Common Name:

General Information

Alyxia reinwardtii is a slender climbing or scandent, evergreen shrub producing stems up to 3 metres long that can twine into the surrounding vegetation[, , ].
The plant is gathered from the wild, and also sometimes cultivated, for its aromatic bark and medicinal properties[]. The bark is frequently used in proprietary medicines and is also sold in local markets as 'white cinnamon' for use as a spice[]. The plant has potential for greater use and commercial exploitation in the medicinal and perfumery industries[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

E. Asia - southern China, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines.

Habitat

Lowland to montane forest[]. Found in a wide range of habitats from primary or secondary lowland to montane or peat swamp forest or in scrub or open ridges; on granitic, sandy, clay or ultrabasic soils, from sea-level to 3,050 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Climber
Height	2.50 m
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of the moist tropics, where it is found at elevations from sea level to over 3,000 metres[].
The plant grows on the wild on granitic, sandy, clay or ultrabasic soils[].
A very variable plant[].

Edible Uses

The bark is used like cinnamon bark as a spice[].
The bark and leaves are employed as a flavouring in the manufacture of rum[].
Local wine industries sometimes use Alyxia to flavour their product with the coumarin substances found in the bark[].

Medicinal

An infusion of the leaves is used as a vermifuge[].

The bark, leaves and flowers can be taken as infusions to treat gonorrhoea[].

All parts are used as an antipyretic and cardiotonic[].

The plant is burnt and the smoke used to treat cephalalgia[].

The bitter sap is used as an emetic[].

The bark is used as an ingredient in medicines in Indonesia, combined with fennel (Foeniculum vulgare)[]. This mixture is frequently used in Javanese traditional medicine to treat various illnesses and to impart flavour and a pleasant odour to the other ingredients[]. It is a principle ingredient in about 18 different manufactured medicines from Central Java - these are used as antispasmodics and for treating stomach-ache, flatulence, colic, fever, dysentery, as a carminative and for sprue[]. The leaves and flowers taste spicy and rather bitter when still fresh and are sometimes used instead of the bark[].
A decoction of the bark (or the leaves and flowers), combined with Amaranthus spinosus (part not specified, probably the leaves), Usnea sp., and the bark of Cinnamomum cassia, can be used in the treatment of bronchitis[].
The juice extracted from the bark after it has been pounded with onion, wrapped with leaves and cooked, is used to treat thrush[].
The bark, combined with the leaves of Polygonum flaccidum and aniseed (Pimpinella anisum), is used as an emmenagogue[].

The compounds responsible for the fragrant smell of many Alyxia species are a mixture of isomeric coumarins which are particularly found in the bark[].
The presence of iridoid substances is also reported[].
Even though several reports on the pharmacological activities of Alyxia reinwardtii are available, most of them have shown negative results, except for antihistamine and antispasmodic activities[].

Other Uses

The aromatic bark is put among clothes for its fragrance[].
Bundles of the dried twigs can be placed in cupboards to perfume them - the fragrant smell may last up to two years[].
The dried and finely powdered bark is used as an ingredient in the manufacture of incense in Java[].

Many species throughout the range of the genus are used in personal adornment and it is thought that the name Alyxia comes from the Greek 'halusis' meaning a chain, in reference to the making of leis in the Pacific. Leis are chains of leaves and the bark after it has been stripped off the wood. These are twisted around each other to form a decorative and scented chain for use on festive occasions[].

Propagation

Seed - the plant is easy to grow from seed, especially if the fruit pulp is removed prior to sowing[, ].
Cuttings of 5 - 8mm diameter and 10 - 15cm long are preferred. The cuttings are directly inserted to a depth of 2cm in a medium of equal parts soil and compost. The cuttings should be screened from direct sunlight and regularly sprayed to maintain humidity. After 2 weeks roots of 1cm length will have developed, and the first pair of leaves can be discerned after 3 weeks. The cuttings are ready for transplanting when 2 - 3 pairs of leaves have developed. Shade as well as frequency of watering can be gradually reduced[].
Layering. The plant layers naturally whenever parts of the stem touch the ground[].

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