Gloriosa superba, commonly known as the Glory Lily or Flame Lily, is a stunning climbing plant with unique, vibrant flowers. It's renowned for both its ornamental beauty and its historical use in traditional medicine, though it's important to note that all parts of the plant are highly toxic due to the presence of alkaloids like colchicine. Its use, especially for medicinal purposes, should only be done under the strict guidance of a trained professional.
Herb's Introduction
Gloriosa superba is a species of flowering plant in the family Liliaceae, which also includes true lilies. It is a tuberous, climbing perennial herb that can grow up to 2-3 meters in height. The plant is native to tropical and subtropical regions of Africa and Asia. It's the national flower of Zimbabwe. The name Gloriosa is derived from the Latin word gloriosus, meaning "glorious," which perfectly describes its magnificent flowers.
Names in Different Countries and Terminology
The plant has a rich array of names reflecting its widespread presence and distinctive appearance.
English: Climbing-lily, Creeping-lily, Flame-lily, Gloriosa lily, Glory lily, Malabar glory lily, Superb lily.
Sanskrit: Agnishikha (fire-tipped), Langalika (plow-shaped), Garbhaghatini (abortifacient).
Hindi: Kari Hari, Bachnag, Ulatchandal.
Tamil: Kandal, Kallappai Kilangu.
Bengali: Bishalanguli, Ulatchandal.
Gujarati: Dudhio, Vacchonag.
Kannada: Agnisikhe, Gauri hoovu.
Marathi: Kallavi, Indai.
Telugu: Agnisikha, Nagetigadda.
Ayurvedic Terminology: The plant is known by various names that often refer to its appearance or properties, such as Agnimukhi (fire-faced) and Langalika (plow-shaped, referring to the tuber). The term Garbhaghatini explicitly points to its historical use as an abortifacient, which is a significant and dangerous property.
Availability
Gloriosa superba is cultivated globally as an ornamental plant and can be found in nurseries and botanical gardens. It thrives in warm, humid climates. While its wild varieties are native to parts of Africa and Asia, its popularity has led to its cultivation worldwide. Its tubers and processed products are sometimes available in specific herbal markets or through traditional healers, but due to its high toxicity, it's not a common item in general stores.
External Look
The plant is a climbing herb with slender, branching stems. Its most striking feature is its flowers.
Flowers: The flowers are large and showy, with six prominent tepals (petals and sepals that look similar) that are initially green and then transition to a brilliant combination of red and yellow, often with wavy or crinkled margins. They resemble a flame or a lily in motion. The stamens are long and prominent, extending outwards.
Leaves: The leaves are alternate or opposite, lance-shaped, and end in a tendril-like tip that the plant uses to climb and attach to other plants or structures.
Tuberous Roots: The roots are fleshy and tuberous, often in a V-shape, and are the most potent part of the plant, containing the highest concentration of toxic alkaloids.
Healing Properties and Advantages
Historically, Gloriosa superba has been used in various traditional medicine systems, including Ayurveda, for its purported healing properties. It's crucial to stress again that these uses are associated with significant risk due to the plant's toxicity.
Anti-inflammatory: Used topically to reduce swelling and inflammation, especially in conditions like arthritis and joint pain.
Antipyretic: In some traditional practices, it was used to reduce fever.
Antidote: The root was historically used as an antidote for snake bites and scorpion stings in some regions, though this is a highly dangerous practice.
Anthelmintic: Used to expel parasitic worms.
Abortifacient: This is one of its most well-known traditional uses, as its components can induce uterine contractions. This is extremely dangerous and can be fatal.
Uses
In traditional medicine, the plant's tuberous roots and rhizomes were used to prepare pastes, decoctions, and powders.
External Use: A paste of the root was applied to the skin to treat sores, ulcers, boils, skin infections, leprosy, and parasitic skin diseases. It was also used as an anodyne (pain reliever) for sprains and bruises.
Internal Use: Internally, it was used to treat conditions such as fever, cough, asthma, hemorrhoids, and flatulence. The most controversial and dangerous internal use was as an abortifacient.
Using Way
Due to the extreme toxicity of Gloriosa superba, there is no safe or recommended way for an individual to use it without professional medical supervision. The active compound, colchicine, is a potent mitotic inhibitor. Accidental or intentional ingestion can lead to severe and potentially fatal poisoning, causing symptoms like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, kidney failure, liver damage, and respiratory paralysis. All parts of the plant, including the flowers, leaves, and particularly the tubers, should be handled with extreme caution and kept away from children and pets.
Conclusion
Gloriosa superba is a visually stunning plant with a dual identity: a beautiful ornamental flower and a highly toxic herb with a history of medicinal use. While its beauty is undeniable, its powerful and dangerous properties cannot be overstated. Its traditional uses highlight the deep knowledge of plants in ancient cultures, but also serve as a stark reminder of the fine line between a cure and a poison. In the modern era, with access to safe and effective medications, the use of Gloriosa superba for medicinal purposes is highly discouraged and should be left to the historical record or undertaken with the utmost professional care in a controlled, clinical setting. Its beauty can be appreciated from a safe distance, while its medicinal legacy remains a cautionary tale.
