N. O. SIMARUBE^. 295 



paper. Leaves generally approximate at the ends of thick 

 short arrested branchlets, obovate, almost sessile, the tapering 

 base entire, the upper part toothed. On luxuriant shoots the 

 leaves are distant, trifoliate, the lateral leaflets small. Flowers 

 unisexual, subsessile, 2 or 3 together. Petal 4-5, strap-shaped. 

 Stamens 8-10, alternately longer. Drupe red, when ripe. 



Part used : — The gum. 



Use : — " It is used in Native medicine as a demulcent, aperi- 

 ent, carminative, and alterative ; especially useful in nervous 

 diseases, scrofulous affections, urinary disorders and skin- 

 diseases, and is used in the preparation of an ointment for bad 

 ulcers." (Watt. 



" Applied as a hot paste to incipient abscesses, as an absorb- 

 ent. Is used as an expectorant. Aphrodisiac according to 

 Sk. Boali-Saina. Applied locally as a paste in haemorrhoids." 

 (Dr. Emerson.) 



" Held in highest repute in the treatment of rheumatism, 

 given internally and applied locally " (Surgn. Robb.) — Watt, 

 i. 367. 



255. B. Roxburghii, Am. h.f.b.l, i. 529. 



Syn. : — Amyris commiphora, Boxb. 323. 



Vem. :— Gugala (B.) ; Gugal, mahishabola (Bom.) ; Gugar 

 (Sind.) ; Kookul (Tarn.). 



Habitat :•— Eastern Bengal, Sylhet and Assam. 



. Spinescent says Brandis. Branches spiny, (says Alfred 

 W. Bennett in Hooker.) Leaves 3-foliate, terminal leaflet very 

 finely serrulate, lateral leaflets very small. 



Use: — -The gum resin is also used medicinally like other 

 species of Balsamodendron. 



Balsamodendron Roxburghii, which, when broken, or bruised, diffuses a 

 grateful fragrance, like that of the finest myyrh, yet that " the juice never 

 congeals, but is carried off by evaporation, leaving little or nothing behind ; 

 and all that he (Dr. Royle) could ever procure was a very minute portion of 

 gummy matter, which certainly resembles myrrh both in smell and appear- 

 ance, but has no tendency to be even tenacious or elastic." 



