Page:Indian Medicinal Plants (Text Part 2).djvu/267

This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
N. 0. LABIATÆ.
1017


used successfully in the treatment of diseases of urinary organs (Christy's N. L. P. No. X, p. 104, 1887).


974. Coleus aromaticus, Benth., H.F.B.I., IV. 625.

Syn. : — Plectranthus aromaticus, Roxh. 466.

Sans. : — Páshána bhedi.

Vern. : — Páthar chur (H.) ; Páter-chur (B.) ; Páthor chur, pathúr chúr, owa (B.) ; Karpura valli (Tel.) ; Pánáchá onvá (Mar.).

Habitat : — Cultivated throughout India.

A perennial herb, shrubby below, hispidly villous or tomentose. Stem l-3ft., fleshy. Leaves l-2in., petioled, broadly ovate or cordate, crenate, fleshy, very aromatic. Flowers shortly pedicelled, ⅓in. long, whorls distant, densely many-fid. Upper Calyx-lip ovate, acute membranous, lower acuminate. Corolla pale purplish, tube short, throat inflated, lips short. Stamens shortly exserted. Fruiting Calyx sub-erect.

Uses : — " Said by Sanskrit writers to have a specific action on the bladder and to be useful in urinary diseases, vaginal discharges, etc." (U. C. Dutt). It is employed in Cochin China, according to Lourero (Flor. Cochin , p 452), in asthma, chronic coughs, epilepsy and other convulsive affections. Dr. Wight (Illust. vol. ii,) speaks of it as a powerful aromatic carminative given in cases of colic in children, in the treatment of which the expressed juice is prescribed mixed with sugar or other suitable vehicle. In his own practice he observed it to produce so decidely an intoxicating effect that the patient, an European lady, who had taken it on native advice for dyspepsia, had to discontinue it, though otherwise benefiting under its use. The Rev. J. Long (Journ. AgrL-Hort. Soc. India, 1858, vol. x , p. 23; also notices its intoxicating properties, and states that the people of Bengal employ it in colic and dyspepsia. (Ph. Ind.) It is much employed (in Ceylon) as a medicine, especially for cattle, and a plant is always to be found growing in a little box suspended on the sides of native carts (Trimen). Used for claret, champagne, and moselle cup — as a flavouring adjunct (K. R. K.)