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ngai camphor

Scientific Name: Blumea balsamifera

Family: Asteraceae

Category: Dicot

Growth:

Duration:

Other Names:

       

Ngai Camphor (Blumea balsamifera)

Ngai Camphor, also known as Blumea Camphor or Sambong, is a strongly aromatic herb traditionally used for various purposes. This plant has a rich history and continues to be of interest for its potential medicinal properties.

Considerations for Pets

  • The plant is aromatic, which might be intriguing to pets, but could also cause irritation in some animals.

Considerations for Children

  • Blumea balsamifera is used medicinally to treat cuts and wounds, but consumption of the plant is not advised without proper knowledge.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Blumea balsamifera (L.) DC.
  • Common Names: Ngai Camphor, Blumea Camphor, Sambong, Buffalo-ear, Nagi Camphor
  • Family: Asteraceae (Sunflower family)
  • Genus: Blumea DC. (False Oxtongue)
  • Synonyms: Camphor (when extracted), Ngai (Chinese crude product), Ngai-p&#39ien (Chinese name), Balsamifera

Morphology and Growth Habits

  • A hairy, half-woody, strongly aromatic shrub, typically growing to 1-4 meters in height, but can reach up to 3 meters.
  • Features simple, broadly elongated leaves, ranging from 7-20 cm in length, with toothed margins and sometimes divided appendages.

Distribution and Habitat

  • The plant is found in regions such as Kwangtung and Hainan, where it is cultivated for its camphor content.

Economic Importance

  • The leaves of Blumea balsamifera are used as a flavoring agent.
  • It produces gum/resin, like terpenoid substances of ai or ngai camphor.

Traditional and Medicinal Uses

  • Traditionally used to extract camphor.
  • Sambong leaves are known for its ngai or Blumea camphor that is used as herbal medicine to treat kidney stones, wounds and cuts, rheumatism, anti-diarrhea.
  • Some believe it has anti-asthma properties.

Quirky Facts

  • In Chinese, the crude camphor product is known as "ngai-f&#39n," and the refined product is called "ngai-p&#39ien."

Further Information

  • General information is available with the symbol BLBA2 under the Dicot group.
  • Stock photos are available on Shutterstock and iStock.
  • Translations are available in PONS Online Spanish-English Dictionary and dict.cc German-English Dictionary.