Page:Indian Medicinal Plants (Text Part 2).djvu/510
| Chem.comp.— The drug yielded to analysis | Percent |
|---|---|
| Ether extract (essential oil, fat, and soft resins) | 6.96 |
| Alcoholic extract (sugar, resins) | 7.29 |
| Water extract (gum, acids, &c.) | 13.42 |
| Starch | 15.08 |
| Crude fibre | 12.61 |
| Ash | 6.80 |
| Moisture | 7.66 |
| Albuminoids, modifications of arabin, &c | 30.18 |
| Total | 100.00 |
The root had a pungent odour, similar to a mixture of camphor and nutmeg, the soft resin had a bitter and burning taste. The colouring matter had many of the reactions of curcumin, but was more readily bleached than true curcumin, and the colour of the powder was very fugitive. The water extract gave a crystalline precipitate with lead acetate, which was found to be due to the presence of malic acid. The root contained more mucilage and sugar than that of Curcuma aromatica. (Pharmacogr. Ind. III, 427.)
1247. Costus Speciosus, Smith, h.f.b.l, vi., 249 ; Roxb. 20.
Sans. : — Kemuka ; Pushkara mulaka.
Vern. : — Kûst, kén (B. &. H.) ; Osop (Santal) ; Gudárichákânda (Bomb.); Pinnga, penva (Mar.); Bommakachika (Tel.); Tsjanakua (Mal.) ; Keyu, Keoli, kûtshiriu (U. P.).
Habitat :— Throughout India.
An annual herb. Root-stock tuberous, horizontal. Leafy stem 6-9ft., stout. Leaves ½-lft., or more, oblong ; acute, thinly silky beneath. Spike very dense-fid, 2-4in., bracts ovate bright-red, 1-1½in. Calyx lin. ; segments 3, ovate, cuspidate. Corolla-segments white, oblong, l-l½in. Lip white, suborbicular, 2-3in., the margins incurved and meeting. Filaments 1½-2in., including the oblong petaloid connective. Capsule lin., globose, red, crowned with the persistent calyx.
Uses : — The root is said to be bitter, astringent and digestive, and to be useful in catarrhal fevers, coughs, skin diseases, &c. (U. C. Dutt.) In the U. Provinces, from the root a strengthening tonic is made, and it is also used as an anthelmintic. (Atkinson.) Roxburgh notices a preserve made of the fresh roots which is considered wholesome and nutritious. Ainslie, quoting Brown's History of Jamaica, says that the root is there used as