INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. 
930 
Uses : — It is considered to be antiseptic by the Ilindus, and 
its juice is rubbed over the body in pestilent fevers. Rheede no- 
tices its use for this purpose, and also internally in dysentery com- 
bined with ginger, cumin, and other aromatics. lie also states 
that a liniment is made from the plant with cocoanut oil which 
is used in elephantiasis. Roxburgh, under the name of Colum- 
ned ba.ls3.mea., describes the plant and notices its grateful odour 
and aromatic taste. The Bengal name signifies “ Camphor.” 
The odour of the fresh plant, is remarkably refeshing and agree- 
able and calls to mind that of camphor and oil of lemons. (Phar- 
macographia Indica, III — 7). 
389. Herpestis Monniera , H. B. and K. h.f.b.i., 
iv. 272. 
Syn. : — Gratiola Monniera, Linn. Roxb. 47. 
Vern. : — Brahmi, jal-nim, shwet chamni (Hind.) ; Adhabirni 
Beng.); Urishnaparni (Uriya) ; Bama, Nirbrnhmi (Bom,); Beami 
nirpirimie (Tam.) ; Sembranichitiu (Tel.). 
Habitat Common in marshes throughout India, from the 
Punjab to Ceylon. 
Marshy glabrous, often punctate herbs ; creeping, rather 
succulent ; branches 4-10in. long, rooting at the joints. Leaves 
a- Jim opposite, fleshy, sessile, obtuse, entire in the Indian 
plant, ovate-oblong or spathulate ; nerves very obscure ; 
lower surface dotted. Peduncles usually longer than the leaves, 
and-2 bracteoled. Flowers pale blue, purple-veined, single oh 
alternate, axillary stalks. Calyx J-|in. long, 5-parted, upper 
sepal ovate, Corolla cylindric, twice as long ; lobes and stamens 
subequal, anthers sagittate or didynamous ; style linear ; stigma 
capitate, 2-lobed capsule included, ovoid, acute. Seeds pale, irre- 
gular, numerous. 
Parts used : — The root, stalks and leaves. 
Uses : — It is considered by the Hindu physicians a nervine 
tonic, useful in insanity, epilepsy and hoarseness (Dutt). 
It is regarded by the Hindus as a powerful diuretic and 
apperient (Ainslie, Mat. Ind., vol. ii, p. 239), but there is no 
trustworthy evidence of its value in these respects. According 
