NepalAyurveds.com: Saano Kumbhi

Saano Kumbhi, सानो कुम्भी , Dillenia pentagyna

यो ४०-५० फिट अग्लो, पात लाम्चो, फल ठूलो हाँगाबिँगासहित हुन्छ । यो उष्ण तथा समशीतोष्ण हावापानीमा पाइन्छ। यसको हरियो पात पौष्टिक, ज्योतिवर्द्धक र कब्जनाशक मानिन्छ । गुण-धर्म : फल र बोक्रा सङ्कोचक टर्रो स्वाद, स्वभाव : गरम । यसले दम, खोकी, श्वासनली शोथ, आउँ-पखाला,

ज्वर, मासिक अधर्म, प्रदर, पेटको घाउ-सङ्ग्रहणी, जोर्नी दुख्ने, अम्लपित्त, त्रिदोषजविकार इत्यादि सन्चो गराउँछ। मात्रा : ३-५ ग्राम लेदो / चूर्ण, काँढापानी १ गिलास, अर्क : १०-२० ग्राम, भस्म : १-२ ग्राम ३-५ पटक ।

परिचय

सानो कुम्भी (वैज्ञानिक नाम: Dillenia pentagyna) नेपालको उष्ण तथा समशीतोष्ण क्षेत्रमा पाइने एक औषधीय रूख हो। यसको उचाई ४०–५० फिटसम्म पुग्छ भने यसका पात लाम्चा, फूल पहेँला र फल ठूला हुन्छन्। यो रूख नेपालका तराई र पहाडी भेकमा प्रशस्त रूपमा फैलिएको छ। यसको बोक्रा, पात, फल र जरा आयुर्वेदिक चिकित्सामा विभिन्न रोगहरूको उपचारका लागि प्रयोग गरिन्छ। यसले शरीरका त्रिदोष (वात, पित्त, कफ) लाई संतुलन गर्न मद्दत गर्छ।

उपलब्धता

सानो कुम्भी नेपालको तराई (चितवन, बर्दिया, कैलाली) र मध्य पहाडी क्षेत्र (मकवानपुर, सिन्धुली, उदयपुर) मा धेरै पाइन्छ। यो भारत, बंगलादेश, म्यानमार, थाइल्याण्ड, श्रीलंका लगायतका दक्षिण एशियाली मुलुकहरूमा पनि पाइन्छ। यो जंगल, खोल्सी तथा गाउँघरको वरपर स्वतः उम्रने गर्दछ।

शारीरिक गुणहरू

रूख: ४०–५० फिट अग्लो, हाँगाबिँगा फैलिएको।
पात: लाम्चा, हरियो, किनारा दाँतेदार।
फूल: पहेँला, साना-साना गुच्छामा फुल्ने।
फल: ठूलो, गोलाकार, कच्चामा हरियो र पाकेपछि पहेँलो।
बोक्रा: खैरो-सेतो, गाढा स्वादको।

औषधीय गुणहरू

सानो कुम्भीको विभिन्न भागहरूमा निम्न औषधीय गुणहरू पाइन्छन्:

स्वाद: टर्रो (कषाय)
स्वभाव: गरम (उष्ण वीर्य)
प्रमुख गुण: सङ्कोचक, ज्वरनाशक, पाचक, रक्तशोधक, दुख्ने नाशक।

फाइदाहरू

सानो कुम्भीले निम्न रोगहरूमा फाइदा गर्छ:

श्वासप्रश्वास सम्बन्धी: दम, खोकी, श्वासनलीको सूजन।
पाचन सम्बन्धी: कब्जियत, अम्लपित्त, पेटको घाउ, सङ्ग्रहणी।
ज्वरो: सामान्य ज्वरो, आउँपखाला।
महिला रोग: मासिक धर्म अनियमितता, प्रदर रोग।
अन्य: जोर्नी दुखाइ, त्रिदोषजन्य विकार।

प्रयोग विधि

सानो कुम्भीका विभिन्न भागहरू निम्न प्रकारले प्रयोग गरिन्छ:

बोक्राको काढा: ३–५ ग्राम बोक्रा पानीमा उमालेर काढा बनाएर दिनमा २–३ पटक खाने।
पातको रस: हरिया पातको रस १०–२० मिलिलिटर मात्रामा सेवन गर्ने।
फलको चूर्ण: सुकेको फल पिँधेर १–२ ग्राम चूर्ण गरि पानीसँग लिने।
भस्म: बोक्रा जलाएर भस्म बनाइ १–२ ग्राम मात्रामा लिने।

