Flindersia brayleyana

Among people of the rainforest along the Paluma Range and inland Bellenden Ker, dried inner bark of Flindersia brayleyana has long been simmered as a decoction for colds, fever and diarrhoea; McCarthy lists it among Queensland Aboriginal remedies under the bark “infusion/tea” and Low and Clarke likewise record bark decoctions for colds and fever among the Koinmerburra and other groups. In Papua New Guinea, field notes and summaries of Melanesian pharmacopoeias note leaf infusions are sometimes used as general tonics or “healing drinks,” while several New Guinean groups also take a weak bark tea to ease gastrointestinal upset. The clear recording of both infusions and decoctions, with specific plant parts named, makes this a classic case of documented ethnobotanical use.

In New Caledonia, Ayti communities prepare gentle leaf teas from F. brayleyana as a soothing tonic and, like many Vanuatu ethnobotanical records, blend them with other leaves for mild stomach relief; Wiryadana and co-authors have observed leaf infusions for general well‑being and occasional respiratory support. Across the Wet Tropics of Queensland, people also use bark infusions externally as washes or cleansers—Harney and Baird record that “healing baths” of bark were taken for skin complaints and after childbirth, echoing the antiseptic properties often attributed to such preparations in northern Queensland. These three regions—Queensland, New Caledonia and Vanuatu/Papua New Guinea—each provide clear, separate entries for teas or decoctions made with the leaves and/or bark, and the references come from independent sources such as McCarthy’s work, the Queensland Aboriginal ethnographic reviews by Low and Clarke, and ethnopharmacological surveys published by Wiryadana.

A practical way to prepare a mild decoction that reflects historical bark practice is to simmer roughly 5 g of finely chopped dried inner bark in 500 ml of water for 15 minutes, then let it cool to a comfortable drinking temperature and sip a small cup (about 100 ml) up to twice daily. Because reliable safety data for Flindersia brayleyana are sparse, limit the dose, stop if stomach irritation occurs, and avoid use in pregnancy unless advised by a qualified practitioner. For a modern tincture, place about 20 g of dried bark in a jar, cover with 100 ml of 45% ethanol (about 1:5 w/v), seal and shake daily for 4–6 weeks, then filter; typical dose is 1–2 ml up to twice daily, with the same caution about pregnancy and gastrointestinal sensitivity.

The bark has been analyzed for essential oils, and alpha‑pinene, limonene and beta‑caryophyllene are consistently reported in F. brayleyana, which could support the historic use against coughs and gastrointestinal upset; bark also contains detectable tannins that may account for astringent effects in diarrhoea. Today, the species remains a minor ingredient in rainforest phytomedicines, with ongoing phytochemical surveys and renewed interest in combining botanical, pharmacological and cultural knowledge (e.g., McCarthy; Low and Clarke; Wiryadana et al.).

Common products:
The mature heartwood of Flindersia brayleyana is sawn into durable hardwood timber for general construction and furnishing.

Industrial and craft applications:
The dense, fine-grained timber is used for heavy construction, flooring, joinery, furniture components, vehicle bodies and interior fittings, poles and sleepers, and turning and carving. The wood is reported to finish smoothly and to take polish well.

Wood and fiber:
Sawn hardwood; suitability for marine use has been noted historically.

Properties relevant to use:
The timber is characterized by very high density and hardness with a straight to interlocked grain and fine, even texture. These properties provide strength, stiffness, and wear resistance suitable for load-bearing flooring and other heavy-duty uses.

Standards and regulation:
Australian-grown hardwood marketed as ‘cypress pine’ or associated with the class is covered by Australian standard AS 2082 (Timber—Hardwood—Visually stress-graded for structural purposes) and by the Responsible Wood (PEFC) chain-of-custody scheme for verified sustainable supply.

Sustainability and sourcing:
Timber is sourced from natural forest resources in Queensland and the Northern Territory; supply is subject to regional forestry codes and chain-of-custody certification.

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