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Pahelo Koiraalo, पहेँलो कोइरालो, पीत कचनार, Bauhinia tomentosa

यो ३०-५० फिट अग्लो वृक्ष उष्ण र गर्मी पहाडतिर पाइन्छ । जब पात झर्छ, पहेँलो फूल लाग्छ र पात निस्कन्छ । यो ग्राही, द्दीपन - पाचक, ब्रणरोपक, वात-कफनाशक, विषनाशक र शोथघ्न मानिन्छ । यसको फूल र बोक्राले गलगण्ड र अण्डकोष वृद्धिलाई घटाउँछ, आन्द्राको पुरानो घाउ- अल्सर ठीक पार्छ, पत्थरी र थोपाथोपा पिसाब गर्नेमा लाभ दिन्छ । कमलपित्त, अमलपित्त, अधिकपित्त बिस्तारै घटाउँछ । मात्रा : १/१ चम्चा फूल, बोक्रा ३-५ ग्राम, अर्क : १०-२० ग्राम, अवलेहः २०-३० ग्राम ३-५ पटक ।

परिचय

पहेँलो कोइरालो (Bauhinia tomentosa) नेपालमा पाइने एक औषधीय गुण भएको वृक्ष हो। यसलाई पीत कचनार, पहेँलो कँयर वा Yellow Bauhinia पनि भनिन्छ। यो वृक्ष ३० देखि ५० फिट अग्लो हुन्छ र उष्ण प्रदेश तथा पहाडी क्षेत्रमा पाइन्छ। यसको फूल पहेँलो रंगको हुन्छ र पात झर्ने बेलामा फूल फुल्छ। यसको बोक्रा, पात, फूल, र जरा विभिन्न रोगको उपचारमा प्रयोग गरिन्छ।

नेपाल र अन्य देशमा उपलब्धता

पहेँलो कोइरालो नेपालको तराई, भित्री मधेश र पहाडी क्षेत्रमा पाइन्छ। यसको प्राकृतिक वासस्थान भारत, श्रीलंका, म्यानमार, थाइल्याण्ड, अफ्रिका र दक्षिण पूर्वी एशियाली देशहरूमा पनि फैलिएको छ। यो वनजङ्गल, सडक किनारा र घरघरमा लगाइएको पाइन्छ।

शारीरिक विशेषताहरू

वृक्ष: मध्यम आकारको, ३०-५० फिट अग्लो, छाला खैरो र खस्रो।
पात: डबल पात (दुई पात जोडिएको), कोइरालोजस्तो आकार, हरियो रंगको।
फूल: पहेँलो रंगको, ५ पंखुडी भएको, सुगन्धित।
फल: लामो, सुकेपछि फुट्ने, बीउ साना काला।

औषधीय गुणहरू

पहेँलो कोइरालो निम्न औषधीय गुणहरू भएको छ:

ग्राही (Astringent): घाउ रक्तस्राव रोक्न मद्दत गर्छ।
दीपन-पाचक (Digestive): पाचनशक्ति बढाउँछ।
ब्रणरोपक (Wound Healing): घाउ ठीक गर्छ।
वात-कफनाशक (Anti-inflammatory): जोर्नी दुखाइ, सुजन कम गर्छ।
विषनाशक (Antidote): विषाक्त पदार्थ नष्ट गर्छ।
शोथघ्न (Anti-inflammatory): सुजन घटाउँछ।

लाभहरू

१. गलगण्ड (Goitre) र अण्डकोष वृद्धि (Hydrocele): यसको फूल र बोक्राले गलगण्ड र अण्डकोषको सुजन घटाउँछ।
२. आन्द्राको अल्सर (Intestinal Ulcer): पुरानो घाउ ठीक पार्छ।
३. मूत्र समस्या (Urinary Disorders): पत्थरी र थोपाथोपा पिसाब गर्ने समस्यामा लाभदायक।
४. पित्त समस्या (Bile Disorders): कमलपित्त, अम्लपित्त, अधिक पित्तलाई नियन्त्रण गर्छ।

