Page:Indian Medicinal Plants (Text Part 1).djvu/198

118 on 2-parietal placentas. Capsule reddish brown, clothed with soft prickles, 1½ in., ovoid or sub-globose, base intruded; dehiscence loculicidally 2-valved; placentas on the valve. Seeds many, covered with a red pulp (originally fleshy papillæ on the testa) which yields the well-known dye. Albumen farinaceous; Embryo large; cotyledons flat.

Parts used : —The seeds, seed-pulp and root-bark.

Uses :— Astringent and slightly purgative, also a good remedy for dysentery and kidney diseases. The pulp (a well- known colouring matter) surrounding the seeds is astringent (Roxburgh.). The seeds are cordial, astringent, and febrifuge (Lindl.)

The root-bark is antiperioclic and antipyretic, and the seeds slightly astringent and a very good remedy for gonorrhœa. The seeds also possess the antiperiodic and antipyretic properties, but to a less extent.

The root-bark is of great use in uncomplicated intermittent, remittent, and continued fevers. The seeds are very useful, particularly in the form of decoction. They are also useful in the above varieties of fever, but inferior to the root-bark in this respect.

The root-bark is one of those antiperiodic medicines, which can be used during the absence as well as the presence of pyrexia in the intermittent fever; and this remark is also applicable to the seeds as an antiperiodic (Moodeen Sheriff). The seed pulp is used by the American Indians to paint their body all over for full dress, and this use of it is said also to prevent mosquito bites

Sans. : — Prachin-âmalaka.

Vern. :— Paniyala (B.); Talispatri (H.; Tel; Tam.). Jaggam, Jan-Gama, Tâmbat (Bom.) Tâdmbat (Mar.).

Habitat :— Nepal eastward, Bengal, Assam, Chitagong. The Konkan. S. India. Burma. Occasionally in Saharanpur.