N. O. PHYTOLACCACE^E. 1071 



stemmed one, as wild in India, and adds three cultivated sorts, 

 a red and a white-stemmed that are raised from seed, and differ 

 only in luxuriance from the corresponding wild forms ; and 

 lastly a large sort {B. lucida, L., and cordifolia, Lamk.), which is 

 the most cultivated, and is always increased by slips ; it is the 

 largest form, covering trellises and native houses, and is the 

 most succulent, and more used as a pot-herb than the others." 

 (J. D. Hooker). 



Uses : — The juice of the leaves is used in catarrhal affec- 

 tions of children. (Drury). Demulcent and diuretic, useful in 

 gonorrhoea and balanitis. (Asst.-Surg. J. N. Dey, Jeypore, in 

 Watt, I. 404.) 



1052. Baselht alba, Linn, h.f.b.i., v. 21. 

 Roxb. 275. 



Eng. : — White basil or Indian Spinach. 



Sans. : — Vishwa-tulasi. ; Potaki ; Upodika. 



Vern. : — Poi, myal-ki-bhaji, sufed-bachla, safed-tulsi (H.) ; 

 Sufed-bachla-ki bhaji (Duk.) ; Wahlea (Mar.); Vasla-kire, 

 Caujang kire, Vellapachalai (Tarn.) ; Alubachehali, karu-bach- 

 chali, polam-bachchali, pedda-bach-chali (Tel.) ; Bili-basale-balli 

 (Kan.) ; Basella-kira (Mai.). 



Habitat: — Cultivated all over India. 



Uses : — The leaves are made into a pulp used to hasten 



suppuration. 



The juice of the leaves, which is demulcent and cooling, is a popular 

 application to allay the heat and itching of urticaria arising from dyspepsia, 

 an affection which the Hindus consider to be indicative of bile in the blood. 

 The boiled leaves are also used as a poultice. 



N. 0. PHYTOLACCACE^]. 



1053. Phytolacca acinosa, Roxb., h.f.b.i., iv. 

 Roxb., 389. 



Vern. :— Jirrag (Kumaon) ; Lubar, burgu, denturrl, rinsag, 

 jirka, matazor, sarunga (Pb.). 



