Nymphaea alba Linn. (KUMUDA)

Utpala is most extensively used herb compared to Kamala in Ayurveda.  It is also famous with the synonym kumuda. Vagbhataexplained about the ‘medhya’ property of Kumuda. There are four species available viz.,

(i) N. alba Linn.         –   Svµeta Kuvalaya (white flowers)

(ii) N. rubra Roxb.      –   Raktotpala (big flowers- red)

(iii) N. pubescens Willd.  –        Raktotpala (small flowers- red)

(iv) N. stellata Willd.  –   N¶lotpala (blue flowers) Caraka mentioned ‘Utpala’ and ‘Kumuda’ which are blue and white varieties according to P.V. Sharmaji.

Botanical Description – It is an aquatic plant with white coloured flowers famous as ‘water lilys’.

Major Chemical Constituents–

Flowers– nymphalin (glucoside), quercetin, kaempferol etc.

Roots– luteolin

Part Used- Rhizome, flower, seeds, whole plant

Dosage- Fresh juice of rhizome–10-20ml, seed powder 3-6g.

Research–

(1) The decoction of N. alba flowers showed mild diuretic activity in rats (Gujral et al., 1955).

(2) Flowers and rhizomes of N. alba yield two alkaloids showing sedative action in small doses (Bull. Int. Acad. Cracovie, 1935, 539).