Kagati Jhar, कागती झार, Lemon Balm, Melissa officinalis ~ NepalAyurveds.com

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Kagati Jhar, कागती झार, Lemon Balm, Melissa officinalis

यो एक फिट अग्लो चिप्लो र गाढा हरियो पात गोलो कागतीको बास्ना दिने गोलिकार पात समशीतोष्ण जलवायुमा खोज्दा पाइन्छ । यसले कागतीघाँसझैँ काम गर्छ । यसको चिया / क्वाथपानी मीठो बास्ना कागतीसमान हुन्छ। यसको काँढापानी र मिश्रण औषधिमा सुगन्ध दिने पित्तरोग, अपचमा उपयोगी हुन्छ । मात्रा : अत्तर : ३-५ बुँद, काँढापानी १ / १ माना, अर्क १५ - २५ ग्राम २-३ पटक ।

परिचय

कागती झार (Lemon Balm) वैज्ञानिक नाम Melissa officinalis भनिन्छ। यो एक प्रकारको औषधीय बोट हो जुन समशीतोष्ण जलवायुमा पाइन्छ। यसको उचाई लगभग एक फिट हुन्छ र यसका पातहरू गाढा हरियो, गोलाकार र चिप्लो हुन्छन्। यसका पातहरूले कागती (लेमन) जस्तो सुगन्ध दिन्छन्, जसकारण यसलाई कागती झार भनिन्छ। यो बोट प्रायः युरोप, मध्य पूर्व र मध्य एसियामा पाइन्छ तर अहिले विश्वभर नै यसको खेती गरिन्छ। यसले कागतीघाँसजस्तै गुणहरू राख्छ र यसको चिया वा क्वाथपानीले मीठो बास्ना दिन्छ।

गुणहरू

कागती झारका धेरै औषधीय गुणहरू छन्। यसमा एन्टिअक्सिडन्ट, एन्टिभायरल, एन्टिब्याक्टेरियल, र एन्टिइन्फ्लामेटरी गुणहरू पाइन्छन्। यसले तनाव घटाउन, निद्रा ल्याउन, र पाचन प्रणालीलाई सुधार गर्न मद्दत गर्छ। यसमा रोजमेरिनिक एसिड, टेरपेन्स, र फ्लेवोनोइड्स जस्ता यौगिकहरू पाइन्छन् जसले यसलाई औषधीय रूपमा धेरै उपयोगी बनाउँछ।

फाइदाहरू

तनाव र चिन्ता कम गर्न: कागती झारले तनाव र चिन्ता कम गर्न मद्दत गर्छ। यसले मस्तिष्कमा शान्ति प्रदान गर्छ र मनलाई स्थिर बनाउँछ।
निद्रामा सुधार: यसले निद्रा ल्याउन मद्दत गर्छ। यसको चिया पिउनेले राम्रो निद्रा पाउन सक्छन्।
पाचन प्रणालीको लागि: कागती झारले पाचन प्रणालीलाई सुधार गर्छ। यसले अपच, पेट फुल्ने, र ग्यास्ट्रिक समस्याहरू कम गर्छ।
रोग प्रतिरोधक क्षमता बढाउन: यसमा एन्टिभायरल गुणहरू छन् जसले शरीरको रोग प्रतिरोधक क्षमता बढाउन मद्दत गर्छ।
सुगन्धित औषधि: यसले सुगन्ध दिन्छ र पित्तरोग, अपचमा उपयोगी हुन्छ।

उपयोगहरू

चिया बनाउन: कागती झारका पातहरूबाट चिया बनाउन सकिन्छ। यसले तनाव कम गर्छ र निद्रा ल्याउन मद्दत गर्छ।
काँढापानी: यसको काँढापानी पित्तरोग र अपचमा उपयोगी हुन्छ। यसले पाचन प्रणालीलाई सुधार गर्छ।
अत्तर: कागती झारको अत्तर बनाउन सकिन्छ जसले सुगन्ध दिन्छ र मनलाई शान्त बनाउँछ।
मिश्रण औषधि: यसलाई अन्य औषधिहरूसँग मिसाएर पनि प्रयोग गर्न सकिन्छ। यसले सुगन्ध दिन्छ र औषधिको प्रभाव बढाउँछ।

