355. Gynocardia.—Chaulmoogra.
Botanical name:
355. GYNOCARDIA.—CHAULMOO'GRA. The seed of Gynocar'dia odora'ta R. Brown. Habitat: Malayan Peninsula. Contains an acrid, whitish fat, known in market as chaulmoogra oil, separated from the kernels by expression or by boiling water, then taken up by ether or chloroform, which, when evaporated, leaves the oil almost pure. Gynocardic acid, a constituent, is sometimes employed in medicine. "The oil is a very successful remedy in eczema of the third stage." The oil is esteemed in India for the treatment of all manner of skin diseases. Its unctuous smoothness has been compared to that of goose-grease. Dose (of oil): 10 to 20 drops (0.6 to 1.3 mils), in gelatin capsules or in emulsion.
