1074 
INDIAN MEDICINAL I’l.ANTS. 
bronchitis, two of which were capillary; also in three cases of whooping 
cough. It was tried in phthisis, bat no definitely satisfactory results were 
obtained. A tumblerfnl of the decoction was given three times a day.” 
(1‘harmacog. Ind., Vol. III. p. 149.) 
1056. P. plebejum, Br., Var. indica, h.f.b.i., 
v. 27. 
Vern. : — Rariiphul (Santal). 
Gommon in central and S. India, also in the Bombay 
Presidency. 
Branches uniformly spreading all round from the crown and 
lea ly, internodes short. Leaves in. long, linear or obovate- 
oblong, flat, obtuse or apiculate ; stipules very short. Flowers 
crowded in the axils, pedicels shorter than the perianth or none. 
Sepals broad, 2 outer acute. Nutlets tj in. (Dutliie.) 
Use : — The root is given for bowel complaints (Campbell). 
1057. P. viviparum, Linn., ii.f.b.i., v. 31. 
Syn. : — P. bistorta, Linn. 
Vern. ■ — Maslun, bilauri, aujabar (Pb.l. 
Habitat : —Alpine and Sub-alpine Himalaya, from Kashmir 
to Sikkim, etc. 
A perennial, glandular herb. Stem solitary, 4-12in„ slender 
simple, erect, from a woody root-stock as thick as the thumb 
or less. Root leaves long-petioled, linear or linear-oblong, acute, 
obtuse or cordate ; 1-6'in., coriaceous, sometimes pubescent, or 
even tomentose beneath. Cauline leaves sessile, erect. Spikes 
l-4\n. long, solitary, erect, slender. Bracts ovate, acuminate. 
Perianth very variable in size. Flowers suberect, pink, the 
lower re-placed by bulbils. Stamens included or exserted. 
Styles filiform, slender, free and included or greatly lengthened 
and connate below. Nut very small, trigonous, or biconvex. 
Uses : — The root is a useful astr.ngent and said to be applied 
to abscesses ; a decoction may be used in gleet and leucorrhoea 
as an injection ; makes an excellent gargle in relaxed sore- 
throat and spongy gums, and an excellent lotion for ulcers. 
Mixed with Gentian, it is given in intermittent fevers ; also 
useful in passive luemorrbage and diarrhoea (Dr. Stewart). 
