Common Name:

General Information

Cinnamomum glaucescens is an evergreen tree growing around 15 metres tall.
A valuable timber is obtained from the tree. Seeds are harvested from the wild for medicinal use and are also exported, which has become a cause for conservation concern[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

E. Asia - northern India, Nepal, Bhutan.

Habitat

Schima forests, growing along the sides of streams and on hillsides at elevations from 1,000 - 2,500 metres in Nepal[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	15.00 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[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

A paste of the seeds is used as a poultice to relieve muscular swellings[].

Essential oils are found in the leaves, fruits, bark etc of the plant.The oils can vary considerably in total content of the various compounds according to location, but the major compounds present in the fruit are 1,8-cineole (13 - 43%) and methyl cinnamate (14 - 40.5%)[].
The main compounds in the pericarp oil are 1,8-cineole (56%) and alpha-terpineol (10%).
The essential oil of the leaves can contain up to 92.9% elemicin[].
These oils have a range of medicinal applications and nematicidal, termiticidal, mosquito larvicidal, insecticidal, antifungal, antiaflatoxin, antioxidant and antibacterial activities have all been reported[].

Monoterpene hydrocarbons (25.9%) and oxygenated monoterpenes (64.3%) were determined as the dominant class
of compounds making up the essenial oil obtained from the leaves. The main constituents of the oil were geraniol (36.2%) and terpinen-4-ol (19.7%). alpha-Pinene (6.0%), sabinene (6.0%) and limonene (5.2%). Sesquiterpne compounds were present in amounts less than 1%. Except for alpha-terpineol, all other known compounds such as 1,8-cineole and methyl cinnamate (E)-cinnamate and elemicin that were previously identified in the essential oil were not present in the present oil sample. On the other hand, the present oil sample contained large quantities of geraniol and terpinen-4-ol which were not identified in previously studied oil samples[]

Other Uses

The heartwood is light brown, often with darker lines or bands traceable to seasonal growth; the sapwood is yellowish or olive-grey. The grain is interlocked; surfaces more or less lustrous. The wood is durable, both when placed in exposed positions and when in contact with water. It works well, taking a smooth finish. A valuable timber, it is highly prized for furniture[].

Propagation

Seed - the seed 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[]. Germination 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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