Thursday 16 August 2012

Aambal


Aampal

Botanical name : Nymphaea nouchali Burn.f.
Family : Nymphaeceae
SANSKRIT SYNONYMS:Kumudam, Ulpalam

PLANT NAME IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES

English  : Indian water lily

Hindi  : Kanval, Kokka

Malayalam : Aampal

PLANT DESCRIPTION

A large perennial aquatic herb with short round rhizomes. Leaves floating, peltate, flowers are large, beautiful and varies in color from pure white to deep red. Fruits spongy, many seeded berries, seeds are grayish black when dry.

MEDICINAL PROPERTIES

Plant pacifies vitiated pitta, diarrhea, dysentery, cardiac debility, skin diseases, and general debility.
Useful part : Rhizomes, Flowers, Seeds. 
Nymphaea nouchali is considered a medicinal plant in Indian Ayurvedic medicine under the name Ambal; it was mainly used to treat indigestion.Recent experiments have confirmed that it has medicinal qualities as an antihepatotoxic and antidiabetic. Like all waterlilies or lotuses, its tubers and rhizomes can be used as food items; they are eaten usually boiled or roasted. In the case of the Red and blue water-lily, its tender leaves and flower peduncles are also valued as food.

The dried plant is collected from ponds, tanks and marshes during the dry season and used in India as animal forage.

           
 

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