N. 0. LA U I AT.].. 
1025 
tapering spikes ; lower floral leaves leaflike, upper smaller 
lanceolate. Calyx liairy, bell-shaped acutely 5-tootlied. Corolla- 
tube included in the Calyx ; limb erect, 4-lobed, lobes, equal. 
Stamens 4, equal, protruding, filaments naked. 
Uses .' — The leaves are officinal as astringent. Pudinah of 
Bombay gardens has exactly Ihe odour of peppermint (Dymock). 
A decoction is said to be used in fevers and heat apoplexy 
by the Afghans. 
The oil possesses sp-gr. O. 9701 at 15° C. ; “0= +81° 80' (100 m) ; "D J0 r = 
1*40544 ; acid value, 24 ; ester value, 20 9 ; ester value after acetylation, 1714; 
soluble in 3 vols. of 70 per cent, alcohol ; (the diluted solution showed slight 
opalescence); faintly mint-like odour ; yellow colour. It is obvious that the 
saponification value of 1714 after acetylation of tho oil cannot in this ease be 
indicative of the menthol content, which, judging by this factor, should have 
been 54'8 per cent.; for, as a matter of fact, it contains but little menthol. 
The mint-like odour is chiefly duo to tho presence of pulegoue, of which the 
oil contains 40 per cent, (isolated with Sodium Sulphite). In addition to this, 
a phenol (probably carvacrol) can be detected. 
Owing to the simultaneous occurrence in it of ‘menthol, pulegoue and a 
phenol, the oil cannot be used either as peppermint oil or as European 
pennyroyal or origanum oil. It is differentiated from oil of peppermint by 
its much higher specific gravity and by its pronounced dextra-rotatory power. 
(Schimmel’s Report, April 1910, quoted in J. Cli. I. for June 15, 1910, p. 716). 
98 ( 3 . M. arvensis, Linn., h.f.b.i., iv . 648 , Roxb. 460 . 
Vein. : — Pudinah (Beug., Hind, and Deed; Pudina, I-ech- 
ckak-kirai (Tam.) ; Pudina, Tga-engili-kura tTel.i ; Putiyiua 
(Mai.); Pudina (Guz.); Bhudina (Bunn.); Chetni-maragu (Kan ). 
Habitat : — Western Himalaya and Kashmir. 
A strong-scented perennial herb, hairy or glabrate. Stem 
l-2ft. Leaves shortly petioled or sessile, oblong-ovate, or lance- 
olate, l-2in., obtusely or acutely serrate, petioled or sessile. 
Bracts acute, shorter than the flowers, whorls axillary, capitate. 
Calyx hairy ; Calyx-teeth triangular or lanceolate. Corolla 
hairy without and within. 
Use : — The dried plant is refrigerant, stomachic, diuretic 
and stimulant medicine. It possesses antispasmodic and em- 
menagogue properties (Fleming). Used in jaundice. The dried 
plant powdered is used as a dentifrice. 
The scent of the fresh fruit is said to be useful to relieve 
fainting (Dr. Emerson). Frequently given to stop vomiting; a 
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