Kerau Phul, केराउ फूल, Sweet Pea, Lathyrus odoratus ~ NepalAyurveds.com

Kerau Phul, केराउ फूल, Sweet Pea, Lathyrus odoratus

यो शोभा बढाउने फूल खेती गरिएको पाइन्छ । कम्पोस्ट मल जुनसुकै माटोमा राखी उत्पादन बढाउन सकिन्छ। यसको फूलले कलेजो ज्वर, रक्तविकार, छालाका रोग, आउँ अतिसार, पेटको रोग, अर्श, मासिक अधर्म आदि सन्चो गराउँछ । मात्रा : ३-५ ग्राम, काँढापानी १/१ गिलास, अर्क र स्वरस २०-२५ ग्राम ३-५ पटक ।

परिचय

केराउ फूल (Lathyrus odoratus) नेपालमा मनपर्ने र शोभा बढाउने फूलहरू मध्ये एक हो। यसको आकर्षक रंग र सुगन्धले बगैंचा, घरघरौंका आँगन र होटेलहरूको सजावटमा प्रयोग हुने गर्छ। यो फूल मुख्यतया युरोपेली मूलको भए पनि नेपालको हलुका हावापानीमा पनि सजिलै उम्रन सक्छ। यसको औषधीय गुणले गर्दा पनि यो फूल निकै महत्त्वपूर्ण मानिन्छ।

नेपाल र अन्य देशहरूमा उपलब्धता

केराउ फूल नेपालको तराई, पहाड र हिमाली क्षेत्रहरूमा उत्पादन गरिन्छ। यसको खेती विशेष गरी काठमाडौं, पोखरा, चितवन, ललितपुर जस्ता सहरहरूमा धेरै पाइन्छ। नेपालको बाहिर यो फूल युरोप, अमेरिका, अस्ट्रेलिया, एसिया र अफ्रिकाका धेरै देशहरूमा पनि उत्पादन गरिन्छ। यसको मूल स्थान इटाली, सिसिली र एजियन टापुहरू मानिन्छ।

भौतिक गुणहरू

वैज्ञानिक नाम: Lathyrus odoratus
परिवार: Fabaceae (Leguminosae)
रंग: सेतो, रातो, गुलाबी, निलो, बैंगनी, पहेँलो आदि
उचाई: १-२ मिटर सम्म
पात: हरिया, साना र जोडाका आकारका
फूल: सुगन्धित, विभिन्न रंगका
फल: सुक्खा पदें, बीउ भएको

औषधीय गुणहरू

केराउ फूलले निम्नलिखित रोगहरूमा औषधीय प्रयोग गरिन्छ:

कलेजो ज्वर, रक्तविकार: यसले रक्त सफा गर्छ र ज्वर घटाउँछ।
छालाका रोग: खटिरा, एक्जिमा, दाद जस्ता समस्यामा लाभदायक।
आउँ, अतिसार, पेटको रोग: पेट फुल्ने, दिसा लाग्ने रोगमा प्रयोग हुन्छ।
अर्श (बवासीर): यसको सेवनले पाइल्सको जलन घटाउँछ।
मासिक अधर्म: अनियमित महिनावारीमा फाइदा गर्छ।

फाइदाहरू

सजावटी प्रयोग: घर, बगैंचा, होटेल र सार्वजनिक स्थानहरूमा शोभा बढाउँछ।
औषधीय गुण: धेरै रोगहरूको उपचारमा प्रयोग हुन्छ।
सुगन्ध: यसको फूलले वातावरण सुगन्धित बनाउँछ।
माटोको उर्वराशक्ति बढाउँदछ: यसले माटोमा नाइट्रोजन थप्छ।

प्रयोग विधि

काँढा: ३-५ ग्राम केराउ फूलको काँढा १ गिलास पानीमा उमालेर दिनमा ३-५ पटक सेवन गर्न सकिन्छ।
अर्क: २०-२५ ग्राम अर्क दिनमा २-३ पटक लिन सकिन्छ।
स्वरस (रस): ताजा फूलको रस निकालेर सेवन गर्न सकिन्छ।

