Page:Indian Medicinal Plants (Text Part 1).djvu/661

Rh dried flowers are believed to be stimulant, in doses of 2 to 5 grains (Irvine). In Dacca, the root, dried and reduced to powder, is given in doses of 10 grains in enlargements of the spleen, liver and abdominal viscera. The fresh root, mixed with oil, forms a common application for leprous ulcers (Taylor's Topography of Dacca).

Sans. :— Patola.

Vern. : — Parvar, palval (H.) ; Patol (B.) ; Kombupudalai (Tam.) ; Kommu-potla (Tel.) ; Patolam (Mal).

Habitat : — Common throughout the plain of North India, from the Punjab to Assam and East Bengal.

An annual ; stems twining extensively, more or less woolly and scabrous. Diœcious. Leaves 3 by 2in., cordate, oblong acute, harsh sinuate-dentate, not lobed. Petiole scabrous, woolly, ¾in. ; tendrils 2-fid. Male peduncles paired, the second-flowering, often 2in. ; male flowers not racemed, wolly without ; anthers free. Calyx-tube 1¾in., narrow. Fruit 2-3½in., oblong or nearly spherical, acute, orange-red. Seeds ⅜-½in., half ellipsoid, compressed, corrugate on the margin. Roxburgh says stamens three, distinct, which has been repeatedly verified in the living plant (C. B. Clarke).

Use : — In Hindoo medicine, the leaves are described as a good, light and agreeable bitter tonic. The fresh juice of the unripe fruit is often used as a cooling and laxative adjunct to some alterative medicines. In bilious fever, a decoction of patola leaves and coriander in equal parts, is given as a febrifuge and laxative (Dutt).

An alcoholic extract of the unripe fruit is said to be a powerful and safe cathartic. According to Dr. K. L. Dey, " the bulbous part of the root is a hydragogue cathartic. The root of this plant acts like elaterium, for which it can be substituted." The old Hindoo physicians placed much confidence in it in the treatment of leprosy. Dr. Bowser, from personal trials, describes it as a febrifuge and tonic, (Ph. Ind.).