TERMIXALIA CHEBULA 111 



10, inserted on the calyx. Hermaphrodite flowers : pistil same 

 length as stamens. Drupe, fleshy, inferior, oval with the bor- 

 ders turned upward containing a very hard and fibrous nut ; 

 seed long and sharp-pointed. 



Habitat. — Common in Luzon. In Manila it is cultivated 

 extensively as au ornamental tree, especially along the Sabana 

 Walk, General Solano Ave. and in Sampaloc and Malacanan. 



Terminalia Chebula, Retz. [T. reticulata, Toth.; Buoida 

 cuminata, Blanco.) 



N"oM. VuLG. — Diglas, Diglas, Tag.; Black Myrobalan Tree, 

 Indo-Eng. 



Uses. — The ripe fruit, called myrohalans in India, is purga- 

 tive and six of them pounded up and given in decoction oper- 

 ate with certainty, producing 4 or 5 copious evacuations with- 

 out nausea or other disagreeable symptoms. Dr. Waring has 

 experimented with them and recommends them highly. The 

 taste may be made more agreeable by adding a little cinnamon 

 to the decoction. Dymock states that three fruits are sufiicient, 

 and Dr. Hove gives one as the effective dose. This lack of 

 agreement may be explained by the fact that the fruits are of 

 different sizes, and probably Waring refers to those of medium 

 size. Contrary to what one would imagine, judging from its 

 purgative action, the fruit contains astringent principles, and 

 makes an effective injection for leucorrhoea as a substitute for 

 nut galls. It is also of some merit in the treatment of piles. 



The green fruit is highly esteemed by Radja Kalikesen as 

 a carminative, tonic and purgative. Dr. Twining also men- 

 tions these same properties, recommends it as a tonic and 

 aperient of great benefit in atony of the digestive organs and 

 expresses surprise that the Europeans make no use of it. Ac- 

 cording to the same author a dose in the treatment of diarrhoea 

 and dysentery is 4 grams twice a day. He quotes a case of 

 hypertrophy of the spleen which he cured with this fruit. 



