253. Mucuna.—Cowage, or Kiwach.
Botanical name:
253. MUCUNA.—COWAGE, OR KIWACH, the Hindustan name, vulgarly corrupted into cow-itch. The hairs from the pods of Mucu'na pru'riens De Candolle, a high-climbing plant growing in tropical Africa, America, and India. These hairs are about 3 mm. (1/8 in.) long, stiff, brown-red, and readily penetrate the skin, causing violent itching. Detached from the pod (which forms an article of diet in India) by dipping it in honey and then scraping. An electuary is used in doses of a teaspoonful to a tablespoonful. Cowage acts as an anthelmintic mechanically, penetrating the bodies of the worms and thus irritating and dislodging them.
