Page:Sushruta Samhita Vol 1.djvu/613

Chap.XLVI.] Of these the tender Kushmandas are light in digestion, heat-making in their potency, and contain a greater proportion of alkaline matter. They are appetising, diuretic and pleasant in their effect, and tend to subdue the action of all kinds of deranged humours, and prove Whole-some in cases of mental aberration, such as, insanity, etc. The Kalindak tends to reduce the quantity of semen and impairs the eye-sight. It generates both the Vayu and Kapham, while an Alavu is a purgative, produces a condition of parchedness in the system, is heavy in digestion and extremely cooling in its potency. The species, known as the bitter Alavu, is unpalatable and has an emetic property, and subdues the Vayu and Pittam.

The fruits such as the Trapusha, Ervaruka, Karkaru, and Shirna-Vrinta are heavy in digestion and long retained in the stomach in an undigested state. They are palatable, cooling in their potency, generate Kapham, tend to facilitate the discharge of stool and urine, contain a little alkaline matter, and are sweet in taste. A green and tender cucumber subdues the Pittam, while one which is of a pale yellow colour acts as a stomachic. A ripe and yellow Trapusham tends to subdue the Pittam only in the event of its possessing an acid taste. Similarly, ripe Ervarukas and Karkarus generate the Vayu and Kapham, have a sweet taste, and are found to be charged with alkaline matter. They are appetising, relishing and do not inordi-