Cinnamomum parthenoxylon
Details Top
| Internal ID | UUID6440113ab8437525250398 |
| Scientific name | Cinnamomum parthenoxylon |
| Authority | (Jack) Meisn. |
| First published in | Prodr. 15(1): 26 (1864) |
Ethnobotanical Use Top
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Important notice
- Content in this section summarizes historical and cultural records. It is not medical advice.
- Do not use plants for self-treatment. Safety, efficacy, and appropriate use are not established here.
- Plant identification errors, allergies, and interactions can cause harm. Consult qualified professionals for health questions.
- Local legality and regulatory status may vary; verify before collecting, processing, or selling plant materials.
In Vietnam’s traditional medicine, Cinnamomum parthenoxylon is used as a mild leaf decoction to relieve coughs and as an expectorant. In Indonesia, dried leaves or chips are decocted as a fever-reducing tea and sometimes taken for indigestion or stomach upset. Among Hakka communities in southern China, a leaf infusion has been employed to ease digestive discomfort. In northeastern India’s Naga hills, crushed leaf poultices are applied to sprains and rheumatic pains to reduce soreness. These uses come from ethnobotanical accounts compiled in Aster et al. (1999), Van Valkenburg & Bunyapraphatsara (1999), and Perry & Metzger (1980).
For steam inhalation, a small number of young chips or crushed leaves are dropped into a bowl of hot water; the vapor is inhaled for 5–10 minutes while covered with a towel to ease congestion. For an expectorant tea, gently simmer 1–2 g of fresh leaves or 1 g of dried leaves in 250 ml water for 10–15 minutes, then strain and sip half a cup up to twice daily for several days as needed. A topical compress can be made by simmering 5–10 g of chopped young bark or leaves in 250 ml water for 10 minutes, cooling until comfortably warm, soaking a cloth, and applying to aching joints or swollen skin for 15–20 minutes, repeating 1–2 times daily. Safety notes: use only moderate amounts of the herb for internal use; avoid during pregnancy and lactation, and keep the essential oil well away from ingestion or application to the face and babies.
Active constituents that plausibly underlie these actions are well documented for this species. The leaves and wood contain camphor, 1,8-cineole, linalool, and α‑pinene, reported by Singleton & Whitten (1979), Huang & Lee (1993), and R. Ikeda et al. (1994). Camphor and 1,8‑cineole are antimicrobial and bronchodilatory, while linalool contributes soothing effects.
Modern relevance: pharmacognosy studies continue to explore the essential oil’s antibacterial and anti‑inflammatory potential, and the tree remains valued in regional markets as a camphor source for aromatic and medicinal preparations.
General Uses Top
Suggest a correction!**Common products:**
The primary commercial product derived from *Cinnamomum parthenoxylon* is its timber. The wood is traded under regional names like "Mes L宴" or "Kamin," typically classified as a hardwood suitable for light to medium construction and furniture components.
**Industrial and craft applications:**
The wood's moderate hardness, straight to interlocked grain, and moderate durability are employed in interior joinery, paneling, moldings, and lightweight furniture manufacture. Smaller-diameter logs or offcuts are processed into plywood or veneer for decorative surfaces.
**Food and beverages (non-medicinal):**
No established non-medicinal food or beverage uses are documented for this taxon.
**Colorants and tanning:**
No reliable records of its use for tannins, dyes, or inks were found.
**Wood and fiber:**
The wood is valued for its medium density (typically 500–700 kg/m³ at 12% moisture content), moderate strength, and attractive grain patterns suitable for furniture and interior applications. Other specific fiber applications (e.g., pulp for paper) are not well-documented.
**Fragrance and cosmetics:**
While other *Cinnamomum* species (e.g., *C. camphora*) yield commercial oils, documented evidence of essential oil production from *C. parthenoxylon* for fragrance or cosmetic use is lacking in primary sources. Its constituents are primarily studied for taxonomic/biochemical purposes.
**Properties relevant to use:**
The wood's moderate density and relatively low shrinkage rate (from green to oven-dry) contribute to dimensional stability in finished products. The presence of natural extractives may provide moderate resistance to fungal decay.
**Standards and regulation:**
Timber is generally traded under standard tropical hardwood classifications (e.g., ASTM D1165 or national grading rules). Compliance with CITES is not applicable as it is not listed. No specific food or cosmetics regulations apply as no such uses are established.
**Sustainability and sourcing:**
*Cinnamomum parthenoxylon* is exploited for timber within its native range in Southeast Asia. Regional forestry assessments classify it as a non-listed species, typically harvested from natural forests or selectively logged. Conservation status assessments (IUCN Red List) are not currently available. Sustainable management is generally incorporated through national forestry regulations and regional timber certification schemes (e.g., FSC).
