Herbal Traditions of Southeast Asia, Indonesia, Philippines

Cananga adorata, ylang-ylang

The dense tropical forests of Southeast Asia are the source of some of the worlds most important spice plants, both nugmegs and cloves are native to the Moluccas, known as the spice islands. The aromatic roots of the ginger family are found on the forest floor. The current rate of trees being cut from the rainforest cannot be balanced by natural regeneration, and many important species will require conservation to survive.

• 	Benzoin Resin	Styrax benzoin	Friar's balsam
  	tree : The dark, vanilla-like resin acts as an anchoring base note in aromatherapy blends, and is soothing and warming to the skin....

• 	Cajeput Oil	Melaleuca leucadendron, M. leucadendra	Weeping tea tree, weeping paperbark
  	Tree : Cajeput essential oil has a sweet middle note and is very stimulating and warming with a penetrating, camphoraceous scent. Cajeput is a good inhalant oil for colds and sinus infections....

• 	Camphor	Cinnamomum camphora
  	Evergreen Tree : When first applied camphor oil numbs and cools the peripheral nerve endings, then warms the painful area as it stimulates circulation to cold, stiff muscles and limbs....

• 	Cinnamon	Cinnamomum zeylanicum, C. cassia	Cassia Bark, Sweet cinnamon
  	Evergreen Tropical Tree : Cinnamon is recommended for treating weak digestion, low appetite and stomach upsets. It has powerful antibacterial and antiviral properties and may help lower blood sugar....

• 	Galangal Root	Alpinia officinarum	Galanga, lesser galangal, Blue ginger, Chinese ginger
  	Tropical perennial : Galangal is a sub tropical Asian member of the Ginger family. Herbalists consider the galangal root antispasmodic and antibacterial, and recommend its use in cases of dyspepsia (upset stomach or indigestion) and l...

• 	Gentian	Gentiana lutea	wild gentian ,yellow gentian
  	Herbaceous Perennial : Gentian root is the bitter used to make the famous Swedish Bitters tonic. Bitter herbs increase gastric secretions and promote digestion....

• 	Ginger Root	Zingiber officinale	Luyang Dilaw
  	Perennial Monocot reed : Ginger combines well with many herbs, improving taste and potency. Ginger speeds up the delivery of healthy plant chemicals into the bloodstream while adding a spicy, hot zest to your favorite dishes....

• 	Jambul	Eugenia Jambolana
  	evergreen tropical tree : Practitioners of Ayurveda in India value jambul for lowering blood sugar and researchers are investigating its potential as a male contraceptive....

• 	Tea Tree oil	Melaleuca alternifolia	Melaleuca
  	tree : Tea tree oil is a fast and easy way to treat insect bites and any type of skin fungus. Apply a few drops neat, or use a clean compress to apply to the skin...

• 	Ylang-Ylang	Cananga adorata
  	Tropical Tree : Ylang-ylang oil is distilled from the early morning, fresh-picked flowers of the cananga tree. Ylang-ylang oil is stimulating, yet relaxing with antiseptic and aphrodisiac properties....