Mucu'na pru'riens, Cowhage, Cowitch. -- Hairs of the pods, U.S.P. 1840-1870; E. and W. Indies. Climbing plant, flowers resemble those of the pea, purple; leaflets hairy; pods coriaceous, shape of italic letter f, 10 Cm. (4') long, covered with brown hairs, 2.5 Mm. (1/10') long, stiff, filled with brown granular matter, readily penetrating the skin, causing violent itching. Detached from pods (which then are eaten as also when green in India) by dipping into honey, scraping into paste; contains resin, tannin. Anthelmintic for round worms; irritant in paralysis; action on worms thought to be mechanical. Dose, gr. 1-3 (.06-2 Gm.), followed by calomel, jalap; ointment also used.

Preparation

(Unoff.): Spiritus Cajuputi (Br.), 10 p.c., dose, mv-20 (.3-1.3 cc.).

Properties

Same as oil of clove; carminative, stimulant, diaphoretic, vermifuge, parasiticide, rubefacient, counter-irritant.

Uses

Rheumatism, myalgia, spasmodic affections of the stomach and bowels, catarrh of bladder, low fevers, gout, colic, cholera morbus, dysmenorrhea, laryngitis, bronchitis, toothache, chilblains.