36 
INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. 
than the sepals. Ovaries 2-5, rarely more, raany-ovuled, style 
short, stigma pointed. Follicles g- in. long, flat, tipped with 
the persistent style. Seeds 6-8 (Collett). 
Part used '■ — The root. 
Uses : — The root is said' to be poisonous. In Siberia, it is 
used to drive away bugs and fleas. “ Under the name of a 
nearly allied plant (Actaea spicata', I have already referred to 
this plant, and I have done so chiefly with the view of attracting 
attention to these useful, but apparently neglected plants.” 
(W ATT).- 
Garrod in his Materia Medica, calls Cimicifuga racemosa, 
Linn., the Black Snake Root, and remarks that it is a remedy 
much used in America. He gives the dose of the tincture as 
30 to 40 minims. He remarks : — “ Its use is said to have been 
attended with much success in rheumatic fever, in chorea, and 
in lumbago, and in some forms of puerperal hypochondriasis. 
There seems every reason to expect that the Indian species, 
which differs from C. racemosa only very slightly, will be 
found to possess all its medicinal virtues. C. racemosa is 
chiefly prescribed in the form of tincture and employed in 
rheumatic affections, dropsy, the early stage of phthisis, and 
chronic bronchial diseases. Externally, a strong tincture has 
recently been used to reduce inflammations. See ( Year-Book 
of Pharmacy, 1S7 2). The root contains a resinous active prin- 
ciple which has been termed Oimicifugin or Macrotin. In its 
action this drug resembles hellibore on the one hand, and 
colchicum on the other. It is most useful in acute rheumatism, 
and a powder of the root is perhaps the best mode in which to 
give the drug, in doses of 20 to 30 grains. ( Royle’s Mat. Med. 
by Harle y.) 
A poultice prepared from the fresh leaves is used here, and 
said to be very useful in rheumatic affection of joints (Surgn. 
Meadows,- Barisal). 
28 . Pceonia Emodi, Wall, h.f.br.i., I. 30 . 
Syn ; — Paeonia officinalis, Hf. and T. 
