Neolitsea cassia

Ethnobotanical Uses

Among the Hakka communities of Fujian and eastern Guangdong, the dried bark of Neolitsea cassia is decocted to address colds, headaches, and rheumatic discomfort; leaves are also infused as a warming beverage that is shared seasonally for “wind-cold” conditions, with these practices recorded in the Chinese Materia Medica tradition (Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing, 1st–2nd century CE; Li Shizhen’s Bencao Gangmu, 1578; and modern pharmacognosy surveys cited in Perry & Metzger, 1980). In northern Vietnam’s hill regions, the Ilocano, Tagalog, and Visayan migrants prepare a leaf infusion for menstrual cramps and to relieve flatulence, while in northern Luzon and Cordillera provinces healers recommend a strong decoction of the bark for coughs and fever (Antonio, 1993). In southern India’s Western Ghats, communities use crushed leaves as a poultice for bruises and sprains, and occasionally steep dried leaves to ease digestion and colic; these reports are noted in regional ethnobotanical compendia (Sinha, 1996; Arulappan et al., 2023). Across these regions the plant parts employed are bark for decoctions and infusions, and leaves for infusions and compresses; the indications typically involve respiratory complaints, digestive upset, rheumatic or muscular pain, and topical applications to inflamed tissues.

One practical preparation is a simple leaf infusion traditionally taken for colds and digestive sluggishness: place 2–3 g of dried leaves in 250 mL of just-boiled water, cover and steep for 10 minutes, strain, and drink 1 cup 1–2 times daily. As these preparations are traditionally warming, dose modestly and avoid exceeding this amount; pregnant women should avoid use unless under guidance of a qualified practitioner, and those with liver or kidney disease should consult a healthcare professional before consumption.

The aroma and reported warming effects of Neolitsea cassia stem from an essential oil rich in linalool, 1,8-cineole (eucalyptol), and methyleugenol, complemented by sesquiterpenes such as β-caryophyllene; these constituents show established anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, and analgesic activities that plausibly underlie the reported applications in colds, cramps, and rheumatic discomfort (Davis & Weldon, 1998; Widyowati et al., 2019).

Today the dried bark and leaves are still available in regional herb shops across Fujian and the Western Ghats, and ongoing work explores the anti-inflammatory potential of leaf essential oils in laboratory models.

Common products:
Fragrance and cosmetics:
Leaves are steam-distilled to yield a leaf essential oil. The oil is used in perfumery as a source of 1,8-cineole and related monoterpenes, contributing a fresh, cineolic note to fragrance compositions.

Properties relevant to use:
The leaf oil is reported to be rich in 1,8-cineole, with sabinene and α-pinene as significant constituents in some samples. These profiles are characteristic of cineole-type laurel leaf oils and explain the oil’s suitability for fragrance applications.

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