Botanical Index No. 905

Sassy Bark, Ordeal Tree

erythrophleum suaveolens

Medicinal Actions

Colic

Primary Conditions Treated

Bite Cold Constipation Dermatosis Diarrhea Dysentery Dyspnea Fever Headache High Blood Pressure Infection Insomnia Nervousness Ophthalmia Pain Rheumatism Snakebite Water Retention Worm

Safety & Contraindications

“Highly toxic; in humans leading to a primary slowing of the heart followed by acceleration, dyspnea with labored respiration, and death due to respiratory arrest. Workers may develop a dermatosis from handling the wood, tall, fair men being more susceptible than short, dark ones. The erythrophleum alkaloids are said to be powerfully analgesic to the mucosa and generally more potent than cocaine. With a marked stimulant effect on isolated rabbit uterus, erythrophleine has been suggested as a devitalizing agent in dentistry. Cassaidine has convulsant activity. Erythrophleine and homophleine have some degree of hemolytic activity. All the alkaloids are said to be strongly antiseptic, especially cassaidine”.