 Botany
Plant is a tree of the mangrove swamps, growing up to 12 meters high, with numerous prop roots. Leaves are shining, oblong-elliptic, 8 to 16 cm long, 3.;5 to 8 cm wide, and pointed at both ends.
Cymes are axillary, 2.5 to 4 cm long, and bear 3-7 stalkless, white or cream-colored flowers. Fruit is ovoid, 3.5 to 5 cm long, pendulous, brown or olive colored, the persistent calyx-lobes are reflexed. Protruded radicle is green and cylindric, growing up 20 to 40 cm long before falling off the tree. Seeds often germinate while on the tree and crop as young plants into the mud below.
Distribution
In mangrove swamps throughout the Philippines.
Constituents
Bark rich in tannin in variable amounts, 12.3 to 33.8 per cent.
Leaves contain 9.13 % tannin; unripe fruit, 12 per cent; ripe fruit, 4.21 percent.
Properties
Bark is astringent.
Parts used and preparation
Bark, leaves.
Uses
Folkloric
Bark used for hematuria.
Bark also used for diabetes, angina, boils, fungal infections.
Leaves and bark used as antiseptic; used for diarrhea, dysentery, fever, malaria and leprosy.
Old leaves used as decoction at childbirth.
Leaves also prescribed for fever.
Others
Useful as both wood and fuel.
Makes an excellent charcoal.
Tar can be made from the wood.
Bark used for tanning and dyeing.
Studies
• Anti-Diarrheal: Bark extracts showed inhibition of castor oil-induced diarrhea and a very significant percentage inhibition of charcoal meal in mice. Results support the anti-diarrheal activity of Rhizophora mucronata bark.
• Anti-HIV: Study extracted a polysaccharide from the bark of R. mucronata. Assessment in an in vitro culture system suggested the RM polysaccharide inhibited early steps of the virus life cycle especially virus adsorption to the cell.
Availability
Wild-crafted.
|
