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Thulo Lauka, ठूलो लौका, कुण्ठील, बृहततुम्बी, Big Gourd, Lagenaria leucantha

यो उष्ण तथा समशीतोष्ण जलवायुमा लौकीसमान केही ठूलो पाइन्छ । यो लताको फल ठूलो घढा लाग्दछ। यो धेरै तितो हुन्छ र अण्डकोषमा लगाउँदा सन्चो गर्छ । यसको भाँडा बन्छ र भित्रको औषधिमा प्रयोग हुन्छ। यसको कमण्डलमा पानी राखी पिउँदा उच्चरक्तचाप र मधुमेहमा लाभ मिल्छ । यसको गुदीले मोटापा र कोलेस्टोल रोगमा फाइदा दिन्छ । मात्रा : ५-१० ग्राम लेदो काँचो रस २०-३० ग्राम, १/१ माना काँढापानी, ४०-५० ग्राम

अर्क ३-५ पटक ।

परिचय

ठूलो लौका (Lagenaria leucantha) लौकाको एक प्रकार हो जुन नेपाल, भारत, चीन, अफ्रिका तथा अन्य उष्ण तथा समशीतोष्ण क्षेत्रहरूमा पाइन्छ। यसलाई संस्कृतमा बृहततुम्बी, अंग्रेजीमा Big Gourd भनिन्छ भने नेपालीमा यसलाई कुण्ठील पनि भनिन्छ। यो लतायुक्त बोटमा लाग्ने फल हो जुन धेरै ठूलो (घढा जस्तो) हुन्छ। यसको स्वाद तीतो हुन्छ तर यसको औषधीय गुणले गर्दा यो धेरै उपयोगी मानिन्छ। ठूलो लौका नेपालको तराई, पहाड र हिमाली क्षेत्रहरूमा पाइन्छ। यसको भित्री भागलाई औषधिको रूपमा प्रयोग गरिन्छ भने बाहिरी भागबाट भाँडा, कमण्डल, सुराही आदि बनाइन्छ।

नेपाल र अन्य देशहरूमा उपलब्धता

ठूलो लौका नेपालको विभिन्न भौगोलिक क्षेत्रहरूमा पाइन्छ। तराईको उष्ण जलवायु र पहाडको समशीतोष्ण जलवायुमा यसको खेती गरिन्छ। यो भारत, बंगलादेश, चीन, अफ्रिका, दक्षिणपूर्व एशिया तथा दक्षिण अमेरिकामा पनि पाइन्छ। यो लौकाको जातको भएकाले यसको खेती गर्न सजिलो छ र यो धेरै मात्रामा उत्पादन हुने गर्छ।

भौतिक गुणहरू

आकार: ठूलो लौकाको फल घढा जस्तो ठूलो हुन्छ।
रंग: हरियो वा पहेँलो रंगको हुन्छ।
स्वाद: तीतो स्वाद भएको हुन्छ।
बोट: लतायुक्त बोट हुन्छ जसले अरू रूख वा भाउनामा झर्छ।
फूल: सेता वा हल्का हरिया फूल फुल्छन्।

औषधीय गुणहरू

ठूलो लौकामा विभिन्न औषधीय गुणहरू पाइन्छन् जसले गर्दा यो धेरै रोगहरूको उपचारमा प्रयोग हुन्छ:

उच्च रक्तचाप: यसको कमण्डलमा पानी राखेर पिउँदा रक्तचाप नियन्त्रण हुन्छ।
मधुमेह (डायबिटिज): यसको रसले शुगर लेभल कम गर्छ।
मोटापा र कोलेस्टोल: यसको गुदीले शरीरको चर्बी घटाउँछ र कोलेस्टोल नियन्त्रण गर्छ।
अण्डकोष सम्बन्धी समस्या: यसको तीतोपनले अण्डकोषमा सन्चो पार्छ।
पाचन शक्ति: यसले पाचनतन्त्रलाई मजबूत बनाउँछ।

फाइदा

उच्च रक्तचाप र मधुमेह नियन्त्रण गर्छ।
शरीरको वजन घटाउन मद्दत गर्छ।
कोलेस्टोल कम गर्छ।
पाचन शक्ति बढाउँछ।
यसको भाँडाले प्राकृतिक रूपमा पानी शुद्ध गर्छ।

प्रयोग विधि

काँचो रस: २०-३० ग्राम रस दिनमा २-३ पटक सेवन गर्न सकिन्छ।
काढा: १/१ माना पानीमा उमालेर काढा बनाएर पिउन सकिन्छ।
अर्क: ४०-५० ग्राम अर्क दिनमा ३-५ पटक लिन सकिन्छ।
बाह्य प्रयोग: अण्डकोषमा लगाउँदा सन्चो हुन्छ।

