Kumud, कुमुद, पीतकुमुद, अलि, Nymphaea pubescens ~ NepalAyurveds.com

यो अत्यन्त गर्मी समुद्रको निकट पानीमा पाइन्छ । यसको फूल केही पहेँलो हुन्छ र जाइफलको समान कोष फल बन्दछ । यसको जरा चूर्ण अर्श, कब्ज, गानोगोला, मन्दाग्नि, पैत्तिकज्वर आदिमा १/१ चम्चा ३-५ पटक खाँदा एकदम लाभ मिल्छ । यसको फूल संकोचक भएकाले हृदयलाई पुष्ट पार्छ । यसको काँढापानी र स्वरस पिउने टुक्रा चुस्ने गर्दा छिटो लाभ पुऱ्याउँछ

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परिचय

कुमुद (Nymphaea pubescens) एक जलीय औषधीय बोट हो जसलाई पीतकुमुद वा अलि पनि भनिन्छ। यो फूल धेरै नै मनोरम हुन्छ र यसको औषधीय गुणले धेरै रोगहरूको उपचार गर्न सक्षम छ। यो बोट प्रायः पानीमा उम्रने गर्दछ र यसको फूल पहेँलो रंगको हुन्छ। कुमुदको जरा, फूल, पात, र बीज सबै औषधीय प्रयोजनका लागि प्रयोग गरिन्छ। यसले आयुर्वेदिक चिकित्सामा महत्त्वपूर्ण भूमिका खेल्दछ।

उपलब्धता

कुमुद नेपालका तराई र समशीतोष्ण क्षेत्रका पोखरी, ताल, साना नदी, र दलदली भूमिहरूमा पाइन्छ। यो भारत, बंगलादेश, श्रीलंका, थाइल्याण्ड, म्यानमार, र इन्डोनेसिया जस्ता दक्षिण र दक्षिणपूर्व एशियाली देशहरूमा पनि पाइन्छ। यो बोट गर्मीयाममा फुल्ने गर्दछ र यसको प्राकृतिक वातावरण नम्र र पानीले भरिएको हुनुपर्छ।

भौतिक गुणहरू

फूल: पहेँलो रंगको, मनमोहक सुगन्धित, र जाइफलको आकारको फल फल्छ।
पातहरू: ठूला, गोलाकार, पानीमा तैरिएका हुन्छन्।
जरा: मोटो र गाढा रंगको, जमिनमा गाढा बस्ने।
बोट: जलीय वनस्पति, पानीभित्र रहेर बढ्ने।

औषधीय गुणहरू

कुमुदमा निम्न औषधीय गुणहरू पाइन्छन्:

शीतल: शरीरको तातो अवस्था शान्त पार्छ।
संकोचक (Astringent): घाउ, रक्तस्राव रोगमा लाभदायक।
पाचक: पेटको अग्नि बढाउँछ।
मूत्रल (Diuretic): मूत्र सम्बन्धी समस्यामा उपयोगी।
हृदयबलकारक: हृदयलाई स्वस्थ र शक्तिशाली बनाउँछ।

लाभहरू

कुमुदको प्रयोगले निम्न लाभहरू प्राप्त गर्न सकिन्छ:

पेटका रोग: अर्श (बवासीर), कब्जियत, मन्दाग्नि, पेट दुखाईमा उपयोगी।
ज्वरघ्न: पैत्तिक ज्वर (बुखार) लाई कम गर्छ।
हृदय स्वास्थ्य: फूलले हृदयलाई मजबूत बनाउँछ।
घाउ र चोट: जराको चूर्ण घाउमा लगाउँदा राम्रो असर गर्छ।
मानसिक शान्ति: यसको सुगन्धले मन शान्त पार्छ।

प्रयोग विधि

जराको चूर्ण: १/२ चम्चा चूर्ण पानी वा मौसमी रससँग मिसाएर दिनमा २-३ पटक सेवन गर्नाले पेटका रोगहरूमा फाइदा गर्छ।
फूलको रस: फूलको स्वरस १-२ चम्चा पिउने गर्दा हृदय रोगमा लाभदायक हुन्छ।
काँढा: जरा वा पातको काँढा बनाएर पिउने गर्दा पाचन समस्यामा फाइदा हुन्छ।
बाह्य प्रयोग: जरा पिसेर घाउमा लगाउन सकिन्छ।

संकलन र संरक्षण

संकलन: कुमुदको जरा र फूल सुक्खा मौसममा (विशेष गरी जेठ-असार) संकलन गर्नुपर्छ।
सुकाउने: जरालाई धूपमा राम्ररी सुकाएर ढिकीमा कुटेर चूर्ण बनाउन सकिन्छ।
संरक्षण: सुकेको जरा वा फूललाई एयरटाइट कन्टेनरमा राखेर सुक्खा ठाउँमा राख्नुपर्छ।

