Kaathe Badaam, काठे बदाम, सानो हेजलनट, Small Hejalnut, Terminalia catappa L ~ NepalAyurveds.com

यो १६००-३००० मिटरमा खेती गरिन्छ । यो अम्लियपन र क्षारीय भूमिमा हुन्छ । तुषारो पर्ने भूभागमा राम्रो फल्छ। पुस-माघमा नयाँ बिरुवा रोप्नुपर्छ । यसको फल पौष्टिक र उत्तम फलाहारमा गणना गरिन्छ । यसको फलले बल बढाउँछ, दुब्लो मोटाउँछ, जोर्नीवाथ र हाडको रोगमा लाभ पुऱ्याउँछ । १०-१५ ग्राम लेदो/चूर्ण ३-५ पटक ।

परिचय

काठे बदाम (Terminalia catappa L.) एक औषधीय तथा फलदार बोट हो जसलाई सानो हेजलनट (Small Hazel nut) पनि भनिन्छ। यो बोट नेपालको मध्य पहाडी क्षेत्रमा पाइन्छ। यसको फल पौष्टिक तत्वले भरपूर हुन्छ र आयुर्वेदिक चिकित्सामा विभिन्न रोगको उपचारका लागि प्रयोग गरिन्छ। यसको बोक्रा, पात, फल, र जरा सबै औषधीय गुणले युक्त हुन्छन्।

उपलब्धता

नेपालमा

काठे बदाम नेपालको १६०० देखि ३००० मिटर उचाइसम्म पाइन्छ। यो अम्लीय (acidic) र क्षारीय (alkaline) दुबै प्रकारको माटोमा उम्रन सक्छ। तरुषार पर्ने ठाउँमा यसको खेती राम्रो हुन्छ। नेपालको पहाडी जिल्लाहरूमा यसको प्रयोग धेरै पुरानो छ।

अन्य देशहरूमा

यो बोट भारत, बंगलादेश, श्रीलंका, थाइल्याण्ड, मलेशिया, फिलिपिन्स, इन्डोनेशिया लगायत दक्षिण एसियाली र दक्षिण-पूर्वी एसियाली देशहरूमा पाइन्छ। यसलाई उष्ण प्रदेशको बोट मानिन्छ।

भौतिक गुणहरू

बोट: मध्यम अग्लो, सधैं हरियो रहने, छाला खैरो र खस्रो हुन्छ।
पात: ठूला, चम्किला, अण्डाकार, डाँठ छोटो हुन्छ।
फूल: सेता वा हल्का पहेँला, साना साना गुच्छामा फुल्छन्।
फल: गोलाकार, पाक्दा पहेँला वा राता हुन्छन्, भित्र गरीको बदाम जस्तो बीउ हुन्छ।

औषधीय गुणहरू

काठे बदामको विभिन्न भागहरूमा निम्न औषधीय गुणहरू पाइन्छन्:

रोग प्रतिरोधक: शरीरको प्रतिरक्षा प्रणाली बढाउँछ।
पौष्टिक: फलले शरीरमा बल बढाउँछ र दुब्लोपन हटाउँछ।
जोर्नी र हाडको दुखाइमा: जोर्नीवाथ, गठिया, हाडको दुखाइमा लाभदायक।
पाचनशक्ति: पेटको समस्या, कब्जियतमा उपयोगी।

लाभहरू

शारीरिक बल बढाउँदछ: यसको फलले शरीरमा शक्ति र ऊर्जा दिन्छ।
दुब्लोपन हटाउँछ: नियमित सेवनले मोटोपन ल्याउँछ।
हाड र जोर्नीको दुखाइ कम गर्छ: जोर्नीवाथ, गठियामा उपचार गर्छ।
रक्तशुद्धि गर्छ: यसले रक्तलाई शुद्ध गरेर विषालु तत्व हटाउँछ।

प्रयोग विधि

फल: पाकेको फल कच्चै वा सुकाएर चूर्ण बनाई खान सकिन्छ।
चूर्ण: १०-१५ ग्राम चूर्ण दिनमा ३-५ पटक सेवन गर्न सकिन्छ।
काढा: बोक्रा वा पातको काढा बनाई पिउन सकिन्छ।

खेती, उत्पादन र संरक्षण

रोप्ने समय: पुस-माघमा नयाँ बिरुवा रोप्न उपयुक्त हुन्छ।
माटो: अम्लीय वा क्षारीय माटोमा उम्रन सक्छ।
सिंचाइ: नियमित पानी दिनुपर्छ तर पानी जम्न नदिनु पर्छ।
संरक्षण: फलहरू सुकाएर भण्डारण गर्न सकिन्छ।

