noun
gambir; catechu; cutch
A traditional herbal extract from Uncaria gambir or Acacia catechu, used in medicine, dyeing, and tanning. The term is technical and rarely used in everyday conversation.
阿仙薬は、かつて下痢止めや染料として用いられた。
Gambir was once used as an antidiarrheal and a dye.
この漢方処方には阿仙薬が含まれて
This kampo formula contains catechu.
The Japanese term 阿仙薬 (あせんやく) is derived from the Chinese name for the herbal extract, which itself may trace back to a Southeast Asian source. The exact derivation is uncertain.