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Celastrus Paniculata in Mental Deficiency: a Pilot Experiment

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  08 February 2018

J. V. Morris
Affiliation:
Little Plumstead Hall, Norfolk
R. C. MacGillivray
Affiliation:
Little Plumstead Hall, Norfolk
Constance M. Mathieson
Affiliation:
Little Plumstead Hall, Norfolk

Extract

Celastrus paniculata (c. multiflora and c. mutans) is a large climbing shrub found in the hilly districts of India, Burma and Ceylon. The seeds, leaves and an oil extracted by distillation are used in Ayurvedic medicine and are believed to increase intelligence. The Sanskrit name Jyotishmati or “light-bringer” is an allusion to this reputed property. Other members of the family Celastraceae, notably Gymnosporia deflexa Sprague and Catha edulis Forsk, are favoured by the natives of Africa as mental stimulants (Watt and Breyer-Brandwijck, 1932).

Type
Part I.—Original Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Royal College of Psychiatrists, 1953 

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References

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