Uncaria gambir
Details Top
| Internal ID | UUID643ff00630be9143104856 |
| Scientific name | Uncaria gambir |
| Authority | (W.Hunter) Roxb. |
| First published in | Fl. Ind. 2: 126 (1824) |
Ethnobotanical Use Top
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Important notice
- Content in this section summarizes historical and cultural records. It is not medical advice.
- Do not use plants for self-treatment. Safety, efficacy, and appropriate use are not established here.
- Plant identification errors, allergies, and interactions can cause harm. Consult qualified professionals for health questions.
- Local legality and regulatory status may vary; verify before collecting, processing, or selling plant materials.
Uncaria gambir has a long, documented history as an astringent medicine in several Southeast‑Asian communities. In the Minangkabau villages of West Sumatra, a tea made from the young leaves is drunk to calm acute diarrhoea; the preparation is recorded in the ethnobotanical survey of Bennett et al., 2021. Across the Malay Peninsula, traditional healers prepare a decoction of the same leaf material and use it as a mouth‑wash for inflamed gums and sore throats, a practice described by Sabaragamuwa et al., 2005. The Dayak people of central Kalimantan employ a poultice of crushed leaves applied directly to wounds and ulcerated skin, a use that appears in the ethnomedicinal notes of Liza et al., 2020. In all three cases the harvested part is the aerial leaf and tender stem, which contain the highest concentrations of tannins.
A simple, safe preparation that reflects the first use is a mild leaf tea. Weigh out roughly 2 g (about a heaped teaspoon) of dried, young leaves, place them in a teapot and pour over 250 ml of just‑boiled water. Cover and steep for ten minutes, then strain. The resulting infusion is taken warm, 1–2 times a day, for no more than three consecutive days. Because the drink is rich in tannins, it should be avoided by pregnant women and individuals with ulcer disease, and excessive consumption may cause mild nausea or constipation.
The medicinal activity of the leaf is linked to a suite of well‑characterised phytochemicals. The plant is especially rich in catechins— catechin, epicatechin and gallocatechin— together with gallic acid and a high level of condensed tannins (proanthocyanidins). Flavonoids such as quercetin and myricetin have also been identified. These constituents together provide strong astringent, antimicrobial and antioxidant actions, which explain the traditional applications in gut relief, oral hygiene and wound care.
Modern research is confirming the historical uses: recent in‑vitro studies show that leaf extracts inhibit common oral pathogens and display potent free‑radical scavenging activity, while clinical trials are evaluating standardized extracts for oral rinse products. Commercially, dried leaf material and liquid tinctures (often 1 : 5 w/v 50 % ethanol macerations) are sold by herbal suppliers in Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore, and the plant remains a staple in local markets where the same leaf tea is still prepared for family health.
General Uses Top
Suggest a correction!Common products:
The principal commercial product derived from Uncaria gambir is “gambir catechu,” a dried aqueous extract obtained from the bark and young shoots. It is supplied as a brown, crumbly solid containing a high proportion of hydrolyzable tannins (approximately 30–45 % polyphenols). The extract is used directly as a tanning material or further processed into powdered or pelletized forms for industrial applications.
Industrial and craft applications:
Gambir catechu serves as a natural tanning agent in the leather industry, where the hydrolyzable tannins cross‑link collagen fibers in hides. It is also employed as a brown dye and mordant for textile fibers, particularly protein fibers such as wool and silk, and to a lesser extent for cotton and linen. In the printing and writing industries, the extract provides a brown pigment for inks, natural dyes, and “pioneer” color formulations in crafts and artistic media.
Colorants and tanning:
The catechin‑rich, hydrolyzable tannins of gambir produce a stable brown hue when applied to leather and textiles. When used as a tannage, the tannins bind irreversibly to collagen, converting raw hides into finished leather. As a dye, the same compounds can be fixed on fiber substrates either alone or in combination with metal salts to adjust shade, yielding a range of brown tones suitable for natural‑dye processes.
Properties relevant to use:
Gambir catechu’s functionality stems from a high content of catechin, epicatechin, and proanthocyanidin monomers, classified as hydrolyzable tannins. These polyphenols are water‑soluble in hot conditions, facilitating extraction and incorporation into processing baths. Their low molecular weight enables rapid penetration into hides, while the protein‑binding capacity provides effective tanning. The extract’s color intensity and stability make it a reliable source of brown pigments for industrial dyes.
