1174 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. 



complaints attended with anomalous symptoms. By the Hindu 

 doctors of the Coromandel coast, it is given in quantity of 

 half-a-teacupful of the decoction twice daily. (Ainslie.) The 

 root forms the basis of an external application in leprosy while 

 the leaves dried, reduced to powder, and mixed with ginger 

 and kaiphul form an " errhine " which is prescribed in cases of 

 headache. (Taylor.) In the Konkan, the root is used to aid 

 the extraction of guinea-worm, a paste made from them being 

 applied to the part. A paste with tulsi juice is also employed 

 as a cure for itchy skin eruptions. (Dymock.) In Chutia 

 Nagpur, the root is given when the extremities are cold 

 during fever ; also for pains in the legs and arms. (Campbell.) 



The fruit rubbed over the head with a little water is useful 

 in cases of baldness. (Dr. Thornton in Watt's Dictionary.) 



Var. : — Cannabina. 



Vern. : — Sirru-kanchari vayu (Tam.). 



An erect or climbing shrub 4-5ft. high, not twining, more 

 or less hispid and with stinging hairs. Stems stout, woody. 

 Leaves palmately 3-partite, up to 3Jin. long; lobes* toothed or 

 pinnatifid, the mid -lobe much longer than the lateral ones. 

 Male flowers and calyx of female flowers as in T involucrata. 

 Styles 3, slightly spreading, not revolute. Capsules fin across, 

 3-lobed, hirsute ; lobes globose. Seeds globose, smooth, Jin. 

 in diam. (Duthie). 



Uses '• — The root is considered diaphoretic and alterative, 

 and is prescribed in decoction, together with other articles of 

 like virtues to correct the habit ; an infusion of it is also given 

 as a drink in ardent fever in the quantity of half a tea-cupful 

 twice daily. (Ainslie). 



1161. Sapium indicum, Wild., h.f.b.i., v. 471 

 Roxb. 691. 



Syn. • — Excoecaria indica, Muell. 

 Vern. :— Hurua ; Batul (B.) ; Hurna (Bomb.). 

 Habitat --Bay of Bengal, from the Sunderbans to Tenas- 

 serim. S. Konkan. (Bay plant is growing in the Konkans, but 