संकलन र संरक्षण

संकलन: यसको बोक्रा वर्षायाममा, फल पाकेपछि र पात हरियो अवस्थामा संकलन गर्नुपर्छ।
संरक्षण: बोक्रा र पातहरू सुकाएर एयरटाइट कन्टेनरमा राख्नुपर्छ। फल ताजा प्रयोग गर्न उपयुक्त हुन्छ।

निष्कर्ष

सानो कुम्भी नेपालमा पाइने एक महत्त्वपूर्ण औषधीय रूख हो। यसले श्वास, पाचन, ज्वरो लगायत धेरै रोगहरूको उपचार गर्न सक्षम छ। यसको प्रयोग आयुर्वेदिक तथा पारम्परिक चिकित्सामा लामो समयदेखि गरिँदै आएको छ। यसको संरक्षण र सतत प्रयोगले स्वास्थ्य लाभ प्राप्त गर्न सहयोग गर्दछ। त्यसैले, यसको उचित उपयोग र संरक्षण गर्नुपर्छ।

Introduction

Saano Kumbhi, known in Nepali as कुम्भी सानो, and scientifically as Dillenia pentagyna, is a lesser-known but powerful medicinal tree native to the forests of South and Southeast Asia. While it might not be a household name like neem or tulsi, this tree carries a deep-rooted legacy in traditional medicine, especially in Ayurveda and folk healing practices.

Saano Kumbhi isn’t just another tree you pass by in the jungle. It stands tall, almost like a guardian of the forest, quietly offering its leaves, bark, and fruits for healing purposes. With a unique combination of nutritional and medicinal value, this tree deserves a lot more attention than it currently gets.

Availability in Nepal and Other Countries

In Nepal, Saano Kumbhi grows mostly in the Terai and lower hill regions, especially where the climate is warm or moderately cool — what we call subtropical to temperate zones. It thrives in mixed forests and is commonly found in places with slightly humid and well-drained soil.

Besides Nepal, this plant is naturally found across India, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, and Sri Lanka. In India, it's especially prevalent in states like Odisha, Jharkhand, West Bengal, and parts of the Western Ghats. The tree grows best in semi-evergreen to deciduous forests.

Despite being naturally available in these regions, Saano Kumbhi has not been commercialized on a large scale, which makes it relatively underutilized in mainstream herbal industries.

Physical Properties

Saano Kumbhi is a medium-sized deciduous tree, typically growing up to 40 to 50 feet tall. It has a strong, woody trunk and wide-spreading branches.

Here's what stands out about its physical features:

Leaves: Long and lance-shaped with prominent veins. When young, the leaves are soft and bright green, turning tougher and darker as they age.
Fruits: Large and round, sometimes slightly oval. They are known to have a tough outer shell and are filled with a fleshy interior.
Bark: The outer bark is rough, grayish-brown, and slightly flaky.
Flowers: Yellowish-white with five petals. They are not only beautiful but also fragrant, attracting pollinators like bees and butterflies.

These features make Saano Kumbhi easy to identify, especially during the flowering and fruiting seasons.

Medicinal Properties

This tree is more than just a pretty sight in the forest — it’s a natural pharmacy. Nearly every part of Saano Kumbhi, from the leaves and bark to the fruit, has therapeutic value.

Let's break down its medicinal strengths:

Leaves: Known to be nutritive (rich in nutrients), appetizing, and mildly laxative, which helps with digestion and constipation.
Fruits & Bark: These parts are astringent, meaning they help in tightening body tissues and stopping internal bleeding or discharge.
Traditional beliefs and Ayurveda suggest that Saano Kumbhi helps with:

Asthma and chronic cough
Inflammation of respiratory tract (bronchitis)
Fever and loose motions
Stomach ulcers and digestive issues
Joint pain and arthritis
Excess acid (hyperacidity)
Menstrual disorders like irregular bleeding or white discharge (leucorrhoea)
Tridosha balancing — helpful in calming Vata, Pitta, and Kapha imbalances.

Its warming nature ("garam swabhav") makes it particularly useful during cold seasons or for conditions caused by internal cold or dampness.

