Vol. 7 No. 01 (2022): June-Sri Lanka Journal of Indigenous Medicine (SLJIM)

Cover story: Heen Binthal
Curculigo orchioides Gaertn
Family: AMARILLIDACEAE
Vernacular names: Sinhala: Heen Binthal; Sanskrit: Bhuthali; English: Golden eye-grass; Tamil: Wolappanai
The term Bhuthali implies different varieties of Binthal namely i) White verity (Sudu Binthal) ii) Black verity (Kalu Binthal), which is sub classified into i) Ma binthal (Curculigo Finlaysoniana Wall.) and ii) Heen binthal (Curculigo orchioides Gaertn). Currently this plant is named under the family HYPOXIDACEAE, which is an endangered flowering plant species in the genus Curculigo known as “Rasayana” (rejuvenate) herb. The plant is also used as an herbal medicine in Kampo and Chinese medicines.
The ecology of this plant is believed that originated in the shady forests of Asia in plains and shows prostrate growth on moist fertile soil. It is also distributed in Sri Lanka, India, Japan, Malaysia and Australia. This is a small herbaceous plant with an elongated tuberous rootstock and lateral roots; rootstock elongate, 5-25 cm, vertical; Leaves (5-20 x 0.8-1.5 cm), very much variable, narrowly linear to lanceolate, acute, plicate or flat, crowded on the short stem with sheathing leaf bases; Petiole short to 3 cm, often absent; Flowers throughout the year, light yellow, bisexual, sessile, regular, 1.2 cm.
The rhizome, presence alkaloids, carbohydrates, saponins, flavonoids, tannins, glycosides and steroids. It also possesses hypoglycaemic, spasmolytic, anticancer and antioxidant properties also with uterine stimulant, phagocytic, hepatoprotective, antimicrobial and immune-modulatory activities. Cut pieces of rhizome the main use part of this is used as raw material for drug preparations. Some of the commercial formulations containing C. orchioides are available in form of capsules and syrups which are claimed to be rejuvenating, energizers or aphrodisiac pharmaceutical products.

Cover story by Dr. A.P.A. Jayasiri
Photograph by Mr. G.S.K. Perera
Cover page designed by Mr. K.K.P.R.K. Kohombakanda