Atfi.  Jour.  Phann.  i 
April,  1890.  j 
Tfie  Medicinal  Uses  of  Leaves. 
197 
France.  In  the  Mauritius,  the  leaves  of  the  Waltheria  indica,  also  known  as 
"  Guimauve,"  are  used  for  their  mucilage. 
An  infusion  of  the  leaves  of  Zizyphus  Jujuba  is  a  popular  medicine  in  Mau- 
ritius in  cases  of  asthma  and  oppression. 
The  leaves  of  Psoralea  glandulosa  are  regarded  as  a  powerful  vermifuge 
and  a  good  stomachic. 
The  leaves  of  Cajanus  striatus,  roasted  and  powdered,  are  a  powerful  diu- 
retic, and  are  given  in  derangements  of  the  stomach,  colic,  etc.  The  bruised 
leaves  are  effectual  in  hemorrhages. 
The  leaves  of  Melia  Azadircichta  are  stimulant,  and  applied  to  ulcers  and 
skin  diseases  of  long  standing.  They  are  also  used  in  the  form  of  poultices, 
to  disperse  glandular  tumors,  and  in  the  form  of  a  pulp,  in  cases  of  pustular 
eruptions  and  small-pox.  The  leaves  of  another  species,  M.  Azedarach,  have 
similar  properties,  and  are  used  internally  and  externally  in  leprosy  and 
scrofula. 
The  juice  of  the  tender  leaves  of  Nerium  odor  tun  forms  in  India  a  remedy 
for  ophthalmia.    A  decoction  of  the  leaves  is  said  to  reduce  swellings. 
The  juice  of  the  leaves  of  Ocimum  Basilicum  forms  an  excellent  nostrum 
for  the  cure  of  ringworm,  and  the  bruised  leaves  for  scorpion  stings. 
The  mucilage  of  the  fresh  leaves  and  stems  of  Pedalium  Murex  is  highly 
valued  by  the  people  of  Southern  India  as  a  medicine  in  gonorrhoea  and 
dysuria.  The  leaves  have  an  odor  of  musk  ;  when  fresh  and  stirred  in  water, 
they  render  it  mucilaginous.  Buttermilk  in  India  is  often  fraudulently  thick- 
ened by  the  use  of  these  leaves. 
The  leaves  of  Ptychotes  involucrata  are  used  by  the  natives  of  India  as  a 
condiment  and  also  as  a  stomachic  and  carminative  in  flatulency  and  other 
similar  diseases.  Though  of  an  unpleasant  smell,  the  leaves  are  now  and  then 
used  as  a  substitute  for  parsley  by  Europeans. 
A  decoction  of  the  leaves  of  Uncaria  Gambir  is  evaporated  by  fuel  and 
solar  heat,  and  contains  a  large  percentage  of  tannin,  hence  it  enters  largely 
into  commerce  for  dyeing  and  tannin. 
The  powder  of  the  dried  leaves  of  Lygodium  Jiexuosum  is  used  with  alleged 
success  as  a  powerful  errhine  in  obstinate  headache. 
The  juice  of  the  fresh  leaves  of  Momordica  Charantia,  mixed  with  warm 
water,  has  been  successfully  used  as  an  anthelmintic. 
The  leaves  of  Vitex  trifolia  are  considered  useful  as  an  external  application 
to  all  rheumatic  pains,  sprains,  etc.  The  powdered  leaves  have  been  given 
with  success  in  cases  of  intermittent  fevers. 
The  leaves  of  Polanisia  icosandra,  bruised  and  applied  to  the  skin,  act  as  a 
counter-irritant,  and  in  delicate  constitutions,  as  a  blister. 
The  leaves  of  Erythrina  indica  are  used  in  cases  of  fever  by  the  natives  of 
India,  and  are  sometimes  applied  externally,  to  disperse  venereal  buboes  and 
relieve  pains  on  the  joints. 
The  leaves  of  species  of  Euphorbia^  when  warmed,  are  applied  over  the 
hypogastric  region,  and  are  said  to  promote  the  secretion  of  urine.  The  juice 
is  used  as  a  diuretic,  and  for  relieving  asthmatic  attacks,  and  when  warmed  and 
dropped  into  the  ear,  has  been  found  to  give  great  relief  in  earache. 
Although  by  no  means  complete,  this  enumeration  of  the  medicinal  uses  of 
leaves  may  be  interesting  in  some  quarters. 
