1248 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. 



obtusely-toothed, scarcely half as long as the Corolla-tube- 

 Corolla-tube funnel-shaped ; lateral segments oblong, upper 

 rather longer, ovate convex. Lip Jin. broad, orbicular, 

 deflexed obscurely 3-lobed, emarginate. Capsule ovoid-trigonous, 

 smooth, dehiscing irregularly. Seeds oblong, aril lanceolate, 

 white. 



Uses : — The fresh root is considered to be cooling and 

 diuretic, it checks leucorrhoeal and gonorrhoeal discharges and 

 purifies the blood. The juice of the leaves is given in dropsy. 

 (Rheede.) The rhizomes possess aromatic, stimulant and car- 

 minative properties. Employed as a stomachic, and also ap- 

 plied to bruises and sprains. The root is chewed to correct a 

 sticky taste in the mouth ; it is also an ingredient in some of the 

 strengthening conserves which are taken by women to remove 

 weakness after childbirth. In colds it is given in decoction 

 with long pepper, cinnamon and honey, and the pounded root 

 applied as a paste to the body. (Dymock.) 



Zedoary contains, according to Bucholz (Repert. Pharm. xx„ 376), volatile 

 oil, a bitter soft resin, a bitter extractive matter, gum, starch, &c. The oil 

 is turbid, yellowish-white and viscid, has a camphoraceous taste and smell, 

 and consists of two oils, one lighter, the other heavier than water. Trotums- 

 dorff obtained from the root a substance which he called Zedoarin, but did 

 not further describe it. A proximate analysis afforded : — 



Essential oil, resin, curcumin, &c. ... ... ... 3-79 



Resins, sugar ... ... ... ... ... -90 



Gum and organic acids ... ... ... ... 15*22 



Starch ... ... ... ... ... 17*20 



Crude fibre ... ... ... ... ... 10*92 



Ash .,. ... ... ... ... ... 6*06 



Moisture ... ... ... ... ... 10*31 



Albuminoids, Arabins, &c. ... ... ... ... 35*60 



100*00 

 (Pharmacog. Ind. III. 402-403.) 



1234. C. ccesia, Roxb., h.f.b.i., vi. 212. Roxb. 9. 



Vern. : — Kalo-holud, nil-kautha (B.) ; Kali-halada(Mar.); Nar- 

 kachura (Bom.) ; Nar-kachur, kali-haldi (H.) ; Manupasupii 

 (Tel.). 



Habitat : — Bengal. 



