1088 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANlS. 



sicians in different parts of India that the plant has a decided 

 action upon the uterus, and increases or induces uterine con- 

 tractions. There appears to be no doubt as to its anthelmintic 

 properties. (Dymock). 



Chem. comp.— The plant contains a nauseous volatile substance, an 

 alkaloid, and a large quantity of salts. The alkaloid is amorphous and 

 gives no colour reactions with the strong mineral acids. The bitter con- 

 centrated tincture on standing deposited cubical crystals of potassium 

 chloride. The ash calculated on the air-dried plant was 17'75 per cent., and 

 strong alkaline fumes were given off from the plant when burning. 



1077. A. indica, Linn., h.f.b.i., v. 75 ; Roxb. 622. 



Sans. :— Rudrajata, Arkamula ; Sunanda ; Ishvari. 



Vern.: — Isharmul, isharmul-ki-jar (H. and Duk. •; Isarmul (B.), 

 Bhedi jane-tet (Santal) ; Sapasand (Bomb, and Mar.) ; Arkmula, 

 ruhimula (Cutch and Guj.) ; Peru-marindu, perum-kizhangu 

 (Tarn.) ; Ishvara-veru, dula-govela, govila (Tel.) ; Karalekam, 

 karukakpulla, karal-vekam, ishvara-muri (Mai.) ; Ishveriveru 

 (Kan.) ; Ich-chura-muliver (Tarn.). 



Habitat : — Throughout the low country of India, from Nepal 

 and lower Bengal to Chittagong ; and the Deccan Peninsula, 

 from the Concan southward. 



Shrubby, quite glabrous, twining, prostrate herbs. Stems 

 slightly woody at base, branches slender. Leaves very vari- 

 able, membranous, linear, ovate, obovate-oblong, or subpan- 

 duriform ; base cuneate or rounded ; basal nerves short ; in the 

 narrowest form 4 by i-fin, in the broadest 4-5 by 3in., abruptly 

 or gradually obtusely acuminate or apiculate, often oblong and 

 quite obtuse. Petiole J-iin., very slender. Perianth straight, 

 greenish- white ; base globose ; tube shortly funnel-shaped ; mouth 

 oblique, trumpet-shaped, gradually passing into short, oblong, 

 obtuse, glabrous, purple and brownish lip. Flowers 1-3 ; 

 corymbs short, pedunculate. Anthers 6 ; stylar column 6- 

 lobed. Capsule lj-2in. long, oblong, grooved. Seeds flat, 

 triangular, winged. 



Uses : — The root, which is very bitter, is held in much esteem 

 by the natives as a stimulant, tonic, and emmenagogue, and is 

 employed by them in intermittent fevers and other affections. 



