Page:Indian Medicinal Plants (Text Part 1).djvu/594

514

Syn.: — Amygdalus communis, ''Linn. Roxb''. 403.

Var.: — Amara.

Vern.: — Karda-badam (H.J ; kadven-badâm (MJ

Var.:— Dulcis.

Vern.:—Mitha badâm (H.) ; Gode badâm (M.)

Habitat : — Cultivated in the cooler parts of India.

A middle-sized tree-wood light brown, moderately bard. Leaves greyish when full grown, oblong-lanceolate, serrulate, petiole equal to or longer than the greatest width of leaf, stipules fimbriate. Flowers white, tinged with red appearing before the leaves from scaly buds on last year's wood, peduncles much shorter than the campanulate Calyx. Drupes velvety, pericarp dry, when ripe, separating into 2 valves, stone compressed with shallow wrinkles and minute holes.

Use: — The author of the Makhzan notices the use of the burnt shells as tooth-powder, and of the unripe fruit as an astringent application to the gums and mouth. Bitter almonds are described by Mahomed a writers as attenuant and detergent; they are recommended both internally and externally for a variety of purposes. As a plaster made with vinegar, they are used to relieve neuralgic pains ; as a collyrium, to strengthen the sight; in emulsion with starch and peppermint to allay cough. They are also considered to be lithontriptic and diuretic, and of use for removing obstructions of the liver and spleen; applied to the hear], they kill lice : as a suppository, they relieve pain in difficult mensturation; as a poultice, they are a valuable application to irritable sores and skin eruptions. The root of the tree is described as discutient and alternative ; it is used both internally and externally (DYMOCK).

The juice of almonds mixed with sugar is used in coughs. Almonds mixed with figs are used as a laxative and to relieve pain in the bowels. (DR.EMERSON.)