356 VRTICAOE^. 



History, Uses, &C. — The bark of this tree is its most 

 valuable product, and is largely exported to the plains. It is 

 called in Sanskrit Katphala, and bears among other synonyms 

 those of Kmnuda, Kumbhi-pski, Sriparnika, Somavalka, and 

 Mahakumbhi. According to the Nighantas, it is useful in 

 diseases caused by deranged phlegm, such as fever, asihraa, 

 gonorrhoea, piles, cough, and other affections of the throat. It 

 is an ingredient in numerous formulse for these diseases, such 

 as the Katphaladi ckurna, for which Sarangadhara gives the 

 following prescription: — Take of the bark of J/. Nagi, tubers 

 of Cyperas rotundas (Mustaku), root of Picrorhiza Kurrooa 

 (Katuki,), Curcuma Zedoaria (Sati), galls of Pistacia integerrima 

 (Karkata-sringi), and root of Sammrea Lappa (Kushta), equal 

 parts; powder and mix. This powder is given in doses of 

 about a drachm with the addition of ginger juice and honey lu 

 affections of the throat, cough and asthma. The powdered 

 bark is used as a snuft in catarrh, and mixed with ginger as 

 an external stimulant application in cholera, &c. 



Under the names of Dar-shishac^n, Kandul, and Ud-el-bark, 

 Mahometan writers state that the bark is resolvent, astringent, 

 carminative, and tonic ; that it cures catarrh and headaches ; 

 with cinnamon they prescribe it for chronic cough, fever, piles, 

 &c. Compounded with vinegar it strengthens the gums and 

 cures toothache ; an oil prepared from it is dropped into the 

 ears in earache, A decoction is a valuable remedy in asthma, 

 diarrhoea and diuresis; powdered or in the form of lotion the bark 

 is applied to putrid sores; pessaries made of it promote uterine 

 action. The usual dose for internal administration is about 60 

 grains. Dtihn-el-handul, an oil prepared from the flowers, is 

 said to have much the same properties as the bark, ^V e have 

 never met with it, nor does it appear to be known in commerce. 



Description. — Bark half an inch thick, externally 

 scabrous, pitted from the separation of pieces of snber, of a 

 mottled rusty brown and dirty white colour, suber warty; 

 substance of bark and innrr surface of a deep dull red colour ; 

 when soaked iu water it produces a deep red eoUition ; taste 

 BtroDgly astringent. 



