Question 1

What is Aglaia odoratissima used for in traditional medicine?

Accepted Answer

In Sri Lankan ayurvedic tradition, Aglaia odoratissima is documented as a medicinal plant with applications in inflammatory and dermatological conditions. Traditional practitioners have used its bark and leaves in decoctions and topical preparations. It is catalogued formally in Sri Lanka's national ayurvedic plant register.

Question 2

What family does Aglaia odoratissima belong to?

Accepted Answer

Aglaia odoratissima belongs to the family Meliaceae, which also includes mahogany. The genus Aglaia comprises several hundred species distributed across tropical and subtropical Asia, with Sri Lanka hosting a number of them in its wet-zone forests.

Question 3

Where in Sri Lanka does Aglaia odoratissima grow?

Accepted Answer

The species favours lowland and mid-elevation wet-zone forests, typically as an understorey tree. Biodiversity-rich areas such as the Sinharaja Forest Reserve provide the kind of primary rainforest habitat in which Aglaia species are most commonly found.

Question 4

Has Aglaia odoratissima been studied scientifically?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The broader genus Aglaia has attracted significant attention in natural products chemistry due to unique compounds called rocaglamides and flavaglines. Laboratory studies on Aglaia odoratissima extracts have identified cytotoxic and anti-inflammatory properties, though these remain areas of ongoing research rather than clinically approved treatments.

Question 5

Is Aglaia odoratissima the same as the fragrant aglaia used to scent clothes?

Accepted Answer

Aglaia odoratissima is closely related to species used historically across Southeast Asia to scent clothing and cosmetics with their tiny, intensely fragrant flowers. Within the Aglaia genus, several species share this aromatic quality and overlapping traditional uses.

Question 6

How can I learn more about Sri Lanka's ayurvedic plants during a visit?

Accepted Answer

The Royal Botanic Gardens at Peradeniya near Kandy maintain extensive collections that include medicinal species. Guided forest walks in protected areas and specialist ayurvedic centres across the island offer practical exposure to Sri Lanka's living plant medicine traditions.

Question 7

Is Aglaia odoratissima endangered or protected in Sri Lanka?

Accepted Answer

While specific conservation status for this species in Sri Lanka is best verified through the IUCN Red List and Sri Lanka's Department of Forest Conservation, many forest-dwelling medicinal plants face pressure from habitat loss. Sri Lanka's protected forest network, including areas like Sinharaja, plays a critical role in preserving such species in situ.