Advantages

The main advantage of Saano Kumbhi lies in its versatility. It's one of those herbs that can be:

Eaten as food (young leaves)
Used as a medicine (bark and fruit)
Made into various forms (powder, decoction, paste, ash, or extract)

Other key advantages include:

Affordable and locally available in many parts of Nepal and India
Minimal side effects when used correctly
Can be used for both acute (like fever) and chronic conditions (like asthma or arthritis)
Environmentally beneficial — as a forest tree, it contributes to biodiversity and soil health

Uses of Saano Kumbhi

Here’s how different parts of the tree are used in traditional and home remedies:

1. Leaves

Cooked as a green vegetable or added to soups for boosting immunity and aiding digestion.
Crushed and applied as a poultice on swollen joints or skin irritation.

2. Fruit

Dried and powdered to treat diarrhea, indigestion, and other digestive issues.
Sometimes used in making herbal tea to reduce excess body heat.

3. Bark

Made into a decoction (kadha) to soothe coughs, colds, and respiratory problems.
Ground into powder and used as a natural remedy for stomach ulcers.

4. Ash (Bhasma)

Used in very small amounts (1–2 grams) to treat chronic ailments under the guidance of a trained practitioner.

How to Use It: Dosage and Methods

Using medicinal plants the right way is important for safety and effectiveness. Here's how Saano Kumbhi is typically used:

Leaf or bark powder: 3 to 5 grams daily. Mix with warm water or honey.
Decoction (Kadha): Take about one glass prepared from bark or fruit slices boiled in water. Best taken warm.
Extract (Arka): 10 to 20 grams per dose.
Ash (Bhasma): 1 to 2 grams, not more than 3–5 times a day. This is a strong form and should be taken under supervision.

These are traditional recommendations. It’s best to consult an Ayurvedic practitioner for personalized dosage.

Harvesting and Preservation

Like many wild herbs, timing is everything when it comes to harvesting Saano Kumbhi.

Leaves are best collected in the early rainy season when they are tender and full of nutrients.
Fruits are picked when mature but not overly ripe, generally during the post-monsoon months.
Bark should be taken only from mature trees and in small amounts to avoid killing the tree.

Preservation Tips:

Dry the leaves and bark in a shaded, well-ventilated area.
Store powders in airtight glass containers.
Keep away from direct sunlight and moisture.
Always label the containers with harvest dates.

Proper drying and storage ensure that the herb retains its potency for several months.

Conclusion

Saano Kumbhi (Dillenia pentagyna) might not be the star of your local herbal shop, but it’s a silent healer with centuries of trust behind it. From curing coughs and digestive issues to strengthening joints and helping with menstrual health, this humble tree has a lot to offer.

In places like Nepal and India, where traditional knowledge meets rich biodiversity, Saano Kumbhi is a reminder that nature is the original doctor. With a little care in harvesting and preparation, it can be part of every household’s natural health toolkit.

Whether you’re a herbal enthusiast, a local healer, or just someone looking to explore natural remedies, Saano Kumbhi is definitely worth learning about — and maybe even planting in your backyard.

Reference

दतिवन Washerman’s Plant (Achyranthes aspera अपामार्ग): Benefits, Uses, and Medicinal Properties

ज्योतिष्मती Jyotishmati (Black Oil Tree) – Intellect Tree (Celastrus paniculatus) Benefits, Uses, and Medicinal Properties

लाली गुराँस Lali Gurans (Rhododendron campanulatum) – Benefits, Uses, and Medicinal Properties of Rhododendron

Kooth (Saussurea Lappa) – कूठ Benefits, Uses, and Medicinal Properties of Costus Root

काने झार Commeline Benghalensis (Kane Jhaar) – Medicinal Uses, Benefits, and Overview

गिँदरी Premna Serratifolia L. (Gindari): Benefits, Medicinal Uses, and Importance

पाञ्चान Ougeinia oojeinensis (Paanchan): तिनिश Medicinal Uses, Benefits, and Ecological Importance

बोके टिमुर Zanthoxylum Armatum (Boke Timur) Benefits, Uses, and Medicinal Properties

ठूलो नीम Thulo Neem: महारूख Medicinal Benefits, Uses, and Natural Remedies

सिउँडी Siudi (Euphorbia Neriifolia) Uses, Benefits, Side Effects, and Medicinal Properties

काठेकार, फर्कफल, काठआँवली, Averrhoe acida :