N. 0. LABIAT.E. 
1027 
Habitat : - Temperate Himalaya, from Kashmir to Sikkim. 
An aromatic erect herb, corymbosely branched, l-3ft., more 
or less clothed with short hairs, glabrous, at times prostrate. 
Rootstock short, stoloniferous. Leaves entire or toothed, J-lin. 
long, lower early withering, stalked, fin. broad. Flowers dimor- 
phic small, pink (Female paler), crowded in numerous 4-sided 
spikes, £-lin. long, in clusters or heads at the end of branches 
sometimes forming terminal panicles ; floral leaves bract-like 
lanceolate longer than the calyx, overlapping, often tinged with 
purple. Calyx bell-shaped enlarged in fruit 5-toothed, mouth 
hairy within, calyx-teeth short; Corolla-tube longer than the 
calyx ; limb 2-lipped, upper lip erect, nearly flat, notched, 
lower, spreading 3-.lobed.‘ Stamens 4 in unequal pair, slightly 
protruding. Nutlets smooth dry. 
Uses : — It yields a volatile oil, useful as an aromatic, stimu- 
lant and tonic in colic, diarrhoea and hysteria. It is also 
applied in chronic rheumatism and tooth-ache. It is said 
to stimulate the growth of hair, and also to act as an emmena- 
gogue (Stewart). 
Considered a good “ pick-me-up ” after a carousal. The 
oil is dropped into the ear for earache (Dr. Emerson). 
The infusion is gently tonic, also carminative, stimulant, 
emmenagogue and diaphoretic. It is also used as a fomenta- 
tion externally (Brunton). 
The Greeks used it extensively, both internally and for making fomenta- 
tions. It was esteemed as a remedy for narcotic poisons, convulsions and 
dropsy, by them, and also by the older herbalists of Europe.— The oil is still 
an ingredient in some embrocations in use in England, amt has a special repu- 
tation for toothache (So-verby's English Botany.). 
A sample from Ramnagar, United Provinces, yielded to ether 27-3 per cent, 
of a light-coloured drying oil. The oil had an acid value of IPS, saponifica- 
tion value 19P9, iodine value 190’o (Hooper). 
990. Thymus Serpyllum, Linn, h.f.b.i, iv. 649. 
Vern. ilasho, rangsbur, marizha (Pb.) ; Ban-ajwaiu (H.) 
Habitat : — Western Temperate Himalaya, from Kashmir 
to Kymaon. 
