1248 
INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. 
obtusely-toothed, scarcely half as long as the Corolla-tube. 
Corolla-tube funnel-shaped ; lateral segments oblong, upper 
rather longer, ovate convex. Lip |in. broad, orbicular, 
deflexed obscurely 3-lobed, emarginate. Capsule ovoid-trigonous, 
smooth, dehiscing irregularly. Seeds oblong, aril lanceolate, 
white. 
Uses : — The fresh root is considered to be cooling and 
diuretic, it checks leucorrhoeal and gonorrhoeal discharges and 
purifies the blood. The juice of the leaves is given in dropsy. 
(Rheede.) The rhizomes possess aromatic, stimulant and car- 
minative properties. Employed as a stomachic, and also ap- 
plied to bruises and sprains. The root is chewed to correct a 
sticky taste in the mouth ; it is also an ingredient in some of the 
strengthening conserves which are taken by women to remove 
weakness after childbirth. In colds it is given in decoction 
with long pepper, cinnamon and honey, and the pounded root 
applied as a paste to the body. (Dymock.) 
Zedoary contains, according to Bucholz (R epert. Phftrm. xx., 376), volatile 
oil, a bitter soft resin, a bitter extractive matter, gum, starch, &c. The oil 
is turbid, yellowish-white and viscid, has a camphoraceous taste and smell, 
'and consists of two oils, one lighter, the other heavier than water. Tromrns- 
dorff obtained from the root a substance which be called Zedoarin, but did 
not further describe it. .‘A proximate analysis afforded : — 
Essential oil, resin, curcumin, &c. ... ... ... 379 
Resins, sugar ... ... ... ... ... -90 
Gum and organic acids ... ... ... ... 15'22 
Starch ... ... ... ... .., 1770 
Crude fibre ... ... ... ... ... 1092 
Ash ... ... ... ... ... ... 6-06 
Moisture ... ... ..: ... 10’81 
Albuminoids, Arabins, &c. ... ... ... ... 35'60 
100-00 
(Pharmacog. Ind. 111. 402-403.) 
1234. C. ccBsia, Roxb., h.f.b.i., vi. 212. Roxb. 9. 
Vern. : — Kdlo-holud, nil-kantha (B.) ; Kali-halada(Mar.); Nar- 
kachura (Bom.) ; Nar-kachur, kall-haldi (H.) ; Manupasupu 
(Tel.). 
Habitat : — Bengal. 