कटाई र संरक्षण

ठूलो लौकाको फल पाकेपछि काट्ने गरिन्छ। यसलाई छोड्का पारेर सुकाउन सकिन्छ वा भित्री भागलाई निकालेर औषधिको रूपमा प्रयोग गरिन्छ। यसलाई सुकेपछि लामो समयसम्म राख्न सकिन्छ।

निष्कर्ष

ठूलो लौका नेपालमा पाइने एक महत्त्वपूर्ण औषधीय तथा उपयोगी बोट हो। यसले न केवल विभिन्न रोगहरूको उपचार गर्छ तर यसको भाँडा, कमण्डल जस्ता उपयोगी वस्तुहरू पनि बनाउन मद्दत गर्छ। यसको उचित प्रयोगले मानिसहरूले विभिन्न स्वास्थ्य लाभ लिन सक्छन्। त्यसैले यसलाई घरघरमा रोप्ने र यसको उपयोग गर्ने प्रचलन बढाउनु आवश्यक छ।

Introduction

Thulo Lauka, also known as Big Gourd or scientifically as Lagenaria leucantha, is a remarkable plant cherished for its diverse uses. This gourd is not just a vegetable but a multipurpose plant used in medicine, crafts, and daily life. Its unique shape and size have made it a staple in various cultures, especially in Nepal, where it's known by names like ठूलो लौका, कुण्ठील, and बृहततुम्बी.

Availability in Nepal and Other Countries

In Nepal, Thulo Lauka thrives in the warm and temperate regions, especially in the Terai and mid-hill areas. The plant prefers a warm climate and is commonly found in home gardens and farms. Its cultivation is widespread due to its adaptability and the various benefits it offers.

Globally, Thulo Lauka is cultivated in countries like India, China, and parts of Africa. It's believed to have originated in Africa and later spread to Asia and the Americas. In India, it's known as lauki or doodhi, while in other regions, it's referred to as calabash or bottle gourd.

Physical Properties

Thulo Lauka is a fast-growing, climbing vine that can extend up to 5 meters. It has large, green leaves and produces white flowers that bloom in the evening. The fruit itself is notable for its size and shape, often resembling a bottle or flask. When mature, the outer shell becomes hard, making it suitable for crafting utensils and containers.

The flesh of the gourd is spongy and contains numerous seeds. It's rich in water content, making it a hydrating food source. The plant's various parts, including the leaves, seeds, and fruit, are utilized for different purposes.

Medicinal Properties

Thulo Lauka is renowned for its medicinal benefits, especially in traditional medicine systems like Ayurveda. Some of its notable properties include:

Digestive Aid: The gourd's high water and fiber content help in digestion and prevent constipation.
Heart Health: Regular consumption can aid in managing blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
Weight Management: Low in calories and high in fiber, it's an excellent food for weight loss.
Diuretic: Helps in flushing out toxins and excess fluids from the body.
Cooling Effect: Its natural cooling properties make it beneficial during hot seasons.
Antioxidant: Contains compounds that combat oxidative stress and inflammation.

Advantages

The versatility of Thulo Lauka offers numerous advantages:

Culinary Uses: Can be cooked in various ways, including curries, soups, and stir-fries.
Hydration: High water content makes it a refreshing food.
Crafting: The hardened shell is used to make containers, musical instruments, and decorative items.
Medicinal: Addresses various health issues, from digestive problems to heart conditions.
Agricultural: Easy to cultivate and yields a good harvest, making it beneficial for farmers.

Uses

Thulo Lauka's applications are vast:

Food: The flesh is cooked and consumed in various dishes.
Juice: Extracted juice is consumed for its health benefits.
Crafts: Dried shells are crafted into utensils and decorative items.
Medicine: Used in traditional remedies for ailments like hypertension, diabetes, and digestive issues.

Using Method

For medicinal purposes, the following methods are commonly used:

Raw Juice: Extract 20-30 grams of fresh juice and consume it on an empty stomach.
Pulp Paste: Apply a paste made from the pulp to areas affected by inflammation or pain.
Decoction: Boil pieces of the gourd in water and drink the strained liquid.
Powder: Dry and grind the seeds or flesh into a powder and consume with water.

It's essential to ensure the gourd isn't bitter, as consuming bitter bottle gourd can lead to adverse health effects.

Harvesting and Preservation

Harvesting:

Timing: Harvest when the gourd reaches its full size and the skin hardens.
Method: Use a sharp knife to cut the gourd from the vine, leaving a small portion of the stem attached.
Handling: Handle with care to avoid bruising, which can lead to spoilage.

Preservation:

Drying: For crafting purposes, dry the gourd in a well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight.
Storage: Store in a cool, dry place to prevent mold growth.
Curing: Allow the gourd to cure for several weeks until the outer shell hardens completely.

Conclusion

Thulo Lauka is more than just a vegetable; it's a testament to nature's versatility. From its culinary delights to its medicinal wonders and crafting potential, this gourd holds a special place in various cultures. Embracing its benefits can lead to a healthier lifestyle and a deeper appreciation for traditional practices.

Reference

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