NepalAyurveds.com: Bauhinia malabarica

Rato Koiraalo, रातो कोइरालो रक्तकचनार, Bauhinia malabarica,

यो ४०-५० फिट अग्लो १५०० मिटर उचाइसम्ममा पाइन्छ । यो कार्तिक - माघमा रातो फुल्ने, फल टाटामा बीज लाग्ने हुन्छ । यसको फूलले आउ - पखाला, वमन, गानोगोला, मल-मूत्र रोकिने, अर्श, रक्तस्राव, सुजाक, अधिक महिनावारी, रगतको क्यान्सर, समस्त रक्तविकार, छालाको समस्या, मृगौला र कलेजो रोग, पेटको मधुमेह, निम्नरक्तचाप, अग्निमन्द, रगतको कमी आदिमा सन्चो गराउँछ । यसको बोक्राले दम-खोकी, विकार र गर्भाशय सुन्निने र खुकुलोमा लाभ पुऱ्याउँछ । मात्रा : फूल १/१ चम्चा ३-५ पटक, बोक्रा : आधा- एक चम्चा ३-५ ग्राम । काँढापानी १ / १ माना, फूलरस ५० - ३० ग्राम पिउने र फूल चुस्नाले विशेष लाभ पुऱ्याउँछ ।

१. परिचय

रातो कोइरालो (Bauhinia malabarica) नेपालमा पाइने एक औषधीय गुण भएको वनस्पति हो। यो फाइबेसी (Fabaceae) परिवारमा पर्छ। यसलाई रक्तकचनार, कनियार, वनकचनार आदि नामले पनि चिनिन्छ। यो रूख ४०–५० फिट अग्लो हुन्छ र यसको फूल रातो रंगको हुने गर्दछ। नेपाली परम्परागत चिकित्सामा यसको फूल, पात, बोक्रा, र जरा विभिन्न रोगहरूको उपचारका लागि प्रयोग गरिन्छ।

२. उपलब्धता

रातो कोइरालो नेपालको तराई देखि १५०० मिटर उचाइसम्म पाइने गर्दछ। यो विशेष गरी कार्तिकदेखि माघसम्म फुल्ने गर्दछ। यसको फल टाटामा बीज लाग्ने हुन्छ। नेपाल बाहेक यो भारत, बंगलादेश, म्यानमार, थाइल्याण्ड, लाओस, कम्बोडिया, वियतनाम, मलेशिया, इन्डोनेशिया लगायत दक्षिण एसियाली र दक्षिणपूर्वी एसियाली मुलुकहरूमा पनि पाइन्छ।

३. शारीरिक गुणहरू

रूख: ४०–५० फिट अग्लो, हरियो पात भएको।
फूल: रातो रंगको, आकर्षक, ५ पाँखडी भएको।
पात: दुईवटा भागमा फुटेको (Bauhinia प्रजातिको विशेषता), हरियो र चिल्लो।
फल: फलामको आकारको, सुक्खा टाटामा बीज भएको।
बोक्रा: खैरो-सेतो, कडा र औषधीय गुणयुक्त।

४. औषधीय गुणहरू

रातो कोइरालोमा निम्न औषधीय गुणहरू पाइन्छन्:

रक्तशोधक: रगत सफा गर्न मद्दत गर्दछ।
ज्वरनाशक: आउँ, पखाला, वमन र अन्य विकारहरूमा लाभदायक।
मूत्रवर्धक: मूत्र सम्बन्धी समस्याहरू (मृगौला, पेशाब बन्द हुने) मा असर गर्दछ।
रक्तस्राव रोक्ने: अधिक महिनावारी, रक्तस्राव र अर्श (पाइल्स) मा उपयोगी।
पाचक: अग्निमन्दी, पेटको गैस, मधुमेह र कलेजोको रोगमा फाइदा गर्दछ।
छालाको रोग: खटिरा, एक्जिमा, दाद लगायतमा प्रयोग गरिन्छ।