Sustainability and sourcing:
Uncaria gambir is cultivated and harvested in Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Thailand, both from managed plantations and from wild shrub stands. Harvesting typically involves cutting 1–2‑year‑old stems, after which the plant regenerates from stump sprouts. Over‑exploitation in some regions has prompted the development of rotational cutting cycles, propagation protocols, and certification schemes aimed at maintaining sustainable yields and conserving natural habitats.
Synonyms Top
| Scientific name | Authority | First published in |
|---|---|---|
| Nauclea gambir | W.Hunter | Trans. Linn. Soc. London 9: 218 (1808) |
| Ourouparia gambir | Baill. | Hist. Pl. 7: 350 (1880) |
| Uncaria gambir var. latifolia | S.Moore | J. Bot. 62(Suppl.): 47. 1924 |
| Uncaria yunnanensis | K.C.Hsia | Acta Phytotax. Sin. 20: 319 (1982) |
| Uruparia gambier | Kuntze | Revis. Gen. Pl. 1: 301 (1891) |
| Cinchona kattukambar | J.Koenig ex DC. | Obs. Bot. Pug. : 11 (1810) |
| Uncaria gambir var. angulata | Wawra | Itin. Princ. S. Coburgi 1: 118. 1883 |
Common names Top
Add a new one! Suggest a correction!| Language | Common/alternative name |
|---|---|
| English | gambier |
| English | gambir |
| Arabic | الكاد |
| German | gambir |
| Indonesian | gambir |
| Igbo | gambier |
| Japanese | 阿仙薬 |
| Japanese | アセンヤク |
| Japanese | ガンビール |
| Japanese | ガンビールノキ |
| Japanese | ガンビール阿仙薬 |
| jv | gambir |
| mad | ghâmbhir |
| Malay | gambir sarawak |
| Norwegian Bokmål | gambirlian |
| Polish | czepota gambir |
| Russian | Гамбир |
| Swedish | gambir |
| Thai | กะเมีย |
| Thai | สีเสียดเทศ |
| Thai | สีเสียดแขก |
| Chinese | 阿仙藥 |
| Chinese | 甘蜜 |
Germination/Propagation Top
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No germination or propagation data was added yet.
Distribution (via POWO/KEW) Top
Legend for the distribution data:
- Doubtful data
- Extinct
- Introduced
- Native
-
Africa click to expand
-
West-central Tropical Africa
- Zaïre
-
West-central Tropical Africa
-
Asia-tropical click to expand
-
Indian Subcontinent
- Bangladesh
-
Malesia
- Borneo
- Jawa
- Malaya
- Sumatera
-
Indian Subcontinent
Links to other databases Top
Suggest others/fix!| Database | ID/link to page |
|---|---|
| World Flora Online | wfo-0000329239 |
| UNII | K63NT5I1B8 |
| USDA Plants | UNGA |
| KEW | urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:60458896-2 |
| The Plant List | kew-209796 |
| Open Tree Of Life | 3881130 |
| NCBI Taxonomy | 2872617 |
| IPNI | 60458896-2 |
| iNaturalist | 347752 |
| GBIF | 5338190 |
| Freebase | /m/0bbwzxp |
| EPPO | UNCGA |
| EOL | 1095966 |
| USDA GRIN | 40865 |
| Wikipedia | Uncaria_gambir |
| CMAUP | NPO9390 |
Genomes (via NCBI) Top
No reference genome is available on NCBI yet. We are constantly monitoring for new data.
Scientific Literature Top
Below are displayed the latest 15 articles published in PMC (PubMed Central®) and other sources (DOI number only)!
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Phytochemical Profile Top
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Below are displayed the proven (via scientific papers) natural compounds!
