166 



The root is described as possessing emetic, laxative, stomachic, 

 and rubefacient properties ; prescribed for rheumatism, nervous 

 diseases, piles, etc. 



The leaves are used in amenorrhoea and, on the Malabar Coast, 

 are administered in pulmonic complaints. The Hindus administer 

 the leaves internally, rubbed up with castor oil, and also apply a 

 paste made with them externally. A similar external application 

 is used to reduce swellings and tumours of various kinds 

 (Dymock, Pharm. Journ. [3] viii. 1878, p. 1002). 



The leaves, together with the young shoots, are sometimes 

 cooked as a vegetable. The native name in Unyoro signifies 

 chain-like, because when the plant is boiled as a vegetable it is 

 stringy to eat (Grant, Trans. Linn. Soc. xxix. p. 48). 



The seed is used as a tonic in fever and a diaphoretic in 

 rheumatism. 



Ref. — Gardiospermum Halicacabum in " Notes on Indian 

 Drugs," Dymock, in Pharm. Journ. [3] viii. 1878, p. 1002. 



Paullinia, Linn. 



Paullinia pinnata, Linn, ; Fl. Trop. Afr. I. p. 419. 



111.— Gaertn. Fruct. Sem. PI. i. t. 79 ; Lam. Encyc. t. 318. 



Vernac. names.- — Kakasenla (Lagos, Dawodu) ; Aza (S. Nigeria, 

 Bennett) ; Ebanka (Sierra Leone) ; Timbo (Brazil, Holmes). 



Old Calabar ; Zungeru ; Lokoja ; Dekina, Bassa ; widely 

 distributed in Tropical Africa, and Tropical America. 



Leaves and roots used by the natives on the Gold Coast for 

 dysentery (Johnson, Herb. Kew). 



The bark of the root is a narcotic poison. It has an aromatic 

 odour slightly resembling musk. According to Martius it acts 

 especially on the kidneys and brain ; he compares it to aconite 

 and states that the natives of Brazil prepare a slow poison from it 

 (Holmes, Pharm. Journ. [3] v. 1875, p. 986). In Brazil poultices 

 are made from it with boiling water which are applied to the side 

 in affections of the liver and often cause intense eruptions (Pharm. 

 Journ. [3] vii. 1877, p. 1020). A decoction of the root more 

 especially, is used for stupefying fish (Year Book of Pharm. 1892, 

 p. 152), a property possessed by several Sapindaceous plants 

 (Planchon & Collin Drog. Simpl. ii. p. 578). Timbonine is an 

 alkaloid extract isolated by M. Martin, from the root bark. 



The seeds also, according to Macfadjen possess the property of 

 intoxicating fish (Fawcett, Econ. Prod. Jamaica, p. 60). 



Found in the mixed forests (Thompson, Col. Rep. Misc. No. 51, 

 1908, p. 61). 



Kef. — "Timbo Root" Holmes, in Pharm. Journ. [3] v. 1875, 

 p. 986. — " Timbo, Its Properties and Composition " I.e. vii. 1877, 

 p. 1020. — " Poisonous Constituents of Timbo," in Year Book of 

 Pharmacy, 1892, pp. 152-153. 



