PIMPINELLA, a genus of plants of the natural order Apiacem, of which are known P. anisum, P. Candolleana, P. involucrata, and P. Lecheuaultii.
Pimpinella anisum, Linn., aniseed, anise.
Anisun, . . . ARAB. . PERS.
Mahood, . . BENG. Awak pushpi, . SANSK.
Tsa-moun tsa bah, DORM. Karava sataphaspha, „ Sonf, . . . DUKII. Sinhaia - asamoda Anison, Gn.of Dioscorides. gan, . . . SINGH.
Anise, ..... Gus. Sombu,.. . . TAM. Jira-manis, . . MALAY. Kuppi chettu, . . TEL. Adis mania, • • II This plant grows in Egypt, Selo, and the Levant, and is cultivated in Europe for its seed, which in various forms is much employed in medicine as a stomachic, especially in the diseases of children, and is also used as a condiment among all eastern nations. 8 lbs. of the seeds give 3f ounces of the oil. Essential oil of aniseed is white, yellowish, a little lighter than water. It only exists in the pericarp, the interior of the seed yielding a tasteless and iiiodorous fixed oil.
The pure essential oil can only be obtained by distilling the seeds with water. The oil is a good and safe stimulant, and is latch used in prescrip tions for children suffering from flatulence and colic.
Pimpinella crinita, Bois., Bal ajusin, SUTLEJ, Ravi. A small plant, common in the Salt Range up to about 2000 feet, and in several of the more arid tracts of the Panjab, Cis and Trans Indus.
Piinpinella involucrata, IV. and A.
Apium involucratum, Roxb. I Radhuni, . . . BENG. Ptychotis Roxb., D. a Cultivated all over Bengal, at Singapore, Promo, etc. Flower small, white, in February, March, and April. Seeds used by the natives for culinary and medicinal purposes. The leaves, though of an unpleasant smell, are now and then used as a substitute for parsley by Europeans.—O'Sh. Dr. J. L. Stewart; Voigt; 1Vighes leones.