This species has been much confused with Premna pubescens Blume, which is a liana or climbing shrub[].

Common Name:

General Information

Premna odorata is a shrub or small tree that usually grows up to 10 metres tall, occasionally to 12 metres. The bole can be up to 25cm, occasionally 30cm, in diameter[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine. It is sometimes planted, in places such as Florida, the Philippines and India.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

E. Asia - southern China, India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, to New Guinea and Australia.

Habitat

Common in thickets and secondary forest at low elevations[]. Thickets and forests near the seashore in Taiwan[]. In or on the margins of gallery forest at elevations up to 400 metres[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Habit	Tree
Height	6.00 m
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Succeeds in full sun and in partial shade.
Plants start flowering and fruiting when around 3 - 4 metres tall[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The leaves are used as diuretic; a decoction with sugar and a little 'calamansi' (Citrofortunella microcarpa (Bunge) Wijnands) juice is taken to treat cough and loosen phlegm[, ]. An infusion is considered carminative and useful to treat beri-beri[].
A decoction of the fresh leaves is also prescribed for vaginal irritation[].

A decoction of leaves or flowers is considered to be a febrifuge and is also used against abdominal pains and dysentery[].

Masticating the roots is prescribed against cardiac troubles[].

According to Sunico-Suaco and Valenzuela the leaves do not contain any alkaloid, tannin, saponin, orcyanogenetic substance. The leaves, however, yielded 0.02 per cent of essential oil,which was yellowish-green and had the characteristics aroma of alagau leaves; and an oleoresin, which m. P. 112.5°C., whose constants were: acid number 103; saponification number 246.5 ester number 143.5, and acetyl value 416.2. the oleoresin contained 2.87 per cent methoxyl[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed -

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