Gambir tree

Japanese: ガンビールノキ

A woody evergreen vine of the Rubiaceae family. It is found in Southeast Asia and has been cultivated since ancient times. The leaves grow in pairs, and small white flowers bloom in clusters. An exudate from the leaves, branches, and bark is boiled and dried to produce gambir, a medicine containing catechol and tannin as its main ingredients. It is used as an astringent, for treating diarrhea and as an enema, and in cooling medicines such as Jintan (brand name). It is also used as a leather tanning agent and dye, and as a substitute for tea in its native region.

Source : Heibonsha Encyclopedia About MyPedia Information

Japanese:

アカネ科の木本(もくほん)性の常緑つる植物。東南アジアに分布し，古くから栽培されている。葉は対生し，白色の小さい花が集まって咲く。葉，枝，樹皮の浸出液を煮つめて乾燥させたものがカテコールやタンニンを主成分とするガンビール（阿仙薬）である。収斂(しゅうれん)剤として，下痢どめ，浣腸(かんちょう)などの薬用とされ，仁丹（商品名）などの清涼薬品に使われる。また，皮なめし料，染料のほか原産地では茶の代用にもされる。

出典　株式会社平凡社百科事典マイペディアについて　情報

<<: Camphor (English spelling)

>>: Kanpei's Last Words - Kanpyo's Last Words