364 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. 



soap-nut tree is woody, very bard and quite inert. The root- 

 bark and bark, however, contain the vegetable principle, 

 saponin-, and form froth-like soap, when bruised and agitated 

 in water. I have used each of these drugs in decoction, and 

 in large and repeated doses, and found them to be very mild 

 expectorants and demulcents. As medicines, they are so weak, 

 that 1 did not consider them worthy of being treated as such. 

 (Moodeen Sheriff). 



315. S. Mukorossi, Gaertn. h.f.b.l, i. 683. 



There are two forms of this plant : — (I) S. detergens Eoxb. 

 332 ; (2) S. Acuminata Wall. Royle, 111. 139. 



Sans. : — Phenila, Arista. 



Vern. : — Ritha, dodan, kammar (H.) ; Dodan (Pb.) ; Ita 

 (Uriya). 



Habitat : — Cultivated throughout X. W. India, Bengal, 

 Kumaon, Sylhet and Assam. 



A handsome tree, attaining 60ft., deciduous. Bark grey, 

 wood light jellow, rough, moderately hard, compact and close- 

 grained. Leaves alternate, paripinnate, 12-20in. long. Leaflets 

 5-10 pair; opposite or alternate, 3J-6 by l-3in.. gradually 

 smaller towards the apex of the rachis, lanceolate, acuminate, 

 entire, coriaceous, glabrous ; lateral nerves numerous, petiolate 

 To~^ ni - long. Inflorescence a terminal thyrsus or compound 

 cymose panicle. Flowers small, regular, polygamous. Calyx- 

 lobes somewhat unequal, ciliate. Petals white, inserted in the 

 centre of the disk ; filaments 8, white, woolly ; anthers versatile. 

 Ovary usually 3-ceiled. Fruit a fleshy globose, 1-seeded drupe ; 

 J-lin. diam. Seed smooth black, loose inside when dry. The 

 saponaceous pericarp wrinkled and translucent in the dry fruit 

 (Kanjilal). 



Parts used : -~ The fruits and seeds. 



Uses : — The fruits are used medicinally in salivation, epi- 

 lepsy and as an expectorant. They are also recommended for 

 the cure of chlorosis (Watt). 



Honnigberger states that seeds pounded with water, are 

 said often to put an end to an epileptic paroxysm, a small 

 quantity being introduced into the patient's mouth. 



