Common Name:

General Information

Soulamea amara is a shrub or small tree, usually growing up to 5 metres tall but with occasional specimens to 15 metres[].
The roots and fruits are gathered from the wild for local medicinal use.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Southeast Asia - Malaysia, Indonesia, New Guinea to the Pacific Islands in Micronesia and Melanesia.

Habitat

Locally common on sandy beaches and behind coral reefs, at elevations below 3 metres, sometimes dominant as a rather small shrub along the shore, and of more scattered occurrence as a treelet further inland[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Habit	Shrub
Height	3.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

The fruits must be picked when they start to yellow or blacken, since they become less medicinally effective after they have fallen[].
The roots can be harvested when needed[].
The seeds are probably able to float in salt water for some time without losing viability. In this way the plant can spread to other islands[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The roots and fruits are intensely bitter. In common with many other bitter-tasting plants, when taken in moderation this bitterness is considered to have a beneficial effect upon the whole digestive system; stimulating the appetite; strengthening the stomach; increasing the flow of bile; stimulating peristalsis and thus acting as a gentle laxative[]. They are used especially to treat cholera and pleurisy[, ].

The fruits are considered a general febrifuge, and ground with the roots and water they are used to treat colic and cough, including asthma[].
In cases of poisoning, e.g. By snake bites, the fruits are wholesome by urging the patient to vomit[].

In cases of poisoning the roots are used as an emetic, in a manner similar to Eurycoma root and often as a substitute for snakeroot (Strychnos)[].

Juice from the heated leaves is applied externally to get rid of lice[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed -

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