खेती, उत्पादन र संरक्षण

खेती: यो फूल कुनै पनि माटोमा उमार्न सकिन्छ तर कम्पोस्ट मल मिलाएर खेती गर्दा उत्पादन राम्रो हुन्छ।
बीउ रोप्ने समय: अक्टोबर-नोभेम्बरमा रोप्न उपयुक्त हुन्छ।
पानी दिने: नियमित रूपमा पानी दिनुपर्छ तर पानी जम्न नदिनु पर्छ।
कीटनाशक: कीट रोगबाट बचाउन जैविक कीटनाशक प्रयोग गर्नुपर्छ।
संरक्षण: फूलहरू सुकाएर वा ताजै औषधीको रूपमा प्रयोग गर्न सकिन्छ।

निष्कर्ष

केराउ फूल नेपालमा धेरै पाइने र सजावटी तथा औषधीय दुबै उद्देश्यले महत्त्वपूर्ण फूल हो। यसले न केवल वातावरणलाई सुन्दर बनाउँछ, तर यसको औषधीय गुणले धेरै रोगहरूको उपचारमा सहयोग पुर्याउँछ। यसको खेती गर्न सजिलो रहेकोले किसानहरूले यसलाई आर्थिक रूपमा पनि उपयोगी बनाउन सक्छन्। त्यसैले, केराउ फूललाई नेपाली बगैंचा र आयुर्वेदिक चिकित्सामा अझ बढी प्राथमिकता दिनुपर्छ।

Introduction

Kerau Phul, or Sweet Pea and scientifically referred to as Lathyrus odoratus, is an ornamental plant for flowers both revered for its beauty as a decoration as well as for medicine. Renowned for its colorful, fragrant flowers, Kerau Phul is cultivated in gardens and decorative spaces of many places. Even though the plant is particularly revered for its beautiful flowers and fragrance, it is also of great medicinal value in folk herbal remedy, especially South Asia.

This flower has gained a name not only for imparting beauty to gardens but also for imparting organic relief from several ailments. Its petals, leaves, and extracts have been used in traditional medicines for curing fever, blood disorders, skin diseases, diarrhea, piles, and menstrual disorders. With a history of both culture and medicine, Kerau Phul has captured the hearts of gardeners, herbalists, and users of natural medicines.

Availability in Nepal and Other Countries

Kerau Phul is found with ease in Nepal, especially in mid-hill and Terai regions where there is a moderate climatic condition for it to grow. It normally grows in gardens, balconies, and landscaping locations, but also found in community plots and some rural medicinal gardens as it heals.

Worldwide, Sweet Pea (Lathyrus odoratus) is grown extensively in countries like India, Pakistan, China, Italy, France, the United Kingdom, and the United States. In temperate climates, it is a popular garden flower. Where there are seasons, the crop is typically planted in spring and early summer when the weather is warm. Due to its ability to grow under a wide range of soil types and the low maintenance needs, it is an all-around popular ornamental plant.

Physical Characteristics

Kerau Phul is a climbing vine belonging to the legume family (Fabaceae). Following are its most significant physical characteristics:

Plant Type: Annual climbing vine.

Height: Up to 6 feet or more when supported.

Stems and Tendrils: Long, green, and tendril-loaded, helping the vine climb fences, poles, or trellises.

Leaves: Pinnate with leaflets and terminal tendrils, shining green.

Flowers: The most attractive feature—vibrant color flowers in different shades of pink, purple, red, white, and blue. The flower is butterfly-shaped and occurs in clusters.

Aroma: Renowned for having a strong, sweet scent, especially in heirloom varieties.

Seeds: Small, rounded to slightly angular, usually black, brown, or mottled.

Its beauty, scent, and climbing habits make it perfect for vertical gardening and ornamental fences.

Medicinal Properties

Kerau Phul is not only esteemed for its fragrance and fine appearance but also revered for its several medicinal virtues. In traditional herbal practice, the plant parts—especially the flowers—are used for the following medicinal purposes:

Fever Reduction (Jwaro): Employed as an antipyretic which reduces liver-based fevers (also known as "liver fever" or kalejo jwaro).

