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42. Andropogon Iwarancusa, Roxburgh.

Botanical name:

Sex. Syst. Triandria, Digynia.

Ibharankusha, Iwarankusha, Kurankusha, Beng, and Hind.; Iwarancussa, Asiat. Res. iv. 109; Terancus, Blane, Phil. Trans, vol. lxxx. p. 286, 1790; Sir G. Blane considered that it might be the Nardus Indira, or Spikenard, of the ancients: Mr. Hatchett [On the Spikenard of the Ancients, [by C. Hatchett, F. R. S. Lond. 1836, 4to.]] supposed it to be the source of the grass oil of Nemaur, an opinion which Dr. Royle [Essay on the Antiquity of Hindoo Medicine, pp. 34 and 83.] has declared to be incorrect.

—This fragrant grass, which has a bitter, warm, pungent taste, is a native of the skirts of the northern mountains of India; between the river Rapty and the northern mountains,and about Hurdwar. It comes remarkably near A. Schoenanthus both in habit and taste.

It is employed by the natives in fevers, whether continued or intermittent. They infuse about a drachm of it in half a pint of hot water, with a small quantity of pepper, and give this for a dose thrice daily. The virtues almost entirely reside in the larger parts of the roots, marked with annular cicatrices.


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