Page:Indian Medicinal Plants (Text Part 2).djvu/539
| Chem. comp.— The powdered roots were found to contain— | |
|---|---|
| Water extract | 77.55 |
| Cellulose | 12.85 |
| Moisture | 6.00 |
| Ash | 3.60 |
| Total | 100.00 |
The water extract was a thick mucilaginous liquid which threw out white flocks of albuminous matter when boiled, and was not affected by Fehling's solution. The portion of the root insoluble in water consisted of almost pure cellulose. (Pharmacogr. Ind. III. 485.)
1276. A. gonoclados, Baker, h.f.b.i., vi., 318.
Vern. : — Satamúli (B.) ; Hatmuli (Assam) ; Tilora (Sind) Shatávari (Bomb, and Guz.) ; Satávari-múl, zatar (Mar.) Kilávari, tannir-vittán-kizhangu, tanni-muttán-kalangu (Tam.) challagaddalu, pilli-pichara (Tel.) ; Shatávari-kizhanna, shatávali (Mala) ; Majjige-gadde (Kan.) ; Shaqáqul or shakakúl (Arab., Pers., and Hin.). This is erroneously called Safed musli in some parts of India.
Habitat : — Upper India, Concan and the Deccan.
An excessively branched, subscandent, armed under-shrub ; stem terete ; branches curved, green, triquetrous. Spines short. Cladodes 2-6-nate, 1-1½in. long, by 1/18in. broad, flat, straight or falcate, subcostate, narrowed to the acuminate base and tip ; racemes l-3in., often fascicled, sometimes connate ; pedicels 1/20-1/12in. jointed much below the middle, bracts as long as the lower joint of the pedicels, cymbiform ; perianth 1/12-1/10in. across; segments spreading, outer linear-oblong, inner more spathulate : anthers much shorter than the filaments. Berry globose, 1/6in. diam., or didymous and twice as broad. Flowers white.
Uses:— The root is considered nourshing and aphrodisiac. Boiled with oil, it is applied to cutaneous diseases. It is given in gonorrhœa in 15 grains per dose. The root is used to adulterate or as substitute for Aconitum heterophyllum. (Watt.)
1277. Polygonatum multiflorum, All, h.f.b.i., vi,, 319.
Habitat : — Western Temperate Himalaya, from Kashmir to Kumaon.