15 Abnoos (Ebony).--A large tree, producing a sweet fruit like
grapes. Its leaves resemble those of the Sinobir, but are somewhat
broader: it is an evergreen, and its wood is, when good and full-grown,
dark-colored and durable; its leaves are smooth and glassy; its
properties said to be very active and deleterious; it is heating in
a considerable degree, and is said to be lithonthriptic. It dispels
flatulency, and cures tympanites. It is recommended in chronic
affections of the liver. Filings or raspings of the wood are styptic,
and its charcoal more so; a decoction of the wood, in spirits, is very
effectual in discussing scrophulous tumours, when externally applied.
The raspings of the wood, mixed with whites of eggs, is an excellent
application to scalds and burns; they are also famed for cleaning
deep foul ulcers, and inducing the growth of healthy granulation.
Taken internally, the dose is 10 1/2 Mashas, and should it disagree
with the stomach, which it often does, honey, or Gum Arabic, with
sweet basil, are correctors. The large Baer Tree, (Konar), is a good
substitute for the Abnoos; quality, hot 3, dry 2. Persian Awnoos.
16 Anbihildee.--Curcuma zedoaria, (Rox.) Amomum Zed. Wildenow. An
Indian root, hot and dry in the 2d degree; useful in herpes, and
foulness of the blood, and much esteemed as an external application
in wounds and bruises, for which it is also internally exhibited:
orange juice used as a vehicle, corrects, in some degree, its heating
quality; or if this be not procurable, Bapahic, or the seed of the
Penwur, or Turmeric, will have the same effect; the medicine may be
given to the quantity of 3 1/2 Masha.
17 Apurjeeta.--Clitoria ternatea, Crow's beak, a twining shrub. The
natives call it Kowwa Thontee, which literally signifies crow's
beak, also Neelisbund; the plant is about a foot and a half high,
and sometimes less, resembling the Cungheiy, only the leaves of the
latter are smooth and polished, while those of the former are rough and
hard; both the Apurjeeta and the variety Neelisbund, are cooling. It is
beneficial in weakness of sight, in clearing the voice and soreness of
the throat, and is useful in the poisonous bites of leeches. It is also
of use in rheumatic affections of the joints, Juzam, bilious disorders,
mucous discharge from the lungs or bowels; it allays general heat,
and is said to be an antidote to certain poisonous substances, and
of great efficacy in hard indolent tumours, and affections of the skin.
18 Abruc.--Talc, A fossil substance, beneficial in seminal weakness,
redundance of bile, mucus, &c. An antidote to poison. The physicians
of Hindostan prepare it for use by calcination. Arabic, Tulk.
19 Abhea.--A name for Hurr; it also signifies the water of life,
and a medicine called Guloe.
20 Aotungun.--A very common seed, resembling coriander. In powder
it is recommended as giving strength to the system, and rendering
Aphrodisie more permanent. It is a very favorite medicine in India. It
is, moreover, useful in Nephritia and liver complaints, and it is very
innocent in its operation. Some physicians describe it as hot and dry,
in a considerable degree, and disagreeing with the stomach; they,
therefore, recommend it to be taken with a proportion of sugar. In
all its properties the Maadentezerrubad states the Bonphilly to be
nearly the same; dose 4 1/4 Mashas.
21 Atees.--The root. Of this there are two kinds, a white and black,
and both are very common. The white kind resembles the Jedwaar; the
root is very irregular in thickness. It frequently is found resembling
the white Bahmen. Both kinds are bitter, astringent, pungent, and
heating; aiding digestion, useful in dysentery, vomiting, and piles.
22 Adjmode.--Bishop's Weed, Sisson Ammi, (Linn.) Amoos, (Arab.) Ajooan,
(Hind.) Nemkha, P. Ajamodum, S. A hot seed, stomachic cordial and
stimulant. (Ajmood, Parsley? Taylor. Apium Involucratum.) Apium
Involucratum, Rox. M. S. "Sp. Ch. Annual, glaucous, villous, superior
leaflets filiform, both general and partial, involucra, about 6
leaved." Bitter and pungent, light and heating, increases appetite,
induces costiveness, and strengthens the vital energy; increases
the seminal secretion, and removes pains and other disorders,
the consequence of colds; beneficial in nausea, is vermifuge,
relieves hiccup, and is useful in Dysuria, but it produces heat in
the abdomen. It is called Curufs, but it is only a variety of this,
and is something betwixt that and Aniseed, though this may be owing
to the difference of cultivation.