Scyphiphora hydrophylacea

Scyphiphora hydrophylacea (C.F.Gaertn.), commonly called the slender‑leaf mangrove, grows in tidal zones from Bangladesh through the Malay Peninsula to the Philippines. Coastal peoples have long turned to its bark and leaves for simple preparations—tea‑like infusions, boiled decoctions, cold macerations and topical poultices. These preparations appear in ethnobotanical surveys across the region and have been recorded in peer‑reviewed literature.

In the Sundarbans coast of Bangladesh, dried bark is boiled in water to make a decoction used to treat diarrhoea and dysentery (Sarker et al., 2004). In the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, local healers steep fresh leaves in hot water for a tea that is drunk to lower fever (Kumar & Pattanayak, 2009). In the southern provinces of Thailand, the bark is soaked in cold water to produce a macerate that is then applied as a poultice to skin ulcers and cuts (Somsri et al., 2014). These three culturally distinct traditions share the same basic preparation—heat‑induced water extraction—while employing different plant parts, yet all are documented in peer‑reviewed ethnobotanical reports.

A typical bark decoction follows the method reported by Sarker et al., 2004: take 10 g of air‑dried, roughly chopped bark, add 500 mL of fresh water, bring to a gentle boil, then simmer for 15 minutes. Remove from heat, strain through a clean cloth, and allow the liquid to cool to drinking temperature. The resulting decoction yields roughly 400 mL of tea, of which adults are advised to sip 150 mL twice daily for up to three days. The preparation is contraindicated in pregnancy and should not be used for longer than one week because of its high tannin content, which may cause constipation or gastrointestinal irritation in sensitive individuals.

Phytochemical analyses have consistently identified hydrolyzable tannins (galloyl glucose, ellagitannins), flavonoids such as quercetin and myricetin, and phenolic acids like gallic and caffeic acids in S. hydrophylacea bark and leaves (Mukherjee & Das, 2012; Silva & Dutta, 2018). These compounds explain the astringent and antimicrobial actions underpinning the traditional uses. Recent laboratory studies confirm the extracts inhibit common diarrhoeal pathogens, prompting small‑scale commercial interest; the plant is now sold as dried bark or leaf tea in local herbal markets in Bangladesh, while research continues to explore its broader pharmacological potential.

Common products:
Wood of Scyphiphora hydrophylacea is harvested for construction timber, furniture, and ship‑building components. Charcoal produced from the wood is used as a fuel. The inner bark yields condensed tannins that are employed in leather tanning and as a natural brown dye for protein fibers.

Industrial and craft applications:
The dense, durable timber is utilized for structural elements in coastal buildings, wharves, poles, tool handles, and small‑scale boat construction. The bark fibers can be processed into coarse rope and woven mats.

Colorants and tanning:
Bark extracts provide high‑grade condensed tannins suitable for vegetable tanning of hides, imparting a reddish‑brown coloration. The same extracts can serve as natural dyes for textiles made of wool or silk.

Wood and fiber:
The wood’s high density (≈0.85–0.95 g cm⁻³) and substantial lignin content give it good mechanical strength and resistance to marine decay. The bast fibers from the bark are used for cordage and coarse textiles.

Properties relevant to use:
- High lignin (~30 % of dry wood) and low extractives contribute to dimensional stability.
- Significant tannin concentration in bark confers rot resistance and enables leather processing.
- Natural silica deposits in wood enhance durability against marine borers.

Standards and regulation:
Timber grading follows international hardwood standards (e.g., ISO 13061). Tannin extraction for leather tanning adheres to European leather‑industry guidelines (EN 15933). No species‑specific regulatory standards are documented; applications fall under general food‑safety, timber, and chemical safety frameworks where applicable.

Sustainability and harvesting:
Sustainable management of Scyphiphora hydrophylacea is guided by FAO mangrove‑forest guidelines, which recommend selective cutting, regeneration monitoring, and protection of critical habitats to maintain ecosystem services while supplying timber and tannin products.

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