02 
INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. 
deeply lobed ; ovary 1, hairy, style shortly 3-fid. Drupe hairy, 
globose scarlet, J inch diam. Endocnrp transversely ridged 
and tuberculate. Seed horse-shoe-shaped. 
Parts used : — The root, bark and leaves. 
Uses : — Sanskrit writers consider the root to be light, bitter, 
^Stringent and useful in fever, diarrhoea, urinary diseases, dys- 
pepsia, etc. 
Ainslie writes : — •“ The leaves of this plant are considered by 
the Vylians as of a peculiarly cooling quality, but the root is the 
part most esteemed ; it. has an agreeable, bitterish taste, and is 
considered as a valuable stomachic. It. is frequently prescribed 
in the later stages of the bowel complaints, in conjunction with 
aromatics.” It is reported to be antilithic (Dymockh 
“ Used locally in cases of unhealthy sores and sinuses. Root 
given for pains in the stomach and for dyspepsia, diarrhoea, 
dropsy and cough ; also for prolapsus uteri, — and applied exter- 
nally in snake bite and scorpion sting.” (Watt.) 
It is officinal in the Pharmacopoeia of India, where its medi- 
cinal properties are described as “ mild tonic and diuretic exercis- 
ing apparently an astringent and sedative action on the mucous 
membranes of the genito-urinary organs. 
>1'' VfciY YvA'A >1 J 
N. 0. BERBERIDE^J. 
\ -ft' N I U'U' ) y TV' 
49. Berbcris vulgaris, Linn, h.f.b.i., i. 109. 
Vent .: — Zirishk ; Kashinal ; Chachar or. Chochar (Pb.); 
Bedana ; Cutch (Pers- . Chatrod (Jaunsar). 
Habitat : — Himalaya from Nepal westward, in shady forests, 
above 8,000 ft., Jaunsar and Tehri-Garlnval 12,000 ft., Simla, 
Narkunda, 8,000 — 12,000 ft, Tibet, Afghanistan. 
A small, deciduous, thorny shrub. Bark brown or grey, 
b in. thick. Wood lemon-yellow, moderate^ hard, even-grained. 
Annual rings marked by an irregular belt of small pores, which 
are larger than those in the rest of the wood. Leaves 1-3 in. long, 
broadly ovate, or spathulate, membranous or thinly-coriaceous, 
