Simaroubaceae

The Simaroubaceae is a small, mostly tropical, family in the order Sapindales, comprising 25 genera of pantropical trees, including Ailanthus, or the tree of heaven (q.v.). Eurycoma longifolia Jack (known as tongkat ali) is one of the well-known folk medicines for aphrodisiac effects as well as intermittent fever (malaria) in Asia. Decoctions of E. longifolia leaves are used for washing itches, while its fruits are used in curing dysentery. Its bark is mostly used as a vermifuge, while the taproots are used to treat high blood pressure, and the root bark is used for the treatment of diarrhea and fever.