Scientific name: Crinum asiaticum L.
Family: Liliaceae
Synonym: Crinum macrophyllum Hallier f.
Bengali/Vernacular name: Nagdaun, Barakanur, Sukdarshan, Nagpata.
Tribal name: Makaclilum (Bawm), Koba raun (Chakma), Hoba rasun (Marma).
English name: Poison bulb, Crinum lily.
Description of the plant: A perennial herb with a large tunicated bulb. Leaves lanceolate, 150 cm long, 12-15 cm in width. Flowers large, white fragrant at night, in 10-50 flowered umbels. Fruit subglobose, 3-5 cm in diameter.
Plant parts used: Leaf, bulb.
Ethnomedicinal uses: Leaves with oil form a useful application for inflammations at the end of toes and fingers.
A fresh juice is extracted from the bulb of the plant is taken three times a day (three tea spoons amount each time) for two weeks to treat constipation.
Poultice made from heated, pounded fresh bulb used for rheumatism.
Juice of leaves, with a little salt is used for earache.
Bulbs of the plant used for fever, headache, and swelling.
A paste is made with the leaves of the plant; bandage is made with that paste on the fractured bone and kept for two weeks to treat bone fracture.
Cottonseed-sized pills are made from dried leaves of the plant is taken thrice a day (one pill each time) with warm water, until the gastric ulcer is cured.
A fresh juice is extracted from the leaves of the plant is taken twice a day (5 ml amount each time) for the treatment of oedema.
The plant is used for the treatment of arthritis, leprosy, cold and cough disorders, vomiting, and worm infestations.
Distribution: The species commonly occurs throughout the country.
Is this plant misidentified? If yes, please tell us….
