,r\/*> - National Science Foundation
,r\/*> - National Science Foundation
,r\/*> - National Science Foundation
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CRUC1FERAE<br />
3. Brassica nigra (Linn.i Koch in Rohling's DeutschJ. Fl. ed. 3, 4; 713. 1833. (Fig. 158).<br />
Stnapsis nigra Linn.—Sinapsis erysimoides Roxb.—Brassica sinapioides Roth.—Melannsinapsis<br />
communis Spenn.<br />
Engl. Black mustard; Sinh. Gan-aba, Kalu-aba; Tarn. Kadugu; Hindi Aslrai,<br />
Banarasirai, Ghorrai. Jagrai, Kalirai, Lahi, Makrarai. Rai. Taramira, Tira; Sans. Asuri.<br />
Atitikshva. Jwalanti, Jv alaiprabha, Katuasurt, Knmika, Krishnasarshapa, Krishnika, Kshava,<br />
Kshavaka, Kshudhabhijanana. Kshujjanika, Kshutabhijanaka. Kshutaka. Madhurika, Rajl.<br />
Rajika. Raktasarshapa. Raktika, Sarshar-a, Tikshnagandha.<br />
A large, branching, annual herb, 0.5—1.5 m tall, hispid, internodes 4—5 cm long:<br />
leaves irregularly lobed or pinnate with a large terminal lobe and I—3 pairs of progressively<br />
smaller ones below, 11.6—17.3 cm long, terminal lobe 8.7—12.5 cm long, 5—10 cm broad,<br />
margin serrate, glabrous above and hispid along veins beneath; petioles 1.5—4.5 cm long,<br />
hispid and purplish in colour: flowers regular, bisexual in a terminal panicle of branched<br />
racemes, ebracteate, bracteoles foliar, lanceolate, 1.4—5.5 cm long, 0.3—1.9 cm broad,<br />
glabrous on both surfaces and petiolate; pedicel 4 mm long, glabrous; sepals 4, 5 mm long,<br />
I .2 mm hroad, linear—oblong, imbricate, glabrous and spreading almost horizontally; petals<br />
4 .1 cm long, 4.5 mm broad, yellow, spathulate tapering to a petiolate base; stamens 6, hypogynous<br />
tetradynamous, the two short-filamented laterals inserted lower than the others, filaments<br />
of outer stamens 2.5mm long and those of the inner ones 3.6 mm long, anthers 1.5 mm long;<br />
ovary superior, 2-carpellary, 2-locular, 3 mm long, style and stigma 2.7 mm long;<br />
fruit a fusiform, glabrous siliqua. I—2.5 cm long: seeds round and brown, 1.5—2 mm in<br />
diameter and minutely pitted.<br />
Illustrations. Bentley and Trimen, Med. Plants, pi. 22. 1880; Kirtikar and Basu,<br />
Indian Med. Plants, rl. MB. 1933.<br />
Distribution. A weed in waste and cultivated ground in England, Asia Minor, N.W.<br />
India, S. Siberia, N. Africa, N. and S. America and the Mediterranean regions. It is frequently<br />
cultivated in India", Tibet, and other tropical countries.<br />
Composition. Besides the alkaloid sinapine, the seeds contain myrosin, sinigrin, inosite,<br />
albumins, gums, colouring matter and fixed and volatile oils of mustard.<br />
Uses. A poultice of trie-ground seeds is very useful for cases of febrile and inflammatory<br />
diseases, interna! congestions, spasmodic, neuralgic and rheumatic affections. A paste of the<br />
seed along with other ingredients is applied on pimples and urticaria.<br />
The oil extracted from the seeds is a stimulant and mild counter-irritant when applied<br />
externally. Hence, it is useful against sore throat, internal congestion and chronic muscular<br />
rheumatism.<br />
Ground mustard is eaten with roast meats as it promotes digestion.<br />
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