514 FALM^. 



nira 



'^stem tree," Dur-aroha "difficult of ascent," Edrclia-sekli- 

 ara "crowned with a bunch of fruit," Dridha-phala **havinp- 



hard fruit," Kasa-phala "having juicy fruit," Dridha 



"having strong juice," Sec. The tree also bears the name of 

 Langala ** membrum virile." 



Dutt {Mat. Med. of the Hindus, p. 247) gives the following 

 summary of the medicinal uses of the cocoa palm mentioned in 

 Sanskrit medical works : — " The water of the unripe fruit is 

 described as a fine-flavoured, cooling, refrigerant drink, useful 

 in thirst, fever, and urinary disorders. The tender pulp of the 

 fruit is said to be nourishing, cooling, and diuretic. The pulp 

 of the ripe fruit is hard and indigestible, but is used medicinally 

 in the preparation called Ndrikela-khanda. The terminal bud 

 of the tree is esteemed as a nourishing, strengthening, and 

 agreeable vegetable. The root of the tree is used as a diuretic, 

 and also in uterine diseases. The oil is said to promote the 

 growth of the hair and to prevent it from turning grey. 



much used by native women : in 



when fermented 



Mdthdghasd. The ashes of the 

 and contain much potash. The 

 isidered refrigerant and diuretic ; 

 one of the spirituous liquors 



^^«t.xiuta oy tne ancient writers. The cleared sheU of the 

 nut IS burnt in the fire, and when thoroughly ignited covered 

 up m a stone cup, the fluid thus obtained is rubefacient, 

 and 18 an effectual domestic remedy for ringworm. The 

 n&nkela-khanda already mentioned is made in the following 

 manner :--Take of the pounded pulp of cocoanut half a s^r, fry 

 It m eight tolas of clarified butter, and afterwards boH in four 

 s^rs of cocoanut water tiU reduced to a syrupy consistence, 

 add coriander, long-pepper, bamboo manna, cumin and n 

 seeds, cardamoms, cinnamon bark and leaves, cyperus roo 

 the flowers of Mesua ferrea, one tola each in fine t^owder 



Now 



and 



confection. The dose is two to four tolas, in dyspep- 



consumption 



The cocoa palm is supposed by some to have been the 

 ^P«o0oaov ( ,i.,,,, J ^jg Theophrastus (H. P. iv., 2, 7), and the 



