■ N. 0. SAPOTAQEiE. 753 



Uses : — Chakradatta mentions the astringent properties of 

 the unripe fruit, and recommends it to be chewed for the 

 purpose of fixing loose teeth. He also mentions a decoction 

 of the astringent bark as a useful gargle in diseases of the 

 gums and teeth. In the Concan, a similar use is made of the 

 unripe fruit, and the fruit and flowers, along with other astrin- 

 gents, are used to prepare a lotion for sores and wounds. 



The author of the Makhzan says that the unripe fruit and 

 seeds have powerful astringent properties, and that the decoc- 

 tion of the bark is useful as an astringent in discharges from 

 the mucous membranes of the bladder and urethra, and also as 

 a gargle in relaxation of the gums, &c. He mentions the use 

 of a snuff made from the dried and powdered flowers in a 

 disease called Ahwah, common in Bengal. The symptoms of 

 this disease are strong fever, headache, and pain in the neck, 

 shoulders and other parts of the body. The powdered flowers 

 induce a copious defluxion from the nose and relieve the pain 

 in the head (Dymock). 



The bruised seeds are applied locally within the anus of 

 children in cases of constipation (K. L. Dey). 



The bark of this tree, much cultivated for the sake of its 

 fragrant flowers, possesses, according to Horsfield (Asiat. 

 Journ., vol. vii., p. 262), astringent tonic properties. It is much 

 esteemed by the Javanese, and is stated by the same authority 

 to have proved useful in fevers, and as a general tonic. Accord- 

 ing to Dr. Bholanath Bose, a decoction of the bark forms a good 

 gargle in salivation. A water distilled from the flowers is in 

 use amongst the natives of Southern India, both as a stimulant 

 medicine and as a perfume (Ph. Inch). 



The pulp of the ripe fruit is sweetish and astringent and 

 has been successfully used in curing chronic dysentery (Sur- 

 geon-Major B. Gupta, in Watt's Dictionary). 



The kernel is of a yellowish-brown colour, ifc has a very bitter taste, and 

 is enclosed in a strong, glossy husk. The shells form 64 per cent, of the 

 fruits. On extraction with ether, the kernels yielded 18*47 per cent, of a 

 yellowish-brown viscid oil. The expressed oil has alight yellowish-white 

 colour, and stearin deposits on standing. The oil is used for cooking, burning 

 and in medicine. 

 95 



