Botanical Name: Urginea indica (Roxb.) Kunth.
Family: Liliaceae
Synonyms: Significant scientific synonyms include Scilla indica Roxb. and Urginea coromandeliana Hook.f. In the Sanskrit tradition, it is known as Vanapalandu, Kandala, and Kolakanda, names that distinguish its wild, bulbous nature.
Vernacular Names: It is recognized across various linguistic regions as Jangli Pyaz (Hindi), Indian Squill or Sea Onion (English), Ban-paj (Bengali), Nari-vengayam (Tamil), and Adavi-ulligadda (Telugu).
Classification: In terms of habit, Vanapalandu is a perennial, bulbous herb. It is classified as a geophyte, meaning it survives unfavorable seasons by retreating into its underground bulb, which serves as the primary storage organ for its medicinal compounds.
Habitat: This species is native to the Indian subcontinent, parts of Africa, and Southeast Asia. It thrives in sandy, rocky soils, particularly in coastal regions, dry hillsides, and open grasslands. It is well-adapted to arid conditions where it remains dormant during the dry season and sprouts rapidly following the first rains.
Morphology: The plant is characterized by a large, ovoid, tunicated bulb, measuring 5–10 cm in diameter, consisting of fleshy, yellowish-white scales. The leaves appear after the flowers; they are radical, linear, and sword-shaped, reaching a height of 15–30 cm. The flowers are small, greenish-white or dingy brown, and are arranged in a long, slender raceme on a leafless scape (stalk) that can reach up to 45–60 cm. The fruit is an oblong, three-valved capsule containing numerous black, flattened seeds.
Useful Parts: The underground bulb is the primary medicinal part used. It is harvested when the plant is dormant, sliced into small pieces, and dried for use in various pharmacological preparations.
Chemical Composition: The therapeutic potency of Indian Squill is primarily due to cardiac glycosides (bufadienolides), including scillaren A and scillaren B. It also contains scillipicrin, scillitoxin, and scillin, alongside mucilage, calcium oxalate crystals, and flavonoids. These glycosides are chemically similar to those found in Digitalis but are less likely to accumulate in the body.
Pharmacological Action: Vanapalandu acts as a potent expectorant, cardio-tonic, and diuretic. In small doses, it stimulates the bronchial mucosa, making it effective for chronic bronchitis and asthma. Its cardiac action strengthens heart contractions and regulates heart rate, similar to digitalis. In higher doses, it acts as an emetic and purgative, and it is topically used as a rubefacient to treat localized pain and skin conditions.
Formulation/Usage: Traditional applications involve the use of the dried bulb in Syrup of Squill or Tincture of Squill for respiratory congestion. In Ayurveda, it is processed into Kshara (alkaline preparations) or used in fermented forms. A paste of the bulb is often applied topically to the soles of the feet to treat internal heat or used to manage corns and warts.
Rasa: Katu, Tikta
Guna: Laghu, Tikshna
Virya: Ushna
Vipaka: Katu