696 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. 



The dried flower-heads are officinal, and are said to be 

 stimulant, tonic and carminative. The}' are used in constitu- 

 tional debility, hysteria, dyspepsia and intermittent fevers. 

 The warm and strong infusion of the flowers is emetic, while a 

 weak infusion acts as a tonic and febrifuge. In flatulence and 

 colic, Chamomile oil is the most effectual of all remedies. The 

 Indian Pharmacopoeia says, the bahuna ha phul forms a perfect 

 substitute for the European Chamomile (Anthemis nobilis). 



Analysis by Frederick B. Power and Henry Browning, Jr. of Wellcome 

 Chem. Pes. Labs, published in the Journal Chem. Soc. for 1914. 



Tests for alkaloids were almost negative. 



It contains a blue essential oil, giving color reaction for furfural, and 

 depositing, on keeping, probably umbelliferone Me ether. It also contains 

 a resin. 



660. Cotula antJiemoides, Linn, h.f.b.l, in. 



316. 



Vern. : — Babuna (Pb. and H.); Tulobe (Cashmere). 



Habitat : — Gangetic Plain, from Rajmahal and Sikkim west- 

 wards to the Punjab. 



An annual hairy, or glabrate, erect or diffuse, weak weed. 

 Branches 3-9in., spreading. Leaves 2-pinnatifid or 2 pinnati- 

 sect, segments decurrent-lobed, lobes triangular lanceolate, |-f 

 in. Petiole \ amplexicaul. Peduncles filiform, naked. Heads 

 -g-sin. diam., terminal, solitary. Flowers female, many. Invo- 

 lucre bracts, with scarious margins. Receptacle nearly flat, 

 tuberclecl. Achenes ovate, with thick narrow wings. Achenes 

 of the ray broad, flat. 



Use : — It furnishes part of the officinal babuna, which is 

 heated with oil and applied externally in rheumatism, &c. 

 ( Stewart.) The infusion is used as an eye, wash in most diseases 

 of the eye. 



661. Gentipeda orbicularis, Lour, h.b.f.i., hi. 

 317. 



Syn. : — Myriogyne minuta, Lees., Artemesia sternutatoria, 

 Roxb. 



Vern. :— Nakk-chhikni ; Nag-downa ; Pachittie (H B. and 



