N. 0. UHBELUFER^. 62l 



3-partite, segments once or twice trifid, coarsely toothed at the 

 apex. Peduncle O-Jin.. leaf-oppossed ; rays of the umbel 5-10, 

 A-lJin;, pedicels 6-10, 2 V8" in - Fruit ft-^in.; ridges narrow, 

 vittee broad, occupying the whole breadth of the furrows 



Parts used : — Roots and seeds 



Uses : — Not mentioned in the ancient works of Hindoo medi- 

 cine. The Mahomedan writers describe it as deobstruent and 

 resolvent, and use it internally as a pectoral, and as a tonic and 

 carminative adjunct to purgatives, also as a diuretic, emmen- 

 agogue, lithontriptic, and alexipharmic (Dymock). 



The officinal root is considered alterative and diuretic, and 

 given in anasarca and colic. The seeds also are given as 

 stimulant and cordial. 



As an antispasmodic, they are used in bronchitis, asthma, 

 and to some extent for liver and spleen diseases, and said 

 to be emmenagogue. Hakims consider it injurious in epilepsy 

 (Honnigberger). 



570. Carum Carui,, Linn ; h.f.b.i., ii. 680. 

 Sa7is. : — Sushavi. 



Vera, .:— - Siah ]k&, zira (H.) ; Jira (B.) ; Zira siah (Pb.) ; 

 Gunyun (Kashmir and Chenab.) ; Wilayati-zirah (Bom.) ; 

 Shimai-shombu, Kekku-virai (Tarn.) ; Shimaisapu (Tel.). 



Eng. : — Caraway. 



Habitat : — Cultivated for its seeds on the plains and hills 

 of India. 



An annual, glabrous herb. Stem l-3ft. Branches erect or 

 diffuse. Leaves 2-pinnate, finely dissected ; ultimate segments 

 of the lower leaves i-J-in. ; lanceolate of the upper leaves, J-lin;, 

 linear. Bracts 1-3, small, linear, or O, rarely divided, bracteoles 

 small, linear or 0. Rays 3-8, -jr-2in., unequal ; pedicels 3-8, 

 sViin-, unequal. Fruit elliptic-oblong, i|in., yellowish-brown, 

 almost viscid. Carpels terete, narrowed upwards, primary 

 ridges thin, but very distinct; vittse solitary, rather large; 

 carpophore entire, or shortly 2-fid. 



Uses : — Mahomedan writers describe the fruits as aromatic, 

 carminative and astringent ; from them they prepare an eye- 

 wash which is supposed to strengthen the sight ; they are 



