Am.  Jour.  Pharm.) 
March,  1920.) 
Medicinal  Plants  in  Bahia. 
of  recognized  value  and  some  regular  articles  of  export,  such  as 
ipecacuanha  root,  araroba  powder,  jaborandi  leaves,  and  Jatoba 
gum.  Most  of  the  plants  exist  in  practically  inexhaustible  quan- 
tities; but  orders  must  be  placed  in  advance  with  local  exporters, 
for  there  is  no  regular  trade  even  in  those  now  figuring  among  the 
State's  exports.  The  supply  depends  entirely  upon  the  demand. 
There  follows  a  list  of  the  most  important  medicinal  plants  found  at 
convenient  distances  from  the  city  of  Bahia: 
Angelica  {Gentiana  rubra). — Aromatic,  antiseptic  and  anti- 
spasmodic; a  powerful  remedy  against  intermittent  fevers. 
Arco  leaves. — A  substitute  for  the  coca  leaves  of  Peru;  a  stimulat- 
ing and  powerful  tonic,  yielding  cocaine. 
Araroba  or  Goa  Powder. — This  is  a  powder  taken  from  the  heart- 
wood  of  a  tree  known  locally  as  "armagoso  do  matto"  (Vouacapoua 
araroba),  which  contains  a  substance  known  as  chrysarobin,  used  in 
the  treatment  of  skin  diseases. 
Barbatimao  Bark. — The  inner  bark  contains  phosphate  of  lime, 
tannin  and  an  alkaloid  similar  to  quinine;  it  is  a  sedative,  and  re- 
duced to  powder  makes  an  excellent  dentifrice. 
Cajueiro  {Anacardium  occidentale) . — The  bark  is  astringent  and 
is  an  efficacious  remedy  against  diabetes. 
Caroba  leaves. — Antisyphilitic  and  antibubonic;  well  known  in 
Brazil  as  a  powerful  blood  cleaner,  used  externally  and  internally. 
It  is  a  vegetable  mercury  and  is  said  to  be  superior  to  sarsaparilla 
and  other  blood  purifiers. 
Cambard  Leaves. — ^A  strong  sedative  and  expectorant,  for  bron- 
chitis, coughs  and  pulmonary  ailments. 
Cameleao  da  casta. — Remedy  for  stomach  trouble. 
Cestrum  Leaves. — A  strong  narcotic,  said  to  be  poisonous,  also 
used  in  baths  against  hemorrhoids,  a  powerful  insecticide.  The 
damp  leaves  are  applied  to  wounds,  first  inflaming  them,  but  after- 
wards cleaning  and  healing  them. 
Congonha.' — A  stimulant,  diuretic  as  a  tea. 
Gervao.— One  of  the  best  disobstruents  known,  aids  digestion 
and  eases  laborious  births. 
Imbauba. — Remedy  against  coughs,  bronchitis  and  asthma. 
Imburana. — Inner  bark  contains  coumarin;  it  is  aromatic,  an 
expectorant  and  a  stimulant. 
