1278 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. 



\ in., hypogaeous, 1-4-seeded ; septa spongy. Seeds oblong ; 

 testa deeply grooved in wavy lines, black, shining (Trimen). 



Trimen further observes thus : — " The long slender beak of 

 the ovary resembles a pedicel or scape, and the raceme and 

 ovary being concealed in the leaf-sheaths, the perianth segments 

 assume the appearance of a whole flower." 



Uses : — The tuberous roots are considered alterative, tonic, 

 restorative, and useful in piles, debility and impotence. Also 

 useful in gonorrhoea, dysuria and menorrhagia. (Hindu Mat. 

 Med. Pharm. Ind.) 



The roots of this small low-growing plant, common in most 

 parts of India, are described by Ainslie (Mat. Ind., vol. ii., p. 

 242) as tuberous, wrinkled, about four inches long, having a 

 slightly bitter and mucilaginous taste. How far they constitute 

 a portion of ihe Safed Musli of the Native Materia Medica (as 

 has been supposed) is undetermined. Dr. Birdwood (Products 

 of Bombay, p. 92) agrees with Dr. Royle in referring this drug 

 to Murdannia scapifolia, Royle (Illust., t. 95). Further inquiries 

 are required to determine its botanical source. The roots of 

 C. orchioides are held in the highest esteem by the Hindu 

 doctors of Travancore, in gonorrhoea, dysuria, menorrhagia, 

 &c; and from the unanimous testimony borne by them to their 

 value in these and other allied affections, there is reason for 

 supposing that they exercise some influence on the genito- 

 urinary system generally ; but there is no evidence based on 

 European observation as to their value in these cases. (Ph. Ind.) 



It is prescribed for asthma, piles, jaundice, diarrhoea, colic 



and gonorrhoea ; it is considered to be demulcent, diuretic, 



tonic and aphrodisiac, and is often combined with aromatics 



and bitters. (Dymock.) 



Chemical composition.— A proximate analysis of the powdered roots was 



made with the following results :— 



Ether ext. (fat, &c ) ... ... ... ... 1'28 



Alcoholic ext. (resin, tannin) ... ... ... 4*14 



Water ext. (mucilage) ... ... ... ... 19*92 



Starch, &c, by difference ... ... ... ... 43 48 



Crude fibre ... ... ... .. ... 14-18 



Ash ... ... ... ... ... ... 8-60 



Moisture .,. ... ... ... ... 840 



100 00 



