Page:Sushruta Samhita Vol 1.djvu/612

508 taste, subdues the Vayu and Pittam allays thirst and alleviates nausea and vomiting. The kernel of the seed of the Amalaka resembles the last named pith in its properties. The kernels of such fruits as the Vijapuraka, Shampaka and Koshamra are sweet in digestion, appetising, demulcent, and subdue the Vayu and Pittam. These kernels of seeds should be regarded as possessing identical properties as the pulps of the fruits from which they had been extracted. All fruits with the exception of Vilva are efficacious in their ripe and matured condition. The latter (Vilvas) have been enjoined to be eaten unripe for medicinal purposes as well as with a view to derive a greater efficacy from their use. Unripe Vilvas are astringent and appetising in their eftect, heat-making in their potency, and have an astringent-pungent-bitter taste.

Fruit, which is blighted or that affected by any other disease or that which has grown in an improper season, or raw or over-ripe, or worm-eaten, should be rejected as unfit for use. Here the description of the fruit-group is ended.

The group of Potherbs:—Now we shall deal with the properties of potherbs. The fruits of such creepers as the Pushpaphala, Alavu and Kalindak destroy the Pittam, generate the Vayu, and slightly produce the Kapham. They tend to increase the discharge of the stool and urine, and are sweet in taste and digestion.