Know the herbs

Scientific name

Cinnamomum verum J.Presl.

Family

Lauraceae

Local name

Kayu manis (Perlis, Kedah, Pulau Pinang, Perak, Selangor, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Negeri Sembilan, Melaka, Johor, Pahang, Terengganu)

Description

Cinnamomum verum is a tree that reaches a height of up to 18 m. The bark is very aromatic, dark brown or brownish gray. The leaf arrangement is opposite, the leaves are lanceolate to ovate, the leaf base is rounded, the leaf tip is acuminate, the leaf margin is smooth, the leaf surface is glabrous, greenish-white on the abaxial side and dark green and shiny on the adaxial side, the petiole is grooved on the upper surface. The three main veins of the leaf are clearly visible. The leaves are fragrant when crushed. The flower clusters are axillary or terminal, panicle type. The flowers are yellow, small, tubular, have six petals, and have a foul odor. The fruit is a berry, small, ellipsoid to ovoid, black when ripe, and the base of the fruit is covered by the developing perianth (flower).

Usage

Cinnamon is used for postpartum maternal care, postpartum maternal bath, steam bath preparation, shrinking the uterus, preventing gallstone disease, bertangas ingredients, pilis, param (flattens the stomach), herbal medicine, majun, massage oil, relieving headaches/migraines, and treating hemorrhoids.

Malaysia Herbal Monograph (source: Globinmed)