NepalAyurveds.com: Kotha (Am)

यो खुलास्थान हिमाली क्षेत्रको ३६००-४४०० मिटरमा पाइन्छ । यसको फूल प्याजी - निलो डाँठमा लाग्छ र बीज हुन्छ। यसको सबै भाग औषधि बन्छ । गुण-धर्म : टर्रो र केही मीठो स्वाद र शीतल स्वभाव । यसले पेटका कृमि नष्ट गर्छ, विषादि असर हटाउँछ, भोक जगाउँछ, गानोगोला हुने र पेट दुख्नेमा सन्चो पार्छ, सुक्खा दममा लाभ दिन्छ, रगत सफा पार्छ । यसको बीजले पिनास र दिमागी कमजोरी हटाउँछ । मात्रा : आधा-एक चम्चा ३-५ ग्राम र बीज २-३ ग्राम २-३ पटक । यसको काँढापानी १/१ माना, स्वरस १५-२० ग्राम पिउँदा र सानो टुक्रा चुस्दा विशेष लाभ पुयाउँछ ।

परिचय

को थ (Kotha) वैज्ञानिक नाम Iris goniocarpa भएको एक औषधीय बोट हो जुन नेपालको हिमाली क्षेत्रमा पाइन्छ। यो बोट आयुर्वेदिक तथा स्थानीय चिकित्सामा धेरै प्रयोग हुने गर्छ। यसको फूल, बीज, जरा र डाँठ सबै औषधीय गुणले भरपूर हुन्छन्। नेपाली परम्परागत चिकित्सामा यसले विभिन्न रोगहरूको उपचार गर्न महत्त्वपूर्ण भूमिका खेलेको छ।

उपलब्धता

को थ (Iris goniocarpa) मुख्यतया नेपालको हिमाली क्षेत्रमा ३,६०० देखि ४,४०० मिटर को उचाइमा पाइन्छ। यो जम्मू-कश्मीर, तिब्बत, भुटान र चीनको केही भेगमा पनि पाइन्छ। नेपालमा यो हिमाली जिल्लाहरू जस्तै मुस्ताङ, डोल्पा, मनाङ, रासुवा, सोलुखुम्बु लगायतका ठाउँमा प्राकृतिक रूपमा उम्रिन्छ।

शारीरिक गुणहरू

डाँठ: सानो, हरियो र कडा।
फूल: प्याजी-निलो रंगको, डाँठको टुप्पामा फुल्छ।
बीज: सानो, कालो वा खैरो रंगको हुन्छ।
जरा: मोटो र औषधीय गुणयुक्त।
स्वाद: टर्रो, अलिकति मीठो।
स्वभाव: शीतल (ठण्डा प्रकृतिको)।

औषधीय गुणहरू

को थले निम्न औषधीय गुणहरू राख्छ:

कृमिनाशक: पेटका कीराहरू मार्छ।
विषनाशक: शरीरबाट विषालु पदार्थ हटाउँछ।
पाचनशक्ति बढाउने: भोक बढाउँछ र पाचन प्रणाली सुधार्छ।
गानोगोला र पेट दुखाइमा: पेटको गैस, दुखाइ र गानोगोला हटाउँछ।
श्वासप्रश्वास सम्बन्धी रोग: सुक्खा दम (खोकी)मा फाइदा गर्छ।
रक्तशुद्धिकरण: रगत सफा गरेर चर्मरोग नियन्त्रण गर्छ।
बीजको प्रयोग: बीजले नाकको रोग (पिनास) र दिमागी कमजोरी हटाउँछ।

फाइदाहरू

प्राकृतिक रूपमा विषनाशक छ।
पेटका रोगहरूको उपचार गर्छ।
शरीरको रोग प्रतिरोधक क्षमता बढाउँछ।
चर्मरोग र रक्तसम्बन्धी समस्यामा लाभदायक छ।

प्रयोग विधि

काँढा: १-१ माना पानीमा उमालेर काँढा बनाएर दिनमा २-३ पटक पिउन सकिन्छ।
बीज: २-३ ग्राम बीज पिनास र दिमागी कमजोरीमा प्रयोग गर्न सकिन्छ।
स्वरस (रस): १५-२० ग्राम स्वरस पिउँदा धेरै रोगहरूमा फाइदा हुन्छ।
चुस्ने विधि: सानो टुक्रा चुस्दा पेटका समस्याहरूमा आराम मिल्छ।

संकलन र संरक्षण

संकलन समय: यसको जरा, पात, फूल र बीज वर्षायाम र शरद ऋतुमा संकलन गर्न उपयुक्त हुन्छ।
सुखाउने विधि: संकलन गरेपछि छायामा सुकाउनुपर्छ।
संरक्षण: सुकेको बोट वा जरालाई एयरटाइट कन्टेनरमा राखेर सुक्खा ठाउँमा राख्नुपर्छ।

