The plant Impatiens balsamina, commonly known as garden balsam or rose balsam, is a flowering plant native to South and Southeast Asia. It is widely recognized for its vibrant, cup-shaped flowers and traditional medicinal uses across various cultures.
Names in Different Countries
The plant has many common names around the world, often reflecting its appearance or traditional uses.
India: Gul-mehndi, Dopati, Karnamamdala, Dushparijati, Mudda Gorinta, and Terada.
China: Jìngsīzi
Japan: Hōsenka
Korea: Bongseonhwa dae
Vietnam: Cây bông móng tay
Philippines: Kamantigi
Farsi: گل امپیشن بالزامینا
French: Balsamine des Jardins
External Look
Impatiens balsamina is an annual herbaceous plant that typically grows between 60 to 100 cm tall. The stem is upright, robust, and succulent, often with a swollen base. The leaves are alternate, lance-shaped, or narrowly elliptical, with serrated edges. The flowers are a prominent feature, appearing in the leaf axils either singly or in small clusters. They come in a variety of colors, including white, pink, red, and purple, and can be single or double-petaled. The flowers have a distinct, curved spur at the base. A notable characteristic of the plant is its seed pods, which are sensitive to the touch and will burst open explosively when ripe, scattering the seeds. This is the origin of its common name "touch-me-not."
Healing Properties and Uses The plant has been a staple in traditional medicine systems for centuries, with different parts of the plant being used to treat various ailments.
Antimicrobial and Anti-inflammatory: The plant contains phytochemicals like flavonoids and naphthoquinones, which contribute to its medicinal properties. Extracts from the roots and stems have shown significant anti-inflammatory activity.
Skin Ailments: A lotion or poultice made from the fresh leaves is traditionally used to treat eczema, insect bites, itches, and warts. The juice from the leaves is also applied to burns and scalds for a cooling and soothing effect.
Pain Relief: In some traditional practices, the flowers and roots are used to alleviate pain, such as that associated with lumbago, rheumatism, and neuralgia. The seeds are sometimes prescribed for joint pains.
Other Uses:
Nail Dye: The crushed flowers and leaves are widely used in Asian cultures, particularly in India, China, and Korea, to create a natural, semi-permanent orange dye for fingernails.
Internal Medicine: Decoctions of the plant are used in some traditions to treat conditions like urinary retention, coughs, and difficult menstruation. In Malaysia, the seeds are used to help dislodge swallowed fish or chicken bones.
Hair Care: In Vietnam, extracts from the leaves are used as a hair wash to promote hair growth.
Advantages and Availability
One of the main advantages of Impatiens balsamina is its ease of cultivation. It is a low-maintenance plant that can thrive in a variety of conditions. It is a popular ornamental plant in gardens worldwide, especially in shady or woodland areas where many other flowers may not flourish. Its ability to self-seed prolifically means it often returns year after year without much effort. The plant is widely available as seeds or young plants in nurseries and garden centers. While it is native to Asia, it has been introduced and naturalized in many tropical and temperate regions globally.
Conclusion
Impatiens balsamina is a versatile plant cherished for both its ornamental beauty and its rich history in traditional medicine. From its vibrant flowers that add color to a garden to its diverse applications in treating skin ailments and other health conditions, this plant exemplifies the connection between flora and human well-being. Its ease of growth and availability make it a valuable addition to both medicinal and ornamental gardens.
