Page:Indian Medicinal Plants (Text Part 2).djvu/564

which is not uncommon on the west coast of the Madras Peninsula. It is well adapted for pharmaceutical purposes. A glass of the freshly-drawn toddy, taken early in the morning, acts as a laxative." (Pharm. of India.)

" The nut is used as an application to the head in cases of hemicrania, from an idea of the supposed efficiency of the half-nut in curing the affected half of the head." (S. Arjun.) The pith or farinaceous part of the trunk of old trees is considered to be almost equal to the best sago of commerce ; it is baked into bread and boiled into a thick gruel.

Sans. : — Kharjura ; Pinda Kharjura.

Vern. : — Tree = Khajúr, khají; fruit = khúrma, chhúhárá, kukyán, khujiyán, kujran, pindakhejúr (Hind.) ; tr. = Khájúr. fr. = khurmá, pindakhejúr (Beng.); Kasser (Bhot.) ; tr. = khajúr khají; fr. =pind, chírwaí, bagrí, khajúr, kukyán ; cabbage of leaves = gadda, gallí ; gum = hokmchil, gond, sher-i-darakht-i- khurma (Pb.) ; tr. = mach, fr. = khurmâ (N. Baluch.) ; Kajura (Pushtu); Karmah (Turki) ; Pind chirdi, kurma, tár, khají; fr.=jarikha, clanuko (Sind.) ; tr. = khajúr, fr. = tamara, rájib, nakel, kurma, chuara (Bomb.) ; Kharjúr (Mar.) ; Khajúr, khárik* (Guz.); fr.=périch-chankay (Tam.) ; Kharjúrapu, perita ; mudda kharjúrapú; fr. = karjúru-káya (Tel.); Kharjúra (Kan.); fr.= Teních-chan-káya (Malay.).

Habitat : — Cultivated in the Punjab, Sind and Trans-Indus.

A tall palm, attaining 100-120ft., the foot often surrounded by a dense mass of root-sacks. Leaves grey, longer than those of P. sylvestris. Leaflets making a very acute angle with the common petiole. Fruit l-3in. long ; pulp substantial, very sweet. The best fruit comes from Muscat ; the next best is that from Persia.

Uses : — Dates are considered demulcent, expectorant, laxative, nutrient and aphrodisiac. They are prescribed in cases

• Kharik is young Khajur, boiled in milk, hence its crumpled form (K.R.K).