Kamal (Nelumbo nucifera syn. Nelumbium speciosum; family Nymph aeaceae) as medicinal herb in Chhattisgarh, India

Research Note - Pankaj Oudhia
© 2001,2002,2003 Pankaj Oudhia - All Rights Reserved

I am feeling glad to write an article on traditional medicinal knowledge about useful aquatic herb Kamal because the world Kamal is synonym to my name Pankaj (in English Lotus). Kamal is a common aquatic herb whose rhizomes, seeds and young leaves are eaten as vegetable in different parts of Chhattisgarh. It can be seen easily in old tanks and marshes. The fragrant flowers of Kamal are made into garlands and used for decoration and also offered in worship. The natives offer these flowers to goddess Laxmi, The goddess of wealth and prosperity. The rich natives prepare a small pond in front of their homes where they plant this aquatic herb. Its presence brings happiness and prosperity. In the home gardens of rich natives, Kamal is an essential component. The rich natives also keep five seeds of Kamal and five rhizomes of Haldi (Turmeric) togather in cash locker. It is common belief that these herbs increase the in flow of wealth in cash lockers. The natives use Kamal in combination with other herbs to prepare a special solution for bath. They add Santhi Chawal ( a specific rice variety that matures in sixty days), Urai (Vetiver), Shahad (honey), Dhanbaher ( Cassia fistula) in water with Kamal and on Sundays, they suggest the natives having mental troubles to take bath with this herbal solution. The natives use these herbs in form of decoction also. The natives also prepare a special Herbal Mala using Kamal flowers, roots and seeds and persons having mental distress are advised to wear this Mala till complete cure. Kamal is also under cultivation in many parts of Chhattisgarh. It is mainly cultivated for beautiful flowers and for different parts used as vegetable. Although the natives and traditional healers of Chhattisgarh have rich traditional medicinal knowledge about Kamal but it is not cultivated as medicinal crop. This is really surprising that in many countries of the world, Kamal is considered as obnoxious aquatic weed. These countries invest millions of money for its eradication. Possibly, they are not aware of its various utilization. In present articles, I am describing the traditional medicinal uses of this socalled obnoxious weed, I have noted and observed during my ethnobotanical surveys in different parts of Chhattisgarh, India.

Common and popular names of Kamal around the world.
Languages/Region/Countries	Names
1) Arabic	Karambe-ul-ma, Nilufer, Uss-ul-nilufer
2) Australia	Pink Water Lily
3) Bengal	Kombol, Komal, Pudmapudu, Padama
4) Myanmar	Padung ma
5) Kanarese	Kamala, Tavaribija, Tavarigadde
6) Chinese	Hoa Lien, Lien, Lien Jou
7) English	Chines Water Lily, Indian Lotus, Sacred Lotus, Pythagorean Bean
8) French	Lis rose du Nil,
9) Gujarati	Suriya Kamal
10) Hindi	Ambuj, Kamal, Kanval, Podam, Podma, Pankaj
11) Marathi	Kamal
12) Portuguese	Flor de loto, Nenuphar
13) Sanskrit	Ambhoja, Ambuja, Ambupadma, Amlana, Arvinda, Asyapatra, Harivetra, Jalajanama, Pankaja, Rajiva, Varisoha.
14) Sind	Pabban
15) Sinhalese	Nelumbo, Nelum
16) Tamil	Ambal, Tamarai, Sivapputamarai
17) Telugu	Kalung, Tamara, Erratomara
18) Urdu	Nilufer
19) Uriya	Padam

I am confident that this article will motivate the researchers and weed scientists of those countries, where it is considered as weed to start research work on utilization aspect of this important medicinal herb. At first I am describing its botany and reported medicinal uses. According to reference literatures, it is a large aquatic herb, with slender, elongate, creeping stem rooting at the nodes; Leaves membranous, 0.3-0.6 meters in diameter, orbicular, concave or cupped, erect, peltate, entire, radiately, nerved; petioles very long, rough with distant prickles; flowers solitary, 10-25 cm diameter, white or rosy; Corolla - petals many, 5.0-12.5 cm long, elliptic; anthers with clavate appendages; torus 18mm high, spongy, top flat; Ripe carpels ovoid and glabrous when the fruits are ripe, the spongy torus is detached and floating in the water is carried to other places. Both the rhizome and petiole have large air spaces. Hairs from the sides of these project inward. The rhizome is interesting on account of its vascular anatomy. There is no definite stele and the vascular anatomy. There is no definite stele and the vascular strands are scattered and anastomose irregularly. The seeds are exalbuninous. Kamal holds a reputed position as medicine in different systems of medicine in India. As medicine, roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits, seeds and honey are used. According to Ayurveda, Kamal allays thirst, removes worms, fevers, biliousness, strangury, vomiting and useful in treatment of blood disorders, cough, ulcers, sores of mouth, inflammations, piles, diseases of skin and eye, uterus complaints etv. According to Unani system of medicine, it is cool and diuretic; good in throat-troubles, chest pains, spermetorrhoea, leucoderma, small pox, menorrhagia, bronchitis, leucorrhoea, and internal injuries. It is also useful in treatment of fevers, heart and brain diseases. It is also considered as good aphrodisiac.

