184 MALAY POISONS AND CHARM CUBES 



little boiled rice is applied. (2) The root of cMmpaka^ 

 hutan (Gardenia Griffithii, Hook. fil. — Rubiacese), a 

 commonly cultivated plant much prized by all Malays 

 for its sweet-scented orange-coloured and somewhat 

 tulip-like flowers, that are so often worn by women in 

 the hair. (8) The root of kenanga (Cananga odorata, 

 Linn. — Anonacese), an evergreen tree bearing bunches 

 of sweet-scented yellowish-green flowers, the source 

 of ** yiang-ylang " perfume, which are frequently used 

 by Malay women to twist in the coils of their hair. 

 (4) The root of Mnerak (Goniothalamus tapis, Miq. — 

 Anonacese), a fair-si^ed village tree with fi*agrant white 

 flowers. The roots of these five plants are all boiled 

 together for a time, and the decoction is sw*allowed, at 

 intervals, until the desired result is effected. It is so 

 used only in the early months of pregnancy. 



Another method is to boil the root of cMraka jiierak 

 with puchok finang^ the shoots of the areca palm, and 

 the root of a hedge-slirub [akar gurok ferial; Croton 

 caudatus, Griseb.— EuphorbiaceEe). This decoction is 

 given ad libitum by the mouth. To control the result- 

 ing hEemorrhage the following may be administered : a 

 decoction made from the roots of a pumpkin (akar labu 

 ayer; Cucurbita pepo, Linn. — Cucurbitaceae) and of 

 akar hayam merah (Amaranthus gangeticus, Linn. — 

 Amaranthaceae). Another but different abortifacient 

 used in Pahang is pMya laid (Columbrina asiatica, 

 Brong. — Ehamnaceae), also taken in the form of a 

 decoction. 



The active principle of P. rosea is plumbagin/' a 

 peculiar crystalline glucoside chiefly contained in the 

 root, but also found in the leaves and stem, Wl^n 

 given internally it acts as a narcotic iiTitant, producing 

 pain and tenderness in the stomach, with vomiting, 

 great thirst, and frequent purgation. The root has 



