1314 
INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. 
which is not uncommon on the west coast of the Madras 
Peninsula. It is well adapted for pharmaceutical purposes. 
A glass of the freshly-drawn toddy, taken early in the morning, 
acts as a laxative.” (Pharrn. of India.) 
“ The nut is used as an application to the head in cases of 
hemicrania, from an idea of the supposed efficiency of the 
half-nut in curing the affected half of the head.” (S. Arjun.) 
The pith or farinaceous part of the trunk of old trees is 
considered to be almost equal to the best sago of commerce ; 
it is baked into bread and boiled into a thick gruel. 
1299. Phoenix dactylifera. TAnn., h.f.b.i., vi., 
425, Roxb. 723. 
Sans. : — Kharjura; Pinda Kharjura. 
Vern.: — Tree = Khajur, khaji; fruit= khurma, chhuhara, 
kukyan, khujiyan, kujran, pindakhejur (Hind.) ; tr. = Khajur. fr. 
= khurma, pindakhejur (Beng.); Kasser (Bhot.) ; tr. = khajdr 
khaji; fr. =pind, chlrwal, bagri, khajur, kukyan ; cabbage of 
leaves = gadda, gall! ; gum = hoktnckil, gond, sher-i-darakht i- 
khurma (Pb.) ; tr. = mach, fr.^khurma (N. Baluch.); Kajnra 
(Pushtu); Karmah (Turki) ; Pind chirdi, kurma, tar, khaji; 
fr.=jarikha, clanuko (Sind.); tr. =khajur, fr. = tamara, rAjib, 
nakel, kurma, chuara (Bomb.); Kharjur (Mar.) ; Khajur, kharik” 
(Guz.); fr. = perich-chankay (Tam.' ; Kharjurapu, perita ; mudda 
kharjurapu ; fr. = karjuru-kaya (Tel.); Kharjura (Kan.); fr.— 
Tenich-chan-kaya (Malay.). 
Habitat : — Cultivated in the Punjab, Sind and Trans-Indus. 
A tall palm, attaining 100-120ft., the foot often surrounded 
by a dense mass of root-sacks. Leaves grey, longer than those 
of P. sylvestris. Leaflets making a very acute angle with the 
common petiole. Fruit l-3in. long ; pulp substantial, very 
sweet. The best fruit comes from Muscat ; the next best is that 
from Persia. 
Uses: — Dates are considered demulcent, expectorant, laxa- 
tive, nutrient and aphrodisiac. They are prescribed in cases 
"Kharik is young Khajur, boiled in milk, hence its crumpled form (K.R.K). 
