SANSKRIT MATERIA MEDICA 



PART II 



VEGETABLE MATERIA MEDICA 



NAT. ORDER RANUNCULACE/E. 



ACONITUM FEROX. 

 8am. fa*, Visha. *^ijTt?, Vatsambha. 



Vern. Mithdbish, Sringtlrish, Bagrd. 



The poisonous root called bish or sringibixh is derived chiefly 



/« 



which are indigenous 



to the temperate and sub-alpine Himalaya. Other equally poison- 

 ous species of aconite are met with in these regions, and their 



roots collected for use. 



(page 7) it has been 



stated that of the nine virulent poisons mentioned by Sanskrit 

 writers, the majority probably consist of species of aoonite. The 



characters of these poisons are described in the Bhabaprakasa, as 

 follows. 



Vahandbha. This root resembles in appearance the navel 

 of ch.ldren, henoe it is called Vatmndbha. Its leaves are like 

 those of Vitex Negimdo. It is said that no plant can grow near it. 



Ifondm. This root resembles turmeric in appearance, hence 

 it is so called. 



Saktu. This poisonous tuber, when broken, is found to contain 

 a white starch-like subst 



ance. 



Pmdipana. This variety is said to be red and shining in 

 appearance, and to cause a severe burning sensation when taken 



internally. 



aurd,htnka is the variety of poisonous root produced in the 



8 



country called Surat. 



