GRASS OILS are obtained from species of Andropogon,—A. citratum, A. Martini, A. iwar ancusa, and their allies. They are fragrant essential oils. In the south of the Peninsula of India, in Madura, are three grasses or sorts of grass, named Poathapil, Seegompil, and Komatch pil, which aro employed to furnish grass oils. 'fhe stalks are cut into pieces a span in length, and put into earthen pans with water, and exposed to the action of fire. In tho south of India and Ceylon they are known to the British as the lemon,grass oils, also citronelle oils, ginger grass oil, essence of verbena.
The grass oil of Nemaur, Roosa-ka-tel, HIND., was first brought to notice by Dr. Maxwell in 1824, and was further described by Dr. Forsyth in 1826. This oil is obtained from the Andro pogon Martini by distillation. 250 to 300 small bundles of the grass are placed in a boiler, covered with water, and distilled. About a. seer of oil is obtained in the receiver. It is volatile, extremely pungent, of a light straw colour, very transparent, with a peculiar rich mad agreeable odour. As a rubefacient, it is very highly esteemed by the wealthy natives of India for the cure of rhenium ism, especially that of the chronic kind. Two
drachms of the diluted oil are rubbed over the pained part in the heat of the sun, or before a fire, twice daily. It causes a strong seusation of heat or pricking, lasting for two hours or longer. The natives also regard it as an efficacious remedy in slight colds. They anoint tho Boles of the feet with the oil, and it is Mated that alight diaphoresis la thus produced. It 'is alai) known as the g,inger grass oil. It is employed as a substi tute for cajaput oil. The gram; haus a strew., aromatic taste, scenting the milk of those animal's which feed on it. The oil is very fragrant and aromatic, and the colour is a pale straw. 3fuch used in perfumery, and medicinally as a stimulant and diaphoretic. It has tho power in a most re markable degree of preventing the hair of the head from falling off after acute diseases, such as fever, or after confinement or prolonged nursing. it even restores it after it has fallen off, but it must be strong and pure.—Royle, Useful Plants ; Trans. Med. and Phys. Soc. iii. p. 219 ; O'Sh.