Laligurans or Rhododendron

Laligurans (Rhododendron arboreum) is the Nepali variation of the rhododendron flower and is the national flower of Nepal. While rhododendrons can be found all over the world, Nepali laligurans are unique for their immense size and distribution all across the Himalayan foothills. Laligurans can grow up to 30m tall and will often cover entire mountainsides with its flowers when it blooms from late February to April.

Uses in medicine & intoxicating properties

Rhododendrons have many different kinds of medicinal properties, some beneficial and other harmful. Nepali children will often eat laligurans flowers because they are sweet, sour and are packed with Vitamin C. However, when too many flowers are consumed the flower can become intoxicating. Bees that harvest pollen exclusively from these plants will often produce honey that is a natural laxative and hallucinogenic. Despite the toxicity, ayurvedic doctors will often make preparations from the leaves and juice of the bark. The bark juice is used to treat jaundice, diabetes, liver disorders, and intestinal worms, and when a paste of the leaves is applied to the forehead it can relieve headaches.