The inner surface is a yellowishbrown. The fracture is short, coarsely granular, and yellowish-white. It is almost odourless, but very bitter in taste. The powder is light brown in colour. It is said that both saponin and a glucoside have been found, but neither appears to have been officially confirmed.
Some authorities regard it as tonic and slightly narcotic.
It is used in typhoid, intermittent, or bilious fevers, and externally, as a poultice, for inflammations or wounds. Is useful in liver complaints.