1074 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. 



bronchitis, two of which were capillary ; also in three cases of whooping 

 cough. It was tried in phthisis, but no definitely satisfactory results were 

 obtained. A tumblerful of the decoction was given three times a day." 

 (Pharmacog. Ind., Vol. III. p. 149.) 



1056. P. plebejum, Br., Var. indiea, h.f.b.i., 

 v. 27. 



Vern. : — Raniphill (Santal). 



Common in central and S. India, also in the Bombay 

 Presidency. 



Branches uniformly spreading all round from the crown and 

 leafy, internodes short. Leaves £-| in. long, linear or obovate- 

 oblong, flat, obtuse or apiculate ; stipules very short. Flowers 

 crowded in the axils, pedicels shorter than the perianth or none. 

 Sepals broad, 2 outer acute. Nutlets is in. (Duthie.) 



Use : — The root is given for bowel complaints (Campbell). 



1057. P. vlviparum, Linn., h.f.b.i., v. 31. 

 Syn. :— P. bistorta, Linn. 



Vern. '•— Maslun, bilauri, anjabar (Pb.). 



Habitat : —Alpine and Sub-alpine Himalaya, from Kashmir 

 to Sikkim, etc. 



A perennial, glandular herb. Stem solitary, 4-12in., slender 

 simple, erect, from a woody root-stock as thick as the thumb 

 or less. Root leaves long-petioled, linear or linear-oblong, acute, 

 obtuse or cordate ; l-6in., coriaceous, sometimes pubescent, or 

 even tomentose beneath. Cauline leaves sessile, erect. Spikes 

 l-4in. long, solitary, erect, slender. Bracts ovate, acuminate. 

 Perianth very variable in size. Flowers suberect, pink, the 

 lower re-placed by bulbils. Stamens included or exserted. 

 Styles filiform, slender, free and included or greatly lengthened 

 and connate below. Nut very small, trigonous, or biconvex. 



Uses : — The root is a useful astringent and said to be applied 

 to abscesses ; a decoction may be used in gleet and leucorrhoea 

 as an injection ; makes an excellent gargle in relaxed sore- 

 throat and spongy gums, and an excellent lotion for ulcers. 

 Mixed with Gentian, it is given in intermittent fevers ; also 

 useful in passive haemorrhage and diarrhoea (Dr. Stewart). 



