38 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. 



Parts used : — The tubers ; flowers ; seeds and root. 



Uses : —The tubers of this plant are highly esteemed as a 

 medicine for uterine diseases, colic, bilious obstructions, dropsy, 

 epilepsy, convulsions and hysteria. Udsdhip is generally given 

 to children as a blood-purifier. It was a common belief in 

 ancient times, and it is so even now among the peasantry of 

 Europe, tbat paeony root, if worn by children round their necks, 

 has the power of preventing epileptic attacks. If taken in full 

 doses (f)0 grains), the drug produces headache, noise in the ears, 

 confused vision and vomiting. (Dymock.) The infusion of the 

 dried flowers is highly valued as a remedy for diarrhoea. Seeds 

 are emetic and cathartic. (Watt), 



According to Dr. Bellew, the root is in Booner, given to 



cattle to render them- prolific ; and in combination with other 

 drugs, as the bruised leaves of Melia. is a favourite remedy for 

 bruises, sprains, etc. 



N. 0. DILLENIACEiE. 



29. Dillenia indiea, Linn, h.f.br.i., i. 36 ; Roxb. 

 451. 



Sanskrit : — Bhavya. 



Vevn. :— Chalta, (Hind.); Chalta, hargesa (Beng.i ; Korkot 

 (Santal) ; Chilta (Monghyr); Panpui (G-aro ) ; Chalita otengah, 

 (Assam); Rai, oao (Uriya) ; Ramphal (Nepal); Phamsikol 

 (Lepcha) ; Thapru, chauralesia (Mag.) ; Mothe karamala, moth a 

 karmel, karambel (Bomb.); Mota karmal, karmbel (Mar.); 

 Uva (Tarn.); LJva, pedda, kalinga (kalinga, Elliot) (Teh); 

 Bettakanagala, kaddkanagula (Kan.) ; Syalita (Malay.); Honda- 

 para, Wampara (Sinhalese). 



Habitat : —Tropical forests in the Western Peninsula, Behar 

 and Ceylon, and the Himalaya, from Nepal to Assam. Commonly 

 cultivated at Dehra and Saharanpur. Eastern Peninsula, from 

 Sylhet to Singapore. Malay Peninsula and the Islands. 



A very handsome tree with fine foliage ; moderate-sized, 

 round-headed. Bark cinnamon — brown. Leaves closely placed, 



