Catechu - Black Cutch/Kutch.
In the sixteenth century, this plant was known as Cacho or Kat and was a popular export from India to China, Arabia, and Persia.
- It was brought to Europe from Japan in the seventeenth century.
- It wasn't until 1677 that the dark brown extract was identified as a vegetable component.
- It was listed in the 172nd edition of the London Pharmacopoeia.
Description - 9-12 m tall; trunk short, not straight, 1.5-2 m in diameter; straggling thorny branches; light feathery leaves; rough, dark grey-brown bark; delicate yellow flowers Native to eastern India and Burma; prevalent in hotter, drier areas of Ceylon, Burmese plains, and tropical east African woods.
Cultivation
- Trees were felled and processed, not grown.
Constituents Catechutannic acid has astringent properties.
- Quercetin, catechu red, and catechol are also present.
- (boiled and strained heartwood chip extract, resulting in a very dark brown solid mass) A powerful astringent that may be used as a gargle to treat irritated throat, gums, and mouth.
- Used to cure diarrhoea as well as ulcers and boils on the skin.
- Posts, heaters, and charcoal are all made of wood.
- Tannin and coloring with catechu and bark.
