यो गर्मी क्षेत्रका जलवायुमा पाइने सुगन्धित घाँस हो । यसको अत्तर निकालिन्छ, जसलाई सिट्रोनेला तेल (Citronella oil) भनिन्छ । यसको पातको शीत निर्यास, अग्निदीपक हुन्छ र पेटको जलन-पोल्ने ठीक गर्छ । यसको जरा मूत्रल, पसिना ल्याउने, ज्वरनिवारक, प्यास शान्त गर्ने र पत्थरीनाशक मानिन्छ । यसको तेल ऋतुस्राव नियामक, अग्निवृद्धिदायक, मानसिक रोगमा शान्ति प्रदायक, पिनास र श्वास-प्रश्वास समस्यामा उपयोगी, शिरको गर्मी निष्कासक मानिन्छ । मात्रा : फूल र जरा ३-५ ग्राम ३-५ पटक, अर्क : १०-१५ ग्राम, अत्तर ३-५ थोपा, काँढापानी १ गिलास २-३ पटक । नेपालको प्राकृतिक सम्पदामा जडीबुटीहरूको विशेष स्थान छ। तीमध्ये गञ्जनी घाँस, जसलाई वैज्ञानिक भाषामा Andropogon nardus वा Cymbopogon nardus भनिन्छ र जनजिब्रोमा 'सिट्रोनेला' नामले चिनिन्छ, एक अत्यन्तै महत्वपूर्ण सुगन्धित वनस्पत हो। यो केवल घाँस मात्र नभई औषधीय गुणले भरिपूर्ण र व्यापारिक रूपमा पनि मूल्यवान् वनस्पति हो।
परिचय
गञ्जनी घाँस एउटा बहुवर्षीय सुगन्धित घाँस हो। यो पोथ्रा वर्गमा पर्छ र यसका पातहरू लामा र किनारामा खस्रा हुन्छन्। यस वनस्पतिको सबैभन्दा मुख्य विशेषता यसबाट निस्कने तीव्र सुगन्ध हो, जुन कागतीको गन्धसँग मिल्दोजुल्दो हुन्छ। आयुर्वेद र आधुनिक अरोमाथेरापीमा यसको प्रयोग व्यापक छ। विशेषगरी यसको पातबाट निकालिने सिट्रोनेला तेल (Citronella Oil) विश्वभर कीटाणुनाशक र सुगन्धका लागि प्रख्यात छ।
नेपाल र अन्य देशहरूमा उपलब्धता
गञ्जनी घाँस मुख्यतया उष्ण र उपोष्ण (गर्मी) जलवायु भएको क्षेत्रमा पाइन्छ।
नेपालमा: नेपालको तराई, भित्री मधेश र पहाडी क्षेत्रका तल्लो बेँसीहरूमा यो घाँस प्रशस्त मात्रामा पाइन्छ। विशेषगरी लुम्बिनी, मधेश र कोशी प्रदेशका न्यानो स्थानहरूमा यसको व्यावसायिक खेती पनि गर्न थालिएको छ।
विश्वमा: यो घाँस दक्षिण-पूर्वी एसियाका देशहरू जस्तै श्रीलंका, भारत, इन्डोनेसिया र बर्मामा व्यापक रूपमा पाइन्छ। श्रीलंकालाई यसको उत्पत्तिको मुख्य थलो मानिन्छ।
भौतिक गुणहरू
गञ्जनी घाँसलाई चिन्नका लागि निम्न भौतिक गुणहरू सहयोगी हुन्छन्:
उचाइ: यो घाँस सरदर १ देखि २ मिटरसम्म अग्लो हुन्छ।
पात: यसका पातहरू १ मिटर भन्दा लामा र करिब २-३ सेन्टिमिटर चौडा हुन्छन्। पातको रङ गाढा हरियो हुन्छ।
जरा: यसको जरा बलियो र गुजुमुज्जु परेको हुन्छ, जसले माटोलाई समातेर राख्छ
गन्ध: पातलाई माड्दा यसबाट कडा 'लेमन' जस्तो सुगन्ध आउँछ।
तेल: यसको पातमा ०.५ देखि १.२ प्रतिशतसम्म वाष्पशील तेल पाइन्छ।
फाइदा
गञ्जनी घाँसको औषधीय र व्यवहारिक फाइदाहरू धेरै छन्:
१. पाचन प्रणालीमा सुधार: यसको पातको रस वा अर्कले अग्निदीपकको काम गर्छ, जसले भोक जगाउन र पेटको जलन कम गर्न मद्दत गर्छ।
२. मूत्र समस्या र पत्थरी: यसको जरामा मूत्रल गुण हुन्छ, जसले पिसाब सम्बन्धी समस्या र मिर्गौलाको पत्थरी फाल्न सहयोग पुर्याउँछ।
३. ज्वरो र पसिना: शरीरको विषाक्त पदार्थ निकाल्न र ज्वरो घटाउन यसले पसिना निकाल्ने काम गर्छ।
४. मानसिक स्वास्थ्य: सिट्रोनेला तेलको सुगन्धले मानसिक तनाव कम गर्छ र मनलाई शान्त पार्छ।
५. श्वासप्रश्वास र पिनास: पिनास (Sinus) र स्वास फेर्न हुने कठिनाइमा यसको बाफ वा तेलको प्रयोग निकै प्रभावकारी मानिन्छ।
६. कीट निवारक: यसको तेल लामखुट्टे र साना किराहरू भगाउन प्राकृतिक औषधिको रूपमा प्रयोग गरिन्छ।
