N. o. labiatvk. 1025 



tapering spikes ; lower floral leaves leaflike, upper smaller 

 lanceolate. Calyx liairy, bell- shaped acutely 5-toothed. Corolla- 

 tube included in the Calyx ; limb erect, 4-lobed, lobes, equal. 

 Stamens 4, equal, protruding, filaments naked. 



Uses /-—The leaves are officinal as astringent. Pudinah of 

 Bomba}^ gardens has exactly the odour of peppermint (Dymock). 

 A decoction is said to be used in fevers and heat apoplexy 

 by the Afghans. 



The oil possesses sp-gr. O. 9701 at 15° C. ; «D= -f 31° 30' (100 in) ; n T) 20 c = 

 1*49544 ; acid value, 2'4 ; ester value, 20'9 ; ester value after acetylation, 171*4; 

 soluble in 3 vols, of 70 per cent, alcohol ; (the diluted solution showed slight 

 opalescence ); faintly mint-like odour ; yellow colour. It is obvious that the 

 saponification value of 171*4 after acetylation of the oil cannot in this case be 

 indicative of the menthol content, which, judging by this factor, should have 

 been 54"8 per cent.; for, as a matter of fact, it contains but little menthol. 

 The mint-like odour is chiefih- due to the presence of pnlegone, of which the 

 oil contains 40 percent, (isolated with Sodium Sulphite). In addition to this, 

 a phenol (probably carvacrol) can be detected. 



Owing to the simultaneous occurrence in it of menthol, pnlegone and a 

 phenol, the oil cannot be used either as peppermint oil or as European 

 pennyroyal or origanum oil. It is differentiated from oil of peppermint by 

 its much higher specific gravity and by its pronounced dextra-rotatory power. 



(Schimmel's Report, April 1910, quoted in J. Ch. I. for June 15, 1910, p. 716). 



986, M. arvensis, Linn., h.f.b.i., iv. 648, Roxb. 460. 



Vern. : — Pudinah (Beng., Hind, and Dec.) ; Puclina, I-ech- 

 chak-kirai (Tarn.) ; Pudina, Tga-engili-kura iTel.) ; Putiyina 

 (Mai.); Puclina (Guz.); Bhudina (Burm.); Chetni-maragu (Kan.)- 



Habitat : — Western Himalaya and Kashmir. 



A strong-scented perennial herb, hairy or glabrate. Stem 

 l-2ft. Leaves shortly petioled or sessile, oblong-ovate, or lance- 

 olate, l-2in., obtusely or acutely serrate, petioled or sessile. 

 Bracts acute, shorter than the flowers, whorls axillary, capitate. 

 Calyx hairy ; Calyx-teeth triangular cr lanceolate. Corolla 

 hairy without and within. 



Use :— The dried plant is refrigerant, stomachic, diuretic 

 and stimulant medicine. It possesses antispasmodic and em- 

 menagogue properties (Fleming). Used in jaundice. The dried 

 plant powdered is used as a dentifrice. 



The scent of the fresh fruit is said to be useful to relieve 



fainting (Dr. Emerson\ Frequently given to stop vomiting ; a 

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