The Cassia Bark Tree.
Cassia lignea.
THIS is a large spreading tree, frequent in the East Indies, and very much resembling the cinnamon tree in its appearance. The branches are covered with a brownish bark; the leaves are oblong and pointed at the end, and of a deep green colour, and fragrant smell. The flowers are small, and the fruit resembles that of the cinnamon tree.
The bark of the branches of this tree is the only part used in medicine; it is of a reddish brown colour like cinnamon, and resembles it in smell and taste, only it is fainter in the smell, and less acrid to the taste; and it leaves a glutinous or mucilaginous matter in the mouth. It is often mixed among cinnamon, and it possesses the same virtues, but in a less degree. However in purgings it is better than cinnamon, because of its mucilaginous nature. It is an excellent remedy given in powder in these cases, and is not so much used as it ought to be.
