Carduus benedictus of Europe. (Pharmacographia Indica, Vol. II, p. 320).
678. Carduus nutans, Linn, h.f.b.i., iii. 361.
Vern.:— Kanchhari, tiso, bâdâward(Pb.) ; Gul-i-bâdâward (Kashmir).
Habitat:— Western Himalaya, from Kashmir to Simla, and Hazârâ in the Punjab.
A tall stout thistle, biennial, cobwebby, stem l-3ft., usually simple grooved, interruptedly winged ; wings sinuous, spinulose. Leaves 6-12in., variable, entire, 1-2-pinnatifid, waved, spinous. Heads ¾-1½in. diam., solitary or fascicled, hemispheric or subcampanulate, inclined or drooping. Involucre- bracts subulate — lanceolate, outer or all terminating in a spreading, erect or, reflexed spine. Flowers crimson. Achenes pale brown, glabrous, granulate.
Use : — In the Punjab, the flowers are considered febrifugal (Stewart).
It is used in Kashmir to purify the blood(Punjab Products).
679. Silybum marianum, Gaertn., h.f.b.i., iii. 364.
Habitat : — Punjab and N.-W. Himalaya, Peshawar, Hazara, and from Kashmir to Jammu.
An annual or biennial shining thistle. Stem l-4ft., grooved, not winged. Leaves larger, with strong spines. Heads l-2in. diam., base intruded. Involucre-bracts coriaceous, with a spine ½-¾in. long, outermost mucronate. Receptacle fleshy ; flowers rose-purple. Achenes £in., transversely wrinkled, black or grey. Pappus white.
Uses :— Mr. George Foy (Medical Press for 1887, p. 492) calls attention to its properties. He states that this plant is now being received with professional favour in France, where the tincture and alcoholic extract are both being prepared. He remarks that the extract is a useful adjunct to aloes, since it possesses cholagogue properties (Ph. J. June 25, 1887, p. 1051).