५. फाइदाहरू

रगतको कमी (एनिमिया) हटाउँछ।
निम्न रक्तचाप (Low Blood Pressure) मा सन्तुलन गर्दछ।
सुजाक (Gonorrhea) जस्ता यौन रोगहरूमा उपचार गर्दछ।
छालाको रोग, रगतको क्यान्सर र अन्य रक्तविकारहरूमा प्रभावकारी।
गर्भाशय सुन्निने (Uterine Disorders) र खुकुलो (Leucorrhea) मा लाभदायक।

६. प्रयोग विधि

फूलको रस: ५०–१०० मिलिलिटर (ताजा रस) पिउने वा चुस्नाले पनि फाइदा हुन्छ।
बोक्राको काढा: आधा–एक चम्चा (३–५ ग्राम) बोक्रा पानीमा उमालेर दिनमा २–३ पटक सेवन गर्ने।
फूलको पाउडर: १–२ ग्राम फूल सुकाएर पिँधेर गर्म पानीसँग लिने।
काँढा पानी: १–२ माना काँढा पानीमा मिसाएर पिउने।

७. उत्पादन र संरक्षण

फूल सङ्कलन: कार्तिक–माघमा फूल फुल्ने बेला ताजा फूलहरू तोड्ने।
बोक्रा काट्ने: पातलो बोक्रा छालबाट अलग गरी सुकाउने।
सुकाउने विधि: छायामा सुकाएर एयरटाइट कन्टेनरमा राख्ने।
संरक्षण: सुकेको बोक्रा, फूल र जरालाई नमी र कीटाणुबाट जोगाएर राख्नुपर्छ।

८. निष्कर्ष

रातो कोइरालो (Bauhinia malabarica) नेपालमा पाइने एक मूल्यवान औषधीय वनस्पति हो। यसको फूल, बोक्रा, पात र जराले धेरै रोगहरूको उपचार गर्न सकिन्छ। यसले रक्तविकार, पाचन समस्या, मूत्र रोग, छालाको समस्या लगायतका रोगहरूमा राम्रो असर गर्दछ। यसको सही प्रयोग विधि र मात्रा जानेर प्रयोग गर्दा स्वास्थ्य लाभ लिन सकिन्छ। यसैले यसलाई संरक्षण गर्नुपर्छ र आयुर्वेदिक चिकित्सामा प्रयोग गर्ने परम्परालाई अझ बढाउनुपर्छ।

Introduction

Bauhinia malabarica, known in Nepali as Rato Koiraalo or Tanki, is a medium-to-large deciduous tree in the pea family (Fabaceae). It grows up to about 40–50 ft (~12–15 m) in height, thriving in subtropical hilly regions. It typically blooms vivid red flowers during the Nepali cold season (Kartik–Magh), followed by pod-bearing fruit clusters.

Availability in Nepal & Elsewhere

In Nepal: Found naturally between 200–1,200 m on open, well-drained hillsides with 1,000–3,000 mm annual rainfall
Beyond Nepal: Native across South and Southeast Asia—India (especially Malabar coast), Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, Philippines, Laos—and extends to Java, Lesser Sunda Islands, and northern Australia In Nepal it’s widespread in mid-hill forests.

Physical Properties

Tree Structure

Height: up to 12–15 m (40–50 ft), broad crown, trunk branching near the base
Leaves: heart-shaped or bi-lobed, 2–20 cm long, smooth surface—common Bauhinia leaf shape
Flowers: red (sometimes white or pink), orchid-like, about 5–8 cm across, blooming late autumn/winter (Nepali Kartik–Magh) .
Fruits: long, flat pods ~25–30 cm, containing flattened seeds, appearing in spring (Falgun–Chaitra)

Chemical Makeup

Contains flavonoids (kaempferol, quercetin, afzelin, isoquercitrin, quercitrin, hyperoside) and phytosterols (stigmasterol, octacosanol), hentriacontane, and stilbenes like racemosol—all contributing to medicinal qualities

Medicinal Properties

1. Hemostatic & Wound Healing

Flower decoctions and stem bark act as astringents—help stop bleeding, treat dysentery, diarrhea, and vaginal bleeding .
Leaves and stems used for healing wounds and ulcers

2. Digestive & Gastrointestinal Support

Flowers reduce vomiting, diarrhea, dysentery; stem bark used for dysentery; roots/stems for cholera .
Buds and flowers soothe indigestion and gastric ulcers .

