Esenbeckia febrifuga
(A. St.-Hil.) A. Juss. ex Mart.
Febrifuge esenbackia
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Renato Lima
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Renato Lima
Description
A tropical tree in the Rutaceae family with leaves that may be used as a beverage.
This description is brief — help expand it
Edible Uses
Leaves are potentially prepared as a drink.
Medicinal Uses
The bark and young wood is aromatic, extremely bitter, astringent, febrifuge and tonic. It is used as a substitute for quinine (Cinchona spp.). The leaves are aromatic, bitter, febrifuge and tonic. A decoction is used in the treatment of bubo, constipation, dyspepsia and malaria. Crude extracts of the plant have shown partly antimalarial activity.
Distribution
It is a tropical plant.
Where It Grows
Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, South America,
Cultivation
Succeeds in full sun or dappled shade. Found in the wild on well-drained, fertile, clayey soils. Young plants establish fairly well and grow away moderately when planted out.
Propagation
Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a semi-shaded position in a nursery seedbed. Germination rates are usually fair, with the seed sprouting in 25 - 35 days.
Other Uses
The wood is of medium texture; heavy; soft; easy to work with; of medium mechanical resistance and moderately durable when not exposed. It is often made into spoons, dishes etc, and is also suitable for internal carpentry work.
Synonyms
References (1)
- Grandtner, M. M. & Chevrette, J., 2013, Dictionary of Trees, Volume 2: South America: Nomenclature, Taxonomy and Ecology. Academic Press p 233
