Page:Indian Medicinal Plants (Text Part 2).djvu/336
p. 416) quotes a Malabar proverb, to the effect " as soon as Alpam enters the. body, poison leaves it." (Ph. Ind.) This is regarded as one of the most powerful antidotes to poison known on the West Coast. The whole plant mixed with oil and reduced to an ointment is said to be very efficacious in psora or inveterate ulcers (Drury).
1075. B. tomentosa, Blume., h.f.b.l, v. 73.
Habitat : — Silhet.
A low, herbaceous plant. Stem creeping below, and rooting, then ascending, 6-12in., simple angular, geniculate, tomentose. Leaves densely tomentose beneath 4-6 by 2½-4in., 1-3, oblong or ovate-cordate smooth, opaque above, 6-9-nerved at the base and penni-nerved beyond ; the first pair of basal nerves not reaching the middle of the leaf. Flowers in simple spikes, ½-¾in. diam. ; bracts oblong persistent. Perianth-lobes rounded-cordate, acute. Stamens 6. Capsule 2in. long, straight ; Seeds ½in. long, 3-gonous, rugose.
Use:— It possesses intense bitterness, and, according to Horsfield, is employed by the Javanese as an emmenagogue (Ph. Ind.).
1076. Aristolochia bracteata, Retz., h.f.b.l, v. 75 ; Roxb. 400.
Sans :— Dhûmrapatra.
Vern. : — Kiràamâr gandân or gandatî (Hind, and Dec.) ; Addu-tina-pally (Tam.); Gadidegada-para-áku (Tel.) ; Gandhâtî, kidâmârî (Bom.); Kadapara (Tel.).; Atutinâppâla (Mal.) ; Paniri (Uriya).
Habitat: — Deccan Peninsula, northward to Bundelkund, and Scinde.
Perennial herbs, quite glabrous. Roots slender. Stem or branches slender, 12-18in., angled, striate. Leaves 1½-3in. long and broad, widely and shallowly cordate at base or reniform, tip obtuse or subacute, margins flat or waved, glaucous beneath. Petiole 1-1½in. Peduncle short ; bracts usually orbicular, variable in position, sometimes basal. Flowers solitary.