Aspidosperma
A. has at least 10 useful species. The wood is useful. The roots are used as a repellent for termites and ants. Leaves and bark are febrifuge. The bark is carminative, stomachic and tanniferous. Latex contains alkaloids, is antifungal, febrifugal, is used as a protective coating and against leprosy.
South American medicinal plants : botany, remedial properties, and general use / I. Roth, H. Lindorf. Berlin ; New York : Springer, c2002. -- p. 492.
Apocynaceae
The family is mostly represented by trees and more rarely by large Herbs, shrubs or vines. The leaves are opposite and simple. The corolla is tubular; the fruit consists typically of 2 dry or fleshy carpels, which are dehiscent or indehiscent (Fig. 26). The seeds are occasionally winged or have an aril. Intraxylary phloem and laticifers are characteristic. The family supplies rubber-like products, fibers, drugs and many ornamentals. It is one of the richest in alkaloids. It is rich in alkaloids of several types, and also in stereoids, cardenolides, rubber, terpenes, polyphenols, coumarins, lignans and others. The latex may contain caoutchouc. Many representatives have toxic contents. The medicinally used species contain indole alkaloids or cardenolides.
South American medicinal plants : botany, remedial properties, and general use / I. Roth, H. Lindorf. Berlin ; New York : Springer, c2002. -- p. 492.
Himatanthus
Leaves as an antidote for poison, as a poultice for snake bites; febrifugal. Laticiferous bark for wounds. Latex is disinfectant and used to kill parasitic larvae.
ROTH studied the bark structure 1981.