FolkKB

Climbing Liliy

Gloriosa superba

Gloriosa superba is a climbing plant found in various tropical regions and is utilized within several traditional medicine systems. It has been historically applied to address conditions such as leprosy, colic, skin complaints, sores, bacterial infections, and hemorrhoids, while also serving as a laxative, vermifuge, and cholagogue. Scientific evidence regarding its therapeutic properties is limited and varied. While some studies suggest selective cytotoxicity against fibroid cells, other research has focused on the potential for increasing colchicine content in hairy root cultures through microbial elicitors. No major safety issues or notable drug interactions have been recorded in the available data.

At a glance
Traditionally for
colic · skin complaints
Traditions
Ayurveda · traditional · Western phytotherapy
Best evidence
D
Cautions
—

Informational only. Traditional use does not mean proven effectiveness. Evidence and safety vary — check the cited sources.

Traditional use

  • colic Ayurveda T3 DRDUKE
  • skin complaints Ayurveda T3 DRDUKE
  • sores Ayurveda T3 DRDUKE
  • vermifuge Ayurveda T3 DRDUKE
  • alterative traditional T3 DRDUKE
  • anodyne Ayurveda T3 DRDUKE
  • bacterial infections Ayurveda T3 DRDUKE
  • bile traditional T3 DRDUKE
  • canicide traditional T3 DRDUKE
  • cholagogue Western phytotherapy T3 DRDUKE
  • erysipelas traditional T3 DRDUKE
  • gonorrhea Ayurveda T3 DRDUKE
  • hemorrhoids Ayurveda T3 DRDUKE
  • laxative traditional T3 DRDUKE
  • leprosy traditional T3 DRDUKE

What the science says

  • G. superba treatment at 10% consistently enhanced tiller formation, plant height, and panicle production across most rice genotypes. D PMID
  • This study found no colchicine or its biosynthetic precursors in five lily species, including Gloriosa superba. D PMID
  • Enhancement in colchicine content from Gloriosa superba hairy root cultures was observed using microbial elicitors, with up to 3.4-fold increase. D PMID
  • Gloriosa superba, Capparis spinosa, and Leonotis nepetefolia showed selective cytotoxicity against fibroid cells with varying IC50 values. D PMID

Frequently asked questions

What is Climbing Liliy?

Climbing Liliy (Gloriosa superba) is a plant documented in FolkKB's traditional-medicine reference, drawn from sourced literature and cross-checked against the evidence.

What is Climbing Liliy traditionally used for?

Traditional sources record Climbing Liliy for: colic, skin complaints, sores, vermifuge, alterative, anodyne. This reflects traditional use, not a proven medical treatment.

Which traditions use Climbing Liliy?

Climbing Liliy appears in these traditions in our sources: Ayurveda, traditional, Western phytotherapy.

What does the scientific evidence say about Climbing Liliy?

4 sourced findings are recorded for Climbing Liliy; the strongest carries evidence grade D. For example: G. superba treatment at 10% consistently enhanced tiller formation, plant height, and panicle production across most rice genotypes.

How strong is the evidence for Climbing Liliy?

The strongest finding for Climbing Liliy carries evidence grade D — preliminary or traditional. Grades run A (strongest) to D (preliminary or traditional).

Is Climbing Liliy safe? What are the side effects?

No major safety issues are recorded for Climbing Liliy in our sources, but the data may be incomplete. Consult a qualified professional before use.

Does Climbing Liliy interact with medications?

No drug interactions are recorded for Climbing Liliy in our sources. This does not rule them out — check with a pharmacist.

What are the common names of Climbing Liliy?

Climbing Liliy is also known as: глориоза роскошная, Glorieuse superbe.

Is Climbing Liliy a proven treatment?

No. FolkKB is informational only. Traditional use and early findings are not proof of efficacy or safety — consult a qualified professional and never self-treat.

Sources

  1. T3 Dr. Duke's Ethnobotanical Database public domain (USDA ARS — attribute Dr. Duke's)
  2. T2 LC-MS-Based Screening for Colchicine and Characterization of Major Bitter Constituents in Lily. literature abstract metadata
  3. T2 An integrative in silico and in vitro approach to target uterine fibroids using natural compounds. literature abstract metadata
  4. T2 Enhanced Colchicine Production in Hairy Root Cultures of Gloriosa Superba L. Using Microbial Elicitors. literature abstract metadata
  5. T2 Agronomic responses of rice to putative polyploid-inducing plant extracts: a screening study. literature abstract metadata