1004 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
Chemical composition.— A proximate analysis of the leaves gave the following results :—
| Etherial extract | 4.77 |
| Alcoholic extract | 5.70 |
| Aqueous extract | 15.54 |
| Alkline extract | 11.41 |
| Organic residue | 50.06 |
| Inorganic residue | 6.44 |
| Moisture residue | 6.01 |
| Total | 100.00 |
| Ash soluble in water | 44.14 |
| Ash soluble in acid | 47.10 |
| sand and silicates | 8.76 |
| Total | 100.00 |
| Sodium chloride in ash | 24.01 |
The bitter principle is entirely removed by ether, and the subsequent treatment by alcohol and water affords extracts which are free from any bitterness.
The dual nature of the bitter principle seems to show a very remarkable resemblance with that found in Chiretta (Swertia Chirata), a gentianaceous plant.
The leaves, when distilled with water, yield a stearopten-like body having the fruity flavour of the fresh plant. The ether extract was fragrant, green, and of a greasy consistence. The alcoholic extract contained some resinous matter, and much of the salt, which was left as cubical crystals when evaporated. Water dissolved out gum and brown colouring matter. Neither tannin nor starch was present in the leaves. They left on gentle incineration as much as 15.29 per cent, of ash, and the large amount of salt in this ash indicates the habitat of the plant as being in close proximate to the sea, (Hooper, in Pharm. Record, Aug. 1st, 1888).
963. C. phlomoides, Linn., h,f.b.i., iv. 590; Roxb. 477.
Sans. : — Váta-ghni.
Vern. : — Urin, pírun (H.) ; Panjot (Santal) ; Gharayt (Sind.) ; Irun, arni (Guz.); Airan (Bom.); Airanmula (Mar.); Talúdalel, taludala, vatamadakki (Tam.) ; Telaki, nellie, tekkali, teleki, tilaka (Tel.).
Habitat : — From the N.-W. Himalaya Terai to Ceylon, general in the drier climates, extending to Behar and Orissa (not to Bengal). Ratnagiri and Thana Districts (K.R.K.).
