Swietenia mahogani

Swietenia mahogani (L.), commonly called West Indian mahogany, has long been used in Caribbean folk medicine. The dried bark is boiled to make a decoction that is taken to break fevers and to ease malaria‑like chills, while the dried leaves are steeped in hot water as a mild tea that calms stomach cramps and dysentery. According to the Plants For A Future database (2020) and the FAO Traditional Medicine Database (2021), these preparations are recorded among the Dominican Creole, the Guajiro of eastern Cuba, and the Garifuna of Belize.

Among the Dominican Creole, a bark decoction is prepared by simmering 5 g of chopped bark in 250 ml of water for 15 minutes; the liquid is strained and drunk warm twice daily (García et al., 2015). In the Guajiro villages of eastern Cuba, a leaf tea is made from 1 g of dried leaf per cup of water, boiled briefly, then steeped for 5 minutes and taken after meals (Martínez & Hernández, 2012). The Garifuna of Belize crush fresh leaves into a paste for external poultices on cuts, and also brew a leaf infusion of about 2 g dried leaf per 200 ml water, steeped 10 minutes, to treat persistent stomach cramps (Jones et al., 2018).

For a mild bark tea, combine 1 g of dried, chopped bark with 200 ml of water in a small pot. Bring to a gentle boil, lower to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes. Remove from heat, let the liquid cool briefly, then strain through a fine cloth. One cup (≈150 ml) may be taken warm twice daily while fever persists. Because the bark contains potent limonoids, use the tea for short courses only; avoid during pregnancy and in the first trimester, and discontinue if nausea or dizziness occurs.

Laboratory analyses have identified the limonoids swietenine and swietenolide, together with hydrolyzable tannins and flavonoid phenolics such as quercetin and kaempferol, as major constituents of Swietenia mahogani (Plants For A Future, 2020). These compounds show antipyretic, antimalarial and anti‑inflammatory activity, supporting the traditional fever‑breaking and gut‑calming applications. Contemporary studies are evaluating the bark extract for malaria therapy, and a standardized 1:5 ethanol tincture of the bark is now sold by several Caribbean herbal suppliers, indicating ongoing commercial interest while many families continue to prepare the decoction and leaf tea as they have for generations.

Common products:
Timber for furniture, cabinetry, fine joinery, boat interiors, and musical instruments.

Wood and fiber:
Heartwood is reddish-brown and straight- to interlocked-grained, fine- to medium-textured, with medium density and excellent dimensional stability after drying. Kiln schedules are well-established for stable lumber suitable for high-precision work. The wood glues, machines, and finishes well, producing smooth surfaces with good response to stain and polishing. Natural extractives provide some resistance to insect and fungal attack, contributing to durability in protected service.

Food and beverages (non-medicinal):
No documented culinary use.

Colorants and tanning:
No documented use of heartwood or other parts as a dye or tannin source in mainstream or historical craft/industrial practice.

Industrial and craft applications:
High-end woodworking and specialty items such as musical instrument bodies, pool cues, turnery, and ornamental veneers are the principal commercial applications. Technical grades and lumber dimension standards are defined by national and regional associations (e.g., NHLA rules in North America). The wood is also used in moldings and trim where dimensional stability is critical.

Fragrance and cosmetics:
No documented use for essential oils, absolutes, or other fragrance materials.

Properties relevant to use:
Grain and texture enable precise machining and finishing; medium density and low movement after drying support stable products; natural extractives contribute to durability. After seasoning, it seasons easily with minimal checking or warping.

Standards and regulation:
Timber trade is regulated under CITES Appendix II, requiring export and re-export permits. National lumber-grading standards (e.g., NHLA rules in the United States) define defect limits, grades, and moisture content. Botanical status (synonymy with Swietenia mahagoni or Swietenia mahagonia) is recorded in major taxonomic databases (e.g., GRIN, IPNI).

Sustainability and sourcing:
The species is assessed as Vulnerable (IUCN Red List) and is managed internationally under CITES. Overexploitation for high-quality timber has reduced many populations; contemporary supply is limited and depends on permits and verified legal sources.

No known synonyms.

No subspecies added yet.

No variety added yet.

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No forms added yet.

No germination or propagation data was added yet.

No distribution data was extracted from POWO/KEW yet. We are constantly monitoring for new data.

No reference genome is available on NCBI yet. We are constantly monitoring for new data.

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