Page:Indian Medicinal Plants (Text Part 2).djvu/528

½in., hypogaeous, 1-4-seeded ; septa spongy. Seeds oblong ; testa deeply grooved in wavy lines, black, shining (Trimen).

Trimen further observes thus : — " The long slender beak of the ovary resembles a pedicel or scape, and the raceme and ovary being concealed in the leaf-sheaths, the perianth segments assume the appearance of a whole flower."

Uses : — The tuberous roots are considered alterative, tonic, restorative, and useful in piles, debility and impotence. Also useful in gonorrhœa, dysuria and menorrhagia. (Hindu Mat. Med. Pharm. Ind.)

The roots of this small low-growing plant, common in most parts of India, are described by Ainslie (Mat. Ind., vol. ii., p. 242) as tuberous, wrinkled, about four inches long, having a slightly bitter and mucilaginous taste. How far they constitute a portion of the Safed Músli of the Native Materia Medica (as has been supposed) is undetermined. Dr. Birdwood (Products of Bombay, p. 92) agrees with Dr. Royle in referring this drug to Murdannia scapifolia, Royle (Illust., t. 95). Further inquiries are required to determine its botanical source. The roots of C. orchioides are held in the highest esteem by the Hindu doctors of Travancore, in gonorrhœa, dysuria, menorrhagia, &c; and from the unanimous testimony borne by them to their value in these and other allied affections, there is reason for supposing that they exercise some influence on the genitourinary system generally ; but there is no evidence based on European observation as to their value in these cases. (Ph. Ind.)

It is prescribed for asthma, piles, jaundice, diarrhœa, colic and gonorrhœa ; it is considered to be demulcent, diuretic, tonic and aphrodisiac, and is often combined with aromatics and bitters. (Dymock.)

Chemical composition.— A proximate analysis of the powdered roots was made with the following results :—