N. 0. NYMPH.E0B.E. 
75 
Dekkan, bat it has been mentionod by Pandit Jaya Krishna 
Indraji and Dr. Tribhuvandas M. Shah, in their respective works. 
The flowers oE Nelumbium speciosum open at sunrise and 
close at sunset. Hence, they are called Surya-vikashi or 
SQrya-Kamal ; whereas Nymphoea stellata opens at sunset 
and closes at sunrise, and is hence called Chandra-vikashi 
(K. R. K.) 
N.B . — It is the ‘ Lotus ’ of the Europeans in the East ; the Cyamus or 
‘Sacred Bean ’ of ancient Egypt, where it does not grow now (Trimen). 
Parts used : — .The filaments, seeds, leaves, and root. 
Uses : — By Sanskrit authors, the filaments are considered 
astringent and cooling, useful in burning sensation of the body, 
bleeding piles and menorrhagia. In bleeding piles, the fila- 
ments of the lotus are given, with honey and fresh butter, or 
with sugar. 
The large leaves are used as cool bedsheets, in high fever, 
with much heat and burning of the skin (Dutt’s Materia 
Medica of the Hindus). The seeds are used to check vomiting, 
and given to children as diuretic and refrigerant. The milky 
viscid juice of the leaf and flower stalks is used in diarrhoea. 
The petals are said to be slightly astringent. 
The large root stalks are cut into 1 foot pieces, and sold under 
the name of Bhishi ; they afford a cooling, refreshing dish r when 
cooked in milk or cocoanut juice, with salt or sugar. 
A sherbet of this plant is used as refrigerant in small-pox, 
and is said to stop eruption ; used also in all eruptive fevers. 
The root is used as a paste in ringworm and other cutaneous 
affections. (Dr. Emerson.) 
The flowers are used as an astringent in diarrhoea, also 
cholera, in fever and diseases of the liver ; and are also recom- 
mended as a cardiac tonic. 
The powdered root is prescribed for piles as a demulcent ; 
also for dysentery and dyspepsia. 
The seeds form a cooling medicine for cutaneous diseases 
and leprosy, and are considered an antidote for. poisons. 
