126 PLANTAGINE^. 



Far 



still sold in 



the bazars of India. T. Polium is a native of Persia, and was 

 found by Aitcbison in Kborasan, but he did not observe that it 

 was used medicinally. He also notices T. serratnm, Benth., as 

 having a strong odour of asaf oetida. T, Chamcedrys was formerly 

 used in Europe as a remedy for gout, and was an ingredient ia 

 the celebrated antiarthritic or Portland powder. 



PLANTAGINE^. 



PLANTAGO OVATA, Forsk. 



Fig.—Bentl and Trim., U 211. Syn. P. Ispaghula. 



Hab. — Punjab, Sind, Persia. The seeds. Spogel seeds 

 {Eng.). 



. Temaczi/ar. —Isbaghol {Hind.), Esabgol {Mar.), Eshopghol 

 (Be«5r.),EsopgoI,Uthamu-jirun((?«2.), Ishappukol- vir ai {Tarn), 

 Isapagdla-vittulu {Tel.), Isabakolu ( Can.). 



History, Uses, &C. — The seeds are not mentioned by 

 the old Hindu writers, but the Guzerathi name appears to be of 

 Sanskrit origin. In all the vernaculars corruptions of the 

 Persian name Ispaghul are in use. This word is a compound 

 of v-«l "a horse," and J^i "the ear," in allusion to the shape of 

 the seeds. In Mahometan works the seeds will be found 

 described under the name of Bazr-i-Kathia. The author of the 



Makhzan states that Kalinin i^ the Greek, ...^.,. „„,. 



and BangtUt and Shikam-daridah the Shirazi names for them. 

 In India, they are considered to be cooling and demulcent, and 

 useful in inflammatory and biHous derai ^ 

 tive organs. The crushed seeds made into°a poultice with vine- 

 l^r and oil are appHed to rheumatic and gouty swelUngs 



t 



o 



dige 



With 



Two 



to three dirhems moistened with hot water and mixed with 

 Bugar are given in dysentery and irritation of the intestinal 



■\- 



I 



