N. 0. LYTHRACE^E. 565 



A decoction of the leaves is used as an astringent gargle in 

 relaxed sore throat. The fresh leaves are rubbed over the 

 soles of the feet in the disease known as burning of the feet ; 

 sometimes a paste made with vinegar is used for the same 

 purpose. Henna is used as an emollient poultice, and the 

 flowers are considered refrigerant. The flowers are also used 

 as a soporific, being for this purpose placed in a pillow. 

 The oil and essence are rubbed over the body to keep the 

 body cool (Dr. Emerson). 



The Tamil physicians of Southern India make an extract 

 from the flowering twigs and leaves much valued in the treat- 

 ment of lepra (leprosy) and other depraved habits of the body 

 (Ainslie). In the Concan, the leaf-juice mixed with water 

 and sugar is given as a remedy for spermatorrhoea, and with 

 milk in the condition known as " hot and cold fits" (Dymock). 



"At Apollonia fa city in Greece), I caught a severe rheu- 

 matism in my feet. * ® Amongst the many remedies which 

 I applied Lawsonia inermis proved the most effective. Every 

 evening before going to bed I applied to the affected part the 

 pulverized herb, with as much water as was sufficient to 

 make a soft poultice. In the morning I washed it off, but 

 the place continued red ; it is the same herb, indeed, with 

 which the fair sex in the East stain their hands and feet 

 (Honnigberger). 



In that obscure affection termed " Burning of the Feet" 

 often met with in India, they are esteemed by the natives one 

 of their most valued local applications. Dr. Grierson (Cal- 

 cutta Med. Phys. Trans., vol. ii , p. 279) mentions an 

 obstinate case benefited by their use ; and the Editor, when in 

 Burmah, witnessed, in some cases, a great amount of tempo- 

 rary relief to the distressing sensation of burning from this 

 remedy, when numerous other means had previously failed. 

 The fresh leaves beaten up into a paste with vinegar, and 

 applied as a poultice to the soles of the feet, was the common 

 mode of application ; but some patients obtained greater relief 

 from using strong frictions with the bruised leaves over the 

 part. Like all other remedies, however, they not unfrequently 



