, and is about as much expanded. Its properties are hot, light, and stomachic; it promotes digestion, and is beneficial in Piles and Juzam; it cures laxities of the bowels, and decreases all the secretions, except bile.
63 Amlie املي.—Tamarindus Indicus. A large tree; the fruit and leaves off it are very small, growing from both sides of a centre stem; they close up at night, and are expanded during the day. The fruit resembles a bean-pod, bent in the centre, and usually less than 8 inches in length; it bends so as to assume the figure of a semi-circle, but often not so much. The Author of the Book Tophut-ul-Momeneen, describes the tree as resembling the Pomegranate tree; but I suspect he had never seen it. It is acid and heavy, removes flatulence, but increases bile and blood.
When ripe, it is laxative, promotes appetite, and is beneficial in oppression after meals. It is dry, light, cardiac, and restores prostration of strength from fatigue. It removes nausea, giddiness, thirst, and general heat. Sherbet prepared from it, should it agree with the stomach, is preferable to any other, and prevents the noxious influence of the hot winds on the system. The kind which is red, ought to be chosen for preserves, and it possesses all the properties of the fresh fruit. The flowers of the tamarind eat with meat, increase its flavor; they also prevent accumulation of bile, are aperient, and increase appetite; but they are improper when acidity prevails in the stomach.
64 Amrutphull امرت پهل.—A name given to the sweet lime. Vide Rajeneemb.