N. 0. LYTHRACE.E. 
565 
A decoction of the leaves is used as an astringent gargle in 
relaxed sore throat. The fresh leaves are rubbed over the 
soles of the feet in the disease known as burning of the feet ; 
sometimes a paste made with vinegar is used for the same 
purpose. Henna is used as an emollient poultice, and the 
flowers are considered refrigerant. The flowers are also used 
as a soporific, being for this purpose placed in a pillow. 
The oil and essence are rubbed over the body to keep the 
body cool (Dr. Emerson). 
The Tamil physicians of Southern India make an extract 
from the flowering twigs and leaves much valued in the treat- 
'ment of lepra (leprosy) and other depraved habits of the body. 
(Ainslie). In the Concan, the leaf-juice mixed with water 
and sugar is given as a remedy 'for spermatorrhoea, and with 
milk in the condition known as “ hot and cold fits” (Dymock). 
“At Apollonia (a city in Greece), I caught a severe rheu- 
matism in my feet, 'fi Amongst the many remedies which 
I applied Laivsonia inermis proved the most effective. Every 
evening before going to bed I applied to the affected part the 
pulverized herb,, with as much water as was sufficient to 
make a soft poultice. In the morning I washed it off, but 
the place continued red ; it is the same herb, indeed, with 
which the fair sex in the East stain their hands and feet 
(Honnigberger). 
In that obscure affection termed “ Burning of the Feet," 
often met with in India, they are esteemed by the natives one 
of their most valued local applications. Dr. Grierson (Cal- 
cutta Med. Phys. Trans., vol. ii , p. 279) mentions an 
obstinate case benefited by their use ; and the Editor, when in 
Burmah, witnessed, in some cases, a great amount of tempo- 
rary relief to the distressing sensation of burning from this 
remedy, when numerous other taeans had previously failed. 
The fresh leaves beaten up into a paste with vinegar, and 
applied as a poultice to the soles of the feet, was the common 
mode of application ; but some patients obtained greater relief 
from using strong frictions with the bruised leaves over the 
part. Like all other remedies, however, they not unfrequently 
