Tuesday, February 7

Brucea javanica (L.) Merr.



Description:

Evergreen shrub, about 2m. high. Young parts softly pubescent. Leaves unequally pinnate, alternate; leaflets coarsely crenate-toothed, villous on both sides, especially beneath. Inflorescence in tomentose axillary raceme; flowers small, unisexual, dioecious. Drupe ovoid, black when ripe; seeds compressed, rugose, blackish-brown.

Flowering period:

March - May.

Distribution:

Grows wild, common on the sea-coast.

Parts used:

Seeds can be harvested in autumn, when the fruit is ripe. The seeds obtained after eliminating the pulp of the fruit are thoroughly washed and sun-dried or heat-dried.

Chemical composition:

The fruit yields fatty oil, a glucoside (kosamin) and saponins (brucein A, B, C, G and brusatol).

Therapeutic uses:

The seeds are used as a parasiticide. They are effective for amoebiasis, in a daily dose of 4 to 16g in the form of a decoction or powder, divided into 3 part doses, for 3 to 7 days. They are active in malaria in a dose of 3 to 6g per day, divided into 3 part doses, after meals, for 4 to 5 days. The oil is extracted from the seeds to avoid its vomitive effect. Rectal injection of an aqueous maceration is less toxic. A poultice of pounded seeds relieves haemorrhoids.

Source: Medicinal plants in Viet Nam (Institute of Materia Medica - HANOI - WHO/WPRO, 1990, 444 p.)

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