Friday, March 26, 2010

KALINGAG (Cinnamomum mercadoi Vidal Lauraceae)

Good morning everyone. Another tree with medicinal value found in the Philippines. I’m sure if many have this plant you can use it to cure some ailments. There are a total of 96 Philippine medicinal trees under 83 genera and 38 families. I want to share the most seen trees here.
Kalingag is a small-to medium-sized tree with relatively thick, aromatic bark. It reaches a diameter of 60 cm or more. The bark is gray, without fissures or cracks and covered irregularly with corky pustules, which give it a slightly rough appearance. The leaves are smooth, opposite, elliptical, 7-14 cm long and 3-6.5 cm wide; apex is acute, tip is rounded, texture is leathery; both faces are glabrous, the upper face is shiny while the lower has a glaucous ochre bloom.

Medicinal Value:

■ The bark, when masticated and taken internally, helps digestion.

■ It is also used for flatulence (gas accumulation in the alimentary canal) and as an expectorant.

■ It is used for tuberculosis and as a remedy for headaches and rheumatism.

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