Common Name:

General Information

Cinnamomum sulphuratum is an evergreen tree growing up to 8 metres tall.
The plant is commonly harvested from the wild for use as a food, medicine and source of materials. It is traded under the name 'Dalchini' at local and regional levels and inter-state trade is also practised. Cinnamomum sulphuratum is one of the most highly traded medicinal plants sourced from tropical forests[]
Cinnamomum sulphuratum is threatened due to unsustainable collection of its bark and leaves for use in medicine and as a condiment. Habitat degradation and forest loss due to agricultural expansion, road construction and human settlements are other threats to the species. The plant is classified as 'Vulnerable' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

E. Asi - southern India

Habitat

An understorey tree in moist, evergreen to deciduous forests; at elevations from 600 - 1,800 metres[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Vulnerable
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	7.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Species in this genus generally prefer an acidic soil with ample moisture in the growing season and a position with some shade[].
Species in this genus are generally able to resprout from basal wood if the top is damaged, and will soon recover from any damage[].
Existence of four chemotypes of Cinnamomum sulphuratum, such as linalool-type; citral and cinnamaldehyde-type; methyl cinnamate-type; and cinnamaldehyde-type have been reported from Northeast India[]

Edible Uses

The leaves are used as a substitute for tamalapatra/tejpatta (a kind of aromatic spicy leaf obtained from Cinnamomum tamala)[].

On account of its easy availability and similarity in flavour, different parts of this plant are commonly used as a substitutes for cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum)[].

Medicinal

The plant (part not specified) is used for treating wounds, fever, intestinal worms, headaches and menstrual problems[].

The bark and the leaves are used like that of the related species, Cinnamomum verum to cure coughs, headaches, spider poison and as a mouth refresher[].

A methanol extraction of the bark has shown effective antiinflammatory action, comparable to the commercial conventional medicine ibuprofen[].
The bark yields around 1.86% essential oil. This has been shown to be an effective antifungal against several fungus species, with total inhibition of Aspergillus flavus and Candida albicans[].

Other Uses

The bark is used for preparing agarbethi (incense sticks)[].

Around 91% camphor is present in Cinnamomum sulphuratum[].

The wood of species in this genus is usually somewhat soft, it seasons well and does not warp or crack[].

Propagation

Seed - the seed of species in this genus generally has a short viability and is best sown as soon in containers as it is ripe[]. Remove the fruit pulp since this can inhibit germination[]. Soaking the seeds for 24 hours in lukewarm water hastens germination[], which can take 1 - 6 months at 20°c[]. The germination rate of fresh seed is about 50%, falling to 25% for seed 6 months old, and zero for those 1 year old[]. Stored seed should be sown as soon as possible in containers[]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out into their permanent positions when 10cm or more tall.
Cuttings of semi-ripe side shoots, 7cm with a heel, in a frame with bottom heat[].

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