Blood Purification: The flower extract provides detoxification and improves circulation, curing raktavikar (blood imbalances) conditions.

Skin Diseases: Helps in healing infections, irritation, and chronic skin diseases owing to its cooling and curative properties.

Diarrhea (Atisar): Has mild astringent action in the treatment of acute and chronic diarrhea.

Piles (Arsha): Relieves hemorrhoid pain and swelling.

Menstrual Disorders (Masik Adharm): Controls menstrual flow and reduces associated symptoms like cramps and irregular menstruation.

Digestive Problems: Relieves in minor stomach ailments, such as indigestion and bloating.

The common dose is:

Powder: 3–5 grams/dose.

Decoction (Kaadha): 1 glass (around 200 ml), taken once or twice a day.

Juice/Extract (Swaras): 20–25 ml, given 3–5 times a day, depending on the ailment.

Benefits

Kerau Phul has many therapeutic as well as environmental benefits. Some of the advantages include:

Medicinal Value: Gives relief from many ordinary diseases by utilizing natural plant-based medicine.

Aesthetic Appeal: Its lovely and fragrant flowers add attractiveness to gardens as well as public spaces.

Air Purifier: Like most green plants, it contributes to cleaner air by the process of photosynthesis.

Soil Improvement: As a legume, it enhances soil nitrogen content, making it an ideal companion crop in the garden.

Environment-friendly Medicine: Offers a natural treatment option compared to medicinal drugs.

Low Maintenance: Requires less care and grows well in any soil if compost is provided.

Cultural Significance: Often used in festivals, garlands, and traditional purposes due to its good appearance and fragrance.

Uses

Kerau Phul is a versatile flower used for various tasks in domestic, decorative, and medicinal settings:

Decorative: Decorates fences, trellises, arches, and flower beds in domestic gardens and public parks.

Traditional Medicine: Used in powdered, decoction, or juice form to treat a variety of diseases.

Spiritual and Ritual Use: Sporadically used in floral offerings or garlands in cultural rituals.

Educational Gardens: Cultivated in botanical gardens and schools to teach students about leguminous plants and flowering vines.

Natural Cosmetics: Juice of flowers is sometimes used on homemade cosmetics to treat minor rashes and improve complexion.

Method of Use

This is how Kerau Phul is traditionally used to treat diseases:

Powdered Form (Churna): Sun-dry flowers and powder them well. Take 3–5 grams with honey or warm water.

Decoction (Kaadha): Boil water flowers (about 1 glass), boil it down half, and take. Useful in case of fever and piles.

Juice/Extract (Swaras): Flowers are freshly crushed and strained to get juice. Give 20–25 ml three to five times daily in diarrhea and menstrual complaints.

Topical Application: Flower paste can be applied on skin problems, minor cuts, or rashes.

Floral Bath: Dried petal flowers can be used for use in bath water to tone and perfume the skin.

Harvesting and Preservation

Harvesting and storage of Kerau Phul require correct timing and method in order to maintain its physical as well as medicinal properties:

Harvesting:

Timing: Flowers are picked early morning when fresh and fully opened.

Method: Gently harvest by hand or scissors without damaging the stems or buds.

Frequency: Regular harvesting encourages new flowering and extends the flowering season.

Preservation:

For Medicinal Use:

Shade-dry flowers by opening them out on a clean rag or mesh in a well-ventilated area.

Keep in tight containers out of sunlight and dampness.

For Seeds:

Allow pods to dry on the plant.

Pick mature seeds and store in dry, cool place for planting next year.

Conclusion

Kerau Phul (Sweet Pea) is not only a garden ornament but also a medicinal plant with many uses based on traditional herbalism. Its beauty, fragrance, and easy habit make it a valued addition to home gardens and medicine cabinets as well. In Nepal and beyond, it is still a two-purpose flower: adding color and fragrance to the outdoor environment and serving as a natural remedy for everyday ailments.

In finding and sharing the cultivation and utilization of such beneficial herbs, we not only preserve indigenous knowledge but contribute to developing sustainable, eco-friendly solutions to health issues as well. Kerau Phul is just one such traditional example of how a simple garden bloom can have the power to heal and motivate us, body and soul.

Reference

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