240 THE MEDICINAL PLANTS OF THE PHILIPPINES 



GRAMINEJE. 



Grass Family. 

 Zea Mays, L. 



Nom. Yulg. — Maiz, Sp.; Maize, Corn, Eng. 



Uses. — Corn is an extensive article of diet in the Philippines, 

 but has the reputation of being indigestible. This is true when 

 it is eaten in the grain, but in the form of meal it is easily 

 digested and highly nutritious. The tassels have been used in 

 the Philippines from time immemorial in decoction as a diuretic, 

 for which property they received notice in the Medical World 

 of Paris about the year 1876. The entire plant is diuretic and 

 the natives give the decoction of the stalk for various diseases 

 of the bladder and kidneys. An extract of the tassels has been 

 put on the market, but it is better to administer a decoction 

 made from 20 grams of tassel to 1 liter of water to be taken at 

 will during the day. Rademaker and Fischer give the follow- 

 ing chemical composition : 



Fixed oil 5.25 



Resin, crystalline matter and chlorophyl 3.25 



Maizenic acid 2.25 



Sugar and gum 19.50 



Albuminoids 3.50 



Salts and extracts 5.50 



Cellulose 37.00 



Water 20.00 



The fixed oil is bright yellow, saponifiable by potash, soluble 

 in chloroform and ether, insoluble in alcohol, solidifies at 10°. 

 Habitat. — Very common in all parts of the islands. 



Andropogon Schoenanthes, L. 



Nom. Vulg. — Salay, Taglad, Tag. ; Paja de Mem, Sp.-Fil. ; 

 Baliyoko, Vis. ; Geranium Grass, Eng. 