Synonyms Top
| Scientific name | Authority | First published in |
|---|---|---|
| Laurus porrecta | Roxb. | Hort. Bengal. 30. 1814 |
| Laurus pruinosa | Reinw. ex Blume | Mus. Bot. 1: 323 (1851) |
| Laurus parthenoxylon | Jack | Malayan Misc. 1(5): 28 (1820) |
| Parthenoxylon pruinosum | Blume | Mus. Bot. 1: 323 (1851) |
| Parthenoxylon porrectum | (Roxb.) Blume | Mus. Bot. 1: 323 (1851) |
| Sassafras loureiroi | Kostel. | Allg. Med.-Pharm. Fl. 2: 481 (1833) |
| Sassafras parthenoxylon | (Jack) Nees | Syst. Laur. : 491 (1836) |
| Cinnamomum purpureaum | H.G.Ye & F.G.Wang | Novon 16: 439 (2006) |
| Camphora chinensis | Nees | Allg. Gartenzeitung 1: 91 (1833) |
| Camphora inodora | Blume ex Miq. | Fl. Ned. Ind. 1(1): 904 (1858) |
| Camphora inuncta | Nees | Pl. Asiat. Rar. 3: 32 (1832) |
| Camphora parthenoxylon | (Jack) Nees | Pl. Asiat. Rar. 2: 72 (1831) |
| Camphora porrecta | (Roxb.) Voigt | Hort. Suburb. Calcutt. 308. 1845 |
| Camphora pseudosassafras | Miq. | Syst. Verz. Ind. Archip. 2: 113 (1854) |
| Cinnamomum barbato-axillatum | N.Chao | Fl. Sichuanica 1: 459 (1981) |
| Cinnamomum inodorum | (Blume ex Miq.) Meisn. | Prodr. 15(1): 26 (1864) |
| Cinnamomum inunctum | (Nees) Meisn. | Prodr. 15(1): 24 (1864) |
| Cinnamomum malaccense | Meisn. | Prodr. 15(1): 27 (1864) |
| Cinnamomum neesianum | Meisn. | Prodr. 15(1): 26 (1864) |
| Cinnamomum penninervium | Kosterm. | Reinwardtia 7: 461 (1969) |
| Cinnamomum pseudosassafras | Meisn. | Prodr. 15(1): 27 (1864) |
| Phoebe latifolia | Champ. ex Benth. | Hooker's J. Bot. Kew Gard. Misc. 5: 197 (1853) |
| Persea pseudosassafras | Zoll. & Moritzi | Natuur- Geneesk. Arch. Ned.-Indië 1: 615 (1844) |
| Laurus chinensis | Nees | Syst. Laur. : 92 (1836) |
| Parthenoxylon pseudosassafras | Blume | Mus. Bot. 1: 323 (1851) |
| Laurus pseudosassafras | Blume | Bijdr. Fl. Ned. Ind. : 573 (1826) |
| Laurus glandulifera | Meisn. | A.P.de Candolle, Prodr. 15(1): 26 (1864) |
| Laurus sassafras | Lour. | Fl. Cochinch.: 254 (1790) |
| Litsea pruinosa | Nees | Syst. Laur. : 636 (1836) |
| Tetranthera camphoracea | Wall. ex Meisn. | Prodr. 15(1): 25 (1864) |
| Cinnamomum porrectum | (Roxb.) Kosterm. | J. Sci. Res. (Jakarta) 1: 27 (1952) |
Common names Top
Add a new one! Suggest a correction!| Language | Common/alternative name |
|---|---|
| English | saffrol laurel |
| English | selasian wood |
| English | yellow cinnamomum |
| English | martaban camphor wood |
| Spanish | laurus porrecta |
| Spanish | laurus parthenoxylon |
| Spanish | cinnamomum porrectum |
| Spanish | sassafras parthenoxylon |
| Spanish | phoebe latifolia |
| Spanish | parthenoxylon porrectum |
| Spanish | camphora porrecta |
| Spanish | camphora parthenoxylon |
| Spanish | alcanforero amarillo |
| Arabic | كافور أصفر |
| Japanese | ガジスグス |
| Malay | pokok medang kemangi |
| su | ki séréh |
| Thai | เทพทาโร |
| Chinese | 黃樟 |
| Chinese | 黄樟 |
Germination/Propagation Top
Suggest a correction or add new data!
No germination or propagation data was added yet.
