N. 0. UMBEL1.1FEIUE. 
621 
3-partite, segments once or twice trifid, coarsely toothed at the 
apex. Peduncle 0-Jin., leaf-opposed ; rays of the umbel 5-10, 
T yUin., pedicels 6-10, 2 Viin. Fruit jV^in.; ridges narrow, 
vit'tse broad, occupying the whole breadth of the furrows 
Parts used : — Roots and seeds 
Uses : — Not mentioned in the ancient works of Hindoo medi- 
cine. The Mahomedan writers describe it as deobstruent and 
resolvent, and use it internally as a pectoral, and as a tonic and 
carminative adjunct to purgatives, also as a diuretic, emmen- 
agogue, 1 ithontriptic, and alexipharmic (Dymock). 
The officinal root is considered alterative and diuretic, and 
given in anasarca and colic. The seeds also are given as 
stimulant and cordial. 
As an antispasmodio, they are used in bronchitis, asthma, 
and to some extent for liver and spleen diseases, and said 
to be emmenagogue. Hakims consider it injurious in epilepsy 
(Honnigberger). 
570. Carum Carui,, Linn ; h.f.b.i., il. 680. 
Sans- : — Sushavi. 
V ern . : — Siah jira, zira (H.) ; Jira (B.) ; Zira siah (Pb.) ; 
Gunyuti (Kashmir and Chenab.) ; Wilayati-zirah (Bom.); 
Shimai-shombu, Kekku-virai (Tam.) ; Shimaisapu (Tel.). 
Eng. : — Caraway. 
flabitat : — Cultivated for its seeds on the plains and hills 
of India. 
An annual, glabrous herb. Stem l-3ft. Branches erect or 
diffuse. Leaves 2 pinnate, finely dissected ; ultimate segments 
of the lower leaves f-fin. ; lanceolate of the upper leaves, J-lin., 
linear. Bracts 1-3, small, linear, or O, rarely divided, bracteoles 
small, linear or 0. Rays 3-8, J-2in„ unequal ; pedicels 3-8, 
20 -fin., unequal. Fruit elliptic-oblong, f- fin., yellowish-brown, 
almost viscid. Carpels terete, narrowed upwards, primary 
ridges thin, but very distinct; vittaa solitary, rather large; 
carpophore entire, or shortly 2-fid. 
Uses : — Mahomedan writers describe the fruits as aromatic, 
carminative and _a§.tringent.; from them they prepare an eye- 
wash which is supposed to strengthen the sight ; they are 
