Uses : — The leaves of this plant are regarded as an excellent medicine for ring-worm. They are also used in other skin diseases, and considered useful in snake-bites (Ainslie).
Internally, the leaves and flowers are prescribed as a tonic (T. N. Mukerji). The whole plant is used by the Tamul people as a remedy in venereal, poisoned bites, and as a general tonic (Roxb).
In eczema, I have obtained the best results by washing the parts repeatedly with a strong decoction of the leaves and flowers. The bark has the same properties. In cases of bronchitis and asthma, in herpetic constitutions, I have administered the decoction of the leaves and flowers in repeated doses during the day, relieving dyspnœal oppression and promoting expectoration. The medicine acts on the bowels slightly and increases the secretion of urine (Dr. Amed, Ph. J.) (28-4-88).
The evidence collected by the authors of Ph. Ind. is strongly in favour of its efficacy in ring- worm. The best way to apply it is to bruise the leaves and mix them with lime juice, the paste thus prepared is spread upon the affected part. The leaves have also purgative properties (Dymock).
424 C. glauca, Lam, h.f.b.l, ii. 265.
Syn. :-— Senna arborescens, Roxb. 352.
Vern. : — Konda-tantepuchettu (Tel.) ; Wellia-tagera (Mal.).
Habitat : — From the Himalayas throughout India.
A large shrub or small tree, with spreading, grooved, more or less glabrous, branches. Leaves petioles 5-9in. long; rachis adpressed, grey-pubescent, with an erect, clavate gland between each of the 2 or 3 lower pair of leaflets. Leaflets 4-10 pair. Stipules ¼-½in. long, linear, acute, falcate, sub-persistent; leaflets broadly-ovate, obtuse, emarginate or subacute, the terminal pair largest, sub-coriaceous, green, glabrous above, glaucous and pubescent on the nerves beneath, sometimes slightly unequal-sided at base. Flowers yellow, in axillary corymbose racemes ; shorter than the leaves. Bracts ovate, reflexed, caducous. Calyx yellow veined. Sepals broad-ovate, glabrous, outer two smallest. Petals broad-ovate, obtuse, with a short claw, veined
