866 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. 



In Patna, the leaves are employed in cases of fever, the dose 

 given being from half a drachm to 3 drachms (Irvine). 



" Considered by natives of Porto Rico to be an excellent 

 remedy for all kinds of ulcers. But it has a far greater reputa- 

 tion for the cure of sore throat. In many cases of pharyngitis 

 and tonsilitis, I have obtained relief of the pain and constriction 

 attending those diseases, by repeating gargles with a decoction 

 of the leaves and /lowers of the plant, giving internally one 

 wine glass of the same every 2 hours" (Dr. Amedo, in the Ph. 

 J. for April 28, 1888). 



Chemical composition.— The stems and leaves, besides containing a tannin 

 soluble in ether, affording a dirty green coloration with ferric chloride, and 

 an organic acid, non-crystalline, also soluble in ether, gave very marked 

 evidence of the presence of an alkaloidal principle soluble in ether, and 

 yielding marked precipitates with the ordinary alkaloidal reagents : with 

 potassic chromate it afforded no precipitate, and it gave no speeial colour 

 reactions. It was tasteless. 



823. Trichodesma indicum,, Br. h.f.b.i., iv. 153. 



Syn. : — Borago indica, Linn., Roxb. 154. 



Vern. : — Chhota-kulpha (H. and B.) ; Kowri-bootee, Kat- 

 mandoo (Pb.) ; Gaozaban (Sind.) ; Hetmudia (Santal); Kat- 

 mandi (Kumaon) ; Ratisurkh, nilakrai (Kashmir) ; Lahana 

 kalpa (Mar.) ; Kazuthai-tumbai (Tarn.) ; Gusva-gutti (Tel.). 



Habitat : — Common throughout India ; not in Bengal Plains. 



Parts used : — The leaves ; root. 



Erect or diffuse herbs, bristly, with hairs springing from 

 tubercles, and also more or less villous. Stems erect or diffuse, 

 up to 18in. long. Leaves opposite, upper alternate, entire, 

 l-4in., tubericulate on the upper surface, mostly sessile, lanceolate 

 or cordate-lanceolate. Lower pedicels often distinctly axillary, 

 1-flowered. Flowers pale blue, changing to pink or white. 

 Calyx-lobes J-Jin., more or less grey or white villous (at least 

 in fruit), cordate or hastate at the base. Corolla-tube -§in., 

 lobes Jin., ovate, suddenly acuminate ; Staminal one densely 

 closely woolly on the back. Fruit ellipsoid. Nutlets -§-in., some- 

 times very- rough on the inner surface, obscurely margined, 

 white or bluish when ripe. 



