1278 
INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. 
4 in., hypogaeous, 1-4-seeded ; septa spongy. Seeds oblong ; 
testa deeply grooved in wavy lines, black, shining (Trimen). 
Trimen further observes thus : — “ The long slender beak of 
the ovary resembles a pedicel or scape, and the raceme and 
ovary being concealed in the leaf-sheaths, the perianth segments 
assume the appearance of a whole flower.” 
Uses : — The tuberous roots are considered alterative, tonic, 
restorative, and useful in piles debility and impotence. Also 
useful in gonorrhoea, dysuria and menorrhagia. (Hindu Mat. 
Med. Pharm. Ind.) 
The roots of this small low-growing plant, common in most 
parts of India, are described by Ainslie (Mat. Ind., vol. ii., p. 
242) as tuberous, wrinkled, about four inches long, having a 
slightly bitter and mucilaginous taste. How far they constitute 
a portion of the Safed Mtisll of the Native Materia Medica (as 
has been supposed) is undetermined. Dr. Birdwood (Products 
of Bombay, p. 92) agrees with Dr. Royle in referring this drug 
to Murdannia scapifolia, Royle (Illust., t. 95). Further inquiries 
are required to determine its botanical source. The roots of 
0. orchioides are held in the highest esteem by the Hindu 
doctors of Travancore, in gonorrhoea, dysuria, menorrhagia, 
&c.; and from the unanimous testimony borne by them to their 
value in these and other allied affections, there is reason for 
supposing that they exercise some influence on the genito- 
urinary system generally ; but there is no evidence based on 
European observation as to their value in these cases. (Ph, Ind.) 
It is prescribed for asthma, piles, jaundice, diarrhoea, colic 
and gonorrhoea ; it is considered to be demulcent, diuretic, 
tonic and aphrodisiac, and is often combined with aromatics 
and bitters. (Dymock.) 
Chemical composition.— A proximate analysis of the powdered root* was 
made with the following results 
Ether ext. (fat, &c) 
1*28 
Alcoholic ext. (resin, tannin) 
4-14 
Water ext. (mncilage) 
19-92 
8tarch, &c., by difference ... 
... 4348 
Crude fibre 
... 14-18 
Ash ... 
8-60 
Moisture 
840 
10000 