निष्कर्ष

को थ (Iris goniocarpa) नेपालको हिमाली क्षेत्रमा पाइने एक महत्त्वपूर्ण औषधीय बोट हो। यसले पेटका रोग, विषाक्तता, श्वासप्रश्वास समस्या, रक्तशुद्धिकरण लगायत धेरै रोगहरूको उपचार गर्छ। यसको प्रयोग विभिन्न रूपमा गर्न सकिन्छ। यसको संरक्षण र सही उपयोगले प्राकृतिक चिकित्सामा ठूलो योगदान पुर्याउँछ। त्यसैले यसको संरक्षण र सतत उपयोगलाई बढावा दिनुपर्छ।

1. Introduction

Iris goniocarpa, belonging to the Iridaceae family, is a rhizomatous perennial known commonly as the angular‑fruit iris. In Nepal’s Nepali tongues, it’s called Kotha (Ko tha Am), growing in high Himalayan meadows. It's prized both as an ornamental and in traditional medicine

2. Availability in Nepal & Beyond

Altitude & Location (Nepal)
Found in open hillsides and scrublands between 3600–4400 m in western and central Nepal, in places like Jagdulla, Mukroman, Kagmara, and Ringmo
Global Distribution
Naturally occurring across the Himalayas (Nepal, Bhutan, Sikkim), and in China (Gansu, Sichuan, Tibet, Yunnan), extending into India (Sikkim) and Myanmar

3. Physical Properties

Growth Form
A slow-growing, clump-forming iris reaching 10–30 cm in height, with slender rhizomes and delicate secondary roots
Leaves & Stems
Leaves are linear, yellow-green to dark green, typically 10–25 cm long, 2–3 mm wide, lacking a midrib, resembling small Liriope foliage
Flowers
Blooms between April and June, usually producing a single flower on each stem. Flower size ranges 2.5–5 cm across, showing shades from lavender-blue to blue-purple; rare white variants also exist. The plant features three “falls” and three “standards,” with a central white beard tipped in yellow/orange
Fruit & Seeds
Between June and August, it forms ellipsoid seed capsules 3.2–4 cm long with a beak-like tip

4. Medicinal Properties

Traditional Uses (Nepal & Tibet):

Digestive Aid: Traditionally used to expel intestinal worms, reduce flatulence, relieve stomach cramps, cure food poisoning, and stimulate appetite .
Detoxifier: Employed to treat poisoning and purify blood
Respiratory Care: Utilized in cases of dry cough, asthma, and bronchial issues
Neurological Support: Seeds are believed to combat hysteria ("pinas") and mental weakness .
Sinus Relief: Seeds also used to alleviate sinusitis .

Nepali botanists note the entire plant is non-toxic when used properly

Phytochemical & Modern Research:

Rich in essential oils, isoflavonoids (like irigenin), starch, and tannins
Contains isonigricin and isoirisolidone, compounds with immune-regulating activity: one can suppress T-cells, the other boosts them
Exhibits antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, wound-healing, and possible cardiovascular and respiratory benefits

5. Advantages

Holistic Healing: Helps many conditions—from digestive and respiratory to mental fatigue and blood purification.
Phytochemical Richness: Contains bioactive compounds supporting immune health and reducing oxidative stress.
Accessibility: Grows in Nepal's high regions and beyond, so it's locally available and culturally accepted.

6. Uses & Methods of Application

Dosage (Traditional Nepali):

Whole plant: 3–5 g, seeds: 2–3 g, taken 2–3 times daily .
Decoction: Combine half a spoon of dried herb with equal water, drink 15–20 g juice daily.
Lozenge: Chew a small piece of root or stem for direct benefit.
Seeds can be ground and consumed to improve mental clarity and appetite.

Other Preparations:

Herbal Tea: Steep chopped rhizome in boiling water (1 tsp per cup), drink before meals thrice daily .
Poultice: External use for wounds; soak chopped roots in water and apply .
Combination Therapy: Often blended with other herbs in local medicine .

7. Harvesting & Preservation

Best Time to Harvest: August–September, post-flowering, when the plant stores maximum potency in rhizomes and seeds .
Sustainable Collection: Rhizomes should be divided every 2–3 years to maintain population health .
Drying: Whole plant or leaves are sun‑dried until crisp.
Storage: Keep dried parts in airtight containers, away from moisture and sunlight to preserve potency.

8. Safety & Precautions

Possible Side Effects (especially if overused):

Allergies, skin irritation, gastrointestinal upset, photosensitivity, CNS effects (dizziness, sedation)
May interact with blood‑thinning, cardiovascular drugs, CNS depressants, and hormones

At-Risk Groups:

Pregnant/lactating individuals, children, people with liver or blood pressure conditions—use cautiously

Dosage Advice: Start with small doses. Perform patch tests for skin application. Seek professional advice

9. Preservation of Habitat

Threats: Wild harvesting is unsustainable, with slow rhizome growth leading to potential depletion
Conservation: Need community-managed rotation and sustainable harvest quotas.
Encourage cultivation (via seed or rhizome division) to reduce pressure on wild populations .

10. Conclusion

Iris goniocarpa (Kotha) is a remarkable Himalayan herb. Its striking blue flowers, hardy growth in harsh alpine environments, and diverse medicinal values—from wound healing and respiratory relief to immune modulation and mental clarity—make it a vital plant in traditional and modern herbal care. Yet, its future depends on sustainable harvesting, responsible use, and conservation initiatives to preserve this botanical treasure for generations.

Reference

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