Manila Elemi

Canarium luzonicum

Physical Characteristics

Canarium luzonicum is an evergreen Tree growing to 30 m (98ft) by 20 m (65ft). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. The flowers are pollinated by Insects. The plant is not self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

Distribution

Southeast Asia - Philippines.

Habitats

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit Oil Seed Shoots Edible Uses: Oil Seed - raw or cooked. The sweet nuts have a delicious flavour when roasted and are served like almonds[ 301 ]. They can also be used in confections, ice cream, nut milks etc, and as an adulterant to chocolate[ 301 ]. The coat surrounding the kernel should be removed since it can cause diarrhoea[ 63 ]. The shell is very thick and difficult to crack, though some thinner shelled forms have been found[ 63 ]. A sweet oil obtained from the seed is used for cooking purposes[ 301 ]. The fruit pulp is boiled and eaten[ 301 ]. Rather tasteless[ 63 ]. An oil can be extracted from the fruit pulp[ 301 ]. It has a tangy, resin-like flavour[ 301 ]. Young shoots - raw[ 301 ]. Eaten in salads[ 301 ].

Medicinal Uses

Antibacterial Antifungal Antirheumatic Antirheumatic Antiseptic Antispasmodic Antitussive Febrifuge Parasiticide Poultice Rubefacient Skin Manila elemi (the oleoresin obtained from the tree), and the essential oil distilled from the resin, have a long history of medicinal use. They are considered to be antibacterial, antifungal, antirheumatic, antiseptic, antispasmodic and rubefacient[ 360 ]. A study on the composition of Manila elemi oil from the distillation of elemi resin yielded 39 compounds, with limonene, the most abundant at 56%[ 360 ]. A corn-sized drop of the resin is taken with water in the treatment of fevers and chills[ 360 ]. The oleoresin is applied externally to arthritic and rheumatic joints, boils, abscesses, furuncles, burns and sores[ 360 ]. It is heated and applied to the chest as a poultice to stop severe coughing[ 360 ]. The tree bark is commonly used for postpartum baths[ 360 ]. The essential oil is an ingredient of a commercial preparation called 'Lysout', a natural anti-lice foaming gel that also contains Echinacea purpurea[ 360 ].

Known Hazards

None known