866 
INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. 
In Patna, the leaves are employed in cases of fever, the dose 
given being from half a drachm to 3 drachms (Irvine). 
“ Considered by natives of Porto Rico to be an excellent 
remedy for all kinds of ulcers. But it has a far greater reputa- 
tion for the cure of sore throat. In many cases of pharyngitis 
and tonsilitis, I have obtained relief of the pain and constriction 
attending those diseases, by repeating gargles with a decoction 
of the leaves and flowers of the plant, giving internally one 
wine glass of the same every 2 hours ” (Dr. Araedo, in the Ph. 
J. for April 28, 1888). 
Chemical composition.— The stems and leaves, besides containing a tannin 
soluble in ether, affording a dirty green coloration with ferric chloride, and 
an organic acid, non-crystalline, also soluble in ether, gave very marked 
evidence of the presence of an alkaloidal principle soluble in ether, and 
yielding marked precipitates with the ordinary alkaloidal reagents : with 
potassic chromate it afforded no precipitate, and it gave no speeial colour 
reactions. It was tasteless. 
823 . Trichodesma indicum, Br. h.f.b.i., iv. 153 . 
Syn. : — Borago indica, Linn., Roxb. 154. 
Vern. : — Chhota-kulpha (H. and B.) ; Kowri-bootee, Kat- 
maudoo (Pb.) ; Gaozaban (Sind.); Hetmudia (Santal ) ; Kat- 
mandi (Kumaon) ; Ratisurkh, nilakrdi (Kashmir) ; Lahana 
kalpa (Mar.) ; Kazuthai-tumbai (Tam.)^ Gusva-gutti (Tel.). 
Habitat : — Common throughout India.; not in Bengal Plains. 
Parts used : — The leaves ; root. 
Erect or diffuse herbs, bristly, with hairs springing from 
tubercles, and also more or less villous. Stems erect or diffuse, 
up to 18in. long. Leaves opposite, upper alternate, entire, 
l-4in., tubericulate on the upper surface, mostly sessile, lanceolate 
or cordate-lanceolate. Lower pedicels often distinctly axillary, 
1-flowered. Flowers pale blue, changing to pink or white. 
Calyx-lobes J-yin., more or less grey or white villous (at least 
in fruit), cordate or hastate at the base. Corolla-tube yin., 
lobes Jin., ovate, suddenly acuminate ; Staminal one densely 
closely woolly on the back. Fruit ellipsoid. Nutlets yin., some- 
times very rough on the inner surface, obscurely margined, 
white or bluish when ripe. 
