Satis.

Karavira.

Asvamάraka.

Vern. Karabi. Beng. Kaner, Hind.

Two varieties of Karavira are described in the Bhάvaprakάsa, namely, white and red flowered. The properties of both are identical, their roots being regarded as poisonous when taken internally and useful in skin diseases and inflammatory affections. The Nerium odorum has several synonyms in Sanskrit signifying horse-killer. It would seem from this, that the poisonous roots were used for destroying horses.

Karavirάdya taila.1 Take of sesamum oil four seers, decoction of the root of Nerium odorum, eight seers, cow's urine, eight seers, Plumbago rosea root and bάberang seeds, each half a seer, in the form of a paste; boil them together and prepare an oil in the usual way. This oil is used in eczema, impetigo and other skin diseases.

The root of Nerium odorum beaten into a paste with water is recommended to be applied to chancres and ulcers on the penis.2 The fresh juice of the young leaves is poured into the eyes in ophthalmia with copious lachrymation .3