Uncaria gambir - Gambier, referred to as “kachu” in Malaysia, is one of about forty species of flowering shrubs within the uncaria genus. The plants are distributed throughout the tropics, most species being native to Southeast Asia. Gambier is used locally for tanning and dying purposes. The leaves are also made into a paste, spread on betel leaves, and chewed to produce a mild narcotic effect. Lozenges made from gambier had been produced in Malaysia as early as the 17th century.
- - - - -
The Malacca Sultanate flourished in Southeast Asia from 1400 to 1511. It was centered in the present day Malaysian state of Malacca. At the height of power, it had spread into parts of Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand. Being situated along the heavily used trade route connecting Europe to Asia brought enormous wealth and prosperity to the Malacca Sultanate. Under Sultan Mansur Shah, reigning from 1459 to 1477, Malacca reached its apex. The Sultanate fell to the Portuguese in 1511.
