Surana,

Olla. Vern. ol, Beng. Hind.

The Amorphophallus campanulatus is cultivated for the sake of its tubers, which are cooked and eaten by the natives like yams or potatoes. The tubers contain an acrid juice which should be got rid off by thorough boiling and washing, otherwise the vegetable is apt to cause troublesome irritation in the mouth and fauces. Medicinally, surana is considered serviceable in haemorrhoids; in fact one of its Sanskrit synonyms is arsoghna or the curer of piles. It is administered in this disease in a variety of forms. The tuber is covered with a layer of earth and roasted in a fire; the roasted vegetable is given with the addition of oil and salt.1 Several confections are described such as the Laghusurana modaka, Vrihat surana modoka, Surana pindi, Kάnkάyana modaka etc. These are all confections made of the tubers of Amorphophallus campanulatus with the addition of treacle and various aromatics and acrids.

Svalpa or Laghu surana modaka2 is thus prepared. Take of black pepper one part, ginger two parts, plumbago root four parts, tuber of surana eight parts, treacle sixteen parts, mix together and prepare a confection. Dose, about a tola every morning, in piles and dyspepsia.