Kari, कारी, घटो, कारू, Clerodendrum infortunatum ~ NepalAyurveds.com

यो ३-५ फिट अग्लो, पात गोलाकार ५-७ अङ्गुल किनारा काटिएको, मसिनो रौंदार, सेतो फुल्ने सुगन्धयुक्त बास्नादार परागकेशर मुलायम हुन्छ । यसको स्वाद तितो केही मिठो र स्वभाव शीतल हुन्छ । यसको पात मुखको दुर्गन्ध हटाउने, रक्तविकारमा लाभदायक, ज्वरनाशक, उच्चरक्तचाप र मधुमेहमा उपयोगी, गुदाको कृमिनाशक मानिन्छ । यसको जरा चुस्नाले छिटो फाइदा दिन्छ ।

परिचय

कारी (Clerodendrum infortunatum) नेपालमा पाइने एक प्रमुख ओषधीय बुटी हो। यसलाई घटो, कारू, भट्टे कारी आदि नामले पनि चिनिन्छ। यो एउटा सानो झाडीजातको बोट हो जसको उचाई ३ देखि ५ फिटसम्म पुग्छ। यसको पात गोलाकार, किनारामा काँडाजस्तो कटाइ भएको हुन्छ। फूल सेतो र सुगन्धित हुने भएकाले यसलाई धेरै ठाउँमा सजावटी

बुटीको रूपमा पनि रोपिन्छ। यसको स्वाद तीतो-मिठो र स्वभाव चिसो मानिन्छ। आयुर्वेदिक चिकित्सामा यसको धेरै महत्त्व छ।

नेपाल र अन्य देशमा उपलब्धता

कारी नेपालको तराई, पहाड र हिमाली क्षेत्रमा प्राकृतिक रूपमा पाइन्छ। यो भारत, बंगलादेश, श्रीलंका, म्यानमार, थाइल्याण्ड जस्ता दक्षिण एसियाली देशहरूमा पनि फैलिएको छ। यो बुटी नम्र भूमि, जंगलको किनारा, खेतबारी र ओखरमा स्वतः उम्रन सक्छ।

भौतिक गुणहरू

उचाई: ३ देखि ५ फिटसम्क
पात: गोलाकार, ५-७ अङ्गुल लामो, किनारा काटिएको, मसिना रौंदार
फूल: सेतो, सुगन्धित, लामा परागकेशर भएको
स्वाद: तीतो-मिठो
स्वभाव: चिसो (शीतल)

औषधीय गुणहरू

कारीको विभिन्न भागहरू (पात, जरा, फूल, बोक्रा) औषधीय प्रयोगमा आउँछन्। यसमा निम्न गुणहरू पाइन्छन्:

ज्वरनाशक (Antipyretic): ज्वर घटाउँछ।
रक्तशोधक (Blood Purifier): रक्तविकारमा लाभदायक।
कृमिनाशक (Anthelmintic): पेटका कीरा मार्छ।
मुखशोधक (Antiseptic): मुखको दुर्गन्ध हटाउँछ।
मधुमेह नियन्त्रक (Antidiabetic): शर्करा नियन्त्रण गर्छ।
रक्तचाप नियन्त्रक (Hypotensive): उच्च रक्तचाप घटाउँछ।

लाभहरू

मुख र दाँतको स्वास्थ्य राम्रो बनाउँछ।
पेटका कीरा मारेर पाचनशक्ति बढाउँछ।
त्वचा रोग (खटिरा, दाद, एक्जिमा)मा उपयोगी।
ज्वर, सर्दी-खोकीमा प्रभावकारी।
मधुमेह र उच्च रक्तचाप नियन्त्रण गर्न मद्दत गर्छ।

प्रयोग विधि

पातको रस: पातको रस निकाली १-२ चम्चा खाने तेलमा मिसाएर त्वचामा लगाउने (खटिरा, दाद लागेमा)।
जरा चुस्ने: जरा सुकाएर चुस्नाले मुखको दुर्गन्ध हट्छ।
काढा: पात वा जरा उमालेर काढा बनाई पिउने (ज्वर, पेट दुखाइमा)।
पातको पेस्ट: पात पिँधेर घाउमा लगाउने (घाउ चाडै निको हुन्छ)।

उत्पादन र संरक्षण

हरियो पात र फूल: बसन्त र वर्षा ऋतुमा संकलन गर्न उपयुक्त।
जरा: हिउँदमै खन्ने र धूपमा सुकाउने।
संरक्षण: सुकेका पात, जरा एयरटाइट कन्टेनरमा राख्ने।

निष्कर्ष

कारी (Clerodendrum infortunatum) नेपाली जनजीवनमा धेरै उपयोगी ओषधीय बुटी हो। यसले मुख, पेट, त्वचा, रक्तचाप, मधुमेह जस्ता रोगहरूमा राम्रो असर गर्छ। यसको सही प्रयोगले स्वास्थ्य लाभ पाउन सकिन्छ। यसलाई संरक्षण गर्दै प्राकृतिक चिकित्सामा उपयोग गर्नुपर्छ।

Introduction

Kari, also known by its scientific name Clerodendrum infortunatum, is a medicinal shrub found widely in Nepal and other South Asian countries. In Nepali, it is commonly called कारी, घटो, or कारू. This plant is often spotted in rural and hilly areas, especially in the wild or near human settlements. Despite being considered a common plant, it holds deep significance in traditional healing practices, especially in Ayurveda and local Nepali herbal traditions.