प्रयोग विधि

चिया: कागती झारका ताजा वा सुकेका पातहरूबाट चिया बनाउन सकिन्छ। एक कप उमालिएको पानीमा १-२ चम्चा पातहरू हाल्नुहोस् र ५-१० मिनेट सम्म पखाल्नुहोस्। यसलाई मीठो स्वादका लागि मह रुखको पात मिसाउन सकिन्छ।
काँढापानी: यसको काँढापानी बनाउन, पातहरूलाई पानीमा उमाल्नुहोस् र छान्नुहोस्। यसलाई दिनमा १-२ पटक पिउन सकिन्छ।
अत्तर: यसको अत्तर बनाउन, पातहरूलाई अल्कोहलमा डुबाएर राख्नुहोस्। यसलाई सुगन्धका लागि प्रयोग गर्न सकिन्छ।

खेती र उत्पादन विधि

कागती झारलाई समशीतोष्ण जलवायुमा खेती गर्न सकिन्छ। यसले धूप वा छायादार ठाउँमा पनि राम्रोसँग बढ्छ। यसको खेतीका लागि उचित माटो र सिँचाइ आवश्यक छ। यसका पातहरू फेला पार्न सकिन्छ र ताजा वा सुकेका रूपमा प्रयोग गर्न सकिन्छ। यसलाई बीउ वा काटेर लगाउन सकिन्छ। यसको खेती गर्दा माटोमा उचित नाइट्रोजन, फस्फोरस, र पोटासियमको मात्रा हुनुपर्छ।

निष्कर्ष

कागती झार (Lemon Balm) एक धेरै गुणकारी औषधीय बोट हो। यसले तनाव कम गर्न, निद्रा ल्याउन, पाचन प्रणालीलाई सुधार गर्न, र रोग प्रतिरोधक क्षमता बढाउन मद्दत गर्छ। यसको चिया, काँढापानी, र अत्तर धेरै स्वास्थ्य समस्याहरूको समाधानमा उपयोगी छन्। यसको खेती गर्न सजिलो छ र यसले धेरै औषधीय फाइदाहरू प्रदान गर्छ। यसरी, कागती झारलाई आफ्नो दैनिक जीवनमा समावेश गरेर धेरै स्वास्थ्य लाभहरू प्राप्त गर्न सकिन्छ।

Kagati Jhar, also known as Lemon Balm or Melissa officinalis, is a perennial herb in the mint family. It is native to Europe, North Africa, and West Asia, but it is now widely cultivated in various temperate climates around the world, including Nepal. The plant grows to a height of 60-150 cm, and it is known for its aromatic, lemon-scented leaves. It thrives in well-drained soils in areas with moderate sunlight and is found growing naturally in gardens, meadows, and along roadsides.

The herb's name, "Melissa," comes from the Greek word for honeybee, as it attracts bees with its sweet fragrance. Lemon Balm has a long history of medicinal use, dating back to ancient Greece and Rome, where it was utilized for its calming effects and healing properties. Its pleasant lemony scent and flavor have also made it popular in herbal teas, culinary dishes, and as a medicinal tonic.

Properties of Kagati Jhar (Lemon Balm)

Kagati Jhar is widely recognized for its medicinal properties. It is an aromatic herb with a mild lemon fragrance, making it highly valued both as a culinary and therapeutic plant. The main properties of this herb include:

Antioxidant: It contains compounds that have antioxidant properties, which help neutralize harmful free radicals in the body and reduce oxidative stress.
Antibacterial and Antiviral: It has natural antibacterial and antiviral properties, which make it effective in treating infections and illnesses caused by bacteria or viruses.
Sedative and Calming: Lemon Balm is known for its calming effects, which help reduce anxiety, stress, and insomnia. It is often used in herbal teas and tinctures to promote relaxation and sleep.
Digestive Aid: Lemon Balm has digestive properties that help relieve indigestion, bloating, and discomfort. It is commonly used for treating indigestion and other gastrointestinal problems.
Anti-inflammatory: This herb has mild anti-inflammatory effects, which can help reduce inflammation in the body and alleviate symptoms of conditions like arthritis or joint pain.

