Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)/Putchock

PUTCHOCK, or PUTCHUK, the roots of Aplotaxus lappa (Saussurea Lappa, Calc, Exhib. Rep.). It is a tall composite plant, with purple florets, growing on the mountains of Cashmere. The root is collected in enormous quantities, and exported to China, to be used as incense. It is given in India in cough, asthma, fever, cholera, dyspepsia, etc. Its dried powder is the principal ingredient in an ointment for ulcers; it is also a hair wash.