Encyclopedias & Dictionaries | Monier-Williams: A Sanskrit-English Dictionary (p. 1073) śirīṣa, m. Acacia sirissa (n. its flower) ShaḍvBr. &c. &c.; m. pl. N. of a village Pat. on Pāṇ. 1-2, 51. Tamil Lexicon, University of Madras (p. 1429) cirīṭam: 1. Sirissa; 2. Crab’s eye Tamil Lexicon, University of Madras (p. 854) kāṭṭuvākai: Siris tree, l. tr., Albizzia lebbek Tamil Lexicon, University of Madras (p. 3574) vākai: 1. Sirissa, Albizzia ; 2. Fragrant sirissa; 3. West Indian peatree; 4. Chaplet of sirissa flowers worn by victors; 5. Victory; 6. Theme of a conqueror wearing a chaplet of sirissa flowers and celebrating his victory over royal enemies; 7. Theme in which the members of the four castes, hermits and others exalt their characteristic attainments; 8. Good behaviour; 9. Gift; 10. Plenty; 11. Nature; 12. Penance Tamil Lexicon, University of Madras (p. 3790) veḻvēṅkai: Siris, l. tr., Albizzia lebek Dymock, Warden, Hooper: Pharmacographia Indica (vol. I, pp. 561-562) Albizzia lebbek, Albizzia odoratissima, Leguminosae Fig. - The Siris tree (A. Lebbek) Both trees are known to the natives of India by the same vernacular names, and both are called in Sanskrit Sirisa and Kapitana, and bear the synonyms of Suka-pushpa, Suka-druma, and Suka-priya, "dear to parrots," and Mridu-pushpa, "having soft flowers." According to the Nighantas Siris has cold, tonic, and alterative properties. The author of the Makhzan-el-Adwiya gives a detailed description of the two trees as varieties of one and the same plant, and says that he has been given to understand that the Arabs have named the tree SultÄn-el-ashjar, and that the Persian call it Darakht-i-Zakariya. He states that the juice of the leaves is applied to the eyes to cure night-blindness, a decoction being at the same time given internally. A decoction of the bark is used as a mouth-wash to strengthen the gums. One masha of the powdered bark with three or four tolÄs of melted butter taken daily is an excellent tonic and alterative. A water is also distilled from the bark which is used for the same purposes. The flowers are supposed to be retentive of the seminal fluid. One dirhem of the powdered seeds with two dirhems of sugar-candy in a glass of warm milk taken daily is said to thicken the seminal fluid. A paste made with the seeds is applied to reduce enlarged cervical glands. The seeds are also used in the preparation of collyria. According to Baden-Powell, Stewart, and Madden A. Julibrissin has similar properties. In Madras the bark of A. Lebbek is much used by fishermen for tanning their nets. The heartwood, which is dark brown, hard, and fairly durable, is used for various industrial purposes.
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