1288 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. 



Uses: — The root of this plant is used medicinally as a re- 

 frigerant, demulcent, diuretic, aphrodisiac, antispasmodic, alter- 

 ative, anti-diarrhoeatic and anti-dysenteric. It is used chiefly as 

 a demulcent in veterinary medicine. Baden-Powell says that it 

 prevents confluence of small-pox. Tho root is used in impotence 

 in the form of a preserve. Tuberous roots pickled ; shoots eaten 

 as vegetable. (Kanjilal). 



Chem. comp.-~ The powdered roots were separated into— 



Water extract ... ... ... ... 52*43 



Crude fibre ... ... ... ... ... 33*65 



Moisture ... ... ... ... ... 9*46 



Ash ... ... ... ... ... 4*46 



100-00 



The amount of saccharine matter, estimated as glucose, in the water 

 extract was 714 per cent. Some of this extract was boiled and filtered and 

 evaporated down to a soft consistence and allowed to remain for three months 

 under a bell jar. At the end of that time no crystalline substances had 

 formed, indicating the probable absence of crystalline sugars, mannite, and 

 asparagin. 



1275. A. adscendens, Roxb., H. f.b.i. , vi., 317 ; 

 Roxb. 291. 



Vevn. :— Sufed musli, satavar (EL) ; Khairuwa (N.-W. P.); 

 Sapheta musali, dholi musali (Bomb.) ; Dholi musali, saphed- 

 musli, ujli-musli (Guj.) ; Safeda-musali (Mar.). 



Habitat :— The Western Himalaya, in the Punjab, from Murree 

 eastward to Kumaon, the Dieu and Sal forests. 



A sub-erect shrub, with stout terete stem and grooved, rough 

 angled, ascending branchlets ; spines *-f in. straight. Cladodes 

 6-20-nate, J-fin- slender, filiform, soft, terete, suberect or curved. 

 Racemes many-fid, l-3in. long, copious, often bearing cladodes 

 at tip of branches of racemes. Pedicels xViin* jointed above 

 or below the middle. Flowers white, fin. diam. Bracts minute. 

 Perianth segments spreading; anthers medium-sized. Ovules 

 many in each cell. Berries i-Jin. diam., 1-seeded. 



jj ses ; — The tuberous roots used as demulcent and tonic and 

 as a substitute for Salep Tonic, demulcent. Said to be useful in 

 diarrhoea, dysentery and general debility. 



