Cedron
Exact periodicity in fevers, when ARS fails:
Native to Colombia and Central America. The intensely bitter seeds are poisonous - more than 1.5 - 2 grams, administered in a single dose, can lead to death.
PART USED:Seeds. Usually sold with seed having separated cotyledons; these are flattened on one side and convex on the other, are of a greyish-eyllow tint and are about 4 cm long and 1-1.5 cm wide.
Constituents
- Listing on Duke's Database
- Quassinoids have antimalaria and anti-inflammatory propertiesin vivo and in vitro
Simaba Cedron, a Cure for Hydrophobia
Qualities
Very bitter
Actions
Febrifuge, bitter tonic, antispasmodic
Physio-Medical Therapeutics, Materia Medica and Pharmacy BY T. J. LYLE, A.M.M. 1897
This tree grows to the height of about 15 feet. The stem when about twelve feet, ends in a terminal panicle of flowers covered externally with brownish hairs. It then sends forth side branches which do the same. The fruit is about the size of a large peach and covered with short hairs. Each fruit contains one seed having two halves. The intensely bitter seed is a stimulating and relaxing antispasmodic nervine. By those among whom the tree grows, it is successfully used in the cure of rattlesnake bite and that of other poisonous reptiles and insects, also in the cure of hydrophobia. It is used internally and applied to the surface of the wound, and in hydrophobia it is also used hypodermically.
This agent is also used in spasms, for toothache and as an antiperiodic in malarial complaints and agues. As an antiperiodic give two to four grains three to six times during the cold stage.
UNITED STATES DISPENSATORY - 1918
The seeds of the Simaba Cedron Planch., a tree growing in Colombia and Central America, belonging to the Simarubaceae. The fruit is a large solitary drupe, containing a single seed. Cedron seed is from 3 to 4.5 cm. long, and 1.5 to 2.5 cm. broad, elongated ovate, convex on one side, flat or slightly concave on the other, and presenting an oval scar" near one extremity of the flat surface. It is often yellowish, hard and compact, but readily cut with a knife; is inodorous, but of a pure and intensely bitter taste, not unlike that of quassia. It yields its virtues to water and alcohol. Lowry (J. P. C., xix, p. 365) separated from what he believed to be the seeds of Simaba Cedron, a crystalline substance which he named cedrin. Tanret, however, in attempting to confirm his work, was unable to obtain a crystalline substance from this plant, but he did from one closely allied to it, namely, the S. waldivia, and believed that Lowry was mistaken in the identity of his crude material. (See P. J., 1908, lxxxi, p. 103.) Cedrin is now an article of commerce in the colorless crystals. It is bitter, slowly soluble in water, more readily so in alcohol or ether.
Cedron has been used in Central America as a remedy for snake bite and Purple has recommended it as an antiperiodic. The dose of the crude drug is from five to fifteen grains (0.3-0.9 Gm.). The bitter principle cedrin has been given hypodermically in doses of one-fifteenth of a grain (0.004 Gm.).
Dose
Powder 0.05-0.5 g
Internally from 5 to 30 grains may be used every 3 to 6 hours. Large doses produce in some persons some griping sensations in the bowels.