An English Translation of the Sushruta Samhita, Vol. I: Sutrasthanam — trans. Kaviraj Kunja Lal Bhishagratna (1907)

Castor Oil is sweet, hot in its potency \ irritating and appetising. It leaves a pungent astringent after-taste, and is subtile. It acts as a cleansing agent in respect of the internal channels of the body, and is wholesome to the skin. It is spermatopoietic, sweet in digestion (Vipaka), and rejuvenating. It purifies the semen, vagina, and removes vaginal and uterine disorders, and contributes to the preservation of sound health. It improves the memory, complexion and intellect (of its user), subdues the bodily Vayu and Kapham, and cleanses the system from all injurious principles by inducing purging.

Oils obtained from the seeds of Nimba, Atasi, Mulaka, Jimutaka, Vrikshaka, Kritavedhana, Arka, Kampillaka, Hastikarna, Prilhvika, Pilu, Karanja, Ingudi, Shigru, Sarsapa, Suvarchala, Vidanga or of Jyotishmati seeds, are irritating, light, non -heat-making in their potency, and pungent in taste and digestion. They act as a good laxative, and prove curative in diseases due to thep. 446 deranged V.-Cyu, or Kapham, as well as in cases of Kushtha, Prameha, head disease, and intestinal parasites.

IVIetrical Texts :— Ksliaiima (Linseed) oil is sweet. It subdues the bodily V^yu and is strengthgiving, and pungent in digestion. Devoid of an}' eyeinvigorating properties, it is hot tliough demulcent, and heavy. It increases the Pittam.

Mustard oil is light, and acts as a vermifuge. It proves curative in itch and cutaneous affections, reduces V^yu, Kapham and fat, and is pungent, appetising and Lekhana (liquefacient). Oil obtained from the seeds of Ingudi is a vermifuge, and is light, and slightly bitter in taste. It proves curative in Kushtha and parasitic disorders, and affects the strength, semen and the eyesight of its user. The oil obtained from Kushnmbha flowers is pungent in digestion and leads to the derangement of all the bodily humours. It is irritating, and acid in its reaction (Vidahi). It is devoid of any eye-cleansing property and brings on haemoptysis.

The Oils obtained from the Kirata-tiktaka, Atimuktaka, Vibhitaka, N^rikela, Kola, Akshoda, Jivanti, Piydla, Karvudara, Surjavalli, Trapusa, Erv^ruka, Karkaru, and Kushm^nda seeds, etc. are sweet in taste, potency and digestion, and tend to pacify the deranged V4yu and Pittam. Cooling in their potency, they increase the slimy secretions of the organs, impair digestion, and help the copious evacuation of stool and urine.

Chap. XLV. ] SUTRASTHANAM.

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The Oils of the Madhuka (Maula), Kishmarya, and Palasha seeds are sweet and astringent. They pacif}^ the deranged Kaph^m and Pittam. The oils of the Tuvaraka and Bhallataka are heat-making, sweet and astringent, and leave a bitter after-taste. The}^ ptove curative in diseases due to the action of deranged V^Cyu and Kapham, as well as in obesity, Meha, cutaneous affections, and intestinal worms, and cleanse the system both b}' their emetic and purgative actions. The Oils obtained from the piths (Sara of such trees as, Sarala, Devadaru, Gandira, Shiushapa and Aguru, are bitter, pungent and astringent in their tastes, and act as purifying agents in respect of bad ulcers. The}' prove curative in skin diseases and destroy the deranged Va)^!, Kapham, and intestinal worms. The Oils obtained from the seeds of Tumvi, Koshamra, Danti, Dravanti, Shyama, Saptala, Nilika, Kampiilaka, and Siiankhini, are bitter, pungent and astringent in their tastes. They serve to cleanse the system from all impurities and baneful principles through their purgative properties. They act as purifying agents in respect of malignant ulcers, and prove curative in diseases due to the deranged V^yu and Kapham, as well as in skin-diseases (Kushtha), and parasitic complaints. Yavatikata-oil tends to subdue all the deranged humours, is slightly bitter, and acts as a good elixir. It is appetising, acid, and liquefacient. It is holy and wholesome (Pathyam), and serves to improve the memory of its user. The

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