India has an abundance of flora due to its unique ecology and climatic conditions. Despite its intense and harsh cold conditions, the Himalayas are home to some rare but extremely important herbal plants. People widely use Brahma Kamal, an endangered herb of the Himalayas, for religious, traditional, cultural, spiritual, medicinal, ornamental, astrological, and vastu purposes. The epics Ramayana and Mahabharata mention this plant, highlighting its historical and cultural significance. Apart from its religious and spiritual significance, the Brahma Kamal plant benefits encompass medical aspects. In this article, we will touch upon various beneficial facets of the Brahma Kamal plant along with its medicinal benefits.
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Brahma Kamal Plant – Pride of Uttarakhand
Brahma Kamal is the state flower of Uttarakhand.
A postal stamp has been issued in its honor by the Indian Postal Department.
The botanical name of Brahma Kamal is Saussurea obvallata.
The name honors the Swiss botanist Horace-Benedict de Saussure.
“Obvallata” is a Latin word that refers to the plant’s bracts which resemble walls.
Brahma kamal grows naturally in the high-altitude grasslands of the Himalayas.
It is found in India, Bhutan, Nepal, Pakistan, and parts of southwest China at heights between 3700 – 4600 meters.
The flowers of Brahma Kamal have delicate, boat-shaped petals around their center, which hold dark purple blooms.
This makes the flowers visually attractive and attracts the attention of pollinators, which helps in the plant’s reproduction.
Some of the commonly used names for Brahma Kamal are Brahma’s lotus, King of Himalayan flowers, and Sacred Saussurea.
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Brahma Kamal Nutritional Information
People commonly use Brahma Kamal to treat conditions like paralysis, cerebral ischemia, arthritis, and liver inflammation.
The plant is particularly effective in treating wound healing, reducing body temperature, and increasing appetite.
This plant contains a rich array of bioactive compounds.
The extracts of Brahma Kamal have been studied for their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and hepatoprotective qualities.
Its leaves have antimicrobial properties, flowers contain antioxidant qualities while bract contains radioprotective activity.
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Nutritional Profile of Brahma Kamal
Bioactive compounds in herbal plants are considered beneficial for humans as they promote good health and help ward off many illnesses.
Some of the beneficial nutrients of Brahma Kamal are:
- Alkaloids
- Minerals – Calcium, Chromium, Copper, Ferrous ions, Iron, Lead, Magnesium, Manganese, Nickel, Strontium, Zinc.
- Phenolics and Flavonoids
- Terpenoids, Sesquiterpenes, Lactones, and Glycosides
- Saponins
- Proteins
- Tannins
- Linoleic Acid
Brahma Kamal Plant Benefits
Brahma Kamal grows in Kedarnath (the Valley of Flowers), Hemkund Sahib, Kashmir, Sikkim, Garhwal, and Chamoli regions of India.
It has deep religious and spiritual value.
However, Brahma Kamal has been part of the traditional medicine system for ages.
Various Himalayan communities in India, Tibet, and Nepal use the plant to treat illnesses.
Unique Brahma Kamal Plant Benefits
1.) Power of Antioxidants
Brahma Kamal is rich in bioactive compounds like phenolics and flavonoids, which have powerful antioxidant properties.
They help the body fight against free radicals, reduce inflammation, and support overall health.
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2.) Brahma Kamal Plant Benefits in High Altitude Sickness
Locals and travelers rely on Brahma Kamal to combat mountain sickness.
Studies have shown that it helps the body to adjust to high altitudes and work better when there is less oxygen in the air.
Brahma Kamal has anti-hypoxic properties.
It reduces lactic acid buildup in the blood making it easier to adapt to harsh mountainous conditions.
3.) Protection Against Radiation
Researchers gave water-based extracts of Brahma Kamal to mice exposed to the radiation, which helped bring their blood-related functions to normal.
This means the plant extracts help improve blood health after radiation exposure.
It highlights the potential use of Brahma Kamal against damages related to radiation exposure.
4.) Brahma Kamal Plant Benefits Against Infections
Brahma Kamal plant also possesses antibacterial and antifungal activities.
The above qualities of the plant make it a natural remedy against infections.
