MEDICINAL PLANTS OF THE PHILIPPINES 



DICOTYLEDONOUS, POLYPETALOUS. 



DILLENIACEJE. 



Tetracera macrophylla, Vail. (T. monocarpa, T. 

 sarmentosa, Blanco.) 



NOM. VULG. Malakatmon, Tag. 



USES. The wood of malakatmon is one of the best known 

 and popular drugs of the Binondo * market place. It is used 

 as an infusion internally in the haemoptysis of consumptives, 

 and externally in the treatment of sore throat, its action being 

 due to the large amount of tannin it contains. It is also em- 

 ployed in Malabar in the form of an infusion of the leaves of 

 the species, T. Rheedi, to treat sore throat, mixing it with a 

 decoction of rice called cange. 



The Filipinos do not distinguish this species from the T. Assa. 



Both are called malakatmon, and are employed indiscrimi- 

 nately to accomplish the same results. The silicious concretion 

 obtained from the leaves is used as a polish in the form of 

 polish paper. 



DOSE. In infusion for internal use, 4 grams of wood to 1 

 liter of water; as a gargle, 10 to 15 grams to the liter. 



BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION. A shrub with leaves alternate, 



oval, serrate, finely dentate with very short and stiff hairs. 



Flowers of a strong, rather agreeable odor, axillary, in panicles. 



Calyx, 4 sepals. Corolla, 4 petals. Stamens indefinite, ex- 



1 A ward or Barrio of Manila. 



