Crude drug sample data base

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Crude drug name

Market nameManel ala
Formal nameKumuda
Other names   

Tips!

Manel, Kumudu (Sin), Saluka (B), Kanvaal, Nilofar (H), Bile taavare (K), Aampal (M), Allikaada (Te), Allittaamarai (Ta)
English nameIndian Water Lily
Original plant nameNymphaea nouchali Burm. f., Indian Water Lily
Family nameNymphaeaceae
Used partClassificationPlant origin
Sub classification rhizome
Collection informationDemocratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, Polonnaruwa
Collection date1980/01/27
CollectorTsuneo Namba, et al.
TMPW No.6448

The capital city, provincial capital city or the representative  
location of its administrative area is indicated.  
Production area information
https://ethmed.toyama-wakan.net/img/pin_san.png
7.940338400000001
81.01879839999992
Collection information
Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka,Polonnaruwa
https://ethmed.toyama-wakan.net/img/pin_nyu.png

Scientific information data base

Crude drug nameAyurvedic name or
Sanskrit name, English name
Kumuda (Rhizome), Indian Water Lily
SynonymsSitotpala, Suvrsa, Kairava, Sita, Sasikanta, Syamavrnta, Sveta, Kuvalaya, Dhavalotpala, Kalhara, Sitala, Indukamala, Candrabja, Candrikambuja, Svetajalajam, Jaleruham, Somapriyam, Gardabhaka, Kairava.
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Original plant nameNymphaea nouchali Burm. f.
Family nameNymphaeaceae
Used partRhizome and Seeds
Distribution areaOccurs in warmer parts of India, tropical Asia and Africa. In Ceylon, it is common in shallow streams, tanks and pools throughout the low country, especially in the dry zone, Jaffna, Galle, Anuradhapura etc.
Common usesThis drug is cooling, sweet, bitter and tonic and is useful in diarrhoea/diarrhea, dysentery, dipsia and general debility. Powdered rhizome is given for dyspepsia, diarrhoea/diarrhea, piles, and urinary ailments. It is prescribed for cystitis, nephritis, fevers, insomnia and enteritis. The starchy rhizomes are roasted and eaten. An infusion of rhizomes and stems is considered emollient and diuretic. It is used for diseases of the urinary tract.
Therapeutic usesDaha (burning sensation), Asrapitta (blood vitiated by Pitta), Srama (tiredness).
Pharmacological effectA drug mixture comprising Nymphaea nouchali as one of its ingredients was found to cause significant decrease in serum cholesterol levels in hypercholestorolemic rabbits given a dose of 1-2g/kg/day for 7 days. The species is reported to be a herbal CNS drug used in Indian medicine.
Medical systemAyurveda (Traditional Indian medicine)
Traditional conceptRasa (Taste)Kasaya (Astringent), Madhura (Sweet), Tikta (Bitter)
Virya (Potency)Sita (Cold)
Guna (Quality)Laghu (Light), Snigdha (Unctuous), Picchila (Slimy)
Vipaka
(Post digestive taste)
Madhura (Sweet)
Karma
(General action)
Hladi (gives satisfaction), Grahi (constipative), Sukraprada (aphrodisiac).
Dosakarma
(Action on dosa)
Decreases Kapha, Pitta
Dhatukarma(Action
on body tissues)
Sukraprada (aphrodisiac)
Mala
(Action on excretory mechanism)
Grahi (constipative)
Traditional usage1. Ghee cooked with of blue variety of Utpala (Nymphaea nouchali) added with gold promotes intellect.

2. Juice of Utpala leaves mixed with a little oil checks discharge from bones and "Somaroga" (excessive female discharge).

3. Stamens of Kamala (lotus) and Utpala, Prisniparni (Uraria picta) and Priyangu (Callicarpa macrophylla) should be boiled with water. Now liquid gruel should be cooked with this which is wholesome for those suffering from intrinsic haemorrhage/hemorrhage.

4. The patient should take decoction of Kamala and Utpala, Srngataka (Trapa natans) root mixed with honey and sugar in dysuria and also take cold water.

5. In dysuria cause by vitiation of "Rakta dosa" (blood) one should take decoction of Utpala, Tala (Borassus flabellifer), Kasa (Saccharum spontaneum), Iksu (Saccharum officinarum) and Kaseruka (Scirpus grossus) and should also eat sugarcane, Vidari (Pueraria tuberosa) and Trapusa (Cucumis sativus).

6. Milk cooked with Utpala should be taken in fracture of tooth.

7. Utpala, seed of pomegranate and stamens of lotus - these pounded together should be taken with rice water. It alleviates fever with diarrhoea/diarrhea.

8. Utpala pounded with milk is kept underground for a month. Then it is applied externally. It blackens and makes hair glossy.
FormulationNilotpaladi hima, Sharbat neeluphar.
CommentsSeed is having sweet taste and heavy, rough, cold qualities. It is said to be constipative. It increases Kapha and Vata.

It has some qualities of kamala and utpala according to classical books.

Kumuda is included in mutravirajaniya gana by Caraka and utpaladi by Susruta.

There are many varieties of this Utpala. The one with blue flowers is called Nilotpala. It is identified botanically as Nymphaea stellata. N. nouchali has white flowers. The flowers of N. alba is extremely white.

Its synonym sitotpala, sasikanta, dhavalotpala, indukamala indicate that it is white in colour.
ReferencesReference book 

Tips!

[2] Indian Medicinal Plants - A Compendium of 500 species, Varier, P.S., Orient Longman Ltd. Chennai (Madras)
Vol. 4 (Repr.1997), pp 153-154.

Indian Materia Medica, Vols. 1-2, 1976 (Repr. 1989). Nadkarni, A.K., Popular Prakashan Pvt. Ltd., Bombay
p 859.

Medicinal plants (Indigenous and exotic) used in Ceylon, Vols. 1-5, 1982. Jayaweera, D.M.A., The National Science Council of Sri Lanka, Colombo
Vol. 4, pp 135, 137.

A Revised handbook to the Flora of Ceylon, Vols. 1-14, 1980-2000. Dassanayake, M.D. and Fosberg, F.R., Oxford & IBH Publishing Co.,New Delhi
Vol. 9, p 291.

Dravyagunavijnana, Vols. 1-5, reprint 1998. Sharma, P.V., Chowkhambha Bharati Academy, Varanasi
Vol. 2, pp 585-586.

Classical uses of Medicinal Plants, 1996. Sharma, P.V., Chaukhambha Visvabharati, Varanasi
p 105.

Last renewal date2023/12/25