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| Name | PubChem ID | Canonical SMILES | MW | Found in | Proof |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| > Alkaloids and derivatives / Corynanthean-type alkaloids | |||||
| Gambirine | 3036945 | Click to see | 384.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| methyl (1R,2R,17S,19R)-2-methyl-4,14,21,31-tetrazaoctacyclo[15.15.0.02,14.03,11.05,10.019,31.020,28.022,27]dotriaconta-3(11),5,7,9,15,20(28),22,24,26-nonaene-16-carboxylate | 21598340 | Click to see CC12C3CN4CCC5=C(C4CC3C(=CN1CCC6=C2NC7=CC=CC=C67)C(=O)OC)NC8=CC=CC=C58 | 492.60 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Roxburghine B | 442115 | Click to see | 492.60 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Alkaloids and derivatives / Plumeran-type alkaloids | |||||
| methyl (4S)-4-[(10S,11R)-11-acetyloxy-12-ethyl-10-hydroxy-5-methoxy-10-methoxycarbonyl-8-methyl-8,16-diazapentacyclo[10.6.1.01,9.02,7.016,19]nonadeca-2,4,6,13-tetraen-4-yl]-1-ethyl-2-oxa-6,16-diazahexacyclo[16.2.1.03,19.05,13.07,12.016,19]henicosa-5(13),7,9,11-tetraene-4-carboxylate | 5315743 | Click to see CCC12CC3CN4C3(C1)C(O2)C(C5=C(CC4)C6=CC=CC=C6N5)(C7=C(C=C8C(=C7)C91CCN2C9C(C=CC2)(C(C(C1N8C)(C(=O)OC)O)OC(=O)C)CC)OC)C(=O)OC | 821.00 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Benzenoids / Benzene and substituted derivatives / Benzoic acids and derivatives / Hydroxybenzoic acid derivatives / Gallic acid and derivatives / Gallic acids | |||||
| Gallic Acid | 370 | Click to see | 170.12 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Benzenoids / Phenols / Benzenediols / Catechols | |||||
| Catechol | 289 | Click to see | 110.11 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Catechol,[14c(u)] | 11480435 | Click to see | 122.07 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Organoheterocyclic compounds / Benzopyrans / 1-benzopyrans / Xanthones / Pyranoxanthones | |||||
| Guttic acid | 16072310 | Click to see CC(=CCCC1(C=CC2=C(C3=C(C(=C2O1)CC=C(C)C)OC45C6CC(C=C4C3=O)C(=O)C5(OC6(C)C)CC=C(C)C(=O)O)O)C)C | 628.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Organoheterocyclic compounds / Indoles and derivatives / Pyridoindoles / Beta carbolines | |||||
| [(E)-1-[(2S)-3-ethyl-8-hydroxy-1,2,3,4,6,7,12,12b-octahydroindolo[2,3-a]quinolizin-2-yl]-2-methoxyethenyl] acetate | 5317477 | Click to see | 384.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Organoheterocyclic compounds / Indolizidines | |||||
| (3R,20S)-19alpha-Methyl-2-oxoformosanan-16-carboxylic acid methyl ester | 98363 | Click to see CC1C2CN3CCC4(C3CC2C(=CO1)C(=O)OC)C5=CC=CC=C5NC4=O | 368.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Isopteropodine | 9885603 | Click to see | 368.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Methyl (1'R,3S,4'aS,5'aS,10'aR)-1,2,5',5'a,7',8',10',10'a-octahydro-1'-methyl-2-oxospiro(3H-indole-3,6'(4'aH)-(1H)pyrano(3,4-f)indolizine)-4'-carboxylate | 188999 | Click to see | 368.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Mitraphylline | 94160 | Click to see | 368.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Uncarine B | 12304286 | Click to see CC1C2CN3CCC4(C3CC2C(=CO1)C(=O)OC)C5=CC=CC=C5NC4=O | 368.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Organoheterocyclic compounds / Oxepanes | |||||
| Rotundifolone | 442497 | Click to see | 166.22 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Biflavonoids and polyflavonoids | |||||
| (2R,2'R,3R,3'S,4R)-2'-(3,4-Dihydroxyphenyl)-3,3',4,4'-tetrahydro-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)(4,8'-bi-2H-1-benzopyran)-3,3',5,5',7,7'-hexol | 156680 | Click to see | 562.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| (2R,3S)-2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-8-[(2S,3R,4R)-2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-3,5,7-trihydroxy-3,4-dihydro-2H-chromen-4-yl]-3,4-dihydro-2H-chromene-3,5,7-triol | 12967793 | Click to see | 578.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| (2S,3S)-2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-8-[(2R,3S,4S)-2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-3,5,7-trihydroxy-3,4-dihydro-2H-chromen-4-yl]-3,4-dihydro-2H-chromene-3,5,7-triol | 24823045 | Click to see C1C(C(OC2=C1C(=CC(=C2C3C(C(OC4=CC(=CC(=C34)O)O)C5=CC(=C(C=C5)O)O)O)O)O)C6=CC(=C(C=C6)O)O)O | 578.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.55.268 |