The name "infortunatum" might sound ironic because despite the Latin term meaning "unfortunate," this herb is truly a fortunate discovery in the world of natural medicine due to its wide range of health benefits.

Availability in Nepal and Other Countries

Kari grows naturally in Nepal, particularly in the mid-hill and Terai regions where the climate is warm and moist. It’s usually found in forests, roadsides, and near farmland. Farmers often ignore it as a wild plant, but traditional healers value it for its medicinal properties.

Outside Nepal, this plant is also widely found in India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Myanmar, and parts of Southeast Asia. In India, it’s commonly used in Siddha and Ayurvedic medicine and goes by names like Bhant, Bharangi, or Bhootavasa.

In tropical and subtropical climates, it grows quite easily. It doesn’t need much care and can survive in poor soil, which makes it ideal for herbal plantations in underdeveloped or rural areas.

Physical Properties

Kari is a medium-sized shrub that typically grows about 3 to 5 feet tall. Let’s break down its major physical characteristics:

Leaves: The leaves are soft, rounded, and large—about 5 to 7 inches in diameter. The edges of the leaves have small cuts, giving them a somewhat decorative look. They are covered with fine, soft hairs that make them feel velvety to touch.
Flowers: Kari produces white, fragrant flowers. The scent is gentle and pleasant, attracting bees and butterflies. These flowers contain soft, aromatic stamens that contribute to the plant's healing properties.
Roots: The roots are fibrous and earthy in smell. In traditional use, chewing a small piece of the root is said to bring quick relief in certain conditions.
Taste and Nature: The taste of the plant is bitter with a hint of sweetness, and it has a cooling effect on the body, which makes it useful in conditions related to excess heat, such as fever and skin irritations.

Medicinal Properties

Kari is packed with medicinal properties and has been used for generations to treat a variety of ailments. Here are some of its well-known healing abilities:

Mouth Freshener: The leaves are used to remove bad breath. Chewing the leaves helps cleanse the mouth and kill odor-causing bacteria.
Blood Purifier: Traditional healers use its leaves to treat blood-related disorders. It is believed to cleanse the bloodstream and help in treating skin issues like boils and rashes.
Antipyretic (Fever-Reducing): Its bitter-sweet leaves and flowers are used to reduce fever. It’s often made into a decoction and consumed during flu or viral fever.
Antidiabetic: Kari is believed to help manage blood sugar levels. In rural areas, people with early symptoms of diabetes drink its leaf extract regularly.
Antihelminthic (Worm-killing): The leaves are known to kill intestinal worms, especially pinworms and roundworms. It's commonly used for treating children suffering from worm infections.
Hypotensive: Regular use of Kari may help in lowering high blood pressure, thanks to its cooling nature and mild diuretic effect.
Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory: Recent scientific studies suggest that the plant has antioxidant properties that may help reduce inflammation and oxidative stress.

Advantages of Kari

The beauty of Kari lies in its simplicity and versatility. Here are a few clear advantages:

Grows easily without fertilizers or pesticides.
Cost-effective herbal remedy for common health issues.
Can be used fresh or dried.
No major side effects if used correctly.
Suitable for all age groups with proper dosage.
Excellent for village health centers or home herbal gardens.

Uses

Here’s how different parts of the Kari plant are used in daily life:

Leaves: Used for chewing to freshen the mouth or made into a paste for skin infections. The juice is consumed for fever or blood purification.
Roots: Traditionally chewed in small amounts to get fast relief from internal worms or digestive issues.
Flowers: Used in decoctions for fever and respiratory problems.
Whole Plant: Often boiled in water to make a herbal bath or wash for skin diseases.

Using Method

1. For Mouth Odor:

Chew 1–2 fresh leaves in the morning after brushing. It acts as a natural mouth freshener and helps improve oral hygiene.

2. For Fever:

Boil a handful of leaves and flowers in 2 cups of water. Reduce to half. Strain and drink warm twice a day.

3. For Blood Pressure:

Take 10–15 ml juice of fresh leaves on an empty stomach every morning.

4. For Intestinal Worms:

Chew a small piece (1–2 inches) of fresh root in the morning for 3 consecutive days. Followed by drinking warm water.

5. For Skin Issues:

Make a paste from fresh leaves and apply directly to the affected area 2 times a day.

Note: Always consult a knowledgeable herbal practitioner or doctor before using any herb for serious conditions.

Harvesting and Preservation

Harvesting of Kari can be done at multiple stages:

Leaves and flowers can be picked anytime during the growing season (spring to early autumn).
Roots are best harvested during the post-monsoon season when the plant is mature.

To preserve the plant for future use:

Leaves can be sun-dried and stored in airtight containers for up to 6 months.
Roots should be cleaned, sliced thinly, and dried in the shade. Once dry, they can be stored in jars or cloth bags in a cool, dry place.
Flowers can also be dried and used in decoctions or powdered for capsules.

Conclusion

Kari, or Clerodendrum infortunatum, is a powerful herbal gift that grows naturally in Nepal and many other Asian countries. Its gentle appearance hides a strong set of healing powers that can help fight fevers, high blood pressure, digestive issues, and infections.

Despite being a "common plant," it holds uncommon value in traditional medicine. In a world where modern drugs come with side effects and high costs, herbs like Kari offer a low-cost, natural alternative. When used wisely and respectfully, this plant can be part of a healthy lifestyle, especially in rural and underserved areas.

So the next time you see this shrub growing by the roadside or your garden, don’t just walk past it. Kari might look ordinary, but its healing magic is anything but.

Reference

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