The natives and traditional healers of Chhattisgarh use different parts of Kamal in treatment of over 30 common and complicated diseases. Like the leaves of Nirgundi (Vitex negundo), the natives of Sarguja region use the flowers of Kamal in treatment of Night pollution, common in young age. They spread the flowers under the bed sheet and patients are instructed to sleep on it, till complete cure. The Nirgundi leaves are kept beneath the pillow. The traditional healers of this region also aware of this unique use. The roots are used as aphrodisiac. The traditional healers of Bastar region, prepare a special herbal oil using roots. The healers instruct the natives to apply this oil all over the body after intercourse in order to regain the strength in very short time. Before intercourse, it is also applied on male genitals in order to increase the desire and retention time. The healers add some more valuable herbs to make this oil more strong and potential. One important thing I noted was that the healers never suggest the natives to use the oil daily. It is recommended for special occasions. For patients, they recommend its daily use but only upto complete cure. According to the traditional healers, its regular use reduces its effect and the natives ask for more stronger oil. They informed that this is a medicine and should be used in case of necessary. The traditional healers of this region also use Kamal herb for breast enlargement. The prepare a special herbal combination by mixing the Kamal seeds, Haldi and Asgandh (Withania somnifera) and this mixture is boiled in cow milk. After complete boiling, they apply the paste externally on breast.

Many healers boil the herbal mixture in base oil and prepare special oil. This oil is also applied externally on breast. Both preparations are in use and very popular. The scientific evaluation can identify the stronger one. As I have written in my previous articles, that the fashion of breast enlargement is not in much existence in Chhattisgarh. Now in urban areas, the natives are showing special interest probably due to TV advertisements from multinational companies. The traditional healers living near to these urban areas are getting new patients everyday for this problem. The traditional healers of Chhattisgarh Plains, prepare another type of special oil using whole herb of Kamal. They mix the whole herb in Til (Sesamum) oil and boil the mixture. After evaporation of watery content, they oil is collected and stored for future use. The traditional healers informed me that this herbal oil is a boon for the patients having the problem of Adhasisi (Migraine). The oil is applied before attack. It is also used to alleviate the pain. The nature of oil is cool and it removes the tension. This oil is also a good hair tonic. Like the leaves of Nirgundi (Vitex negundo), the natives particularly the natives engaged in heavy physical exertions in daily life, use the whole herb of Kamal with the Banana ( Kela) leaves. They prepare a special bed using both herbs and sleep on it in order to get refreshed next morning. This use is very popular among drummers. For the first time, I have seen its use during my ethnobotanical surveys in Kanker region. In this region, I have seen wild Banana species in dense forests. The natives prefer this wild species to prepare special bed as compared to the Banana leaves of cultivated origin. The traditional healers of Chhattisgarh use, different parts of Kamal in treatment of gynaecological problems very frequently. Its seeds with cow milk are used as female tonic. During pregnancy the healers use it very frequently alone or in combination with other herbs. In case dysmenorrhoea, the healers give Kamal with Multani Mitti (Fuller’s clay) and Saurf, internally. The healers also use the Kamal leaves in treatment of Bavasir (piles). It issued both internally and externally. Internally, it is given with gud (Jaggery) whereas the decoction of leaves is used to wash the bleeding piles. In treatment of dysuria, the healers use the Kamal roots. This use is not common as many promising and cheap alternatives are available in form of other herbs.

The in depth knowledge of natives and traditional healers about different medicinal uses of Kamal in Chhattisgarh clearly indicates that there is a tremendous scope in this field. I am sure that through my ongoing surveys, I will be able to collect more information on this important aspect. I would like to suggest the researchers and weed scientists from those countries, where Kamal is considered as obnoxious weed, to read this article carefully and feel free to contact me in case of any query. Thank you very much for reading this article.