Croton eluteria. C. eleuteria    Cascarilla, Sweet wood bark  Family: Euphorbia   
PART USED: Bark- The bark occurs in short quilled pieces, usually with a chalky, more or less cracked, white surface, with black dots due to the fruit of lichens. Transverse fracture reddish-brown.
TASTE: Aromatic, bitter ODOR: Aromatic, particularly when burnt, hence its use in flavouring tabacco.
ACTIONS
1. Stimulant.[1] Aromatic.[1]
2. Tonic.[1]
INDICATIONS
1. Dyspepsia, flatulence and diarrhea.[1]
2. Antiemetic, usually taken as an infusion.[1]
PREPARATIONS
Powdered bark 1-2.5 g.[1]
Fluid extract 2-4 ml.[1]
Tincture 2-4 ml.[1]
Inner Path can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
ORIGIN: West Indies, grows also in tropical America.
References
Constituents
Research

Minor diterpenoids from cascarilla (Croton eluteria Bennet) and evaluation of the cascarilla extract and cascarillin effects on gastric acid secretion.
Appendino G, Borrelli F, Capasso R, Campagnuolo C, Fattorusso E, Petrucci F, Taglialatela-Scafati O.
Abstract
Three new diterpenoids belonging to the clerodane (2-3) and halimane (4) structural types have been isolated from the bark of Croton eluteria Bennet, commonly known as cascarilla. Their structures have been fully characterized by spectroscopic means. Cascarilla extract and its major component, cascarillin, were found to significantly increase histamine-induced gastric acid secretion in the mouse stomach. These preliminary results provide the first rationale for the use of cascarilla in bitter preparations aimed at improving digestion.
PMID: 14611156 DOI: 10.1021/jf034780h J Agric Food Chem. 2003 Nov 19;51(24):6970-4. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A prenylbisabolane with NF-kappaB inhibiting properties from Cascarilla (Croton eluteria).
Campagnuolo C, Fattorusso E, Petrucci F, Taglialatela-Scafati O, Appendino G, Marquez N, Muñoz E.
Abstract
Investigation of the bark of Croton eluteria Bennett for biologically active compounds has led to the isolation of the new prenylbisabolane 3, whose structure was assessed by spectroscopic methods. The corresponding known enone 4 and the eudesmane sesquiterpene 2 were also obtained. Compound 3 proved active in selectively inhibiting the induction of NF-kappaB by tumor necrosis factor-alpha in T cells.
PMID: 15878280 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2005.04.025
Bioorg Med Chem. 2005 Jul 1;13(13):4238-42. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov