

* 



BUTEA FttONDOSA. 149 



Bhuvaprak.isa recommends the following preparation called Vdnar 

 vatu Take of the seeds of Mncuna prurient thirty-two tolas, boil 

 •them in four seers of cow's milk till the latter becomes thick. 

 The seeds should now be decorticated and pounded, then fried in 

 clarified butter and made into a confection with double their 

 weight of sugar. The mass should then be divided into balls 

 which should be steeped in honey. Dose, about a tola. This 

 preparation is said to be the best of aphrodisiacs. 1 



The root of Muctina pruriens is considered tonic and useful in 

 diseases of the nervous system, such as facial paralysis, hemiplegia 

 etc. It is generally used in combination with other medicines of 

 its class, as for example in the compound decoction called 

 Mdshbalddi, for which see Assafcetida. 



BUTEA FRONDOSA, Roxb. 



Sam. TOW, Paldsa. ftfW, Kinsuka. Vem. I)hdk. Hind. 



Dr. Hooker states "that when in full flower the Dhdk tree is 

 a gorgeous eight ; the masses of flowers resembling sheets of flame, 

 their bright orange red petals contrasting brilliantly against the 

 jet black velvety calyx." These beautiful flowers were used as 

 ear-ornaments by the ancient Hindu women and much admired by 

 the poets. The seeds of Butea J'rondosa are said to be laxative 

 and anthelmintic and are used, both alone and in combination with 

 other medicines, for expelling intestinal worms. Thus the fresh 

 juice of the seeds, or the seeds beaten to a paste are given with 

 honey. 2 Sarangadhara gives the following recipe for worms. 



tilm^ wn\ ii< m 3<i ttt»t « «rofwt"i ^ urn w "w«!fhnf»r i fafen 



WT3S1T*. I 



