Page:Indian Medicinal Plants (Text Part 1).djvu/527

Rh Stems annual, sub-erect in the typical form, l-2ft. high, copiously branched from the base, clothed with fine, long, deciduous, brownish, silky hairs. Stipules ¼-½in. long, attached near the base ; leaflets membranous, with scattered adpressed hairs on both sides, 2-4in. long, roundish, acute or sub-obtuse, deltoid or rather rounded at the base. Flowers about half a dozen at the very end of short peduncles, clothed like the stems ; pedicels very short. Calyx ⅛-1/6in. ; lower tooth deltoid or lanceolate. Corolla ⅜-½in., yellow. Pod l½-2½in. long by 1/6-1/5in. sub-cylindrical, slightly recurved, 10-15-seeded.

Use :— The pulse is used as a diet in fever. Considered by the Natives cool, light and astringent, but is difficult to digest ; and is used to strengthen the eyes (Watt).

Sans. :— Mâsha, hurita.

Vern. : -Mâsh, mâh (Pb.) ; Mâsh-kalâi (B.) ; Urud, urid, dord, thi-kiri (H.) ; Udid (Mar.); Adad, arad (Guz.) ; Patchay-pyre, panny-pyre (Tam.) ; Minu-mulu, karu-minu-mulu, patsa-pesalu (Tel.) ; Hasaru, uddu (Kan.) ; Cherupoiaar (Mal).

Stems elongated, twining, densely clothed, as are the peduncles and pod, with ferruginous, deflexed, silky hairs ; leaflets membranous, entire, rarely faintly-lobed ; lateral ones obliquely ovate, pointed, terminal one rhomboid, oblong. Legumes smaller than those of Phaseolus Mungo, Linn. Seeds black, 6-8in. each pod.

Use :— The seeds are much used in medicine, both internally and externally, in paralysis, rheumatism and affections of the nervous system. Also used in fever, considered hot and tonic, useful in piles, affections of the liver and cough.

The root is said to be narcotic by Royle (O'Shaughnessy), and prescribed by the Santals as a remedy for aching bones (Campbell). ((rule|6em}}

Syn. : — Dolichos Catiang Linn., Roxb. 560.

Sans. : — Rajamâsha.

Vern.: — Lobiya, raish (H.) ; Barbati (B.) ; Chowlai (Mar.);