668 Kaksaag.--Aperient, and promotes appetite; cures disorders of
mucus, swellings of the body, and expels wind.
669 Kasmerie or Kasmuroo, or Kasmurga, or Kasheera. It is hot; heavy;
cures fever, pains in the bowels, and its flower is astringent and
beneficial in eruptions from diffusion of bile. It is an ingredient
in many formulÊ. It prevents the approach of old age, strengthens
all the animal functions, and is aphrodisiac and diuretic.
670 Kanjee.--Increases the secretion of milk; cures disorders of
mucus, wind, and bile. It is the vinegar of Hindostan. It restores
prostrated strength from fatigue, removes pains in the bowels and
flatulence, and remedies costiveness. The method of preparing it is
thus. A little Zeera and Saslie are put on the fire till they produce
a smoke, an earthen vessel is then placed over them in an inverted
position to receive the smoke. Then into this is put mustard, salt,
adjwain, and cumin seed, with warm water; the mouth of the vessel
is then tied up in a cloth, and placed in the sun till it becomes
sour. In the hot-weather it is quickly prepared; the older it is,
the better for medicinal purposes.
671 Gowrohun.--A medicine found in the gall-bladder of a cow,
and is but seldom met with. It is beneficial in affections of the
mesenteric glands of children; in the quantity of two soorkhi it is
purgative. It is also beneficial in flatulent swellings. If boiled
in water and used for some time, it will cure epilepsy. It is only
found in those cows the descendants of those herded by Khrishna.
It is often counterfeited, but the real kind is clearer than the
spurious.
672 Kath.--"Acacia Catechu, W. Kayar, H. Khadira, S. Mimosa Catechu,
Woodville." Called also Kuth. It is cool and vermifuge; strengthens
the teeth; cures seminal weakness, fever, white leprosy, swellings,
eruptions from bile, marasmus, Juzam, and mucous disorders. The gum
is sweet and aphrodisiac, and strengthens the system. That made from
the pith of the Khaer, is useful in boils and eruptions, affections of
the mouth, and disorders of mucus and blood. It also removes ptyalism.
673 Kakra Singie.--It is crooked like a ram's horn; small and red,
with a tinge of black, and its pod is hollow; it is bitter, astringent,
hot, and promotes appetite, and restores the color of the skin changed
from foulness of blood; allays vomiting and thirst; cures fever and
disorders of mucus, difficulty of breathing, cough, and eructation,
also piles and dysentery. It is said to be hot and dry in the 2nd
degree. It likewise cures wind and hoarseness, and creates appetite;
and it is useful, if retained in the mouth, as a relief to cough from
phlegm; a little of it given to children at the breast, mixed with
honey, increases their strength and removes emaciation.
674 Kanakutchoo.--Brought from Cashmere, and held in great esteem in
that country. Its taste is saltish and sweet, and it is used dressed
with meat; some call it Samaroogh, but the latter is a creeper and
does not produce seed. The fruit is about half the size of an egg,
and is suspended from the plant, which is of a white color, and grows
during the rains in the jungles, and loves the vicinity of running
water. It is also called Neerkoombie. It is found sometimes amongst
ruins, but those that grow in the jungles are to be preferred. The
lower classes of Indians use it as food, and as such it is grateful. It
is useful in affections of the eyes.
675 Kagphill or Kagtoondie. "Strychnos Nux Vomica, W." "I have heard
that it grows very common about Midnapoor or Cuttack; several seeds
or nuts are enclosed in one pod, which in size is about that of a
horse chestnut, the seeds are surrounded in the pod by a glutinous
matter. It is said to be useful in paralysis, but has seldom been given
beyond six grains in the day."--"Trans." It has obtained its name from
being poison to the crow. Kag being the name of a crow, and phill, a
nut A. Hubbool Girab; for the same reason. It is not well ascertained
whether it is a seed or root, but it looks like a seed. It is equally
uncertain whether it is cool or hot; it is brownish, inside white; it
is round, and its shell very hard; steeped in water it becomes soft,
and its shell can be removed; it is then rasped down and pounded,
and kept in a state of powder or electuary for use. It strengthens
the system; cures disorders of wind; blackens white hair; but its
constant use produces palsy. It is an active poison; its correctors
are drinking fresh milk, producing vomiting, and taking soup, oily or
fatty substances. If externally applied to discolorations of the skin,
daad, pains, &c. it will be found beneficial. It is said in the Dara
Shekoi, to be excellent in cholics from wind. It is in my opinion hot,
but as it is a strong poison, it is better not to use it: if given
as a medicine, its correctors ought to be given with it.
It is also mentioned among aphrodisiac medicines, and will be found
a powerful one, should it agree with the stomach. In India its name
is Koochela.
676 Gajur.--"Daucus Carota, W." The carrot; sweet to the taste, and
equally hot and cold in its effects; it creates appetite, produces
costiveness, cures eruptions from suffusion of bile; is useful in
piles, is lithontriptic, and beneficial in mucous disorders and
wind. A. Gazur. I have found it excellent when roasted in an oven;
the thin external rind and heart removed, and ate with rose-water,
and Bedemoosk, in depression of spirits, and as a cardiac. Its
distilled water is also equally effectual. Its virtues are described
in Yunani works.
677 Kaiphill or Kutphill. It is bitter, astringent, and pungent,
cures disorders of mucus and wind, fevers, difficulty of breathing,
seminal weakness, piles, cough, and all affections of the throat.
678 Kanch or Kaatch; light; reduces corpulence; cures boils and
eruptions, and strengthens the eyes. It is also called Zejage.
679 Kalizeerie.--"Nigella Indica, Roxb. Musavi, S. Sp. ch. annual,
petals entire, pistils five, length of the stamina, leaves decompound,
exterior lip of the nectary ovate, and deeply two-cleft, interior
entire and acute. Roxb. MS." A seed of a black color, twice as long as
the zeerie, and about twice the breadth; also named Kurdmana though
improperly. It is used as medicine for horses; it is hot, increases
the digestive powers, and is useful in all swellings.