

102 THE MEDICINAL PLANTS OF THE PHILIPPINES 



fessor Clouet. Heckel and Schlagdenhauffen have confirmed the 

 febrifuge virtues of the seeds and are uncertain as to the active 

 principle since they found no glucoside or alkaloid in their 

 analysis. The antiperiodic properties are comparable with 

 those of quinine and have even proved effective in some cases 

 in which quinine failed. It seems quite clear that the tannin is 

 the active principle which is the more probable because its anti- 

 periodic virtues are now recognized by all therapeutists. 



It is given in maceration or infusion, 2-15 grams of the 

 seeds to 3 or 400 of water to be taken several times a day. 

 The treatment causes no very marked physiological effects. It 

 seems to act as a sedative to the nervous system. 



Botanical Description. — An annual plant, .60-1 meter 

 high. Root central with lateral rootlets. Stem straight, 

 ramose. Leaves opposite, abruptly pinnate with a stylet in 

 place of the odd leaflet. Leaflets, 5-6 pairs, the lower ones 

 smaller, ovate, oblong, margins and lower face downy. Com- 

 mon petiole swollen at the base, 2 stipules and 1 glandule. 

 Calyx, 5 unequal sepals. Corolla, 5 nearly equal petals, sul- 

 phur yellow, concave, the posterior one further developed. 

 Two verticils of 5 stamens each. Of the 5 stamens supe- 

 rior to the sepals, 2 are fertile, larger and arched ; of the 

 other 5 stamens 4 are fertile and small. Pod compressed, 

 linear, smooth, 5' long, containing many compressed, heart- 

 shaped seeds, separated by thin partitions. 



Habitat. — Common in Luzon. Blooms in October. 



Cassia alata, L. 



Nom. Vulg. — Acapulco, Sp.-Fil.; Katandd, Gamut sa 

 Buni, Sontig, Tag.; Suntig, Kansit&s, Vis.; Pakayomkom- 

 kastila, Pam. 



Uses. — This is one of the most popular Philippine remedies 

 and its usefulness is vouched for by many physicians practicing 

 in many different lands. Its antiherpetic properties are nota- 



