Common Name:

General Information

Curculigo orchioides is a stemless evergreen perennial herb producing a cluster of leaves from the roots and spreading to form a clump. It grows up to 50 cm tall[].
The plant is gathered from the wild and used in traditional medicine throughout its range and is traded in small quantities in local markets[]. Modern research has validated several of its traditional uses[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

E. Asia - S. China, Japan, Indian subcontinent, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, New Guinea, W.Pacific.

Habitat

Forests and open grassy slopes from near sea level to 1,600 metres in southern China[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Habit	Evergreen Perennial
Height	0.50 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Succeeds in humid tropical and subtropical areas and can be cultivated outdoors in warm, essentially frost-free temperate areas[].
Prefers a humus-rich, fertile, well-drained soil and a position in dappled shade[].
The rhizomes may reach 30 cm x 11.5 cm. Only 3 - 5 leaves are found on the plant at a given time. The flowers and fruits are inconspicuous because they are close to the ground and partially covered by the bracts and leaves[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The rhizome is used in traditional medicine throughout the plants range. It is especially valued in Chinese traditional medicine as a general tonic and restorative in the treatment of decline (especially of physical strength)[]. A bitter tasting, mucilaginous herb, it is said to be adaptogenic, analeptic, androgenic, anticonvulsive, antiinflammatory, aphrodisiac, diuretic, emmenagogue, sedative, tonic and uterine tonic[]. It also has a stimulating effect upon the immune system[].
Recent studies have shown that the rhizome also appears to have antioxidant properties and anticancer potential, and may be used effectively in the treatment of osteoporosis[].
Pharmacological studies have shown the presence of several medically active compounds in the rhizome including saponins and glycosides.
Curculigosaponins C and F can promote the proliferation of spleen lymphocytes very significantly[].
Curculigosaponins F and G increase the weight of the thymus[].
Curculigoside exerts immunological and protective effects[].

In addition to its use as a general restorative, the rhizome is used internally in the treatment of a range of diseases including peptic ulcers, piles, gonorrhoea, leucorrhoea, asthma, jaundice, chronic nephritis, diarrhoea, lumbago and headache[].
Externally, the rhizome is used to treat skin diseases[].
The rhizomes are washed, freed from roots, and sliced; the slices are dried in the shade[]. Usually the dried slices are powdered, and small amounts of powder are mixed in a glass of milk with sugar or used to prepare a decoction for drinking[].

Swelling of the tongue has been reported as a side-effect after drinking a decoction from the rhizome; in China the recommended antidote is a decoction of Rheum tanguticum with sodium sulphate[].

Other Uses

An extract of the roots is used as an ingredient in commercial cosmetic preparations as a skin conditioner[].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe[].
Division of the rootstock[].
Offsets[].

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