514 
INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. 
N. 0. ROSACE. 
459. Prunus Amygdalus, Baill, h.f.b.i., ii. 313. 
Syn — Amygdalus communis, Linn.Roxb. 403. 
Var .: — Amara. 
Vern.: — Karda-badam (H.); kadven-badam <MJ 
Var.: — Dulcis. 
Vern.: — Mitha baddm (H.) ; Gode badam (M.) 
Habitat : — Cultivated in the cooler parts of India. 
A middle-sized tree-wood light brown, moderately Hard. 
Leaves greyish when full grown, oblong-lanceolate, serrulate, 
petiole equal to or longer than the greatest width of leaf, sti- 
pules fimbriate. Flowers white, tinged with red appearing before 
the leaves from scaly buds on last year’s wood, peduncles much 
shorter than the campanulate Calyx. Drupes velvety, pericarp 
dry, when ripe, separating into 2 valves, stone compressed with 
shallow wrinkles and minute holes. 
Use: — The author of the Makhzan notices the use of the 
burnt shells as tooth-powder, and of the unripe fruit as an 
astringent application to the gums and mouth. Bitter almonds 
are described byMahomedan writers as attenuant and detergent ; 
they are recommended both internally and externally for a 
variety of purposes. As a plaster made with vinegar, they are' 
used to relieve neuralgic pains ; as a collyrium, to strengthen the 
eight; in emulsion with starch and peppermint to allay cough. 
They are also considered to be lithontriptic and diuretic, and of 
use for removing obstructions of the liver and spleen ; applied 
to the head, they kill lice ; as a suppository, they relieve pain in 
difficult mensturation ; as a poultice, they are a valuable appli- 
cation to irritable sores and skin eruptions. The root of the 
tree is described as discutient and alternative ; it is used both 
internally and externally (Dymock). 
The juice of almonds mixed with sugar is used in coughs. 
Almonds mixed with figs are used as a laxative and to relieve 
pain in the bowels. (Dr. Emerson.) 
