Indian-laurel
Litsea glutinosa
Synonyms: Tetranthera fruticosa, Litsea brassii, Tetranthera apetala, Tetranthera multiflora, Litsea undulata, Litsea ligustrina, Litsea glutinosa var. platyphylla, Tetranthera macrantha, Malapoenna undulata, Tetranthera panshia, Camellia integrifolia, Tetradenia brideliifolia, Litsea platyphylla, Tomex sebifera, Litsea glutinosa var. brachyphylla, Sebifera glutinosa, Litsea glutinosa var. longifolia, Dodecadenia robusta, Tetranthera litoralis, Tetranthera hispidula, Litsea glutinosa var. normalis, Litsea involucrata, Tetranthera daradmeda, Cylicodaphne sebifera, Litsea citrifolia, Tetranthera laurifolia var. roxburghii, Litsea glutinosa var. brideliifolia, Litsea geminata, Tetranthera polycephala, Litsea wightiana, Tetranthera platyphylla, Laurus crucifolia, Litsea glabraria, Glabraria litoralis, Tetranthera laurifolia var. attenuata, Litsea sebifera, Tetranthera glabraria, Tetranthera citrifolia, Tetranthera geminata, Tetranthera capitata, Litsea laevis, Pipalia solitaria, Litsea baracatanensis, Litsea laurifolia, Tomex tetranthera, Malapoenna macrantha, Litsea glutinosa var. glabraria, Polyadenia grandifolia, Litsea apetala, Litsea brideliifolia, Tetranthera sebifera, Decapenta involucrata, Litsea laurifolia var. roxburghii, Litsea sebifera var. brachyphylla, Tetranthera roxburghii, Lepidadenia wightiana, Litsea glutinosa var. littoralis, Litsea multiflora, Litsea involucrata var. fernandezii, Tetranthera laurifolia var. multiflora, Tetranthera laurifolia, Litsea chinensis, Tetranthera salicifolia
Western Herbalism Properties
Gallery
Botanical Description
Litsea glutinosa, known in English as Indian laurel or pond spice and in commerce as soft bollygum, bolly beech or brown beech, is an evergreen rainforest tree in the family Lauraceae. It is widely distributed across tropical and subtropical Asia and the western Pacific, native from China and the Indian subcontinent through mainland and insular Southeast Asia to northern Australia, and introduced to several islands in the Indian Ocean. The tree typically reaches 10–20 m in height, with a smooth grey bark and alternate, simple, leathery elliptic to obovate leaves. Small, dioecious, yellowish flowers are borne in axillary umbellate clusters, followed by globose drupes that ripen black. The inner bark contains abundant mucilage, which when dried and powdered is sold as maida lakri or jigat and used as a binding agent in incense-stick manufacture and in plywood and pharmaceutical industries.
Cultural & Historical Context
Traditional American Uses
None Documented
Chemistry & External Identifiers
Important Disclaimer
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.