७. स्त्री रोग: महिलाहरूको अनियमित महिनावारीलाई नियमित बनाउन पनि यसको तेल सहयोगी मानिन्छ।
प्रयोग विधि
यस जडीबुटीलाई विभिन्न रूपमा प्रयोग गर्न सकिन्छ:
फूल र जरा: साधारणतया ३ देखि ५ ग्राम फूल वा जरालाई दिनको ३-५ पटकसम्म सेवन गर्न सकिन्छ।
अर्क: यसको तयार पारिएको अर्क १० देखि १५ ग्रामको मात्रामा लिन सकिन्छ।
सिट्रोनेला तेल (अत्तर): औषधीय प्रयोजनका लागि ३ देखि ५ थोपा तेल पर्याप्त हुन्छ।
काँढापानी (Decoction): एक गिलास काँढापानी बनाएर दिनको २-३ पटक पिउनाले आन्तरिक समस्याहरूमा फाइदा पुग्छ।
बाह्य प्रयोग: टाउकोको गर्मी कम गर्न वा छातीको समस्यामा यसको तेलले मालिस गर्न सकिन्छ।
खेती, उत्पादन र संरक्षण
गञ्जनी घाँसको व्यावसायिक खेती गरेर राम्रो आम्दानी गर्न सकिन्छ:
हावापानी: यसका लागि न्यानो र ओसिलो जलवायु उत्तम हुन्छ। धेरै तुसारो पर्ने ठाउँ यसका लागि उपयुक्त हुँदैन।
माटो: पानी नजम्ने तर ओसिलोपन कायम रहने बलौटे दोमट माटोमा यसको उत्पादन राम्रो हुन्छ।
प्रसारण: यो घाँस मुख्यतया यसको जराको गाँठो (Slips) छुट्याएर रोपिन्छ।
बाली कटानी: रोपेको ६-८ महिना पछि पहिलो पटक काट्न सकिन्छ र वर्षमा ३ देखि ४ पटकसम्म पातहरू संकलन गर्न सकिन्छ।
संरक्षण: यसलाई डढेलो र अति चरिचरणबाट जोगाउनु पर्छ। प्रशोधनका लागि वाष्पीकरण (Distillation) मेसिनको प्रयोग गरी तेल निकालिन्छ।
निष्कर्ष
गञ्जनी घाँस अर्थात् सिट्रोनेला प्रकृतिले दिएको एक अनुपम उपहार हो। सामान्य घाँस जस्तो देखिए पनि यसमा लुकेको औषधीय गुण र आर्थिक सम्भावना निकै ठूलो छ। आधुनिक औषधोपचारसँगै प्राकृतिक पद्धतिलाई अगाडि बढाउन यस्ता वनस्पतिहरूको संरक्षण र व्यावसायिक खेतीमा जोड दिनु आवश्यक छ। ग्रामीण अर्थतन्त्र सुधार्न र स्वास्थ्य रक्षाका लागि गञ्जनी घाँस एक भरपर्दो स्रोत हुन सक्छ।
Introduction
Andropogon nardus, also known as Cymbopogon nardus, is commonly called citronella grass. In Nepal, it is known as Ganjani Ghansh (गञ्जनी घाँस), Kutran, or Citronella. It is a fragrant tropical grass that belongs to the Poaceae (grass) family. This plant is widely famous for its essential oil, known as citronella oil. The oil is extracted from its leaves and is used in medicine, perfumes, cosmetics, and insect repellents.
Citronella grass is not only important for its pleasant lemon-like smell but also for its many health benefits. In traditional and herbal medicine systems, different parts of the plant such as leaves, roots, and flowers are used to treat various health problems. It has both medicinal and commercial value, making it an important herb in Nepal and around the world.
Availability in Nepal and Abroad
Citronella grass grows well in warm and humid climates. In Nepal, it is found mainly in the Terai region and other lowland areas where the temperature is high. It can also be cultivated in home gardens and farms with proper sunlight and water. Because Nepal has suitable climatic conditions, citronella farming is increasing as a source of income for farmers.
