Therapeutic orchids of Asia by Singapore Memories : Cyrtosia
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Don’t be surprise that most of the ingredients are native orchid of Singapore. Do know that, orchids are once used for its therapeutic purposes before being evolved into uses such as decoration. Here are some orchids that you might want to read up for their unique usage.
Cyrtosia septentrionalis (Rchb. f.) Garay
Chinese name: Xue hong rou guo lan
Chinese medicinal name: Shanshanhu
Japanese name: Tsuchi-akebi, Dutuusoo
The decoction from the roots of the plant were used to treat stiffness of muscles while a paste made from the plant together with vegetable oils are used for sore and fungal infection of the skin. In addition, the fruits can also be used with liquorice and prepared into decoction to treat gonorrhea. Lastly, it is believed that the ash produced by burning the plant is good, and commonly used as hair tonic for scalp diseases.
Dactylorhiza hatagirea (D. Don) Soo
Common name: Marsh Orchid
Chinese names: Kuanyehongmen Lan, Hongmen Lan, Mengguhongmen, Zhanglie Lan
Chinese medicinal name: Hongmen Lan
Indian names: Munjataka in Ayurveda, Panja, Salampanja, Salep
Nepali names: Hathejadi; Lob, Panchaunle (Gurung), Panchaunle (Nepali), Ongu lakpa (Sherpa), dbang-po-lag (Tibetan), Wonglak (Amchi), Lovha (Kham), Airalu (Sanskrit)
Spanish name: Palma Christi
This plant is considered to be used as expectorant, astringent and nutrient. In India, tubers from the plant are eaten raw for their aphrodisiac properties. It can also be used to treat diabetes, chronic diarrhoea, coughs and to correct malnutrition. Furthermore, in Himalaya and Uttarakhand, it is a common home remedy to use the tuber for fever and to treat cuts or wounds.
Dactylorhiza incarnata (L.) Soo
The tubers are collected for salep (a type of flour) in Iran but the main consumer is people from Turkey.
Dactylorhiza romana (Schltr.) Soo subsp. georgica
Similar to the above mentioned - Dactylorhiza incarnata (L.) Soo, the plant’s tubers are also collected and use for salep. In addition to that, it is used in ice-cream/drink as a tonic, nourishment to treat constipation in Turkey.
Dactyloriza umbrosa (Kar and Kir.) Nevski
Common name: Dark Dactylorhiza
Chinese name: Yin Sheng Zhang Lie Lan
It is also being used to prepare salep in Iran.
Dendrobium acinaciforme Roxb
Chinese name: Jianye Shihu
Thai name: Uang Takhap
In the Chinese medicinal, this plant is used as a tonic during recuperation period of an illness to eliminate fever, thirst, lassitude and malaise.
Dendrobium aduncum Lindl.
Chinese names: Gouzhuangshihu, Huangcaoshihu, Dahuangcao, Honglancao, Jishengcao
The stem is nourishing and it benefits the stomach and stop thirst. This is commonly used to help patients who have poor appetite or are weak because of illness.
Dendrobium amoenum Wall ex Lindl
Fresh paste are prepared from the pseudobulbs for application on burns and dislocated bones while the stems are used as a tonic in Nepal.
Dendrobium amplum Lindl.
Chinese names: Kuanyehouchun Lan, Guoshangye
Thai names: Kra chiang, Si thiang
The entire plant is used in Chinese medicinal to relieve coughs and improve blood circulation.
Dendrobium aphyllum (Roxb.) C.E.C. Fisch,
Thai names: Uean sai, Ueang sai long laeng, Ueang yumai, Ueang khai nao, Ueang saimai, Ueang lawng laeng
In Nepal, the stems are used for tonic. Juice of the plamnts’s pseudobulbs are used as eardrops to treat ear ache in the Valmikis tribe.
Dendrobium blumei Lindl.
The poultice made from the pounded leaves and pseudobulbs of the orchid is applied on itching skin and eruptions for relief.
Dendrobium capillipes Rchb. f.
Chinese name: Duanbang Shihu
Dendrobium cariniferum Rchb. f.
Common name: Keel carrying Dendrobium
Thai names: Ueang sae dong, Ueang ngoen daeng, Ueang kachok, Ueang tueng
Myanmar name: Mahar deiwi
Both orchids are used as shihu.
About Singapore Girl - https://singapore-memories.com/products/singapore-girl-best-perfume-for-her
About Singapore Memories - https://singapore-memories.com/
Our research on Therapeutic Orchids of Asia - https://singapore-memories.com/pages/therapeutic-orchids
Our research on Scented Native Orchids of Singapore - https://singapore-memories.com/pages/scented-orchids-of-singapore
Photo credits: Wikimedia, Google, OrchidRoots, Pinterest, OrchidLite, IOSPE PHOTO