43 Asgund.--Physalis flexuosa. A very common white root, also
called Asgund'h, about half a yard long, like the sweet potatoe,
(Convolvulus batatas.) When thin and dry, it resembles the Sh˙k·kul
mysrie, (carrot;) its leaves are very like those of the kuth, (Mimosa
catechu,) but rather less. It grows about a yard along the ground; its
taste is astringent and bitter; it is hot, and strengthens the powers
of virility; removes bilious and mucous affections; is beneficial in
general swellings, and white leprosy.
Some give this name to the Kaknej, or Winter Cherry. In the
Maadentezerrubad, it is thus described. Asgund is a medicine of
Hindoostan; the best sort of which is procurable at Nagour. It is hot
and dry in the 1st degree. The people of India use in its stead, the
Soorinjan, (the Hermodactylus.) It is especially beneficial in pains of
the joints. The root, when arrived at perfection, has a strong scent of
the horse; from which circumstance it has in India, derived its name;
Asp, signifying the horse, and Gund, smell: it is also called Bajecund.
If 3 drachms of the root be boiled in 2 pounds of cow's milk, and 1
ounce of sugar mixed with it, and this taken for 14 days, it increases
peculiar secretions, and improves the complexion.
44 Asphill.--Padmunie, a variety of Kunwul. The Lotus, (NymphÊa
Nelumbo,) which is produced on dry land. It is sweet, bitterish,
and cool; is useful in vomiting, Diarrhoea, and foulness of the blood.
45 Astull.--Bunt‡ki, a name for Buratha; it means a large Byngun,
or Egg-fruit; the plant being the same.
46 Aspurka.--Cool and light; promotes peculiar secretions, and
is useful in various disorders: it removes offensive exhalations;
moderates profuse sweats; is beneficial in dropsy; restores strength;
cures emaciation; and is an antidote to poisons.
47 Aoshire.--Kuss kuss. Ooseer? Andropogon muricatum, Koenig. A
name for Kuss kuss. In the Dara Shekoi, it is called Aosire, and is
described as the root of the grass kuss, with which houses are made
cool in the hot weather. It is cool, and assists digestion, cures
laxity of the bowels, and is useful in bilious affections, foulness
of blood, and superabundance of mucus; allays thirst, is a grateful
application to blistered parts, or where much heat is experienced;
beneficial in difficulty of voiding urine, in boils and eruptions,
and prolongs aphrodisia.
48 Asteghoon.--An article of food, made by mixing one part of Moong,
with two parts of rice, boiling them together, and pouring off the
water, with which is to be mixed rock salt, assafoetida, coriander,
ginger, and peepul. This is an excellent drink in fevers, in bilious
affections, and foulness of the blood; it increases appetite, and
clears, and gives tone to the kidnies and bladder.
49 Apheem.--(Papaver somniferum.) Of this there are four kinds;
the 1st, which is white, is called Chaarun, (promoting digestion;)
the 2d, Maarun, is black; the 3d yellow, and the 4th, of all these
colours mixed, called Saarun. Its properties are well known, and
fully detailed in all Yunani works on medicine.