SOAP TREE. 263 



smooth, less-branched roots, and the leaves, which are 

 occasionally adherent, are strongly reticulated, coria- 

 ceous, and sessile. 



SOAP TREE. Quillaja Saponaria, Molina. 



N.O. Rosacea. 



Syn. Quillaia, Soap Bark, Panama Bark. 

 Part used Bark. 



Action Expectorant, diuretic, detergent. Used to 

 loosen cough in chronic bronchitis and pulmonary 

 complaints. The infusion of ounce of bark in a pint 

 of boiling water is taken in tablespoonful doses or more 

 as required. Used externally as a cleansing application 

 to cutaneous ulcers and eruptions. A heading for beers 

 is made from it. 



Preparations Fluid extract : Dose, 2-8 drops. 

 Solid extract : Dose, \-i grains. Tincture B.P. and 

 U.S. P. : Dose, ^-i drachm. 



Distinctive character Imported in large flat pieces 

 1-2 feet long or more, 4-6 inches broad, and \-\ inch 

 thick. The outer surface is pale yellowish white with 

 irregular patches of imperfectly removed reddish outer 

 bark. The inner surface is smooth. The fracture 

 splintery in layers. Under a lens, glittering solitary 

 prismatic crystals of calcium oxalate are visible. The 

 powder, when the bark is broken, causes violent sneezing. 

 Taste, acrid. Odour, none. 



A variety of the bark, apparently from a different 

 species of the same genus, has the brown patches 

 covering most of the bark, and marked with oblique 

 lines. This kind is much less active, containing only 

 half as much saponin as the genuine. 



