Vidanga. Vern. Bάberang, Hind,

Susruta describes the seeds of Embelia Ribes as anthelmintic, alterative and tonic and recommends their use along with liquorice root for the purpose of strengthening the body and preventing the effects of age. Later writers regard baberang as carminative stomachic, anthelmintic and useful in intestinal worms, dyspepsia, and skin diseases.

For expelling intestinal worms, the powder of the seeds is given in drachm doses with honey, or with an infusion of the seeds. A compound powder and a ghrita are also prepared by the addition of various other drugs.2

* It is generally known that the scraped root of Plumbago rosea is introduced into the mouth of the womb, for the purpose of procuring abortion. The root is sometimes put to another use, a knowledge of which is likely to be of importance in a medico-legal point of view. Many years ago I had under my treatment a married female, who had accidental abortion and copious haemorrhage after it. On the third day after the accident, she was brought to hospital, suffering from severe pain in the pelvic region, purulent discharge and high fever. On examination I found a piece of the lalchitra root, with a little rag wrapped round it, projecting into the vagina from the cervix uteri. I was told that a midwife had introduced it into the womb with the object of checking haemorrhage after the abortion. If this woman had been a widow and had died from the effects of the abortion, and if on examination of the dead body, the root of the lalchitra, had been found in the position mentioned above, the inevitable conclusion would have been, that it was introduced for the purpose of procuring abortion.

Bάberang enters into the composition of several applications for ringworm and other skin diseases. The following is an example. Take of bάberang, rock salt, chebulic myrobalan, bakuchi, mustard, turmeric and the seeds of Pongamia glabra {karanja), equal parts and make them into a thin paste with cow's urine.1