What is "calumba"

Calumba \Ca*lum"ba\, n. [from kalumb, its native name in Mozambique.] (Med.) The root of a plant ( Jateorrhiza Calumba, and probably Cocculus palmatus), indigenous in Mozambique. It has an unpleasantly bitter taste, and is used as a tonic and antiseptic. [Written also colombo, columbo, and calombo.]

American calumba, the Frasera Carolinensis, also called American gentian. Its root has been used in medicine as bitter tonic in place of calumba.

n. (context medicine archaic English) The bitter root of a plant (''Jateorhiza calumba'', and probably ''Cocculus palmatus''), indigenous to Mozambique, and used as a tonic and antiseptic.