aaa 
~ Nirjara (not perishing), &c. Itis considered tobe cold and dry, 
' or according to Arabic and Persian writers, hot and dry in 
Se 
& 
 MENISPERMACEA ©.  * “8 
j % History, Uses, &e.—A well-known medicinal plant, 
7 Jong in use in Hindu medicine,.and calledin Sanskrit Guduchi, 
_ Pittaghni (bile-destroying), Bhishakpriya (dear to physicians), 
the first degree. In native practice it is much valued as an 
_ antiperiodic in fevers, and as a tonic and alterative; it is also 
_eredited with aphrodisiac properties,* ‘ The fresh plant is said - 
e to be more efficient than the dry; it is taken with milk in rheu- 
“matism, acidity of the urine and dyspepsia. The juice with: 
| Pakhanbed and honey is given in Gonorrhcea, and is an ingre- 
dient in’ Paushtiks. given in Phthisis. In Guzerat, a necklace - 
-éalled -Kamala-ni-mala (jaundice necklace) is made of small 
_ Pieces of the stem, and is supposed to cure that disease. The 
stem, if placed upon a bush in the open air, will retain its 
tality through the hot season, and when the rains commence, 
