Quassia indica (Gaertn.) Noot. (= Samadera indica Gaertn.)

DeFilipps, Robert A. & Krupnick, Gary A., 2018, The medicinal plants of Myanmar, PhytoKeys 102, pp. 1-341 : 156-157

Quassia indica (Gaertn.) Noot. (= Samadera indica Gaertn.)

Names.

Myanmar: le-seik-shin, kame, theban. English: bitterwood, neepa bark, Rangoon creeper.

Range.

From Myanmar and Indo-China to the Solomon Islands, but not in Sumatra, Java, and the Lesser Sunda Islands; also cultivated. In Myanmar, found in Taninthayi.

Uses.

Bark: Utilized against fever. Leaf: Serves as a remedy for erysipelas. Fruit: Used to treat rheumatism.

Notes.

In Indonesia the bark, wood, and seeds serve as a febrifuge and tonic, and a decoction is prescribed for bilious fever; the seed, chewed or ground with water, is both emetic and purgative, and oil from the seeds is a constituent in an embrocation for rheumatism; leaves are crushed and applied to erysipelas, also an infusion of the leaves is used to kill insects, especially white ants ( Perry 1980). In the Philippines the bark and wood, macerated in water, alcohol, or wine are said to have tonic, stomachic, anticholeric, antifebrile, and emmenagogue properties; juice from the pounded bark serves as a remedy for skin diseases, and the bark, scraped or powdered, is given in water or oil to treat "malignant fever" ( Perry 1980). In the Solomon Islands water from the macerated bark is drunk as a remedy for constipation; macerated leaves mixed with coconut oil are applied to the hair to kill lice; and an infusion of the seeds is utilized as a febrifuge ( Perry 1980).

The bitter principle is samaderin ( Perry 1980).

Reference.

Perry (1980).