MICHELIA CHAMPACA 19 



Botanical Description. — The plant grows in the moun- 

 tains of Yunnan, China, and in Tonquin. The part used in 

 the Philippines is the fruit, being indeed the only part known 

 here. This is composed of 8 woody follicles arranged about a 

 central column in the form of a star. These follicles open at 

 maturity and reveal the seeds, which are shining, smooth, ovoid, 

 hard, of a pretty chestnut-red color. In the Philippines they 

 are sold even in the smallest food- vending shops. 



Michelia Champa ca, L. 



Nom. Vulg. — Tsampaka, Sampaka, Tag.; Champaca, Fil.- 

 Span. 



Uses. — The bark of the trunk is well known as a febrifuge 

 and emmenagogue in India. It is slightly bitter and aromatic. 

 Dr. H. Folliat has used it with success in the Island of Mauri- 

 tius in the treatment of the common intermittent fevers ; he 

 administered the infusion (bark 30 grams, water 600 cc.) — or 

 the decoction (bark 30 grams, water 1,200 cc.) ; boil till reduced 

 to 600 cc. — giving a wine-glassful every hour just before and 

 after the paroxysm. 



An astringent decoction made from the leaves is used as a 

 gargle in sore throat. The root is emmenagogue and the seeds 

 are used in the treatment of anal fissure. 



Dr. Hooper has found the following substances in the bark 

 of the Champana: a volatile oil with a pine-like odor; a fixed 

 oil, insoluble in alcohol, melting at 15° and forming soap with 

 soda ; a resin extremely bitter, acrid, brown in color ; tannin ; 

 sugar ; a bitter principle, albuminoids, coloring matters, muci- 

 lage and starch. 



Botanical Description. — A tree 15-18° high; leaves al- 

 ternate, 6x2', stipulate, simple. Flowers fragrant, saffron- 

 colored, hermaphrodite, solitary and axillary. The receptacle, 

 conical at its base, becomes narrow, lengthens and then enlarges, 

 forming a column which is bare at its narrow part. At its base 