निष्कर्ष

कुमुद (Nymphaea pubescens) एक बहुउपयोगी जलीय औषधीय बोट हो जसले शारीरिक र मानसिक स्वास्थ्यका लागि धेरै फाइदा दिन्छ। यसको जरा, फूल, र पातहरू विभिन्न रोगहरूको उपचारमा प्रयोग गरिन्छ। नेपालको तराई क्षेत्रमा यो सजिलै पाइन्छ र यसको उचित प्रयोगले धेरै स्वास्थ्य समस्याहरूबाट बच्न सकिन्छ। यसरी कुमुद प्राकृतिक औषधीको रूपमा महत्त्वपूर्ण भूमिका निभाउँदै आएको छ।

Introduction

Kumud, known scientifically as Nymphaea pubescens, is a captivating aquatic plant cherished for its beauty and medicinal properties. Commonly referred to as the hairy water lily or pink water lily, this plant holds a special place in various cultures and traditional medicine systems. In Sanskrit, it's called "Kumuda," and in Nepali, it's known as "कुमुद" or "पीतकुमुद."

Availability in Nepal and Other Countries

Nepal: In Nepal, Kumud thrives in the warm, shallow waters of the Terai region, especially in ponds, lakes, and slow-moving streams. Its presence is more prominent during the monsoon season when water bodies are abundant.

Other Countries: Kumud is widely distributed across tropical and temperate regions of Asia. It is commonly found in countries like Bangladesh (where it's the national flower), India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Indonesia, Malaysia, and parts of China. Beyond Asia, it's also present in northeastern Australia and Papua New Guinea.

Physical Properties

Leaves: The leaves of Kumud are large, round to heart-shaped, and float on the water's surface. They measure between 15–26 cm, with some reaching up to 50 cm. The upper surface is bright green, while the underside is densely covered with fine hairs, giving it a "hairy" appearance.
Flowers: Kumud produces striking flowers that are approximately 15 cm in diameter. These flowers open at night and close during the day, displaying colors ranging from white to pink, mauve, or purple, depending on the variety.
Rhizomes: The plant has erect perennial rhizomes or rootstocks that anchor it to the muddy bottom of water bodies. These rhizomes produce slender stolons, aiding in the plant's propagation.

Medicinal Properties

Kumud has been utilized in traditional medicine for centuries due to its diverse therapeutic properties:

Roots/Rhizomes: Used to treat dyspepsia, diarrhea, piles, urinary ailments, cystitis, nephritis, enteritis, fevers, insomnia, jaundice, and urinary troubles.
Flowers: Act as an aphrodisiac, blood purifier, and are used to treat heart palpitations.
Seeds: Employed in the treatment of diabetes.

Scientific studies have corroborated some of these traditional uses:

Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory: Water extracts of the flowers exhibit potent free radical scavenging activity and inhibit inflammation.
Hepatoprotective: The plant shows protective effects against liver toxicity induced by chemicals like carbon tetrachloride.
Antidiabetic: Ethanolic extracts of the whole plant demonstrate significant antidiabetic activity by inhibiting enzymes like α-amylase and α-glucosidase.

Advantages

Natural Remedy: Offers a natural alternative for treating various ailments without the side effects associated with synthetic drugs.
Cultural Significance: Holds religious and cultural importance in many Asian countries, symbolizing purity and enlightenment.
Ecological Benefits: Enhances the aesthetic appeal of water bodies and provides habitat for aquatic organisms.

Uses

Culinary: In some cultures, the rhizomes are consumed as vegetables, and seeds are roasted or ground into flour
Traditional Medicine: Various parts of the plant are used to treat ailments like digestive disorders, urinary problems, fevers, and insomnia.
Ornamental: Due to its attractive flowers, Kumud is cultivated in gardens and ponds for decorative purposes.
Aquarium Plant: Its underwater leaves make it a popular choice for aquariums.

Using Method

Root Powder: Consuming 1 teaspoon of root powder 3–5 times a day can help alleviate conditions like piles, constipation, and digestive issues.
Flower Extract: Drinking the juice or decoction of the flowers can strengthen the heart and act as a blood purifier.
Seed Consumption: Roasted seeds can be eaten directly or ground into flour for making bread or porridge.
Topical Application: Macerated leaves can be applied as a lotion for eruptive fevers.

Harvesting and Preservation

Harvesting: The best time to harvest Kumud is during the monsoon season when the plant is in full bloom. Rhizomes should be carefully extracted to avoid damaging the plant, ensuring sustainability.
Preservation: After harvesting, parts like roots and flowers should be cleaned and dried in the shade to retain their medicinal properties. Once dried, they can be stored in airtight containers in a cool, dry place.

Conclusion

Kumud (Nymphaea pubescens) is more than just a beautiful aquatic plant; it's a repository of medicinal benefits deeply rooted in traditional practices. Its widespread availability in Nepal and other Asian countries underscores its significance in both ecological and cultural contexts. Embracing the uses of Kumud can lead to natural and holistic approaches to health and well-being.

Reference

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