Hydnocarpus alcalae
Hydnocarpus alcalae
Safety & Hazards
Although we have seen no specific information for this species, the seeds of many members of this genus contain cyanogenic glycosides[ 218 Title Medicinal Plants of China Publication Author Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Publisher Reference Publications, Inc. Year 1985 ISBN 0-917256-20-4 Description Details of over 1,200 medicinal plants of China and brief details of their uses. Often includes an analysis, or at least a list of constituents. Heavy going if you are not into the subject. , 310 Title Plant Resources of Southeast Asia Publication Author Website http://proseanet.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description Lots of information on the uses of the plants of SE Asia. ]. In very small quantities this has been used medicinally, having been shown to stimulate respiration and improve digestion, it is also claimed to be of benefit in the treatment of cancer. In excess, however, it can cause respiratory failure and even death.
Botanical Description
Hydnocarpus alcalae is an evergreen shrub or a small tree, usually growing from 4 - 10 metres tall. The bole can be up to 30cm in diameter and is usually slightly fluted near the base[ 310 Title Plant Resources of Southeast Asia Publication Author Website http://proseanet.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description Lots of information on the uses of the plants of SE Asia. , 451 Title Flora Malesiana Series 1 Publication Author Various Website http://www.archive.org Publisher Nationaal Herbarium Nederiand, Universiteit Leiden branch Year 0 ISBN Description A massive treatment of the plants of the Malaysian Archipelago. Much of it has been made available to download from the Internet , 701 Title Asean Tropical Plant Database Publication Author Website http://211.114.21.20/tropicalplant/index.jsp Publisher Year ISBN Description Terse details, with photos, of many of the plants growing in the tropical forests of southeast Asia. Gives some details of plant uses along with a description of the plant and its range. ]. This species produces the largest fruits known in the genus and is a good source of chaulmoogric and hydnocarpic acids. Prior to the synthesis of modern drugs for treating leprosy, the fruits were much harvested for their oil - indeed they are still very commonly used in traditional medicine. The plant was often cultivated for its oil in the past, though with the advent of synthetic leprosy drugs in the 1960s, this cultivation has lost its importance[ 310 Title Plant Resources of Southeast Asia Publication Author Website http://proseanet.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description Lots of information on the uses of the plants of SE Asia. ].