Thulo Kip, ठूलो कीप, Citrus aurantium ~ NepalAyurveds.com

यो २०-३० फिट अग्लो, सेतो फुल्ने ज्यामिरसमान औषधीय रूख समशीतोष्ण जलवायुका पहाडी क्षेत्रमा पैदा हुन्छ । यसको काँचो फल तितो हुन्छ । पुसतिर पाकेको फल केही तितो,

केही टर्रो र मधुर अमिलो चार रसले युक्त हुन्छ । यसले सुक्खा दम, बिग्रेको रुघा - पिनासमा लाभ पुऱ्याउँछ । सङ्ग्रहणी, आउँ- अतिसार, मधुमेह, गानोगोला, अधिकपित्त, उच्चरक्तचाप, तनाव आदिमा फाइदा गर्दछ । यसको बोक्राले आउँ - पखाला हटाउँछ ।

परिचय

ठूलो कीप (Citrus aurantium) नेपालमा पाइने एक महत्त्वपूर्ण औषधीय रूख हो। यसलाई बिग्रेको ज्यामिर, कागती वा सुन्तला जस्ता नामले पनि चिनिन्छ। यो रुत्थेय परिवार (Rutaceae) अन्तर्गत पर्छ। यो रूख समशीतोष्ण जलवायु भएका पहाडी क्षेत्रमा राम्रोसँग फस्टाउँछ। यसको फल, पात, बोक्रा, र फूल सबै औषधीय गुणले भरपूर हुन्छन्। नेपाली परम्परागत चिकित्सामा यसको प्रयोग धेरै पुरानो समयदेखि गरिँदै आएको छ।

नेपाल र अन्य देशमा उपलब्धता

ठूलो कीप नेपालको मध्य पहाडी क्षेत्र (१०००-२००० मिटर) मा धेरै पाइन्छ। खास गरी काठमाडौं उपत्यका, पोखरा, स्याङ्जा, इलाम, ताप्लेजुङ जस्ता ठाउँमा यसको खेती गरिन्छ। यो भारत, चीन, भूमध्यसागरीय देशहरू, स्पेन, इटाली, ब्राजिल, अमेरिका (फ्लोरिडा, क्यालिफोर्निया) लगायत विश्वभर उष्ण र समशीतोष्ण जलवायु भएका देशहरूमा पनि फस्टाउँछ।

भौतिक गुणहरू

रूख: यो २०-३० फिट अग्लो हुने, सधैं हरिया पात भएको रूख हो।
पात: पातहरू चम्किला, अण्डाकार र साना काँडा भएका हुन्छन्।
फूल: सेता, सुगन्धित फूलहरू मंसिर-फागुनमा फुल्छन्।
फल: फल कागतीजस्तै, पाक्दा पहेंलो वा नारौंजी रङ्गको हुन्छ। काँचो फल तीतो, पाकेको फल अमिलो-मीठो स्वादको हुन्छ।
बोक्रा: फलको बोक्रा मोटो, कडा र सुगन्धित हुन्छ।

औषधीय गुणहरू

ठूलो कीपमा निम्न औषधीय गुणहरू पाइन्छन्:

पाचक: यसले पाचन शक्ति बढाउँछ, आउँ, पखाला, सङ्ग्रहणी जस्ता रोगहरू नियन्त्रण गर्छ।
रोगप्रतिरोधक: यसमा भिटामिन सी, एन्टिअक्सिडन्ट र फ्लाभोनोइडहरू हुन्छन् जसले शरीरको प्रतिरक्षा प्रणाली मजबूत बनाउँछ।
मधुमेह नियन्त्रण: यसले रक्तशर्करा नियन्त्रणमा मद्दत गर्छ।
मानसिक स्वास्थ्य: यसको सुगन्धले तनाव, चिन्ता, निद्राको समस्यामा फाइदा गर्छ।
रक्तचाप नियन्त्रण: यसमा उच्च रक्तचाप घटाउने गुण पनि हुन्छ।
ज्वरोँ, रुघाखोकी: यसले सुक्खा खोकी, पिनास, बिग्रेको रुघामा लाभदायक हुन्छ।

फाइदाहरू

पाचनतन्त्र सुधार गर्छ।
मुटु र रक्तचाप सम्बन्धी रोगहरूबाट बचाउँछ।
मधुमेह नियन्त्रण गर्छ।
मानिसको तनाव घटाउँछ।
शरीरको प्रतिरोधक क्षमता बढाउँछ।

