Malva Nut

1709

VSF_MN

Scaphium affine or Sterculia lychnophora commonly known as Malva Nut Tree is an evergreen tree species in the family Malvaceae and subfamily Sterculioideae. The plant is native to Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra and Borneo (throughout the island). It may be known as the malva nut tree, or occasionally the Taiwan sweet gum tree, Malva Nut, Makjong and Kembang Semangkok and has culinary and traditional medicinal uses, although these may also apply to the similar Scaphium macropodum. In China, malva nut is used in tea as well by mixing with other ingredients such as sugar candy, red date, haw, licorice, chrysanthemun flower, lilyturfroot, and jasmine tea. The advantage of such tea is supposed to reduce the “hotness” of the body, and nurture the body.