Med. Formerly also calomba, calumbo, -ombo, columba, -umbo, -ombo. [f. Colombo, in Ceylon. ‘So called from a false impression that it was supplied from thence’ (M. T. Masters in Treas. Bot., 636).]
The root of Jateorhiza palmata (or Coccolus palmatus) N.O. Menospermaceæ, a plant indigenous to the forests of Mozambique, used in medicine as a mild tonic and stomachic.
1811. Hooper, Med. Dict., Columbo … the root formerly so called is now termed Calumba in the London pharmacopœia…. As an antiseptic, Calumba root is inferior to the bark.
1876. Harley, Mat. Med., 724. Calumba is indigenous to the forests of Eastern Africa, where it climbs to the tops of the loftiest trees.
1883. Cassell’s Fam. Mag., Aug., 555/2. Take some of the milder bitter tonics—infusion of calumba, for instance.
Hence Calumbin [see -IN], Calumbic acid [see -IC], bitter substances found in Calumba root.
1837. Penny Cycl., VII. 306/2. The active principle Calumbine … may be obtained either by alcohol or æther.
1876. Harley, Mat. Med., 725. Calumbin is the principal constituent. Ibid. Calumbic acid is a yellow amorphous substance.
