Worship with this flower at night, and your wishes may be granted—or so the legend goes. The Queen of the Night’s (Epiphyllum oxypetalum) beauty has made it symbolic in many cultures. In India it is called Brahma Kamalam, a sacred plant named after the Hindu god of creation, Lord Brahma. Prayers while it is blooming at night are believed to be fulfilled. It has also been cultivated and well known in other Asian countries. The Vietnamese use the petals of the blossoms (past flowering) to make soups with aphrodisiac and tonic uses.
This spell-binding climbing cactus is an epiphyte—meaning it grows on top of other plants in the tree canopies. It only flowers at night, for just one night, and so it is rare to see (adding to its mysticism) and producing exquisitely beautiful large very fragrant flowers, attracting night-time pollinators.
The Queen of the Night also has a number of traditional medicine uses in the various countries where it is familiar. In Malaysian traditional medicine it is used for respiratory health, specifically for conditions where there is shortness of breath, bloody phlegm, or cough. Other reported uses are for heart health and dropsy. Scientific investigation has found extracts to be antimicrobial, analgesic and to neutralize blood clotting.
#Ethnopharm #Ethnobotany #MedicinalPlants #medicinalflowers #aphrodisiac #India #Asia
*This post is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose, cure or treat any disease. Always seek medical advice directly through consultation with a health professional.