Uses : — The root is considered to possess alterative tonic properties, and has been employed as a substitute for Sarsaparilla (Ph. Ind.) The stalks and leaves are used in the form of decoction in fevers (Watt).
The roots are somewhat similar in appearance to those of Hemidesmus, but have not the same coumarin odour. The bark is of a dark brown colour, and adheres closely to the wood, which is much harder, and differs in structure from that of Hemidesmus in having a large central pith. The roots are seldom branched but here and there a few fine fibres are given off; they are almost tasteless. For the properties and use of this plant, the reader is referred to Hemidesmus.
Chemical composition. -The roots contain a caoutchouclike substance soluble in benzol, and a soft, brown tenacious resin soluble in ether. Treated with alcohol the powdered root affords about 10 per cent, of dry extract, containing red colouring matter, tannic acid and a small quantity of coumarin. The tannic acid strikes a green colour with ferric chloride and if to this green mixture a drop of soda solution is added, a bright, blue zone is seen to surround the red coloured spot formed by the alkali. This reaction is peculiar to cinchotannic acid. No alkaloidal body could be detected in this drug, (Pharmacographia Indica, Vol. II. p. 424).
N. 0. ASCLEPIADEÆ.
768. Hemidesmus indicus, Br. h.f.b.i., iv. 5.
Syn. : — Asclepias pseudo-sarsa, Roxb. 254.
Sans. : — Ananta ; Sugandhi ; Gopi-mûlam ; Sáriva.
Vern : — Magrabu, jangli-chanbelli, hindi-sálsá (H.) ; Ananta-mûl (B.); Sugandi-pálá, nannári, nát-ká-aushbah (Dec); Upalsára (Bomb.); Anantamûl, upalasari (Mar.); Nannári, (Tam.) ; Gadisugandhi, pála-chukkani-déru, sugandhipála, tella sugandhipála, pálasugandhi, muttapulgam (Tel.) ; Sogadaheru, sugandha-pálada-gida (Kan.).
Habitat: — Northern India, from Banda to Oudh and Sikkim, and southwards to Travancore.
Twining shrubs. Leaves opposite, hairy, or pubescent beneath . Leaves most variable in form, length, and breadth ; from broadly obovate to oblong, elliptic, linear or linear-lanceolate, obtuse, or apiculate; the shorter and broader 1-1½ by 1-1½in., the longer 4 by ¼in., the broadest semetimes retuse at the tip, the narrowest finely acuminate, those on the young shoots often white along
