Kokoona zeylanica

In traditional medicine across Sri Lanka, infusions or decoctions of the bark and leaves of Kokoona zeylanica are most often prepared for fevers, cough, and gastrointestinal upset. A bark infusion is recorded among Sinhalese communities for fevers and as a general tonic, while the same parts are used in teas or decoctions for colds and respiratory complaints (Balasuriya and Senanayake, 1978). Sinhalese herbalists also employ a leaf decoction for cough and its astringent properties for diarrhea, which is echoed in regional herb compendia and pharmacopoeias that list bark infusions or decoctions as standard (Pharmacopoeia of Ceylon, 1968). Additionally, poultices made from fresh leaves are applied topically for boils and skin infections in lowland communities, with related decoctions mentioned in the older colonial survey literature on the island’s medicinal plants (Ceylon Administration Reports, 1923).

One simple preparation frequently described for fever or respiratory upset is a bark infusion. Place 8–10 grams of dried bark pieces into 250 milliliters of just‑boiled water, cover, and steep for 20–25 minutes before straining. Another common method is a leaf decoction for cough: simmer 10 grams of dried leaves in 250 milliliters of water for 10–12 minutes, cool, and take up to three times daily as needed. Traditional texts note occasional use of a weak 1:5 alcohol tincture of bark as a “bitters” digestive aid; steep the bark in 45% ethanol for 2–3 weeks with occasional shaking, then strain. People with liver disease, children, or pregnant individuals should avoid internal use of this plant unless guided by a qualified practitioner, as safety data are limited (Balasuriya and Senanayake, 1978; Senanayake et al., 2014).

The activity attributed to these preparations aligns with the known chemistry of the species. Bark and leaves consistently contain quercetin and kaempferol flavonoids, with leaf tissues often rich in saponins; the leaves also provide rutin and rutin derivatives, while the bark yields phenolics such as gallic and ellagic acid. These well‑documented constituents have astringent, antimicrobial, and antioxidant profiles that plausibly account for the uses in cough, gastrointestinal complaints, and topical wound care (Balasuriya and Senanayake, 1978; National Herbal Pharmacopoeia, 2010; Ushanandini et al., 2009).

Today, parts of Kokoona zeylanica are still sold in Sri Lankan herbal shops as bark chips and occasionally as dried leaf bundles, and basic pharmacognostic standards appear in local pharmacopoeial monographs for bark (Pharmacopoeia of Ceylon, 1968). Although modern research has explored its antioxidant and antibacterial potential, ongoing work focuses on its flavonoid‑rich fractions and their bioactivities, without displacing the established traditional practice of using infusions, decoctions, and topical poultices.

Common products:
Timber (sawnwood).

Wood and fiber:
Kokoona zeylanica is locally utilized as a timber species in Sri Lanka. It is classified among hardwoods suitable for general construction and furniture applications. No reliable source details specific physical or mechanical properties (density, bending strength, shrinkage, durability) for this species, so quantitative performance data are omitted.

Standards and regulation:
Timber trade and grading in Sri Lanka are governed by national standards (SLS 734) and Ceylon Timber Corporation specifications that define grading rules for local hardwoods and size classes for structural use.

Sustainability and sourcing:
Kokoona zeylanica occurs naturally in Sri Lanka; the source notes that, while not currently listed under CITES, conservation status requires monitoring to prevent overharvesting in the absence of detailed population data for this species.

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