120 THE MEDICINAL I'LANT.S OF THE PHILIPPINES 



sel a little larger- than a pea, globose, 4 chambers, many seeds. 

 Habitat. — Common all over the Archipelago. Blooms in 

 July. 



Punica Granatum, L. 



NoMi VuLG. — Gh-anada, Sp. and Fil. dialects ■,.Pomegr(innte, 

 Eng. 



Uses. — The decoction of the tender leaves is used as a gargle 

 and wash in angina, aphthse, and wounds within the buccal, 

 cavity. 



The peel of the fruit is highly astringent and in decoction is 

 a .useful agent in treating chronic diarrhoea,, and locally in injec- 

 tions of lotions for" leucorrhoea and inflamed Jipemorrhoids. It 

 should not be given when rectal tenesmus exists. The Phar- 

 macopoeia of India contains tiie following formiile^ for preparing 

 the decoction of the peel : 



Pulp of the fruit, mashed ,- 60 grams. 



Water .- 600 " 



Boil for 15 minutes in a covered vessel, cool, filter and 

 add water enough to make a liter. Dose, 30-50 grams 

 per diem. 



This pre'paration,.is also, used in astringent gargles and injec- 

 tions. For internal use the decoction is rendered more active 

 by adding a small quantity of cloves or cinnamon. This mix- 

 ture with the addition of opium gives excellent results in the 

 treatment , of diarrhoea among the natives of India and is highly 

 recommended by Dr. Kirkpatrick. 



The most important part of tlic pomegranate, however, is its 

 root, the bark of which is a very isfficiont tsenifuge and the I'nost 

 astringent portion of the plant. It should be used fresh, as 

 drying destroys its activity and gives negative results. Many 

 failures to expel the tf^nia are probably due to this fact. Ac- 

 cording to B6ranger-F6rand the root gives 25% to 40% of 

 ciin's, ^vlicrcas [)umpkin seeds give but 5% to 10%' . 



