Andropogon citratum — Karpura-pillu-tylum, TAM. ; the Lemon grass oil, is obtained by distillation from this grass, which grows plentifully in many • parts of British India. It is much used as a rube facient for rheumatic affections, as well as in per fumery, for which purposes it is said to be largely exported from Travancore. When newly made, this oil is of a light straw colour, but age changes it to a deep red.
Anethum sowa, Bishop's weed. Its carminative seeds yield by distillation a very useful oil, which is given medicinally as a stomachic.
Arachis hypogica, Ground-nut oil—Willayati-moong ki phulli-ka tel, HIND.; Vayr-cuddala-yennai, TAM.; Manilla noona, TEL. This valuable oil is exported to a large amount. It is obtained by expression from the seeds. The seeds yield about 43 per cent. of a clear straw-coloured edible oil, which is an excellent substitute for olive oil, and makes a good soap. Perfect decolorization considerably enhances the value of this oil.
Argemone Mexicana, the Brumadundoo, or Coorookoo, or Prickly poppy oil, Jamaica yellow thistle oil Faringi datura ka tel, HIND. ; Brumadundoo yen nai, TAM. ; Bramadundi noona, TEL. A pale-yellow limpid oil, almost colourless, may be obtained from the round corrugated seeds of the prickly poppy, which flourishes luxuriantly in all parts of India. It is used in lamps. The seeds are valued for fowls, and the mass from which the seed is expressed is found to be extremely nutritious to cattle.
Azadirachta Indica and Melia azedarach, Margosa or Neem oil—Neem ka tel, HIND. ; Vapum yennai, TAM. ; Vapa noona, TEL. This valuable and much used medicinal oil is obtained by either expression or boiling from the seeds of species of Melia and Azadirachta, which are common throughout Asia. Margosa or Neem oil is made from the pericarp or fleshy part of the fruit. Dr. Maxwell.found this oil equally efficacious with cod-liver oil in cases of consumption and scrofula. He began with half ounce doses morning and evening, which were gradually reduced. It enters much into the prac tice of native physicians, by whom it is admini stered internally as an anthelmintic, and exter nally as a liniment in rheumatism and headache, and as an application to ulcers. The oil is of a deep-yellow colour, has a strong smell, and an unpleasant bitter taste.
Bassia oils. The seeds of three species of Bassia trees, indigenous to British India, and of one of E. Africa, yield solid oils. The trees supply at the same time saccharine matter, spirit, and an oil fit for both food and burning in lamps. They are a. The Illepe (B. longifolia) is abundant in the S. parts of Hindustan generally, the Madras Presidency, and the northern province of Ceylon. The oil-cake is rubbed on the body as soap, and seems admirably adapted for removing the unctuosity of the skin caused by excessive perspiration, and for rendering it soft, pliable, and glossy, which is so conducive to health in a tropical climate. The oil is white and solid at common temperatures, fusing at from 70 to 80 degrees. It may be advantageously em ployed in the manufacture of both candles and soap. In Ceylon and some parts of India, this oil forms the chief ingredient in the manufacture of soap. It is seldom sold in the bazar, but the seeds are collected, and the oil manufactured for private consumption. The seeds contain about 30 per cent. of oil of a bright-yellow colour. Its chief use is, however, for burning in lamps, and as a substitute for butter in native cookery.
b. Mahwa (B. latifolia) is common in many parts of British India. The oil a good deal resembles that last described, and may be used for similar pur poses. It is solid at common temperatures, and begins to melt at about 70 degrees.
c. Vegetable butter is obtained from the Cheerio or Choonie (B. butyracea). It is common in certain of the hilly districts, especially in the eastern parts of Kamaon ; in the province of Dhoti it is so abundant that the oil is cheaper than ghi or fluid butter, and is used to adulterate. It is likewise commonly burnt in lamps, for which purpose it is preferred to cocoanut oil. It is white and solid, fusible at about 120 degrees, and exhibits very little tendency to become rancid when kept.
d. Shea or Galam butter is obtained in Western Africa from the Bassia Parkii or Pentadesma buty racea, a tree closely resembling the B. latifolia and other species indigenous to Hindustan. According to Park, the tree is abundant in Bambara ; the oil is solid, of a greyish-white colour, and fuses at 67 degrees, and it is used for cooking, burning in lamps, etc.