Drakshd.

Mridvika

Vern. A'ngurphal, Kismis, Manakkά, Beng. Hind.

Grapes have been known in India from a very remote period and are mentioned by Susruta and Charaka. The dried fruits called raisins, are used in medicine. They are described as demulcent, laxative, sweet, cooling, agreeable and useful in thirst, heat of body, cough, hoarseness and consumption.

Raisins enter into the composition of numerous demulcent and expectorant medicines. The following is an illustration. Take of raisins, emblic myrobalans, dates, long pepper and black pepper equal parts, rub them together with honey and clarified butter and administer as a linctus.3

Drakshά arishta. This is a medicinal wine prepared as follows. Take of raisins six seers and a quarter, water one hundred and twenty-eight seers, boil them together till reduced to one-fourth, and strain. To the strained decoction add twenty-five seers of treacle and eight tolas each of the following substances in fine powder, namely, cinnamon, cardamoms, tejpatra, flowers of Mesua ferrea (nάgakesara), fruit of Aglaia Roxburghiana (priyangu), black pepper, long pepper and baberang seeds, and set aside for fermentation. This liquor is considered invigorating and nourishing and is used in consumption, cough, difficult breathing and hoarseness.1