Neolitsea cassia (L.) Kosterm.

Kayu manis cina (Neolitsea cassia) is a tree up to 20 meters tall from the Lauraceae family spread from Sri Lanka and India to Northern Australia. Its dried bark is an important spice for curry and confectionery, with a sharper aroma than true cinnamon. Kayu manis cina is traditionally used as a carminative remedy and helps address dyspepsia and influenza.

Kayu manis cina is a tropical and subtropical lowland plant, where it is found at elevations up to 500 meters. Grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are in the range of 15-32 °C, but can tolerate 10-38 °C. Dormant plants can die at -6 °C or lower, while young growth can be damaged at -2 °C. It prefers an average annual rainfall in the range of 1,100-1,500 mm, but tolerates 900-3,000 mm. Prefers fertile, sandy soil, moisture-retaining but free-draining in full sun or partial shade. Prefers a pH in the range of 5-5.5, tolerating 4.5-7.

• Stem woody, bark 8-10 mm thick, gray, rough, brittle, inner surface slimy to the touch.
• Leaves simple, alternate, opposite or whorled, petiole 10-15 mm, elliptical, elliptical-lanceolate or oblong-lanceolate, base pointed or thinning, tip/apex pointed, smooth leaf margin, smooth above and glaucous/powdery below. Lateral veins pinnate with 3 veins, indistinct.
• Flowers small, developing in greenish flower heads, nearly stalkless, 9 mm wide, appearing in the leaf axils.
• Fruit round shape, 6-7 mm wide, turning reddish then black when ripe.

Propagation using seeds and shoot cuttings. Propagation using seeds—seeds have short viability and are best sown as soon as ripe. Remove the fruit skin as this can inhibit germination. Soaking seeds for 24 hours in warm water will speed up germination. Germination can take 1-6 months at 20 °C. The germination rate of fresh seed is about 50%, dropping to 25% for 6-month-old seed, and zero for 1-year-old seed. When the seedlings are big enough plant them into individual pots and plant to a permanent position when they are 10 cm tall or more. Propagation using semi-mature side shoot cuttings.

One new sesquiterpene dilactone, coccinin, and one new β-carboline alkaloid, daibucarboline F, linderane, linderalactone, pseudoneolinderane, linderanlide C, linderanine A, epicatechin, (−)-taxifolin, astilbin, L-quercitrin and afzelin.

Stimulates the circulatory system, relieves cramps and vomiting, controls infection, treats dyspepsia, colic, diarrhea, cholera, dysentery, menstrual hematometra, coryza, influenza, cough, colds, asthma, paresis and snake bites, increases sweating and reduces fever, increases poor appetite, low vitality, kidney weakness, rheumatic complaints, angina, heart palpitations. Has antibacterial, antidote, circulatory stimulant, respiratory stimulant, and carminative properties.

• Prepare kayu manis cina bark, wash clean with running water.
• Cut the bark into pieces to make drying easier.
• Dry under sunlight or with an oven at 40 °C until moisture content reaches 10%.
• Blend into powder.
• Store in a clean, airtight place.

No information found. Further research needed.