Loth / लोथ / Monarch of the East / Sauromatum venosum (Aiton) Kunth

  • Local Name: Loth / लोथ
  • Common Name: Monarch of the East
  • Botanical Name: Sauromatum venosum (Aiton) Kunth

Status & Habitat

  • Status: LC (Least Concern)

  • Habitat: Herb

  • Occurrence: Forests and riparian meadows

  • Season of Availability: Warmer parts of the year

  • Geography: Asia and Africa

  • Method of Propagation: Seed propagation

  • Part used for Propagation: Dried seeds

Edible Parts

  • Edible Parts: Leaves

  • Can be Eaten Raw: No

Method of Consumption

  • Raw: No

  • Ripe: N/A

  • Both Raw & Ripe: N/A

  • Dangerous Form to Consume: Raw plant

  • As Food: Tender leaves are cooked with other leafy greens as a vegetable

  • As Medicine: Rhizome is taken orally with chewed-up wheat with a glass of milk to promote blood circulation after a snake bite; rhizome mixed with oil seeds and taken with a cup of milk helps with general body weakness.

  • Cooking Without Prior Boiling: No

  • Boiling Before Cooking: Yes

  • Pickling: N/A

  • Brining: N/A

  • Fermenting: N/A

  • Drying for later Consumption: N/A

  • Overall Method: Use whole plant and rhizome for medicinal purposes.

Nutritional & Medicinal Benefits

  • Nutritional Benefit: Rich in proteins and iron.

  • Medicinal Benefit: Weakness recovery, snake bite

Tribal Wisdom

  • Tribal Wisdom: Whole plant may be used as a poultice.

Recipes / Usage

  • Tribal Recipe / Usage: Crush whole plant with mortar and pestle and apply to area of skin affected.