748 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. 



enter into the composition of several mixtures of a cooling and 

 demulcent character (Dutt. Mat. Med. of the Hindus). 



The fruit is eaten ; yields, when expressed, a thick oil 

 which is eaten and is also used to adultrate ghee, says Kanjilal. 



The oil is much valued by the hill-tribes in the treatment 

 of skin diseases. 



The leaves are boiled in water, and given as a cure for sev- 

 eral diseases ; they make a good embrocation (Watt). 



The bark is used in decoction as an astringent and tonic. 

 (Irvine). It is sometimes used as a remedy for rheumatic affec- 

 tions. Voigt says, it is rubbed on the body as a cure for itch. 



The dried flowers are used as a fomentation, in cases of 

 orchitis for their sedative effect. 



The flowers are used in coughs, in the form of a decoction. 

 The medicinal properties attributed to this plant are stimulant, 

 demulcent, and emollient, heating, astringent, tonic, and nutri- 

 tive. The seeds yield, on expression, a thick concrete oil, which 

 is recommended to be applied to the head in cephalalgia. 



The spirit distilled from the flowers of B. lati folia (Baia or 

 Mahwa Spirit) has a strong smoky odour, somewhat resem- 

 bling Irish whiskey, and rather a pungent fetid flavour, which, 

 however, disappears with age. The freshly distilled spirit proves 

 very deleterious, exciting gastric irritation, and other unpleas- 

 ant effects (See Dr. Gibson in Hooker s Journ. Botany, vol. v., 

 p. 90). Sub- Assistant-Surgeon Odoy Chund Dutt reports 

 having used the weaker (diluted ?) spirit extensively ; and in 

 his opinion it is less injurious to the digestive system than 

 rum, more resembling beer in its effects on the constitution, 

 and nutrition of the body. This view is coincident with that 

 of Dr. W. Wright. It is evidently a powerful diffusible stimu- 

 lant, and, when matured by age, may be used as such, when 

 brandy and other agents of the same class are not available. 

 The residuum or cake left after the expression of the oil (Ilu- 

 pai punah, Tarn.), is employed as an emetic. Some cases of 

 poisoning by Stramonium, in which it was so employed, are 

 given by Dr. J. Shortt (Madras Quart. Med. Journ., vol. vi., 

 p. 286). It appears to act efficiently in this character (Ph. Ind.) 



