The plant is called in Sanskrit Aparajita or Gokarna, both are names for Shiva, to whom the flowers are sacred in common with those of the species of Sesbania having flowers of a somewhat similar shape; typical of his representation as the Ardha-nári or hermaphrodite god. Rumphius calls Clitoria, Flos cæruleus, and says that in Ternate it is known as Saja Cotele and Bokyma Cotele, i.e. Flos clitoridis and Clitoris principissæ; he gives Fula criqua as the Portuguese name. (Hort. Amb. vii., 30.) Sanskrit works on Materia Medica describe the root as aperient and diuretic, and direct it to be used in combination with other diuretics and laxatives in ascites and enlargements of the abdominal viscera. The Mahometans have given it the name of Mázeriyun-i-Hindi (Indian Mezereon) on account of its purgative and diuretic properties. We may mention here that their mezereon is used to remove dropsical enlargements of the abdomen, and is not the same drug as the mezereon of our Pharmacopœia.
Ainslie mentions the use of the root in croup, given with the object of causing nausea and vomiting. In the Concan two tolás of the root-juice are given in cold milk to remove the phlegm in chronic bronchitis; it causes nausea and vomiting. The juice of the root of the white-flowered variety is blown up the nostrils as a remedy for hemicrania. The author of the Bengal Dispensatory after extensive experiments denies its emetic properties, but says that an alcoholic extract proved a brisk purgative in doses of from 5 to 10 grains; he found it however to give rise to griping and tenesmus, and does not recommend its use. Mr. Moidín Sheriff speaks highly from personal experience of the root bark in doses of from one to two drachms in infusion as a demulcent in irritation of the bladder and urethra. It acts at the same time as a diuretic and in some cases as a laxative. The seeds appear not to have been used medicinally by the natives, but attention has been drawn to their purgative properties in the Pharmacopœia of India, and there would seem to be but little doubt that their action is mild and safe; they should be administered in combination with twice their bulk of acid tartrate of potash and a little ginger, and in the same doses as compound jalap powder. The seeds were first brought to England from the island of Ternate, one of the Moluccas, hence the specific name of the plant. Haines has recommended a syrup of the deep blue flowers as a colouring agent, and a tincture as a substitute for litmus.