#. 0. UMBELLIFER^. 619 



In Bombay, it is a popular remedy for the slight dysenteric 

 derangements of the bowels to which children are subject ; 3 to 

 4 leaves are given with cumin and sugar, and the pounded 

 leaves are applied to the navel. In the Concan, one or two 

 leaves are given every morning to cure stuttering ; and the 

 juice is applied (generally as a lep with Cadamba bark, ghi. 

 and black cumin) to skin eruptions supposed to arise from heat 

 of blood-(Dymock). 



In Java, according to Horsfieid, the leaves are considered 

 diuretic ; and on the Malabar Coast, the plant is one of the 

 remedies for leprosy. 



Dr. A. Hunter, after trying it in the Madras Leper Hospital, 

 came to the conclusion that it had no claim to consideration as 

 a specific in leprosy, but found it most useful in ameliorating 

 the symptoms and improving the general health. 



The leaves are officinal in the Indian Pharmacopoeia and 

 described as alterative, tonic and local stimulant, more espe- 

 cially useful in syphilitic skin diseases, both externally and 

 internally. Recent reports from Europe (1885) confirm this 

 statement, and there has been some enquiry for the drug 

 in Bombay which has led to its cultivation on a small scale 

 (Dymock). 



In some parts of India, the people are in the habit of taking 

 powder of the dried leaves with milk for improving their memory 

 and as an alterative tonic. 



567. Eryngium cceruleum, Bieb. h.f.b.l, ii. 669. 



Arab. — Shakakul-misri (Arab.) 



Pers : — Gurs-dusti (Pers.) 



Vern : — Dhudhali (H.); Poli ; Mittua ; Kandu ; Pahari gajar ; 

 Nuralam (Pb.) 



Habitat : Kashmir. 



A spinescent, glabrous, erect, perennial herb. Stem 2-3ft , 

 undivided below, corymbose and often bluish above. Radical 

 leaves 5 by Ifin., petiole 2-6in.; lower cauline often similar, 

 smaller, with shorter petioles, but more often subsessile, elliptic 

 acute, undivided, serrae or subspinulose. Upper cauline sessile 



