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The Logwood grows throughout Central America. It led to the founding
of the modern nation of Belize, which grew from British logging
camps of the 17th century. It is still an important source of
haematoxylin, used in histology for staining.
Piny shrub or small tree of Central America and West Indies having
bipinnate leaves and racemes of small bright yellow flowers and
yielding a hard brown or brownish-red heartwood used in preparing a
black dye.
Medical use: Used as mild astringent and tonic, it is prescribed in
the form of a decoction and liquid extract; also useful against
diarrhoea, dysentery, atonic dyspepsia and leucorrhoea; ointment
prepared from the wood useful against cancer and hospital gangrene;
haematoxylin, its active component shown to possess
anti-inflammatory properties. |
