Gambir, Or Gambier, one of several astringent vegetable extracts, much used in tanning, dyeing, etc. Like the allied catechu and cutch, it consists largely of a modification of tannic acid, and is similar to them in properties and uses; indeed, the three names are often applied to the same article, and when used distinctively are not always given to the same product by different dealers and writers. When first introduced its origin was unknown, and being supposed to be a kind of earth it was called terra Japonic a or Japan earth, a name which it in a measure retains in the arts. Gambir is the product of a tree formerly called uncarla gambir, but which is now placed in the genus nauclea, of the family rubiacem, to which the Peruvian bark trees belong; it is a native of the East Indian archipelago, and is largely cultivated, especially in the island of Bintang; in its wild state it is a strong climber, but in cultivation it is pruned to form a bushy shrub seven or eight feet high; its leaves are ovate-lanceolate and smooth on both sides, and its green and pink flowers are borne in globular heads in the axils of the upper leaves; the flower stalks at the lower leaves are abortive, bearing no flowers, but are converted into hooked spines.

Gambir is obtained by boiling the bruised leaves and young shoots of the tree in water and evaporating the decoction to a thick extract, which is poured into oblong moulds; the masses thus formed are cut into squares, and the drying is completed in the sun. During evaporation starchy matters, and probably other adulterants, are sometimes introduced. It is imported in cane baskets lined with palm leaves. The best qualities are so light as to float upon water, and when broken present a dull porous surface of a light yellowish brown color.