Pale Catechu

Pale Catechu (Uncaria gambier) is a shrub found widely in India. It belongs to the family Rubiaceae.

The shrub adapts to all climates and can be grown on a variety of soil textures. Gambier-extract, a product obtained from the leaves, is used to produce soft leather, mainly in the re-tanning of calf-leather. Pale Catechu is also helpful in re-tanning of chrome-tanned glove leather, with a remarkable fullness of the leather as well as softness and elasticity.

An astringent, the stems and thorns of the plant are used for preparing medicines.