96 THE MEDICINAL PLANTS OF THE PHILIPPINES 



LEGUMINOSJE. 



Brasiletto Family. 

 Caesalpinia Bonducella, Flem. (Guilandina Bonducella, L.) 

 Nom. Vulg. — Bayag-Kambig, Kaktmbibit, Tag.; Dalugdug, 

 Vis.; Fever Nut, Physic Nut, Bonduc Seeds, Indo-Eng. 



Uses. — The seed is the part of the plant employed and is 

 official in the Pharmacopoeia of India. It is used as a tonic 

 and antiperiodic in intermittent fevers and in general where 

 tonic treatment is indicated. It has given good results in the 

 malarial fevers of India, according to English physicians. 

 The Pharmacopoeia of India contains the following preparation 

 under the name of " Compound Powder of Bonduc " (Pulvis 

 bonducellse compositus). 



Seeds of Bonduc, powdered 30 grams. 



Pepper 30 " 



Mix and keep in a well-corked flask. 



Dose. — 1-2 grams 3 times a day. 



In the Philippines the powdered seed is given in affections of 

 the digestive tract, especially in diarrhoea and feeble digestion. 

 The same name of Bonduc is given to the seeds of another 

 species that grows in the Philippines, C. Bonduc, Roxb.; 

 Kamot-Kabag, Bayan-Kambig, Tag. The seeds are identical 

 in chemical composition and therapeutic indication. 



The two principal substances contained in the seeds are an 

 oil, 24^> and a resin, 1.88^. The former is straw-colored and 

 slightly bitter by virtue of the presence of a resin that may be 

 precipitated by alcohol. The resin or bitter principle exists as 

 an amorphous powder, white, bitter, not acrid, soluble in 

 chloroform, alcohol, acetone, crystallizable acetic acid, fixed and 

 essential oils ; slightly soluble in ether and bisulphide of car- 

 bon, insoluble in water and petroleum ether. The alkalies do 

 not aifect it. It melts at 140°, decomposing and leaving only 

 a carbon. Its discoverers, Heckel and Schlagdenhaussen, have 



