Katphala. Vern. Kάephal, Hind.

The bark of Myrica sapida (a Himalayan tree), is its most valuable product, and is largely exported to the plans. It is dark or browish grey, with deep vertical wrinkles, and is considered heating, stimulant and useful in diseases supposed to be caused by deranged phlegm, such as catarrhal fever, cough, and affections of the throat. It enters into the composition of numerous formulae for these diseases. The following is an example.

Katphalάdi Churna.4 Take of the bark of Myrica sapida, tubers of Cyperus rotundus (mustaka), root of Picrorrhiza Kurroa (katuki), Curcuma Zedoaria (sati), Rhus succedanea (karkarta sringi), and the root of Aplotaxis auriculata (kushta), equal parts; powder and mix. This powder is given in doses of about a drachm with the addition of ginger-juice and honey in affections of the throat, cough and asthma.

In catarrh with headache the powdered bark is occasionally used as a snuff.