N. 0. PLUMBAGINEiE. 737 



Uses : — "The root of P. zeylanica is said to increase the 

 digestive power, to promote the appetite, and to be useful in 

 dyspepsia, piles, anasarca, diarrhoea, skin diseases, &c." (Hindu 

 Mat. Med.). " A tincture of the root-bark has been employed as 

 an antiperiodic. Dr. Oswald says that he has employed it in 

 the treatment of intermittents with good effect. It acts as a 

 powerful sudorific." (Pharm. Ind., p. 1701.) 



Mahomedan writers describe it as caustic and vesicant, an 

 expellant of phlegmatic humors ; useful in rheumatism and 

 spleen, digestive ; it also causes abortion. For external ad- 

 ministration, it is made into a paste with milk, vinegar or salt 

 and water. Such a paste may be applied externally in leprosy 

 and other skin diseases of an obstinate character, and be al- 

 lowed to remain until a blister has formed 



In the Concan, the following formula is used : — Chitrak root, 

 Emblic myrobalans, small black myrobalans (Bahhartaki), 

 long pepper, pepper root, rhubarb and rock salt. Powder and 

 give 6 massas with hot water every night at bed time, in flatu- 

 lence with rheumatic pains (Dymock). 



Taylor comments on its sialogogue properties. The milky 

 juice is used as an application to unhealthy ulcers and in cases 

 of scabies. (Dr. Thornton in Watt's Dictionary.) 



713. P. rosea, Linn., h.f.b.i., hi. 481 ; Roxb. 

 155. 



Sans : — Rakta chitraka. 



Verm : — Lal-chitra (EL); Rakto-chita (B.) ; Lal-chitrakmul 

 (Dec.) ; Sheucodie vayalie, Shivappu-chittira (Tarn.) ; Yerra- 

 cithra-moolum (Tel.) ; Schettie-codivalie ; Ohoovonda-coduavalie 

 (Mai.). 



Habitat :— Valleys in Sikkim and Khasia, often cultivated 

 in gardens. 



An evergreen, perennial shrub, 2-4ft. high, " very rarely an- 

 nual " (Boissier). The plant when grown in gardens and con- 

 servatories is much more handsome than when it grows under 

 a blazing sun, whereby its leaves invariably suffer in form and 

 substance. Root fibrous, outwardly dusky-yellow or greenish, 

 acccording to Rumphius. On section yellowish, when fresh, 



93 



