Duralabhά,

Yavάsa. Vern. Yavasa Hind.

This plant is described as laxative, diuretic and expectorant. The thorny flower-stalks or branches are supplied by druggists as the parts used in medicine. An extract obtained by evaporating a decoction of the plant is called yάsasarkarά or the sugar obtained from yavasa. It has a sweetish bitter taste, and is used as a demulcent in the cough of children. There is no mention in Sanskrit of any saccharine exudation or manna obtained from this plant.

The fresh juice of the plant is used as a diuretic in suppression of urine. The following compound decoction1 is recommended by Sarangadhara in constipation with suppression of urine. Take of Alhagi Maurorum, chebulic myrobalans, pulp of Cassia Fistula (άratgbadha), fruits of Tribulus terrestris (gokshura), and root of Coleus aromaticus (pάshanbhid), prepare a dcoction in the usual way, and administer it with honey. The following electuary is recommended by several writers for the cough of children. Take of the extract of yavasa, raisins, chebulic myrobalans and long pepper in equal parts, powder and mix with honey and clarified butter.2 sans.