निष्कर्ष

काठे बदाम एक उत्तम औषधीय र पौष्टिक बोट हो। यसले शारीरिक शक्ति बढाउँदै विभिन्न रोगहरूबाट जोगाउँछ। नेपालको पहाडी क्षेत्रमा यसको खेती गरेर आर्थिक लाभ लिन सकिन्छ। यसको उचित प्रयोगले स्वास्थ्यमा धेरै फाइदा गराउँछ।

Terminalia catappa, commonly known as Kaathe Badaam, काठे बदाम, सानो हेजलनट, Small Hejalnut, or Tropical Almond, is a large, deciduous tree belonging to the Combretaceae family. It's renowned for its distinctive pagoda-like canopy and broad, glossy leaves that turn vibrant red before shedding. Native to Malaysia, this tree has spread across tropical regions worldwide, including Nepal, where it's found at elevations between 1,600 and 3,000 meters. It's particularly suited to acidic and alkaline soils and thrives in areas prone to frost. In Nepal, new saplings are typically planted during the winter months of Poush and Magh (December to February).

Availability in Nepal and Other Countries

In Nepal, Kaathe Badaam is cultivated in mid-hill regions, flourishing in the specified altitudinal range. Its adaptability to various soil types makes it a favorable choice for local farmers. Beyond Nepal, Terminalia catappa is prevalent in countries like India, the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, and various Pacific islands. Its global distribution is attributed to its resilience and the multiple benefits it offers, leading to its widespread cultivation in tropical and subtropical regions

Physical Properties

The tree typically grows between 15 to 20 meters tall, featuring a thick trunk with smooth, gray bark marked by longitudinal fissures. Its branches extend horizontally, forming a layered canopy that provides ample shade. The leaves are broad-ovate or elliptical, measuring 8 to 25 cm in length and 5 to 14 cm in width, with a leathery texture and a vibrant green hue that turns red before they fall. The tree produces small, white or greenish flowers grouped in axillary inflorescences. The fruit is a fleshy, ovoid drupe about 6 cm long, which transitions from green to purple upon ripening. Inside the hard, fibrous shell lies an oily seed reminiscent of an almond in both appearance and taste

Medicinal Properties

Various parts of Terminalia catappa have been utilized in traditional medicine for their therapeutic benefits. The bark is known for its astringent and antidysenteric properties and serves as a mild diuretic. The leaves exhibit antiseptic and anti-inflammatory effects, making them useful in treating wounds and skin conditions. Additionally, the leaves have been found to possess analgesic and antioxidant properties, contributing to their use in pain relief and combating oxidative stress. The kernel oil, rich in oleic, linoleic, palmitic, and stearic acids, is often used as a substitute for almond oil and is believed to offer nutritional benefits.

Advantages and Uses

Terminalia catappa serves multiple purposes, both medicinal and practical

Nutritional Benefits: The kernels are edible and can be consumed fresh, roasted, or used in confectioneries. They are rich in proteins, healthy fats, and essential amino acids, making them a valuable food source. In some regions, the kernels are processed into flour for baking or used as a thickening agent in soups and baby foods
Medicinal Uses: The bark and leaves are employed in traditional remedies to treat ailments such as diarrhea, dysentery, and rheumatic joints. An ointment made from leaf juice is applied to skin conditions like scabies.
Environmental Services: The tree's extensive root system aids in erosion control, making it valuable for soil conservation efforts. Its broad canopy provides shade and is often used in urban landscaping to enhance aesthetic appeal and offer respite from the sun.
Industrial Uses: The wood is utilized in light construction, for making poles, decorative veneers, and furniture. The fruit husks can be processed to produce a black dye, while the bark and roots contain tannins used in leather tanning.

Methods of Use

In traditional practices, various methods are employed to harness the benefits of Terminalia catappa:

For Nutritional Purposes: The kernels can be eaten raw, roasted, or incorporated into dishes as a protein supplement. In some cultures, they are ground into flour to enrich baked goods or used as a thickener in soups and porridges.
Medicinal Applications: A decoction of the bark is consumed to alleviate digestive issues, while crushed leaves are applied topically to wounds or inflamed areas to reduce swelling and prevent infection. Leaf extracts are also used in baths to treat skin conditions.
Environmental and Industrial Uses: Planting the tree in erosion-prone areas helps stabilize the soil. The wood is harvested for construction purposes, and the fruit husks are processed to extract dyes for textile coloring.

Harvesting and Preservation

The fruits of Terminalia catappa typically mature and are ready for harvest during the late summer to early autumn months. In Nepal, this period aligns with the end of the monsoon season. To harvest, ripe fruits that have turned purple are collected from the tree or the ground. The outer flesh is removed to access the hard-shelled kernel inside. To preserve the kernels, they should be thoroughly dried to reduce moisture content, preventing mold growth. Once dried, they can be stored in airtight containers in a cool, dry place for several months. For medicinal use, bark and leaves should be harvested during the dry season when their active compounds are most concentrated.

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