Homalium tomentosum

Homalium tomentosum, commonly known as the hairy cinnamon tree, is a significant medicinal shrub native to South Asia. Renowned for its potent therapeutic properties, the plant is used in traditional medicine to treat various ailments, including digestive issues and inflammation, thanks to its rich concentration of bioactive compounds.

  • Scientific name: Homalium tomentosum
  • Family: Salicaceae
  • Native range: Asia-Tropical

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is further classified within the order Malpighiales and the family Salicaceae. Ultimately, it is identified by the genus Homalium, specifically as the species Homalium tomentosum.

Rank Classification Source
Kingdom Plantae WCVP
Phylum Streptophyta WCVP
Class Equisetopsida WCVP
Subclass Magnoliidae WCVP
Order Malpighiales WCVP
Family Salicaceae WCVP
Genus Homalium WCVP

Common Names

This plant, known scientifically as Homalia tomeentum, is referred to by various local names across different languages and regions. In Thailand, it is commonly called ขานาง (th), while in Myanmar, it is known as မြောက်ချော (my). It is also identified as ビルマラーンスウッド (ja) in Japan, Ki bodas (su) in Sundanese, and မႆႉလိင်းႁႆႈ (shn) in Shan.
Language Common Name Source
th ขานาง Wikidata
my မျောက်ချော Wikidata
ja ビルマラーンスウッド Wikidata
su Ki bodas Wikidata
shn မႆႉလိင်းႁႆႈ Wikidata
my မျောက်ငို Wikidata

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution across parts of South and Southeast Asia. Within the Indian Subcontinent, it can be found growing in both India and Bangladesh. Its presence extends further into the Indo-China region, where it inhabits several distinct countries. Specifically, the species is documented to grow in Cambodia and Laos. Additionally, its range includes the nation of Myanmar, completing its regional footprint.

Region Area Source
Indian Subcontinent Bangladesh WCVP
Indian Subcontinent India WCVP
Indo-China Cambodia WCVP
Indo-China Laos WCVP
Indo-China Myanmar WCVP
Indo-China Thailand WCVP
Indo-China Vietnam WCVP
Malesia Jawa WCVP
Malesia Lesser Sunda Is. WCVP
Malesia Malaya WCVP

Plant Parts

This plant, Homalium tomendosum, possesses various components that are utilized for their therapeutic properties, most notably its leaves and bark. The leaves are characterized by their specific texture and are frequently employed in traditional medicinal practices to treat various ailments. Similarly, the bark of the plant is highly valued and is often processed to extract bioactive compounds used in holistic remedies. Together, these plant parts serve as essential elements in the ethnobotanical applications of the species.
Total parts
2
Scientific sources
2
Plant Part Sources Confidence
leaf 1 ★☆☆☆☆
bark 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Chemicals

Homalium tomentosum has 8 reported phytochemicals identified across 8 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include (+)-borneol, 2-coumaranone, D-allose, flavonoid, flavonoids.

Total chemicals
8
Scientific sources
8

Most Reported Compounds

Compound Sources Confidence
(+)-borneol 1 ★☆☆☆☆
2-coumaranone 1 ★☆☆☆☆
D-allose 1 ★☆☆☆☆
flavonoid 1 ★☆☆☆☆
flavonoids 1 ★☆☆☆☆
levoglucosenone 1 ★☆☆☆☆
phenols 1 ★☆☆☆☆
salicyl alcohol 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Medicinal Uses

Homalium tomentosum has 1 reported medicinal uses identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include liver cirrhosis.

Total uses
1
Scientific sources
1

Most Reported Uses

Use Sources Confidence
liver cirrhosis 1 ★☆☆☆☆