Occurrence
The palaeotropic species is cultivated or grows wild in tropical and subtropical regions (forests and thickets), and is particularly frequent along the sandy littoral.

Ethnobotanical and general use

Economical utilization
The wood is very hard, light brown with black streaks, and keeps well under water. It is suitable for furniture and cabinet work, and recommended for boat building, wheel wrights, gun stocks and fancy work. The inner bark of the branches and young stems contains a tough and fine fiber useful for cordage. The seeds supply a yellow dye. The plant is also used as an ornamental.

Medical use
Leaf The leaves have an emollient effect. Roots. Roots and seeds in decoction are efficient against diseases of the skin. Bark. A cutaneous bath can be made with the bark. Fruit. The fruit is likewise medicinal.

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Leaf and Fruit: Mixed in a preparation for headache and scabies or itches.
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Origin

Coastal regions of India and the Andamans; and also grown as an ornamental.

Action:

Specific for skin diseases.

Root, fruit and leaf—used in psoriasis, scabies and other cutaneous diseases. Lupenone, lupeol and alkanes show activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.

Bark— used for the treatment of haemorrhoids and chronic dysentery.

Leaf— anti-inflammatory.

1) South American medicinal plants : botany, remedial properties, and general use / I. Roth, H. Lindorf. Berlin ; New York : Springer, c2002. -- p. 492.

2) Robertt, A., et al.. Medicinal Plants of the Guianas (Guyana, Suriname, French Guyana)/Smithsonian NMNH. cited online: 17-08-2017.

3) Khare, C.P./ Indian Medicinal Plants. -- Nueva Dheli: Springer, 2007 . - p 660.