Sans.

Rasna,

Gandhanakuli. Vern. Rasna, B. H.

Under the name of rasna, the roots of Vanda Roxburghii and Acampe papillosa, are both indiscriminately used by native physicians. They are very similar in the appearance of their roots and leaves, though they differ much in their flowers and fruits. One native physician whom I consulted, pronounced both these plants to be rάsna; when however I showed him the different flowers and fruits of the two species, he was puzzled. He had never looked to the flowers before, but only knew the roots and leaves. These epiphytes are very common on mango trees.

Rasna root is said to be fragrant, bitter and useful in rheumatism and allied disorders, in which it is prescribed in a variety of forms.

Rάsnάpanchaka.l Take of rasna, gulancha, devadάru, ginger, and the root of the castor oil plant in equal parts, and prepare a decoction in the usual way. This is apparently a popular prescription for rheumatism, being mentioned by most writers.

Rάsna guggulu.2 Eight parts of rasna and ten of bdellium are beaten into a uniform mass with clarified butter. Dose, about a drachm, in sciatica.

Rasna enters into the composition of several medicated oils for external application in rheumatism and diseases of the nervous system, such as the Mahάmasha taila, Madhyama Narayana taila, etc.