1052 
INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. 
Uses : — Demulcent, and mildly astrin gent. The seeds have 
been found serviceable in febrile, catarrhal, and renal affections, 
but their chief use is in diarrhoea and dysentery. Moistened 
with water, they form a good emollient poultice. 
The seeds yield to water a good deal of mucilage, and form 
a cooling demulcent drink which is prescribed in cases where 
emollients are required. A slight degree of astringency and 
some tonic property may be imparted to the seeds by applica- 
tion of a moderate degree of heat, and it is said that this 
remedy cures the chronic diarrhoea of European and native 
children on the failure of other medicines. (Bentley and 
Trimen.) 
The crushed seeds made into a poultice with vinegar and 
oil are applied to rheumatic and gouty swellings. With the 
mucilage a cooling lotion for the head is made. Two to three 
drachms moistened with hot water and mixed with sugar are 
given in dysentery and irritation of the intestinal canal to 
procure an easy stool. The decoction is prescribed in cough. 
The roasted seeds have an a string ent effect, and are useful in 
irritation of the bowels in children and in dysentery. 
1028. P. Psylium, Linn, h.f.b.i., iv. 707. 
Habitat: — North-Western Punjab; Peshawar and South of 
Bannoo; Tarki, N. of Indus. 
Scapigerous herbs, annual, erect, strict, glandular- pubescent. 
Stem leafy, 4-8in. Leaves opposite, linear or linear-lanceolate, 
flat, obtuse, 1-1 |in., with fascicles in their axils, hence appearing 
whorled ; margin entire, with a very few glandular tubercles ; 
bases, ciliate. Peduncles in the upper axils. Scapes usually 
shorter than the leaves. Spikes ovoid, £-£in. ; bracts acute, 
lower elongate, hispid. Sepals oblong, subacute. Corolla very 
small. 
Use:— The seeds are used like those of P. Major, Limn. 
N. 0. NYCTAGTNiE. 
1029. Boerhaavia diffusa, Linn., H. F. B. I., iv 
709 (a variety of B. repens), Roxb. 49. 
Sans. : — Punarnava ; Sothaghni. 
