472 
INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. 
was obtained by exhausting the powder of seeds, previously treated with 
ether, by means of alcohol of 60 per cent ; the alcohol is distilled off, the 
syrupy residue treated with absolute alcohol, which dissolves out various 
constituents, leaving a solid brown-red mass, having when dry a resinous 
fracture, and being soluble in water, to which it communicates a garnet 
colour. It contains C, II. 0, N, and S, but its exact composition has not been 
determined. (It is most likely a mixture of various bodies.) It is soluble 
also in weak alcohol, and in acids and alkalies. The colour cannot be fixed 
upon tissues by any known mordant. This circumstance induced the author 
to term it achrosiiie, or ‘ not colouring,' although being coloured itself." 
419. G. Sophera, Linn, ii.f.b i , n. 262. 
Syn. : — Senna Sophera, lioxb. 352. 
Sans.': — Kasamarda. 
Vern.: — Banar, kasurida, bas-ki-kasondi (H.) ; KM-kash- 
unda (B); Sari-kasondi, jangli-takla (Duk.) ; Kuwadice (Guz.) ; 
Ran-tankla (Mar.) ; Ponna-virai, periya-takar, pera-virai 
(Tam.); Paidi-tangedu, nute-kashindha, kasa-mardhakamu, 
tagara-chettn (Tel.); Ponnamtakara (Mai.). 
Habitat Common throughout India. 
Closely allied to C. occidentalis, from which it differs by its 
more shrubby habit, more numerous smaller narrower leaflets 
and shorter, broader, more turgid, pods which are not usually 
torulose when mature. 
Parts used -.—The bark, leaves, seeds and roots. 
Use Supposed by Sanskrit writers to have expectorant 
properties, hence the name kasamarda. 
It is noticed by Mohamedan writers as a remedy in snake- 
bite, the root being given with black pepper. The bark in the 
form of infusion and the powdered seeds, mixed with honey, are 
given in diabetes (Drury). In Madras, the infusion of the leaves 
is taken internally for gonorrhoea in its sub-acute stages, and it is 
also used externally for syphilis. 
The bark, leaves, and seeds are used as a cathartic, and 
the juice of the leaves is viewed as a specific in ring-worm, 
specially when made into a plaster in combination with sandal- 
wood. A paste made from the root is sometimes used instead 
of the juice of the leaves. The powdered seed is used for the 
same purpose and also for itch. 