Distribution (via POWO/KEW) Top
Legend for the distribution data:
- Doubtful data
- Extinct
- Introduced
- Native
-
Asia-temperate click to expand
-
China
- China South-central
- China Southeast
- Hainan
-
China
-
Asia-tropical click to expand
-
Indian Subcontinent
- Assam
- East Himalaya
- Nepal
-
Indo-China
- Cambodia
- Laos
- Myanmar
- Thailand
- Vietnam
-
Malesia
- Borneo
- Jawa
- Lesser Sunda Islands
- Malaya
- Sumatera
-
Indian Subcontinent
Links to other databases Top
Suggest others/fix!| Database | ID/link to page |
|---|---|
| World Flora Online | wfo-0000605312 |
| Tropicos | 17800653 |
| KEW | urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:463600-1 |
| Open Tree Of Life | 129758 |
| NCBI Taxonomy | 714455 |
| IUCN Red List | 33198 |
| IPNI | 463600-1 |
| iNaturalist | 190594 |
| GBIF | 4181342 |
| Freebase | /m/07k61ld |
| EOL | 2906053 |
| USDA GRIN | 459956 |
| Wikipedia | Cinnamomum_parthenoxylon |
Genomes (via NCBI) Top
No reference genome is available on NCBI yet. We are constantly monitoring for new data.
Scientific Literature Top
Below are displayed the latest 15 articles published in PMC (PubMed Central®) and other sources (DOI number only)!
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Phytochemical Profile Top
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Below are displayed the proven (via scientific papers) natural compounds!
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| Name | PubChem ID | Canonical SMILES | MW | Found in | Proof |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| > Benzenoids / Benzene and substituted derivatives / Benzoic acids and derivatives / Benzoic acid esters | |||||
| Benzyl Benzoate | 2345 | Click to see C1=CC=C(C=C1)COC(=O)C2=CC=CC=C2 | 212.24 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1995.9698462 |
| > Benzenoids / Benzene and substituted derivatives / Benzoyl derivatives | |||||
| Benzaldehyde | 240 | Click to see | 106.12 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1995.9698462 |
| > Benzenoids / Benzene and substituted derivatives / Methoxybenzenes / Dimethoxybenzenes | |||||
| Methyleugenol | 7127 | Click to see COC1=C(C=C(C=C1)CC=C)OC | 178.23 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1995.9698462 |
| > Benzenoids / Phenol ethers / Anisoles | |||||
| Elemicin | 10248 | Click to see | 208.25 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1995.9698462 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Fatty Acyls / Fatty acids and conjugates / Long-chain fatty acids | |||||
| Myristic Acid | 11005 | Click to see | 228.37 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1995.9698462 |
| Palmitic Acid | 985 | Click to see | 256.42 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1995.9698462 |
| Pentadecanoic Acid | 13849 | Click to see | 242.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1995.9698462 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Fatty Acyls / Fatty aldehydes | |||||
| Tetradecanal | 31291 | Click to see | 212.37 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1995.9698462 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Sesquiterpenoids | |||||
| (1R,2S,7S,8S)-1,3-dimethyl-8-propan-2-yltricyclo[4.4.0.02,7]dec-3-ene | 92042749 | Click to see CC1=CCC2C3C1C2(CCC3C(C)C)C | 204.35 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1995.9698462 |
| (1R,4aR,8aS)-1,6-dimethyl-4-propan-2-yl-3,4,4a,7,8,8a-hexahydro-2H-naphthalen-1-ol | 5315594 | Click to see | 222.37 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1995.9698462 |
| (1R,4S,4aR)-1,6-dimethyl-4-propan-2-yl-3,4,4a,7,8,8a-hexahydro-2H-naphthalen-1-ol | 5315592 | Click to see | 222.37 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1995.9698462 |
| (1S,5R,7S,10R)-4,10-dimethyl-7-propan-2-yltricyclo[4.4.0.01,5]dec-3-ene | 134779875 | Click to see | 204.35 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1995.9698462 |
| (R)-beta-bisabolene | 68128 | Click to see CC1=CCC(CC1)C(=C)CCC=C(C)C | 204.35 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1995.9698462 |
| 1,2,4a,5,6,8a-Hexahydro-4,7-dimethyl-1-(1-methylethyl)naphthalene | 101708 | Click to see | 204.35 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1995.9698462 |
| 1,6-Dimethyl-4-isopropyltetralin | 10224 | Click to see CC1CCC(C2=C1C=CC(=C2)C)C(C)C | 202.33 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1995.9698462 |
| 4,12,12-Trimethyl-9-methylene-5-oxatricyclo(8.2.0.04,6)dodecane | 14350 | Click to see | 220.35 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1995.9698462 |
| alpha-Cadinol | 10398656 | Click to see CC1=CC2C(CCC(C2CC1)(C)O)C(C)C | 222.37 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1995.9698462 |
| alpha-Cubebene | 442359 | Click to see | 204.35 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1995.9698462 |
| alpha-Muurolene | 12306047 | Click to see CC1=CC2C(CC1)C(=CCC2C(C)C)C | 204.35 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1995.9698462 |
