Blackberry lily
Belamcanda chinensis

Location
Blackberry lilies can be found in the Georgetown medicinal herb garden by the Basic Science building.

Description
Also known as leopard flower, due to its purple-spotted orange flower. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Belamcanda chinensis is called She-gan. Native to Nepal, India, Bhutan, Southeast Asia, China, and Japan, this member of the iris family can now be found on roadsides and in open woods in the southern United States.

History
In TCM the dried root or rhizome is recommended for upper respiratory problems. The rhizome is also used to soothe swollen throats and as an expectorant to rid the airways of excess phlegm (Bensky and Gamble 1986). In Nepalese medicine, a juice of the root is given as an expectorant and carminative and is also used to treat disorders of the liver (Manandhar 2002). Juice of the tannin-containing root is also sometimes used as an abortifacient (Manandhar 2002). Seeds of Belamcanda chinensis were brought back to Europe in the 1730s by Jesuit missionaries who had worked in China. Plants began appearing in American gardens as early as 1825 (Foster 1992).

Current medicinal uses
Research indicates that tectorigenin and irigenin, components found in the Belamcanda chinensis rhizome, inhibited the proliferation of prostate cancer cells in vitro (Morrissey 2004). The rhizome is still used in Chinese medicinal remedies for respiratory conditions and irregular menstrual cycle and is also used as a poultice for dermatitis, rheumatism, and goiters (Foster 1992). Adverse effects: This herb is contraindicated during pregnancy (Foster 1992).

References
Bensky D and Gamble A, with Ted Kaptchuk. Chinese Herbal Medicine Materia Medica. Eastland Press, Inc.: Seattle, 1986.

Foster S, Chongxi Y. Herbal emissaries: bringing Chinese herbs to the West: a guide to gardening, herbal wisdom, and well-being. Inner Traditions/Bear & Company: Rochester, 1992.

Manandhar S. Plants and people of Nepal. Timber Press: Portland, OR, 2002.

Morrissey et al. Phytoestrogens derived from Belamcanda chinensis have an antiproliferative effect on prostate cancer cells in vitro. J of Urology. 2004; 172: 2426-2433.