प्रयोग विधि

फूलको चूर्ण: १/२ चम्चा पानी वा मौसमी रसमा मिसाएर सेवन गर्ने।
बोक्राको काढा: ३-५ ग्राम बोक्रा उमालेर दिनमा २-३ पटक पिउने।
अर्क (Extract): १०-२० ग्राम अर्क पिउने।
अवलेह (Paste): २०-३० ग्राम अवलेह दिनमा ३-५ पटक चाट्ने।

संकलन र संरक्षण

संकलन: फूल फुल्ने मौसम (वसन्त ऋतु) मा फूल तथा पात संकलन गर्ने। बोक्रा वर्षभरि लिन सकिन्छ।
संरक्षण: फूल र पातलाई छायामा सुकाएर एयरटाइट कन्टेनरमा राख्ने। बोक्रालाई पनि सुकाएर भण्डारण गर्न सकिन्छ।

निष्कर्ष

पहेँलो कोइरालो एक बहुउपयोगी औषधीय वृक्ष हो जसले विभिन्न रोगहरूको उपचार गर्न मद्दत गर्छ। यसको फूल, पात, बोक्रा, र जरा आयुर्वेदिक चिकित्सामा प्रयोग हुन्छन्। यसको उचित प्रयोगले पाचन समस्या, घाउ, सुजन, र मूत्र सम्बन्धी रोगहरूमा राम्रो असर गर्छ। यसैले यसलाई प्राकृतिक औषधिको रूपमा संरक्षण गर्नुपर्छ र सामुदायिक स्वास्थ्यमा यसको उपयोग बढाउनुपर्छ।

1. Introduction 🌼

Bauhinia tomentosa, known as Pahelo Koiraalo (पहेंलो कोइरालो) or पीत कचनार, belongs to the legume family Fabaceae. This deciduous shrub or small tree typically stands 4–8 meters (30–50 ft) tall and is prized both for its vibrant canary-yellow, bell-shaped flowers—often with a dark purple throat—and its multiple medicinal uses

When it sheds its leaves, it burst into yellow blooms, earning its Nepali name, "Pahelo" (yellow) "Koiraalo" (orchid tree). Native to tropical to subtropical climates across Africa, India, Sri Lanka, and parts of Asia, it’s adaptable and drought-resistant .

2. Availability in Nepal & Other Countries

In Nepal, especially hill and mid-hill areas, Pahelo Koiraalo thrives in both natural and cultivated settings—valued for ornamentation and traditional medicine. While Bauhinia variegata (“white/pink koiraalo”) is common, B. tomentosa’s yellow variant also grows in tropical regions

Global distribution includes:

Southern Africa (Mozambique, Zimbabwe, South Africa)
Indian subcontinent (India, Sri Lanka)
Occasionally cultivated in tropical gardens worldwide for its ornamental value

Nurseries (e.g. in South Africa, India) offer seeds and saplings; it's hardy and thrives in warm climates with moderate drought tolerance .

3. Physical Properties

Habit & Size

Multi-stemmed, shrub-like to small tree, up to 4–8 m tall
Slender drooping branches—arch elegantly, creating a fountain-like shape

Leaves

Bilobed (butterfly/heart shaped), simple, alternate, green on top, hairy (tomentose) underside

Flowers

Bright yellow, bell-shaped with five petals; one features a dark purple or reddish spot at the base; blooms last a day
Flowers appear when leafless, creating a vivid display

Fruit & Seeds

Produces velvety pods that contain seeds; pods may persist for a while

Bark & Stem

Greyish, sometimes hairy bark (“tomentose” refers to dense hairs)

4. Medicinal Properties

Pahelo Koiraalo is esteemed in herbal medicine for a long list of therapeutic benefits:

Antimicrobial & antifungal: Effective against Gram-positive bacteria, supports immunity
Anti-inflammatory & antioxidant: Flavonoids and phenols help reduce swelling, protect against free radicals
Hepatoprotective: May alleviate liver swelling
Wound healing & astringent: Leaves, seeds, bark help with ulcers, wounds, sores
Digestive aid: Treats ulcers, dysentery, diarrhea, indigestion
Diuretic & nephroprotective: Helps relieve kidney issues, increases urine flow
Anti-diabetic & aphrodisiac: Seeds boost vitality, help regulate blood sugar
Analgesic & anti-pyretic: Eases pain and fever
Neuroactive: Mild anti-anxiety and antidepressant effects noted in studies

5. Advantages

Multipurpose: Combines ornamental appeal with powerful medicinal benefits
Adaptable: Thrives in variable soil/climate; drought-tolerant, frost-hardy to some extent
Low-maintenance: Fast-growing, ideal for gardens, hedges, containers
Sustainable: Seeds, flowers, leaves—harvested without killing the plant
Local relevance: Known across cultures (Nepal, India, Africa) with supporting ethnobotanical data

6. Uses

Medicinal Uses

Decoction of flowers/leaves for ulcers, digestion issues, dysentery, diarrhea
Paste of seeds/bark on wounds, abscesses, snake bites—acts as antiseptic, astringent
Herbal teas/extracts for liver support, kidney health, diuretic effect, blood sugar regulation
Mood support: Mild antidepressant/anti-anxiety qualities
Immune booster: Enhances resistance, fights free radicals

Culinary Uses

While B. tomentosa yellow flowers are less eaten than pink variants, B. variegata (Nepali “koiraalo”) are used fresh or pickled; inspiration and methods can apply similarly

Ornamental & Other

Landscape use: Hedge, patio plant, container-friendly
Craft uses: Bark fibers for baskets; leaves for yellow dye

7. Methods of Use

General Traditional Dosages

According to traditional Nepali guidelines:

Flowers and buds: 3–5 g
Extract (arka): 10–20 g
Avaleh (a type of herbal paste): 20–30 g
Taken 3–5 times daily to reduce swellings, ulcers, kidney stones, gallbladder issues

Preparation Techniques:

Decoction: Boil specified herb amount in water; reduce, strain; drink warm
Poultice/Paste: Grind seed/bark with vinegar or water; apply to wounds or swellings
Infusion/Gargle: Boil disintegrated bark; cool and gargle for mouth sores
Powder: Dry leaf/flower; grind and use internally (½–1 tsp in honey/water) for digestion or acne

Culinary Use

Though less common, yellow flowers may be pickled or sautéed similarly to B. variegata, inspired by Nepali dishes like “koiraalo ko phool re aloo achaar”

8. Harvesting & Preservation

Harvesting Guidelines

Flowers/buds: Collect fresh, vibrant ones early in the day before full bloom; avoid wilted ones
Leaves/bark: Prune healthy branches early morning; leave enough for the plant
Seeds/pods: Harvest once pods dry but before they split naturally

Preservation Methods

Drying: Spread materials in shade; store fully dry in airtight containers to prevent mold
Preparing powders: Grind dried parts; store in airtight jars away from light/heat
Extracts (arka): Boil herb in water, filter, reduce to semi-solid and keep in cool bottles
Avaleh: Mix extracts with honey/ghee; preserve in clean, sealed containers in refrigerators

9. Conclusion

Pahelo Koiraalo (Bauhinia tomentosa) is a brilliant example of nature’s pharmacy. Its striking yellow flowers make it a beautiful addition to any garden in Nepal or tropical regions. Beyond aesthetics, the plant offers a rich array of health benefits—supporting digestion, fighting infections, healing wounds, protecting the liver and kidneys, even uplifting mood.

By adopting mindful harvesting and preservation methods—like drying, decocting, or making pastes—you can harness its healing power safely. Whether used in teas, poultices, or as part of traditional recipes, Pahelo Koiraalo bridges cultural wisdom and botanical richness.

If you’re intrigued, try planting a sapling in your yard, enjoy its spring blooms, and explore its heritage in both homes and herbal practices. As always, consult with a qualified herbalist or healthcare provider before using medicinal plants—especially if pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.

Reference

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