Abroad, citronella grass is widely grown in countries like India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, China, and other tropical regions. These countries produce citronella oil on a large scale for export. The oil is in high demand globally because it is used in insect repellent sprays, candles, soaps, and aromatherapy products.
Due to its economic importance, citronella cultivation is encouraged in many tropical and subtropical countries. It is easily available in herbal shops, nurseries, and essential oil markets worldwide.
Physical Properties
Citronella grass is a tall, perennial, aromatic grass. It can grow up to 1–2 meters in height. The leaves are long, narrow, and green with a strong lemon-like fragrance. The plant forms dense clumps and spreads through its roots.
The most important part of the plant is its leaves because they contain essential oil. The oil has a fresh, lemony scent and is light yellow to brown in color. The roots are fibrous and strong. When crushed, the leaves release a pleasant aroma due to the presence of compounds like citronellal, citronellol, and geraniol.
The plant prefers well-drained soil and full sunlight. It grows quickly during warm seasons and can be harvested multiple times a year.
Medicinal Properties
Citronella grass has many medicinal properties. According to traditional knowledge and herbal practices:
The leaf extract is cooling and helps improve digestion.
It reduces stomach burning and acidity.
It acts as an appetizing and digestive stimulant (Agnideepak).
The roots are considered diuretic (help increase urine flow).
It helps in reducing fever.
It promotes sweating and helps remove toxins from the body.
It is believed to help in kidney stone problems.
The oil is considered helpful in regulating menstruation.
It increases digestive power.
It provides mental relaxation and is useful in stress and mild mental disorders.
It helps in sinusitis (Pinas) and respiratory problems.
It reduces head heat and gives a cooling effect.
Modern research also supports its antimicrobial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties. Citronella oil is widely used as a natural insect repellent, especially against mosquitoes.
Advantages
There are many advantages of citronella grass:
Natural Insect Repellent – It protects against mosquitoes and insects without harmful chemicals.
Economic Value – Farmers can earn income by cultivating and selling citronella oil.
Easy to Grow – It grows well in warm climates and requires less maintenance.
Medicinal Benefits – It supports digestion, reduces fever, and helps in respiratory problems.
Aromatherapy Use – The oil is calming and refreshing.
Environment-Friendly – It is a natural product and safe for the environment.
Because of these benefits, citronella grass is both a health-supporting and income-generating plant.
Traditional Uses
In Nepal and other Asian countries, citronella grass has been used traditionally for many years.
The leaves are boiled to make herbal tea for stomach problems.
Leaf juice is used to reduce burning sensation in the stomach.
Root decoction is taken to reduce fever and increase urination.
The oil is applied on the skin to keep insects away.
It is used in rituals and homes for its pleasant fragrance.
Oil is used in massage to relieve stress and body pain.
It is used in steam inhalation for sinus and breathing problems.
Traditional healers believe that citronella helps balance body heat and improves overall well-being.
Usage Methods & Dosage
Different parts of citronella grass are used in different forms. The common dosage mentioned in traditional practice is:
Flowers and Roots: 3–5 grams, 3–5 times a day.
Extract (Arka): 10–15 grams.
Essential Oil: 3–5 drops (usually mixed with carrier oil).
Decoction (Kadha): 1 glass, 2–3 times a day.
For external use, citronella oil can be mixed with coconut or mustard oil and applied on the skin. It can also be used in diffusers for aromatherapy.
However, essential oil should not be used directly in large amounts because it is concentrated. Pregnant women, children, and people with sensitive skin should consult a health professional before use.
Harvesting & Preservation
Citronella grass can be harvested when it reaches about 1 meter in height. Usually, harvesting is done 4–6 months after planting. The leaves are cut close to the base. Multiple harvests can be done in a year.
For oil extraction, fresh leaves are used in steam distillation. After harvesting, the leaves should be processed quickly to maintain oil quality.
To preserve dried leaves, they should be kept in a cool, dry place away from sunlight. Essential oil should be stored in dark glass bottles, tightly closed, and kept in a cool place. Proper storage helps maintain its fragrance and medicinal properties.
Conclusion
Ganjani Ghansh (Citronella), scientifically known as Andropogon nardus or Cymbopogon nardus, is a valuable aromatic herb with great medicinal and economic importance. It grows well in Nepal’s warm regions and is widely cultivated in many tropical countries.
This fragrant grass provides essential oil that is used in medicine, insect repellents, cosmetics, and aromatherapy. It helps in digestion, fever, respiratory problems, stress relief, and menstrual regulation. Its traditional uses and modern applications both prove its importance.
