Lotus (Kamal)
Also known as
Latin : Nelumbo nucifera
English : Lotus
Sanskrit : Padmam
Hindi : Kamal
Marathi : Kamala
Tamil : Tamarai
Telugu : Tamara
Malayalam : Tamara
Kannada : Kamala
How it looks�It is a large, attractive, aquatic herb with slender branches and flat or cupped leaves. The flowers are single, large, and fragrant, and white or rosy in colour. The
fruits are ovoid and nut-like.
What we use�Whole plant
What it does�It is astringent, cooling, emollient, diuretic, sudorific, antifungal and antipyretic, cardiotonic.
How we use it�
In
baldness�Roots of lotus with aerial roots of banyan are dried and powdered. This powder is boiled in coconut oil and applied on the bald spots to stimulate hair growth.
In
painful urination�Lotus petals and pink rose buds are made into a decoction to promote flow of urine and ease the pain.
As a
cardiac tonic�White lotus petals are decocted and mixed in milk to make an effective cardiac tonic.
In
fever�The roots and leaves of lotus which are available at all seasons can be made to a decoction to bring down fevers of all types.