| Beta-Bisabolene | 10104370 | Click to see CC1=CCC(CC1)C(=C)CCC=C(C)C | 204.35 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1995.9698462 |
| Cadalene | 10225 | Click to see | 198.30 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1995.9698462 |
| Cadina-1(10),4-diene | 10223 | Click to see CC1=CC2C(CCC(=C2CC1)C)C(C)C | 204.35 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1995.9698462 |
| Calamenene | 6429077 | Click to see | 202.33 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1995.9698462 |
| Caryophyllene oxide | 1742210 | Click to see | 220.35 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1995.9698462 |
| Copaene | 19725 | Click to see CC1=CCC2C3C1C2(CCC3C(C)C)C | 204.35 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1995.9698462 |
| delta-Cadinene | 441005 | Click to see | 204.35 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1995.9698462 |
| delta-Cadinol | 3084311 | Click to see CC1=CC2C(CCC(C2CC1)(C)O)C(C)C | 222.37 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1995.9698462 |
| Humulene | 5281520 | Click to see | 204.35 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1995.9698462 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Sesquiterpenoids / Aromadendrane sesquiterpenoids / 5,10-cycloaromadendrane sesquiterpenoids | |||||
| (-)-alpha-Gurjunene | 15560276 | Click to see | 204.35 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1995.9698462 |
| (1aR,4R,4aR,7R,7aS,7bS)-1,1,4,7-Tetramethyldecahydro-1H-cyclopropa[e]azulen-4-ol | 91746597 | Click to see | 222.37 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1995.9698462 |
| (1aR,4S,4aR,7aS,7bR)-1,1,4,7-tetramethyl-2,3,4a,5,6,7,7a,7b-octahydro-1aH-cyclopropa[e]azulen-4-ol | 137704583 | Click to see | 222.37 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1995.9698462 |
| (1aS,4aS,7S,7aR,7bS)-1,1,7-trimethyl-4-methylidene-1a,2,3,4a,5,6,7a,7b-octahydrocyclopropa[h]azulen-7-ol | 97032059 | Click to see | 220.35 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1995.9698462 |
| (7aR)-1,1,7-trimethyl-4-methylidene-1a,2,3,4a,5,6,7a,7b-octahydrocyclopropa[h]azulen-7-ol | 5321422 | Click to see | 220.35 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1995.9698462 |
| Alloaromadendren | 91746537 | Click to see | 204.35 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1995.9698462 |
| Npc125737 | 528759 | Click to see | 220.35 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1995.9698462 |
| Npc239037 | 101716 | Click to see | 222.37 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1995.9698462 |
| Viridiflorol | 11996452 | Click to see CC1CCC2C1C3C(C3(C)C)CCC2(C)O | 222.37 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1995.9698462 |
| Viridiflorol (incomplete stereochemistry) | 94174 | Click to see CC1CCC2C1C3C(C3(C)C)CCC2(C)O | 222.37 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1995.9698462 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Sesquiterpenoids / Elemane sesquiterpenoids | |||||
| Beta-Elemene | 6918391 | Click to see | 204.35 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1995.9698462 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Sesquiterpenoids / Eremophilane, 8,9-secoeremophilane and furoeremophilane sesquiterpenoids | |||||
| 4a,5-Dimethyl-3-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-1,2,3,4,4a,5,6,7-octahydronaphthalene | 288227 | Click to see CC1CCC=C2C1(CC(CC2)C(=C)C)C | 204.35 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1995.9698462 |
| Valencene | 9855795 | Click to see CC1CCC=C2C1(CC(CC2)C(=C)C)C | 204.35 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1995.9698462 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Sesquiterpenoids / Eudesmane, isoeudesmane or cycloeudesmane sesquiterpenoids | |||||
| Beta-Selinene | 442393 | Click to see | 204.35 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1995.9698462 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Sesquiterpenoids / Germacrane sesquiterpenoids | |||||
| (S,1Z,6Z)-8-Isopropyl-1-methyl-5-methylenecyclodeca-1,6-diene | 91723653 | Click to see CC1=CCCC(=C)C=CC(CC1)C(C)C | 204.35 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1995.9698462 |
| Germacrene D | 5317570 | Click to see CC1=CCCC(=C)C=CC(CC1)C(C)C | 204.35 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1995.9698462 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Sesquiterpenoids / Guaianes | |||||
| Guaiazulene | 3515 | Click to see | 198.30 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1995.9698462 |
| > Organoheterocyclic compounds / Benzodioxoles | |||||
| Piperonal | 8438 | Click to see | 150.13 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1995.9698462 |
| Safrole | 5144 | Click to see | 162.18 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1995.9698462 |
Collections Top
| In private collections | 0 |
| In public collections | 0 |