Page:Indian Medicinal Plants (Text Part 1).djvu/251

Rh acuminate, serrate, about 2-3in., linear-lanceolate ; sometimes hoary beneath. Stipules linear-subulate, 2 or 3, sometimes longer than the petiole ; many-nerved. Petiole 1/16-1/12 in. Peduncle jointed in the middle, as long as the petiole. Flowers : — Sepals triangular, acute. Calyx-tube subglobose. Petals yellow, twice the length of the Calyx. Staminal-tube dividing at the summit. Corolla of 5 petals, free above and connate below, and adnate to the tube of the stamens. Ovary : — Carpels 5-9, rugose, awned, whorled. Styles as many as the carpels. Stigmas terminal. Fruit a capsule. Seeds solitary, radicle superior.

Part used : — The root, juice and leaves.

Use: — By the Sanskrit writers, the roots of the different species of Sida are regarded as cooling, astringent, tonic and useful in nervous and urinary diseases, and also in disorders of the blood and bile (DUTT.)

In the Concan, the root is applied with Sparrow's dung to burst boils (DYMOCK).

The root is intensely bitter, and is prescribed in infusion, and in conjunction with ginger, in cases of intermittent fever. It is considered by the Hindoo practitioners as a valuable stomachic and useful remedy in chronic bowel complaints ; the dose, a small tea-cupful, twice daily. The leaves, made warm and moistened with, a little gingili oil, are employed to hasten suppuration (Ainslie). In Bengal, the expressed juice of the leaves is used in the form of an electuary, in the treatment of intestinal worms (O'SHAUGHNESSY).

The authors of the Bengal Dispensatory, after a trial of the roots, were unable to satisfy themselves as to its febrifuge action, but it was found to promote perspiration, to increase the appetite, and to act as a useful bitter tonic. In Goa, the Portuguese value it as a diuretic, especially in rheumatic affections. They also use it as a demulcent in gonorrhœa, and Muhamadans believe this to have aphrodisiac properties (DYMOCK.)

When administered in the form of a strong decoction, the root of this plant has diaphoretic, antipyretic, stomachic and