92 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. 



Sursbn, (Sindh) ;~ Khakshi (Bomb.); Rantikhi (Mar.) ; Khakshir 

 (Pers.) 



Habitat: — Northern India, from Rajputana to the Punjab. 



An annual or biennial, tall, glabrous herb. Stem 1-3 ft., 

 quite glabrous or slightly pubescent at base. Leaves petioled, 

 runcinate, pinnatifkl, segments remote, spreading, toothed not 

 auricled ; terminal large* sometimes hastate. Pedicels slender. 

 Flowers yellow, minute. Fruiting pedicels slender, young pods 

 overtopping the raceme. Old 3-nerved. Pods 1J-2 in., slen- 

 der, erect, glabrous, subtorulose. 



Parts used : — The seeds. 



Use : — The seed is expectorant and restorative, and used 

 externally as a stimulating poultice (Dymock.) 



It is also said to be a febrifuge (Stewart.^ 



79. Brassica nigra, Koch, h.f.b.i., i. 156. 



Syn. : — Sinapis erysimoides, Roxb. 499. 



Sans. : — Sarshap. 



Vern. : — Rai, Kali rai, tira, taramira, lahi, banarsirai, 

 jag-rai, asl-rai, ghor-rai, makra-rai (H) ; Rai-Saron, (Bom).; 

 Kadagho (Tarn); Avalo (Tel.); Bile Sasive, Karisasive, sasive, 

 'Kan). ; Ahor, Suraj, Kali-surson (Sindh) ; Kali Sarson (Kumaon). 



Habitat : — Cultivated in various parts of India. 



An annual, 2-3 ft. high, rigid, branched, more or less 

 hispid. Leaves 4-8 in., petioled ; lower lyrate, upper entire. 

 Racemes naked. Flowers \-\ in. diarn., bright yellow. 

 Sepals spreading. Pods \-\ in., subulate ; valves keeled, 

 torulose ; cells 3-5-seeded. Seeds oblong. 



Parts used : — The seeds. 



Uses : — The seeds of this plant are used in medicine as 

 poultice, being a useful and simple rubefacient and vesicant. 

 Mustard poultices prove highly serviceable in cases of febrile 

 and inflammatory diseases, internal congestions, spasmodic, 

 neuralgic, and rheumatic affections. Mustard flour in water is 

 highly recommended as a speedy and safe emetic. 



