66

MATERIA MEDICA

‡Eriodendron anfractuosum, DC. 116, 117 and 118.

     Habitat.—One of the common trees in South India.

     Parts Used.—The dry young fruit, cotton, and seeds.

     Synonyms.—Of the dry young fruit—Suféd-sénbal-ké-pindé, Suféd
sémal-ké-pindé, Tóla-ké-pindé, Hind. Khatyán-ké-pindé, Suféd-Khat-
yán-ké-pindé, Duk. Ilavam-pinji, Tam. Búraga-pindé, Búra-sanna-
káya, Búraga-sanna-káya, Tel. Of the cotton—Suféd-sénbal-kí-rúí,
Suféd-sémal-kí-yúí, Tólá-kí-rúí, Hind. Khatyán-kí-rúí, Suféd-Khatyán-
kírúí, Duk. Ilavam-parutti, Tam. Búraga-patti, Tel. Pangai-maram-
parutti, Pulla-maram-parutti, Malyal. Búra-mara-hatti, Buraga-hatti,
Can. Tólá.-rúí, Beng. Imbul-kapu, Cing. Of the seeds—Suféd-sénbal-
ké-bínj, Suféd-sémal-ké-bínj,Hind.Khatyán-ké-bínj, Suféd-Khatyán-
ké-bínj, Duk. Ilvam-virai, Tam. Buraga-vittulu, Tel. Pangaivitta,
Pula-maram-vitta, Malyal. Búra-mara-bíja, Búraga-bíja, Can.Tólá-
bíj, Beng. Imbul-atta, Cing.

      Local Sources.—The cotton is always found in the bazaar and is
much cheaper than the common cotton. The dry young fruits are
sometimes sold as Máráti-moggu in the local market, but what is
generally met with there under this name are the dry young fruits
of B. malabaricum, to which that name should be confined for the
reasons explained under that plant. The fruits of E. anfractuosum,
however, are found in a large quantity on the ground under the plant
in the proper season, which is the chief and certain source of the drug.
The seeds also require to be gathered in the proper season, not being
sold in the bazaar.

        Price.—Of the cotton—Wholesale, Rs. 2 per maund; retail or
bazaar, As. 1½ per pound.

       Physiological Actions, Therapeutic Uses, Preparations, Doses, and
European Drugs for which they may be substituted.—Similar to those
of the corresponding parts of B. malabaricum, except this, that the
young fruit of the plant under discussion (E. anfractuosum) are much
inferior as a drug to those of the former (B. malabaricum).

       Remarks.—I have already described the dry young fruits of E.
anfractuosum and pointed out the difference between them and those
of B. malabaricum in my remarks under the latter plant, and refer
the reader to them. The seeds of E. anfractuosum are about the size
of a small pea, roundish, dirty or dull brown in color, and smooth.
The albumen is grey or deep grey and distinctly sweet in taste. The
cotton is of a dull or dirty white color, and more silky or softer than
the common cotton. For this reason as well as for its cheapness it is
preferable to the latter for medical purposes.

† Adansonia digitata, Linn. 119 and 120.

     Habitat.—An African plant cultivated in various parts of India.

     Parts Used.—The fruit (No. 119) and bark (No. 120).

     Synonyms.—Of the fruit—The monkey-bread or baobab fruit, Eng.
Góra-amlí, Hind. Górak-amlí-ká-phal, Háti-Khatyán-ká-phal, Duk