Question 1

What is Canarium zeylanicum used for in Ayurveda?

Accepted Answer

In Sri Lankan Ayurveda, Canarium zeylanicum is primarily valued for its fragrant resin, which is applied in formulations targeting skin conditions, respiratory complaints, and joint inflammation. The bark is also used in decoctions, and the edible kernel provides nutritional value. Its inclusion in Sri Lanka's official Ayurvedic plant catalog confirms its recognised medicinal status.

Question 2

What is the Sinhala name for Canarium zeylanicum?

Accepted Answer

The tree is widely known in Sinhala as Kekuna (කෙකුණා). The resin it produces is called Kekuna Dummala and is the most commercially and medicinally relevant part of the plant.

Question 3

Where does Canarium zeylanicum grow in Sri Lanka?

Accepted Answer

It is native to Sri Lanka's wet and intermediate zones, growing naturally in lowland and mid-elevation tropical rainforests. The Sinharaja Forest Reserve is among the best known habitats where the tree can be found as part of the upper forest canopy.

Question 4

Is the nut or fruit of Canarium zeylanicum edible?

Accepted Answer

Yes, the kernel inside the fruit is edible and contains healthy oils. In some rural communities it is roasted and consumed as a snack. It is nutritionally comparable to the nuts of related Canarium species eaten widely in Southeast Asia and the Pacific.

Question 5

What does Kekuna resin smell like?

Accepted Answer

The resin has a warm, balsamic fragrance with woody and mildly citrusy notes. When burned as incense, it releases a dense aromatic smoke that has long been used in Buddhist temple rituals and household ceremonies across Sri Lanka.

Question 6

Is Canarium zeylanicum an endangered or protected species in Sri Lanka?

Accepted Answer

Wild populations face some pressure due to forest clearance in Sri Lanka's wet zone. While it is not universally classified as critically endangered, it is regarded as a species of conservation concern, and its habitat overlaps with protected forest reserves. Responsible forest tourism helps build awareness and support for its conservation.

Question 7

How is Kekuna resin used outside of medicine?

Accepted Answer

Beyond its medicinal applications, the resin is burned as temple incense for ritual purification and has traditionally been used to caulk wooden fishing boats due to its waterproofing properties. These dual practical and sacred uses reflect the tree's deep integration into Sri Lankan rural life.

Question 8

Are there scientific studies on the medicinal properties of Canarium zeylanicum?

Accepted Answer

Phytochemical research has identified triterpenoids and other bioactive compounds in the resin with demonstrated antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects in laboratory studies. However, large-scale human clinical trials remain limited, and much of the evidence for therapeutic use is currently derived from traditional practice and small-scale studies.