Charaka-Samhita — trans. Kaviraj Avinash Chandra Kaviratna

Of all things that are destructive of phlegm, the best is vomit¬ ing (induced by emetics).

Of all things that are destructive of bile, purging is the best.

* •AfWasakaranam’ implies ‘articles that are assuring.’ Gangadhara explains that, of such, there are many, such as consoling words, gifts of wealth, &c. Among them all’, the best is water. This can scarcely be the meaning here. I think, instead of ‘assuring,*’ the word may be taken to mean ‘soothing.’ ‘Hridya’ is a well-known word. It implies things that contribute to bring cheerfulness or relish. Salt is the best of all things that promote the flavour or relish of food. ‘Amla’, or things sour, are, by themselves aereeable. — T

p. 277

Of all things that are destructive of wind, the best are enemata.

Of all things that soften the body the best are the operations called. Swedana (i.e., those that induce perspiration).

Of all things that make the body firm, the best is physical exercise.

Of all things that reduce corpulency, the best is sexual inter¬ course.

Of all things that reduce sexual potency, the foremost are alkaline articles.

Of all things that do not promote the relish of food, the fore¬ most is Tinduka {Diospyros Embryopteris, Pers. ; syii, Diospyros glutinosa, Yiosnig.)**6

Of all things that are destructive of the voice, the foremost is unripe Kapittha ( Feronia Elephantum).

Of all things that are the reverse of what is agreeable and possessed of relish, the foremost is the ghee of sheep’s milk.

Of all things that are destructive of consumption, that promote secretion of milk, that are agreeable to the constitution, that pre¬ vent the fluidity of the blood, and that allay hemorrhages, the foremost is the ghee of goat’s milk.

Of all things that promote phlegm and bile, the foremost is sheep’s milk.

Of all things that promote sleep, the foremost is the milk of the buffalo.

Of all things that prevent secretions and cause heaviness of the body, the foremost is badly formed curds.

Of all things that reduce corpulency, the foremost is the food that consists of boiled Gavedhuka (a species of Coix).

* It should be noted that in naming the reverse of what promotes relish, something that is used as food should be named, and not anything of bad or abominable taste. Hence Tinduka (commonly called Gab) is mentioned. — T.

p. 278

CHARAKA-SAMHITA.

Of all things that contribute to the dryness of the body, the foremost is the food that consists of boiled Uddalaka.

Of all things that generate (increase) urine, the foremost is the sugarcane.

Of all things that cause (increase) faeces, the foremost are all corns of the barley species.

Of all things that generate wind, the foremost in jamvava.*

Of all things that generate phlegmonous bile, the foremost are cakes of sesame seeds.

Of all things that generate acid bile, the foremost is Kuiattharf1

Of all things that generate phlegmonous bile, the foreiriost are Masha.J

Of all things that are fit to be used as emetics and enemata of both the dry and the oily kind, the foremost are the fruits of the Randia dumetorumA 7

Of all things that constitute agreeable purgatives, the foremost is Trivrit ( Ip rrioea Turpethum, ; syn. Convolvulus Turpethunt).

Of all things that constitute mild purgatives, the foremost is Chaturangula (exudation of Cassia fistula, Linn ; syn. Cathartocarpus fistula, Pers.)

Of all things that constitute hard purgatives, the foremost is the exudation of Snuhi (. Euphorbia Neriijolia, Linn ; syn. Eu¬ phorbia ligularia, Roxb.)

* ‘Jamvava’ 0r ‘Jamvu’ is the fruit of the Eugenia Jambolana. t Dolichos unifiorus , Lamk ; syn. Dolichos biflorus, ttoxb.

I Phaseolus radiata , Roxb. Three things are mentioned as generating phlegmonous bile ; the first is sheep’s milk. The Commentator explains that, of all liquid substances, this is the foremost one that possesses such an attribute. Then come sesame cakes among cooked food ; and then Masha among hard substances. These things are fore¬ most, in their respective categories, in producing phlegmonous bile,-- T.

p. 279

Of all errhines, the foremost are the seeds of Pratyakpushpi [Achyranthes aspera , Linn ; syn. Achyranthes bidentata).

Of all things used as amthelmintics, the foremost are Vidanga (the seeds of Embelia Ribes, ; syn. E. glandulifera).

Of all things used as antidotes to poison, the foremost is £irisa (seeds of Mimosa S irissa, Roxb ; syn, Albizzia Lebbek, fientham).

Of all things used as remedies in leprosy, the foremost is Khadira (exudation of Acacia catechu, Linn ; syn. Mimosa catechu, Linn).

Of all things that are destructive of wind, the foremost is Rasng ( Vanda Roxburghii ; syn. Gymbidium tessaloides, Roxb).

Of all medicines for preventing the (appearance of) marks of age, the foremost is Amalaka ( Phyllanthus Emblica, Linn ; syn. Emblica officinalis , Gaert).

Of all things that are regarded as beneficial at the outset of treating a disease, the best is Haritaki (Chebulic myrobalaus) *

Of all things that provoke desire and that destroy wind, the foremost is the root of the Eranda (Ricinus communis , Linn.)

Of all things that provoke the appetite, that are used as Pachana, and that cure epistasis (suppression of the urine), the foremost is the root of Pippali ( Piper longum, Linn ; syn. Ghavica Roxburghii).