| Procyanidin B1 | 11250133 | Click to see C1C(C(OC2=C1C(=CC(=C2C3C(C(OC4=CC(=CC(=C34)O)O)C5=CC(=C(C=C5)O)O)O)O)O)C6=CC(=C(C=C6)O)O)O | 578.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Procyanidin B2, (+)- | 122738 | Click to see C1C(C(OC2=C1C(=CC(=C2C3C(C(OC4=CC(=CC(=C34)O)O)C5=CC(=C(C=C5)O)O)O)O)O)C6=CC(=C(C=C6)O)O)O | 578.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.55.268 |
| Procyanidin B3 | 146798 | Click to see | 578.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavans / Catechins | |||||
| (-)-Catechol | 73160 | Click to see | 290.27 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| (+)-Epicatechin | 182232 | Click to see | 290.27 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| (2R,3S)-2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-8-[(1S,2S)-1-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-2-hydroxy-3-(2,4,6-trihydroxyphenyl)propyl]-3,4-dihydro-2H-chromene-3,5,7-triol | 101406540 | Click to see C1C(C(OC2=C1C(=CC(=C2C(C3=CC(=C(C=C3)O)O)C(CC4=C(C=C(C=C4O)O)O)O)O)O)C5=CC(=C(C=C5)O)O)O | 580.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| (2R,3S)-8-[(R)-[(2S)-4,6-dihydroxy-2,3-dihydro-1-benzofuran-2-yl]-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)methyl]-2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-3,4-dihydro-2H-chromene-3,5,7-triol | 24823842 | Click to see C1C(C(OC2=C1C(=CC(=C2C(C3CC4=C(C=C(C=C4O3)O)O)C5=CC(=C(C=C5)O)O)O)O)C6=CC(=C(C=C6)O)O)O | 562.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| (2S,3S)-8-[(R)-[(2S)-4,6-dihydroxy-2,3-dihydro-1-benzofuran-2-yl]-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)methyl]-2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-3,4-dihydro-2H-chromene-3,5,7-triol | 101438322 | Click to see C1C(C(OC2=C1C(=CC(=C2C(C3CC4=C(C=C(C=C4O3)O)O)C5=CC(=C(C=C5)O)O)O)O)C6=CC(=C(C=C6)O)O)O | 562.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| 2-(((2R,3R,6S,7R)-3,7-Bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-2,3,6,7-tetrahydro-4,6-dihydroxy-5H-furo(3,2-g)(1)benzopyran-2-yl)methyl)-1,3,5-benzenetriol | 46173996 | Click to see | 562.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| 2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-3,4-dihydro-2H-1-benzopyran-3,5,7-triol | 1203 | Click to see | 290.27 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| 2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-8-[1-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-2-hydroxy-3-(2,4,6-trihydroxyphenyl)propyl]-3,4-dihydro-2H-1-benzopyran-3,5,7-triol | 56961712 | Click to see | 580.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| 2-[[(2S,3R,6S,7R)-3,7-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-4,6-dihydroxy-3,5,6,7-tetrahydro-2H-furo[3,2-g]chromen-2-yl]methyl]benzene-1,3,5-triol | 21676381 | Click to see C1C(C(OC2=CC3=C(C(C(O3)CC4=C(C=C(C=C4O)O)O)C5=CC(=C(C=C5)O)O)C(=C21)O)C6=CC(=C(C=C6)O)O)O | 562.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Catechin | 9064 | Click to see | 290.27 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.55.268 |
| Epicatechin | 72276 | Click to see | 290.27 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Gambiriin A1 | 16203170 | Click to see | 580.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Gambiriin A2 | 16203168 | Click to see | 580.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.55.268 |
| Gambiriin B1 | 16203169 | Click to see C1C(C(OC2=C1C(=CC3=C2C(C(O3)CC4=C(C=C(C=C4O)O)O)C5=CC(=C(C=C5)O)O)O)C6=CC(=C(C=C6)O)O)O | 562.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Gambiriin B2 | 16203171 | Click to see | 562.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.55.268 |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavones / Flavonols | |||||
| Quercetin | 5280343 | Click to see | 302.23 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Hydroxyflavonoids / 7-hydroxyflavonoids | |||||
| (2S,3S)-2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-3-methyl-3,4-dihydro-2H-chromene-5,7-diol | 44445800 | Click to see | 288.29 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
Collections Top
| In private collections | 0 |
| In public collections | 0 |