GLORIOSA SUPERBA.

Glory lily is among some of the modern medicine's most important plants actually facing local extinction.Gloriosa superba derives its name Gloriosa from the word ‘gloriosus’, which means handsome and superba from the word ‘superb’ means splendid or majestic kind. This plant has been a source of medicine right from the ancient time. 

This glorious herb was found in abundance once upon a time in Patalkot valley. Now-a-days, this herb is becoming rare in this valley. 

Medicinal importance:

The sap from the leaf tip is used for pimples and skin eruptions. Tribals of Patalkot apply the powder of rhizome with coconut oil in skin eruptions and related diseases for 5 days. This combination is said to be effective in snake and scorpion bites too. Tribals crush roots of the plant in water and apply on head for curing baldness. To avoid painful delivery, Gonds and Bharias of Patalkot, apply rhizome extract over the navel and vagina. It induces labour pain and performs normal delivery. Bhumkas (local healers) generally prescribe 250 to 500 mg of the rhizome as dosage. According to Bhumkas of Patalkot, this dose may lead to abortion if given to a lady with pregnancy of 1 or 2 months. Since the rhizome is having abortive action, this is prescribed for normal delivery. In traditional medicine system, tuber is used for the treatment of bruises and sprains colic, chronic ulcers, hemorrhoids, cancer, impotence nocturnal seminal emissions and leprosy. Many cultures believe the species to have various magical propertiesThe plump roots of the plant have been used in the treatment of parasitic skin infections, leprosy, and internal worms 
In Ayurveda and Yunani systems of medicine, the tuber of plant is well known due to its pungent, bitter, acrid, heating, anthemintic, laxative, alexiteric and abortifacient nature. It is widely used in the treatment of ulcers, leprosy, piles, inflammations, abdominal pains, intestinal worms, thirst, bruises, infertility and skin problem However, ingestion of all parts of the plants is extremely poisonous and can be fatal 

Other uses:
Gloriosa superba is also known as the national flower of Zimbabwe Except miscellaneous pharmaceutical product and other therapeutic preparations, it is also a popular plant for providing color in greenhouses and conservatories even immature flowers are beautiful to behold All parts of the plant, especially the tubers, are extremely poisonous. The tubers may be mistakenly eaten in place of Sweet Potatoes (Ipomoea batata) since the tubers resemble those of sweet potatoes. The juice of the leaves is used as an ingredient in arrow poisons. The flowers are used in religious ceremonies.

Gloriosa superba is believed as most important herb that is exported, and collection of seeds and roots for the foreign market is causing a shortage of raw material for local drug industries in India. If endangered plants like G. superba are allowed to become damaged through excessive collection, a whole series of traditional medicines and plants which have been in use for thousands of years will be threatened. It is therefore need of the hour to come forward and rescue this important glorious herb of Patalkot. Active participation from everyone is highly needed specially people from Chhindwara district.