1318 
INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. 
Ovary 3-4-celled. Fruit a large subglobose brown drupe, 6in. 
in diam. or more, with 1-3 obcordate fibrous pyrenes, enclosed 
by the enlarged perianth. Seeds oblong, 3-lobed at the top ; 
albumen uniform, hollow. (Cooke). 
Uses : — The juice of this plant is used as a stimulant and 
antiphlegmatic. The ash of the dry spadix is used as an antacid 
in heartburn. The saccharine juice, when freshly drawn, is 
exceedingly sweet, and, if taken regularly for several mornings 
in succession, acts as a laxative. The light-brown, cotton-like 
substance from the outside of the base of the fronds, is employed 
bjr the Cinghalese doctors as a styptic to arrest haemorrhage from 
superficial wounds. The fresh juice is also useful in inflam- 
matory affections and dropsy. Vinegar, toddy and a spirituous 
liquor are made from this tree. The juice slightly fermented is 
used in diabetes. The ash of the spadix is given internally 
in bilious affections. This ash is also used in preparing dyes. 
The ash acts as a powerful blister and applied on enlarged 
liver and spleen in combination with some other demulcents. 
The pulp of the ripe fruit is applied externally in skin diseases. 
Palm sugar is antibilious and alterative and used in hepatic 
disorders and gleet. The juice is diuretic and prescribed in 
chronic gonorrhaea (T. N. Mukherje). “ The root is cooling and 
restorative. The ashes of the flowering stalk said to be useful 
in enlarged spleen.” (U. C. Dutt.) 
“ A useful stimulating application, called toddy poultice, is 
prepared by adding fresh-drawn toddy to rice-flour till it has 
the consistence of soft poultice, and, this being subjected to a 
gentle fire, fermentation takes place. This, spread on a cloth 
and applied to the affected part, acts as a valuable stimulant 
application to gangrenous ulcerations, carbuncles and indolent 
ulcers.” (Ph. Tnd.) 
The expressed juice of the leaf-stalk and young root is used 
in cases of gastric catarrh and to check hiccup. The fermented 
juice sometimes acts as a drastic purgative. An extract of the 
green leaves is used internally in secondary syphilis. The ash 
of dry spadix is largely used as an antiperiodic ; it is feebly so. 
( Watt’s Diet.). 
