Common Name:

General Information

Brucea jacanica is a short-lived, evergreen shrub or small tree with soft-haired twigs and leaves that can grow up to 10 metres tall[, ].
The fruits, roots and occasionally other parts of the plant are gathered from the wild for medicinal use, and are also sold in local markets[, ].

Known Hazards

Many biologically-active compounds are found in this plant, and they are responsible for the plants efficacy in treating medical conditions such as malaria and amoebic dysentery. These compounds are also mildy toxic to the body, though at recommended medicinal doses this herb is considered safe for use, any toxicity being at a similar level to currently accepted pharmaceutical preparations used in treating the same conditions[].

Botanical References

Range

E. Asia - southern China, Indian subcontinent, Myanmar, through Malaysia, Philippines to Australia.

Habitat

Prefers open localities such as light secondary forest and thickets, forest edges, ridges, and even occurring in sunny places on sandy dunes and on limestone. It grows under both per-humid and seasonal conditions, from sea-level up to 900 metres[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	10.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Pollinators	Insects
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Prefers a well-drained soil and a position in full sun or partial shade[].
The plant grows rapidly and flowering starts early[]. However, the life span is only a few years and plants have to be regenerated from seed at regular intervals[].
Flowering and fruiting can be throughout the year[].
Plants can be monoecious or dioecious[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

Brucea javanica is a well-known medicinal herb in Asia, being used in Chinese traditional medicine and in local medicine. All parts of the plant, but most often the seeds and roots, are used, mainly in the treatment of amoebic dysentery, diarrhoea and malaria[, , ].
The plant is considered to be antiperiodic and febrifuge[, ].
Several quassinoids have been isolated from the fruits of different Brucea species. In general, these compounds have been shown to have strong anti-amoebic, antimalarial and/or cytotoxic (anti-cancer) properties[].

In addition to its use in treating dysentery, malaria etc, the plant is also used in the treatment of abdominal pains, coughs, haemorrhoids, corns, warts, ulcers and cancer[].
A poultice of the pounded seeds relieves haemorrhoids[]..

The leaves are used externally as a poultice against enlarged spleen, scurf, ringworm, boils and centipede bites.

The bark and roots have been used to treat toothache[].

The seeds can be harvested in autumn, when the fruit is ripe. The seeds obtained after eliminating the pulp of the fruit are thoroughly washed and sun-dried or heat-dried[].

Other Uses

The bitter root is used against the attacks of insects[].
The seeds are used as an insecticide[]. They contain copious quantities of a terribly bitter oil[].

Propagation

Seed - In a germination test the seed had a germination rate of about 35% within 11 - 273 days[]. The hard outer coat should be removed before the seed is sown[].
Cuttings of ripe wood in a sandy soil[].

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