Kapok

At a glance

Origin / distribution: Haiti, Malaya, Java, Mexico, Malacca, Trinidad, Panama(Cuna), Guatemala

Cultural traditions: not documented

Recorded uses: Ache(Head), Alopecia, Asthma, Astringent

Science studied: ASH, CAFFEIC-ACID, CAMPHOROL, CARBOHYDRATES

Research volume: 0 indexed records · volume only · methodology ↗

Legal status: Varies by jurisdiction; not assessed in this record.

Names and identity

Family: Bombacaceae

Scientific name: Ceiba pentandra

Common names: Kapok, Silk-Cotton Tree, Albero del kapok, Algodón de ceibo, Amazoninkapokkipuu, A̱kum, Beiba Bruja, Bobeka, Bobewe, Bonga, Buboi, Ceiba, Ceiba Bonga, Ceibo, Gemenewe, Imiyëiacuyei, Jëoyëi, Kalngebard

POWO: 1166232-2 · WCVP June 2026 / POWO backbone

History

The source record documents this plant in Haiti, Elsewhere, Malaya, Java, Mexico, Malacca, Trinidad, Panama(Cuna) and 3 additional places.

It records these historical or traditional applications:

• Ache(Head)
• Alopecia
• Asthma
• Astringent
• Catarrh
• Diuretic
• Emetic
• Emollient

This summary is limited to the cited source record.

Origins and distribution

• Haiti
• Elsewhere
• Malaya
• Java
• Mexico
• Malacca
• Trinidad
• Panama(Cuna)
• Guatemala
• Guinea
• Dominican Republic

Documented cultural uses

• Ache(Head)
• Alopecia
• Asthma
• Astringent
• Catarrh
• Diuretic
• Emetic
• Emollient
• Enterosis
• Erysipelas
• Feet
• Female

Cultural record detail

These entries are transcribed from the cited ethnobotanical source; they do not represent current advice or a claim of efficacy.

• Ache(Head) · Haiti · "
• Alopecia · Elsewhere · "
• Asthma · Malaya · "
• Astringent · Elsewhere · "
• Catarrh · Java · "
• Diuretic · Haiti · "
• Diuretic · Java · "
• Diuretic · Mexico · "
• Emetic · Haiti · "
• Emetic · Mexico · "
• Emollient · Elsewhere · "
• Enterosis · Malacca · "
• Erysipelas · Trinidad · "
• Feet · Trinidad · "
• Female · Panama(Cuna) · "
• Fever · Malaya · "
• Filler · Elsewhere · "
• Hoarseness · Java · "
• Hydropsy · Haiti · "
• Leprosy · Elsewhere · "
• Neuralgia · Haiti · "
• Parturition · Malaya · "
• Parturition · Elsewhere · "
• Salt · Elsewhere · "

19 additional documented entries remain in the source record.

Contemporary uses

Contemporary practice is not documented separately in this record.

Scientific research

Indexed records indicate research activity; they do not establish efficacy or safety.

Indexed research records

• New pentandralactams from Vietnamese Ceiba pentandra (L.) Gaertn. and their anti-inflammatory activity via NO production inhibition. · 2026 source ↗
• Evaluation of nonfired ceramic tiles using phosphogypsum waste and Ceiba Pentandra fiber for sustainable construction. · 2025 source ↗
• Sustainable biodiesel production from Ceiba pentandra (Kapok): a scientometric and technological assessment with performance, emission insights, and future challenges. · 2025 source ↗

Scientific compounds

Chemical presence is not evidence of clinical efficacy.

• ASH
• CAFFEIC-ACID
• CAMPHOROL
• CARBOHYDRATES
• CYCLOPROPANES
• FAT
• FIBER
• HCN
• HENTRIACONTANE
• KAEMPFEROL
• KILOCALORIES
• LIGNONE
• LINOLEIC-ACID
• LUPEOL
• OLEIC-ACID
• PENTOSANS

Legality

No exact international trade listing was returned by the CITES checklist for this accepted name. Country-specific law is not assessed here.

Consult the CITES species checklist for current international and national requirements.

Reference images

Sources

Plants of the World Online (POWO) · Kew data terms; cite POWO/WCVP

World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP) · CC BY 3.0

CC0 · Dr. Duke raw CSV archive

Contributions and revisions

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