1094 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. 



" Its leaves, in conjunction with lime and the nut of Areca 

 Catechu, are almost universally employed as a masticatory. The 

 juice of the leaves is regarded as a valuable stomachic. Amongst 

 the Indo-Britons of Southern India a use is made of the leaves, 

 which merits notice. In catarrhal and pulmonary affections 

 generally, especially of children, the leaves warmed and smeared 

 with oil are applied in layers over the chest ; and the Editor, 

 from personal observation in many instances, can testify to the 

 relief afforded to the cough and dyspnoea, far more than can be 

 accounted for by the warmth and exclusion of air, or by any 

 rubefacient effect it produces, which, indeed, is very slight in 

 most cases. Dr. Gibson, who corroborates this statement, states 

 that he has often seen the application afford marked relief in 

 congestion and other affections of the liver. Mr. J. Wood reports 

 that the leaves warmed by the fire and applied in layers over 

 the mammas are used effectually for arresting the secretion of 

 milk. Their use in this manner is also noticed by Dr. J. 

 Shortt, who adds that the leaves are similarly employed as a 

 resolvent to glandular swellings" (Ph. Ind.). 



An essential oil obtained from the leaves by distillation at 

 Samarang, by Herr Schmity, has been credited by him with 

 having given good results in the treatment of catarrhal disorders 

 and as an antiseptic, and the claim has been confirmed in the 

 experience of Dr. Kleinstuck, of Jena (Ph. J., Oct. 2, 1886, 

 p. 268, also Ph. J. for 20th Nov., 1889, p. 423). 



In the Konkan, the fruit is employed with honey as a remedy 

 for cough, and in Orissa, the root is said to be used to prevent 

 child-bearing. 



" The juice of the leaves is dropped into the eye in painful 

 affections of that organ ; it is also used to relieve cerebral con- 

 gestions and satyriasis, and to allay thirst (Dr. Thompson, in 

 Watt's Diet.)." The juice of the leaves is dropped into the 

 eye in night-blindness (B. D. Basu). 



Messrs. H. H. Mann, D. L. Sahasrabuddhe and V. G. 

 Patwardhan of Poona have published in Memoirs of Depart, 

 of Agric. in India," for July, 1913 and June 1916, their 