Advantages of Kagati Jhar (Lemon Balm)

Lemon Balm offers several advantages due to its versatile medicinal properties:

Promotes Relaxation and Reduces Stress: One of the primary advantages of Lemon Balm is its ability to promote relaxation and reduce anxiety. It has a natural sedative effect that calms the nervous system, making it a great remedy for stress, anxiety, and sleeplessness.
Supports Digestive Health: Lemon Balm is known to aid digestion and reduce discomfort caused by indigestion or bloating. It can be particularly useful for individuals with upset stomachs or those suffering from gastrointestinal issues.
Natural Remedy for Cold Sores: Research has shown that Lemon Balm may be effective in treating cold sores caused by the herpes simplex virus. It contains compounds that help inhibit the virus's growth, promoting faster healing.
Relieves Pain and Inflammation: Due to its anti-inflammatory properties, Lemon Balm can be used to relieve symptoms of inflammation, such as joint pain, headaches, or muscle aches.
Boosts Immune Function: Lemon Balm is known to enhance the immune system due to its antiviral and antibacterial properties. It may help the body fight off infections and illnesses more effectively.

Uses of Kagati Jhar (Lemon Balm)

Lemon Balm has a variety of uses, both in traditional medicine and modern herbal remedies:

Tea and Infusions: The most common use of Lemon Balm is in the form of herbal tea. Lemon Balm tea is often consumed for its soothing properties, helping with relaxation, sleep, and digestive issues. A typical infusion is made by steeping dried leaves in hot water for about 5-10 minutes.
Tinctures and Extracts: Lemon Balm tinctures or liquid extracts are commonly used in herbal medicine. They are highly concentrated forms of the herb and are typically taken by the drop in water to treat anxiety, insomnia, and digestive problems.
Essential Oil: The essential oil of Lemon Balm, though less commonly found than some other oils, has a variety of uses. It can be applied topically for its soothing effects on skin irritations or used in aromatherapy to reduce stress and anxiety.
Topical Application: Lemon Balm can be applied as a poultice or in creams for its antiviral properties, especially in the treatment of cold sores. The herb’s anti-inflammatory qualities also make it effective in reducing swelling and redness from insect bites or skin irritations.
Culinary Uses: Lemon Balm leaves are used in various culinary applications due to their refreshing lemon flavor. They can be added to salads, soups, sauces, and desserts, or used to flavor beverages such as lemon balm lemonade or cocktails.
Flavoring in Liquors and Syrups: The plant is also used to flavor certain alcoholic drinks and syrups, providing a delicate, citrusy note. It is commonly used in liqueurs such as "Melissa liqueur."

Using Method of Kagati Jhar (Lemon Balm)

Lemon Balm can be used in several ways depending on the desired effect. For most purposes, the herb is prepared as a tea or infusion:

For Tea: Take 1-2 teaspoons of dried Lemon Balm leaves, and steep them in a cup of hot water for 5-10 minutes. For best results, consume the tea 1-2 times daily to help with relaxation, digestive issues, or sleep disorders.
For Tinctures/Extracts: Use 15-25 grams of fresh or dried Lemon Balm leaves to make a tincture. The tincture can be consumed in small doses, typically 15-20 drops in a glass of water 2-3 times per day.
For Essential Oil: Lemon Balm essential oil should be used sparingly and diluted before applying it topically to avoid irritation. It can also be added to a diffuser to promote relaxation.
For External Use: Lemon Balm can be applied topically in the form of creams, poultices, or oils for conditions like cold sores, skin irritations, or muscle pain. Apply directly to the affected area 2-3 times a day.

Harvesting Method of Kagati Jhar (Lemon Balm)

Harvesting Lemon Balm is a simple process. The best time to harvest the leaves is when the plant is in full bloom, typically in late spring or early summer. At this time, the leaves have the most intense flavor and medicinal potency. Follow these steps for harvesting:

Select the Right Time: Harvest Lemon Balm early in the day, after the dew has evaporated but before the sun is too hot, to preserve the plant's oils and aroma.
Cut the Leaves: Use clean, sharp scissors or pruning shears to cut the leaves from the stem. It’s best to harvest the leaves in bunches rather than picking them individually.
Drying: To preserve the leaves for later use, tie the harvested stems together and hang them upside down in a cool, dry place with good ventilation. Once dried, the leaves can be stored in an airtight container.

Conclusion

Kagati Jhar (Lemon Balm) is a versatile and beneficial herb with a long history of use for its medicinal properties. From promoting relaxation to aiding digestion and fighting infections, its uses are wide-ranging. Whether consumed as a tea, applied as an oil, or used in cooking, Lemon Balm offers numerous health benefits. With its easy cultivation and straightforward harvesting methods, Lemon Balm is a valuable addition to any garden or herbal remedy collection. By incorporating this gentle, soothing herb into your routine, you can support your overall well-being and enjoy its refreshing lemon fragrance and flavor.

Reference

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