प्रयोग विधि

फलको रस: फलको रस निकालेर पानीमा मिसाएर खाने (मधुमेह, पाचन समस्यामा)।
बोक्रा: बोक्रालाई सुकाएर पिँधेर चूर्ण बनाएर खाने (आउँ, पखाला, पेट दुखाइमा)।
तेल: फूलबाट तेल निकालेर सुगन्धित तेलको रूपमा प्रयोग गर्न सकिन्छ (तनाव घटाउन)।
काढा: पात वा बोक्रा उमालेर काढा बनाएर पिउने (ज्वरो, रुघाखोकीमा)।

सङ्कलन र संरक्षण

फल सङ्कलन: फल पाकेपछि (पुस-माघमा) तोड्नुपर्छ।
बोक्रा सुकाउने: बोक्रालाई छोयाएर सुकाउने र हावा नलाग्ने ठाउँमा राख्नुपर्छ।
पात सङ्कलन: हरिया पातहरू तोडेर छायामा सुकाउने।
भण्डारण: सुकेका बोक्रा, पात, फलहरू एयरटाइट कन्टेनरमा राख्नुपर्छ।

निष्कर्ष

ठूलो कीप (Citrus aurantium) नेपालको एक अमूल्य औषधीय रूख हो। यसले न केवल पाचन, मधुमेह, रक्तचाप जस्ता रोगहरूमा फाइदा गर्छ, तर यसको सुगन्धले मानिसको मानसिक स्वास्थ्यमा पनि सकारात्मक असर पार्छ। यसको उचित प्रयोगले धेरै रोगबाट बच्न सकिन्छ। त्यसैले यसको संरक्षण र सही उपयोग गर्ने बानी विकास गर्नुपर्छ।

Introduction

Thulo Kip, also known by its scientific name Citrus aurantium, is a medicinal tree found in the hilly regions of Nepal. In English, it is often called Bitter Orange. Locally, it’s known as “ठूलो कीप” and is admired not just for its distinctive flavor but also for its incredible healing powers.

This tree grows best in temperate climates and is often found in hilly areas, especially those with mild winters and enough rainfall. Thulo Kip has been used for centuries in traditional Nepali medicine to treat everything from respiratory problems to digestive issues. Despite its sharp and sometimes bitter taste, it carries a long history of being used as a natural remedy.

Availability in Nepal and Other Countries

In Nepal, Thulo Kip is mostly found in the mid-hill regions, especially those between 3,000 to 6,000 feet above sea level. The tree prefers areas with cool but not freezing winters and mild summers. Places like Gorkha, Dhading, Lamjung, and parts of Eastern Nepal are ideal habitats.

Outside Nepal, Citrus aurantium is found in other parts of Asia, especially India, China, and Sri Lanka. It also grows widely in the Mediterranean region, including countries like Spain, Italy, Morocco, and Egypt. In the United States, it’s commonly cultivated in Florida and California for its fruit and essential oil production.

Physical Properties

The Thulo Kip tree is a medium-sized plant that usually grows 20 to 30 feet tall. It resembles the sweet orange (Citrus sinensis) but has some key differences. Here are some of its key features:

Leaves: Dark green, glossy, and slightly oval with pointed tips.
Flowers: White, small, and fragrant—similar to jasmine. They bloom in clusters.
Fruit: Round to oval, with a thick rough peel. When unripe, it is green and very bitter. As it ripens around Poush (December–January), it turns orange with a taste that’s slightly bitter, tangy, and mildly sweet—a mix of four flavors (bitter, sour, astringent, and sweet).
Bark: Grayish-brown with medicinal properties.
Seeds: Small, hard, and pale yellow or white inside the fruit.

The aroma of the fruit and flowers is strong and refreshing, and this has made the plant popular not only for medicine but also for use in perfumes and essential oils.

Medicinal Properties

Thulo Kip is highly valued in Ayurveda and traditional Nepali medicine for its wide range of healing properties. Almost every part of the plant—the fruit, bark, peel, seeds, and flowers—has some medicinal use.

