M. O. LABIATE. 
1013 
Vern. : — Ram-tulsi (Hind, and Dec.); Ram-tulshi (Beng.) ; 
Furanjmishk (Arab.); Palangtnishk (Pers.) ; Elumich-cbam- 
tolashi (Tam.) ; Nimmatulasi (Tel.) ; Kattu-tuttuva (Mai.) ; Ban- 
jere (Pb.) ; Ramatulas (Mar.) ; Avacbiba-vachi (Guz.) 
Habitat : - Bengal, Cliittagong, E. Nepal and throughout 
the Deccan Peninsula. 
A strongly-scented, perennial shrub, 1-Sft. glabrescent, much- 
branched, woody below. Leaves 2-4in. ovate acute crenate 
or coarsely toothed. Petiole l-2in. Racemes strict, slender; 
whorl rather close set ; bracts sessile, lanceolate, awned from a 
rounded base, longer than the Calyx. , Calyx pubescent, fruit- 
ing Jin. long, recurved ; two lower Calyx-teeth minute, much 
shorter than the rounded upper, lateral triangular, broader than 
the lower. Corolla Jin., hardly exceeding the Calyx, pale yel- 
low. Filaments exserted, knee bearded. Nutlets' sub-globose, 
rugose, with glandular depressions (J. D. Hooker l. 
Uses : — It is an esteemed remedy in gonorrhoea. Dr. Wait/. 
(D-is. of Children in Hot Climate, p. 196) states that in the 
aphthae of children he found a strong decoction of the plant 
effectual when ordinary European remedies had failed. He also 
advises [Ibid., p. 230) the use of aromatic baths of fumigations 
prepared with this plant in the treatment of rheumatism and 
paralysis (Bouton, Med. Plants of Mauritius p. 120). Ph. Ind. 
A decoction of the leaves is of value in cases of seminal 
weakness (S. Arjun). The seeds are given in headaches and 
neuralgia. 
The sample of oil ot Ocimum gratissimum L. prepared at Dabakala is very 
limpid and golden yellow in colour. Its odour is perfectly similar to that of 
the oil of ajowan seeds. 
Its eoustants are : 
Density at 15° C ... ... ... 0.9106 
Polarmetric rotation ... ... -fO‘58 1 
Soluble in li vol. of 80 per cent alcohol, later an opalescence. 
Judging from its odour, this essential oil should contaiu a large proportion 
of thymol or carvacrol. 
Agitation with a 5 per cent aqueous solution of caustic soda showed that 
it contains, as a matter of fact, 44 per cent of phenolie constituents. The 
alkaline solution is decomposed by dilute sulphuric acid, then exhausted 
with ether. By rapid evaporation in a small porcelain capsule, this solvent 
