CACAO — CAHINCA — CAJEPUT. 27 



CACAO. Theobroma Cacao. 



Synonym — Cocoa, Chocolate Tree. 



Part used — Seeds. 



Action — Nutritive, stimulant, diuretic. In the house- 

 hold, cocoa as well as chocolate is a well-known nutri- 

 tive beverage. These preparations are however seldom 

 used as medicine, although chocolate is an agreeable 

 and convenient base for lozenges of nauseous or bitter 

 drugs, such as Calomel, Santonin, &c. The cocoa- 

 butter, expressed from the seeds, forms a hard, bland 

 article, melting at a comparatively low temperature, 

 and is much used in suppositories, lip salves, pomades, 

 &c. Another constituent of the seeds is Theobromine, 

 which resembles Caffeine in its stimulant and diuretic 

 action. 



CAHINCA. Chiococca racemosa. 



Synonym — Cainca, David's Root, Snowberry, Cluster- 

 flowered Snowberry. 



Part used — Rootbark. 



Action — Diuretic, laxative, emetic in large doses. 

 This drug has been found useful in dropsy, amenorrhcea, 

 and rheumatism. It is also used as an alterative in 

 venereal complaints. 20-60 grains of the powdered 

 bark acts as a purgative and diuretic. It can also be 

 taken as a decoction or tincture made to the strength 

 of 8 ounces to a pint of alcohol, and the dose is 2-6 

 drops. 



CAJEPUT. Melaleuca Leucadendron. 



Synonym — White Tea -Tree, Swamp Tea -Tree, 

 Broadleaved Tea-Tree, White-Wood, Melaleuca Caju- 

 puti. 



Part used — Oil. 



Action — Stimulant, antispasmodic, diaphoretic. The 

 natives of the Molucca Islands, where the tree grows, 

 esteem it very highly as a remedy for all kinds of pains, 

 internal and external. It may be employed with advan- 