Studies have shown that the extracts from the leaves and flowers of Brahma Kamal fought against harmful bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli.
The extracts were also effective against fungi such as Candida albicans.
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Other Brahma Kamal Plant Benefits
Brahma Kamal plant is also used to treat various other ailments.
Some of the other medicinal benefits of the Brahma Kamal plant include:
1.) Wound Healing – Paste of Brahma Kamal’s roots are applied to cuts and wounds to promote faster healing.
2.) Respiratory Health – The flower buds of the plant are used to treat coughs and colds.
3.) Bone Health – It helps alleviate bone pain and support the recovery from fractures.
4.) Digestive Health – The roots of the Brahma Kamal plant are effective in treating stomach-related issues.
5.) Skin Health – People of Tawang use a paste made from the plant to treat skin problems.
Also Read: How To Use Manjistha for Skin Whitening
6.) Excellent Liver Tonic – The bitter nature of Brahma Kamal makes it extremely beneficial for liver health and a great appetizer too.
Soup made from the plant helps soothe liver inflammations and increases blood volume.
Also Read: Punarnava Benefits for Liver Revitalization
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7.) Treats UTI – The juice helps treat repeated urinary tract infections.
It is also a good remedy for treating sexually transmitted diseases.
8.) Treats Fever – Flowers, leaves, and rhizomes of the Brahma Kamal plant are used to treat fevers.
9.) Treats Paralysis – In the Tibetan system of medicine, also known as the ‘Amchi’ system, the Brahma Kamal plant is used to treat paralysis of limbs and cerebral ischemia.
10.) Cures Mental Disorders – The flavones in the flower of Brahma Kamal help normalize the nerve cells in the brain and reduce the chances of seizures significantly.
The antioxidant properties of the flower help maintain the nervous system in good condition.
Also, soaking the seeds of Brahma Kamal in the water overnight and drinking in the morning can help with mental disorders.
Also Read – Ayurvedic Herbs for Brain: Raise Brainpowers
Takeaway Message
With huge religious, spiritual, mythological, and cultural significance, the Brahma Kamal plant benefits human health.
Almost all parts of this plant are medicinally important.
The Brahma Kamal plant treats dysentery, rheumatism, leprosy, bone fractures, cerebral palsy, paralysis, sexual disorders, lung infections, UTI, leukoderma, rhinitis, and hyperthermia as per the available literature.
Various herbal formulations in Ayurvedic, Tibetan, and traditional medicine systems use the Brahma Kamal plant.
However, it is highly advised to consult a doctor or an ayurvedic practitioner before using the Brahma Kamal plant for health purposes.
Puranas mention the sacred Brahma Kamal plant.
Hindu mythology describes Brahma as being born from a huge white lotus called ‘Brahma Kamal’.
Reckless picking by locals and tourists, along with smuggling, has pushed God’s Lotus into the endangered category.
This unique plant is in danger of being extinct and needs immediate protection.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article should not be considered as a substitute for a physician’s advice. Please consult your treating physician for more details.
Reading & References
- https://www.researchgate.net/publication/259308185_Brahma_Kamal_-_the_spiritually_revered_scientifically_ignored_medicinal_plant
- https://jaims.in/jaims/article/view/2429/3500#:~:text=The%20state%20flower%20of%20Uttarakhand,rich%20cultural%20and%20medicinal%20significance.
- https://ethnobotanyjournal.org/index.php/era/article/view/1997/1019
- https://jddtonline.info/index.php/jddt/article/view/5973/5660
- https://www.ijpsjournal.com/article/Saussurea+obvallata+Has+Its+Significance+Role+In+The+Treatment+Of+Wound+Healing++A+Review+
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saussurea_obvallata
- https://www.ias.ac.in/article/fulltext/reso/022/04/0377-0387#:~:text=Brahma%20Kamal%20is%20a%20helpful,for%20healing%20cuts%20and%20bruises.
- https://www.myupchar.com/en/herbs/brahma-kamal
Brama kamal plant ke bare me bahut sundar jankari di. Iski upayogita ko dekhte huye prasashan ko iske sanrakshan ki or dhyan dena chahiye.
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