Here are some of its key medicinal properties:

Bronchodilator: Helps in treating dry asthma and chronic cough.
Decongestant: Clears up blocked sinuses and relieves cold and flu symptoms.
Digestive: Treats diarrhea, dysentery, and improves sluggish digestion.
Antidiabetic: Lowers blood sugar levels in people with diabetes.
Antihypertensive: Controls high blood pressure.
Anti-stress: Reduces mental stress and anxiety.
Liver Tonic: Helps regulate bile and liver function.
Antiseptic and Anti-inflammatory: Useful for treating infections and internal inflammations.

The bark, especially, is used to stop loose motions (diarrhea), while the fruit is used for both respiratory and digestive relief.

Advantages of Thulo Kip

Thulo Kip is not only a medicinal plant but also an eco-friendly and sustainable choice for farmers in hill regions. Here are some of the benefits:

Grows in marginal lands – doesn’t need rich soil or fertilizers.
Low maintenance – once planted, it requires little care.
Multifunctional – used for food, medicine, and even essential oil extraction.
Natural pest repellent – due to its strong aroma and bitter oils.
Drought-tolerant – can survive with minimal irrigation.
Income-generating – its fruit and extracts can be sold in local and international herbal markets.

Traditional and Modern Uses

1. Respiratory Relief

The fruit is crushed and mixed with honey or warm water to relieve dry asthma, chronic cough, and nasal blockages. It acts as a natural expectorant.

2. Digestive Health

Dried peels or bark are boiled into a tea to treat diarrhea, gas, indigestion, and colitis. It’s known to balance the stomach and remove toxins.

3. Diabetes and Blood Pressure

The juice of ripe fruit, in small quantities, is used to control blood sugar and high blood pressure, often taken early in the morning on an empty stomach.

4. Skin Health

Its essential oil is used in massage oils, lotions, and cosmetics to soothe the skin and reduce irritation.

5. Mental Calmness

The scent of Thulo Kip's flower or its oil has mild sedative effects. It's used in aromatherapy to fight anxiety, restlessness, and insomnia.

6. Appetizer and Spice

In some communities, the dried peel is used to flavor pickles or chutneys, helping to boost appetite.

How to Use Thulo Kip

Here are some practical and traditional ways Thulo Kip is used in everyday life:

Fruit Juice: Juice from the ripe fruit is diluted with water and consumed in small doses.
Dried Peel Powder: Sun-dried peels are ground and taken with warm water for indigestion.
Herbal Tea: Boil bark or peel in water for 10 minutes; strain and drink to treat coughs or diarrhea.
Inhalation: Add a few drops of essential oil to hot water and inhale the steam to clear sinuses.
Topical Use: Mix peel paste or essential oil with carrier oil and apply on skin for fungal infections or swelling.
Capsules or Extracts: Available in herbal pharmacies, especially in capsule form for metabolic issues.

Caution: Like all bitter herbs, it should be used in moderation. Pregnant women, children, or people with heart conditions should consult a health expert before use.

Harvesting and Preservation

Harvesting Time

The fruits start ripening around Poush (December-January). It’s best to harvest them when they begin turning orange but still feel firm. Overripe fruit can lose its bitterness and medicinal strength.

Harvesting Method

Fruits are handpicked carefully to avoid damaging the tree. Bark can also be harvested in small amounts during the dormant season, but over-harvesting should be avoided to protect the tree.

Preservation Techniques

Drying: The fruit peel and bark are sun-dried thoroughly and stored in airtight containers.
Powder Form: Once dried, they are ground into a powder and stored in glass jars.
Oil Extraction: Essential oils from the peel can be extracted using steam distillation.
Refrigeration: Fresh fruit can be stored in cool dry places or refrigerated to last a few weeks.

Proper preservation ensures the herbs retain their potency for several months to a year.

Conclusion

Thulo Kip (Citrus aurantium) is one of those hidden gems from the hills of Nepal that offers both flavor and healing in one package. Though it may not be as popular as some mainstream herbs, it packs a serious punch when it comes to treating respiratory issues, digestive problems, stress, diabetes, and high blood pressure.

Whether you're a herbalist, a farmer looking to grow medicinal plants, or someone interested in natural remedies, Thulo Kip is worth your attention. It’s low maintenance, versatile, and deeply rooted in traditional knowledge that modern science is only starting to appreciate.

From its bitter-tangy fruit to its healing bark and fragrant flowers, this plant reminds us that nature always has a cure—sometimes it just comes with a bitter bite.

Reference

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