3. Antimicrobial, Antimalarial & Antiparasitic

Root extracts show antimalarial activity; bark has snakebite antidote and antibacterial effect
Leaf and stem extracts prevent diarrhea and fungal or bacterial infection
Flavonols offer antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits

4. Blood- Related Benefits

Flower used for treating bleeding disorders: hematuria, menorrhagia, piles, urinary issues, and hemorrhoids .
Particularly used in traditional remedies for leukaemia and general "blood cancer" in Nepal .
Bark helps regulate cholesterol, supports cardiovascular health, may have antiarrhythmic effects

5. Liver & Kidney Health

Used as a decoction to treat liver ailments, hepatoprotective effects, and to cleanse kidney toxins .

6. Respiratory & Reproductive Benefits

Flower buds ease cough and respiratory issues; buds used for emmenagogue (stimulates menstruation) .
In Nepal, pod pulp applied for asthma and bronchorespiratory issues .

7. Metabolic & Other Conditions

Leaves possess insulin-like properties—help manage blood sugar and combat diabetes
Used for jaundice (bark decoction), hypothermia, rheumatism, and goiter .
Traditional use in cancer, especially blood-related disorders, partly supported by cytotoxic stilbenes .

Advantages

Wide spectrum: Acts against bleeding, infections, inflammation, metabolism, respiratory issues, and blood conditions.
Eco-friendly & accessible: Grows wild in Nepal’s hills—readily available and renewable.
Multiple uses: All parts—flowers, buds, bark, leaves, roots, pods—serve therapeutically.
Natural phytochemicals: Contains flavonoids and stilbenes with proven biological actions.
Nutritional potential: Flowers, leaves, seeds edible; could be used in herbal teas or functional foods.

Uses & Methods of Preparation

Traditional Dosage (Nepali folk medicine):

Flowers: 1 teaspoon (≈3–5 g), taken 3–5 times daily in decoction or infused water; sucking raw flowers is also common.
Pods (bokra): ½–1 teaspoon (≈3–5 g) of powdered or paste form, used 3–5 times daily.
Decoction: 1:1 ratio of water to plant part; typical decoction dose equals 1 “mana” (~1 liter), consumed in portions.
Flower juice: 30–50 ml fresh juice daily.
These forms help with diarrhea, bleeding, cough, kidney/liver ailments, anemia, and more.

Ayurvedic/Siddha Preparations:

Bark decoction or paste: used for dysentery, diarrhea, goiter, asthma, ulcers.
Leaf decoction: antidiabetic use (10 ml daily).
Flower and root extracts: cough syrups, anti-hemorrhagic remedies.

Harvesting & Preservation

Harvesting

Flowers & buds: Collected during flowering season (Nov–Feb). Pick fresh, clean from damage.
Pods: Harvested when brown and mature; seeds used for propagation.
Bark: Stripped carefully to avoid harming the tree.
Leaves & roots: Gathered as needed—with local wildcrafting practices.

Preservation

Air-drying: Spread in shade, well-ventilated, until crisp.
Powdering: Dried parts ground into fine powder, stored in airtight jars.
Oil/Water extracts: Flower juice or bark decoction concentrated and refrigerated.
Extractions: Advanced labs use solvent extracts (methanol, ethanol) for pharma forms.

Conclusion

Bauhinia malabarica (Rato Koiraalo) is a powerful, multifunctional medicinal tree, with centuries of traditional use in Nepal and Asia. Every part of the plant—from flowers to bark and pods—serves health roles: hemostatic, antimicrobial, metabolic, liver-protective, and more. Modern science supports many of these uses, identifying flavonoids, stilbenes, phytosterols that have antioxidant, cytotoxic, and antidiabetic effects.

Its natural availability in mid-hill Nepal, ease of harvesting, and low-cost preparations make it an excellent herbal resource for rural communities. With proper harvesting, dosage awareness, and further scientific studies, this plant can find its place in validated herbal medicine and local healthcare. Nature has provided a gem in Rato Koiraalo—now it's up to us to understand it deeper, use it wisely, and preserve it sustainably.

Reference

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