Question 1

What is Aleurites moluccana used for in Ayurveda?

Accepted Answer

In Sri Lanka's Ayurvedic tradition, Aleurites moluccana is primarily used for its seed oil, which is applied externally for skin conditions and hair care. Bark decoctions have been used to address digestive complaints, while leaf preparations are employed topically for swelling. The plant appears in the formal Ayurvedic medicinal plant catalogue maintained by Sri Lanka's Department of Ayurveda.

Question 2

Is Aleurites moluccana the same as candlenut?

Accepted Answer

Yes, Aleurites moluccana is the scientific name for the candlenut tree, also called kukui in Hawaiian, and known in Sri Lanka as Kekuna (කෙකුණා) in Sinhala. The name candlenut refers to the historical use of the oily nuts as a fuel source for light. The same species is known by several common names across its wide Indo-Pacific range.

Question 3

Is the candlenut safe to eat raw?

Accepted Answer

Raw candlenut kernels contain toxic compounds, including saponins, and can cause nausea and other adverse effects if consumed without proper preparation. Traditional methods — such as roasting or oil extraction — reduce these risks. Ayurvedic practitioners use carefully prepared formulations rather than raw nuts, and self-medication is not recommended without professional guidance.

Question 4

Where can Aleurites moluccana be found in Sri Lanka?

Accepted Answer

The tree grows in home gardens, forest margins, and lowland areas across Sri Lanka's wet and intermediate zones. It is not typically found in large commercial plantations but appears as a companion species in mixed home gardens and agroforestry systems. Some Ayurvedic institutions and eco-gardens maintain cultivated specimens for educational purposes.

Question 5

What does Aleurites moluccana look like?

Accepted Answer

It is a medium-to-large evergreen tree, typically 10–20 metres tall, with distinctive pale, silvery-green lobed leaves that give the canopy a light-coloured appearance. Small white flowers grow in clusters, and the fruit is a round, fleshy drupe containing a hard-shelled nut with an oily kernel. The silvery leaf colour helps distinguish it from many other tropical trees.

Question 6

What is the Sinhala name for Aleurites moluccana?

Accepted Answer

The Sinhala name for Aleurites moluccana is Kekuna, written as කෙකුණා in Sinhala script. In Tamil, it is referred to as Akrottu. These vernacular names are used by traditional physicians and in local horticultural and agricultural contexts across Sri Lanka.

Question 7

How does Aleurites moluccana relate to Sri Lanka's Ayurvedic system?

Accepted Answer

Sri Lanka maintains an official catalogue of Ayurvedic medicinal plants through its Department of Ayurveda, and Aleurites moluccana is formally included in this registry. Traditional physicians may incorporate the plant's oil, bark, or leaf preparations into compound remedies. The plant's role is part of a broader herbal tradition that spans thousands of years and is still actively practised on the island.