The tree has a furrowed trunk, oblong stalked leaves up to 6 inches
long and 4 inches wide, dispersed in four to six whorls round the
stem, their upper side glossy, under side white, nerves running at
right angles to the mid-rib. The bark is almost odourless and very
bitter, in commerce it is found in irregular fragments 1/8 to 1/2
inch thick, texture spongy, fracture coarse and short, outside layer
rough uneven fissured brownish grey and sometimes blackish spots;
inside layer bright buff, transverse section shows a number of small
medullary rays in inner layer.
Constituents:It contains three alkaloids, Ditamine, Echitamine or
Ditaine, and Echitenines, and several fatty and resinous substances-
the second is the strongest base and resembles ammonia in chemical
characters.
Medicinal Action and Uses:The bark is used in homoeopathy for its
tonic bitter and astringent properties; it is particularly useful
for chronic diarrhoea and dysentry. |
