Guaiacum officinale

GUAIACUM OFFICINALE substantive Botany – Member of the zygophyllaceae family, which includes several species of American trees, whose wood is hard, heavy and resiniferous.
— Encycl. The main species of the genus Guaiacum is Guaiacum officinale, which is native to the Caribbean and Central America, and whose trunk can grow up to one meter in circumference. Its wood, known as lignum vitae, is remarkable for its weight and hardness. It is used to make pulleys and objects that require strength and sturdiness. It contains approximately 26 p. cent of resin, which is obtained through spontaneous exudation, by making incisions to the tree; it can also be obtained by heating wood segments, that allow the liquid to trickle out of holes drilled with the grain; or the wood can also be boiled in salt water.
— Med. Guaiacum officinale is a stimulant sudorific recommanded to treat gout, chronic rheumatism and some skin ailments. From 30 g (1.06 oz) to 120 g (4.23 oz) of Wood are boiled in one litre of water until it is reduced by half.
 
Extract from the Trousset encyclopedia, 1886 – 1891.