kumbhika :

Floating plant Photograph by: Love Krittaya

General Use:

The plant is used to treat swellings and urinary tract infections

The roots are used externally to treat burns. They are pounded and applied as a poultice

Therapeutic Uses:

The leaves are used in infusion for treatment of abnormal accumulation of liquid s in cellular tissue,bladder complaints,diabetes,blood in urine,anaemia and dysentery.

The root is used as a laxative,softens inflamed parts and promotes the flow of urine.

The pounded leaves are used as a poultice for piles,tumours and boils.

Mixed with coconut oil,the juice of the leaves is recommended for chronic skin diseases.

Systemic Use:

The leaves are diuretic, emollient, expectorant, laxative and stomachic

They are used in the treatment of dysuria and stomach problems

They are mixed with rice and coconut milk in the treatment of dysentery; and mixed with rose water and sugar for treating coughs and asthma

The leaves are used in the treatment of gonorrhoea, probably because they act as a diuretic

The leaves are used externally to treat skin diseases, such as boils, piles and syphilitic sores

They are also applied to haemorrhoids

A decoction is added to bathwater to treat oedema

Administration:

The powdered dry leaves,mixed with a little honey,make a remedy for infectious veneral disease,taken in doses of 3 to 4 teaspoons a day.

Pharmacological:

- Root is emollient, laxative and diuretic.
- Leaves are demulcent and refrigerant.
- Plant considered antiseptic, antitubercular, antidysenteric.
- Studies have shown antidermatophytic, hypotensive, cytotoxic, larvicidal, bronchodilating, antidiabetic, antioxidant, phytoremediating, antinociceptive, CNS depressant, anthelmintic, antimicrobial, radioprotective, diuretic properties.

Kotakkal Ayurveda - Mother land of modern ayurveda

kumbhika - Pistia stratiotus Linn. - Araceae