478 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. 



and pubescent on the outside. Stamens 10, perfect, snbeqnal. 

 Pod thin, flat, with raised lines between, dehiscent, glabrous, 

 4-8in. long. "Seeds 20-30, smooth, compressed, narrow- 

 oblong, dark-brown, shining, shallowly-pitted on the faces " 

 (Talbot). 



Use : — The bark and leaves are prescribed in diabetes and 

 gonorrhoea (Balfour). 



425. 0. absus. Linn, h.f.b.i., ii. 265, Roxb 351. 



Vern. : — Chakut, chaksu, banar (H. & Duk.) ; Mulaippalvirai, 

 karnuka-nam, kattukkol, edikkol (Tam.) ; Chanu-palavittulu 

 (Tel.); karin-kolla (Mai.); Chiksie (Bom.) ; Kan-kuti (Mar.); 

 Chimar or Chime, chinol (Guz.) ; Chowun (Sind). Chaksoo 

 (Pb.). 



Habitat: — From the foot of the Western Himalayas to 

 Ceylon. 



An erect annual, l-2ft. high, with stem and leaves clothed 

 with grey bristly viscose liairs. Leaves long-petioled. Leaflets 

 oblong, very oblique, l-2in. long, obtuse, or subacute, 4in. long, 

 membranous. Stipules small, linear, persistent. Racemes nar- 

 row, equalling or exceeding the leaves. Sepals lanceolate, 

 bristly, J-|in. Corolla reddish yellow, very small. Pod oblique, 

 ligulate, l-ljin. long, 5-6-seeded, the thin valves beset with 

 bristly hairs. 



Parts used :— The seeds and leaves. 



Use : — Mahomedan writers describe the seeds as attenuant 

 and astringent, and say they strengthen the sight when used 

 as a collyrium. In some books a plaster made from the seeds 

 is recommended as an application to wounds and sores, es- 

 pecially of the penis. In purulent ophthalmia about a grain 

 ol the powdered seeds, after being baked, is introduced beneath 

 the eye- lids (Dymock). 



The receptacle of the seed possesses diuretic and stimulant 

 properties (Irvine, Patna). 



Used as a cathartic in habitual constipation (dose |-3 drams). 

 Seeds are found efficacious in ring-worm (Watt). 



