218 SANSKRIT MATERIA MEDIC A. 



the largest quantity of oil. White til is of intermediate quality. 

 Til of red or other colours is said to be inferior and unfit for 

 medicinal use. 



Sesamum seeds are used as an article of diet, being made into 

 confectionary with sugar, or ground into meal. They form an 

 essential article of certain religious oeremonies of the Hindus, 

 and have therefore received the names of homadhdnya or the 

 sacrificial grain, pitritarpana or the grain that is offered aB an 

 oblation to deceased ancestors, etc. Sesamum oil forms the basis 

 of most of the fragrant or scented oils used by the natives for 

 inunction before bathing and of medicated oils prepared with 

 various vegetable drugs. It is preferred for these purposes from 

 ' the circumstance of its being little liable to turn rancid or thick, 

 and from its possessing no strong taste or odour of its own. 



Sesamum seeds are considered emollient, nourishing, tonic, 

 diuretic, and lactagogue. They are said to be especially serviceable 

 in piles, by regulating the bowels and removing constipation. 

 Sesamum seeds ground to a paste with water are given with 

 butter in bleeding piles. 1 Sweetmeats made of the seeds (Ttl 

 seeds 4 tolas and sugar 1 tola) are also beneficial in this disease. 

 A poultice made of the seeds is applied to ulcers. 2 Both the 

 seeds and the oil are used as demulcents in dysentery and urinary 

 diseases in combination with otlfer medicines of their class. 



NAT. ORDER. VERBENACE/E. 



TITEX NEGUNDO, Linn. 



Sans, finjrcft, Nirgundi, f%^rrr;, Sindhuvdra. 



Vern. Nisinda, Beng. Nisindd, Sdmbhalu, Hind. 



Sanskrit writers mention two varieties of nirgundi. That with 

 pale blue flowers is called sindhuvdra (Vitex Irifolia) and that with 

 blue flowers is called nirgundi. The properties of both are said to 

 be identical, but the latter is generally used in medicine. The 

 root of Vitex Negundo is oonsidered tonic, febrifuge and 





