N. O. VERBENAEE/E. 
995 
Vern. : — Bhaij&m (B.) ; Kada met (Santa!.); Nala nireclu 
(Tel.). Gantu Bhnrangi (Madias'. 
A small inconspicuous undershrub, produced unusually from 
woody rootstocks after the jungle (ires. Stem hardly any. 
Leaves simple sessile, 4 by 2-3in., cuneate or obovate, serrate 
pubescent, mature pubescent on the nerves which are in 5 pair. 
Corymbs Ifin. diam., pubescent, somewhat dense ; peduncles 
0-1 ^-in. Flowers greenish white, 4-lobed. Calyx T ’ 0 in closely 
pubescent, lobes ovate obtuse, sub-segmently 5 toothed. Corolla 
g-in., hairy in the throat, 4-lobed, obscurely two-lipped. Drupe 
d’rn. diam., globose, black when ripe, with one pyrene. Roots 
about as thick as a crowquill with numerous almost globular 
woody 'knots!) “ A good example of a plant belonging to a genus 
mostly represented by trees or shrubs, and which has become 
permanently dwarfed by continuous exposure to periodical fires” 
(Duthie). 
Use : — A preparation of the root is given internally for 
rheumatism by the Santals (Rovd A Campbell . 
This plant is frequently confounded with Clerodendron serratum, Spreng., 
the roots and stems of which aro sold under the name of Bharangi. In Sans- 
krit, Bharangi bears the names of Bhargi, Brahmayashtika, Hangiita, Bringa-ja 
and Vardhaka, and is described in tho Nighautas as hot, bitter, pungent, and 
digestive; a remover of dropsy, cough, phlegm, asthma, fever, and reheuma- 
tism. The juice of the root is given with the juice of ginger and warm water 
in asthma, and it ontors into the composition of soveral compound decoctions 
for diseases of the lungs. A confection called Bhargi-guda is prepared with 
a dococtiou of the root, and the ten drugs called Dasamula, ehebulic myroba- 
lans, treacle, and aromatics. An oil prepared with the root is recommended 
for external application in the marasmus of children (Chakradattal. 
The properties of P. herbacea agree much more nearly, with those attri- 
buted to Bharangi in the Nighantas, than do those of Clerodendron serratura. 
although the latter- plant is at the present time in use as Bharangi through- 
out the greator part of India, Dutt attributes the drug to C. Siphonauthus, 
but the samples we obtained from Bengal consisted of the stems of C serratum. 
Bombay was formerly supplied from the Circars with P. herbacea, but now 
uses C. serratum. 
Chemical composition. — The constituents of this root resemble to a great 
extent those found in P. iutcgrifolia. An orange-brown acid resin soluble in 
other, alcohol and alkaline solutions, and traces of an alkaloid aro the most 
important. There is a quantity of starch in the root, and an entire abseuce 
of astrigency (Pharmaeographia Indies II, pp. 68-70), 
