Sugandha Mantri (Homalomena aromatica)

Scientific name: Homalomena aromatica

Family: Araceae

Local name: Sugandha Mantri (indi), Homalomena (malaysian)

Plant portion: Rhizomes

Harvest: India (Northeast)

Homalomena (home-a-low-mean-a) is a genus in the Araceae or aroid family, which also includes caladiums, monstera, and philodendrons.

Homalomena means flat moon from the Malaysian “homalos” for flat and “mene” for moon.

Actually, it’s a mistranslation of the Malay vernacular.

Homalomena aromatica Schott. (Araceae), commonly called ‘Sugandhmantri’ is a rhizomatous aromatic perennial herb commonly found in Assam and adjoining states of the sub-Himalayan regions of India. Its aromatic rhizomes contain an essential oil which is extensively used in perfumery and cosmetic industries. The exhausted material after extraction of essential oil is largely used in Dhup manufacturing. Besides having aromatic value, the plant also possesses medicinal properties. In Northeast India, leaves and rhizomes are commonly use in traditional medicine for treating joint-pain and skin infections. The plant possesses many pharmacological properties such as analgesic, antidepressant, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antispasmodic, sedative, antifungal and insecticidal.

AROMA:

As soon as you put the mouillette (cardboard) close to your nose, you immediately come up with something reminiscent of Tea Tree diluted in honey, hints of rum marzipan. Another feeling it gives me is like putting my face close to the trunk of an oak tree full of lichens and mushrooms.

These wild notes take you to territories full of vegetation, closed woods, humid. My daughter says she comes up with a forest at dawn, where the little moisture boils between bark and moss-filled stones.

NOTE: Heart