CALUMBA, the root of the Cocculus palmatus, a climb-
ing plant resembling bryony, belonging to the Linnean class
and order Hexandria Digynia, and to the natural order
Menispermaceae. The root, which is perennial, consists of
numerous spindle-shaped tubers which have an intensely
bitter taste; and to prepare them for the market they are
cut in slices and dried on cords. Calumba is solely used
in medicine, and is one of the best pure bitter tonics, being
quite free of astringency, and is especially serviceable in
dyspepsia, and in affections of the stomach and bowels,
often acting as a calmative when irritability exists, as indi-
cated by pain or vomiting after meals.