Fritillaria cirrhosa D.Don (= F. roylei Hook.)

DeFilipps, Robert A. & Krupnick, Gary A., 2018, The medicinal plants of Myanmar, PhytoKeys 102, pp. 1-341 : 105-106

Fritillaria cirrhosa D.Don (= F. roylei Hook.)

Names.

Myanmar: gamone-kyet-thon-phyu, gamon-kyeethun-phyu, machit oo, machyit (Kachin). English: fritillaria.

Range.

Eastern Asia - Himalayas. Cultivated in Myanmar. Found abundantly in Kachin State and other northern parts covered in ice; plants live under the ice and emerge only with melting of the ice.

Uses.

Root (Bulb): With a bitter yet savory taste, the bulbs are said to promote longevity. They are considered very important to humans, and help to increase waning body heat. The plant is used to prevent and alleviate sores, asthma, anemia, dry coughs, cysts, problems with blood vessels and varicose veins; also aching joints, urination problems, chronic illnesses, and fevers. To cure asthma and leprosy, the bulb is powdered, boiled together with orange (tangerine) skin, and ingested. One teaspoon of a mixture of bulb powder soaked in half a large bottle (most likely 750 ml) of honey is taken (once in the morning and once at night) for male-related conditions. The bulb powder is also used to promote good sleep, appetite, and longevity.

Notes.

The species has been recorded as medicinally useful for abcess, snakebite and as a scorpion and spider antidote; as an expectorant and for cough, asthma, fever, eye, viscera; labor, lactogogue; rheumatism, dysuria, hemorrhage, marrow, cancer, tuberculosis, syphilis; poison ( Duke 2009). In China there are at least seven species of Fritillaria , all used in the same way. The bulbs are considered to be "especially good for the lungs" and to dissolve phlegm; they are also used to treat swollen throat (Peritonsillar abscess) ( Perry 1980).

Reference.

Agricultural Corporation (1980).