Range. Tropical Africa, tropical Asia, especially eastern India and eastern Myan­mar. Found growing naturally not only in evergreen tropical forests, but also elsewhere around the country.

Toxicity:
Note: This plant can cause blindness; caution is required to avoid contact with the eyes when using it to treat eye disorders and other conditions.

Uses
Seed: Astringent and sweet, the easily digestible seeds are known to clarify water (similar to alum) and to relieve thirst and heat, neutralize poison, alleviate eye infec­tions, and kill germs. A paste made from the ground seeds is applied topically in a circle around the eyes to treat eye disorders, improve vision, and clear blood spotting from the whites of the eyes; combined with honey it is applied topically in a circle around the eyes for cataracts. A mixture of seed paste with liquid yogurt taken for seven days is considered a cure for chronic, treatment-resistant diarrhea. A mixture of milk and seed paste is given as a remedy for gonorrhea. A mixture of seed ash and sugar is taken to alleviate bleeding hemorrhoids. The paste made with distilled water is used to treat ex­cessive urination. Powdered seed coats are used to induce vomiting and treat dysentery.

--------------

Origin

Forests of West Bengal, Central and South India, up to 1,200 m.

Action:

Seed—antidiabetic, antidysenteric, emetic.

1) DeFilipps, Robert A.; Krupnick, Gary A. / PhytoKeys, v. 102. - - p. 1 - 314,  2018.

2)  Khare, C.P./ Indian Medicinal Plants. -- Nueva Dheli: Springer, 2007 . - p 631.