Lindera sericea
StarLindera sericea
Synonyms: Benzoin umbellatum var. sericeum, Lindera umbellata var. sericea
Western Herbalism Properties
Traditional Uses
In Japan and Korea the leaves and twigs of Lindera sericea have been used in traditional medicine to treat indigestion and stomachache and to relieve anxiety, and the aromatic plant material is also valued as a source of essential oil and increasingly explored for healthful drinks and functional foods (Trees and Shrubs Online; phytochemical studies of the leaves and twigs).
Botanical Description
Lindera sericea is a deciduous shrub or small tree in the laurel family Lauraceae, distributed in Japan and Korea, where it grows on moist slopes at elevations of about 300 to 1200 metres. It reaches around 4 metres tall, the young branchlets yellow-green and clothed in silky hairs (the epithet sericea meaning silky), ageing red-brown to nearly black and becoming smooth. The leaves are membranous, obovate, 6 to 20 centimetres long and 3 to 7 centimetres wide, pinnately veined with 6 to 12 pairs of lateral veins, cuneate at the base and entire-margined, with short persistent hairs on both surfaces, and they turn a bright clear yellow in autumn. As is typical of the genus the plant is dioecious, bearing small umbels of yellowish flowers on the bare twigs in spring; female plants set small black, one-seeded berry-like fruits. The aromatic foliage and twigs are a source of essential oil.
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.
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