Leichhardt-pine
StarNeolamarckia cadamba
Synonyms: Nauclea megaphylla, Anthocephalus indicus var. macrophyllus, Anthocephalus cadamba, Neonauclea megaphylla, Anthocephalus indicus var. glabrescens, Nauclea cadamba, Sarcocephalus cadamba, Anthocephalus morindifolius, Samama cadamba
Safety at a glance
No rule in our tables for this herb: pregnancy, breastfeeding, incompatible pairs (十八反 / 十九畏), herb–drug, dose ceiling. This is not a safety clearance.
Not graded — No toxicity grade is recorded. Most herbs in the catalogue carry none.
Traditionally used for
- Colds & fever
- Bowel health
- Skin
Western Herbalism Properties
Traditional Uses
Kadamba is an established Ayurvedic and Indian folk medicinal tree. The bark, classed as astringent, antidysenteric and antipyretic, is given as a decoction for diarrhoea, dysentery and intermittent fevers, while leaf preparations are applied to wounds and ulcers as a vulnerary wash; classical Ayurvedic sources including the Bhavaprakasha nighantu describe the plant under the names Kadamba and Nipa (Khare, 2007). Modern pharmacological work on the bark and leaf has supported astringent, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activity attributed to cadambine alkaloids and triterpene saponins (Dwevedi et al., 2015).
Gallery
Botanical Description
Neolamarckia cadamba, the kadamba or Leichhardt pine, is a large, fast-growing evergreen tree of the Rubiaceae native to South and Southeast Asia and northern Australia and widely planted across the tropics for timber, paper pulp and shade. It reaches 20-35 m tall with a straight cylindrical trunk, smooth grey to dark brown bark, and a broad spreading crown of horizontal branches. The leaves are opposite, large, glossy, ovate to oblong, 15-25 cm long, with prominent venation and conspicuous interpetiolar stipules. Striking, bright orange to yellow, fragrant, globose flower heads about 4-5 cm across are composed of densely packed tubular florets with long protruding white styles, giving them a pincushion appearance; they are followed by small fleshy syncarps containing many tiny seeds. In Indian tradition the kadamba is sacred to Krishna and frequently planted near temples.
Dosage Calculator
⚖ Dosage Calculator
A weight-based mathematical estimate for Leichhardt-pine. Not a prescription.
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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